November 3rd Program Details Announced - Songs and Stories of the Civil War

Songs and Stories of the American Civil War

Presented by Charlie Zahm

Join Charlie Zahm for a moving and memorable journey into one of the most consequential periods in American history with Songs and Stories of the American Civil War. A gifted vocalist, guitarist, storyteller, and interpreter of historical music, Charlie brings the past to life through the power of song, the spoken word, and the rich traditions of nineteenth-century American life. With a deep appreciation for the music and history of the era, he creates an atmosphere that transports audiences back to a time when a nation was divided, families were separated, and the fate of the United States hung in the balance.

Through a wonderful selection of songs associated with the Civil War era, Charlie explores the music that stirred the hearts of soldiers, sustained those waiting at home, and expressed the hopes, sorrows, and convictions of Americans on both sides of the conflict. From stirring patriotic anthems and beloved marching songs to poignant ballads of separation, sacrifice, and remembrance, each selection offers a glimpse into the lives and emotions of those who experienced this extraordinary chapter in our nation’s story.

Interwoven throughout the performance are poems and verses that capture the sentiments of the age, giving voice to the courage, anguish, patriotism, and profound human cost of a war that changed America forever. More than a century and a half later, these songs and poems continue to remind us of the great conflagration that tested our nation’s ideals and reshaped its destiny. Their melodies and words preserve the memories of those who lived through those turbulent years, allowing us to connect with their experiences in a deeply personal and meaningful way.

Songs and Stories of the American Civil War is an engaging and enjoyable program for anyone with an interest in nineteenth-century American history, historical music, poetry, or the stories that helped shape our country. Whether you are a devoted student of the Civil War or simply appreciate the enduring beauty of America’s musical heritage, this performance offers an opportunity to experience history not merely as something read in books, but as something felt, heard, and remembered.

Visit him on the web at www.charliezahm.com

October Meeting Highlights and Photos

October’s Dinner and Meeting began with a change of dinner venue as we enjoyed our buffet in the hotel restaurant. Moving across the hall we then were captivated by a presentation from Derek Maxfield on the Elmira NY Union prison camp.

Long called by some the “Andersonville of the North”, the camp is remembered as the most notorious of all Union-run POW camps. Confederate prisoners called it “Hellmira”.

Because many thought the war would be quickly over, there was little thought to these POW camps until there was no quick victory.

In his book Hellmira: The Union’s Most Infamous Civil War Prison Camp - Elmira, NY, Maxfield describes the conditions of lack of shelter, bitter cold, and poor rations. He spoke of the region’s “burial” of its existence until recently, when the site has been recognized and buildings recreated (one was kept in storage and erected again.)

Maxfield, a former journalist and university professor, among many others interests, is currently writing a follow up book on the POW camp at Andersonville.

As always we held of Preservation book raffles, with winner pictured below.

October 6th Presentation On "Hellmira" Announced

October 6, 2026   Derek Maxfield  “The Union’s Most Infamous Civil War Prison Camp”      

Long called by some the “Andersonville of the North”, the prisoner of war camp in Elmira, New York, is remembered as the most notorious of all Union-run POW camps. It existed for only a year - from the summer of 1864 to July 1865 - but in that time, and for long after, it became darkly emblematic of man’s inhumanity to man.

Confederate prisoners called it “Hellmira”.

Hastily constructed, poorly planned, and overcrowded, prisoner of war camps North and South were dumping grounds for the refuse of war. An unfortunate necessity, both sides regarded the camps as temporary inconveniences - and distractions from the important task of winning the war. There was no need, they believed, to construct expensive shelters or provide better rations. They needed only to sustain life long enough for the war to be won. Victory would deliver prisoners from their conditions.

As a result, conditions in the prisoner of war camps amounted to a great humanitarian crisis, the extent of which could hardly be understood even after the blood stopped flowing on the battlefields.

In the years after the war, as Reconstruction became increasingly bitter, the North pointed to Camp Sumter -better known as the Andersonville POW camp in Americus, Georgia - as evidence of the cruelty and barbarity of the Confederacy. The South, in turn, cited the camp in Elmira as a place where Union authorities withheld adequate food and shelter and purposefully caused thousands to suffer in the bitter cold. This finger-pointing by both sides would go on for over a century.

And as it did, the legend of Hellmira grew.

