April Program Details - the Victorian Historian ~ Adam Shefts

 Historian Adam Shefts, AKA “The Victorian Historian”, presents his program of unique insights into the obscure history of America’s  19th and early 20th century.

Mr.Shefts, a Gettysburg area resident, has been an avid researcher of all things Victorian for as long as he can remember.  He created “The Victorian Historian” program in 2018, combining his interest in history and the unusual into an entertaining and educational multimedia program featuring short stories, rare images, audio, and live demonstrations.

He leads his audience through a blast to the past, working his way chronologically to reveal the origin of barbershop quartets, the story of Abraham Lincoln’s beard, the date of the very first camera selfie, and much more.

Adam has presented his program to a variety of organizations over the last several years, including The Gettysburg Heritage Center, The Fairfield Area (PA) Historical Society, the CWRT of South Central Connecticut, The Victorian Society at Falls Church, Virginia, The East Berlin (PA) Historical Preservation Society, and the North Haven (CT) Historical Society.

Also, Adam is the author of three books: “Games That Time Forgot” and “History’s Haunted Headlines”, parts one and two. Another book, “Dear Santa Claus” is on the way.

Partake in a one-of-a-kind journey into the unique, fascinating, and sometimes shocking facts, stories, and happenings to come out of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

March Meeting ~ Summary and Photos

Retired Temple Professor Andy Waskie spoke to the group in March about the long history of the GAR - Grand Army of the Republic. The premier veterans organization which formed following the end of the Civil War.

Open to any honorably discharged CW vet (without regard to race), this organization first sprang up in Illinois, and quickly thereafter in many states and regions.

Philadelphia alone had 36 groups, of which #1 was named for George Meade.

Waskie spoke of the influence of the GAR on monuments placement at Gettysburg; the institution of “Decoration Day” - now Memorial Day; the Pledge of Alliance, the National Anthem, and monuments through Philagelphia and across the country.

Claire updates us on the June 10th rip to Monocacy Battlefield and the Museum of Civil War Medicine and also announced a trip to Evergreen Cemetery on October 7th.

As usual, we also held our preservation book raffle - Winners shown below.

March 7th CWRT Presentation Details Announced

Join us on March 7th as retired Univ. of Temple professor and historian Andy Waskie shares his extensive knowledge about Civil War era veterans’ organizations and, specifically, the G.A.R.

Anthony Waskie, Ph.D. (‘Andy’)  Professor Waskie was born in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and pursued a Languages/History major at Bloomsburg University. He studied abroad at Salzburg, Austria, and Marburg, Germany; and received a scholarship to study Slavic Languages at Charles University, Prague. He received an M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from New York University. He performed duty with the Army in Germany and Army Reserves as an Army linguist. He became a teacher of languages and history at Pennsbury School District in Bucks County for 30 years, retiring in 1999 to accept a professorship at Temple University.
Waskie was an Associate Professor of Languages and History at Temple University. He retired after 20 years of service in July 2019.
He is a co-founder of the “Civil War & Emancipation Studies” Program at Temple (CWEST) in 2003.

As a Civil War historian, author and researcher specializing in Philadelphia, and historian of the life and career of Gen. George G. Meade, he seeks to promote the history of the Civil War Era and of the city. 
He is a member of the Union League of Philadelphia. Waskie serves as president of the General Meade Society of Philadelphia, and as a Board member of several history related institutions and organizations.

From the Brigade Commander ~ March 2023

More good news from the American Battlefield Trust (ABT). In consideration of our loyal and generous support of battlefield preservation efforts, the CWRT of Eastern Pa., Inc. will remain among ABT a 25-year member in good standing. Receiving this accolade couldn’t have happened without people like you; thanks once again for your continuing support.

We’ve got what I think will be another great lecture coming up next month. Dr. Andy Waskie, who guided last year’s Philadelphia field trip to Laurel Hill Cemetery and The Union League of Philadelphia, will share his extensive knowledge of Civil War era veterans’ organizations, with a focus on the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R). Dr. Waskie is a highly credentialed historian, especially on the subject of the Civil War, and I’m really looking forward to hearing what he has to share with us. Hope to see many of you there.

Inside the March newsletter, you’ll notice that the literary logjam seems to have finally broken up—we found 19 Civil War books scheduled to release in March! You’ll find the list on page 7. Inside, you’ll also find behind-the-scenes tidbits and retrospective thoughts related to the Battle of Pea Ridge, which took place this month in 1863.

PLUS - check out the preliminary details about our planned June field trip to Frederick, Maryland, and more.

