This event centers around the 45th Infantry of Illinois which predominately was made up of men from the area we know as Galena, Ill. They were gathered together to form a company in April, 1861 and traveled to Chicago for mustering into the Union Army in November, 1861. This event will reenact the events leading up to the formation and eventual involvement with the Union Army of the United States.

This event is designed to be very interactive with the public and you are asked to maintain first person persona for the weekend. Our goal is to raise money to be given to continued restoration and maintenance of the Grant Home Property in Galena. The state of Illinois has discontinued nearly all funding to historic sites other than those related to President Lincoln.

Galena was a thriving town in the 1850's due to lead mining and freight handling, using the waterways that have since reduced in size and that have changed course over the years. Galena, at one time, was only four miles from the Mississippi River. Galena was a rural mining and farming community which allowed for a variety of income levels. Therefore, it is desired to have civilian women dressed in a variety of clothing presentations to reflect the variety of financial resources, or lack thereof, in the area. We will be supporting the public speaking that will go on in the AM on Saturday, provide for a picnic style lunch mid day on Saturday, participate in a social gathering using your talents in various domestic handworks in the afternoon, and on Sunday midday, a small group of women is needed to present, to the company, a flag that the Galena women created to send off with the men to Chicago.