From the April 13, 2011, Chicago Sun-Times by Lori Racki.
Illinois is famous for Lincoln, of course, but also noteworthy for other things in the war.
*** Only three states sent more troops to the war than Illinois: New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Illinois sent 259,092 soldiers to war. Illinois troops were instrumental in Union victories at Shiloh and Vicksburg.
*** Then, there was that clerk from Galena who stepped out from behind the counter and ended up in command of all US troops. That would be one U.S. Grant. A grateful Galena gave him and his wife a home to live in after the war.
*** Jacksonville was the hometown of Col. Benjamin Grierson whose raid through the Deep South in 1863 greatly helped Grant taking Vicksburg. The town celebrates his life annually with its Gen. Grierson Days Festival.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
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