Adjutant’s Call September 2026
Circular Memorandum #577, September 2026
“Four Years at the Brink: Savannah in the Civil War”
Presented by: Brandon Carter
Date: Friday, September 11 Location: Big Spring Country Club
Cocktails: 6:00 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM Program: 8:00 PM
Meet Our Speaker – Brandon Carter
Brandon Carter is a historian and former attorney. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Brandon served as a Park Ranger at the Richmond National Battlefield Park. After receiving his J.D. from Regent University's School of Law, he began his legal practice as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for Scott County (VA). He then joined a Richmond-based law firm and moved into legal ethics (An oxymoron, perhaps?). After spending six years heading the ethics departments at two of the country's largest law firms, Brandon resigned in 2025 to focus full-time on his tour companies.
Surprised by a lack of factual tours in such a historic city, Brandon started Savannah True History Tours in 2021. The company has been voted Savannah's best every year since. Now offering nine unique experiences, his tours have appeared in the New York Times, the Travel Channel, and NPR. The success in Savannah led to Wilmington (NC) True History Tours in 2023, with such well-known guides as Dr. Chris Fonvielle, Jr. and Wade Sokolosky. The newest iteration, St. Augustine True History Tours, launched in 2025. HTTPS://savannahtruehistory.com
Brandon also works with American Cruise Lines as lead historian and co-designer of the line's annual 36-day Civil War Battlefields Cruise. This October, American Cruise Lines will launch its inaugural 32-day Revolutionary War Cruise with Brandon again heading the cadre of historians.
Brandon resides in beautiful Savannah, Georgia with his wife, Caitlin, two young sons, and rescue dog/company mascot, Max.
“Four Years at the Brink: Savannah in the Civil War”
Few cities experienced the Civil War like Savannah, Georgia. Often overshadowed by the story of Charleston, her neighbor to the north, Savannah's Civil War role is underappreciated. Savannah will help bring about the war, send its sons to bleed, see modern warfare changed forever, and endure the full brunt of four years of conflict. In this presentation, Brandon will weave together the stories of the city's people, places, and military actions.
Buffet Dinner - $40
Big Spring Country Club has raised our buffet dinner price to $40. This includes the cost of our meeting room. It has been several years since the cost of our meal has increased, so this should not come as a surprise. In today’s economic environment, inflation and rising costs are just part of our life. We have looked at other options, but nothing comes close to Big Spring in providing a very nice place to meet, consistently good food and service that we can count on.
Reservations Are to be Sent to Doug Krawczyk or Made on Our Website
If you do not make a reservation, you may not get fed!
The Round Table must give Big Spring an accurate count of reservations no later than Thursday before our Saturday meeting. Reservations can be made by emailing Doug Krawczyk at rdklou1@gmail.com or by calling Doug Krawczyk at 502-592-6864.
When making a reservation for more than yourself, please list the names of everyone for which you are making a reservation. If you are calling Doug, and get his voicemail, please spell your name so he can properly identify the reservation.
If you wish to join us for just the program, you must still make a reservation so we can assure you have space and a seat. If you are attending just the program, you can call Doug anytime up to 4:00 PM the day of the Meeting.
Reminder for Table Reservations: Tables for parties of eight (8) can be reserved. When making a Table Reservation, please list the names of everyone in your party. That will ensure everyone in your party will be at the same table and enable us to manage our meeting space in a more efficient manner.
Make Your Meeting Reservations Online!
Members of the Round Table now have new options for making dinner reservations, You can go to our new website, www.LouisvilleCWRT.com and make your meeting reservation and make your payment.
It is Time for Membership Renewals
**** Patron Memberships Are a Major Boost to the Round Table ****
The annual membership fees of the Round Table are now due and there is good news! Any amount you give above the basic or family membership fee is tax-deductible since the Round Table has tax-exempt status as a 501 (c) (3) organization!
There are Two Ways to Renew Your Yearly Membership Dues
(1) You can mail your renewal check made out to LCWRT directly to Louisville Civil War Round Table, 9462 Brownsboro Road - #142, Louisville, Ky., 40241.
