Illinois remembered its contribution to the Civil War the weekend of July 11 during the Civil War Days event, held at the Lakewood Forest Preserve. Illinois sent the second-most troops of any state to fight with the Union. Forty-seven soldiers from Illinois earned the Medal of Honor during the assault on Vicksburg, and visitors to Civil War Days could watch a reenactment of that fight. More than 650 reenactors brought Vicksburg and other battles to life while wearing wool uniforms, even through the rain. These weren’t Illinois’ only contributions to the Civil War. Before he became president, Abraham Lincoln lived in Illinois for many years.