In Hellmira: The Union’s Most Infamous Civil War Prison Camp - Elmira, NY, Derek Maxfield contextualizes the rise of prison camps during the Civil War, explores the failed exchange of prisoners, and tells the tale of the creation and evolution of the prison camp in Elmira. In the end, Maxfield suggests that it is time to move on from the blame game and see prisoner of war camps - North and South - as a great humanitarian failure.

Derek Maxfield is a former journalist, radio personality, actor, playwright, director, and award-winning professor of history (retired). Twice awarded the State University of New York’s highest system-level honor, Derek was the recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2019 and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities in 2013.

His research interests include Victorian deathways and 19th century politics and culture. Maxfield has written for Emerging Civil War since 2015 and has written two titles for the ECW book series – Hellmira: The Union’s Most Infamous Civil War Prison Camp – Elmira, NY (Savas Beatie, 2020) and Man of Fire: Willliam Tecumseh Sherman in the Civil War (Savas Beatie: 2023).

Maxfield lives near Rochester, NY, with his wife Jess, four cats, basset hound, King Charles cavalier spaniel, and a python. He hopes to soon acquire a Bengal tiger cub (subject to his wife’s approval).

September Meeting Highlights and Photos

Brian Kennell presented an interesting program on Elizabeth Thorn, and her work at the Evergreen Cemetery in Gettysburg before, during and following the Battle in 1863. While her husband was off in the union Army, she stayed behind to run the cemetery, hand dig graves while she was pregnant, and assist Union forces who needed to know the roads in and out of this town in the center of the fighting.

He spoke of the development of the Gettysburg Civil War Women's Memorial, featuring a statue of Thorn, and the creation of the children's book, Evergreen: A Gettysburg Tale.
Kennell is the ninth superintendent in the history of Evergreen Cemetery. When his father became the eighth Superintendent, Kennel moved into the historic Evergreen Cemetery Gatehouse in 1976 at the age of 13. He has lived there as an adult since 1990. He has been employed by the cemetery association since 1978 and succeeded his father, Arthur L. Kennell, as superintendent in 1991.

Pictured below are photos of his presentation as well as the winners of the Monthly preservation book raffle.

September 1st Program Details Announced

Brian Kennell will present a program on Elizabeth Thorn, highlighting her accomplishments before, during and following the Battle of Gettysburg; the development of the Gettysburg Civil War Women's Memorial and the creation of the children's book, Evergreen: A Gettysburg Tale.
Gettysburg native Brian A. Kennell is the ninth superintendent in the history of Evergreen Cemetery. At the age of thirteen, Kennell moved into the historic Evergreen Cemetery Gatehouse in 1976 and has lived there as an adult since 1990. He has been employed by the cemetery association since 1978 and succeeded his father, Arthur L. Kennell, as superintendent in 1991. He has served as president of both Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Adams County and the Gettysburg Civil War Women’s Memorial Association. He is the author of the book Beyond The Gatehouse: Gettysburg's Evergreen Cemetery and recently produced the children’s book Evergreen: A Gettysburg Tale. As a singer/songwriter/producer, Kennell has performed and recorded for over 30 years and has worked with Grammy-winning artists and notable musicians while recording/producing in Nashville since 2009. His future projects include a revised Beyond the Gatehouse book (2027) and documentary on Evergreen Cemetery’s history.

Inside Evergreen Cemetery, near to the Cemetery’s gatehouse, a Women’s Memorial depicts a pregnant woman wiping her brow as she prepares to bury yet another man slain at the Battle of Gettys- burg. She was immortalized in this way for having taken over the responsibility for the cemetery after her husband, a member of the 138th PA, was called away to fight for the Union.

Join us as Brian Kennell to learn more about Elizabeth Thorn’s story.

From the Brigade Commander - September 2026

We are now just one year shy of beating the odds of accomplishing what only 10-15 percent of all US nonprofits achieve*: Making it to 50 years of operation! And although inflation has placed a damper on what ought to be a purely celebratory period in our organization’s history, our Board continues to look for—and find—opportunities that quickly get us through what I am hopeful will be a temporary rough spot.

In the meantime, I ask you to not allow yourself to believe that this present bump in the road is the beginning of the end of the road! True, we did announce, in our Summer newsletter issue, that we’ll need to increase both the membership fee and the walk-in lecture fee in Campaign 49 to better ensure we can cover the increase in hotel expenses that will hit at the beginning of 2027. But know the Board has been working, for some months, to identify options that address both the known (and, possibly, as yet unknown) cost increases.

