Moweaqua in Shelby County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lincoln's Cavalry Guard
Looking for Lincoln
Left Section
In 1863, Ohio Governor David Tod believed that Lincoln needed a cavalry body-guard. Governor Tod requested one volunteer from each county in Ohio to serve on special duty. Guernsey County, in east-central Ohio supplied Ephraim Adamson, a twenty-four-year-old farmer. Recruits were unaware of their duty until mustered into service and transported to Washington, D. C. Officially the 7th Independent Company, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, they were called the Union Light Guard. With a unit of more than one hundred men, not all cavalrymen stayed with Lincoln. A large contingent guarded important Washington public buildings, including the War and Treasury Departments. President Lincoln spent summers at the Soldier’s Home, and guards escorted him to and from downtown Washington. Private Adamson mainly served at General Daniel Rucker’s headquarters. In April 1865, Adamson was at the Executive Mansion and heard President Lincoln give his final speech on April 11. John Wilkes Booth heard the same speech and, because of it, decided to assassinate the President. Lincoln had no guard on the night of April 14 because he typically refused a detail while attending the theater.
Middle Section
Private Adamson mustered out of service in September 1865 and returned to Ohio, selling goods from a wagon. He married Josephine Scott and moved to Moweaqua, where he became a farmer. He accumulated substantial property in Illinois and Nebraska. Adamson, seated left in this photo from the 1890's and his wife had eight children. Along with many from his unit, Adamson attended reunions late in the nineteenth-century and was one of the last survivors, dying in Moweaqua in 1928.
Right Section
President Lincoln and his family frequently interacted with members of the guard. Once, Tad Lincoln obtained the captain’s whistle, which signaled the sentinels to change position at each half-hour. Tad blew the whistle constantly for a short period of time surprising and confusing the guards. Adamson and others also complained to Lincoln about not fighting on the front line. Lincoln admonished the men, stating that while he preferred not to have a guard, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton insisted upon it. Then he told the story of a farmer who could not “understand why the Lord put the curl in a pig’s tail. It never seemed to be either useful or ornamental, but he reckoned that the Almighty knew what he was doing when he put it there.”
Erected 2009 by Shelby County Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1865.
Location. 39° 37.47′ N, 89° 1.194′ W. Marker is in Moweaqua, Illinois, in Shelby County. Marker is on South Main Street south of East Main Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moweaqua IL 62550, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Moweaqua Coal Mine Disaster Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Moweaqua Coal Mine Disaster (approx. 0.3 miles away); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 12.8 miles away); First Home in Illinois of Abraham Lincoln (approx. 13.1 miles away); Whitley Mill and Dam (approx. 13.1 miles away); First Home of Abraham Lincoln in Illinois (approx. 13.2 miles away); Site of the Lincoln Cabin (approx. 13.2 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. Dedication of Lincoln's Cavalry Guard Marker. Courtesy Herald-Review.com:: here is a fine report of the Dedication and review - - by relatives of Ephraim Adamson of the historic marker. (Submitted on May 16, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
2. 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 May 16, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
3. Looking for Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area website entry:
Many resources for tracking Lincoln through History and Illinois, for all ages. (Submitted on May 16, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,492 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 16, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 6. submitted on July 28, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on May 16, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.