MARION – Saturday marks the 162nd anniversary of General John A. Logan’s appeal for Union support on Marion’s Square.

To mark the anniversary, the City of Marion will unveil a historical marker at a ceremony on Tower Square Plaza at 10 a.m.

Distinguished guests for Saturday’s ceremony 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.

According to a city press release, 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.

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.