The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1902-03-21
LOGAN WAS CONVERTED
What Caused the Great Illinois Soldier to Forget
Party Preiudices

The attitude OF Gen. John A. Logan
in the exciting days Immediately fol-
lowing the first election OF Lincoln and
the outbreak Of the civil war has been
the subject OF a good deal OF discus
sion, to which a writer for the Illinois
State Register OF Springfield. ILL.,, has
Just contributed an interesting chap
ter.
According to "Appleton's Encyclope-
dla OF American Biography Gen. Lo-
gan was from the first an ardent sup
porter Of Lincoln and the Union. 1t
says;
ION tho first intimation Of coming
trouble from the South he Uogan) de-
clared that In the event Of the cleo
ton OF Abraham Lincoln he would
shoulder his muskot TO have him in
augurated."
Further on the encyclopedia says;
I'm July, 1851. during the extra ses-
sion of congress called by President
Lincoln he. logan left his seat In
congress- that he might overtako the
troops that were marching out of
Washington TO meet the enemy. and
fought In the ranks OF Col. Richard
sons regiment In the battle Of Bull
Run"
with both these statements the
writer IN the Illinois State Register
takes issue. Describing himself as a
warm friend and admirer OF Gen. Lo-
gan, he AYERS that Logan did not SYM
pathize with Lincoln at the start and
was not favorable to the cause OF the
Union when the war began
He further says that while Logan's
patriotism was nred by tho roar OF
the Bull Run guns. the story that he
left his seat In congress TO overtake
and fight In the ranks OF tho Union ar
my at Bull Run Is erroneous. lie says:
THE history Of Gen. John A. Loo
gan is family one. and the object OF
the writer is TO correct that history
with no intent or aim to pluck from
the brow Of ono OF Americas bravest
single laurel to which he is entitled
or to wrong his memory In the slight
est degree. But the truth. the whole
truth and nothing but the truth. as
the oath goes. Is this:
John A. Logan was not favorable
20 the Union side when the war OF the
rebellion commenced and those who
claim that he was not only do him but
themselves a great wrong.
ION the contrary. John a. Logan
denounced the war as a damned Abo-
lltion scheme 10 free the niger and
went so far In his denunclation OF the
Lincoln party as he termed Il. as to
denounce Douglas and many OF his
warmest friends In Springfield and at
his home. On the train upon which
Douglas and his wife were going to
Chicago. he declared in the hearing of
hundreds OF people:
"'Douglas has sold out the Demo-
cratic party. but I'll be damned II he
can deliver the goods
He was so enraged at Douglas he
would not go to Douglas room in the
American House in Springfield. al
though Douglas implored him by say
ing:
John. come up to my room and let
us talk this thing over
"'0h. talk the devil said Logan,
I've talked with you and been led by
you, until you have led the Democratic
party into rulnl III be damned II
you lead me any morel'
"He would not listen to the speeches
made by Douglas at Bloomington. Pom
tiac and Joliet, NJ which last place Lo-
gan got on the train and Douglas went
on to Chicago. whore he died the June
following.
John A. Logan had been elected to
congress as had old Col. Dick Rich
lrdson. as everybody called him. Col.
Richardson on the day before the bat
tie OF Bull Run made up a party OF
Ilx. four TO go In a carriage and two
on horseback. to witness the battle.
They arrived near there on the even
Ing before the battle and could get
no place TO sleep, until one Of the