CWRTDC'S PREVIOUS MEETING

AT FORT MYER AND VIA ZOOM


"The Grand Review of 1861" 

presentation by

KIM HOLIEN

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

in the Abrams/Chaffee Room

at Patton Hall Officers' Club / Community Club at Fort Myer,

214 Buffalo Soldier Avenue

(formerly at 214 Jackson Avenue)

Arlington, VA  22211

(take the elevator to the right as you enter the building and press Floor 2 or

take the stairs to up two levels) 


(See Below for Schedule for Zoom Attendees)
5:45 pm ET: Social Period at Club for In-Person Attendees (cash bar)
6:30 pm ET: Start of Meeting/Introductions
6:45 pm ET: Start of Mini-Presentation with John Sower
7:00 pm ET: Start of Speaker Presentation and Q&A
8:30 pm ET: Meeting Adjourned

TO MAKE AND PAY FOR RESERVATIONS,

USE THE MODULE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS WEBPAGE

https://cwrtdc-meetings.blogspot.com/ 


 

If you have any problems making reservations online or would like to know about alternatives to making reservations or payments online, please email admin@cwrtdc.org.

Non-CWRTDC members must make reservations and remit payment online

 

Unfortunately, cancellations after the due date are non-refundable, as the CWRTDC must pay for the number of dinners ordered regardless of the actual attendance)

 

Attendees will need to enter For Myer by following the instructions  available by clicking HERE

(also see directions here) or (download them in pdf here)

Interactive Public Transportation Options are HERE


OR JOIN US VIA ZOOM

Schedule for Zoom/Remote Attendees:
6:00 pm ET: Zoom Platform Opens for Remote Social Period (Optional)
6:30 pm ET: Start of Meeting/Introductions
6:45 pm ET: Start of Mini-Presentation with John Sower
7:00 pm ET: Start of Speaker Presentation and Q&A
8:30 pm ET: Meeting Adjourned

Any questions or problems, contact paul.mazzuca@gmail.com    

Zoom Meeting URL: 
Or point your browser to the following link and use the Meeting ID and passcode shown below:
Zoom "Join A Meeting" Page: https://zoom.us/join
Zoom Meeting ID: 834 1270 9960
Zoom Passcode: Zoom1861

Or dial in by your location:
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Phone Meeting ID: 834 1270 9960
Phone Passcode: 81302104

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdSroe6qvY
For a cheat sheet on how to use Zoom's control features click HERE

About the Topic:

Following the rout of the Union Army at Bull Run on July 21, 1861, the Confederate Army advanced far into Northern Virginia planting the Stars and Bars flag atop Munson's Hill just west of Bailey's Crossroads. Just six miles away, President Lincoln could see the flag by going to the roof of the White House using a high powered naval telescope. In addition, the Confederates had blockaded the Potomac River for a stretch of 35 miles! Then came the Union army disaster on October 21st, at Ball's Bluff, just 35 miles upriver from Washington. This was shortly followed by the Trent Affair, which caused some 10,000 British Regulars to sail to Canada. At the same time France was preparing to send an expeditionary force to take over Mexico. Luckily for President Lincoln, the Confederate General Joe Johnson retreated, and the Union forces took over Munson's Hill. 

On November  20, 1861, General George McClellan held a Grand Review of the newly christened Army of the Potomac consisting of some 70,000 Soldiers. In attendance were President Lincoln, the Diplomatic Corps, some 30,000 spectators from Washington, and a lady named Julia Ward Howe. It is the largest review ever held in the Western Hemisphere. From it, and a smaller dry run held a few days earlier near present day 7 Corners, came "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." As General William Averill would write: "In the realization of all observers, the Army was born that day."


About the Speaker:

Kim Bernard Holien was born in an Army Hospital and raised in an old Army family. From 1975-87 he was an active member of the Civil War Round Table of the District of Columbia, serving as President from 1986-7, during which he integrated the Round Table for women to join, which created great hostility from certain members.

Kim served 41 years in Federal Service in 6 agencies, 4 of which were Top Secret positions. From 1979-2013 he was an Army Historian. For his work there, he received personal commendations from President Reagan, Secretary of Defense Weinberger, Secretary of the Army Marsh, two Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, three Chiefs of Staff of the Army. He also received over 140 awards. 

Kim was the civilian Historian for Helicopter Staff Rides for the Secretary of the Army and Army General Staff from the Pentagon to Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Cedar Creek, New Market, and 2nd Manassas. He participated in the CW Centennial and narrated the 125th anniversary reenactments of 1st Bull Run, Balls Bluff, Gettysburg, New Market, and Monocacy. He also narrated the 150th anniversary of 1st Manassas. 

Kim wrote the first book Battle at Balls Bluff which was used by Ed Bearss to assist Mrs. Reagan in preserving the battlefield from development. His work in battlefield preservation goes back to the 1970s and involves Manassas, Chantilly, Balls Bluff, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields, and Ft. Ward. Kim is a 1981 founding member of the Friends of Ft. Ward.         


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