Lincoln's Friends and Foes Marker

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Clinton in Dewitt County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lincoln's Friends and Foes
— Looking for Lincoln —

Top Section - - Lincoln's Friends and Foes Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Al Wolf, November 7, 2009

1. Top Section - - Lincoln's Friends and Foes Marker

Inscription. [ Top Section ]
This satirical February 1863 editorial illustration, titled “The Copperhead Party, “ depicts three Copperheads advancing on Columbia. Copperheads were Southern sympathizers who saw themselves as “Peace Democrats,” opposed to Lincoln and the forced preservation of the Union. Many Copperheads resided in DeWitt County, which is not surprising, considering so many DeWitt County settlers had deep Southern roots.

[ Middle Section ]
Not everyone in DeWitt County personally befriended or politically supported Lincoln. DeWitt County was home to numerous Copperheads. In March 1863, a disgruntled group met at Eads Schoolhouse in Barnett Township. It was written, “The meeting was composed of some seventy opposition and ten or twelve true and law abiding citizens. Thus you see the matter was carried on like a jug handle - - all on one side.”

The Lincoln antagonists compiled a long list of strongly worded anti-Lincoln, anti-war, anti-Union resolutions. These were printed in ‘The Clinton Public’ newspaper. In retaliation, a group of Union supporters met at the Center Schoolhouse in Barnett Township and published their own set of pro-Union resolutions.

The enlisted men of the 107th Illinois Volunteer Regiment from DeWitt County learned of

Photo Close-up - - 1863 Editorial Illustration Photo, Click for full size

By Al Wolf, November 7, 2009

2. Photo Close-up - - 1863 Editorial Illustration

the Copperhead activity occurring back home. While encamped at Glasgow, Kentucky, the soldiers released their own resolutions for publication. In part they resolved, “That we will give our united and undivided support to the President in his efforts to crush and suppress this unholy rebellion.”

[ Bottom Section ]
In 1860, Thomas Snell a wealthy and influential Clinton businessman and staunch Lincoln adversary, was a candidate for Illinois Lieutenant Governor on the pro-Southern Breckenridge ticket. After the election, however, and much to his friends’ astonishment, Snell’s political allegiances changed.

He was outraged by the attack on Fort Sumter, which proved a catalyst for the Civil War - - and Snell’s newfound Unionist loyalties. In August of 1862, Snell raised the 107th Illinois Volunteer Regiment. He served as self-appointed Colonel a few months, but was so overzealous and disobedient he was placed under military arrest and faced court martial. Snell was granted a Presidential pardon by non other than his former political foe, Lincoln.

Erected 2009 by First National Bank and Trust Co., and Lincoln Heritage of DeWitt County.

Marker series. This marker is included in the Looking for Lincoln marker series.

Location. 40°

Center Section - - Lincoln's Friends and Foes Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Al Wolf, November 7, 2009

3. Center Section - - Lincoln's Friends and Foes Marker

9.127′ N, 88° 57.637′ W. Marker is in Clinton, Illinois, in Dewitt County. Marker is on South Center Street south of Lincoln Square Drive, on the right when traveling south. Click for map. located immediately South of 'Lincoln Square' on South Center Street. Marker is in this post office area: Clinton IL 61727, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Humorous Moments (within shouting distance of this marker); DeWitt County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln at Work and Play (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln Speech July 27, 1858 (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); Lincoln and The Law (about 600 feet away); Warner's Memories / Lawyers and Book Lovers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln's Hat (approx. 0.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Clinton.

Also see . . .
1. Travel with Lincoln ::. Climb into Lincoln’s buggy and take a trip with Lincoln and his fellow lawyers on the job traveling Illinois as Circuit Lawyers. See all the Lincoln Circuit Markers (and a surprise or two), in the order of his travels while a member of the Circuit of the Eighth Judicial District (of Illinois) during 1847-1857. Use the “First >>” button in the upper right to see these markers in sequence, starting from Springfield. (Submitted on November 8, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

Bottom Section - - Lincoln's Friends and Foes Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Al Wolf, November 7, 2009

4. Bottom Section - - Lincoln's Friends and Foes Marker

2. Looking for Lincoln::. Many resources for the Tracking of Lincoln through History and Illinois. Aimed at all ages. (Submitted on November 8, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
3. Looking for Lincoln Video - on P. B. S. Follow Henry Louis Gates, Jr. "...from Illinois, to Gettysburg, to Washington, D. C., and face to face with people who live with Lincoln every day..." (Submitted on November 8, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)