Books: May 2009 Archives

Author Stephen V. Ash will discuss his latest book, Firebrand of Liberty: The Story of Two Black Regiments that Changed the Course of the Civil War, at the Friday, June 12, meeting of the Harrisburg Civil War Round Table. Ash's talk, entitled "Making War on Slavery: The Unknown Story of the Florida Expedition of 1863," focuses on the First and Second South Carolina Volunteer Infantry, the very first black regiments mustered into the Union army. Composed largely of the freed slaves,these regiments captured Jacksonville, Florida, in 1863 and helped convince Abraham Lincoln to expand the enlistment of African-Americans.

Ash is a professor of history at the University of Tennessee. Although a California native, he lived for many years in Pennsylvania. He received his undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Tennessee. His other books include When the Yankees Came: Conflict and Chaos in the Occupied South, 1861-1865 (1995); and A Year in the South: 1865: The True Story of Four Ordinary People Who Lived Through the Most Tumultuous Twelve Months in American History (2004).

The Harrisburg Civil War Round Table meets at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center, Camp Hill, PA, Camp Hill Bypass @ Routes 11&15. An informal reception starts at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner at 6:30. The cost of dinner is $20.00 and reservations must be made by no later than Tuesday, June 9, by calling 717-737-9064. The program begins at 8:00 PM and is free to the public.

Contact Douglas Gibboney, Publicity Chairperson, for further information at 717-243-1738.

Publisher Patrick Schroeder will be on hand for the May 14th Lancaster Civil War Round Table meeting to speak about his book, Thirty Myths about Lee's Surrender. Find out the facts about where Lee was heading with his army, losses at Sailor's Creek, the origins of the apple tree story, where the surrender actually took place, who accompanied Lee to the McLean House, who was present at the surrender meeting, Grant's uniform, George Armstrong Custer's role at Appomattox, the Confederate soldiers' return home, Lee's activities after the surrender, the buildings of Appomattox Court House, the wax figures, and all about Wilmer McLean and his house that was used for the surrender meeting.

The Lancaster Civil War Round Table will meet at the Lititz Public Library located at 651 Kissel Hill Road in Lititz at 7:00pm. Pre-registration is suggested by emailing your name, phone number and the number attending to srihn@lititzlibrary.org or call the library at 626-2255. If you have questions about the program, call Micky at 392-4976 or email lancastercivilwarroundtable@gmail.com.

These programs are free and open to the public.