Past Meetings

Date Speaker Topic
July 27, 2010 Dr. Libra Hilde (SJSU) [The cultural, social, and political trends and events that led up to the Civil War]
June 29, 2010 Dr. Joe Wagner Civil War Medicine
May 25, 2010 Larry Comstock "The Lincoln Writ" — Abraham Lincoln and the New Almaden Mine
April 27, 2010 Helen Trimpi Crimson Confederates: Harvard Men Who Fought for the South
March 30, 2010 Tom Roza Winfield Scott Hancock – A Man for the Ages
February 23, 2010 Gerald S. Henig Lincoln at 200 – In Fact Rather than Fiction
January 26, 2010 Mary Deborah Petite The Women Will Howl
November 24, 2009 Rene Accornero Retreat from Gettysburg
October 24, 2009 Larry Comstock Pickett's Charge
September 29, 2009 Tom McMahon Life, Death and Religion in the Civil War
August 16, 2009 Gary Yee A Plan Gone Wrong: The Siege of Battery Wagner (July 21, 1863 to September 7, 1863)
July 28, 2009 Bob Hubbs How Lincoln Won the War Without the Help of His Generals
June 30, 2009 Norman Patrick Doyle Two Civil War Generals in Mexico
May 26, 2009 Larry Tagg The Unpopular Mr. Lincoln
April 28, 2009 Jack Mather Sherman—Fall 1864 to the End of the War: Myth and Reality
March 31, 2009 Brad Schall The Political Climate in California 1850-1870
February 24, 2009 Larry Comstock The Other End of the Line — The Union Right Flank at Gettysburg
January 27, 2009 Charles Sweeny Aspects of Slavery During the Civil War
November 25, 2008 Jean Libby John Brown: A History and Photo Chronology
October 28, 2008 Fred Bohmfalk Baseball During the Civil War
September 30, 2008 Tom Roza John Buford at Gettysburg
August 10, 2008 Jack Leathers George H. Thomas, “The Rock of Chickamauga”

Meeting of July 27, 2010

Dr. Libra Hilde, Assistant Professor, Dept. of History, San Jose State University, discussed the cultural, social, and political trends and events that led up to the Civil War.

Meeting of June 29, 2010

Dr. Joe Wagner on "Civil War Medicine"

Civil War Medicine, with one major exception, was virtually unchanged from practice in the dark ages. Bacteria were unknown. Sanitation was primitive, handwashing by surgeons considered unnecessary. The one enormous discovery that was used extensively by both Union and Confederate surgeons was anaesthesia. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) was discovered in 1845, ether in 1846, and chloroform in 1847. Smallpox vaccination was mandated but not rigidly enforced. Soldiers shared vaccine materials, often with disastrous effects. Measles, a childhood illness, was far more serious in adults. In one battle, half a regiment was out of action due to measles. Many soldiers from rural areas had no exposure to common childhood illnesses, and hence no immunity.

Joe received his M.D. from the University of Toronto in 1954 and had a distinguished career as an orthopaedic surgery professor at UCLA and the California College of Medicine (later University of California at Irvine School of Medicine) before his retirement. He and his wife Dolores have been married for 60 years.

Meeting of May 25, 2010

Larry Comstock on "The Lincoln Writ" — Abraham Lincoln and the New Almaden Mine

Larry discussed the writ issued by President Abraham Lincoln in May 1863 to be enforced by the U.S. Marshall in San Francisco:

"Whereas, Andres Castillero and divers persons have under a pretended grant from the Republic of Mexico occupied the New Almaden Quicksilver Mine. And, Whereas By the decision of the Supreme Court it has been adjudged that the grant is fraudulent and void.

Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States do hereby order you to seize the property and deliver it to Leonard Sweet, an agent who has been authorized by me to take possession of the same for the United States."

Larry discussed the history of the New Almaden quicksilver mine located just to the south of San Jose. He then discussed the uses of mercury in the mid 19th century and then the litigation over the ownership of the mine that led to the issuance of the writ quoted above. Lastly, he showed how the writ was presented to the owners of the New Almaden Mine and the reaction of the miners in California. The writ was ultimately withdrawn because of the negative reaction.