A reminder that our first meeting for Campaign 49 will take place at the Delta Hotel in Fogelsville on Tuesday, September 1. Lecture details are inside. I can’t wait, and I hope to see you there.

One last thing: I want to share the good news that a recent cancer follow-up check found nothing! I am officially cancer-free! I’m sure your many well-wishes played a role in my recovery. Thank you.

Barry

* Source: The Foundation Group

From the Brigade Commander - Summer 2026

At the risk of repeating myself, our organization is not currently living up to the pledge that its “founding fathers” made long ago: Making Civil War preservation a top priority. The reason is simple:

The cost of both goods and services have significantly increased over the last two years. For Campaign 48 (2025-26), we were able to negotiate with the hotel to eliminate one cost increase, but a second increase remains in force. Ultimately, the Board needs to proactively look for a longer-term way(s) to cover the rising costs we expect will continue in 2027 and beyond. And it’s doing just that.

During the June BOD meeting, Ed Root, who stepped in for me while I was continuing to mend, shared several actions the Board will take in Campaign 49. These actions are outlined, on page 3 of the Summer 2026 Newsletter. At the same meeting, Ed announced the Board would agree on a Campaign 48 preservation activity at its August meeting, assuming it could figure out a way to financially support it.

As an ongoing, subtle reminder of the oath we took as an organization (to make a difference in the fight for Civil War preservation),  we will place a donation box on the “check-in” table outside of our meeting room. There, it will serve as a discrete, regular reminder of one of the two key reasons our organization was founded ... and make it easier for motivated members to make a preservation donation. Any amount will be appreciated.

Our first Campaign 49 meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at our usual location (the Delta Hotel Lehigh Valley - near Fogelsville), and I look forward to seeing you there.

Look inside the Summer 2026 Newsletter for a preview of the topics and speakers for the entire Campaign.

Barry

2026-2027 Program Schedule Announced

June Meeting Highlights and Photos

Ed Root, substituting for Barry, opened the meeting with a retrospective of the history of the roundtable and the impact on it by George Seligman, to whom the June meeting is dedicated. He talked of the peak interest in roundtables and the slow decline of many, including our own. He spoke of the need to increase fees, attract more members and make other changes for the future.

We held our monthly book raffles - winners pictured below; and also held the yearly preservation raffles. Check the sumer newsletter for a list of winner. Prizes are depicted at the bottom.

Our featured presentation was by General Grant (aka Ken Serfass) talking about developments in railroad technology and utility before and during the Civil War. Gen. Grant related his own experiences with trains and railroading from his youth through becoming the victor of the Civil War through stories and artifacts from the period.

  Serfass, from Bethlehem, PA, had a career as a US Marine from 1984 to 2004. He is a former reenactor and now a first-person impressionist with 52 years studying his hero, US Grant. As a full-time living history story-teller he presents from 11 to 20 programs monthly, February through December.

Winners of the Monthly Book Raffle for Preservation

Prizes for the Annual Preservation Raffle.

From the Brigade Commander ~ June 2026

I invite each of you to attend our June meeting dinner, annually dedicated to our organization’s founding father, George Seligman. It was George who molded a small group of then-mostly youngsters and taught them to become self-determined learners of the American Civil War and active supporters of related preservation and conservation activities. Visit page 2 of our June Newsletter for sign-up information.

Board members are mulling the possibility of hosting a second popup museum in Bethlehem—this time, during the summer months and, likely, Saturdays only. It’s still early days, but the building’s owners have already indicated willingness to donate the space. There’s plenty of discussion ahead, but I wanted you to know of this potential opportunity now. Expect more details soon.

We recently received an interesting request from Les Rolston, an author of three books about the Civil War—and a fourth in the works. His new book will be based on the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and he has asked for help regarding letters or diaries from members of the 13th you may have—or known to exist. He has promised to acknowledge all individuals who provide him with material he can use. Les can be reached by phone or email: 401 408 6472 or lesrol2@gmail.com.

Program chair Laura Kleinschmidt has nearly filled our speaker lineup for Campaign 49, which you’ll find on page 2 of the June Newsletter. Feel free to share this newsletter with friends or neighbors you think may have an interest in joining our Round Table in Campaign 49.

BARRY