The 23rd Illinois, is a Civil War Reenactment organization, currently based in and around the Springfield, Missouri region. Originaly, the heart of the unit's membership was, largly fueled by (but not limited to), the students of Missouri State University. This is how the 23rd Illinois began. However, as it grew and was supported by many in the surrounding communty, the 23rd Illinois quickly became a standard Reenactment organization. With many of the original students having graduated and moving on, the membership evolved to include amature historians and history buffs from almost every walk of life.
As an organization, the 23rd Illinois, attempts to recreate the wartime exsperiance, of the common union infantry soldier, of the western theater. However, our mission is to learn, and to share our knowledge with those interested about the times and people of the American Civil War. We portray every day people of the mid 19th Century (1861-1865), and of course, an authentic Infantry Company of the 23rd Illinois Volunteers.
Several times a year, the company takes the field and serves at various local, regional, or national Civil War Reenactment events. We hold very dear to our hearts - the motto "LEXINGTON"!!!
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The original 23rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment was formed in Chicago, Illinois in early 1861, and eventually worked its way into Missouri. For three days in September 1861, the brave Irish boys of the 23rd Illinois held off Rebel attacks at Lexington before finally being forced to surrender. But they refused to surrender their Irish Green flag, and in the end, the men cut up the beloved Banner (each man taking a small part of it), and keeping it from being captured.
They were afterward paroled and reformed again in Chicago, and later served in the Eastern theatre of the war.
This web page has been established as a type of internet depot, that members and visitors can check and receive basic information, on the 23rd Illinois Reenactors. We hope that it will meet the approuval of those who visit, while at the same time, giving an authentic feel and flavor to the organization. |
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