Meeting of April 27, 2010

book

Helen Trimpi on "Crimson Confederates: Harvard Men Who Fought for the South"

Helen, one of the original members of the South Bay Round Table, told how she researched and wrote her book about Confederates who attended Harvard University.


Meeting of March 30, 2010

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Winfield Scott Hancock

Tom Roza on "Winfield Scott Hancock – A Man for the Ages"

Tom delighted the club members his presentation on Winfield Scott Hancock. Tom provided a very thorough and detailed description of Hancock from his childhood growing up in Pennsylvania, attending West Point, and participating in his first combat during the Mexican War. The presentation included Hancock’s extensive experience as an Army Quartermaster in duty assignments that ranged from Florida, to the Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions and California. Tom described the deep and warm friendships that Hancock developed with fellow soldiers such as Lewis Armistead, Richard Garnett and Harry Heth The presentation covered Hancock’s extensive Civil War experience in the Eastern Theater where he rose from a regimental commander to the best Corp commander in the Army of the Potomac. The Club members learned of Hancock’s post war experiences dealing with the Plains Indians, labor strife, and as military Governor of Louisiana where Hancock was the first Northerner to reach out to Southern citizens in an act of reconciliation. The presentation concluded with Hancock’s three attempts to become President of the United States and his final days as the ranking General in the Army up until his death in 1886.

Meeting of February 23, 2010

Gerald S. Henig on "Lincoln at 200 – In Fact Rather than Fiction"

As we commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, our 16th president remains an enigmatic figure shrouded in myth and legend. Many questions still surround this well-loved but perplexing man. For example, Lincoln had less than a year of formal education: How did he achieve such literary grandeur? Lincoln was a commander in chief with no military training or experience: How did he prove so effective? He opposed the abolitionist movement: How did he become the great emancipator? By focusing on Lincoln as orator, advocate of freedom commander of Union forces, and wartime political leader, Professor Gerald Henig helped us separate fact from fiction in order to understand better this uncommon common man.

Gerald S. Henig is emeritus professor of history at California State University, East Bay, where he received the Outstanding Professor Award and was a four-time winner of the Pi Kappa Delta Best Lecturer Award. After graduating from Brooklyn College, Jerry earned his M.A. from the University of Wisconsin and his Ph.D. in American history from the Graduate Center, City University of New York. His most recent book, Civil War Firsts: The Legacy of America’s Bloodiest Conflict, was a selection of the History Book Club and the Military Book Club. In April 2007, the book was published in a paperback edition, with a new format, a generous number of photos and illustrations, and a new title: A Nation Transformed: How the Civil War Changed America Forever.

Meeting of January 26, 2010

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Mary Deborah Petite on "The Women Will Howl"

Slicing through Civil War history is not unlike cutting through a layer cake. The icing represents themes of grandeur and glory, the first layer, the epic battles and their heroic outcomes. The next layer represents the decorated heroes and martyrs, the major players. Following them are the histories of the Armies, Divisions, Brigades, and their bold leaders. Finally, and after all else, come the stories of the common soldier. What is frequently overlooked, however, is that the stage upon which these great battles are fought, the land across which armies of tens of thousands surge, also represents the lives of the millions of civilians who depend on that land for their industry and survival. Their voices are rarely heard. And so it was with the women mill-workers of the small mill town of Roswell, Georgia, when William Tecumseh Sherman's cavalry swept into town on July 5, 1864. After the mills were burned and all the industry destroyed, Sherman issued an unusual order, deporting nearly 1,000 of the female textile workers to cities in the North. The women did howl, but, until Deborah Petite discovered, their story in 1996, it was a silent cry. After years of research, which Deborah shared with us at the January meeting, their story has been meticulously documented and told in her recently published book, The Women Will Howl. With passion and emotion, the women of Roswell have found their voice through Deborah Petite. It was an inspiring presentation!

Mary Deborah Petite, a member of our Round Table since 1992, is author of The Women Will Howl. Information about Deborah and her book can be found at www.women-will-howl.com.

