| The soldiers
were also aware of the unpopular nature of the war to many people, and their reaction was
predictable. One young Shelby County soldier wrote to the editor of the "Journal"
in May of 1863 with the following bitter remarks: "We fear there are traitors in
our rear as well as in our front. They are too cowardly to come into our front, but stay
at home and slander us who are in the field. We feel indignant towards these Northern
traitors, who are aiding to destroy the best government on the earth. All who are crying
peace, peace, and urge an armistice and compromise give aid and comfort to the rebels, and
thereby prolong the war. The South began this war and we will end it." Henry Wilson of Sidney wrote to brother Albert, a surgeon then with the 113th Ohio, in July 1863, telling him that two of his fellow doctors in Sidney had turned against the war. In his reply, Dr. Wilson lamented, "I am greatly surprised to hear you speak of (Dr. Conklin and Dr. Goode) as connected with the Butternut family (the name given to anti-war supporters). Can it be possible. They are the last men that I would ever have suspected of giving aid and comfort to the enemy of our country." Vallandigham visited Sidney on September 24, 1864, to speak at a political rally. With him that day was George Pendleton, the Democratic candidate for Vice-President of the United States. Several hundred recently discharged soldiers from the 11th Michigan were also in town that day, waiting on a train to take them home. In the clash that followed with Vallandigham and the Union soldiers, Pendleton and he narrowly escaped alive. A cannon owned by Sidney's Phillip Smith was captured and taken to Michigan. [Back] [Next] [Up] [New Search] 'Civil War' segment written in July, 1998 by Rich Wallace |