cguy.gif 01110008.jpg uguy.gif
October 2008
rcwrt.org
John Coski, President                  Rob Monroe, Editor       
5028 King William Road                 2416 Edenbrook Dr.       
Richmond, VA 23225                     Richmond, VA 23228-3040  
jmcoski@peoplepc.com                   RMonroe500@comcast.net   

October 2008 PROGRAM Jeffry D. Wert "He Stood Out from the Great War Canvas: J.E.B. Stuart" Arguably the best and most famous cavalryman of the Civil War, Jeb Stuart was known for his mastery of reconnaissance and the use of cavalry in support of offensive operations. Stuart's cavalier image belied the seriousness with which he approached his work. The extraordinary skill he demonstrated as an intelligence officer earned for him the reputation as the eyes and ears of Robert E. Lee's army and inspired Southern morale. This month's speaker Jeffry D. Wert will examine Stuart's attributes as a Confederate cavalry commander. He will focus primarily on the major campaigns in which Stuart saw action, with special emphasis on Stuart's controversial "ride" to Gettysburg. Wert also will discuss Stuart's relationship with Lee and Jackson, as well as with subordinate officers. A Pennsylvania native, Jeff Wert taught history at Penns Valley Area High School in Spring Mills, PA for 33 years. He is the author of eight books, among them Gettysburg: Day Three, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award. He also has written extensively for a variety of magazines and has appeared on many Civil War-related television programs. Jeff's remarks at our October meeting will be drawn from his newest book, Cavalryman of the Lost Cause: A Biography of J.E.B. Stuart, published in September 2008.
Annual Dinner Meeting Next Month Our annual dinner meeting is just one month away. It will be held on Thursday, November 13, at the Jepson Alumni Center on the University of Richmond's Westhampton campus. Our speaker will be University of Richmond President Ed Ayers and his topic will be "Aftermath." The evening will begin with a social hour (cash bar) at 6:00, followed by dinner at 7:00, and Dr. Ayers' presentation at 8:00. Ample parking is available immediately adjacent to the Jepson Center. This promises to be an exciting event that you don't want to miss, so make plans now to be there. The cost of the dinner is $40/person. Space for the dinner is rapidly filling up. To reserve your spot(s), bring your check payable to the RCWRT to the next meeting, or mail it to Ed Wooldridge, 13700 Lintel Lane, Midlothian, VA 23113.
Hollywood Cemetery "Detective" to Visit Richmond Former Richmond resident Chris L. Ferguson will appear at Black Swan Books, 2601 West Main Street, on Sunday, October 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. He will discuss his latest book Southerners at Rest: Confederate Dead at Hollywood Cemetery. Ferguson is a Civil War records expert, Hollywood Cemetery authority and tour guide. During the Civil War, thousands of Southerners never learned the fate of family members who served in the Confederate army. As the war dragged on, wagonloads of corpses continued to arrive at the gates of Hollywood Cemetery. Unfortunately, well-intentioned individuals carved wrong or misspelled names into the soldiers' wooden headboards. This mistake caused the bodies of numerous fathers, sons and brothers to be lost to the ages. Now, thanks to Ferguson's detective work, many modern-day families have an opportunity to discover the location of their missing Confederate ancestors. Southerners at Rest updates the inaccurate 1869 list of Hollywood's war dead. Ferguson's massive research compiled a roster of some 14,000 Confederate soldiers and officials who are buried there. Over 100 soldiers' photos, many never before published, also add a face to the war's many sad stories. Richmond National Park Service historian Robert E.L. Krick penned the foreword for the book. He considers this work to be "the first comprehensive and accurate roster of Confederate soldiers buried in the South's greatest cemetery." Southerners at Rest is Ferguson's third book. His first work, Hollywood Cemetery: Her Forgotten Soldiers, covered the Confederate field officers buried there. He then teamed up with Robert K. Krick for Gettysburg Death Roster: The Confederate Dead at Gettysburg. Ferguson now lives in Winchester. For further information contact Black Swan Books at (804) 353-9476. Southerners at Rest is available for $34.95 at Black Swan Books and other bookstores or by visiting Angle Valley Press at http://www.anglevalleypress.com/ or calling 1-800-247-6553.
