Chuck Seekamp on “The Iron Hat Brigade”

The Iron Hat Brigade was an infantry brigade in the Army of the Potomac made up of regiments from Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. The term “iron hat” referred to both the distinctive black hats they wore, and to their fighting prowess. They fought in the Second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, and suffered the highest casualty rates of any Civil War brigade.

Chuck Seekamp first became interested in history in the 8th grade, thanks to a good teacher. He is an active member of the National Civil War Association and the North Bay Civil War Round Table.

Mark Costin on “Confederate Campaign to Invade New Mexico, Battles of Valderde and Glorieta Pass”

The New Mexico campaign of 1862 was the only major Confederate campaign to expand the boarders of the Confederacy. Confederate Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley invaded the northern New Mexico Territory in an attempt to gain control of the Southwest, including the gold fields of Colorado and the ports of California. The talk will cover the campaign with particular attention to the two major battles of the invasion, the Battles of Valderde and Glorieta Pass.

Mark Costin is an engineer living in Sunnyvale, CA, working on functional safety for automated and autonomous vehicles. A long-time history buff, this is Mark’s third presentation the SBCWRT about the war in the Trans-Mississippi. He holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, an M.Eng from McMaster University, and a B.Eng from McGill University.

Tom Roza on “Wisconsin and the Civil War”

Every state in America came to be involved in the Civil War. In the years leading up to the Civil War, Wisconsin was strongly abolitionist. Then during the war, Wisconsin men and women made important military and economic contributions that became crucial to the Union winning the war. Tom Roza, a Wisconsin native, will retrace his home state’s history, then describe the part Wisconsin played in the Civil War.

Tom Roza has been a student of history for over 60 years. His interest in history in general and the Civil War began with his elementary education in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has evolved ever since. As an officer and the Secretary of the South Bay Civil War Roundtable, Tom has made numerous presentations on the topic of the Civil War to both his Roundtable organization and other historical organizations in the Bay Area. Tom is also a published author of the book entitled Windows to the Past: A Virginian’s Experience in the Civil War, which has been accepted by the Library of Congress into its Catalog; Tom is currently working on a sequel entitled Lost Cause – Justice Found.

Tom Roza on “Wisconsin and the Civil War”

(Tom’s presentation has been postponed until the September 20 meeting.)

Every state in America came to be involved in the Civil War. In the years leading up to the Civil War, Wisconsin was strongly abolitionist. Then during the war, Wisconsin men and women made important military and economic contributions that became crucial to the Union winning the war. Tom Roza, a Wisconsin native, will retrace his home state’s history, then describe the part Wisconsin played in the Civil War.

Tom Roza has been a student of history for over 60 years. His interest in history in general and the Civil War began with his elementary education in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has evolved ever since. As an officer and the Secretary of the South Bay Civil War Roundtable, Tom has made numerous presentations on the topic of the Civil War to both his Roundtable organization and other historical organizations in the Bay Area. Tom is also a published author of the book entitled Windows to the Past: A Virginian’s Experience in the Civil War, which has been accepted by the Library of Congress into its Catalog; Tom is currently working on a sequel entitled Lost Cause – Justice Found.

Abby Eller on “Canada and the Civil War”

It may surprise you to learn that our neighbor to the north was impacted by the Civil War and its aftermath in several different ways. Come join us at our July meeting and find out!

Abby Eller, an enthusiastic amateur history buff, is currently the president of the Peninsula Civil War Round Table. She is endlessly fascinated by how many ways the Civil War impacted not only the course of American history, but influenced the history of other countries as well.

Alan J. Sissenwein on “Judson ‘Kill Cavalry’ Kilpatrick: One of the Worst Civil War Generals”

The Civil War produced some of our nation’s greatest heroes. Union general Judson “Kill Cavalry” Kilpatrick, a cavalryman, was not one of them. As a battlefield commander he was abysmal; as a human being he was repugnant. Nevertheless he was part of Civil War history. Alan will chronicle the life and misdeeds of one of the Civil War’s worst generals and greatest scoundrels.

Alan Sissenwein has been a longtime active member, and is now vice president of, the South Bay Civil War Round Table. He is currently writing the second draft of a non-fiction book on the Battle of Fredericksburg.

Abby Eller on “Grant’s Memoirs”

Abby will describe how and why Ulysses S. Grant’s famous memoirs came to be written. The story behind Grant’s memoirs is sad, yet inspiring. The presentation will be followed by an auction of an original 1885 edition, in good condition, of both volumes of the memoirs. The bidding will start at $25 for both volumes. This is below current market value, to help make these obtainable to members who otherwise might not be able to afford them.

Abby Eller on “Salmon Chase: Lincoln’s Secretary of the Treasury”

During the Civil War, Chase introduced new financial measures designed to help pay for the war, that have greatly influenced the American financial system ever since. Not for nothing was a major nationwide bank named in his honor.

Joan Larrabee on “Mary Chesnut and Her Civil War Diary”

Joan, a longtime member of the Roundtable, will base her talk on the Pulitzer prizewinning edition of this famous diary by historian C. Vann Woodward.

Free Civil War media materials, including back issues of Civil War Times Illustrated, will be made available at the meeting.

Come Share Your Civil War Interest With Us

Civil War history interests so many people, for so many reasons. Are you interested in visiting historic sites or battlefield reenactments? Do you have family members who fought in the Civil War? Would you like to tell about your favorite movie, or book? Now’s your chance to share whatever interests you, with others who will be genuinely interested in what you have to say.

At this meeting, there will also be available free Civil War materials, including newspapers, magazines, and presentation materials on such topics as the Battle of Shiloh and Confederate generals.