Feature on Battle of Cannon. Topic: CIVIL WAR
Written by Rich Wallace in May, 1998
CITY SCENE 'BATTLE OF CANNON' |
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| On May 25, 1998, we will once again gather on Memorial Day to honor those who gave their
lives in defense of our country. Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was
first observed on May 30, 1868. This year, Civil War re-enactors will participate in the
parade and the wreath laying ceremonies. It will be a tangible reminder of our county's
role in that war. History books unfold the story of the Civil War and its many battles in great
detail. Although Shelby County gave much to the war effort, it was spared as the scene of
any bloodshed. Not by much, however. A drama was played out on the streets of Sidney in
September of 1864 that nearly cost the life of the Democratic candidate for Vice President
of the United States. This is the story of what has come to be known as the ‘Battle
of the Cannon.’ From the time the first shots were fired to begin the Civil War, most Americans believed the conflict would be over in less than 90 days. Early Confederate successes, however, created the somber realization that it would be a long war. As the fighting dragged on into 1864, and the number of casualties mounted, a significant amount of anti-war sentiment developed in parts of the North. Mercer County was a known center of anti-war activity. By the fall of 1864, after three long years of battle, the anti-war movement had gained a fair amount of popular support. The country's chief anti-war activist was Congressman Clement L. Vallandigham of Dayton. He led a movement known as the 'Copperheads' (so named because of the Indian heads cut from Indian head pennies they wore on their lapels). [ Back ] [ Next ] [ Up ] [ New Search ] |
Clement Vallandigham |