New Exhibit at Pamplin Park On October 4, Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier opened a new exhibit, Beyond Brady: Photography in the Civil War Era. This 1,500 square-foot interactive exhibit features over 130 artifacts and images and covers all aspects of photography during the mid-1800s: how photographs were made and used, what they meant to people then and what they mean now, and who the pioneer photographers were in that period. "Civil War photography changed how Americans perceived warfare, while providing photographers with a means to expand their documentation of the American experience," said Bob Zeller, President of the Center for Civil War Photography. "The story of Civil War photography goes far beyond its most famous name, Mathew Brady, to include a cast of thousands, preserving a legacy of scenes and faces that continue to captivate us and teach us today." The highlight of the exhibit is a restored wagon complete with darkroom and equipment. Visitors can walk in the footsteps of photographers and look through the lens of an original camera. In one portion of the exhibit, they also have the opportunity to view Civil War images using 3D glasses. "Understanding photography in its infancy will be new to many people." said Randy Klemm, Curator of Pamplin Historical Park. "Visitors will get to see choice pieces from collectors across the nation and images that pre-date the Civil War." Beyond Brady: Photography in the Civil War Era is open to the public daily at Pamplin Historical Park. The exhibit runs through September 2009. Admission to the Park, including Beyond Brady: Photography in the Civil War Era, is $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors 65+ and military with ID, and $9 for children ages 6-12. For more information about the Beyond Brady: Photography in the Civil War Era exhibition or Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, visit http://www.pamplinpark.org or call 1-877-PAMPLIN
Pamplin Park Hosts Annual Symposium Pamplin Historical Park and The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier will hold its 12th Annual Symposium from October 17 to 19 at the Park's Education Center. The theme for this year's program is "Blue Water and Brown: Naval and Combined Operations in the Civil War." Guest speakers from across the country, all considered the expert in their field, will share their knowledge of 19th-century naval and combined operations. This year's distinguished faculty includes Dr. John Coski from The Museum of the Confederacy, Dr. Chris Fonvielle from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, John Quarstein from the Newport News and Hampton museum operations, William Marvel, award-winning author from New Hampshire, Dr. Steven Wise from the Marine Corps Museum at Parris Island, Dr. B. Frank Cooling from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and Dr. Craig Symonds from the U.S. Naval Academy and the Mariners Museum. Program topics include blockade running, the C.S.S. Alabama, the Wilmington and Fort Donelson Campaigns, and the Confederate navy along the James River and in Hampton Roads. Each speaker is a published author on his topic and copies of their books will be available for purchase and signing throughout the symposium. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (804) 861-2408. Space is limited.
Chesterfield Historical Society and JTCC Offering Forum The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia is partnering with John Tyler Community College to offer its first annual Author/Speaker Forum on Saturday, October 18. The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Nicholas Student Center, John Tyler Community College - Chester Campus at 13101 Jefferson Davis Highway. The forum is free, check-in begins at 9 a.m. These speakers will offer a rich piece of the history of Chesterfield County and surrounding areas: - Louis Manarin -- Colonial History of Chesterfield - Lauranett Lee -- African American History in Hopewell - Chuck Peple -- History of Drewry's Bluff - Nelson D. Lankford -- Cry Havoc! The Crooked Road to Civil War, 1861 - Connie Lapallo -- Bermuda Hundred
Upcoming Events Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19 "Civil War Photography." Hopewell Regional Library will host a free exhibit of photos taken at City Point (Hopewell) during the Siege of Petersburg, 1864-65. On Saturday at 2 p.m., a Powerpoint presentation will focus on famous Civil War photographers and their work. Wednesday, October 22 "Shenandoah 1862: Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign." Peter Cozzens, one of the nation's leading military historians, will discuss and sign his new book at the Library of Virginia. Shenandoah 1862 is Cozzens' groundbreaking work on the storied Valley Campaign that elevated Stonewall Jackson to near mythic heights. Using primary source materials from both sides, Cozzens offers both fresh details and reasons for Jackson's success and a detailed look at both Union and Confederate perspectives. This free event begins at noon.
RCWRT Monthly Speakers for 2008
You can receive your newsletter sooner and help the Richmond Civil War Round Table save money by signing up to receive your newsletter via email. To add your name to the list, simply email the editor at RMonroe500@comcast.net Thanks!
Richmond Civil War Round Table Newsletter Rob Monroe, Editor 2416 Edenbrook Dr. Richmond, VA 23228-3040


Return to News Letters Index
Return to main page
2flags.gif
©R.C.W.R.T. 2008
?