With the advent of September, the 25th Anniversary Campaign of the First Defenders Civil War Roundtable is set to get underway beginning on Tuesday, September 14th, at Giannotti’s Country Restaurant on Pricetown Road. Renowned storyteller Chris Mackowski will kick off the silver anniversary year with his new program: “I’m too late: Joe Johnston & the...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The original First Defenders became a subject of interest as a result of the deployment of National Guard troops, including many from Pennsylvania, to provide security in Washington, D.C. following last week’s violent intrusion into the United States Capitol building and in advance of next week’s presidential inauguration. It apparently came to someone’s attention that...
As 2020 winds down to a welcome close, the First Defenders are ready to move into the second half of their 24th Campaign. With restaurants scheduled to resume normal operations on January 4th, the year-opening program and meeting is scheduled for January 12th at Giannotti’s Country Restaurant. The program for the month will be presented...
The December program for the First Defenders Civil War Round Table is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8th, at Giannotti’a Country Restaurant with dinner being served at 6:30 PM and the business meeting and program getting underway at about 7:30. Due to an ongoing inability to confirm arrangements with our planned speaker, long-time member Denton Schucker...
Ever since Abraham Lincoln journeyed to the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg to deliver his immortal address, millions of ordinary Americans have made a similar pilgrimage. Many of the early visitors were soldiers returning to the scenes of their youth or their descendants over the ensuring generations. And among those millions were more than a few...
Our first program of the 24th Campaign was not a sure thing. The lasting impact of COVID-19 threw our speaker line-up into some confusion; however, more importantly, many of our members are justifiably hesitant to venture out in public. Add to that the uncertainties of a new meeting venue, and the campaign could have worked...
