Join Dennis Frye and host Catherine Mägi for a Facebook livestream of Dennis' book, Antietam Shadows: Mystery, Myth & Machination.

Dennis at our 2018 tour of Antietam

Join Dennis Frye and host Catherine Mägi for a Facebook livestream of Dennis' book, Antietam Shadows: Mystery, Myth & Machination.

The program will be featured on Thursday, June 11, beginning @ 7:00 p.m.
Use this link… CLICK HERE

Dennis is a long time friend of our Round Table and will be our presenter next June. He is known as an unconventional historian who challenges convention. His works spark provocation, and Dennis relishes controversy in history. Antietam Shadows turns upside down and inside out what you know (or what you think you know) about a transformative 17 days in America's journey. Dennis explores fascinating characters and events often misunderstood, mischaracterized or misrepresented by historians. Dennis establishes his theme with his first sentence: "What is history but a fable agreed upon." (borrowed from Napoleon). Dennis' thought-provoking book is certain to generate lively debate and discussion.

Dennis is a native of the Antietam/Harpers Ferry area. He served as Chief Historian (now retired) for 20 years at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Dennis is a renowned scholar who has authored 11 books and 107 articles and been featured on numerous appearances on national television, including Emmy Award programs on John Brown, Antietam and Maryland in the Civil War. Dennis also is a battlefield guide in demand, leading programs for the Smithsonian, National Geographic and major universities. Dennis also is a national preservationist, serving as co-founder and past president of today's American Battlefield Trust and the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. He is co-founder and current president of Maryland's Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area.

This program is part of a series hosted and produced by Catherine Mägi. It represents an effort to help both authors and independent bookshops continue to connect with readers in a time of mass cancellations and closures. By cohosting, you will help our potential audience reach grow. Teaming up will increase potential exposure for your business and/or organization, as well as independent and nonprofit bookshops. Most importantly, it will help us all stay engaged with our communities.

Schedule for September 2020 to June 2021 Campaign Announced

The Schedule for the 2020-2021 Campaign has been announced and is now published.

Pictured below are the dates, presenters and topics.

See the “Upcoming Events” tab for descriptions of each program.

June's From the Brigade Commander: Barry Arnold

From the Brigade Commander: Barry Arnold

     Friends of the Civil War Round Table, we are all in this pandemic hole with this

Corona Virus. We now are following rules of social separation, washing hands, and staying at home. The Board came to the conclusion that we had to cancel the rest of the Campaign year. I am sorry to report our meetings for April, May, and June had to be cancelled. Our cancellation of the June meeting was the result of Holiday Inn not being ready for gatherings. We do not know when the state is ready to get back to normal.

Now the Governor is saying we must wait until about the 2nd week in May to slowly bring the economy back to normal.  Only time will tell… When we are able to regain our normal gathering, I hope to see you all there. While we are experiencing this social separation and when you need exercise, do what I love doing, that is walk among the dead. It is a fantastic journey and you will be amazed that the number of local civil war ancestors that are buried in our local cemeteries. If you find someone that is especially interesting, please let me know.

     In my series of notable civil war burials, we come to another local cemetery in Easton. The Easton Heights Cemetery is located on North 10th Street just off Northampton Street. There you will find an old historic cemetery that housed many Civil War soldiers.

Most notable are those of the 153rd Penna volunteers. Many of their officers and enlisted men are entombed there. One of the notables is Brigadier General Charles A. Heckman. Born in Easton, Heckman served in the Mexican war as a sergeant and enlisted in the Union Army as a major at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was commissioned into the 9th New Jersey Infantry. In 1861 he was promoted to Lt. Col. Promoted twice more, he was commissioned Brig. Gen. in 1862. He led the 18th and 25th corps in the Carolinas. He was captured at Drewry’s Bluff and sent to Libby Prison. He was exchanged in 1864 and then commanded the 18 Corps in the Army of the James. During fighting at Fort Harrison led to distinguished leadership. He was replaced and transferred to command the 3rd Division in the newly created 25th Corps. He resigned from the army in 1865 and returned to work for the New Jersey Rail Road as a conductor and dispatcher. Heckman died on January 14,1896 at the age of 73.

