Lincoln's Quincy

Lincoln's Quincy. Looking for Lincoln. , With a population of nearly 13,000 in 1858, Quincy was the Adams County seat and the third largest city in Illinois. Quincy boasted a strong, growing economy based on its transportation, milling, pork packing, and light industry. In 1853 the city was designated an international port with its own custom house. Its population had migrated from both Northern and Southern states, including an influx of German and Irish immigrants and a small community of African-Americans. This diversity provoked strong, differing emotions regarding the expansion of slavery, the political issue of the day. During Lincoln's visit for the Great Debate, he saw railroad-riverboat linkage through Quincy that within three years made Quincy the Union Army's gateway to the South. Thousands of President Lincoln's troops boarded trains and riverboats on their way to battle, and many returned for care in Quincy's five military hospitals. Quincy's citizens helped quell unrest in northeast Missouri during the Civil War. Among their actions to aid the Union and Quincy's commerce with the border state. Quincy's Home Guard protected the railroad hub at Palmyra and a cannon factory at Hannibal.

In May 1812, Congress set aside five million acres between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers at bounty for veterans of the War of 18 12. Settlement in the Military Tract began in 1816, and a federal Land Office opened in Quincy to record titles. The tract brought to Quincy men who became some of Illinois's foremost attorneys, politicians, and Lincoln friends, including Asbury, Browining, Jonas, Singleton, and Williams.

An important port and railroad hub, Quincy was located across the Mississippi River from the slave state of Missouri. As a transportation center, it was a gateway to the South, which led to the city becoming a mustering and training center for troops. many units started here, including the famous 29th Colored Infantry. Troops trained in a number of camps in Quincy, including Camp Wood at 12th and Elm. The city also became a provisioning center for western troops. Some riverboats became hospital boats, including the City of Louisiana, which earlier had transported Lincoln and Douglas to Alton after the Quincy debate and later became the R.C. Wood. Five military hospitals in Quincy treated wounded and sick soldiers. Women volunteers from two organizations, needle Pickets and Sisters of the Good Samaritan, provided supplies, care, and moral support.