Lincoln's Soldiers Marched: From White Hall, Illinois

(Niantic, October 6, 2009) � Limited editions of new local history book are now available. Thelma Ball's Lincoln's Soldiers Marched: From White Hall, Illinois debuted at White Hall's Civil War Days this past weekend. Ball's mission is "Reuniting Illinois villages with their lost Civil War heritage." She states that, "Larger towns have historical societies to promote their local history, but the smaller villages have lost their national heritage in many cases."

Ball researches individual Civil War soldiers from specific villages, and then follows each of their unit histories from the date of enrollment until their military service concludes. "Many do not realize that the men from a single village may belong to numerous units. Often, a singular soldier or unit story has been passed down and is kept alive within a community. The majority of the soldiers have been long forgotten and sometimes never known."

During the Civil War Days, for example, many shared knowledge of the local 61st and 91st Illinois and shared a story about a local drummer boy who was injured and was buried nearby. Few knew that sixty men from White Hall rode in five cavalry units and marched in twelve infantry units. Ball concentrates on bringing recognition to the entire village population that marched to war.

The White Hall book was made as a commemorative of the Civil War Days event. This was Ball's first visit to a Civil War Reenactment. She was impressed by the devotion of these people. Her books are manufactured with quality materials. They are intended for lifetime keepsakes and special gifts. Most importantly, they are in remembrance of the village heritage and to celebrate the tenacity and courage of those long ago villagers.

Ball donated a copy of her book to the White Hall Public Library. She left a sample copy for the Apple Creek Antique Shop and gifted a copy to General and Julia Dent Grant for the invitation to participate in the Civil War Days event and in appreciation of their outstanding community service.

Lincoln's Soldiers Marched: From White Hall, Illinois is Ball's third publication. She wrote a commemorative book, Beyond Prairie City (the original name of Niantic), for her hometown's sesquicentennial celebration in 2004. Secondly was Lincoln's Soldiers Marched: From Niantic, Illinois. Ball's first book is housed at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and the Illinois State Museum Library and other Illinois school and public libraries.

Quality was chosen over quantity for the Lincoln's Soldiers Marched: From White Hall, Illinois, therefore only twenty copies remain for purchase. For further information, contact Thelma Ball by mail, email or phone.

P.O. Box 171 Niantic, IL 62551, tball@richland.edu, 217-668-7687 or 217-875-7211 Ext 303.