SHOALS– The Martin County Historical Museum will host a special Civil War remembrance day this Saturday, September 20, to honor the 28 soldiers from the 19th Illinois Infantry Regiment who lost their lives in a little-known train wreck in 1861.
The event is free and open to the public.
The event, which runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will commemorate a tragic moment in local history. On September 17, 1861, a troop train carrying Union soldiers crashed over a bridge at Beaver Creek near Shoals, resulting in the deaths of 28 men and injuring dozens more. The disaster had a profound impact on both Martin County and the soldiers’ hometown of Galena, Illinois.
Local historian Taylin Allen of the Martin County Historical Society will share the story of the tragedy. A key part of the day’s program will be the dedication of a monument honoring the fallen soldiers, scheduled for 2 p.m. The ceremony will feature Civil War reenactors and a three-volley salute.
Throughout the day, attendees can also visit Civil War reenactor camps and attend presentations about Abraham Lincoln’s early years in Indiana. The event will also feature portrayals of President Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant.
