Welcome to the home of the 12th Annual

Shadows of the Blue and Gray

Civil War Re-enactment

City-County Park, Princeton, Illinois

October 11-12, 2008

 
 
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 Exciting history brought to the present with accurate recreations of the sights and sounds of the American Civil War.

Click on the links below and to the left to start your tour!

Schedule of Events

Maps of our Event

The Shadows of the Blue and Gray is one of the Midwest's premiere Civil War Re-enactments.  From the sounds of the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band, to the smell of wood smoke, to realistic military and civilian encampments to thrilling battles, to beautiful fall scenery, you will enjoy your visit to the past. 

Shadows of the Blue and Gray is held in the City-County Park 1 mile north of Princeton and I-80 on Hwy. 26.  Princeton is just 24 miles west of the I-39 / I-80 interchange and is an easy drive from the Chicago, Bloomington, Peoria, Quad City and Rockford areas.  Come and spend the weekend with us!

Photo Archive

Re-enactor Registration

                                        Here's where you can see photos  of previous Shadows of the Blue and Gray re-enactments.  You can also check out photos from each year - click the link buttons on the left.

 

If you are a Civil War Re-enactor, Living History presenter or Sutler, find out more about our re-enactment or register to participate in our event!

Shadows of the Blue and Gray NEWS

Click on the link below to see a special virtual tour of the event.

Tribute Edition Virtual Tour

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April 4, 2008 - New Trivia Question below for April - test your knowledge!  One of the new features of the event this year will be a venue for various storytellers.  A perfect place to be entertained, sit a spell and listen to yarns of old.  Historical presentations to delight everyone!

March 25, 2008 - The schedule of events for this year's "Shadows" is almost complete and we are planning on new attractions in addition to the favorite activities from the past.  We will publish our brochure in April but if you would like more information be sure to e-mail us for information and check our "Events" page for updates.  In addition to the 33rd Illinois Vol. Reg. Band and Bob Welch, Emmett Miller, the "Windy City Wizard" will return with even more prestidigitation and magic to entertain everyone.  We will also have several story tellers on hand to tell you tales of the times.  Come early and enjoy the entire weekend!

February 16, 2008 - Planning is underway for the 12th Annual Shadows of the Blue and Gray and the Princeton Civil War Committee predicts an even greater event this year.  Although many details are yet to be finalized, invitations will be going out soon to all re-enactors, living history presenters and sutlers.  Back again this year will be the incomparable 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regimental Band and Bob Welch "Songs of the Civil War".  We are also planning on a dress ball with music by the 33rd - everyone enjoyed the ball in 2007!  Check back soon for more information or you can contact the 2008 Committee at info@shadowsbluegray.com for more information.

The Princeton Civil War Committee will be holding a fundraiser from March 6th to the 27th - Cooking Classes with Monika Sudakov of the Chestnut Street Inn in Sheffield, IL.  The classes will be held at Someone's In The Kitchen in Princeton.  If you enjoy fine cooking and would like to learn the secrets of one of the best chefs in the Illinois Valley, register for one or more of the classes.  For a brochure send us an e-mail at info@shadowsbluegray.com or call 815-866-2035.  Hurry, space is limited and pre-registration is encouraged.

Our Trivia Contest starts this month - check out the question below and send in your answer!

We hope to see you in October!

November 28, 2007 - The Princeton Civil War Committee wishes to announce the dates for the:

 12th Annual "Shadows of the Blue and Gray" - October 11-12, 2008!

More details will be forthcoming as our plans develop but we will be striving to make the re-enactment more enjoyable for all who attend.  Check back again in 2008 for more information.  If you are a re-enactor, sutler or living history presenter, you can contact the committee at info@shadowsbluegray.com for more information or to inquire about registering for the 2008 event.  If you would like to help with one of the Midwest's premier Civil War Re-enactments, you can volunteer to help the committee.  We need assistance in many areas of putting on our event and appreciate community involvement.

 

 

 For event information, questions or suggestions, send an e-mail to:  info@shadowsbluegray.com

 

Civil War Trivia Contest

Are you a history buff?  Or a civil war historian?  Or maybe just like to look up interesting facts?  Enter our Civil War Trivia Contest!  It's fun for everyone in the Family and we will be giving away some nice prizes.

How to Play:  Read the question, e-mail your answer to the link provided, the first correct answer wins.  You will be notified by return e-mail of your win.  Pick up your prize at the admission gate at this year's Shadows of the Blue and Gray!

The fine print rules:  Enter as many times as you like but Only One Win Per Person.  Prizes must be picked up in person (id required) at the Shadows of the Blue and Gray admission gate Oct 13-14, 2007, Princeton, IL.  No substitutions or exchanges or cash value awards.  Prizes will not be sent to winner.  First correct reply determined by e-mail send date and time will win prize.  Prize winners will be confirmed via e-mail.  Fun and educational value of contest of inestimable value.  The answers will be posted to the previous question - check back.

Trivia Quiz Prize:  2 adult combo Saturday admission tickets (day and evening events)

Click on the link to the right to send your answer:  triv@shadowsbluegray.com

Check back soon for the April Trivia Contest Question!

April 2008 Question:  So, one Civil War soldier walks up to another and says, "I've got a 10 lb. Parrott".  Should the 2nd soldier get out a bag of crackers and say "Polly want a cracker" or would a bag of gunpowder be more appropriate?  What is a Parrott?

Answer:  A Parrott is a rifled cannon designed by Robert Parker Parrott.  The first size was a 10 pounder in 1860 and was replaced in 1864 by the 3" rifled Parrott.  Parrott's are easily recognized by the reinforcement band around the breach.  A 10 pound Parrott is scheduled to be displayed at Shadows of the Blue and Gray this October - come check it out!

The May Question will be appearing soon!

 

March 2008 Question:  The revolutionary Henry lever-action rifle, patented in 1860 and improved before the war, gave soldiers a rapid fire capability unattainable with muskets - up to 45 rounds per minute.  Muzzle velocities were up to 1,125 fps and the .44 caliber copper-cased ammunition gave 10 times the muzzle energy than other repeating rifles.  The 15 round magazine was said to offer a rifle that for sporting and hunting purposes, "you could load on Sunday and shoot all week long".  But in the Civil War the Henry did not enjoy wide use because of the cost ($42) and most soldiers had to buy them themselves.  Around 10,000 Henry rifles were used in the war.  The question - how many were issued by the military?

Answer:  The military supplied their soldiers with 1,731 Henry repeating rifles.  Undoubtedly, the Confederates used weapons found on the battlefield and a few soldiers may have had Henry rifles from before the war but it was the Union Army that perhaps missed an opportunity in not supplying the rifle in greater numbers.  However, when it was deployed, it was said of the rifle that it helped turn the tide of several battles and thus potentially brought the Civil War to a quicker end.  In current military speak, the Henry would be a "force multiplier".

 

February 2008 Question:  Berdan's Sharpshooters were an elite Union unit of expert marksmen set apart from regular troops by their green uniforms.  The uniforms were of a conventional design except for the buttons - what were they made of and why?

Answer:  Non-reflective black rubber so they wouldn't reflect light and give away the soldiers position.

 

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