Kentucky in the Civil War: 150 Books for the 150th Anniversary

LCWRT Publishes Kentucky in the Civil War: 150 for the 150th 

We are proud to announce a new publication from the Louisville Civil War Round Table: An up to date
bibliography of the 150 best books on Kentucky’s participation in the Civil War. “Kentucky in the Civil War:
150 for the 150th” is the product of over a year’s research and work by several members of a specially
formed committee dedicated to producing this book. Each listing is annotated for a better understanding of
content. The book covers several categories of subject matter and also contains a list of reference material,
bibliographies and fiction.

We hope this will be a valuable guide for anyone interested in Civil War Kentucky and that every member will purchase a copy for themselves or as a gift, as this is an important fundraiser for your Round Table. We also recommend telling your friends.
 
The book is a limited edition soft cover of 48 pages and retails for $12.50 plus $2.50 shipping. (LCWRT can purchase the book for $7.50 plus $2.50 shipping).
Anyone having suggestions for additions to  the list please email full bibliographic information to : musicalnorvelle@bellsouth.net.
 
For information or to order copies please call Norvelle Wathen at 502-339-9000.

LCWRT to open 2012-13 Meeting Season

The first speaker of the 21012 - 13 year  will be outgoing LCWRT President Chris Kolakowski. He will be speaking on  “The Fall of 1862: The Union in Crisis”.  Chris is the The last 4 months of 1862 (August-December) proved to be one of the great turning points in United States history. During this period the Confederacy mounted major offensives East and West, and the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation forever changed the Civil War's objectives. Winter campaigns in December produced nearly uniform Federal reverses, prompting President Lincoln to state "if there is hell, I am in it." Hindsight has diminished appreciation for the low ebb of Union fortunes in December 1862, especially with the failures outside Vicksburg and Fredericksburg. In the wake of several electoral reverses for Lincoln that fall and with emancipation set for January 1, 1863, serious political fissures had opened in the North. What turned this situation around was the victory at Stones River over the year's turn. The talk will examine this period and the various events that influenced the outcome of this first great test of Union resolve.

Christopher L. Kolakowski was born and raised in Fredericksburg, Va. He received his BA in History and Mass Communications from Emory & Henry College, and his MA in Public History from the State University of New York at Albany. Chris has spent his career interpreting and preserving American military history with the National Park Service, New York State government, the Rensselaer County (NY) Historical Society, the Civil War Trust, and the Army Reserve. From 2005-2008 Chris was Executive Director of the Perryville Enhancement Project; during his tenure he added 152 acres of critical battlefield land and increased Perryville's national profile. He has written and spoken on the Civil War, American Revolution, Napoleonic Wars, and both World Wars. In 2009 the History Press published his first book, "The Civil War at Perryville: Battling For the Bluegrass", and, in 2011, its sequel "The Stones River and Tullahoma Campaigns: This Army Does Not Retreat." Kolakowski currently serves as Director of the General George Patton Museum in Fort Knox, Ky. In 2012 the U.S. Army will publish his volume on the 1862 Virginia Campaigns as part of its sesquicentennial series on the Civil War.  Chris has been a member of our Round Table for a number of years and has served as tour guide, Board of Directors member, and President.  

Bits and Pieces

The LCWRT just returned from the Spring Field Trip, this year to Shiloh National Battlefield Park, and in an apropos moment, The Civil War Trust is focusing on land preservation there in this 150th anniversary year of the battle. For more on ongoing land preservation and a chance to donate : Civil War Trust 

And for new fun at the CWT: Battle of Shiloh Animated Map 

There was a great feature on Parks Day Volunteers at Fort Duffield in West Point,Ky in the Louisville Courier Journal on April 13, 21012 with loads of photos here.

For more on the history of Fort Duffield , this is a good website: Hardin County History

LCWRT Announces 2011 - 2012 Preservation Grant Recipient

The Louisville Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2011 - 2012 LCWRT Preservation Grant will be the Battle of Richmond Association. BORA will use the grant to purchase interpretive signage for the Churchill's Draw area in the Madison County Battlefield Park. This is where undetected units of Texas dismounted cavalry, Arkansas infantry and Arkansas artillery under the command of CSA Brig. Gen Thomas J. Churchill  emerged on the right flank of Union Brig.Gen. Mahlon D. Manson's divisions and ended the first phase of the Battle of Richmond at Mount Zion Church on Aug. 30, 1862.  Dr. Paul Rominger will be attending the May Meeting to receive the grant.

 Brig. Gen Thomas J. Churchill, CSA ( 1824 - 1905)

Click on the link for more on The Battle of Richmond, KY and BORA
Click here for more on Thomas J. Churchill

Louisville and Louisvillians During and After the War

Fourth Conference on the History of Louisville, Kentucky, and the Ohio River Valley in the Civil War— "Louisville and Louisvillians During and After the War."

