A LIVING HISTORY LESSON John A. Logan College event helps local students learn about life during the Civil War

CARTERVILLE - About 400 area schoolchildren attended the 15th annual Civil War Days celebration at John A. Logan College on Wednesday.

As many as 14 re-enactors gave living history presentations at eight different stations on the college grounds, just north of the main entrance.

Presentations included a medical doctor doing his work; the life of a Civil War soldier; the loading and firing of a replica cannon; the story of General Robert E. Lee of the Confederacy; members of the 31st Illinois volunteer infantry; an African-American nurse and women in the Civil War.

Keynote speaker for the day included a 17th Corps field hospital surgeon, who was very well received by the attendees.

"I thought it was a nice turnout today and we hope that the re-enactments provided a detailed description for the students on what life was like here in America during the Civil War," said Barry Hancock, Director of Continuing Education, whose department hosted the event.