[Tublecane]

“Each rocketed onto the national political stage with powerful speeches and became commander-in-chief without any military experience.”

Startling ignorance! Ever heard of the Blackhawk War? Look it up!

[bgill]

Abe had 3 months and 3 days in the militia.

[Dr. Sivana]

Startling ignorance! Ever heard of the Blackhawk War? Look it up!

The monument at Stillman Valley is just down the street from me.

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/sites/stillman.htm

From the site:

In 1901, the Battlefield Memorial Association of Stillman Valley erected a monument with funds from the Forty-Second Illinois General Assembly. One side explains that it memorializes "the Illinois volunteers who fell at Stillman's Run, May 14, 1832, in an engagement with Black Hawk and his warriors."

The marble monument also soberly notes, "The presence of soldier, statesman, martyr, Abraham Lincoln assisting in the burial of these honored dead has made his spot more sacred."

I question the use of the word "martyr," as the martyr needs an opportunity to choose to die rather than sin or act dishonorably. Lincoln was watching a play.