Gettysburg Round Table for April 2014

[CivilWarTalk]

As per the Round Table FB page:

A VERY SPECIAL meeting indeed will be held on Thursday, April 24th. Eric Campbell, former Park Ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park, and now Chief Park Historian at the Cedar Creek Battlefield Association, will present a program on this dramatic battle of Cedar Creek, which occurred on Oct.19.1864. You remember Sheridan's famous ride from Winchester to rally his troops! Eric is an excellent speaker, as we know from his years at Gettysburg, and I am sure his presentation will be informative & entertaining.

Trivia Question: What U.S. President was born at Belle Grove Plantation, located on the Cedar Creek Battlefield?

Trivia Question: What Confederate Major General was mortally wounded at the battle & died at Belle Grove?

Trivia Question: Why was this general wearing a carnation?

*** The Cal Doucette Achievement Award***

will also be awarded at this meeting, to a deserving member of the Gettysburg Community who has provided extraordinary service and increased our understanding and knowledge of the battle, the town, and the aftermath. Come to the meeting to find out the recipient!
The late Cal Doucette was a Gettysburg resident, beloved member of the Roundtable, and delightful First Person Impersonator. This award is given in his honor. His wife Sue Doucette will also be attending the meeting.

Refreshments and conversation at 7 P.M. Meeting begins at 7:30. GAR Hall, 53 East Middle Street, Gettysburg. Guests always welcome!
​

Can't wait to see another Eric Campbell presentation! Hope to see you there!

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Thanks for the head's up, was it incredible? You read of these intimidating gatherings ( to me ), love hearing of them, would hope to hear more. Sounds like a great evening, was it packed?

Ok, and the answer to one question would be ' The birthplace of James Madison ', and another, 'Major General Stephen Dodson Ramseur '. This paragraph is from the site, http://www.bellegrove.org/index.php?/about/battle and SO heart-tugging, it seemed important to include it. Hadn't heard of it, must have been terrible for all of them.

" One last story of Belle Grove that is worth telling is the story of the death of Confederate Major General Stephen Dodson Ramseur. After being mortally wounded during the Battle of Cedar Creek, Major General Ramseur was carried from the field to Belle Grove ( plantation house ). There his Union friends Major General George Armstrong Custer, Colonel Wesley Merritt and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander C. Pennington, all whom he had met at West Point sat with him through the night comforting him as he lay dying. "

Not a peep on the carnation- anything to do with his wife, a kept promise perhaps, or a remembered anniversary pact?

 

[CivilWarTalk]

Yes, it was pretty awesome! The round table always gets great guest speakers, and I always learn something new!

Eric was, as usual, very easy to understand and very informative. I like the way he breaks things down into digestible chunks, sometime I feel overwhelmed by the facts and figures, but not last night...

Eric's presentation focused on an overall view of the Shenandoah Valley, the 3rd Battle of Winchester, and all the events that lead up to Cedar Creek, but not the Battle of Cedar Creek itself, since the round table has a trip planned with Eric for next month...

Overall it was a good presentation, the slides in his slide show helped greatly!

I met Eric at Star Fort in Winchester for the first time last year, I really enjoyed that. I've seen some of his guided tours at Gettysburg on PCN, and I've enjoyed all of his tours and presentations.

I tried to take a few photos during the presentation, but my phone's camera didn't do a very good job...