Hello.
Actually that is pretty nice country. I was through that way once upon a time. I also had friends in college that were from southern Illinois and they were good folks.
I also always tell folks about that wonderful Illinois Civil War site. I do not recall who runs it, but it is outstanding. My first cousin's g-great grandfather Fread was at Arkansas Post with an Illinois group. He stayed after the war and just never went home. His brother was killed there and he stayed when the war was over. The irony of it all is that her husband's g-great grandfather was with the same group. He was another who liked Arkansas and stayed behind.
The story about John Palmer was excellent!! Outstanding job to be honest.
My ancestors were at Shiloh too. Can you imagine finding out that you had two CSA survivors from Shiloh for ancestors? Sgt. J. D. Pearce was with the 8th Arkansas Inf., CSA of course, and Pvt. James Thomas Harper of the 5th Tenn. CSA Both were wounded and both were able to go home to family until they healed.
Take care and thanks for sharing.
Linda