Meeting of November 24, 2009

Rene Accornero on "Retreat from Gettysburg"

Rene talked about the massive efforts of General Robert Lee and his command as they sought to move people, eguipment, and scavenged supplies back to Virginia after being defeated at Gettysburg. More than 57 miles of wagons and ambulance trains and tens of thousands of livestock accompanied the army back to Virginia. The adverse conditions of the driving rain and muddy quagmires were described as General Meade attempted to attack the trains. Battles were fought at South Mountain, Hagerstown, and Williamsport, but Lee's skillfull use of terrain and defenses allowed him to escape. Washington's criticism of Gen. Meade was also discussed. Meade's failure to destroy the Army of Northern Virginia prolonged the war for two more years.

Meeting of October 24, 2009

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Pickett's Charge map by Hal Jespersen, www.posix.com/CWmaps

Larry Comstock on "Pickett's Charge."

In this talk the attacks by the Army of Northern Virginia and the response by the Union Army of the Potomac over the first two days of the battle of Gettysburg were outlined. The status of the Army of Northern Virginia after the first two days and the alternatives perceived by General Robert E. Lee for the third day were presented. The factors that led Lee to choose a frontal attack on the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge were then discussed. The talk then detailed the massive artillery barrage followed by the advance of Pickett, Pettigrew, and Trimble’s divisions toward Cemetery Ridge. The “High-Water-Mark” of the advance and the actions by the Union Army that led to the repulse of the Charge were presented. All the reasons for the failure of the Charge followed by some observations by men who participated in the charge were then discussed. Download slides (PDF format, about 9MB).

Meeting of September 29, 2009

Tom McMahon on "Life, Death and Religion in the Civil War."

Tom McMahon set the scene for his talk by establishing his position as ordained Catholic priest, former US Army chaplain, and California licensed Mental Health Therapist. Tom choose the title of his talk based on the work in which he has been involved for over 50 years.

Who knows the psychology of the men who were combatants in the violence of the American Civil War? Surely not ourselves as we simply were not there. Yet members of the audience could be carrying the DNA of ancestral people who served both in South and North. Tom used the DNA of the Irish Brigade as best Tom would read of such and trace in his own Irish background family, his great grandfather being a resident of San Francisco during the Civil War. Emphasis was heavy on the Good Death, the age old experience of dying surrounded by family, an archetype or fundamental way of life learned in childhood, which was shattered by the massive number of battlefield deaths with bodies left unattended for days. We heard the story of Confederate Corporal Montgomery as he wrote his blood stained death letter to his father, knowing that his family would cherish his last words.

Massive changes in burial practices came about, such as the funeral home and embalming, along with abuses of grieving parents, and the government hastened to find suitable burial ground. We heard Abraham Lincoln as ministerial person delivering his Gettysburg address over the ground hallowed (made holy) by the blood of those who died in battle.

Tom's final encouragement was for serious students of the Civil War to be aware that human beings were the basic participants, persons with feelings and hope for a good life and that we might have this in mind in todays warfare lest partly paraphrasing Lincoln those of old and these modern warriors will have died in vain.

August 16, 2009, Picnic Meeting

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Gary Yee

Gary Yee on "A Plan Gone Wrong: The Siege of Battery Wagner (July 21, 1863 to September 7, 1863)"

Charleston harbor was defended in the Civil War by Fort Sumter in the middle of the channel and, in the north, on Sullivans Island by Fort Moultrie and, to the south of Fort Sumter, on Morris Island by Battery Gregg. To defend Battery Gregg from attack from the south, Battery Wagner was established on Morris Island by the Confederates. The Federal commander of the attempt to capture Charleston was Brig. Gen. Quincy Gilmore and his plan was to land troops on Morris Island and capture both Batteries Wagner and Gregg and then reduce and capture Fort Sumter which would allow the navy to steam into Charleston harbor.

