During March, like every other month, Americans will recognize a plethora of holidays and other special events, health awareness reminder days and, in some cases, downright nonsense, like Cheese Doodle Day.
Similarly, historians have created their own (no-nonsense) lists. But most of the items on their lists never make it to a square on a calendar page. Take, for example, March 2, the day Texas Governor Samuel Houston was forced to resign his post, and Texas formally joined the Confederacy. Which is too bad, because Houston is a unique character in American history and remains widely respected, warts and all. You’ll find a synopsis of his life’s story inside.
According to the American Battlefield Trust, more contemporary scholars and historians argue that women did fight in the Civil War, and the women who fought shared the same motivations as their male companions. Our March meeting speaker, Professor James R. Hedtke, will share his extensive research on the subject.
You’ll find a preview of his talk inside on page 2 of the March Newsletter, as well as how (and by when) to sign up to attend the dinner that will precede the talk.
Planning work continues for a spring field trip; we expect to be able to share those details soon.
Barry