Preservation

Battlefield Preservation

According to the American Battlefield Trust (formerly the Civil War Trust), one acre of battlefield is lost every ten minutes. The Salt Creek Civil War Round Table annually raises thousands of dollars for battlefield preservation. In addition to contributions directly to the ABT, Salt Creek has contributed directly to many national and local organizations to help in the preservation effort. Locally, the round table supported the historical marker for Camp Douglas in 2014, the annual Veteran’s Day program at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago and several projects restoring Civil War headstones in various area cemeteries. For a complete list of preservation sites please refer to the listing in the Salt Creek history. 

 

 

The Camp Douglas marker is located at south King Drive near 32nd Street.

 

In addition to monetary contributions, the round table has implemented short term programs known as, “Partners in Preservation.” These programs are specific to the goals of the organizations, such as the installation of a historical marker on the Franklin (Tennessee) battlefield as part of the Save the Franklin Battlefield’s education program in 2001.

 

http://www.franklin-stfb.org/images/federalforwardline_marker.JPG

 

The marker is located at 1410 Columbia Avenue in Franklin.

 

In 2003 Salt Creek partnered with 15 other Illinois round tables and raised $5,000 to help complete the restoration of the eagle on top of the Illinois Memorial at the Vicksburg National Military Park. This was done to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the monument on the battlefield park.

 

 

Salt Creek has also worked with the DuPage County History Museum, the Illinois National Guard Museum and the Chicago Civil War Round Table to restore the 36th Illinois Volunteer Infantry regimental flag in 2004. The flag is on display at the DuPage County History Museum.

 

Bernie Bucholz and Roger Bohn (left) assist with the unveiling of the

36th Illinois infantry flag

 

The regiment mustered in at Montgomery, Illinois in 1861. During the war they were assigned to the Department of Missouri. Known as westerners they participated in many major engagements including Pea Ridge, Ark, Perryville, KY, Stone’s River, TN, Chickamauga and Chattanooga followed by the Atlanta Campaign. After Atlanta they returned to Tennessee and fought at the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. During the course of the war the regiment lost 332 men. Eleven officers and 193 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 officer and 127 enlisted men to disease.

 

In 2008 the round table supported the restoration project of the Albert D.J.  Cashier Museum & Home in Saunemin, Illinois.

 

 

The round table raises funds through monthly book raffles, the sale of Salt Creek merchandise, an annual book sale, as well as, through private donations.

 

Last updated September 2020 by Cindy Intravartolo