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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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