New displays show service of African-American Soldiers in the Illinois National Guard

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/31/2014)(readMedia)-- To recognize Black History Month, the Illinois State Military Museum has unveiled a new series of displays telling the story of the service of African American Soldiers in the Illinois National Guard in the Civil War and World War I.

"We've chosen to display artifacts from the Civil War and World War I to tell just a few of the stories of Illinois citizens that may not be well-known to the public or even our own National Guard personnel," said Bill Lear, Museum Curator. "African-Americans citizens have served in Illinois National Guard units throughout the state's history including the Civil War, Spanish-American War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and today's Global War on Terror. Displays like these help tell the complete story of the service of Illinois citizens and of the Illinois National Guard."

The centerpiece display in the museum lobby is the U.S. flag carried during the Civil War by the 29th U.S. Colored Troops (USCT), the only black regiment from Illinois. Originally called the First Regiment Illinois Volunteers (Colored), the unit designation changed to the 29th USCT when it mustered into federal service on April 24, 1864 in Quincy, Ill.

The 29th USCT Soldiers saw their first action during the Siege of Petersburg at the Battle of the Crater in July 1864. They also fought at the Battle of Globe Tavern (August 1864), the Battle of Poplar Grove Church (September 1864), the Battle of Boydton Plank Road (October 1864), and ended the war on the Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865). The 29th lost three officers and 43 enlisted men killed in action and 188 enlisted men to disease.

The 29th USCT was one of 175 United States Colored Troop regiments. By the end of the war, African American Soldiers numbered nearly 179,000 and constituted 10 percent of the Union Army.

Other displays show equipment and personal items from the 8th Illinois Infantry was renamed the 370th Infantry for service in France during World War I. The 8th Illinois was an all-black unit whose history dates from 1878 and whose units ranged from Chicago to Metropolis, including companies in Springfield, Peoria, Quincy and Danville.

The displays feature 370th uniforms, collar brass showing the unit of assignment, and weapons a 370th Soldier would have used.

"These displays of ordinary items that average Soldiers used and wore can really help you feel a connection to them across the years," Lear said.

These temporary displays will be open through Feb. 28. In addition, the main exhibit gallery on the museum's second floor contains permanent displays that offer more information about the 8th Illinois' service in the Spanish-American War and World War II and the 8th Illinois descendent, the 178th Infantry Regiment.

Located two blocks north of the intersection of MacArthur Blvd. and North Grand Ave., the Illinois State Military Museum tells the story of the contributions of the Illinois National Guard to the state and the nation from 1723 to the 21st Century. The museum is open 1 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission and parking are free. For more information call (217) 761-3910.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (07/02/2013)(readMedia)-- In addition to marking the independence of the United States, the Illinois National Guard is also marking the 150th anniversary of the Siege of Vicksburg and the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War and the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Hamel during World War I (WWI).

Three Illinois units participated in the Battle of Gettysburg, the 8th Illinois Cavalry, four companies of the 12th Illinois Cavalry, and the 82nd Illinois Infantry.

"At 7:30 a.m. on July 1, 1863 Lt. Marcellus Jones with the 8th Cavalry fired the first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg and the first Union Soldier to die in the battle were from the 12th Illinois Cavalry," said Adriana Schroeder of Springfield, Ill., the Illinois National Guard command historian.

Two days later, the 82nd Illinois Infantry participated in the Union defense of the infamous Pickett's Charge.

Hundreds of miles and several states away, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant laid siege to Vicksburg, Miss., with nearly one-third of his entire force consisting of Illinois Soldiers.

"The turning point in the Civil War came July 4, 1863 when Confederate fighters surrendered at both Gettysburg and Vicksburg," said Schroeder. "Gettysburg marked the last push into Union territory for the Confederates. After Vicksburg, the Union Army controlled the Mississippi River and cut the Confederacy in two."

Fifty-five years later, in July 1918, Soldiers from the 131st and 132nd Illinois Infantry Regiments were attached to Australian brigades in France during WWI.

"These Illinois Soldiers were the first of the 33rd Division to fight in the war and possibly the first Americans to fight under the command of another country." said Schroeder. "On July 4, 1918, they successfully took out German trenches in the Hamel Woods, which had previously dominated Australian forces."

On Aug. 12, 1918, George V, the King of England, arrived at 33rd Division Headquarters and awarded 19 officers and enlisted men with the Distinguished Service Cross, the Military Cross and the Military Medal for acts of bravery.

Cpl. Thomas A. Pope, a Norwood Park, Ill., native, served with company E of the 131st Infantry Regiment and received the Medal of Honor at Hamel. His citation reads, "At Hamel, July 4, 1918...Corporal Pope's company was advancing behind the tanks when it was halted by hostile machine gun fire. Going forward alone, he rushed a machine gun nest, killed several of the crew with his bayonet, and, standing astride his gun, held off the others until re-enforcements arrived and captured them."

The Illinois State Military Museum has artifacts and displays that tell the story of the Illinois units and Soldiers who served in these key battles. The displays include battle flags, weapons, war trophies and a WWI trench scene depicting the battle of Hamel.

The Illinois State Military Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. It is located adjacent to Camp Lincoln at 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield. Admission and parking are free.

April 7 Ceremony to Recognize Soldiers in Galesburg Army National Guard Unit

GALESBURG, IL (04/03/2013)(readMedia)-- Approximately 115 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers will be recognized April 7 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ceremony for the 444th Chemical Company will be at 10 a.m. at the Galesburg National Guard Armory, 362 N. Linwood Road in Galesburg.

The Soldiers were mobilized in February 2012 and briefly trained at Camp Shelby, Miss., before deploying to Kuwait. They returned home Dec. 22.

Stationed at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, the unit operated as a base command cell supporting units stationed at the base and operations in the region.

The 444th saved more than $500,000 in government contracts and increased the billeting capability of Camp Virginia by more than 4,000 Soldiers. The 444th was instrumental in transitioning Camp Virginia from a short-term stop for Soldiers heading into Kuwait or Afghanistan into a long-term billeting area.

The 444th also conducted more than 3,000 patrols and secured 71 unexploded ordnances without loss of life or equipment.

The Freedom Salute Campaign program is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard will present each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families will also receive items recognizing their support and sacrifice. The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.