BARRY

February Meeting ~ Summary and Photos

John Griffiths III portrayed General Daniel E. Sickles at our February 2023 Roundtable meeting. Involved in historical presentations from an early age, Griffiths spoke of Sickles personal history, including his 31 day trial for murder of the Washington city district attorney who was having an affair with his wife. 

He became a US Representative to Congress and during the war he led the Excelsior brigade, composed primarily of volunteers recruits from the NYC area. They fought in a number of key battles as part of the Army of the Potomac, including Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg.

Sickles was the highest ranking volunteer commander, leading the Third Corps. He ends up occupying the Peach Orchard and Devil’s Den, and would be wounded at Gettysburg, losing his right leg to a 12 pound canon ball.

Below are pictured:
1) Winners from our monthly preservation book raffle,
2) Barry Arnold and Dennis Harris, both of the 1st Cav with General Sickles, and
3) General Sickles (John Griffith III being presented with a check by Laura Kleinschmidt.

February 7th Presentation Announced ~ An Evening with Devil Dan

Major General Dan Sickles: An Evening with Devil Dan; the American Scoundrel and Sickles the incredible presented by John Griffiths III

Devil’s Den a Long Time Ago JWG, Rob, Amy, Sue

John Griffiths III has been portraying General Daniel E. Sickles since 2015.  Raised in a family that appreciated history, he has been involved in historical presentations from an early age.  He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History (cum laude) from Norwich University (the Military college of Vermont) and holds a Master’s degree in Colonial American and Military History from the University of South Carolina.

Brendan Erin JW at Sharpshooter 2 Den May 2011

He retired from the U.S. Army as a Major in the Infantry and attended the U.S. Airborne and Ranger School, as well as British Airborne School. His grandfather John W. Griffiths served in WWII as the First Sergeant in the 88th Infantry Division Reconnaissance Platoon in Italy in 1944-45.  His Grand Uncle served in the Navy during WWII and participated in the Allied invasion of Southern France in 1944. His father was drafted during the Korean War era and served in a Mobile Petroleum Pipeline unit.  John Griffiths‘ two sons are also serving in the military. His son John William Griffiths IV is currently on active duty at Fort Bragg and his youngest son Brendan is attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy where he will be commissioned in the U.S. Navy as an Ensign upon graduation.

John Griffiths has been a member of the Confederation of Union Generals since 2013 and is currently the chairman of the organization’s Historic Preservation Committee.   He is featured in two television presentations for PCN television in Pennsylvania and the U.S. Customs Service and regularly gives presentations to local school groups.

From the Brigade Commander - February 2023

Great news!

The Winter, 2023, issue of “Hallowed Grounds” is out and, once again, the CWRT of Eastern Pennsylvania, Inc. is listed among the American Battlefield Trust’s Top 300 Donors at the $75,000 mark. We are making a real and lasting impact in the ongoing effort to honor our nation’s past by saving historical landscapes and open spaces. Our efforts represent a legacy that we and the Round Table members who came before us have left, and are leaving, for present and future generations. Congratulations ... and many thanks!

Look inside the February Newsletter for information about a February 7th visit by none other than the controversial “Devil Dan” Major General Daniel Sickles, who the New York Times once referred to as “the man who got away with everything.”

You’ll also find news about upcoming several Civil War events and more.

Barry

January Meeting - Summary and Photos

On Tuesday January 3, 2023, author and historian Eric Buckland gave a fascinating presentation called “Mosby’s Rangers, A Fiery Fall” on some of the operations of Mosby’s Rangers, a group of “partisan” fighters for the Confederacy. “Partisan Rangers” were those authorized by the CSA to engage the enemy but also allowed to keep or sell plunder from their activities against the enemy.

Speaking without notes, Buckland, told of a number of raids, including the surprise attack on the Berryville Wagon Train, where the rangers captured 500 mules, 30 horses, 200 cattle, 200 prisoners, and destroyed 75 wagons. They suffered 2 fatalities and 3 wounded.

During the “Greenback Raid” Mosby’s Rangers captured $176,000 Yankee greenbacks, which were divided among the men.

Buckland spoke of the execution of 6 Rangers in Front Royal and the subsequent “Death Lottery” conducted on November 6, 1864 by the Rangers, where 29 captured union troops which told to draw slips of paper out of a hat and the 7 marked with an X were to be executed in retaliation.

  Buckland has written several books about the lives of some of the men who rode with the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry – Mosby’s Rangers and  has given over 100 presentations about the stories in his books. He has  appeared on C-Span and had two articles published in America’s Civil War magazine.  

<——- In addition to the presentation we also held the usual book raffle for preservation, and a special print raffle featuring Mosby’s Rangers. (below)