We portray the Swedish company, in the ¨57th Regiment Illinois Volunteers Infantry¨ (company D) which participated during the American Civil War 1861-1865. D-Comp
We portray the Swedish company, in the ¨57th Regiment Illinois Infantry¨ (D company) which participated during the American Civil War American Civil War 1861-1865 on the north side. The company was called the Swedish Union Guard and Bish
op Hill Company. Several Swedes in the company were veterans who had participated in previous wars. The Swedes were sought after because they had military knowledge as they had done the so-called conscription system of that time through the draft board in Sweden. Both enlisted and enlisted, some were officers who went over to get more military experience. In Illinois alone, 1300 Swedes were enlisted. The women often accompanied the soldiers and helped with, among other things, cooking, medical care, etc. In a regimental competition, the Swedish company won first prize as the best drilled company. The prize awarded by the colonel of the regiment was a new banner. The association welcomes new members men, women and families who want to join in recreating this part of Swedish history. Come and meet us, try on clothes and uniforms and we will tell you more. The association has equipment to borrow. The membership fee is 100 SEK per adult. We have training days, workshops and will participate in fun events. If you play an instrument, like singing and music, we are some musicians in the association who create an atmosphere around the campfire playing, among other things, 'Battle cry of freedom'.
