Date/Time
8/19/2023
Ceremony will begin at 10:00 am
Ceremony will begin at 10:00 am
Event Type(s)
Member Event
Advocacy
Entertainment
Advocacy
Entertainment
Event Description
City of Marion unveiling a historical marker on Tower Square Plaza in commemoration of General John A. Logan on 1861 speech site
Official Press Release
MARION, IL — On the 162nd anniversary of General John A. Logan’s appeal for Union support, the City of Marion will be unveiling a historical marker on Tower Square Plaza. The then Congressman gave his historic speech from the back of a wagon on Marion’s Square rallying support for the Union which ultimately resulted in the region remaining loyal to the North. This commemorative marker,
featuring a brief description of events as well as a silhouette of John A. Logan’s likeness, was erected so that the events that took place on Tower Square Plaza in 1861 may never be forgotten.
The ceremony will begin at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 19, 2023 and will feature remarks, retellings, and music. Distinguished guests scheduled to be in attendance include Michael Jones, Director of the General John A. Logan Museum, Sam Lattuca, President of Williamson County Historical Society and Library, and Mark Motsinger, Illinois State Chairman for the Historical Markers Committee as well as Dr. Barry Hancock.
General John A. Logan worked closely alongside President Lincoln throughout the Civil War to ensure freedom for all and the reunification of the United States. His wife, Mary Simmerson Cunningham, was a Marion native and traveled extensively with General Logan throughout most of his career and authored several books memorializing his accomplishments. General John A. Logan is the namesake for the Williamson County based community college as well as the advocate for the creation of Memorial Day.
Learn more about the original speech here.
Dan Cheatum, portrays Logan in a 1989 re-enactment during the Sesquicentennial (Photo by Elflora Aikman)
Official Press Release
MARION, IL — On the 162nd anniversary of General John A. Logan’s appeal for Union support, the City of Marion will be unveiling a historical marker on Tower Square Plaza. The then Congressman gave his historic speech from the back of a wagon on Marion’s Square rallying support for the Union which ultimately resulted in the region remaining loyal to the North. This commemorative marker,
featuring a brief description of events as well as a silhouette of John A. Logan’s likeness, was erected so that the events that took place on Tower Square Plaza in 1861 may never be forgotten.
The ceremony will begin at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 19, 2023 and will feature remarks, retellings, and music. Distinguished guests scheduled to be in attendance include Michael Jones, Director of the General John A. Logan Museum, Sam Lattuca, President of Williamson County Historical Society and Library, and Mark Motsinger, Illinois State Chairman for the Historical Markers Committee as well as Dr. Barry Hancock.
General John A. Logan worked closely alongside President Lincoln throughout the Civil War to ensure freedom for all and the reunification of the United States. His wife, Mary Simmerson Cunningham, was a Marion native and traveled extensively with General Logan throughout most of his career and authored several books memorializing his accomplishments. General John A. Logan is the namesake for the Williamson County based community college as well as the advocate for the creation of Memorial Day.Learn more about the original speech here.
Dan Cheatum, portrays Logan in a 1989 re-enactment during the Sesquicentennial (Photo by Elflora Aikman)
Location
Contact Person
Rachel Stroud
(phone: 618-440-2875)
(phone: 618-440-2875)
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