Civil War Event
Village of Hainesville Annual Civil War Encampment & Battle
Saturday, October 18, 2025 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 19, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Relive history as knowledgeable re-enactors, both military and civilian in period costume, recreate an American Civil War Encampment and Battle in a rural setting in Hainesville, Illinois. Event highlights include: a narrated military battle between Union and Confederate uniformed military forces (the Battle of Bentonville, March 19-21, 1865 in North Carolina which was the last major battle of the Civil War), military and civilian bivouacs and encampments, battlefield surgeries, undertakers and period medical displays. Public participation in the instruction of military drill is also available.
Historical presentations are provided by such luminaries as Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, General Meade, Elijah Haines (village founder), and Thomas Morris Chester (the only black war correspondent for a major Civil War daily newspaper, the Philadelphia Press). Though not presenting, Clara Barton will mingle with the public and answer questions about her place in history. Food sales will also be available.
Although Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis never met in person, this event will stage a debate between the two re-enactors who represent them. It will be a unique opportunity to learn about both sides of the war issue.
Opportunities will exist for visitors to question participants about their knowledge of their character’s role in that period of our history. They are very knowledgeable of that period and their role in it. It provides a great history lesson and perspective.
NEW this year are presentations by Jefferson Davis and General Meade, the debate between Lincoln and Davis and the presence of Clara Barton.
There will also be an Historical Challenge for children with a Certificate of Recognition suitable for framing given to those turning their result into the Information Tent. The contest sheet and instructions is HERE and can also be obtained at the Information Tent.
The event is hosted by Northbrook Sports Club off South Hainesville Rd. Admission and on-site parking are FREE. Additional event information and re-enactor registration can be found on the tabs below.
Civil War Event Flyer
Click the thumbnail to enlarge the image.
Civil War Event Schedule
Hainesville’s 2025 Civil War Event Schedule
On-going activities all day: Military & civilian camp visitations, medical displays, settler & presenter interactions, and food and vendor sales. Opportunity exists for public to participate in military drill instruction. All presenters when not giving their talks will be available throughout the event to mingle & converse with the public. All military drills & battle are on the battlefield. Historical presentation take place in the Presentation Tent. New this year are presentations by Jefferson Davis and General Meade. Clara Barton, though giving no formal presentation, will mingle with the spectators and answer questions. Although Lincoln and Davis never met, the re-enactors representing them will state a debate covering both views of the war. Also, there is an Historical Challenge for the kids. See the information booth for details.
TIME MILITARY PRESENTERS
SATURDAY, October 18, 2025
- 10:00 PUBLIC ENTRY BEGINS
- 10:15 – 10:45 Military Drill Elijah Haines (Hainesville Founder – a man ahead of his time)
- 10:50 – 11:10 Thomas Morris Chester (At the end of the Siege of Petersburg & Richmond)
- 11:15 – 11:45 General Meade (The Road to Bentonville – 1865)
- 11:50 – 12:30 Jefferson Davis (Were Jefferson Davis and his fellow Confederates traitors?)
- 12:35 – 1:05 Drill Instruction for the public (See event brochure for location)
- 1:10 – 1:50 President Lincoln (1965: To finish the work we are in)
- 1:55 – 2:35 Lincoln – Davis Debate (Two Views)
- 2:35 – 3:05 Officers’ Call
- 2:40 – 3:10 Battlefield Surgery (At 17th Corps Hospital Tent)
- 3:10 – 3:25 Assembly
- 3:10 – 3:30 Prelude to the battle (on the battlefield)
- 3:30 – 4:00 Narrated Battle (Battle of Bentonville)
- 4:00 Event Closes to the Public
SUNDAY, October 19, 2025
- 8:00 – 9:00 Church Service (in Presentation Tent)
- 9:00 PUBLIC ENTRY BEGINS
- 9:15 – 9:45 Military Drill Elijah Haines (Hainesville Founder – a man ahead of his time)
- 9:50 – 10:10 Thomas Morris Chester (At the end of the Siege of Petersburg & Richmond)
- 10:15 – 10:45 General Meade (The Road to Bentonville – 1865)
- 10:50 – 11:30 Jefferson Davis (Were Jefferson Davis and his fellow Confederates traitors?)
- 11:35 – 12:05 Drill Instruction for the public (See event brochure for location)
- 12:10 – 12:50 President Lincoln (1965: To finish the work we are in)
- 12:55 – 1:35 Lincoln – Davis Debate (Two Views)
- 1:35 – 2:05 Officers’ Call
- 1:40 – 2:10 Battlefield Surgery (At 17th Corps Hospital Tent)
- 2:10 – 2:25 Assembly
- 2:10 – 2:30 Prelude to the battle (on the battlefield)
- 2:30 – 3:00 Narrated Battle (Battle of Bentonville)
- 3:00 Event Ends
Civil War Event Video
View a five-minute video of the 2021 Civil War Event. (Depiction is valid. Ignore dates shown.)
Civil War Event Directions
The site for the event is on the north end of the Northbrook Sports Club property at 200 Hainesville Road, Hainesville, IL 60030.
At the intersection of Belvidere Road (US route 120) and Hainesville Road, turn south. Then carefully cross the railroad tracks and move further south stopping at the Information Booth to receive the event program. Then you will be directed to the visitors parking area. Parking for the handicapped, re-enactors, presenters, media, food vendors and EMS is further south.
Signs are posted throughout the event site to direct visitors to the various activities. A site map is also included in the event program. All activities can be accessed by walking. Golf carts are available to transport the handicapped, as needed.
Enjoy the event.
Event Site Map and Site Key
MAP KEY-2025
- Info/Program Tent
- Battlefield (Site of Battle & Military Drill)
- Union Forces Camp
- Confederate Forces Camp
- Civilian Encampment
- 17th Corps Hospital & Battlefield Surgery
- Military Forces HQ & Registration Tent
- Presentation Tent
- Drill Instruction for the Public
- Food Vendor
- Picnic Benches
- Public Parking
- Re-enactor Parking
- Confederate Forces Parking
- Handicap Parking
- Volunteer Parking
- EMS Parking
- Portable Toilets
NOTE: Signs indicate activity locations. Refuse containers & recycle bins are strategically located throughout the encampment area. Distances and locations are approximate.
Click the image thumbnail to enlarge the map.
Civil War Event Sponsors
Following is the list of sponsors for the 2025 Civil War Event. We appreciate their support of this important event and suggest you patronize them as appropriate.
Northbrook Sports Club
Clearview Recycling
R.H.Witt
Houseal-Lavigne
Stop & Save
Eubanks Environmental
Grower Equipment & Supply Co.
Robert E. Frank Real Estate
Classic Printery
Event Sponsor Form
To sign up to sponsor the 2025 event, view and complete the 2025 Sponsor Sign Up Form.
Re-enactors Forms
View the 2025 Civil War Event Re-enactors Registration Form and the 2025 Re-enactors Waiver Form.
Mail the completed forms to: Wayne Carle, 26112 West Parkview Drive, Antioch, IL 60002
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