Couple preserves Civil War heritage in Vermilion county

Eugene and Emily Bencomo are passionate about the Civil War – enough that they don period garb and re-enact key battles from the war between the states.

The Oakwood residents are founding members of the Illiana Civil War Historical Society, which now includes 52 families from around the state.

The Bencomos started Civil War re-enacting almost 27 years ago, though they've always been interested in history. Eugene, a Vietnam veteran, always loved the Civil War and first started re-enacting with a group from Danville. He and Emily started their own group in 1985.

They focus particularly on Civil War soldiers from Vermilion County and other East Central Illinois areas, though their group members live as far away as Peoria.

The group's focus is to educate people about the Civil War: why it was fought and who fought in it. They travel to area schools in costume, toting original and reproduction Civil War artifacts, including equipment, uniforms and even original pictures.

This method is equivalent to a Civil War museum, Eugene Bencomo says, and may even educate students better because the artifacts aren't behind glass.

Emily Bencomo has also found a way to turn her love of Civil War history into a business. She sews era dresses and sells them under a canvas tent at re-enactments. She fashions them from old photos and fashion books. Simpler dresses sell for about $100, while a ball gown might go for $150 or $175.

At re-enactments, the Bencomos take on the personas of those who lived during the Civil War. Eugene is the commander of the 35th Illinois Regiment. Many re-enactors eat hard tack and salt pork, Civil War foods. They sleep on the ground or under tents propped up on limbs or poles.

And because the Civil War has become something of a way for life for Emily and Eugene Bencomo, they want to make sure others are educated about it as well.

"Our main goal is to preserve, protect and portray the Civil War as much as possible," Eugene said.