August
12, 2011 - Southport, NC –
Brunswick Civil War Round Table meetings held on
the first Tuesday of each month will begin again on
September 6th, following a July/August hiatus. Every
meeting will feature a prominent historian, author,
college professor or Civil War re-enactor speaking
on a variety of subjects about the American Civil
War. Meetings are always well attended and enjoyed
by both Civil War enthusiasts and those simply
interested in knowing more about this important
period in our history.
"The line-up of quality speakers we have scheduled
for this coming year far exceeded my initial
expectations," boasted Round Table Director and
Program Coordinator Dr. Max R. Williams. He
continued, "because we are a non-profit 501 (c) (3)
organization, most of our membership dues that we
collect are devoted to paying speaker fees and to
reimburse travel expenses so we can be certain to
schedule renowned Civil War historians from around
the country. Attendees really enjoy and benefit from
hearing our guest speakers."
Dr. Williams then shared his impressive line-up for
the upcoming season. Speaking at the September 6th
meeting will be Dr. Stephen R. Wise, author and
director of the Parris Island Marine Corps Museum.
His topic will be "Blockade and Blockade Running,"
including its impact on Wilmington. October 4th
features Dr. Brian S. Wills, Director of the
Kennesaw State University Civil War Center. He will
talk on "Nathan Bedford Forrest: The Confederate’s
Greatest Cavalryman." November 1st features Charles
R. "Bob" Mullauer, frequent Civil War speaker and
president of the Baltimore Civil War Round Table.
His topic: "Hood in Tennessee: The Battle of
Franklin." On December 6th, Col. Black Jack Travis,
BCWRT Lifetime Charter Member, author and Civil War
re-enactor will speak on "E. Porter Alexander: Rebel
Gunner Extraordinaire."
The very popular Ed Bearrs, considered a "National
Treasure" by most noted historians, will join the
BCWRT again this year on Wednesday, January 11
(instead of the usual Tuesday, January 3rd),
speaking on "President Lincoln and Gen. George B.
McClellan: A Troubled Partnership." On February 7th,
Will Greene, Executive Director, Pamplin Park speaks
on "April, 1862: Breakout from Petersburg." The
March 6th meeting guest is Marvin Nicholson, a
former school administrator and Civil War
re-enactor. His topic is "The African-American
Experience in the Civil War Era." On April 3rd,
William C. "Jack" Davis will join the Round Table.
He is a prolific writer on the Civil War, and
director of Virginia Tech’s Civil War Institute. His
topic is forthcoming. Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.,
well known local UNCW history professor and BCWRT
Lifetime Charter Member, joins the Round Table on
May 1st to speak on "Lt. Cmdr. William B. Cushing,
Federal Navy Daredevil." He was instrumental in the
capture of Fort Fisher. And, on June 5th, BCWRT
director and Lifetime Charter Member, Dr. Max R.
Williams will speak on "Southern Dreams and British
Realities: When Cotton Wasn’t King."
"Mark your calendars folks; it’s going to be an
exciting year at our Round Table meetings for anyone
interested in events that took place during the
Civil War," boasts Wally Rueckel, BCWRT president.
All Brunswick Civil War Round Table meetings are
held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash
Street, Southport, across from the Southport Post
Office. Registration and refreshments start at 6:30.
Admission is free. However, attendees are encouraged
to become BCWRT members. Annual dues are $25 for
adults and families, and $10 for students.
For more information, contact BCWRT president Wally
Rueckel at (910) 253-7382, or
wrueckel@questor.com.