10th Illinois, Co. H "The Sandwich Guards"

07/19/2026

Pvt. Bill Novicki getting a turn at firing a Civil War cannon, courtesy of our pards at Taylor's Battery-1st Illinois Light Artillery, Co. B. Thanks Capt. McGlade!

07/19/2026

Two of our members got to fire a Civil War cannon for the first time, thanks to our pards from Taylors Battery-1st Illinois Light Artillery Co. B. First up is our drummer Grant. Second video to follow.

07/19/2026

The Sandwich Guards traveled a little north and west to once again be at the Waterman Summerfest and Tractor Show. We were blessed with good weather and had a good turnout of public.

07/18/2026

The Sandwich Guards are set up at Waterman Lions Summerfest and Antique Tractor Show and are ready to share some history and enjoy a beautiful summer day!
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07/09/2026

We participated in a national 250th event at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore. The event featured the reading of the Declaration of Independence at exactly the time it was read to the delegates in 1776. The Declaration was read at the same time throughout the country, and even in some places throughout the world! A large turnout of public came out to mark the occasion.

07/04/2026

Happy 250th America! We did two parades today in Hinsdale and Downers Grove. The turnout was tremendous in both towns. A lot of cheering and applause. God bless America!

07/02/2026

06/29/2026

Heat Exhaustion vs Heat Stroke. With the summer months upon us, it's important for reenactors to be aware of what your body is going through in the heat! Always remember to keep yourself, hydrated, don't over-extend yourself, and keep an eye on your Pards!

06/18/2026

Opening this Saturday! Riding for the Union: The 8th Illinois Cavalry

From 1861 to 1865, the 8th Illinois Cavalry—a Federal horse mounted regiment from Northern Illinois—traveled east to serve in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Upon volunteering, many of the soldiers had little to no experience riding or working with horses. After four years of service, these amateurs transformed themselves into one of the finest fighting cavalry units in the Union Army.

Riding for the Union tells the story of the 8th Illinois Cavalry through the lens of the Marshall D. Krolick Collection. Artifacts, photographs, first-hand accounts, and Krolick’s own research will guide visitors through the regiment’s journey.

“They were farm boys, store clerks and factory workers from the cities, towns and prairies of Illinois. If those who enlisted in the regiment were even vaguely familiar with a horse in 1861, it was the result of walking behind it with a plow or having it pull a wagon…Yet they came together to form one of the finest cavalry regiments of the Civil War…. Among the men there existed a pride that glowed within each of them for the rest of their lives whenever they said, “I rode for the Union with the 8th Illinois Cavalry.”

Marshall D. Krolick–lawyer, historian, author, collector and authority on the soldiers and history of the 8th Illinois Cavalry

05/25/2026

Source: https://ow.ly/swEi50Z3Hzg