(2) Or, you can go to our website https://louisvillecwrt.com by clicking on this link or by Googling “Louisville Civil War Round Table” which will bring up a link to our website. On the home page of our website click on “Join” at the top. This will take you to “Membership”, scroll down and you will find options to renew your membership using your credit card. You can click on one of the links below and it will take you directly to your renewal choice.
There are seven levels of membership:
1. Single Membership: $50.00 (Basic Membership One Person)
https://www.louisvillecwrt.com/store-2/p/single-membership
2. Family Membership: $60.00 (Allows spouse or family member to join. $5 for each additional family member living at the same address.)
https://www.louisvillecwrt.com/store-2/p/single-membership-sf9rc
Patron Membership: (Single or Family Membership, plus financial gift to LCWRT; the gift portion is deductible for income tax purposes.) Please select the Level of Patron Membership you wish and know that the LCWRT is most appreciative of your generosity
3. Click the Link Below for Patron Bronze Level Membership ($75)
https://www.louisvillecwrt.com/store-2/p/single-membership-hfe6a-3nrmy
4. Click the Link Below for Patron Silver Level Membership ($100)
https://www.louisvillecwrt.com/store-2/p/single-membership-hfe6a-3nrmy-8lnft
5. Click the Link Below for Patron Gold Level Membership ($150)
https://www.louisvillecwrt.com/store-2/p/single-membership-hfe6a-3nrmy-8lnft-jw59m
6. Click the Link Below for Patron Platinum Level Membership ($200)
https://www.louisvillecwrt.com/store-2/p/single-membership-hfe6a-3nrmy-8lnft-jw59m-rtx2c
Student Membership
7.Click the Link Below for Student Membership ($10)
https://www.louisvillecwrt.com/store-2/p/single-membership-hfe6a
A Message from President Bob Glass
As we grow older, time seems to pass more quickly; this summer was no exception. Kay and I initially planned to tour the Middle East, but conflict in the region put an end to our trip. The rest of the summer was spent visiting our grandchildren in Texas and Florida. That time, spent sharing their lives, created memories we will cherish. We hope each of you also had a fantastic summer and were able to spend time with your family and loved ones. It is an honor to have been elected the LCWRT President for the 66th program year and I am looking forward to a fun time. Sixty-six is a recurring number in our American history. Route 66 is a 2,448 mile classic road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica. It turned 100 years old this year. There were 116 episodes of the TV series Route 66 with 1960/61/62/63 Corvettes. Finally, there is “Old 666”, a B-17 bomber, that flew in the Pacific during WWII. Its pilot and co-pilot were awarded the Medal of Honor for a solo unescorted mapping mission. Let’s hope the 66th year of the CWRT is legendary, as well.
I want to take a moment to thank Julie Bartlett for her energetic leadership, and entertaining 65th year, that was capped off with our 600th meeting celebration. Your board has put together another amazing year for y’all, with an educational field trip, the return of our annual fund raiser, and our continued annual preservation commitment. The fantastic speaker line-up will be concluded with another visit from Harold Holzer. We are looking forward to another amazing year of Civil War fellowship.
The 2027 Field Trip Will Be to Antietam
Our 2027 field trip will be to Antietam, April 21- 25. We will visit Harper’s Ferry, South Mountain, and the Antietam battlefield. Our guide will be veteran Antietam historian and tour guide Tom Clemons. We will start taking reservations in December so mark your calendars.
