The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
10 Ill. Infantry-Civil War: The company of men raised in Oquawka in April 1861 found that the group they were to join at Quincy had already left for Cairo. Going on to Springfield, Gov. Yates furnished transportation and the group left for Cairo.
At every station enthusiastic crowds greeted and cheered them. Along the route men in fields and women and children at doors and widows waved hats, flags and handkerchiefs showing the universal support for the gathering troops.
Within 40-50 miles of their destination the atmosphere changed and it seemed as if they were in enemy country as sympathy with secession was greater there in the part of Illinois called "Lower Egypt."
1882 History of Henderson County