First in State

On December 24, 1860 the U.S. House received a letter announcing South Carolina’s secession from the Union.

On April 12, 1861 Jefferson Davis attacked Fort Sumter and the War Between the States began.

A week later President Lincoln called for 75,000 troops to enlist for three months.

At 10:00 pm April 17, 1861 the FIRST military company in the State of Illinois was tendered to Governor Yates by Daniel Gold while the proclamation was yet passing over the wires. That first military company was made up of boys from Lawrence County, IL.