Making a Home
A Community in Conflict
Working for a Living
Farming in the Great Corn Belt
Abraham Lincoln in McLean County
1898
Who had the power to gain respect?Anti-War
When the Spanish-American War began, some local African Americans believed it was wrong to support the U.S. war effort—noting that the U.S. was no better than Spain in its treatment of minorities.
In Support of War
Other African Americans supported the war and maintained that “the Black man’s participation would win respect from whites and therefore enhance their status at home.”
Who had the power?
New Volunteer Regiments
When the war started, the U.S government called for 10 new volunteer regiments, including four comprised of only “Blacks.”
Those who opposed the war stayed home, but 41 McLean County African Americans volunteered their service.
Members of Company G of the 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
Captain Julius Witherspoon
Captain Julius Witherspoon was one of those men. He was charged with leading his men in garrison duty in San Luis, Cuba, where they guarded and maintained control of the town.
Witherspoon was a five-year patrolman of the Bloomington Police Department, though being African American meant his responsibilities were limited.
He was named captain of his unit shortly after his regiment, Company G of the 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry was called up.
He was the first man of color from McLean County to become a commissioned officer.
Captain Julius Witherspoon
Reports in the Pantagraph
Despite excellent performance in the line of duty, Bloomington African Americans serving in Cuba soon learned that libelous reports about them had been published in the Bloomington Pantagraph.
Imagine Witherspoon’s dismay when he heard reports that his unit “indulged in liquor until they verged upon acts of licentiousness and disorder.”
Witherspoon responded to the charges with a letter that was published in the Bloomington Pantagraph—the same paper that printed the libelous letter.
“There is no truth in the report published that we are lawless and undisciplined. No regiment ever acted better than the Eighth Illinois; and when the inspector-general arrived from Santiago to investigate the regiment we were surprised, for we knew nothing of the report until then, and the investigation established the fact that we had been libeled... In the face of schemes and false reports made by unscrupulous and ambitious pretenders.... we will toll on, that our record may be as burning lights to guide and inspire our posterity for years.”
— Captain Julius Witherspoon
“Letters from Cuba,” January 3, 1899
Area residents turned out in large numbers when soldiers returned from the Spanish-American War. But when members of Witherspoon’s regiment, Company G of the 8th Illinois Voluntary Infantry, returned in April 1899, they were only met by family and friends.
Soon after he returned from Cuba, Witherspoon realized that his honorable service during the war had no affect on how he was treated by the general population of McLean County—he had gained no respect.
Reproduction Spanish-American War uniform, Krag-Jorgensen bolt-action rifle, and Cartridge Belt,, circa 1898
View this object in Matterport
Donated by: Leslie J. Snyder
726.9 (rifle) 726.158 (Cartridge belt)
Canteen, circa 1889
Donated by: William B. Brigham
726.185
Haversack, circa 1898
Donated by: Edward Miller
726.258
Field Rations, circa 1898
Donated by: Grace Fairfield
726.158
Rifle cartridges, circa 1898
Donated by: Mrs. William Riney
866.1902
Reflection Questions
Why did attitudes towards African Americans in McLean County not change after their service in the Spanish-American War?