The second son of Dr. Shubal and Elizabeth York, John Milton York enlisted as a private in Co. E of the 66th Illinois, the Western Sharp Shooters, in September 1861 near his home in Edgar County. His older brother Henry had already served in the three months unit 12th Illinois in 1861, and their father Shubal York had enlisted as the surgeon of the 54th Illinois.
When John Milton was home on furlough in February 1861 a young Copperhead roughneck named Cooper accosted him in the streets of Paris. Acting in self defense, the soldier shot and seriously wounded Cooper. This sparked a small riot several days later in Paris, the seat of Edgar County, when several soldiers were killed as well as some of the Southern sympathizers. A little over a month later Dr. Shubal York was murdered at Charleston during a Copperhead rebellion in that town. Apparently he was singled out by some locals as a marked man in revenge for his son John Milton's shooting of Cooper a month earlier.
John Milton returned to his regiment after his furlough and reenlistment. He was wounded May 16, 1864 at Rome Cross Roads in Georgia. He underwent amputation of a leg, but sadly John Milton died from this gunshot wound on May 22, 1864.
His older brother Henry in the 54th Illinois died of disease at a Memphis hospital in 1865. The York boys' young brother Jesse had joined the 66th just after their father was murdered. He was the only one of the four York men in uniform to survive the war.
When John Milton was home on furlough in February 1861 a young Copperhead roughneck named Cooper accosted him in the streets of Paris. Acting in self defense, the soldier shot and seriously wounded Cooper. This sparked a small riot several days later in Paris, the seat of Edgar County, when several soldiers were killed as well as some of the Southern sympathizers. A little over a month later Dr. Shubal York was murdered at Charleston during a Copperhead rebellion in that town. Apparently he was singled out by some locals as a marked man in revenge for his son John Milton's shooting of Cooper a month earlier.
John Milton returned to his regiment after his furlough and reenlistment. He was wounded May 16, 1864 at Rome Cross Roads in Georgia. He underwent amputation of a leg, but sadly John Milton died from this gunshot wound on May 22, 1864.
His older brother Henry in the 54th Illinois died of disease at a Memphis hospital in 1865. The York boys' young brother Jesse had joined the 66th just after their father was murdered. He was the only one of the four York men in uniform to survive the war.
The second son of Dr. Shubal and Elizabeth York, John Milton York enlisted as a private in Co. E of the 66th Illinois, the Western Sharp Shooters, in September 1861 near his home in Edgar County. His older brother Henry had already served in the three months unit 12th Illinois in 1861, and their father Shubal York had enlisted as the surgeon of the 54th Illinois.
When John Milton was home on furlough in February 1861 a young Copperhead roughneck named Cooper accosted him in the streets of Paris. Acting in self defense, the soldier shot and seriously wounded Cooper. This sparked a small riot several days later in Paris, the seat of Edgar County, when several soldiers were killed as well as some of the Southern sympathizers. A little over a month later Dr. Shubal York was murdered at Charleston during a Copperhead rebellion in that town. Apparently he was singled out by some locals as a marked man in revenge for his son John Milton's shooting of Cooper a month earlier.
John Milton returned to his regiment after his furlough and reenlistment. He was wounded May 16, 1864 at Rome Cross Roads in Georgia. He underwent amputation of a leg, but sadly John Milton died from this gunshot wound on May 22, 1864.
His older brother Henry in the 54th Illinois died of disease at a Memphis hospital in 1865. The York boys' young brother Jesse had joined the 66th just after their father was murdered. He was the only one of the four York men in uniform to survive the war.
When John Milton was home on furlough in February 1861 a young Copperhead roughneck named Cooper accosted him in the streets of Paris. Acting in self defense, the soldier shot and seriously wounded Cooper. This sparked a small riot several days later in Paris, the seat of Edgar County, when several soldiers were killed as well as some of the Southern sympathizers. A little over a month later Dr. Shubal York was murdered at Charleston during a Copperhead rebellion in that town. Apparently he was singled out by some locals as a marked man in revenge for his son John Milton's shooting of Cooper a month earlier.
John Milton returned to his regiment after his furlough and reenlistment. He was wounded May 16, 1864 at Rome Cross Roads in Georgia. He underwent amputation of a leg, but sadly John Milton died from this gunshot wound on May 22, 1864.
His older brother Henry in the 54th Illinois died of disease at a Memphis hospital in 1865. The York boys' young brother Jesse had joined the 66th just after their father was murdered. He was the only one of the four York men in uniform to survive the war.
Gravesite Details
Roll of Honor Vol XIThis memorial contains photos for two burial sites:- John Milton York (#2999252) of Illinois; Section K, Site 9811 (this memorial)- M York (#257139908) of NY; Section K, Site 9965 (merged memorial; recreated)
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