On January 19th club member Jack Bowman gave an insightful and informative talk about the Emancipation Proclamation. Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery in the nation, it captured the hearts and imagination of millions of Americans and fundamentally transformed the character of the war. After January 1, 1863, every advance of federal troops expanded the domain of freedom. Moreover, the Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the liberated to become liberators. Jack is pictured his with his son Gary and his wife Myla.

Click on the "Read more..." below to view West Virginia Civil War events for 2010 and 2011.