The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Civil War Battles: 0, Civil War Treasures: Countless-- Galena, Illinois

From the start of the war to the end of it.

There are no Civil War battlefields in Galena, yet the town's connection to the Civil War can not be denied. Nine Union generals, including one who went on to become president hailed from Galena. Plus, in Grant Park, there is a Blakely Rifle (cannon) which was part of a Confederate battery that fired on Fort Sumter to start the war. I have written extensively about this gun. Click on the Galena Blakely label below.

Plus, the Galena History Museum has the famous painting of Lee's surrender to Grant titled "Peace in Union." This picture has appeared in many sources over the years. Not to mention that US Grant was given a home in town in grateful thanks by its citizenry for his role in the war. he lived there before becoming president.

The Galena History Museum & Gift Shop is at 211 S. Bench Street and is also Galena's Civil War Sesquicentennial Headquarters. Adult admission is $7.

I didn't know about the painting, but will check it out the next time I'm in town.

Galena, Not Just Antiques and Curio Shoppes. --Old B-Runner

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