Soldiers’ homes in Illinois In April 1864 construction began in Springfield on what would be called a “soldiers’ home.” One of four such major facilities in Illinois, the home provided individual soldiers in transit between their home and the front line with a short-term place of rest, refreshment, and care. Meeting a need As the war ground on into 1862 civilians—especially those living near significant military posts and major rail junctions—noticed that large numbers…
Ethnic Illinoisans during the war Illinois in 2014 has a large ethnic population. The U.S. Census estimated that in 2010 almost 14% of the state’s population had been born in another country. That was even more the case when the Civil War began in 1861. Of just over 1.7 million people living in the Prairie State in 1860 over 324,000-about 19%-were foreign born. More Chicagoans had been born in other lands than in the U.S.…
Aiding the Freedmen In June 1864 meetings were held in Springfield to collect money and goods to aid newly-freed slaves-then commonly referred to as freedmen—in the South. Such efforts saw what might be considered unlikely success in wartime Illinois, a state which had from its earliest years statutes controlling the liberties of African Americans. Hundreds if not thousands contributed to the cause of meeting what were seen as the physical, intellectual, and spiritual needs of…
Creating the 29th Unites States Colored Infantry On July 30, 1864, men of the 29th United States Colored Infantry Regiment, raised and organized in Illinois, took part in savage fighting now famous as the Battle of the Crater near Petersburg, Virginia. The attack, botched by mid- and high level officers, failed terribly with great loss of life. The struggle of that day proved the courage, skill, and level of sacrifice of which black men were capable. The…
Battle flags of Illinois U.S. Army regulations required infantry regiments to carry two flags measuring 6’6″ by 6’—a national color carrying the unit’s official designation and a regimental flag of blue decorated with a large eagle. For centuries large banners helped commanders to locate units on the battlefield and provided a prominent point on which men could rally in the confusion of battle. When Federal troops wavered during the unsuccessful May 22, 1863, assault on the defenses…
Illinois feels a draft In September 1864 Illinois for the first time experienced involuntary conscription of men for military service. As in other states, conscription in Illinois brought resistance, some of it violent. For all the sound and fury, by the end of most military operations in April 1865 the draft brought a relatively small number of Illinoisans into military service. The need The spring and summer of 1861 saw huge numbers of men…
The Battle at Allatoona Pass, Georgia: Henry Rifles, Signal Flags, and a Famous Hymn On October 5, 1864, Federal and Confederate forces struggled for control of Allatoona Pass, Georgia. Hard-pressed troops from Illinois and other “western” states held until a relief column drove away their attackers. The battle would remain largely a footnote in the war’s history but for the important role of some Federal armament and the popularity of a hymn inspired by the fight.…
Election Day 1864 On November 8, 1864, Abraham Lincoln was chosen by voters in the loyal states for a second term as president. Many historians find the election’s most notable feature to be that it was held at all. Some observers in 1864 blanched at the idea of risking a change of national leadership and policy in the midst of a civil war. Others, including Lincoln, felt differently. The president himself said (after having been…
Home front relief As the war entered its fourth winter in December 1864 residents in several Illinois towns worked together to collect special food and medical supplies to be sent to local boys in the field, and to distribute stocks of food, clothing, and firewood to the families of soldiers and sailors away in service. Efforts to help military families had begun in many parts of the state in 1861, but became ever more important…
Governor Yates and the Illinois Black Laws On January 14, 1865, just days before the end of his term as Illinois’ governor, Richard Yates ordered the pardon of six African American men—Nelson, Amos, Andrew, Austin, John, and Sambo (no surnames were noted)—who had been convicted of the crime of intending to live permanently in Illinois. Months later he proudly declared that “in every case where malicious men have pursued the poor negro under the black laws… I…