Once a year, several of the women who went to Greentown High School, Class of 1962, get together for a few days. We try for places most haven't experienced.
This year five of us went to Galena, Illinois. Historic Galena is a tourist attraction because it remained unblemished by modern urbanization and has a rich Civil War history.
Nine Civil War generals were from Galena; the most famous was General Ulysses S. Grant (first becoming U.S. President in 1869.)
When built on the Galena River (which flows into the Mississippi) Galena was the biggest town on the western frontier and hosted the largest port. Mountains rich in lead, it prospered and then died. The river boats moved away from those banks, the California gold rush replaced the lead rush, and the beautiful homes, businesses, and countryside stood still.
Today, because of the beauty and history, it has become a destination for those who want to shop little unique businesses, tour historic homes, and experience the Midwest as it was in the middle 1800s. It is only a few miles from ski resorts with the banks of the Mississippi a frame for the mountains and a very large gated community with a top golf course.
We visited, ate fine food, shopped, and then we met four of the U.S. Civil War Generals from Galena. We saw them walk past our restaurant one very dark and rain swept evening. Towards, the end of that evening, we saw them walk back the other way. As three of us slowly walked back to the historic DeSoto Hotel, we saw them standing in the V.F.W. and asked if they would permit a picture.
General Grant explained what they were doing (aside from downing a few beers) and why. As they gathered around us for the "photo op", they went into character and talked of their war experiences and Galena. They did their presentation in a first person account.
It was fun, interesting and as the poster mentions, they hope to raise money for the completion of their uniforms. They see their purpose as bringing the military generals history to school children, groups, and the public. In real life, the men are veterans. I expect it is one of the few times anyone will see Civil War generals leaning up to a Veterans of Foreign Wars bar (outside of Galena that is.)
The DeSoto is the oldest continually operating hotel in the United States. It has hosted a Lincoln/Douglas debate, was Grant's operating headquarters during a portion of the war, and many other dignitaries. Because of it's location and size (at that time larger than Chicago), it was the center of political, military, expeditionary, and frontier "wild west" life.
It was also a nice three days with friends. Marcia Bryan Ellis and Dee Reed Mast Wright from Greentown. Georgi Wilke Wright from Indianapolis, and Nancy Hochenbrach Stafford from Louisville.
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