Illinois in the American Civil War

During the American Civil War, the state of Illinois was a major source of troops for the Union Army (particularly for those armies serving in the Western Theater of the Civil War), and of military supplies, food, and clothing. Situated near major rivers and railroads, Illinois became a major jumping-off place early in the war for Ulysses S. Grant's efforts to seize control of the Mississippi and Tennessee rivers.

Source: Wikipedia — Illinois in the American Civil War (CC BY-SA 4.0)