The raging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in the need to CANCEL the April 14th First Defenders Civil War Round Table program. Given the emphasis on avoiding group activities, the potential health effects on those over 61 or with existing medical conditions and the uncertainty of businesses even being able to operate, the...
Governor Wise at Harper’s Ferry By Bert Dunkerly When violence broke out at Harper’s Ferry on October 16, 1859, Henry A. Wise was governor of Virginia (today the village is in West Virginia). In the aftermath of the raid, Virginians were on edge: fears of slave revolt were everywhere and the feeling grew that the...
Several stalwart members of the First Defenders journey semi-annually to Gettysburg to participate in the Gettysburg National Military Park “Adopt-A-Position” program. This volunteer initiative is intended to help the overstretched Park Service care for the many monuments, tablets and other appurtenances on the battlefield. Check out our new “Adopt-A-Position” page by navigating from the title...
The Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College (CWI) is offering the members of First Defenders Civil War Roundtable of Berks County a 15% discount to attend the CWI Summer Conference from June 12-17, 2020. You can find registration details about our conference on the CWI website and the full schedule of events. CWI believes in...
Anyone who studies the Civil War knows that many veterans, North and South, would go on to political careers as the country transition from the antebellum years to the Gilded Age. Pennsylvania was no exception, and no less than six Union soldiers would find themselves in the Keystone State Governor’s mansion as the 19th Century...
Tennessee Ernie Ford sang about “another year older and deeper in debt.” Whether that applies to you or not, we are embarking on another New Year. May it be happy, healthy and prosperous for all! The Program Committee will meet on January 6th to sketch out our 24th (!) campaign roster, but the current campaign...
The December muster of the First Defenders Civil War Round Table will close out 2019 with a presentation on the 128th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Recruited in part from Berks County, the 128th was a nine-month regiment that quickly “saw the elephant” at Antietam before passing even a full month in uniform. Before ending its term...
Every so often in life you have the good fortune to meet a great man. Such was the quintessential “Virginia gentleman,” Doctor James I. “Bud” Robertson who died on Saturday, November 2nd, at the ripe old age of 89. Tapped by President John F. Kennedy to serve as as executive director of the United States...
The next program of the First Defenders Civil War Round Table is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12th, beginning at 6:00 PM at the Inn at Reading. The program features First Defenders Wally Heimbach presenting his second program on the gallant Phil Kearny. The one-armed soldier of fortune had a long and distinguished military career both...
Depending where you sit on the subject of James Longstreet and his contributions (or lack thereof) during the Battle of Gettysburg, the time it took him to get the First Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia into battle on July 2nd is sure to provoke discussion. Was there a “sunrise attack order?” Why did...
