From the Brigade Commander - May, 2021

May, 2021

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? Believe it or not, the quandary is age- old, dating all the way back to pre-U.S. history. Look in the May newsletter for a story about the consequences of vaccine policy and practice during the Civil War. A second story, with a post-Civil War beginning, extends to present day and serves as a reminder of just how thin the line between war and peace really is.

Our drive-yourself field trip to Gettysburg on May 1 is filling up nicely. I’m excited by the prospect of being able to meet in person and catch up in a “non-virtual” way. If you haven’t signed up yet, no worries: there’s still time for you to join in. Take a look at pages 2 and 3 of the newsletter for details about the trip and sign-up instructions.

Ironically, our May speaker will also serve as one of the tour guides for the May 1 trip. Dr. Mark Snell is an Army veteran and a retired professor. On May 4, he’ll be sharing a presentation informed by his latest book, “Gettysburg’s Other Battle: The Ordeal of an American Shrine during the First World War.”

With just a little more than a month left in Campaign 43, our membership renewal rate stands at 84 percent, which equates to $625 fewer dollars to cover expenses and/or donate to preservation efforts. That said, I do want to extend my thanks once again to all of those who have sent in donations.

A reminder that our print raffle will run until the end of May, so there’s still plenty of time to purchase a booklet of tickets.

Barry

Gettysburg Field Trip on May 1st

On Saturday, May 1, 2021, the Civil War Roundtable of Eastern Pa., Inc. will host two walking tours at Gettysburg Battlefield.
Both guides (Ron Kirkwood and Mark Snell) have authored a book related to the tour they will lead; you will be able to purchase copies from the gift shop at a 20% discount.
NOTE: Because the shop is not currently open to visitors, we must have a count of the number of books to be purchased IN ADVANCE!

You'll find all of the details about the trip below or in this link as well as contact information to reserve you space(s) or ask questions.

Rain date is May 8.

April Presentation by Chuck Raasch

The CWRT of Eastern PA met on April 6th via Zoom and heard a presentation centering on Sam Wilkeson (pronounced Wilks-son), the New York Times reporter who came to Gettysburg on the final day, and found that his son had been critically (eventually mortally) wounded on the first day of the battle.

He spoke of the human drama of war, using not only the Wilkesons, but the illustration of a family encountered when he was at the battlefield on assignment from USA Today, These descendants of Myron Clark, had the young man’s diary, and were retracing his footsteps before his own fatal wound from a cannonball. They wondered how their family might have been changed, if this promising young man had survived.

He drew parallels between the factors influencing the Civil War with our own times, including the technology then (telegraph) and today (internet and social media) both of which significantly multiplied the speed at which news was disseminated.

He also touched on the partisan aspects of news reporting, not only in the 21st Century , but in the 19th Century of Civil War times.

His book - Imperfect Union: A Father's Search for His Son in the Aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg - will be available in paperback later in April 2021.

From the Brigade Commander - April

There’s lots of good news to share this month!
The American Battlefield Trust (ABT) has notified us that our Campaign 42 donations qualify our CWRT to remain a Color Bearer in 2021 and “… be honored for the extraordinary commitment [we] bring to the mission of saving our nation’s most hallowed ground.” The ABT has also named our CWRT to a new recognition category, a 20-Year Club. This honor recognizes “singular and extraordinary dedication to saving America’s history.” Clearly, your financial support continues to make a lasting difference to the preservation efforts of our nation’s most hallowed ground and museums that safeguard and exhibit Civil War-era artifacts. And with three months still remaining in Campaign 43, I’m pleased to report that we have already exceeded Campaign 42 donations by almost 35 percent. We have met our budget goal for our annual print raffle. Words cannot express the pride I feel in what we’ve accomplished—together.

Not forgetting the second part of our mission, if you were unable to attend our March meeting, you missed a great program. I’m not sure which “speaker” was more impressive: our Ed Root, as the interviewer, or Donald Miller, as the interviewee and guest speaker. The depth and breadth of Mr. Miller’s knowledge, including a lot of little-known facts, about the Vicksburg campaign is amazing. If you weren’t able to join in, no worries. We’ve got several more presentations lined up for Campaign 43, and I hope to see you (or hear from you, by phone). We’ve also got a field trip in the works, which you can read about inside. While you’re there, you’ll also find articles and tidbits that cover several important April happenings, each with at least a Civil War twist.

Enjoy!

BARRY

CWRT of Eastern PA Inducted into the American Battlefield Trust's "20 Year Club"

The Civil War Round Table of Eastern PA has been recognized by the American Battlefield Trust as a member of it’s “20 Year Club” due to our "singular and extraordinary dedication to saving America's History". This is one of the Trust's newest recognition societies. Their will be a printed, bound-book the "President's Roll Call of Honor" in which our name will appear. Also there will be a digital "Roll Call of Honor with our name on it.

ABT notes that the 20-Year Club is a core group of dedicated battlefield preservationists who have generously supported this great cause for 20 years or more. Their selfless financial support has directly led to the preservation of more than 53,000 acres of hallowed American battlefield land. They have helped make us the most successful historic land preservation organization of its kind in American history. That is an amazing legacy.

Thank you to our 20-Year Club members for all they have done – and continue to do – for this great cause.

