8th Veteran Reserve Corps
Camp Douglas & Benjamin Sweet

Lombard's 8th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corp is a reenacting group. The 8th served as prison guards at Camp Douglas in Chicago. The 8th was led by Colonel Benjamin Sweet, who moved to Lombard after the war.

The Invalid Corps (later renamed the “Veteran Reserve Corps”) was comprised of soldiers who had contracted disease or been injured in the line of duty. While they could no longer fight on the battlefield, they were still able to provide service as guards, nurses, and clerks. Thus they freed able-bodied men to go to the front.

Corps Requirements
The Corps is open to men and women ages 16 years and older who exhibit an interest, ability, and willingness to learn and pass information about Camp Douglas and the Veteran Reserve Corps. The group will meet at least once a month and participate in Civil War re-enactments.

Cost
The annual dues are $15. Appropriate uniforms are not included and must be purchased separately.

For more information, call us at 630-629-1885.

The 8th was led by General Benjamin Sweet. Camp Douglas held thousands of confederate prisoners during the Civil War, and is sometimes called the “Andersonville of the North.” In fact, Sweet moved to Babcock's Grove (original name of Lombard) after the war and was one of the founders who platted this town in 1869.

Chicagoland played a vital role in the Civil War. Camp Douglas held thousands of confederate prisoners. Unfortunately, poor sanitary conditions and budgetary constraints led to the deaths of nearly 6000 of these prisoners over the course of the war. Camp Douglas is sometimes called the “Andersonville of the North.” We re-enact the Invalid Corps in order to honor these dead and to pay homage to the valuable service provided by the men of the Veteran Reserve Corps.

General Benjamin Sweet
 
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