10th Illinois, Co. H "The Sandwich Guards"

05/25/2026

Source: https://ow.ly/swEi50Z3Hzg

05/24/2026

165 years ago today 🇺🇸

05/11/2026

After losing a US Senate race to Stephen Douglas, urged his fellow Republicans not to waver in their opposition to . Turning away from their principes, even after a setback, would ultimately destroy the party, he said.

Source: https://ow.ly/nKFx50YXhLI

05/10/2026

Pictures from our annual living history event at the Soldiers Widows Home in Maywood. It was a gorgeous day to wear wool and engage the public.

04/27/2026

04/15/2026

April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issued his Proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the Southern rebellion. Nearly 260,000 Illinois troops answered the call. This painting portrays the 9th Illinois at Shiloh.

04/14/2026

Pictures from our annual school day and living history at our home of Sandwich, IL. This was our 26th year commemorating the original enlistment of the Sandwich Guards in April 1861.

04/06/2026

01/29/2026

Including the distinctive state jackets issued to the 10th Illinois and many sister regiments 🇺🇸

Illinois spent over 4 million dollars on supplies in 1861 for the American Civil War? Other Northern states budgeted comparable amounts: Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, for example, spent over 3 and 2.5 million (nominal) dollars, respectively, in the same year. The North relied on the private and public sectors to meet the growing demand for materials. One of the most notable government efforts in 1861, based out of the Girard House Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, produced over 10,000 items of clothing in less than a month. To further bridge the gap between production and demand, state officials often sent representatives abroad to purchase additional needed supplies. In one case, Francis B. Crowninshield, a well-known merchant, purchased more than $350,000 worth of rifles and equipment in Britain on behalf of the Massachusetts government.

Pictured: Girard House Hotel in Philadelphia, PA

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for a happy, healthy 2026!