Author: adminlp
On May 11 about 50 members and friends of the Chamberlain Round Table gathered to enjoy a fascinating presentation by historian and author Tom Desjardin. Over the years Tom has provided a number of thought-provoking presentations to the round table and “The Legend of Joshua Chamberlain: The Story of a Civil War Hero We Have Created” was certainly no exception. Tom’s presentation examined the epic rise of the legend of Joshua Chamberlain, particularly following the release of Michael Shaara’s novel Killer Angels and the 1993 film adaptation Gettysburg. Far beyond that, Tom took a professional historian’s look at how, particularly over time, reputations (in this case Chamberlain’s!) can be built and sullied; how interpretations by others, both champions and detractors with differing motives, can lead to intended and unintended consequences; the disputes that have emerged; and how facts are often lost in the process. Many thanks to Tom for sharing his extensive insight into Joshua Chamberlain, one of the Civil War’s enduring personalities.
05/21/2023
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN THE CIVIL WAR?
Like most of us who read and read . . . and read, all that we can about the Civil War, I can recall what it was that sparked that first interest.
My parents had a lake place in central Minnesota. As soon as school was out, we loaded up and decamped there for the summer. I spent many days learning to water ski, romping through the woods, fishing. You name it . . . just being away from the bustle of suburban life was a welcome change of pace.
We had family friends who my parents knew from college. They had a cabin just a few doors down from us. We kids hung out and the families often shared meals, games and even a few scary moments together as a tornado would remind us that even the lake life could be fraught with danger. But it was Uncle Dave who got me interested in the Civil War. One day, when I was nine, we were at their cabin. As a fair skinned kid, I often would find a cool place to read. On this day I picked up a copy of Civil War Times (July 1974) that was sitting on a table and began to read. It was designed to be looked at! With a bright yellow framing and with the image on the cover called “The Charge.” This was painted by that great artist Howard Pyle. WOW! An article about Major Wirz of Andersonville caught my eye, but I enjoyed others as well. This was the day and age where there was more writing than images. I couldn’t put it down. I asked Uncle Dave if I could take it home to finish my reading. He said sure and even gave me a few other back issues to peruse as well. The kindness he showed in allowing me to take these home to pour over sparked a flame of interest that continues to this day.
While Uncle Dave left this realm some years ago, I often think of him when I read the latest issue of Civil War Times, or any other work about the war. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. What got your interest started?
Mike Bell
04/26/2023
We had another great turnout (46) to hear Gettysburg Foundation President and CEO Wayne Motts’ presentation entitled “Killed at Gettysburg: Connecting the Battlefield with the Museum.” Wayne effectively related a wide array of museum artifacts to the lives . . . and deaths . . . of several soldiers who marched to Gettysburg in July 1863. The connections Wayne portrayed were truly compelling, using diaries and artifacts to breathe life into the soldiers who lost their lives as a result of their service. In so doing, he simultaneously enhanced the meaning and significance of the artifacts on display at the museum.
Wayne also discussed the important work of the Gettysburg Foundation, their collaboration with the National Park Service and, in response to a question from the audience, described the restoration currently in progress at Little Round Top. The program was clearly enjoyed by all.
04/17/2023
TAKE A BREAK AND ENJOY A CROSSWORD!
Jim Sanborn, our CWRT treasurer, has created a Civil War-themed crossword puzzle that is sure to challenge and motivate! Just click the link below to give it a try.
This crossword is set up to download and print (it is not interactive) so you can work on it at your leisure. There are two pages: the first page includes the puzzle and clues, the second page shows the answers . . . so be careful not to look! We hope that you will have some fun giving it a try.
CWRT CROSSWORD
03/29/2023
We had a great turn out of members and friends at our March meeting for Brandon Bies’ discussion of “Broken Lives and Shattered Bones: Discovering a Field Hospital at Manassas Battlefield.” The program was, in a word, fascinating. Brandon outlined the unexpected discovery of a field hospital surgeon’s pit during a trench excavation at Manassas National Battlefield Park. He expertly described the challenges associated with the excavation and analysis of the nearly complete remains of two Union soldiers who were comingled with other amputated limbs. The discussion was wide-ranging, including the techniques and limitations associated with that type of battlefield discovery, the methods used to examine the remains, determinations made and hypotheses drawn from the examinations, the limitations of Civil War-era surgical techniques, the collaboration between the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the United States Army, attempts to identify the remains, and a general discussion of surgical interventions associated with various battlefield wounds. Brandon’s presentation was, simultaneously, sobering, revealing, and much appreciated by all.
03/10/2023
Following a recent round table meeting I had the pleasure of talking with one of our long-time CWRT members, Steve Bunker. As most of us know, Steve has long been a student of the Civil War, particularly with respect to maritime activities and all things cavalry. Participating in many reenactments, he is an experienced “cavalryman” who, you may recall, recently spearheaded the effort to create and place a monument memorializing the 1st Maine Cavalry in Middleburg, Virginia. While discussing some Civil War trivia, Steve pointed out an interesting detail. Although it is widely accepted that the Battle of Palmito Ranch (Texas, May 12-13, 1865) was the final engagement of the Civil War, Steve convincingly argued that it is more likely that last engagement of the war was the cavalry skirmish at Hobdy’s Bridge near Eufaula, Alabama, on May 19, 1865. Thus, Corporal John W. Skinner of Company C, 1st Florida Cavalry (U.S.) was actually the last soldier killed in action during the war. Interesting, as always!
https://exploresouthernhistory.com/hobdys2.html