March 8th and 9th, 2012, at the University of Louisville's Chao Auditorium, Ekstrom Library, Lower Level West.

The conference will start with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a. m. on March 8th and 9th and continue until around 3:30 p. m. each day. There will also be a panel discussion on Lincoln and the Constitution at 5:00 p. m. on March 8, followed by dinner at the Frazier History Museum and a chance to see "My Brother, My Enemy. The cost is $65 and includes 2 continental breakfasts, one lunch and dinner.

To register call Janna Tajibaeva at 502-852-2247 or email Janna at janna.tajibaeva@louisville.edu

Some of the speakers are: Nikki Taylor, University of Cincinnati; Glenn Crothers, U of L; Anne Marshall, Mississippi State University; Luke Harlow, Oakland University; Carol Janney, Purdue University; Barbara Gannon, University of Central Florida; Mary Jean Wall, University of Kentucky; Mark Wetherington, Filson Historical Society; and Joe Reinhart, (LCWRT member and Webmaster) independent.

150th Anniversary of U.S. Civil War at Fort Duffield Nov. 6, 2011

From our Friends at Fort Duffield in West Point, KY: 

This year marks the 150th Anniversary of the construction of U.S. Civil War Fort Duffield. On Sunday, November 6, 2011, a special commemoration program will take place as part of the four year long Civil War Sesquicentennial taking place across the country.

Fort Duffield was built in the fall of 1861 to protect Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman's supply base in West Point at the confluence of the Salt and Ohio Rivers.

Re-enactors will set up camp on the hallowed grounds of Kentucky's largest and best-preserved Civil War earthen fortification which sits 300 feet above the small river town of West Point, in Northern Hardin County, Kentucky just across the Jefferson County line off U.S. Hwy 31W/Dixie Hwy.

The sounds of muskets and cannon will once again echo across the hills and across the Ohio River into Southern Indiana.

Events will open at noon with the posting of the colors by the 9th Michigan Vol Inf Re-enactors.

Local Historian Richard Briggs and members of the Fort Duffield Heritage Committee will share the rich history of this nearly forgotten Civil War site. Visitors will learn about the construction of the fort, the 61 soldiers who died at West Point and how the Civil War impacted the people of this small river town.

This intimate living history event offers visitors a unique opportunity to talk with re-enactors and local historians."

150th Anniversary of U.S. Civil War Fort Duffield
Sunday, November 6, 2011
12 Noon - 4 PM

Schedule:
12 Noon - Opening Ceremonies
1 PM - Skirmish
1:30 - 2:30
Commemorative Program
3 PM - Skirmish

$3.00 per person or $7.00 per family (parents and all children under age 18)


Fort Duffield is an all volunteer historic site and park with no paid staff.
All proceeds benefit the continuing restoration, maintenance and interpretation of Fort Duffield.

Directions:
The entrance to Fort Duffield is on Dixie Highway (U.S. 31W) at Salt River Dr. just 7.5 miles south of the Gene Snyder Freeway (Hwy 841) and 9 miles north of the main entrance to Fort Knox.

Shuttle service is available for those unable to walk the 1/4 mile trail to the fort.

Take a virtual tour of Fort Duffield on line at www.fortduffield.com

For information or to arrange group tours, contact: Fort Duffield Heritage Committee (502) 922-4574 or FortDuffield@insightbb.com  

Visit historic West Point, Kentucky on line at www.westpointky.org

New book on The Stones River and Tullahoma Campaigns is Coming

A heads up for those of you who want to read up on the Army of the Cumberland, William Rosecranz, and the Civil War in Tennessee. We are pleased to note that current LCWRT President Chris Kolakwoski's second  book, The Stones River and Tullahoma Campaigns: This Army Does Not Retreat is now available for pre order on Amazon.com. 

From alibris.com: " After the Battle of Perryville in October 1862, the focus of the Civil War in the West shifted back to Tennessee. The Union Army of the Cumberland regrouped in Nashville, while the Confederate Army of Tennessee camped 30 miles away in Murfreesboro. On December 26 the Federals marched southward and fought a three-day brawl at Stones River with their Confederate counterparts. The Confederates withdrew, and both armies spent the winter and spring harassing each other and regrouping for the next round. In the Confederate camp, dissention corroded the army's high command. The book will use letters, reports, memoirs, and other primary sources to tell the story of the battles for Middle Tennessee in late 1862 and 1863. The critical engagement at Stones River (by percentage of loss the Civil War's bloodiest battle) and the masterful Tullahoma operation will receive detailed attention "

Chris currently the Director at General George Patton Museum, and formerly the Chief Curator at National Museum of the Army Reserve,Executive Director at Perryville Enhancement Project and Policy & Transportation Coordinator at Civil War Preservation Trust.