By Sandy Vasko Winter quarters were the rule for most Will County regiments in early 1864, but not the men of the 39th who had…
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By Sandy Vasko As 1864 began, most of the Will County men were in winter camp, some were home on furlough after having reenlisted after…
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By Sandy Vasko February and floods, they go together. The recent flooding in Wilmington proves it yet again. All across Will County, we were all…
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Bettenhausen Farm, John & Elizabeth Bettenhausen Family 1892 Andy Partak of Manhattan shares this photo of John & Elizabeth Bettenhausen’s family on the Bettenhausen Farm…
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By Sandy Vasko While stuck in traffic the other day, I expressed the wish that I had a horse. They can go where cars can’t,…
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By Sandy Vasko As December 1863 showed her frosty face, the brave soldiers from Will County serving on the front began to make their way…
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By Sandy Vasko When November of 1863 came around, the Union was still reeling from the losses at Chickamauga. When the citizens of Will County…
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Editor’s note: Sandy Vasko is on vacation. We are re-running one of her past columns. By Sandy Vasko I’ve been told that a picture is…
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By Sandy Vasko We left the troops sleeping where they dropped before the battle commenced. Again, in Woodruff we read: “Next day, was the Sabbath,…
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By Sandy Vasko After the Union victory at Vicksburg, there was a hope that it would cripple the South, and the war would soon be…
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