During my annual trip to Springfield, I decided to stop by Camp Butler National Cemetery just east of the city. Over 200,000 Union soldiers were trained and staged at this sight on the Sangamon River during the civil war. The sight was also used as a Confederate prisoner of war camp. Sickness and disease took its toll here as 700 Union and 800 Confederate soldiers died here. My great great great grandfather, Nathan B Farmer trained here from Jan 1, 1862 Feb 10, 1862. He fought and Fort Henry and Fort Donnelson and was killed at the Battle of Shiloh on April 7, 1862. I wanted to see what the area looked like where he spent his final days in Illinois before be shipped south by railroad car. I was amazed by the size of the cemetery; over 20,000 veterans are buried here. As I stood alone on this snowy day and meditated, I couldn't help but realize that this place is truly hallowed ground.
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