Greetings to all...

After a last minute thunderstorm caused postponement of our August 22 East Cavalry Field tour, we tried again on the 29th and were rewarded with a beautiful evening, Chris Army leading us in the footsteps of George Custer, JEB Stuart and a Confederate called Claw Hammer. I thought this was particularly interesting: I knew that earlier in the war the Cavaliers had run circles around their Federal counterparts. As Chris explained, the southern men had brought their own horses and the rapport between rider and mount was a big advantage against troops on army-issued transport. But by Brandy Station, a lot of those horses from home were dead, the rebels mounted on substitutes, the odds shifted accordingly.

I spent a goodly amount of time with George Custer and Chris Army this summer. In August, Chris and Jim Hessler, both Licensed Battlefield Guides, co-hosted a symposium, George Armstrong Custer and the Indian Wars. Having a long-time personal interest in the subject matter, I was delighted by the quality of the presentations. If Jim and Chris offer a follow-up next year, I would highly recommend it.

The aforementioned Hessler, himself a member of the Roundtable, led us through the Peach Orchard in June. In addition to his book, Gettysburg’s Peach Orchard: Longstreet, Sickles, and the Bloody Fight for Commanding Ground, you might also check out his Battle of Gettysburg podcasts. After two episodes on the Peach Orchard action, the latest posting is WTH Was Lee Thinking?

Back to Custer: I crossed his path again at Blue Ridge Summit, trying to understand the Battle of Monterey Pass. I was fortunate to find Joe Mieczkowski at the Visitor Center’s docent desk. Joe’s book After Gettysburg: Lee Retreats, Meade Pursues is enormously helpful in appreciating events of the Confederate withdrawal through this rugged region; Custer, of course, playing a major role in the stormy clash on the night of July 4.

Speaking of companion books. Those who attended our June gathering at the Cannon Shop may want to check out Roundtable member Brad Gottfried’s The Artillery of Gettysburg, available on Amazon.

We’re back inside the G.A.R. Hall this month. On Thursday evening, September 26, we’ll hear from Michael K. Shaffer, who teaches history at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. His talk is titled In Memory of Self and Comrades, the story of Thomas Wallace Colley’s service with the 1st Virginia Cavalry. Over the course of the war, the 1st Virginia was involved in 200+ actions, including the July 3 Cavalry charge on the ground toured last night.

On October 24, Janet Croon will be with us, sharing her well-reviewed book, The War Outside My Window: The Civil War Diary of LeRoy Wiley Gresham, 1860-1865. According to William C. Davis, Croon’s study “is really a window looking into the thoughts and perceptions of a doomed teenager watching the Confederacy die even as he was dying himself.” The evening will include presentation of the Cal Doucette Achievement Award.

As we go into our fall programming, this would be a good time to tell someone about the Roundtable. I first learned of the group through Dale Molina, who I’d met at church. I’m glad she told me, and there’s probably a Civil War enthusiast out there who would be glad you told them.

See you on September 26, 7:00, at the GAR.