      Another civil war veteran was Colonel Charles A. Wikoff.  He was also born in Easton.  At the brink of the Civil War he enlisted as a private in the 1st Penna. Inf. The next month he was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in the 15th U.S. Infantry. Shot in the eye at the Battle of Shiloh, he wore an eye patch for the rest of his life. He also participated in the Battle of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. He was promoted to Captain. Wikoff transferred to the 24th US. Infantry, and then later to the 11th U.S. infantry serving in Texas. In November 1891, he was promoted to Lt. Col. Of the 19th U.S. Infantry serving at Fort Wayne. Then in January 1897, he was promoted to Colonel of the 22nd U.S. Infantry at Fort Cook, Neb. In 1898 led the 22nd infantry to Cuba. He was shot during a charge across an open field in the battle of San Juan Hill. Within 15 minutes he succumbed to his wounds and died on July 1, 1898 near Santiago Cuba.                                                              

            Barry

May's "From the Brigade Commander" by Barry Arnold

Our April meeting was cancelled because of our trying times as we attempt to cope with the Corona virus outbreak. With the safety of our members at stake and the state regulation of our state prohibiting large groups from meeting, we could not have our meeting. Now, it looks as if I must once again say, that we will not meet in May because of the very same issues. I hope everyone will listen to the instruction of medical leaders and wash their hands, use sanitizers, and maintain a safe distance around people.

I want to see all of you at our round table meetings for the foreseeable future. Sadly, we will also cancel our May and June meetings at the Holiday Inn. I will let you know, in the near future, if we can re-schedule one final meeting of the campaign season for late June or early July. Also, I want to inform (remind) you that our annual field trip and brush cutting scheduled for April 18, 2020 Gettysburg was also cancelled. Further, after speaking with Dennis Frye and recognizing that the state of West Virginia has issued a stay-at-home order coupled with the knowledge that Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park is closed at the current time with no official tours, no restroom facilities available, no access to the parking lot, it just did made sense to cancel our plans for our May 30, 2020 field trip. So, to recap, no more field trips for the year and no May 05 or June 02 dinner meetings. We are crossing our fingers that we could possibly set up a later meeting in the summer, but we will have to see how things work out. For sure, we will be keeping you informed as to the feasibility of meeting at a later date this summer. We certainly hope you can join us. Until then, please stay safe.

Last month I informed you of a cemetery in Norristown. The Montgomery Cemetery where General Hancock and others notable civil war veterans are buried. Now, I want to inform (remind) you of a cemetery here in Bethlehem. That cemetery is Nisky Hill Cemetery located near the city hall. The notable Civil War veteran is General William Doster. He was born in Bethlehem on January 8, 1837. One of seven, he attended the Moravian school until age 14. Afterwards, he went on to Yale College graduating in 1857. In 1859 he graduated from Harvard Law School. When the war broke out he raised a company for Harlan’s Light Cavalry of which he was made captain. They were transformed into the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Doster was appointed Provost Marshal in Washington, D.C. He was appointed Brigadier General and return to the 4th Cavalry where he took command.

At Gettysburg, he served under General Pleasanton and was positioned on the federal left flank. Then on the 5th of July was ordered to chase the fleeing rebels. He fought Lee’s rear guard. He contracted malaria and was too ill to return to duty. Instead, he returned home to Easton and never returned to the war. As a lawyer he was assigned to defend Lewis Payne and George Atzerodt, two of the Lincoln conspirators. After the war, he returned to Northampton county and practiced law in Easton. Residing in Bethlehem, he was president of the Lehigh National Bank and the New Bridge Street Company. Doster died July 2, 1919 and was buried in Bethlehem at Nisky Hill Cemetery. Some of you may recall our work day at Nisky Hill on October 29, 2016 when we spent a Saturday performing clean up and light restoration at that cemetery.

Barry

Attend A CWRT Congress Lecture via Zoom

LECTURE SERIES

The CWRT Congress proudly presents a series of Civil War lectures by speakers who were nominated by CWRTs as their 5-Star speakers. These lectures are both entertaining and inspiring.

You must register to attend
To register for a virtual seat, click on a date link below. We will see you in the lecture hall!!

