American Civil War Sesquicentennial

The American Civil War, and tumultuous years that preceded it, sent shock waves through our society that are still felt to this very day.

The citizens of Champaign County, then, were certainly impacted by the events that took place during the mid-nineteenth century. Some 2,276 soldiers enlisted from the county, and of those, at least 202 died, meaning 1 of 10 soldiers who left for the war did not return. It wasn't just the soldiers that felt the war's impact, however - everyone, from recently freed African Americans slaves to the county's political and social elites had their lives changed by the events of 1860-1865.

From time to time during these anniversary years, we'll check in to see how the events of the sectional conflict were viewed through contemporary eyes.