Gary described the failed attempt by the famed black 54th Massachusetts regiment to capture Battery Wagner on July 18, 1863 (depicted in the movie Glory). After the failure to seize the battery by coup de main, Gary described Gilmores plan to reduce it by a siege. He discussed all the aspects of a siege, including how parallel trenches were dug and zigzag approaches were prepared with saps and artillery to suppress the defense. The siege started on July 20th and was assisted by naval guns under the command of Admiral John Dahlgren. Gary then focused on the use of sharpshooters by the Confederates using superior Whitworth rifles purchased from England to harass the Union engineers building the trenches. This was so effective that the Union was initially forced to build the trenches only at night. The Union responded by forming a sharpshooter corps using standard Springfield rifles.

mapGary went on to describe the different stages of the siege and the final success in establishing a parallel trench just 50 yards from Battery Wagner. On September 7th the Federal forces prepared to storm Battery Wagner, but the Confederates abandoned the battery as well as Battery Gregg. Gary mentioned that the campaign to capture Charleston was abandoned by orders of General Grant and the city was not captured until February, 1865.

The presentation was well received with many questions.

Meeting of July 28, 2009

Bob Hubbs on "How Lincoln Won the War Without the Help of his Generals"

Bob's presentation focused on Lincoln's relationship with his generals in high command during the Civil War. Among the "highlights" or major points of Bob's presentation were:

Meeting of June 30, 2009

generalsNorman Patrick Doyle on "Two Civil War Generals in Mexico"

Patrick's presentation included an overview of the Mexican-American War, 1846-1848, beginning with the actions of President James K. Polk that were, to a great extent, factors that precipitated the conflict. Patrick then sequenced the significant battles of the war, beginning with the first major battle, May 8, 1846, at Palo Alto, adjacent to modern day Brownsville, Texas, and concluding with the culminating battles of the war at Churubusco (on September 19, 1847) and Chapultepec (September 14, 1847). Gen. Winfield Scott's troops continued to occupy Mexico City until the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on May 22, 1848 which officially ended the war.

In each of the respective major encounters Patrick highlighted the roles and contributions of future well known Civil War personalities, such as Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, and Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard.

Intertwined in his presentation Patrick related the actions and interaction of the two central figures of his presentation, Gen. David E. Twiggs and Gen. William S. Harney, with those of John Riley, the charismatic leader of mostly Irish deserters (from the U.S. Army) who became known as the San Patricios fighting alongside the Mexicans.

Patrick concluded his presentation recounting the roles both Twigg (on the Confederate side) and Harney (on the Union side) would later play in the Civil War.

Meeting of May 26, 2009

LincolnLarry Tagg on "The Unpopular Mr. Lincoln"

Larry's presentation focused on the central and most meaningful aspects of his recently released book, entitled The Unpopular Mr. Lincoln: The Story of America’s Most Reviled President. It revealed a number of interesting and informative insights relative to the immense unpopularity of Lincoln as he assumed the Presidency following the election of 1860. Among the highlights of Larry's presentation were the following:

Larry concluded his presentation his presentation by stating, "If one considers politics as the art of the possible, Lincoln was the consummate politician. What he accomplished, in view of his initial unpopularity, is all the more remarkable. The depth of Lincoln's travail is much of what ennobles him to us today."

Here are two brief excerpts from Larry's book (both PDF files):

These excerpts are used with permission from publisher Savas Beatie. For more information, please visit www.savasbeatie.com.

Meeting of April 28, 2009

Jack Mather on "Sherman—Fall 1864 to the End of the War: Myth and Reality"

Jack's presentation evolved around the two following communications:

Oct. 9, 1864, Sherman to Grant: "Until we can repopulate Georgia, it is useless to occupy it, but the utter destruction of its roads, horses and people will cripple their military resources ... I can make the march and make Georgia howl."

Nov. 9, 1864, Sherman to his troops: "In districts and neighborhoods where the army is unmolested, no destruction of such propery should be permitted; but should the inhabitants burn bridges, obstruct roads, or otherwise manifest local hostility, the army commanders should order and enforce a devastation more or less relentless, according to measures of such hostility."

Jack's presentation focused on two questions: 1) To what extent were Sherman's actions consistent with these communications and 2) Are the accounts of Sherman's actions a reality or mostly myth?

Meeting of March 31, 2009

Brad Schall on "The Political Climate in California 1850-1870"

Brad's presentation centered around the crucial elements of the 1856 and 1870 elections. He examined both the role and impact of California's first two Senators: William Gwin and John C. Frémont. He addressed "Why the South needed California to be a Slave State" and to what extent did slavery already exist in California. Within this context Brad related the stories of Mary Ellen Pleasant and the David Broderick vs. David Terry duel.

