By Sandy Vasko In the spring of 1864, the Governor of Illinois put out a call for 20,000 “three-month men” to take the place of…
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By Sandy Vasko As you have probably gathered by now, I get much of my information from newspapers. Not every edition has important articles; most…
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By Sandy Vasko Last time we spoke about the war, the men of the 20th were going home, as were other men from the Will…
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By Sandy Vasko The 1870s were known for hard times. The country was filled with immigrants looking for work. But because of nation-wide strikes in…
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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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