CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT TO TAKE PLACE OCT. 19-20

The Union and Confederate armies will skirmish once again at the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway near Jackson on Oct. 19-20.

"The Civil War reenactment will be an exciting and educational experience. Confederate troops will storm the train with guns blasting while Union soldiers protect the passengers," Maj. Mark Westhoff, of the 9th Illinois, said.

Soldiers will dress in authentic military uniforms of the period, from caps to spectacles to boots to weapons.

After the skirmish, members of the Union and Confederate armies will be available to explain their uniforms, saddles, hand weapons and artillery weapons to all reenactment visitors.

All trips will stop to tour the Union and Confederate camps and enjoy live entertainment. On Sunday morning, church services will be held outdoors at the campsite. A Catholic Latin Field Mass is planned for 9:15 a.m. The public is invited to attend.

The three units of reenactors are the 9th regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry Company B from St, Clair County, Ill., 1st Illinois Light Artillery from Clinton County, Ill., and the 7th Kentucky Infantry, Confederate States of America from Wickliffe, Ky.