March CWRT Interview with Author Donald Miller

 Our March 2nd CWRT Meeting was a fascinating evening listening to Donald Miller, national known historian, located right here at Lafayette College, being interviewed by our own Ed Root about two of his many books: “Vicksburg: Grants Campaign that Broke the Confederacy” and “Master of the Air.”

MIller describes himself not as a military historian, but a historian of warfare. In the case of the Vicksburg, the elements of warfare included army and navy, medicine and slavery, societal changes, argriculture, economics and racism, among many other aspects.

The Wall Street Journal called Vicksburg a superb account of the longest and most decisive military campaign of the Civil War in Vicksburg, Mississippi, which opened the Mississippi River, split the Confederacy, freed tens of thousands of slaves, and made Ulysses S. Grant the most important general of the war.

  Soon to be a major television event from Apple TV, Masters of the Air is the riveting history of the American Eighth Air Force in World War II, the story of the young men who flew the bombers that helped bring Nazi Germany to its knees, brilliantly told by historian and World War II expert Donald Miller. The Masters of the Air miniseries will be the companion to Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg’s Band of Brothers and The Pacific.

Miller talked about his interest being sparked by his own father’s training as an aerial gunman.

Miller referenced a quote from Churchill’s Anatomy of Courage, in which he asked whether courage can get used up; asking how much can combatants take?

In addition to question posed by Ed Root, Miller also answer questions submitted by our Zoom participants.

An engaging event for which we thanks Miller, Ed Root, and all those who helped plan and carry out the evening. 

From the Brigade Commander - March

From the Brigade Commander

This month, I will forego the usual banter and, instead, share a message of educational interest and urgency. On Tuesday, March 2, this CWRT will hold its fifth monthly meeting/presentation of Campaign 43 using an internet tool called Zoom, as in-person meetings are not yet permissible.

I know some folks are uncomfortable using the internet. But since we want you to get the most from your membership, and because continuing support from our members is fundamental to our organization’s survival, I want to remind you that Zoom also offers a “listen only” mode via telephone. And while listen-only limits the learning experience, it does offer a way to remain a continuing student of the American Civil War.

After you respond to the email invitation (to indicate your attendance), you will receive (also via email) the information you will need to access the meeting space. About five minutes before the start time for the meeting, dial one of the phone numbers listed on the meeting access email. (You may also be asked to enter the Meeting ID and the Passcode that will also be listed on the invite.) Once you are connected, Jim Duffy, our meeting moderator, will admit you to the secure meeting space.

If you’d like to ask the speaker a question, simply email your question to Jim (Duffysocwk@aol.com), and he will forward your question on. We hope that you’ll be able to join us for what should be a terrific presentation. You can read more about the speaker and the presentation on page 2.

NOTE: If you don’t receive a meeting invitation to your inbox, be sure to check your spam or junk folder. Sometimes, PCs and smartphones send emails to these folders in error.

Questions? Contact Jim Duffy (Duffysocwk@aol.com)

Zoom Questionnaire

Zoom Questionnaire
For a print copy click here

As you are painfully aware, our Round Table has not met in person for a regular monthly meeting since last March. In an attempt to have some sense of normalcy we started Zoom meetings in November. The four meetings were fun and informative and on March 2nd we are excited to have Donald Miller speak on his new Vicksburg book.

While we wait for the “green” light to resume normal activities at the Holiday Inn we will continue to hold meetings via the Zoom platform. Our attendance has been steady, but frankly not as high as we would desire.

Please take a few moments to answer these few questions:

1.     Have you attended any of our Zoom meetings?

2.     If so, please comment on the experience and give any suggestions you feel would improve the experience.

 3.     If not, kindly advise any and all reasons why you have chosen not to attend. We want to do all possible to increase the number of attendees.

 4.     Are you aware that you can attend the meeting via your phone? With this method you will not see the speaker or any slides, but at least you will hear all the discussion.

 5.     Once we have the ability to meet in person will you attend our dinner session?

 6.     Have you renewed your membership for this Campaign? We continue to support historic preservation and need your support.

 Your opinion is important and will help us plan and improve as an organization in the coming weeks. It is imperative that we keep our Round Table vibrant so that when health and venue restrictions enable us to meet in person, we can not only resume our activities, but be stronger than ever.

 Please respond to: Ed Root at sartilly@hotmail.com

Feel free to call Ed at 610-417-6673 if you wish to discuss further.

 Jim Duffy has been our moderator and Zoom master so feel free to contact him for any technical questions at duffysocwk@aol.com or 610-253-4549

 Please check our website frequently for information and updates.  www.cwrteasternpa.org

February Zoom Presentation on the North Carolina Coastal Operations in 1864

On February 2nd, CWRT participants were treated to a presentation by Ransome Newsome on the operations along the North Carolina Coastal region centered around New Bern in 1864.

2021 Gettysburg Workday Officially Cancelled

We. received the following note from Gettysburg NMP today officially cancelling the work day we had hoped might be able to take place in April (or later this year). The AAP Program was the oversight for our annual day in the park. We will look forward to 2022.

Due to the continuing COVID restrictions and cautions, the 2021 Adopt-A-Position (AAP) has been cancelled.  The park had to make a decision on the year as a whole because there are staff brought in specifically to handle this program, which without this program would not otherwise be needed.  Thank you for your continued interest and dedication to the AAP program, we will communicate any additional updates or volunteering opportunities as they arise.

 ___________________________

Randall Hill
Supervisory Facility Operations Specialist
Gettysburg National Military Park / Eisenhower National Historic Site