Fact Check: Built on ancient Native American mounds near the meeting point of where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers clash, the town sits at a natural crossroads. During the Civil War, that geography turned it into a vital Union stronghold. Mound City became home to one of the largest military hospitals in the West and served as a major naval station. Soldiers from both sides passed through some to recover, many not. It may be quiet now, but this place once pulsed with the urgency of life and death and sat at the crossroad of a nation at war with itself. That history lingers most clearly at the Mound City National Cemetery, just beyond the edge of town. I wasn’t expecting to find it, and I certainly wasn’t expecting the names etched into some of the stones. Two men in particular stood out, John Basil Turchin and Alexander Bielaski. Both born in the Russian Empire. Both connected to Abraham Lincoln. Both now buried here, far from where they began. John Basil Turchin (born Ivan Turchaninov) had once been a colonel in the Russian Imperial Army. He fought in the Crimean War before immigrating to the United States in 1856. When the Civil War broke out, he offered his experience to the Union cause with fierce conviction. His military background and abolitionist ideals caught Lincoln’s attention, and he was appointed a brigadier general, becoming the only Russian born general to serve in the Union Army. He died in 1901 and was laid to rest here, among the soldiers he once led, and some that he fought against.

Fact-Check Article: The History of Mound City and John Basil Turchin

What We Know

The claim discusses the historical significance of Mound City, Illinois, particularly during the Civil War, and highlights the life of John Basil Turchin, a notable figure buried in the Mound City National Cemetery.

1. Geographical Importance: Mound City is located at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, which historically made it a strategic location during the Civil War. The town served as a vital Union stronghold and housed one of the largest military hospitals in the West (Wikipedia on John B. Turchin).

2. Military Hospital: Mound City did indeed host a significant military hospital during the Civil War, where many soldiers were treated, although not all returned home (Find a Grave Memorial).

3. John Basil Turchin: Turchin, originally Ivan Turchaninov, was a Russian-born general who immigrated to the United States in 1856. He served in the Union Army and was promoted to brigadier general by President Abraham Lincoln after a controversial court-martial (Wikipedia on John B. Turchin). Turchin is noted for his military contributions, particularly at the Battle of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge (John Basil Turchin: The Russian Thunderbolt).

4. Burial Site: Turchin is buried in the Mound City National Cemetery, which is indeed a site of historical significance (We Will Remember).

Analysis

The claim presents a largely accurate portrayal of Mound City's historical context and the life of John Basil Turchin, but there are nuances that require further examination.

• Geographical Claims: The assertion that Mound City is built on ancient Native American mounds is not universally documented. While the area is rich in Native American history, specific references to the town being built directly on such mounds are not well substantiated in the sources reviewed.

• Military Significance: The claim that Mound City served as a major naval station and a military hospital is supported by historical records. The town's strategic location indeed made it a critical point for Union operations during the Civil War (Wikipedia on John B. Turchin).

• Turchin's Background: The description of Turchin's military career and his connection to Lincoln is accurate. His promotion to brigadier general after a court-martial reflects the complexities of his military service and the political dynamics of the time (John Basil Turchin: The Russian Thunderbolt). However, the claim could benefit from a more nuanced discussion of the controversies surrounding his military tactics, which included harsh measures against civilians.

• Cemetery Significance: The mention of Turchin and Bielaski, both of whom were connected to Lincoln and are buried in Mound City National Cemetery, is accurate. Turchin's legacy as a military leader is well-documented, and his burial site serves as a reminder of his contributions (Find a Grave Memorial).

Conclusion

The claim about Mound City and John Basil Turchin is Partially True. While it accurately highlights the town's strategic importance during the Civil War and Turchin's significant role within that context, some aspects, such as the assertion regarding the town being built on Native American mounds, lack sufficient evidence. Additionally, the complexities of Turchin's military actions warrant a more detailed exploration to fully understand his legacy.

Sources

1. John B. Turchin - Wikipedia
2. John Basil Turchin (1822-1901) - Find a Grave Memorial
3. John Basil Turchin: The Russian Thunderbolt – The Late Unpleasantness
4. Turchin, John B. | Biographic Profiles - We Will Remember