Welcome to the Civil War Roundtable of Gettysburg. "The most important Roundtable, in the most important small town, at the most important battlefield, in the most important country in the world."
—Joe Mieczkowski, past president

January 24, 2019

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

January 24, 2019

Simon Cameron

Dr. Paul Kahan

From abject poverty to undisputed political boss of Pennsylvania, Lincoln’s secretary of war, senator, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a founder of the Republican Party, Simon Cameron (1799–1889) was one of the nineteenth century’s most prominent political figures. A key figure in designing and implementing the Union’s military strategy during the Civil War’s crucial first year, Cameron played an essential role in pushing Abraham Lincoln to permit the enlistment of African Americans into the U.S. Army, a stance that eventually led to his forced resignation. In his wake, however, he left a series of questionable political and business dealings and, at the age of eighty, even a sex scandal.

Amiable Scoundrel puts Cameron’s actions into a larger historical context by demonstrating that many politicians of the time, including Abraham Lincoln, used similar tactics to win elections and advance their careers. This study is the fascinating story of Cameron’s life and an illuminating portrait of his times.

Dr. Paul Kahan is a leading expert on the political, diplomatic, and economic history of the Inited States nineteenth-century. He earned a Ph.D. in U.S. history from Temple University. Prior to that, Dr. Kahan earned an M.A. in Modern American History & Literature from Drew University and B.A.s in history and English (with minors in medieval/Renaissance studies and music) from Alfred University.

Dr. Kahan has published several books, including "Eastern State Penitentiary: A History," "Amiable Scoundrel: Simon Cameron, Lincoln's Scandalous Secretary of War," "The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant: Preserving the Civil War's Legacy," and "The Bank War: Andrew Jackson, Nicholas Biddle, and the Fight for American Finance." He is currently working on a "life and times" biography of James Buchanan scheduled for publication in 2021.

Our meetings are the Fourth Thursday of each month.

From September to May, we meet at the GAR Building, 53 East Middle Street. Light refreshments and conversation starting at 6:30 pm, the program starting at 7.

Whenever severe weather is predicted, program information can be found on the roundtable website and Facebook page after 3 PM or you can call Lynn at 717-398-2072.

Monthly Meeting Minutes

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OFFICERS
Lynn Heller .............................................President Kendra Debaney.....................................Vice President Eleanor Cingire Bilz...........................Recording Secretary Linda Seamon...............................Membership Secretary David Diner...................................................Treasurer Roger Heller .......................................Program Director Linda Joswick .............................................Webmaster Dave Joswick......................................Newsletter Editor		717.398.2072 717.334.6375 717.420.2183 717.359.7339 717.420.5730 717.398.2072 717.253.5477 717.877.3975
BOARD MEMBERS
Fred Hawthorne, Roger Heller, Hilda Koontz, Dale Molina, Bill Myers, Larry Plymire
Next Board Meeting: Board Meetings are open to all members. Meetings begin at 6:00 pm at Perkins Restaurant in Gettysburg. If you would like to eat before the meeting, please arrive by 5:30 pm. Board meetings are the second Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November. Board Meeting Minutes
COMMITTEES
Plaque Committee: Reviews and places plaques on buildings that existed during the Battle in Adams County. For information or an application, contact Deb Novotny. Book Award Committee: Review books for the Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable Book Award. Field Trip Committee: Plan future trips for the members of the Civil War Roundtable. If you are interested in more information, or joining, one the committees, please contact any Officer or Board Member.
EVENT INFORMATION
Here is your RT membership renewal reminder for 2019 Enclosed with your newsletter is a membership form for the upcoming calendar year 2019. This is the form that should accompany your renewal dues. Please get rid of any old forms you may have as this is the only one acceptable. Note, it reflects the current and correct cost for renewal membership: $30 for individuals and $45 for a family, as well as prorated amounts for new members joining later during the calendar year. You can also find the form at our Membership page.

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Reenactment photos courtesy of the Gettysburg Times