Elmer Ellsworth and the United States Zouaves-- Part 14: H. Dwight Laflin and the Big Bang in Kenosha 1911

Another former Ellsworth Zouave:

H. DWIGHT LAFLIN--  Became president of Laflin-Vauder Gunpowder Company.  One of the largest gunpowder companies in the United States.  In 1898, he had 577 acres of land near Kenosha, Wisconsin (area where the outlet malls are located today).

On March 9, 1911, there was a huge explosion there at the Laflin, Rand Company when millions of pounds of dynamite and gunpowder exploded just after 8 pm. 

Not only was the plant, covering hundreds of acres, but the people in the community of Pleasant Prairie where it was located and for surrounding area were damaged.  The shockwave was felt as far away as 500 miles from Kenosha.

--Old Secesh

Elmer Ellsworth and the U.S. Zouave Cadets-- Part 2

Elmer Ellsworth lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1853 to attend Kenosha High School.  He came to Chicago in 1854 at age 17 and became a businessman, something that he was not suited for and this venture bankrupted him.

While in the city,thought, he vigorously studied the two main military drill manuals of the day by William Hardee and Winfield Scott.  He also got a copy of the Zouave training manual.  The Zouaves had impressed the world with their action during the Crimean War.

In 1857, he became drill instructor of the Rockford Greys and in the summer of 1858 taught them the Zouave system of drill.  Many of these men later formed three companies in the 19th Illinois Infantry.

--Old Secesh

MCCWRT Meeting November 14, 2017

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table's Christmas Party will be Sunday, December 3 at the Bernard Mill Restaurant in Ringwood, Illinois, from 11 to 2.  The restaurant is in an actual 19th century mill.

Cost is $30, with proceeds going to the scholarship program.  Food will be served family style and guest speaker will be portraying Clara Barton.

The new officers and board were elected.

Our speaker for the night,  Doug Dammann is with the Kenosha (Wisconsin) Civil War Museum where he has been for the past ten years.  The museum opened in 2008 and they have a Second Friday Lecture once a month as well as a Campaign Tour the second to last weekend in October.  They just got back from Sailors Creek, Virginia and the Appomattox Campaign.

He spoke on Elmer Ellsworth and the United States Zouave Cadets.  I, of course, knew who Elmer Ellsworth was but didn't know anything about his Zouave Cadets which was why I looked them up and wrote about them this past week.

Well, At Least I May Finally Learn for Sure How to Pronounce Zouave.  --Old Secesh

"Life and Limb" and " Seeing the Elephant" On Display at Kenosha Civil War Museum

From the April 3, 2015, Kenosha (Wis) News.

At Kenosha's Civil War Museum there are two exhibits worth checking out soon.

"LIFE AND LIMB-- THE TOLL OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR"  Explores the experiences of disabled Civil War veterans.  The exhibit runs through April 25th.  A photograph accompanies the article of five Union soldiers missing legs.

"SEEING THE ELEPHANT"--  A ten-minute, 360 degree movie-- in the "Fiery Trial" exhibit.

The Civil War Museum is at 5400 First Avenue in Kenosha, Wisconsin and is open seven days a week.  Admission charged.

Not Too far.  Reckon I'll Go.  After All, I Saw the Elephant.  --Old Secesh

About the Kenosha Civil War Museum-- Part 4

This museum started from a very thorough Civil War collection that used to be housed at Carthage College in Kenosha.  I saw it there and have also been to this new museum and really should go more often as it is only about 40 miles away.

They also have many lectures and presentations.

It is open 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

It is located at 5400 1st Avenue in Kenosha.

Tickets are $9 for adults.

For more information:  kenosha.org/wp-civilwar.

--Old Secesh

A Midwest Perspective on the Civil War at Kenosha Museum-- Part 3

The unique story of the Upper Midwest's Civil War experience is shown in "The Fiery Trail" exhibit, a series of environmental displays spanning 1850 through the end of the war that take visitors from the home front (a fictional town called Fairfield) to supply depots, campsites and battlegrounds.

Another exhibit is the Veterans Memorial Gallery, a contemplative space honoring America's citizen soldiers and symbolizes the commonality of soldier experience through the centuries.  Veterans from all wars are commemorated on a circular series of monoliths.

Other artifacts in the museum are a Kenosha militia flag and a first-hand documentation of a slave who fled north on the Underground Railroad.  Of particular interest, visitors can follow the fortunes of dozens of actual participants in the Civil War including a nurse, soldier and abolitionist.

--Old Secesh

A Midwest Perspective on the Civil War at Kenosha Museum-- Part 2

A temporary exhibit, "On the Way to War" ran through March 1st and conveys "the universal experience of the citizen soldier," according to Dan Joyce, director of Kenosha museums.  "Take away the technology and the experience is the same; the training, camaraderie, frustration, boredom and fear."

Anchoring the exhibit are watercolor paintings done on the way to war in 1862 by soldier John Gaddis.

Too Late for This One.  --Old Secesh

A Midwest Perspective on the Civil War at the Kenosha Museum-- Part 1

From the Feb. 19, 2015, Chicago Tribune by Donald Liebenson.

The Civil War Museum is located on the Lake Michigan lakefront in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  It opened in 2008 and attracts 75,000 visitors annually.  What makes it even more special is that it focuses on how the entire upper Midwest, not just Kenosha, was impacted by the war.

Among the museum's newest attractions is "Seeing the Elephant," a ten-minute, 360-degree movie that begins with the buildup of the war and follows a young adventurer, an abolitionist and a family man as they enlist, experience battle and reflect on how the war has changed them.  This surrounds viewers with the sight and sound of the battle and is shown on the hour.

Hey, Seeing the Elephant Is My Blog name.  Well, Past-Tense Anyway.  --Old Secesh