My New Book on Civil War in Illinois

[Tom Emery]

All:

I'm about to release a compilation of my newspaper column on Illinois in the Civil War, and here's some information about it.

I've had a tremendous amount of fun putting this together, and hope it contributes to Civil War literature.

Thanks,

Tom Emery

FULL-LENGTH NEW BOOK ON

ILLINOIS IN THE CIVIL WAR

APPEALS TO ALL READERS



A new, full-length book on Illinois in the Civil War covers a crucial period in the state’s history with an easy-to-read, fast-moving style that appeals to a variety of readers, including those of high school age.

Peer reviews say that The Civil War in Illinois “should be must reading in all high school American history courses” in Illinois. The book is a fully-documented, illustrated softcover work of 196 pages by acclaimed historian Tom Emery of Carlinville, a contributor to multiple Illinois newspapers who has lectured on his research to audiences statewide.

His current release is a compilation of a bi-weekly newspaper column on Illinois in the Civil War that Emery wrote from August 2011 to May 2014. The columns, which are presented in chronological format in the book, cover all of the leading topics of the Civil War in Illinois, including the top leaders, regiments, and issues, the state’s participation in key battles, and life on the homefront.

Quotes from dozens of men in the ranks highlight the book, which includes all seventy-one of Emery’s columns plus four of his other articles relating to Illinois in the war. The Civil War in Illinois includes over twenty-five photos as well as a twelve-page bibliography, complete footnotes with annotation, and index.

Illinois sent over 259,000 men to serve in the war and produced such immortal figures as Lincoln and Grant, but surprisingly little has been written on the war in the state in the 150 years since the conflict. Emery’s book fills that void with a comprehensive look at the stories that define the state in the war, such as support for President Lincoln, Illinoisans who fought for the South, reaction to the Emancipation Proclamation, and the role of Illinois troops in such pivotal battles as Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Shiloh, Chickamauga, and the March to the Sea.

The stories of the common soldier, however, are the heart of The Civil War in Illinois. Also included are the uplifting tale of battlefield angel Mary “Mother” Bickerdyke as well as the story of Jennie Hodgers, who spent three years in service posing as a man. The stories of Christmas for Illinois soldiers are also included.

Emery says that readers can learn a lot from the book in just a little time. “This isn’t something that takes a long time to read, or learn from,” he remarked. “A reader can pick up the book, turn to any page, spend a few minutes at a time, and take something away from it.”

The book is being released just in time for the Christmas holidays, though quantities are limited. Anyone wanting a copy is urged to order by December 10, as orders received after that date are not guaranteed to be filled, and there are no immediate plans for more printings. Delivery is expected around December 20.

The price of The Civil War in Illinois is $17.99 plus $1.12 tax and $3.89 postage and handling ($23 total). Orders may be placed using PayPal (use the e-mail enjoyhistorytoday@gmail.com) or by mail by sending your name, address, phone number, and check or money order for $23 to History in Print, 337 E. Second South, Carlinville, IL 62626. For more information, call 217-710-8392.





What Others Are Saying About

The Civil War in Illinois





"An engaging book that easily holds the reader's attention and a great reference piece for any library and archives. Tom Emery's project has documented Illinois Civil War history that many of us may have never heard about before. This text would be great to use in conjunction with teaching the value of primary sources to students at any level."



Spencer Brayton

Director, Lumpkin Learning Commons

Blackburn College



"Tom Emery is not only a fine historian but a delightful story teller. His short vignettes on a wide variety of aspects of Illinois and Illinoisans in the American Civil War will be welcomed not only by the serious Civil War buff but by the beginner, who will be fascinated in a first plunge into this most significant period of our state and national history. The book should be must reading in all high school American History courses, as well as college. Kudos to Tom Emery for sharing these stories that are well worth the telling now and forever."



Richard E. Hart

Past President, Abraham Lincoln Association

Springfield, Illinois

[L Verge]

Congratulations, Tom! Now we know why you've been quiet on this forum for awhile. Hope the book is a great success - and especially that the school system heeds the suggestion that it be used in the history curriculum.

[BettyO]

Congratulations, Indeed, Tom. The book sounds wonderful - and a real honor to be used within the school system!

[HerbS]

Tom-Fantastic work,only you would try to do this tough historical endeavor!

[LincolnToddFan]

Oh, what a fascinating idea. Thanks for the heads up Tom-

[LincolnMan]

Tom: any mention of POW Camps in your book? Specifically, I'm wondering about Rock Island Barracks.

[HerbS]

Rock Island Barracks was small,but a terrible Civil War prison.My great-grandfather survived Camp Ford in Texas!I am published with a short story about his plight.

[LincolnMan]

Were there other POW camps in Illinois?

[HerbS]

Yes-More than has been learned[common knowledge] about!

[STS Lincolnite]

Here in southern Indiana, there are several smaller "prison camps" that local people say were here during the civil war. However, I think "prisoner encampments" would be a more accurate term. Somewhere over the years they began to be called "prison camps" incorrectly. A prison camp would be a more substantial permanent or semi-permanent camp where prisoners of war were held. The local (I am thinking of one in Monroe County and one in Lawrence County) "camps" were set stops along the way from the battle front to Camp Morton in Indianapolis or Camp Douglas in Chicago. When transporting prisoners to those places there were set stops where the prisoners and their guards would stop along the way to sleep, eat, etc. As I said, to me these would be more correctly be called prisoner encampent sites (no intent for prisoners to be held there, just a consistent stop along the way). I am sure that are lots of those those type of encampment sites in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, etc. And as Herb alluded to there are probably lots of encampment sites that have been lost to memory and history. There are in fact some confederate graves near one of the encampment sites in this area as some of the prisoners died enroute to their final prison camp destination.

[Tom Emery]

Everyone, I'm sorry I didn't respond to the questions. I haven't checked the symposium as much as I should lately.

There were four official POW camps in Illinois, and I devoted a section of my book to them.

As all of you have indicated, there was the Rock Island Barracks, in addition to Camp Douglas in southern Chicago, Camp Butler near Springfield, and the Alton Prison. Douglas and Butler were originally muster-in points, while Alton was the former Illinois State Penitentiary.

All had severe issues with smallpox, particularly Alton, where prisoners were quarantined on an island in the Mississippi.

Rock Island received prisoners from Chattanooga in late 1863. As an aside, Margaret Mitchell earned that prison some unwanted -- and untrue -- notoriety by giving Rock Island as the place where Ashley Wilkes was held prisoner in the novel Gone with the Wind (I think he was at Elmira in the movie).

Again, I apologize for not offering something sooner, and I appreciate the comments of the members on my new book. Thanks.

[RJNorton]

Tom, kudos on your new book!!

[LincolnMan]

Nice fun fact about Gone With The Wind. Thanks, Tom.

[HerbS]

Thanks Tom."Gone With The Wind" is one of my favorite movies!

[Tom Emery]

All:

I've just created a Facebook page for my new book, The Civil War in Illinois.

It's at https://www.facebook.com/CivilWarInIllinois and if you choose, take a moment and Like it.

The page has a selection of photos relating to the Civil War in Illinois.

A Blackburn College student, Matt Pfannenstiel, helped design the page, and I've had a lot of comments on it.

Thanks,

Tom