The Illinois in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Knights of the Golden Circle in Illinois

Jay, I will post more later as I have time constrants now,I am familier with Lt.Col.Oaks and my GGGrandfather was in the IL.Provost Dept.Not affiliated with the disturbance at Charleston/Mattoon but I have studied it because of the 54IL.Inf.there on veteran furlough.Especially Col.Mitchel and these one year recruits(conscripts) in Ark.in Aug. of 1864.
The corespondence fails to mention there was recruiting going on (conscription) and the war was becoming less popular. Those gunho had already enlisted leaving those not so, etc..The Federal gov.propaganda about these secret societies helped win the election in Nov. of this same year.Felix Stidger a high ranking member of the Indiana Knights was a federal plant.Federal Gov.had infiltrated most if not all of the these groups collectively known as Copperheads to the point of their function was not really a threat,more of a burr.With no Habeas Corpus, the label a reason to arrest and hold,for no reason, without charges, those not in tune with the Federal line.A sad comentary on freedom we so rightfully attest. Let me review what I have.

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Knights of the Golden Circle in Illinois
Re: Knights of the Golden Circle in Illinois
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