Adjutant’s Call - September 2024
Link to Original PDF of September 2024 Newsletter
Circular Memorandum #558 - September 2024
“The Missed Opportunities of the North Anna River” Will be Presented by Chris Mackowski
Chris Mackowski, Ph.D., is the editor-in-chief of Emerging Civil War and managing editor of the Emerging Civil War Series. He is a professor of journalism and mass communication at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, NY, and historian-in-residence at Stevenson Ridge, a historic property on the Spotsylvania battlefield in central Virginia. He has also worked as a historian for the National Park Service at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, where he gives tours at four major Civil War battlefields (Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania), as well as at the building where Stonewall Jackson died. Chris has authored or coauthored a dozen books on the Civil War, and his articles have appeared in all the major Civil War magazines. Among the books Chris has authored or co-authored are “The Last Days of Stonewall Jackson: The Mortal Wounding of the Confederacy’s Greatest Icon-and the Birth of Its Greatest Legend”, “Fight Like the Devil: The First Day at Gettysburg July 1, 1863”, and “That Furious Struggle: Chancellorsville and the High Tide of the Confederacy, May 1-5, 1863”.
He was a 2014 finalist for the Army Historical Foundations' Distinguished Book Award for “Chancellorsville's Forgotten Front: The Battles of Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church”. Chris has had six of his plays produced and he serves on the national advisory board for the Civil War Chaplains Museum in Lynchburg, Virginia. His latest book is ‘The Battle Never Fought: The Mine Run Campaign’. He frequently partners on projects with the American Battlefield Trust, the nation’s largest battlefield preservation organization. Chris serves as vice president on the board of directors for the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, he serves on the advisory board of the Civil War Roundtable Congress and the Brunswick (NC) Civil War Roundtable—the largest in the country—and is a supporter of the Antietam Institute.
“The Missed Opportunities of the North Anna River”
The most overlooked segment of the Overland Campaign also represented some of the best chances both generals had for destroying each other’s armies – but the war of attrition had taken a personal toll on the commanders, peppering the North Anna River with lost opportunities.
Brian Winslow
Longtime Round Table member Bryan Winslow passed away Wednesday, July 31 at Baptist Health Floyd in New Albany. Bryan and his wife Cindy have been members of the Round Table for over 20 years and Bryan was a major contributor to our success. During his time with us he has served as President, member of the Board of Directors, field trip chairman, and for the last several years he has been our liaison with Big Spring. Everyone will remember Bryan’s smile and cheerfulness as he greeted folks at our meetings. He will be missed by all.
Bryan was born in Pasadena, California, the son of Robert Allen Winslow and Bonnie Mae Weaver Winslow. He was a graduate of Salem High School, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University. Bryan started his career at Winslow Construction, where he worked with his father and developed his skills as an estimator. Bryan later became a proud team member of MAC Construction, where he continued his profession for over 30 years. Bryan loved the construction industry, and he challenged himself to perform to his highest ability on a daily basis.
Bryan was the beloved husband of Cindy Doyle-Winslow for 34 years. Bryan enjoyed traveling with Cindy and tasting wine wherever their journey led them. He is also survived by his brother: Blair Winslow of Salem, and his father: Robert Allen Winslow also of Salem. Bryan’s passing is a major loss to our Round Table community. He cannot be replaced. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Cindy and to all his family and friends.
The celebration of Bryan’s life will be held at Huber’s Lakehouse, 2521 Engle Rd, Borden IN on Sunday, September 8 at 1:30 P.M. Casual attire as Bryan would have wanted.
12th Annual Bourbon & BBQ October 6
The Louisville Civil War Round Table proudly announces the 12th Annual Bourbon & BBQ fundraising and social eve nt. It is being held on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 6th, at Farmington Historic Plantation, 3033 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205. This year our featured presentation and tasting will be centered on one of the world’s most venerated bourbon brands and most highly respected Kentucky bourbon families, Makers Mark and the Samuels family.
Kentucky Bourbon Distiller Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement recipient, Bill Samuels, Jr., Makers MarkChairman Emeritus, and Rob Samuels, 8th Generation Whiskey Maker and Makers Mark-Managing Director, will be in conversation with fellow Kentucky Bourbon Distiller Hall of Fame member, Chris Morris. Chris will be interviewing Bill and Rob concerning the ancestorial history of the Samuels family; the making of Makers Mark, the career life of Bill Samuels, Jr.; the introduction of Makers 46 and the subsequent variations of Makers Mark as well as bringing out other entertaining family and bourbon industry stories and anecdotes.
The cost for this event is $90 members and $100 non-member. This includes interview and conversation conducted by Chris Morris with Bill, Jr. and Rob Samuels; Barbeque; “fixins’”; opening cocktail; appetizers and desserts and the tasting of selected variations of Makers Mark.
“Food & Fixins” catered by Kingsley Meats. Reservations are required.
April 23-27,2025, Field Trip to Shiloh Albert Sidney Johnston vs U.S. Grant with Tim Smith
We will be going to Shiloh in southwestern Tennessee April 23-27, 2025 for our yearly field trip. Our guide will be Civil War historian and author Tim Smith. He has written the definitive account of the battle in his award-winning book, Shiloh: Conquer or Perish. Tim was our guide in 2012 and did a fantastic job for us. We could not have a better guide. Tim has served as a park ranger at Shiloh National Military Park for six years and has conducted numerous tours of this battlefield and has been involved in Shiloh’s preservation. The battle of Shiloh occurred on April 6-7, 1862 and the resulting causulties of more than 16,000 shocked the nation. After being surprised by Albert Sidney Johnston’s Confederate army on the morning of April 6, the Federals rallied under Grant’s leadership and were able to force the Confederates to retreat back to Corinth, Mississippi the following day after receiving reinforemcnts during the night. The Shiloh battlefield is one of the best preserved battlefields of the Civil War. We will also be going to Corinth and visiting the Corinth battlefield and visitor’s center. We will be staying in Corinth. We will walk this hollowed ground and cover in detail what happened there. We will begin taking signups in November. If you have any questions, you can email John Davis at johnd.davis@twc.com .
SUMMER 2024 QUIZ
1. Near what town did about 16,000 Confederates keep about 20,000 Union troops at bay in October, 1862?
That was at Perryville, Kentucky, where only about 20,000 Union troops were involved in the battle.
2. Who was Elizabeth Van Lew?
She was a resident of Richmond, Virginia and served as a spy for the Union.
3. Who wrote the original order of General Robert E. Lee’s Farewell Address to his troops?
It was written by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Marshall of Lee’s staff.
4. Who was the Confederate Secretary of the Navy?
He was Stephen Mallory.
5. Who was the Union Army’s “railroad genius”?
That was the name given to General Herman Haupt.
SEPTEMBER 2024 QUIZ
1. Who served as General Ulysses S. Grant’s Chief of Staff for most of the Civil War?
2. Who was Vice President of the Confederate States of America?
3. Following the disastrous Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864, which Union Corps commander was relieved of command and told to go home to await further orders?
4. According to the 1860 U.S. Census, what was the smallest state in the Union by population on the eve of the Civil War?
5. Who replaced General Benjamin Butler as commander of the Army of the James in January 1865?