By Sandy Vasko

If you have been hiding under a rock or in a cave, you surely are aware that it is the 250^th anniversary of this country. Today I am writing about those who served in a war to keep this nation from tearing itself apart.

The date is August 1894. One of the largest encampments of veterans ever held, took place at Riverview Park, near where Dellwood Park was to be built. Our on-site story teller is a reporter for the Joliet News. The week before the encampment, a description of what was to come was published:

“Riverview Park, Joliet, Monday, Aug. 27 until Saturday Sept. 1 – This will be one of the largest encampments probably ever held in this section. Every railroad running into Joliet will give excursion rates and run excursion trains. Assurances are given that large crowds will come from Danville, Kankakee, Ottawa, Peoria, Bloomington, Galesburg, Freeport, Rockford, Aurora, Mendota, Waukegan, Chicago and all intermediate points.

“It is proposed to have several hundred tents filled with veterans and their families on these beautiful grounds. There will be no charges for tents or admission to old soldiers. All others will be charged 10 cents admission.

“It is particularly desired that every old soldier in this part of the state be here and take part in the parade on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 11 a.m. This will be the largest parade of Ex-soldiers in Will County since the war. All civic and military organizations will be invited to join in the parade. Programs are being prepared and will be sent into every part of the state and Joliet must prepare to entertain the largest crowd in its history.

“The use of tents at the encampment for soldiers will be free, and fifty cents per day only for civilians. One hundred tents will come from Springfield, and any family who wishes to use one, apply to me at 206 Chicago Street.

“Persons coming from a distance with their team, will be accommodated with field stabling on the grounds; we can take care of any number of teams, but bring feed. Country people can thus have the care of their own conveyances. Good meals will be served on the grounds, and arrangements have been made to furnish everything necessary.” E. B. MATTESON, PRESIDENT”

The following week we have the description of the event itself. Sorry about the flowery language:

“At Riverview park Monday, the remnants of many a regiment straggled in, one with a bullet hole between the eyes, another with his skull ripped open, several with legs left on battle fields, and nearly all with some mark or terrible wound upon their bodies. Those who escaped this are on the down side of life, with some disease or other probably contracted on the march in southern swamps which will carry them to an untimely grave.

“A couple of old soldiers were talking about a Mississippi campaign, how the surgeons and doctors prescribed whisky and quinine for almost everything until, as one of them put it, ‘I could take a dose of quinine clean on my tongue and never make a face.’ The other said, ‘Well I referred the whisky to the quinine,’ and it is not strange that they sought for some sort of a stimulant to carry them through the frightful ordeals that confronted them.

“No conscientious patriot can listen to those real heroes without gathering an inspiration to battle for his country and see that these men are well cared for in their declining years. Their weaknesses, whatever they may be, can be most tenderly overlooked when the thought of their service is recalled.

“It was nearly two o’clock before Commander Matheson got his forces at work staking down tents and putting things in order for the reception of visitors. Those who had concessions were on the ground early. Among them were those who had charge of the restaurant, barber shop, peanuts, popcorn and the rifle target.

“One man came on, and old soldier at that, with a little game of chance – canes, or some cheap racket, and immediately the commander got his committee together and said: ‘Well, we all understand it was unanimously voted that no games of chance whatever were to come on this ground;’ and they all said ‘aye’ ‘And here is one of our comrades who wants to set up something of the kind here. What shall we do with him’ Almost in a chorus they said: ‘We can’t do it. Let one man come in with a small game of chance and it will not be long before a wheel of fortune will be grinding out and carting off our good dollars.’ The old vet got terribly wrathy and became very threatening, but he subsided finally and left the grounds.

“Among the earliest to arrive on the grounds were Dr. Moon and M. Walters of Lockport; Amos Savage and A.O. Marshall.

“The ninety tents borrowed of the state are set up north of the mammoth new agricultural building to be used at the county fair, with regimental headquarters in six tents directly between the building and the camp.

“The first two tents are allotted to the Sons of Veterans of Lockport, and the next two of that line were reserved for the post of that place. Tent No. 7 belongs to E. Noble. On the opposite side of the street, beginning at B, A.B. Hodge hold forth as chief of the police forces, and next to him some of the Peotone post are located. H. T. Plumb is next, W.H. Birdsell, of Joliet, and next north of that Emery Post of New Lenox, with his family. The Woman’s Relief Corps and W. A. Webb Post No. 657 of Peotone have the first two tents in the next row east, with H. Genter in charge. The two tents north are occupied by W. W. Gifford and two daughters, Mrs. Blair and two daughters and the Misses Sloan and Smalley of Elwood.

“Thousands of spectators along the line of march viewed the formal beginning of the encampment in the shape of a very creditable procession. The police and firemen, with Chiefs Lane and Paige, were out in full dress and the fire apparatus made a brave showing with flags and bunting. Steam was up in readiness for a possible alarm.

“Interest centered on the 172 marchers underneath the Grand Army banners of Joliet, Wilmington and Peotone. The ravages of war and that other grim destroyer, time, were plainly marked, and to some it appeared a hard march. The News’ and other whistles sounded a salute as the procession passed near. At the Alton the marchers took a train for the park.”

Here we leave our honored vets, to enjoy the fruits of their sacrifice. As you celebrate our country on the 4^th, remember those and all our wounded warriors.

Sandy Vasko is Researcher and Collections Manager at the Will County Historical Museum and Research Center.