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Petersburg Campaign Topic For Next Brunswick Civil War Round Table Meeting

January 23, 2012 - Southport, NC - Monday, February 13 is the next scheduled monthly meeting of the Round Table. The meeting will feature A. Wilson Greene, one of the most popular speakers on the Civil War speakers circuit. His topic will be "April 2, 1865: Day of Decision at Petersburg."

The Petersburg Campaign (June 15, 1864 to April 2, 1865), the longest of the Civil War, came to a violent end when a pre-dawn assault by the Federal Sixth Corps breeched the Confederate lines on April 2, 1865. Rebel brigades, stretched thin, fought with bravery and tenacity, but were overwhelmed by Union forces commanded by Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant attacking their fortifications. The Sixth Corps attack doomed Petersburg, Richmond and the Confederacy as General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was forced to surrender at Appomattox Court House one week later.

"The Round Table is delighted to have Will as a special guest speaker this month," boasts Wally Rueckel, BCWRT president. "I have had the pleasure of participating in several Civil War battlefield tours with Will, and his knowledge and insights into specific events are astounding," Rueckel continued.

Will is executive director of Pamplin Historical Park where the Sixth Corps breakthrough occurred, as well as executive director of The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg, Virginia. He has authored numerous books on the Civil War, including his most recent award-winning book, "Civil War in Petersburg: Confederate City in the Crucible of War," as well as "Breaking the Backbone of the Rebellion: The Final Battle of Petersburg."

Registration for the Monday, February 13 meeting begins at 6:30 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St., Southport. Everyone is welcome. There is no admission fee. Visitors are invited to become members of this fast growing non-profit organization, where most of the fees and dues collected go toward inviting the most renowned and knowledgeable Civil War historians. Annual dues are $25 for adults and couples, and $10 for students.

For more information, contact Wally Rueckel at (910) 253-7382, or wrueckel@questor.com.