Civil War Roundtable Newsletter - PDF
Myths about Lee’s Surrender
Thursday, January 11, 2012 - 7pm
Ellis Library and Reference Center
The lectures are free and open to the public.
Late March of 1865, General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia tried to break through U.S. Grant’s siege and link up with Joseph E. Johnston’s troops. On April 8, Phil Sheridan’s cavalry got ahead of Lee and blocked his path around Appomattox Court House. The cavalry action succeeded in blocking Lee’s escape which led to his surrender the following day. Appomattox Court House National Park Historian Patrick Schroeder will debunk the myths that surround his surrender.
Military Journals during the Civil War
Thursday, February 9, 2012 – 7 pm
Ellis Library and Reference Center
The lectures are free and open to the public.
The Civil War had a major impact on American military journals. Prior to the conflict, the military’s small numbers and scattered locations conspired to doom the few journals that tried to address the needs of the officer corps. While only three journals were produced during the war, they had a major impact on military journalism. One of them, the Army and Navy Journal, has become one of the longest running periodicals in American history. The bloody experience of the war prompted generals and admirals to push for military professionals in the officer corps. One of their major efforts was to establish strong journals that advanced debate on issues facing the forces. Mr. Michael E. Unsworth will share his knowledge of the military journals that circulated during this time.
General George Armstrong Custer and the Civil War
Thursday, March 8, 2012 – 7 pm
Ellis Library and Reference Center
The lectures are free and open to the public.
General George Armstrong Custer is usually known for his famous Last Stand during the Battle of the Little Big Horn on June 25, 1876. Few know that he was actually an outstanding Civil War soldier who moved up the ranks of the US Army on his own merits to became a Major General at the age of 25, and that he and his troops were very instrumental in the critical Union victories at Gettysburg and Appomattox Station which led to the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. Mr. David Ingall will share his knowledge about the life of General George Armstrong Custer.
A Guest of the Confederacy
Thursday, April 12, 2012 – 7pm
Ellis Library and Reference Center
The lectures are free and open to the public.
Alonzo M. Keeler was mustered into the 22nd Michigan Infantry and became Captain of Company B. During his tour of duty he was captured by Confederate forces at the Battle of Chickamauga and spent the next year and a half as their “guest”. Alonzo kept daily diaries of his experiences during this time period. Co-authors, Bob and Cherie have transcribed his diaries along with numerous family letters and will share his experiences as told through his writings.
TBA
Thursday, May 10, 2012 – 7 pm
Ellis Library and Reference Center
The lectures are free and open to the public.
For more information on this program or the Civil War Series, visit our online calendar.
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Monroe County, Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial
Seeking Michigan
Civil War photographs and service records available on SeekingMichigan.org
Civil War Photographs
The Archives of Michigan has close to 1,400 Civil War photographs in its collections. The majority of the images are carte de visite's of soldiers taking during the years of the Civil War. Also included are reproductions of sheet music, broadsides and group photographs.
Civil War Service Records
The records document the history of Michigan soldiers in the form of muster rolls, letters, lists of dead, monthly returns and other materials sent to the state Adjutant General during the war. Funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Western Michigan University Libraries United States Civil War Collection
Grand Valley State University's Civil War & Slavery Collection
