“Civil War Trailblazers and Troublemakers”
Presented by Dr. Gene Schmiel
FRIDAY, Mar 22, 2024, 10:30AM, LOWA Clubhouse
RECORDED PROGRAM: CLICK HERE
War has strange bedfellows. It often brings forth the best and the worst in a society: the brave and the cowardly; the patriots and the traitors; the humanitarians and the exploiters; the leaders and those who fail at leadership; and most definitely the trailblazers and the troublemakers. The Civil War was no exception. In fact, it had more than its share of trailblazers and troublemakers, probably because it was so unexpected, so stressful, and so transformative of American society. Among those to be discussed in this program, some well known and some not so much, are Thaddeus Lowe and his observation balloons; Jonathan Letterman, a pioneer in modern medicine; Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad; Montgomery Meigs, the greatest unsung hero; Thomas Nast and the power of the press; Tennessee guerrillas Champ Ferguson and Tinker Dave Beatty, and many others.
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ANNUAL DINNER
“The Hell Where Youth and Laughter Go: Memories of The Wilderness”
Presented by John Michael Priest
FRIDAY, May 3, 2024, LOWA Clubhouse, 5:30 – 9:00 PM
FOR BUFFET MENU & RESERVATION FORM: CLICK HERE
U.S. Grant’s Overland Campaign, foretold of the horrors of World War I replete with trench warfare, prearranged fields of fire, massive and costly charges known as “forlorn hopes.” I write about battles from the perspectives of the ranks. The Wilderness, like all battles, scarred the minds of the men who fought them with indelible Dantean nightmares, many of which we will never learn about. War is personal. It is something which ages the participants beyond their years. Memories of the Wilderness offers a kaleidoscopic and chaotic view into the minds of the men who endured it. Individuals like Maj. Thomas Hyde (7th Maine) and Capt. Z. Boylston Adams (56th Massachusetts) left behind accounts of very close encounters with death. Brigadier General Joseph Bartlett, literally had the “ride of his life” in Saunders Field. General James Longstreet experienced the oxymoronic “friendly fire” and lived to write about it. Private John King (25th Virginia) chose common sense over heroics, which saved his life. Capt. John F. E. Plogsted (49th New York) mistakenly leaned against the wrong tree. Their stories and the others included in this presentation reconstruct the horrendous inhumane two day engagement where time stopped and minutes seemed like hours. Few monument stud the battlefield. For the survivors the ground itself and the surviving earthworks are the cenotaphs for those who never left “Virginia’s bloody soil.”
“United States Colored Troops at Wilderness: A Demographic Profile”
Presented by Charles Brewer
FRIDAY, FEB 23, 2024, LOWA Clubhouse
RECORDED PROGRAM: CLICK HERE
United States Colored Troops joined the Army of the Potomac for the first time during Grant’s Overland Campaign, which started right here with the Battle of the Wilderness in early May 1864. This talk will attempt to give an overview of these USCT troops: ages; birthplaces; places of muster; occupations upon enlistment; etc. In addition, a few relevant stories will be shared.
looking towards future programs,
or Missed a program?
Since November 2020, meeting via Zoom, we have been able to record speaker presentations. Please go to our PROGRAMS page to find the links to the recordings. CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO VISIT OUR PROGRAMS PAGE TO SEE A LIST OF FUTURE (OR PAST) PROGRAMS:
“… the Battle of the Wilderness: …arguably, … the most important battle in the Civil War.
- Edwin C. Bearss, National Park Service Chief Historian Emeritus
May 9, 2014 at Hanover Tavern, VA
Let us introduce ourselves:
The Civil War Study Group at Lake of the Woods, Virginia, is dedicated to historical research, preservation, and education of the public on historic events in Orange County, Virginia and the surrounding area during the American Civil War. We have no dues, no membership roster, no requirements to attend meetings or volunteer for any of our projects. We hope you’ll join us in our mission to tell the story of the May 1864 Battle of the Wilderness, as well as other tales of the Civil War here in the historic Piedmont of Virginia.