Lincoln's Friends and Foes

Not everyone in DeWitt County personally befriended or politically supported Lincoln.  DeWitt County was home to numerous Copperheads.  in March 1863, a disgruntled group met at Eads Schoolhouse in Barnett Township.  It was written, "The meeting was composed of some seventy opposition and ten or twelve true and law abiding citizens.  Thus you see the matter was carried on like a jug handle-all on one side."  The Lincoln antagonists compiled a long list of strong worded anti-Lincoln, anti-war, anti-Union resolutions.  These were printed in The Clinton Public newspaper...

In 1860, Thomas Snell, a wealthy and influential Clinton businessman and staunch Lincoln adversary, was a candidate for Illinois Lieutenant Governor on the pro-Southern Breckenridge ticket.  After the election, however, and much to his friend's astonishment, Snell's political allegiances changed.  He was outraged by the attack on Fort Sumter, which proved a catalyst for the Civil War -- and Snell's newfound Unionist loyalties..

Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois.  Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story.  Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with.  There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.    

Location