Many of those involved in the riot fled the state or went into hiding. The deaths turned public opinion, especially in Illinois, against “Copperheads” and other anti-war groups.
One of the deadliest civilian incidents during the war, the riot made national headlines as a visible example of anti-war sentiment. Shooting erupted on the courthouse square, and at least nine men were killed, with twelve more wounded. This division led to bloodshed in Charleston on March 28, 1864, when an altercation broke out between anti-war Democrats (also known as “Copperheads”) and Union soldiers who were home on leave. Like many towns around the country during the Civil War, the city of Charleston, Illinois, was divided by the country’s ongoing conflict. The firsthand accounts, contemporary photographs, and newspaper articles on display here show how tragedies have shaped the lives of many ordinary Illinois citizens. The items on display in this exhibit span two hundred years of Illinois history and highlight some of the most devastating events from our state’s past. From infamous disasters like the Great Chicago Fire to lesser-known tragedies like the Cherry Mine Disaster, each of the events featured in this exhibit has had a great impact on the state and its communities. Our state has seen tornadoes, fires, mining disasters, riots, epidemics and many other catastrophic happenings that have shaped its history.
Illinois history is filled with tragic, extraordinary, and disastrous events.
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