Civil War Articles, Macoupin County Illinois 22 Jun 1998 Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives ©1998 Rindy Fuchs REBEL PRISONERS contributed by Rindy Fuchs Rebel Prisoners.-Several thousand of the rebel prisoners taken at Fort Donelson have passed through town the past week, on their way to Springfield and Chicago. Many of our citizens saw and conversed with them at the Depot, some of them finding old friends and relatives among the prisoners. They were generally very poorly clad, being ragged and without uniforms, and presented a striking contrast to the Union Soldiers who were passing them on their way South...The great majority of the Tennessee troops still cherish a fervent love for the old Union. The prisoners all said that they had been treated with the utmost kindness and consideration. It is said that a Tennessee regiment, after being treated to hot coffee at Bloomington, took their hats and gave three rousing cheers for the old Union. (Carlinville Free Democrat Feb. 27, 1862). Capt.Lauderdale. - We understand that Capt. John A. Lauderdale, of the secession army, was captured at Fort Donelson, and is now a prisoner on parole, boarding at the Alton House. Our citizens will all remember him as a broad mouthed brawler who divided his time between pettifogging and making stump speeches with the present editor of the Spectator. He was one of the first to join the secession movement in Kentucky, and commanded a rebel company before even Tennessee seceded. It is to such men as Lauderdale that the present rebellion is due...If such men as Lauderdale don't stretch hemp, we can't see any use in raising it...(Carlinville Free Democrat Feb. 27, 1862) "The other day a lot of secesh prisoners were going through and the secesh fellows about town furnished them with whiskey and told them to be of good cheer, that our State would be put out of the Union in thirty days. Don't you think it would be well to have some soldiers that are used to fighting rebels, come home and try their hand in Macoupin?" (Mrs Palmer to General John M. Palmer, Jan.30, 1863). (Carlinville Free Democrat, Thursday, Nov. 17, 1864) Nov 1864-Henderson taken and shot-All honest and loyal men will rejoice to be informed that this notorious murderer, assassin, and rebel sympathizer was captured by twelve men from Summerville, in Macoupin County. He was taken about four miles south of that town, at the house of Bill Reno's. But his wife was questioned, denied all knowledge of the villain. The men however refused to take her word for it, and proceeded to search the house, when they found Henderson concealed between two feather beds. They captured him and started with him for Fidelity, when they met the citizens of the latter place, who had also been in search of him, after a few minutes consultation between the two parties from Summerville and Fidelity, they determined on putting an end to him at once. They, therefore informed the culprit, to prepare for death, as he had but a few minutes to live. They then gave him a few moments for meditation, when they informed him to pull his cap over his eyes, but instead of doing so the hardened wretch shoved it back on his head, and signed to the posse that he was ready. Ten men, who had been previously detailed for the performance of that duty, fired at him. He fell pierced through and through with both bullets and buckshot, and never breathed afterwards. There is now a large posse in pursuit of Simpson-who was in company with Henderson, and it is said that it was him who shot the soldiers in that place. If he is taken he will probably receive the same penalty which was inflicted on Henderson.-Alton Telegraph MORE TIDBITS PERTAINING TO MACOUPIN COUNTY January 1863-Democrat Charles Walker, of Macoupin County, intoduces a peace proposal bill calling for an armistice and a peace commisssion to meet with the rebel commissioners in Louisville in April. Walker attempted to appease the Repulicans by pleading for understanding: I have certainly had no bad intentions in any thing I have done," he explained. "As true as there is a God in heaven I do not desire to do anything that is not for the best interests of my people and the people of the United States." Walker continued by explaining that he did not agree that the Administration could put down the rebellion "in the manner in which it is conducting the war." "Let the war return to its original purpose," he said, "and I am in favor of using all the money ,men and means we can command for such a purpose," Walker's bill passes the lower house, stalls in the IL Senate but with strong prospects for passing as Republican stalling tactics begin to run out. Feb.14-Legislature adjourns until June 2 June 2-Legislture reconvenes,argues over $100,000 soldier’s aid bill. June 10-Gov.Yates,taking advantage of an obscure and never before used provision in the IL Constitution, prorogues (discontinues or adjourns) the legislature until Jan.1865 July 4-Capture of Vicksburg. Sept,1863-Battle of Chickamauga. Nov.1863-Copperheads and deserters dispersed at Rock House. Disturbances in Greene and Morgan counties, Train stopped at Manchester. Iowa and Wisconsin troops sent to Jacksonville. Nov.1863-Federal victory at Chattanooga. Winter Spring 1864-veterans re-enlist. Spring, Summer 1864-Atlanta campaign, fighting in Mississippi. July, August 1864-Clingman Raid, Montgomery, Fayette, Bond Cos. August 1864-Attempted seizure of Martin Taylor at Palmer home. Sept. 1 1864-Capture of Atlanta. Oct.3,1864-shooting of draft officers near Girard. Oct, 6-Sergeant Gobble of Scottville, Dem. candidate for IL Leg., accuses war Repubs. of sending "Democratic conscripts into the service of Abe Lincoln, to fatten Southern soil with their bloody carcasses; you would make demons of our statesmen and butchers of our soldiers, and exterminate whole nations because a few designing demagogues have controlled them." Nov.1864-notorious Copperhead Henderson killed near Summerville. Nov,1864-Democrats sweep fall elections. Dec.,1864-Gov.Palmer tried and aquitted in Macoupin County for bringing in Martin Taylor in violation of IL "Black Laws." USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. Material may be freely used by non- commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, *and* permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Rindy Fuchs. (© 1998 Rindy Fuchs)