Q. Please help me get started on my Chicago and the Civil War research.

The history section of Oakton Library's Chicago Region research guide (https://researchguides.oakton.edu/chicago) will help you find some great sources of information on this topic.

Search for and read the excellent Civil War article in the Encyclopedia of Chicago.  The book listed in this article's bibliography is available at Oakton (Click on the link below to determine availability):

Karamanski, Theodore J. Rally 'round The Flag: Chicago And The Civil War. Chicago : Nelson-Hall, 1993

You can use the subject heading below in the Oakton Library Catalog to to find another book on this topic:

Chicago (Ill.) - History - Civil War, 1861-1865

You can find more titles outside Oakton by expanding your search from "Local Catalog Only" to "All I-Share Libraries" (See: What is I-Share)