Meeting of February 24, 2009

Larry Comstock on "The Other End of the Line — The Union Right Flank at Gettysburg"

Most attention about the battle of Gettysburg is given in the popular press and in the movie Gettysburg to the attacks on July 2, 1863, on the Union left flank and on the center of the Union line on July 3rd (Pickett's Charge). Who has not heard about Little Round Top, Devils Den, the Peach Orchard, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, and the 20th Maine? Larry's excellent presentation described the events that took place on the Union right flank that were equally important. The geography of Gettysburg and the military importance of the surrounding hills were emphasized. The persons who made the key decisions to establish the force on Cemetery Hill as a rallying point and to direct a force to the adjacent Culp's Hill on July 1st were identifed: The importance of defending these hills that controlled the approach to Gettysburg by the Baltimore Pike were explained. The defenses of the key positions, primarily by the Union XI and XII Corps and the key individuals were described. The unsuccessful attacks on these hills and the intervening ground by the Confederate forces under Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell's Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia starting late in the afternoon of July 2nd and continuing the next morning were outlined.

Meeting of January 27, 2009

Charles Sweeny on "Aspects of Slavery During the Civil War"

Charles Sweeny's presentation focused primarily on slavery and its ramifications during the Civil War, but his presentation also examined slavery in a more comprehensive context. Among the key points of his presentation were:

Meeting of November 25, 2008

Jean Libby on "John Brown: A History and Photo Chronology"

Brown
Image purchased on eBay by Jean Libby in 2001. It was one of the mystery photographs (date, original sitting and photographer unknown) examined at the November 25th meeting.

Jean’s presentation charted twelve photographs of John Brown the abolitionist through three time periods:  the organization of the Underground Railroad and resistance to the Fugitive Slave Law (1846 - 1850), Free State vs. Slave State (1854 - 1857), and the Harpers Ferry Raid (1858 - 1859).

There are several versions of the dozen photos studied, including "How many photo portraits are there of John Brown with his beard?" 

Jean’s original chronology in 2002 was made with forensic anthropologist Eileen Barrow at Louisiana State University, who specializes in making aging models of missing children. Her original research on the subject has convinced archivists and experts that some dates and places of commonly viewed photo images of John Brown were incorrect. 

The final question is: Was there a photo made of Brown in 1859, after he shaved his beard previous to the raid on Harpers Ferry? There were no photographs made of John Brown in Virginia from the raid, trial and execution.

Mrs. Jean Libby is a retired teacher of history and ethnic studies at community colleges in northern California. She is the author of John Brown, Bearded Patriarch, published by Palgrave Macmillan in a collection entitled The Afterlife of John Brown, and "The John Brown daguerreotypes, a leader uses his likeness for remembrance and promotion" in The Daguerreian Annual 2002-2003. She is also the publisher and principal author of John Brown's Family in California, an illustrated pamphlet-style book which features Santa Clara County history and locations.

A review of Jean's book by Steve Wetlesen is available here.

Meeting of October 28, 2008

Fred Bohmfalk on "Baseball During the Civil War"

Civil War "buffs" and baseball enthusiasts alike were in for a real treat as Fred Bohmfalk's presentation of "Baseball during the Civil War" enlightened us relative to the origin and somewhat obscure beginning of the game to its reputation as our "national pasttime" of the modern era.

Fred revealed Abner Doubleday's role and contribution to the game of baseball. More specifically, Fred examines baseball as it existed and was played and enjoyed by soldiers during the Civil War—its impact on troop morale and its distraction from the din of battle.

Fred's presentation was filled with facts and noteworthy information relative to the evolution of the game—such as in the early days there were no innings, no errors, no three bases, no limits on strikes, etc. The ball, larger than today, was dark in color—and was always thrown underhand.

Of specific interest were the events, growing out of Civil War baseball, that led to the recognition of talented players, the formation of professional baseball clubs, leagues, rule changes and the orderly progression of baseball as we know it today—millionaire owners and "bonus baby players".

