Posted on by Forgottonia Project

Illinois: A State Apart – Episode #3 – The Illinois Confederates (1861)

“I urge all patriots to sustain the Government in its efforts to vindicate the Constitution.”

Congressman John A. Logan, a southern IL politician and Civil War General

Episode #3 – The Illinois Confederates (1861)

In the tumultuous times of the American Civil War, Illinois found itself at a crossroads. Political heavyweights like John A. Logan and Stephen Douglas both had their allegiances tested, but eventually pledged loyalty to Abraham Lincoln and the Union cause. Amidst this divisiveness in 1861, a group of Illinois Confederates made a historic choice—to abandon their home soil and rally under the Confederate banner.

On this episode, we’ll explore the complex interplay of allegiance, politics, and personal conviction that defined the actions of those who turned their backs on the Land of Lincoln.

Our episode begins with another dramatic reenactment performed by CHS drama club students Sam Thum (narrator), Cooper Leonard (John A. Logan), and a surprise visit from Bradlee Ellis. CHS History club student Amber Cannon once again serves as co-host.

  • Part 1 – The Civil War Years (1861-1865)
  • Part 2 – The Illinois Confederates
  • Part 3 – Stephen Douglass & John A. Logan Pledge Loyalty to the Union
  • Part 4 – Republicans & Democrats Clash in Illinois

“I’ve known Mr. Lincoln a longer time than you have, or than the country has. He’ll come out all right and we will stand by him.”

Stephen Douglas

Discussion Questions for this Episode

  • 1) Do you think the Civil War helped repair tension between Chicago and downstate Illinois? What evidence supports your perspective?
  • 2) What does the murder of William Randolph in Macomb, IL reveal about the tension within western IL communities during the Civil War?
  • 3) How do you think things would be different in our state if Congressman John A. Logan didn’t have a change of heart & continued to support the 45 Illinois Confederates who left IL to fight for the South?
  • 4) What do we get wrong about Lincoln’s great rival Stephen Douglass and the Civil War divide in Illinois between Republicans and Democrats?
  • 5) How did  pro-Lincoln Republicans and anti-war/peace Democrats in Illinois clashed during the Civil War?

This Series

This series of the Forgottonia Project explores the history of downstate tension & secession movements that have occurred throughout IL history. “Nowhere is intrastate conflict more evident than between metropolitan Chicago and rural downstate.”

This tension–fueled by economic, cultural, & political differences–has shaped the state’s history in significant ways. The name “Forgottonia” is a reference to one tongue-in-cheek secessionist movement from Illinois, but it was far from the only instance of conflict in our state’s history.

This series will examine the origins of this tension, the impact it has had on our state, and more importantly–we’ll explore efforts to help bridge our divides.”

Overall Essential Questions

  • What are the origins of the tension between Chicago and downstate Illinois?
  • What can we do to bridge our rural-urban divide and find a common identity for the future of our state?

Sources

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