YOU ARE HERE: Central Kentucky Home→Collections

Author to speak at Danville Civil War series

November 10, 2006

Noted Civil War historian Charles P. Roland is the next speaker for the General Lovell H. Rousseau Civil War Lecture Series at Boyle County Public Library, Broadway, 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Roland's free talk is titled, "Johnny Reb, Billy Yank and G.I. Joe: An Analogy from Two Wars."

In addition to being one of the nation's most accomplished Civil War historians, Roland is a veteran of World War II, where he served during the Battle of the Bulge. His talk weaves his own military experiences with the lives of Civil War soldiers.

Much of Roland's wartime service was highlighted in Stephen Ambrose's acclaimed "Citizen Soldiers." In addition, Roland describes them in more detail in his autobiography, "My Odyssey Through History: Memoirs of War and Academe."

As a Civil War historian, Roland has authored several important works on the conflict, including "Albert Sidney Johnston: Soldier of Three Republics," "The American Illiad" and "Reflections on Lee." Roland also served on numerous boards and historical organizations, including the Perryville Battlefield Commission.

The 2006 Rousseau Series will conclude on Dec. 14, when Don Rightmyer, reference librarian for the Boyle County Public Library, will speak on "Kentucky's Fighting Men in the Civil War." A 2007 schedule is being planned.

General Lovell H. Rousseau, the officer for whom the series is named, had local connections. Born in Lincoln County on Aug. 4, 1818, Rousseau was a prominent politician and attorney in Louisville before the Civil War. Perhaps his greatest impact on the Danville area was the role that he played at the Oct. 8, 1862, Battle of Perryville. Rousseau, commanding a division of Union troops, displayed gallant leadership on that Boyle County battleground and helped prevent an overwhelming Confederate victory. In several instances, Rousseau was seen on his horse in front of the Union battle lines, twirling his hat on the tip of his sword and encouraging his troops.

The Rousseau Civil War Lecture Series is cosponsored by the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association, the Kentucky Historical Society, the Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and the Boyle County Public Library. For more information, call Chris Kolakowski at (859) 332-1862.

|

|

|