Meeting of September 30, 2008

Tom Roza on "John Buford at Gettysburg"

Although covering other aspects of of John Buford's life and Civil War exploits, this presentation focused primarily on his role and strategic contributions to the Union cause at the Battle of Gettysburg. Here is a brief synopsis of Buford's role on that fateful first day of the battle:

"On the morning of July 1st, 1863, Buford's men faced west as the sun rose to their backs. Shortly after daylight, one of his troopers posted on the road to Cashtown fired at the advance of Maj. Gen. Henry Heth's entire Confederate division, sending up the alarm in Buford's camp. The dismounted cavalrymen, acting like infantry skirmishers, put up a stubborn, slow defense over the two miles to Buford's main battle line atop McPherson's Ridge. The Union tactics here called for measured, deliberate resistance that traded ground for time. By the time Heth's men reached Herr's Ridge opposite Buford's main line, two hours of precious daylight had passed and supporting Federal infantry had approached to enter the brawl. Buford, and then infantry commander Maj. Gen. John Reynolds, had their eyes on the ultimate prize—the higher, better ground to the east and south of the town." This action, combined with the strategic decision of commanding the high ground would have a major impact on the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Tom sent the following description:

John Buford left an enduring legacy with was his embodiment of the dismounted, dragoon-style fighting that he so splendidly executed on July 1, 1863 at Gettysburg. Buford opted for operational flexibility and versatility over devotion to a particular tactical model. Above all, he strove to enhance and promote the basic qualities of the mounted soldier, which are speed and mobility.

In place of mounted saber shock tactics the Army had borrowed from the Age of Napoleon, Buford substituted light cavalry tactics he had mastered during prewar campaigns against the Plains Indians. His emphasis on dragoon-style operations featuring dismounted troops fighting with carbine and pistol helped transform the Yankee horsemen from ineffective screening forces into a potent, mobile, versatile arm of the service.

Those qualities have carried forward to the mechanized warfare of today. Buford’s deathbed wish—that he might live on in his profession—has been granted as his tactics have become part of the modern military’s mode of operation.

Meeting of August 10, 2008

Jack Leathers' presentation on "George Thomas - The Rock of Chickamauga"

Although Jack's presentation was comprehensive in covering much of George Thomas's personal history and military career, Jack began by focusing on what was to be his most notable battle—the September 19-20, 1863, Battle of Chickamauga, the one that would earn him the acclaimed nickname of "The Rock of Chickamauga."

Following his recounting of this momentous battle, Jack reviewed the career of George Thomas—how Thomas graduated near the top of his class at West Point in 1840 and received his first assignment to fight the Seminole Indians in Florida.

Jack next touched on Thomas's service during the Mexican War as he served under Gen. Zachary Taylor and proved himself in the battles of Monterrey and Buena Vista.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Thomas, although a Virginian and slave owner, chose to remain with the Union, saying "It is not my wish to leave the service of the United States as long as it is honorable for me to remain with it."

Jack's presentation continued with a look at other noteworthy battles, apart from Chickamauga, in which Thomas and his troops participated—Mill Springs, Chattanooga, the Atlanta Campaign, and the battle for Peachtree Creek, culminating his Civil War career in the two-day battle of Nashville.

In his conclusion, Jack touched briefly on Thomas's post-war years—his assignment as a subordinate of Sherman in the Military Division of the Mississippi and a later command of the Pacific in San Francisco. In these later years rumors and controversies swirled around reports, from western newspapers, that Halleck had written a letter indicating that Grant had once planned to remove Thomas in favor of Schofield—that the Nashville campaign had already been won at the Battle of Franklin. Thomas's men rushed to his defense, adamant that "Ole Pap" Thomas had brought the contest to a thorough conclusion at Nashville.

Thomas died at his desk on March 28, 1870, with his own comments almost complete.

Even today the sightless eyes of George Thomas's bronze equestrian monument on Boulevard Circle look South upon a Washington for whom he constantly delivered—only to receive everlasting minimal respect from his superiors.

Business Meeting

A brief business meeting followed Jack's talk, which included the following: