Historian to Speak on Illinois in the Civil War on Thursday

Historian Tom Emery will speak about Illinois in the Civil War Thursday night. The presentation will take place at 6pm in the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum.

This award-winning program, which is appropriate for adult and young adult audiences, will give a general overview of the Civil War in Illinois. It will include such topics as leading Illinois generals and regiments, Civil War prisons in the state, divided North/South sentiments in Illinois, and highlights of Illinois troops in major battles. Home life in the state during the Civil War will also be covered as well as leading non-military figures like Mother Bickerdyke, and notable riots and unrest including the Charleston Riot and the Clingman Raid.

Tom Emery is a critically acclaimed freelance writer and historical researcher and was awarded a grant in 2007 to pursue The Illinois State Library Heritage Project. Prior to this project, Emery had compiled 13 book and booklet titles on an array of historical topics. He was valedictorian of the Blackburn College Class of 1993, with majors in business administration, accounting and economics and earned an MBA from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in 1995.