First Defenders Civil War Round Table of Berks County

General John Hartranft Programs Scheduled for April

Seriously. Who Thought This Was A Good Idea??

A recent news report indicates the guided missile cruiser U.S.S. Chancellorsville is about to become another victim to political correctness and the ongoing effort to erase Confederate “things” from the national stage.  Although the cruiser is anticipated to have only three more years of active service on the high seas, we can expect to bear...

Civil War Medicine Symposium – Saturday, October 15th

Civil War Medicine Symposium Co-sponsored and Presented by the Blue & Gray Hospital Association and the Gettysburg Foundation Kinsley Leadership Center at the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, the Blue & Gray Hospital Association and the Gettysburg Foundation are...

Coffee Anyone??

A coffee recipe for a Civil War military hospital from the “The Hospital Steward’s Manual,” by Joseph Janvier Woodward, published in 1862: “No.1. Coffee for ten men. “Put 9 pints of water into a canteen, saucepan (or other vessel) on the fire; when boiling, add 7 1/2 oz. of coffee; mix them well together with...

‘Intact’ Bomb From Civil War Uncovered During Archeological Survey

Article reprinted from Newsweek, March 4, 2022 A group of archeologists was out surveying a new hiking trail in Cobb County, Georgia when they uncovered an unexploded bomb from the Civil War. According to a Facebook post shared by the Southeast Archeological Center, a team was out conducting a metal detecting survey for a hiking trail at Kennesaw...

Philly’s only remaining exclusive Civil War museum faced a choice: Sell a jewel or shutter

Reprinted from the Philadelphia Inquirer, March 6, 2022 It’s a once-in-a-generation artifact that rings strikingly relevant: a Civil War battle flag carried by a Philadelphia regiment of Black soldiers — and hand-painted by David Bustill Bowser, the son of a fugitive slave and Philadelphia’s most acclaimed 19th-century Black artist. On deep-blue silk with gold fringe, the...

Upcoming Gregg Biography has a First Defenders Connection

Prolific Civil War author Edward Longacre’s soon-to-be-released biography, Unsung Hero of Gettysburg: the Story of Union General David McMurtrie Gregg, has some local Round Table “flavor” added as long-time Gregg student and First Defender Dave Fox has provided the author with the benefit of his wisdom on the subject. Thanks to Dave, we already know that...

Blue & Gray Education Society Ready to Resume Touring

Following a COVID-impacted 2020 that saw Civil War tours cancelled by the score, it is refreshing to learn the Blue & Gray Education Society is ready to pick up with a full season of offerings that also include a sprinkling of Revolutionary War programs.  For those longing to get back out on the trails, BGES...

The Forgotten Marines: “Prelude to Civil War – Harper’s Ferry, October 1859.”

Dale Lee Sumner passes along the following new historical novel The Forgotten Marines: “Prelude to Civil War – Harper’s Ferry, October 1859.” This novel is available in three formats: Kindle Edition (Digital), Standard Edition (Printed) softcover with 472 pages, and as an… Annotated Edition (Printed) softcover with 520 pages encompassing 220 informational/background annotations, designed to...

Adopt-A-Position 2021 Season Cancelled

Word has been received from the Gettysburg National Military Park that its 2021 Adopt-A-Position has been cancelled as a result of ongoing COVID restrictions and cautions.  GNMP indicated it needed to make the decision for the entire program year because of staffing requirements that would not otherwise be needed. Park officials expressed regret at cancelling...