Williamsburg Civil War Roundtable

The January speaker is Catherine M. Wright. Ms. Wright was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and grew up there and in Norfolk, Virginia. She is the editor of Lee’s Last Casualty: The Life and Letters of Sgt. Robert W. Parker, Second Virginia Cavalry (University of Tennessee Press, 2008) and is a contributing historian to the online Encyclopedia of Virginia. She was formerly the curator at the Stonewall Jackson House in Lexington, VA, and is currently the curator at The Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond.  The letters of Sgt. Robert W. Parker provide a window into the daily life of an enlisted cavalryman, as well as highlight the unique story of the soldier believed to be the last man killed in action in the Army of Northern Virginia. In many ways, Parker was representative of the average Confederate soldier: a modest farmer in the antebellum years, his patriotic fervor spurred him at the beginning of the war to enlist in the Confederate cavalry. His letters reveal how home front and battlefront were closely intertwined, and the importance of correspondence in sustaining that connection and the will to fight. The role of the cavalry and Parker's tragic death are also highlighted in the program.

We will meet in the Williamsburg Regional Library Theatre located at 515 Scotland St. in Williamsburg at 7 PM.

The December meeting featured two speakers:  Jack Tuttle, Williamsburg City Manager, on the Riverside Hospital development and the Williamsburg battlefield. The second speaker was our roundtable member Teresina Toepke presenting “Civil War Christmas:  In the Field and on the Home Front.

2011-2012 Officers WCWRT:

President:  John Marsh               Vice-President:  Gene Danko

Secretary:  Teri Teopke              Treasurer:  John Hale



The Executive Committee consists of the elected officers, the immediate past president and other members appointed by the incoming president. Those members will include Ken Sage, Dick Cooper,  Norman Cooper, and permanent member, Willard Gilley.

The Roundtable's fiscal year is from September through May. Member dues for the 2011-2012 year are payable in September ($25 for an individual or $30 for a family). Please plan to bring a check to WCWRT with you to our next meeting or mail to our Treasurer, John Hale at 2315 West Island Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

Upcoming Meetings and Speakers
The February 28th speaker is Patrick Schroeder who will discuss  Zoeaves- America's Forgotten  Soldiers 
The March 27th speaker is Scott Patchan author of "Shenandoah Summer: The 1864 Campaign"
The April 24th guest speakers are Norm Cooper and Bill Miller who will discuss the Peninsula Campaign.
The May 22nd guest speakers are Lisa and Sean Heuvel who will present William & Mary in the Civil War.

WEBSITE:  Be sure to frequently visit the site for newsletter info, announcements, future and past speakers, and an up to date calendar of events in the Civil War world.  It’s available anytime you need the info. http://www.wcwrt.org.