General Benjamin H. Grierson Society

    I would like to take a moment to express our disappointment that the 2011 event had to be cancelled. Grierson Days is not a “camp out” for the reenactors but a “reenacting campaign” to show how the soldiers lived and fought in a period that changed the history of our nation. The camps were flooded ankle deep to knee deep. The battlefield was so wet that we could not put horses on it, for fear of injuring horse or rider. It took six people to move one cannon to the parks edge so that it could be loaded. Some could not be moved out for several days, but instead of dwelling on the bad, we are choosing to focus on all the good things we have planned for 2012.

    The popular candy cannon, scavenger hunt, kid's drill & Prairie Play will return. Everyone will enjoy Friday night's FREE concert in the park. The Pilot Club will once again be sponsoring a Lady's Tea; Deborah Kelly will emcee the Fashion Show featuring men and women in period clothing; Dance mistress Deborah Hyland invites everyone to attend the Civil War Grand Ball at Nichols Park (the pavilion is air conditioned). Period music, dance instruction and refreshments will be provided. A FREE shuttle service will be provided to reenactors in period attire from Community Park to Nichols Park for the ball. Check the registration table to locate shuttle stops and running times.

    We do offer reenactors a few perks. Bounties are paid for Artillery, Mounted Cavalry, and Infantry. Infantry & Dismounted cavalry troopers will receive a black powder bounty IF in a unit of 6+ troops. Distribution will be made to unit commanders on Sunday. We also provide Free hay for horses, Free firewood, and each reenactor receives a meal ticket to use at any of the food vendors. Nichols Parks opens their showers to the reenactors, so reenactors can take showers throughout the weekend. Check at the registration table for the times showers will be open.

    Mark your calendars now, we are planning a great weekend the whole family can enjoy. We hope to see you there.

, Chairman
General Grierson Days Committee

Location: Beautiful City Park with Convenient Parking
All events are free and the public is invited to join the fun.
Food available on the grounds

Related sites:
General Grierson's Home on East State Street
General Grierson's final resting place in Jacksonville East Cemetery

General Grierson Days is held annually under the shade of more than 200 trees in a 62 acre park located in the center of the community. Saturday and Sunday feature battle re-enactments and the opportunity for the hundreds of area families that this event attracts to step back through time to experience life during the civil war.

Ladies will be hosted at a Saturday afternoon tea and discussion of fashion followed by a discussion of hair styles. While across the park a rousing game of baseball will be played just as it was during the Civil War. Bring the youngsters out, because we'll be looking for some volunteers to help! Saturday evening will feature the Grand Ball held in the historic setting of the Nichols Park Pavilion. Sponsored by the 50 Year Pilot Club of Jacksonville, the Ball will feature Deborah Hyland as the Dance Mistress and period music by the Megan Green Ensemble.

Sunday morning will find us gathered together for church services and the weekend will culminate with a Sunday afternoon civil war battle.

Through out the day there will be demonstrations, drills and activities including the opportunity to wander through settler row and see the period clothing, supplies and equipment for sale. There will also be food and craft vendors on the grounds.Have a sandwich and wash it down with a cold, homemade root beer and of course a piece of Strawberry Shortcake for dessert! All events are free,and the public is encouraged to attend.

Related sites in town include the Grierson House at 852 E. State St. (Map) & Grierson's resting place in East Cemetery.

Click here for more information on the Grierson Home and it's connection to the Underground Railroad.

From Community Park, exit right onto Morton Ave, travel a few blocks to Clay St and turn left at that stoplight. Travel a little over a mile North on Clay to Independence Ave and turn right. Go about half a mile to Myrtle St and turn right -go half a block and turn left at the arch entrance way of East Cemetery.Once inside the cemetery go past the first road to the left till you get to a Y intersection- take the left fork in the road to yet another Y intersection and take the left fork also. Travel just a little further straight and you'll see a street sign that says Hutchison Dr.- stop at that street sign and you will find the grave markers.

General Benjamin H. Grierson
1826- 1911

Benjamin H. Grierson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 8, 1826. As an 8-year-old he was kicked in the face by a horse and lay in a coma for two weeks. His cheek bore a scar and he lost his vision for two months due to this injury. It is said he wore his beard to hide the scar on his cheek.Grierson move to 852 East State Street in Jacksonville, Illinois with his family in the fall of 1850 when he was 24. He taught the piano lessons.It was here he learned that he had been hand picked by Ulysses S. Grant to lead an important military mission, which would become known as Grierson's Raid. This mission encompassed 600 miles in just 16 days.

General Grierson and his wife, Alice, are buried in the Jacksonville East Cemetery.

For information about this year's event and special overnight packages that are available, contact the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-593-5678 or Ron Gray at 217-473-4099, and we also invite you to visit the following links for more info on General Grierson:

BenjaminHenry Grierson

The Grierson Workbook (pdf)

HISTORICJACKSONVILLE CELEBRATION INFORMATION
JACKSONVILLE'SUNDERGROUND RAILROAD INFORMATION