On June 17, 1861, General Ulysses S. Grant took his first post of the American Civil War when he assumed command of the 21st Illinois Infantry in Mattoon. The flagpole from General Grant's camp was preserved and is on display at the Mattoon Public Library.
On JUne 17, 1861, gENeral ulysSES s. gRanT TOoK his firST PoST of ThE AmerIcAN ciVIL wAr when hE Assumed coMmAnd of The 21st ilLInOis iNfaNTrY iN matTOoN. The flagPOlE from gENEral grant's camP waS PResErVeD And is on dispLay At The mattooN pUBLIc LiBRary.