Download INSTRUCTIONS: HOW TO USE ZOOM

CLICK THE LINK ON A DATE TO REGISTER FOR THAT EVENT

REACHED SEATING CAPACITY MICHAEL K. SHAFFER - IN MEMORY OF SELF & COMRADES

April 21 @ 1900 EDT JOHN C. FAZIO - THE CONFEDERATE SECRET SERVICE & THE LINCOLN ASSASSINATION

APRIL 23 @ 1900 EDT ALEX ROSSINO - SIX DAYS IN SEPTEMBER

APRIL 27 @ 1900 EDT ERIC WITTENBERG - SHERMAN'S CAROLINAS CAMPAIGN

APRIL 29 @ 1900 EDT ED LOWE - LONGSTREET'S EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN

May 5 @ 1900 EDT JAMES KNIGHTS - CANADIANS IN THE CIVIL WAR

May 7 @ 1900 EDT SCOTT MINGUS - FLAMES BEYOND GETTYSBURG

May 11 @ 1900 EDT MICHAEL K. SHAFFER - IN MEMORY OF SELF & COMRADES

May 13 @ 1900 EDT BRUCE MOWDAY - THREE VIEWS OF GETTYSBURG

May 19 @ 1900 EDT JOHN SCALES - DID FORREST MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

May 21 @ 1600 EDT DAVID DIXON - SELF-LIBERATION OR SURVIVAL

May 25 @ 1600 EDT JAN CROON - THE WAR OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

MAY 27 @ 1900 EDT CHERYL RENEE GOOCH - HINSONVILLE'S HEROES

May 28 @ 1900 EDT DAVID DIXON - SELF-LIBERATION OR SURVIVAL

June 2 @ 1900 EDT JOHN SCALES - DID FORREST MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

June 4 @ 1900 EDT JOHN C. FAZIO - FRANCIS & ARABELLA; JOHN & FANNY: LOVE & WAR

UPDATED Cancellations: Meetings Through June; Gettysburg NMP Work Day

ATTENTION:

THE MEETINGS THROUGH JUNE, as well as
THE APRIL 18th GETTYSBURG NMP WORK DAY
HAVE BEEN CANCELLED
DUE TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS.

WE WILL RESCHEDULE OUR SPEAKER FOR THE 2020-2021 CAMPAIGN.
MOST LIKELY, THE WORK DAY WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED THIS YEAR.

April's "From the Brigade Commander" by Barry Arnold

From the Brigade Commander: Barry Arnold

     April 2020 Meeting-CANCELLED

Our March meeting came and we had a little change in our speaker. Ron Kirkwood was to come and speak on the George Spangler farm hospital and the battle of Gettysburg. Unfortunately, he came down with the flu at the last minute… We had a guest speaker step in and it turns out to be our very own past brigade commander Ed Root to bail us out. Yes, that’s what he did…

Ed gave a great speech on Ben Butler and New Orleans. He described his life before the war. Butler was born in New Hampshire and was a successful lawyer and later, Governor.  He joined the army early in the civil war. He was the administrator overseeing New Orleans after its fall to the Union in 1862. This brought him enormous dislike from the southern population. He died in 1893. We at the round table would like to thank Mr. Root for his last minute step in on this great topic of Ben Butler while in New Orleans.

  THANK YOU ED!

  Our 2019-2020 campaign is quickly coming to an end. In April we were to have Randall Miller. A history major, editor and book writer. He was going to speak on Myths and Meanings of the Civil War. Sad we will not be meeting in April, but Robert McHugh is looking to reschedule Mr. Miller at a later date.

  Here’s a little info tip for you. Coming on the history channel. They’re having a 3 night mini-series on Ulysses S. Grant and the American Civil War. This is to be aired in the month of March. Please watch it. It’s our history.

  I know you must be looking forward to this as much as I am…As we take an amazing field trip over to the George Spangler farm hospital after we perform a little work on the Codori farm on April 18, 2020. This is the hospital that General Hancock was taken after being shot off his horse on the third day of the battle of Gettysburg.

  I also want to inform you of a cemetery not too far from the Leigh Valley. It is in Norristown Pa. The Montgomery cemetery where the Hancock Mausoleum is located. Also, many more heroes of the American Civil War are buried. I will mention a few notable names that are entombed there. Major General John F. Hartranft; he was part of Burnside’s IX corp. He fought at South Mountain and Antietam and led the famous charge across the Burnside Bridge suffering 120 casualties. He was then sent to the western theater and fought at Vicksburg. After the war, he became Pennsylvania’s seventeen governor. Samuel K. Zook was a general and commander of the 3rd brigade at Gettysburg. While advancing toward the wheat field on horseback, he was shot in the shoulder, chest and abdomen and died on July 3rd.There is a monument on the south side of Wheatfield Road where he was shot. Colonel Edwin Schall was second in command and fought alongside Gen. John Hartranft.  He led the 51st Penna. Volunteer Infantry. Brig. Gen. Adam J Slemmer was in the regular army and led the 4th U.S. infantry. He died while in command of Fort Laramie from typhoid fever that he contracted during the American Civil War. These are just a few of the notables at this cemetery. It is an absolute must on your bucket list.

