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Civil War Days: May 17 and 18, 2008 Reenactors, click here for more information

 

 
Experience Conner Prairie like you never have before at this premiere Midwest Civil War event. One weekend only, the historic areas are transformed into Civil War camps. See the 1860s brought to life with reenactors from across the country. Discuss battle tactics with soldiers, march with them and witness a battle each day.

Civil War Days is free with museum general admission. For more information, call Guest Services at 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836 or e-mail info@connerprairie.org. 


Did you know?

Civil War slangs and phrases:

Greenbacks—Money

Breadbasket—Stomach

Bully—Yeah! Hurrah!

Fit to be tied—Angry

Goobers—Peanuts

Grab a Root—This was shouted in a crowd if someone tripped to out their clumsiness. It also means to have dinner.

Indiana and the Civil War

Number of... Total Indiana
Enlisted Men

In 1861: 16,000 Union

By 1865: Over 1.5 million Union

Nearly 200,000 (74% of Indiana's eligible men)
Men Killed 624,000 Union and Confederate

7,000 from battle wounds

19,000 from other causes, primarily disease

Overall, 1 in 8 men did not come home

Enlisted African Americans By 1865: 180,000 Union By 1865: about 1,500

Regiments (infantry, artillery and cavalry)

Over 2,000 Union 195

Women and the War

Women served in a variety of non-military roles during the Civil War, including as nurses and aid workers. Not allowed to join as soldiers, women sometimes disguised their gender to serve their country in that capacity. If discovered, though, they were immediately discharged. But what if they weren't?

Jennie Hodgers, aka Albert D. Cashier, served as a man in an Illinois Infantry regiment, a disguise that went undiscovered throughout the war and beyond. It wasn't until she was hit by a car around 1910 and treated at a hospital that her deception was realized. Upon hearing that her government pension would be revoked for the ruse, her fellow soldiers came to her defense and successfully argued on her behalf.

Unlike the military of 150 years ago, today's forces rely on the expertise of women in all areas. Women like Jennie Hodgers were ahead of their time!

 

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