Tom Clemons
Thomas Clemens received his BA and MA degrees at Salisbury University, and his Doctorate in History Education from George Mason University, studying under noted Civil War historian Dr. Joseph L. Harsh. He taught for 34 years at Hagerstown Community College, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2012. Tom edited and annotated General Ezra A. Carman’s 1,800 page hand-written manuscript, the Maryland Campaign of September 1862, which was published in 3 volumes by Savas Beatie LLC. These books received the Army Historical Foundation’s Distinguished Writing Award, Reprint Category. His new multi-volume work, The Carman Papers, will be released in Fall 2026. He has written numerous articles included in the Civil War Times, Columbiad and other magazines, as well as several monographs. He appeared as an on-screen historian in episodes of Civil War Journal and in the Emmy-Award winning “Maryland’s Heart of the Civil War”, 2012. Tom is a founding member, and current president of Save Historic Antietam Foundation Inc., and a retired Antietam Battlefield Guide
2025 – 2026 Schedule
Friday September 11 Brandon Carter “Four Years at the Brink: Savannah in the Civil War”
Friday October 9 Chris Mackowski “The Rise of U.S. Grant”
Saturday November 7 William C. Davis “The Orphan Brigade”
Friday December 11 Phillip Seyfrit and George Ridings “The Battle of Richmond Kentucky: History and Preservation”
Saturday January 16 Kent Masterson Brown “The Battle of Perryville”
Saturday February 13 Tim Johson “The Mexican War as a Civil War Training Ground”
Saturday March 13 Tim Smith “U.S. Grant: America’s Napoleon”
Saturday April 10 Cecily Zander “Braxton Bragg and Confederate Defeat”
Saturday May 8 Harold Holzer “TBA”
Virginia Reinhart Passes Away
Round Table member and wife of Joe Reinhart, Virginia M. Reinhart Passed away on August 24, 2026, at Magnolia Springs Senior Living Facility in Louisville. She and Joe have been long-time members of the Round Table. Born in Ironton, Missouri, on May 5, 1937, to Vernon Alonzo Parker and Oka Jewel Shular. Virginia grew up on a large farm in the Marble Creek area of Arcadia, Missouri, and moved to St. Louis to attend business school upon her graduation from Ironton High School. Among other positions, she worked as a secretary for the Mehlville Missouri School District, as a secretary at a large jewelry company in Indianapolis, Indiana, managed a hotel in Columbus, Indiana, worked for a large optical company in Louisville, and retired as Administrator of Diversified Health Services in Louisville. She is survived by her beloved husband of 30-years Joseph R. Reinhart, Jr.; her daughters Susan D. Paige-Warren and Nancy J. Paige Scott and ten grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, traveling, especially to Europe and the Caribbean, painting with oil and acrylics, jewelry making and genealogy. Virginia also loved wintering in Bradenton, Florida for 17 years. Virginia was a member of Hurstbourne Baptist Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Louisville Civil War Round Table. The Round Table sends our heart-felt sympathy to Joe and to her family and friends.
Name Badge Policy
We are implementing a new name badge policy. Each member will be responsible for keeping their name badges. No longer will the name badges be brought to the meeting and placed on racks. There will be a box with the name badge sorted alphabetically and you can check this box. When you leave the meeting do not leave your name badge, take it home with you and bring it to the next meeting. New members will be given a name badge and if you lose your name badge you can email John Davis at jddavis1122@gmail.com to get a new one.
Check Out these Exciting Civil War Focused Events in Kentucky
The Kentucky Historical Society’s annual Civil War day is Saturday, Sept 18 in Frankfort.
Topic: Guerrilla Warfare in Kentucky. See attached flyer. Info and registration link: https://bit.ly/4zt4CDW
The Kentucky Civil War Round Table (organized in Lexington in 1953) has their first meeting of the program year on Sept 21. Topic: Appomattox: The Last 48 Hours. Curt Fields will be portraying Grant, and Thomas Jessee portraying Lee. Definitely, a meeting NOT to be missed! Use their day-pass option during registration. Note their new meeting location: The Signature Club at Lansdowne.
William C. “Jack” Davis will be speaking at their Nov 9th meeting. Info and registration link: https://bit.ly/4hG6VwN
The Frankfort Civil War Round Table regularly holds FREE public presentations hosted in partnership with the Paul Sawyier Public Library and the Capital City Museum in Frankfort, KY. Location: PS Public Library, 319 Wapping St, Frankfort, KY. Sunday, Sept 20 at 14:00 (2pm). Program topic: Living historian Dr. Curt Fields will portray Gen US Grant, sharing a first-person account of the capture of Fort Donelson.
Attest: By Order of:
John Davis Bob Glass
Adjutant President