 Again, I am sorry we will not meet in April, but I am looking forward to seeing you in May, 2020.

 Barry

APRIL MEETING AND GETTYSBURG WORK DAY CANCELLED

ATTENTION:

BOTH THE
APRIL 7th MEETING &
APRIL 18th GETTYSBURG NMP WORK DAY
HAVE BEEN CANCELLED
DUE TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS.

WE WILL RESCHEDULE OUR SPEAKER FOR THE 2020-2021 CAMPAIGN.
MOST LIKELY, THE WORK DAY WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED THIS YEAR.

Surprise Speaker at March Meeting

When our scheduled speaker became ill at the last minute, attendees at the March meeting were treated to a surprise speaker… Ed Root.

Our Brigade Commander explains, “Ed gave a great speech on Ben Butler and New Orleans. He described his life before the war. Butler was born in New Hampshire and was a successful lawyer and later, Governor.  He joined the army early in the civil war. He was the administrator overseeing New Orleans after its fall to the Union in 1862. This brought him enormous dislike from the southern population. He died in 1893.

“We at the round table would like to thank Mr. Root for his last minute step in on this great topic of Ben Butler while in New Orleans.”

A Ben Butler souvenir from New Orleans

CANCELED: Gettysburg Conservation Day Saturday, April 18, 2020

THE 2020 CONSERVATION DAY AT GETTYSBURG NMP HAS BEEN CANCELED AND WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED THIS YEAR.

———————————————————-

Gettysburg Conservation Day ~ Saturday, April 18, 2020

The Codori Farm is one of the most known and recognizable sites on the Gettysburg Battlefield. It will be our honor and privilege to work with the National Park Service to help preserve this place.

As always, our tasks will be varied and should satisfy the skills and desires of all volunteers. There will be fences painting for those so inclined and well as fence removal and replacement. If you are a weed whacking specialist there will be work to keep you busy. If you wish to come just to supervise please do so.

We will begin work at 9AM and hope to wrap us by 12:30. There has been construction on Rte 78 for an 8 mile stretch around mile marker 35. Take this into consideration on planning your travel time. For those of you meeting at the Holiday Inn parking lot in order to car pool I’d leave no later than 6:45AM, maybe a little earlier. This will also allow for a bathroom break upon arrival in town.

The NPS will supply all equipment and supplies, However, since we will have around 50 volunteers bringing your own work/paint gloves is a good idea. The Park has numerous string trimmer/weed whackers for any who wish to use them. Please do not bring your own equipment. The NPS will provide fuel.

Logistics, logistics, logistics………

1-   We not only have CWRT members, but friends, students, scouts and historical society folks coming to volunteer. For us to reschedule on a day that would fit all and accommodate the NPS would be all but impossible. We have always been blessed with decent or exception weather so unless the NPS folks tell us NOT TO COME, we work. You are all volunteers so if for any reason you decide not to attend it’s your decision. No harm no foul.

2-   Parking is very limited at the site off the Emmitsburg Road. I am asking that only older folks or anyone with mobility issues park there.  All others may drop off at the site, but park in the NPS lot right across from the National Cemetery lot or even along Cemetery Ridge if parking is available and walk to the farm.

3-   Dress appropriately with good footwear. Work gloves, bug spray, etc. are a good idea. The farm area itself is mowed, but for those working on fences and brush cutting flip flops and shorts are at your own risk.

4-   The CWRT will provide water and there will be a porta potty on site.  The Visitor Center is only a short drive if necessary.

5-   Feel free to bring your lunch and eat while you work or later as you wish. When finished we will all meet at Parking Lot C near the Visitor Center before car pooling to the Spangler Farm for our private tour. The farm where so many wounded were treated and died is not open to the public until June so this is a rare and special treat.

6-   As always, we will also have our special free book raffle for all attendees.

7-   I will be in Gettysburg on Friday to check out the site and make sure all is ready. If you have not already done so, it will be very helpful if you give me a cell phone number in the event of any last-minute issues. My number is 610-217-6172.

8-   Any questions please call or email me at sartilly@hotmail.com

See you on the 18th
Ed