CWRT-DC's Next Meeting:
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Ft. McNair Officers' Club, Washington D.C. (see map here)
6 pm: Social Hour (cash bar)
7 pm: Dinner ($30 for dinner and lecture)
8 pm: Lecture ($5 for lecture only)
7 pm: Dinner ($30 for dinner and lecture)
8 pm: Lecture ($5 for lecture only)
Reservations required: Call (703) 578-1942
TOPIC:
"The Battle of Chattanooga"
After being defeated by the Confederates at Chickamauga, General Rosecrans and the Army of the Cumberland withdrew to Chattanooga surrounded by Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee. The Confederates held the high ground of Lookout Mountain to the southwest and Missionary Ridge to the east.
When Grant was placed in command of the armies in the west, Rosecrans was relieved of command. Major General George Thomas was placed in command of the Army of the Cumberland and plans were put into place to break out of Chattanooga.
Ed Bearss will take us through the events of 150 years ago at Chattanooga, including the dramatic assault on Missionary Ridge, that led to Bragg’s forces retreating and opened up the way to Georgia. Grant’s success would also get him noticed in Washington and lead to his promotion to lieutenant general and command of the Armies of the United States.
Biography:
Ed Bearss, an honorary lifetime member of the CWRTDC, is universally regarded as the unsurpassed tour guide of Civil War battlefields, no doubt in part because he has visited almost every battlefield in the country . . . and many multiple times.
Ed is the author or editor of numerous books and articles, including the definitive three volume series, The Vicksburg Campaign, and has been featured in many documentaries and television programs. He is a tireless advocate of Civil War preservation, donating his time to many organizations and activities involved with that mission including his service on the board of the Civil War Trust. Among his countless accolades and honors are the Bruce Catton Award, the Distinguished Service Award from the Department of Interior, and a Commendation from the Secretary of the Army. Since 2005, our Round Table has recognized Ed’s contributions by making an annual "Ed Bearss Award" to a preservation cause of his choosing.
Ed has worked as a historian at Vicksburg National Military Park where he co-conducted research that found the long-lost Union gunboat, U.S.S. Cairo. He also located two forgotten forts at Grand Gulf, Mississippi. Ed rose within the National Park Service (NPS) to the post of regional historian and was recognized as more knowledgeable on the Civil War battlefields than virtually anyone else. During his time with the NPS, Ed led efforts to research, preserve, and interpret Pea Ridge, Wilson’s Creek, Fort Smith, Stones River, Fort Donelson, the battlefields around Richmond, Fort Moultrie and Fort Point among many others.
Ed was named Chief Historian of the National Park Service in 1981, a position he held until 1994. He also served as special assistant to the NPS director from 1994 to 1995. After his retirement in 1995, he received the title Chief Historian Emeritus, which he holds to this day.
Ed, who turns 90 next year, continues to lead tours traveling around the United States, the Pacific, and Europe. I can personally attest to the report that " he routinely outpaces his much younger guests in charging over rough terrain, recreating the color of famous infantry and cavalry attacks." Ed indeed demonstrates his conviction that "You can't describe a battlefield unless you walk it!"
______________________________________________
For additional information about his presentation, download CWRTDC's October 2012 newsletter available by clicking here: cwrtdc-newsletters. For information about the Round Table and to apply for membership, visit http://www.cwrtdc.org/
TOPIC:
"The Battle of Chattanooga"
After being defeated by the Confederates at Chickamauga, General Rosecrans and the Army of the Cumberland withdrew to Chattanooga surrounded by Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee. The Confederates held the high ground of Lookout Mountain to the southwest and Missionary Ridge to the east.
When Grant was placed in command of the armies in the west, Rosecrans was relieved of command. Major General George Thomas was placed in command of the Army of the Cumberland and plans were put into place to break out of Chattanooga.
Ed Bearss will take us through the events of 150 years ago at Chattanooga, including the dramatic assault on Missionary Ridge, that led to Bragg’s forces retreating and opened up the way to Georgia. Grant’s success would also get him noticed in Washington and lead to his promotion to lieutenant general and command of the Armies of the United States.
Biography:
Ed Bearss, an honorary lifetime member of the CWRTDC, is universally regarded as the unsurpassed tour guide of Civil War battlefields, no doubt in part because he has visited almost every battlefield in the country . . . and many multiple times.
Ed is the author or editor of numerous books and articles, including the definitive three volume series, The Vicksburg Campaign, and has been featured in many documentaries and television programs. He is a tireless advocate of Civil War preservation, donating his time to many organizations and activities involved with that mission including his service on the board of the Civil War Trust. Among his countless accolades and honors are the Bruce Catton Award, the Distinguished Service Award from the Department of Interior, and a Commendation from the Secretary of the Army. Since 2005, our Round Table has recognized Ed’s contributions by making an annual "Ed Bearss Award" to a preservation cause of his choosing.
Ed has worked as a historian at Vicksburg National Military Park where he co-conducted research that found the long-lost Union gunboat, U.S.S. Cairo. He also located two forgotten forts at Grand Gulf, Mississippi. Ed rose within the National Park Service (NPS) to the post of regional historian and was recognized as more knowledgeable on the Civil War battlefields than virtually anyone else. During his time with the NPS, Ed led efforts to research, preserve, and interpret Pea Ridge, Wilson’s Creek, Fort Smith, Stones River, Fort Donelson, the battlefields around Richmond, Fort Moultrie and Fort Point among many others.
Ed was named Chief Historian of the National Park Service in 1981, a position he held until 1994. He also served as special assistant to the NPS director from 1994 to 1995. After his retirement in 1995, he received the title Chief Historian Emeritus, which he holds to this day.
Ed, who turns 90 next year, continues to lead tours traveling around the United States, the Pacific, and Europe. I can personally attest to the report that " he routinely outpaces his much younger guests in charging over rough terrain, recreating the color of famous infantry and cavalry attacks." Ed indeed demonstrates his conviction that "You can't describe a battlefield unless you walk it!"
______________________________________________
For additional information about his presentation, download CWRTDC's October 2012 newsletter available by clicking here: cwrtdc-newsletters. For information about the Round Table and to apply for membership, visit http://www.cwrtdc.org/
