When it comes to Civil War reenactments, plenty of companies focus on staging large-scale battles set in the 1860s. Andy Partak and Timothy Marcus aren’t opposed to taking part in some of those, but that is not why they joined the Cypress Company Civil War Reenactors.
“Everybody thinks that it’s all battle reenactment and we’re playing war,” said Partak, 71, of Manhattan. “No. It’s not that at all. Even when we’re at a reenacting event that features battles, we generally have a camp that’s open to the public, and the public will come in and visit with us and ask questions.”
When Partak and Marcus, 43, of Aurora, speak of camp, their portrayal goes beyond what soldiers may have carried on campaigns. Their company enjoys the supplies and creature comforts that came with being near a town while waiting for orders in a Union Army camp circa 1863.
That means when the Manhattan Township Historical Society presents the Cypress Company from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, July 9, people will see soldiers playing card and board games, writing letters home, and reading local newspapers.
“We like to focus on the 70% or more of the time when they were in what’s called garrison,” Marcus said.
Of course, the free American Civil War Living History Event will also feature infantry drills at 1 p.m., as well as musket and cannon fire at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., all in the back parking lot of the Manhattan Township Historical Museum, 255 S. State St.
The Cypress Company is a group of volunteer reenactors which can call upon support from infantry, artillery, navy and cavalry reenactor colleagues for various events. They portray the 100th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, the Will County Regiment, showcasing the food, weapons and other equipment from the time of the American Civil War. And they talk about both the lives of historic soldiers and the lives of reenactors.
“A lot of people don’t understand — really, physically understand — what it was like to be a soldier,” Partak said.
Marcus said he traces his American lineage back to 1635 settlers of the Appalachian Mountain region.
“I’m super-proud of my patriot history,” he said. “That’s really what got me going — patriotism within the family.”
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For Marcus, the captain of the company, reenacting became a lifelong passion in the 1970s when his parents brought him to living history events. By the age of 9, he was participating regularly and has been at it ever since, tallying 30-plus years of reenactments. He enjoys going back in time, putting the phone away and cooking over an open fire.
“I love camping; I love talking to people about American history; I love smelling the gunpowder, hearing the sound of a blacksmith,” Marcus said.
Partak, director of the Manhattan Township Historical Society, started taking part in reenactments just five years ago. He was serving as an amateur photographer at Dollinger Family Farm near Channahon, which held reenacting events.
“They roped me into reenacting,” Partak said.
Before that, he had just a passing interest in Civil War history. But he has learned a lot more by taking part in Cypress Company, often learning from others well versed in history as they sit around the campfire — still in uniform — at night.
“The talk around the campfire is generally history,” Partak said. “That fascinated me more than anything else. … Being a reenactor, spending the weekend sitting around the campfire with these guys and becoming one of them gave me a rich experience in what it was like to live that way.”
When Partak and Marcus started working together, they saw opportunity in South Cook County, which didn’t have much in the way of living history. The two started staging the event for Manhattan Township in 2019 but most events were canceled the following year because of the pandemic.
During that stretch, the company used Partak’s property to practice camping, training and drilling as a unit. Marcus said their background as people with various careers coming together to learn the ways of the Union military is fairly reflective of the people from all walks of life who were thrust into the Civil War.
“They weren’t lockstep military,” Marcus said. “They signed up for the cause to save the Union.”
This weekend’s event will mark their fourth for Manhattan Township. Other Cypress Company appearances include events in Monee, Elwood, Peotone and the Will County Threshermen’s Association Show.
“We’re gaining popularity in the Southland,” Partak said.
Cypress Company has taken part in local living histories, parades, cemetery memorials and dedications. The reenactors have performed as color guard for a Lincoln’s Birthday celebration at Lincoln Tomb in Springfield. They also regularly visit cemeteries to learn stories and honor veterans.
But the company’s primary focus remains providing an experience where people can see, smell, hear and feel what it was like to live through the Civil War — at least some of the less gruesome parts of it.
“We’re family friendly,” Marcus said. “We’re kid friendly.”
Partak said they aim for a combination of history, entertainment and education. And while some other reenactments are roped off for public viewing, Cypress Company drops the barriers to create a welcoming camp that allows people to learn more.
“Ask questions,” Marcus said. “Come in. Make yourself comfortable.”
Bill Jones is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.