Dr. Timothy Roberts describes his research into the letters written between an Illinois couple during the American Civil War.  He discusses the migration patterns of central and southern Illinois and how many Southerners migrated west and brought their political philosophy with them.  He explains the Illinois Black Codes and the restrictions on Black citizens that limited large scale migration to the the Illinois.  Roberts talks about the letters of William and Jane Standard and how they provide insight into the political and social philosophy of many rural farmers.  He details the Standard's view of abolition, Abraham Lincoln and their general distrust of war aims.  He goes into the decision by an antiwar Illinoisan to join the Union effort and the war against the Confederacy.  Dr. Roberts explains the formation of the 103rd Illinois Regiment and the service and contribution to the war effort, including Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, the Battle for Atlanta and Sherman's March to the Sea.  He includes the pressure the war and William's absence had on Jane and the Standard family.  He details how William almost left the Army on several occasions.  He finishes with a discussion on how the rural way of life in America changed due to the Civil War and how that has impact still today.

HOST:  Rob Mellon

FEATURED BREW:  Shock Top Belgian White, Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, MO

BOOK:  This Infernal War: The Civil War Letters of William and Jane Standard
https://www.amazon.com/This-Infernal-War-Letters-Standard/dp/1606353357

MUSIC:  Bones Fork

PERIOD MUSIC:  Frontier Favorites: Old-Time Music of Wild West by Mark Gardner and Rex Rideout
https://www.amazon.com/Frontier-Favorites-Old-Time-Music-Wild/dp/B000CAJZQ8/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=rex+rideout+western+music&qid=1606276262&sr=8-1