November 18, 2015

Topic: The Aftermath of the Civil War

Speaker: Chris Mackowski
PhD, Author and Historian

We continue with our theme of "The Aftermath of the War." Our speaker for the November meeting is Chris Mackowski, Ph.D. Chris is co-founder and editor-in-chief of the online forum Emerging Civil War (www.emergingcivilwar.com); historian-in-residence at Stevenson Ridge, the historic property on the Spotsylvania Battlefield (www.stevensonridge.com); and professor of journalism and mass communication at St. Bonaventure University in Alleghany, New York. He has authored or co-authored more than a dozen books on the Civil War and has penned articles for Civil War Times, America's Civil War, Hallowed Ground and Blue and Gray.Chris' talk to us is entitled "Grant's Last Battle: The Story Behind the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant." Grant's memoirs have become one of the most frequently quoted sources for many Civil War historians. They are very well written and have stood the test of time. They provide a unique insight into the workings of his mind under enormous stress. Grant was a dying man in great pain, racing the clock in order to bequeath to his family something other than the legacy of poverty. I have personally read this book and found it extremely interesting and informative. What part did Mark Twain play in the memoirs.

Paul Scott, President

January 27, 2016

Topic: Beyond Appomattox ..... Lee and His Legacy
Speaker: John Hennessey, Chief Interpreter

Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Battlefield, Author and Historian

The Perception: Robert E. Lee faded gracefully, quietly into a second career at Washington College, urging reconciliation and assimilation between sections and races. The Reality is more complex. This program will look at Lee after the war - -as both an icon of the former Confederacy and an advocate of Southern regionalism.

At the conclusion of John Hennessey's program, our reunification Exploratory Committee and the CWRTF Executive Committee will render their respective reports to the membership. Thereafter, comments will be invited from the membership for discussion. No vote will be taken at this meeting.

Paul Scott, President

February 24, 2016

Speaker: Robert K. Krick

Former Chief Historian of the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania NMP

Topic: Fredericksburg: Under War's Savage Heel

For our February 24, 2016, meeting we will leave our theme "Aftermath of the War" momentarily and go back to the City of Fredericksburg after the First Battle of Fredericksburg in December, 1862, and the Second Battle of Fredericksburg in April, 1863. Our speaker for the February meeting is Robert K. Krick, former Chief Historian of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Bob needs no introduction, and his talk will be on: “Fredericksburg: Under War's Savage Heel.” During and after the first battle, there was much looting and the city suffered physically from intense shelling and its catastrophic results. The citizens of Fredericksburg endured extreme deprivations. After the second battle, the Federals occupied Fredericksburg. Yankees entered the city in large numbers and in that short period, looting continued and violent degradations against civilian women had reached such a level that General Irvin McDowell took the unusual step of announcing his horror on the subject to the entire region. Bob will carry us through the struggles of the commanders to curb this behavior and the difficult times the citizens endured. Items looted from the city will be on display for viewing.

Paul Scott, President

March 23, 2016

Speaker: Dr. Jeffrey W. McClurken

Professor of History and American Studies University of Mary Washington

Topic: Surviving the Civil War: Virginia's Veterans, their Families and a Southern Welfare System

For our March 23, 2016, meeting, we continue with our theme of the “Aftermath of the War.” Our speaker for the March meeting is Dr. Jeffrey W. McClurken, Professor of History and American Studies and Special Assistant to the Provost for Teaching, Technology and Innovation at the University of Mary Washington. Dr. McClurken's talk is entitled: “Surviving the Civil War: Virginia's Veterans, their Families and a Southern Welfare System,” which is based on his book, Take Care of the Living: Reconstructing Confederate Veteran Families in Virginia. Dr. McClurken will assess the short- and long-term impact of the war on Confederate veteran families of all classes in two counties in Virginia. Using letters, diaries, church minutes, and military and state records as well as close analysis of one entire 1860 and 1870 county manuscript population census, Dr. McClurken explores the consequences of war for over 3,000 Confederate soldiers and their families. He reveals an array of strategies employed by those families to come to terms with their post-war reality. I have read this book and found it very interesting, educational and have learned much I had never known.

Paul Scott, President

April 27, 2016

Speaker: Patrick A. Schroeder

Historian, Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park

Topic: Myths of Lee's Surrender

For our April 27, 2016, meeting, we continue with our theme of "Aftermath of the War." Our speaker for the April meeting is Patrick A. Schroeder, the Historian at Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park. He graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. in Historical Park Administration from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. He has a M.A. in Civil War History from Virginia Tech. He has written, edited and/or contributed to more than 25 Civil War titles, including: Myths of Lee's Surrender; A Confederate Cemetery at Appomattox; Recollections and Reminisces of Old Appomattox, Images of America: Appomattox County; Tarheels; Sayler's Creek, With the Eleventh New York Fire Zouaves: In Camp, Battle and Prison, and numerous others. He has worked as an independent researcher, author, historian and tour guide. Patrick's talk for our meeting is entitled: Myths of Lee's Surrender. Patrick is a dynamic speaker and we look forward to being well-entertained.

Paul Scott, President

May 25, 2016

Speaker: Emmanuel Dabne

Interpretive Ranger, Petersburg National Battlefield

Topic: Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

For our May 25, 2016, meeting, we continue with our theme of "Aftermath of the War." Our speaker for this meeting is Emmanuel Dabney. If you recall, Emmanuel spoke to us last year on the Battle of the Crater. Emmanuel is an interpretive ranger at the Petersburg National Battlefield. He is a native of Southside, Virginia, and holds a degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Mary Washington and a Masters in History from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He will speak on the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, usually referred to simply as The Freedmen's Bureau. This was a U.S. federal government agency established in 1865 to aid freedmen (freed slaves) in the South during the Reconstruction era of the United States, which attempted to change society in the former Confederacy.

Paul Scott, President