Jul 25 – John Roos, “Autumn1863: Grant, Meade, and The Decision That Changed The Civil War” – Scholars have studied Ulysses S. Grant’s promotion to Lieutenant General. Grant’s promotion has not been studied concerning events in the autumn of 1863. Grant led elements of three different armies in and around the city of Chattanooga. During the same period, General George Meade was engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with General Robert E. Lee in Virginia. Meade performed admirably during those autumn months and continuously outmaneuvered or defeated Lee in battle. It was Grant’s results at Chattanooga, set against Meade’s inconsequential results in Virginia that led President Lincoln to promote Grant to General-in-chief of all Union armies.

Location: Lower Level of the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse