This month’s meeting will feature our very own RCWRT member Griff Bartlett speaking about his great-grandfather’s experience during the war with the famed Washington Artillery of New Orleans.

Also, please be aware that we’ll also be setting aside time during the meeting to:

• Approve our amended By Laws
• Approve all memberships
• Elect a new set of officers and directors for the next two years

Also, take some time to read about the efforts of the Civil War Preservation Trust to help preserve an additional 240 acres of the Bentonville Battlefield.  For additional information about the fight to save these ground or to donate directly please click HERE.

Be sure to read up on July’s featured speaker, Gilbert ‘Skip’ Riddle, and his topic:  And what of the Wounded and Slain of the Battle of New Bern.  

Also, it looks like Bennett Place has reason to celebrate with recent additions in the museum (on loan) from the Bennett family dating to the time of the Surrender.

And please take notice that one of our very own members, Sandy Barnard, has published a book on Major Joel H. Elliott of the 7th Cavalry.

July Knapsack

Bylaws

Libby Prison Breakout by Joseph Wheelan

I dropped by Quail Ridge Books to pick up a Father’s Day present a week ago and I came across a new book by author Joseph Wheelen on a largely forgotten tidbit about the notorious Libby Prison in Richmond, VA. 

Turns out the author is coming to Quail Ridge Books this July 28th to speak on the subject.

Here’s hoping some of you can make it.

Event

We’ve got a good one tonight though with historian James Morgan on the Battle of Ball’s Bluff.  Come on out…

Knapsack

Ever the dedicated member, Charles has put together a list of local events to quell your Civil War needs for the month of April though:

Greetings, Fellow RCWRT Members:

Because my computer recently died and the newly purchased one has the same sickness, I am unable to prepare a newsletter this month. I apologize and will try to have an April / May newsletter with all of the usual information. In the meantime, here are some important dates and events:

April 10, Raleigh Occupied ~ A Living History. NC State Capitol; tours @ 10, 11, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30. Limited spaces available. Call 919 733-4994 for reservations & information.

April 12, GENERALS SHERMAN AND JOHNSTON MEET WITH THE RCWRT BEFORE GOING TO BENNETT PLACE. Regularly scheduled meeting at History Museum @ 7 o’clock.

April 24-25 Battle of Plymouth, Plymouth NC

May 1,  RCWRT FUNDRAISER FOR BIG BETHEL BATTLEFIELD PRESERVATION. A special RCWRT meeting on SATURDAY, MAY 1, @ 1:00. The speaker is John V. Quarstein. THERE WILL BE NO MONDAY NIGHT MEETING IN MAY.  More details soon. Call 919 847-8822 for more information.

May 1, Confederate Memorial Service, Oakwood Cemetery. 2 o’clock.

May 15,  NC Military Historical Society Meeting, History Museum, 9 o’clock. Free, but $5.00 for lunch; call 919 807-7952 for reservations & information. Program: Viet Nam Recalled. One of the speakers is RCWRT member Col. Richard Ripley, US Army, Retired.

Well it’s April… the start of campaign season.

There’s hardly a better time of year to hop in the car for a drive through southside Virginia in my opinion.  And though bittersweet for some of us Southerners, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is putting on quite a myriad of events the week of April 8th-12th.  Too much for me to list so please take a look at their events list if you’re interested (click the link below).

And if that’s not enough for you, the Park will be hosting reinacting activities the weekend of April 17th-18th with members of H. K. Burgwyn’s own 26th NC Infantry (reinactors of course) along with artillery and Federal infantry demonstrations as well as Civil War artifact displays.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

The 145th anniversary of the Battle of Bentonville is this coming week and the Bentonville Battlefield Historical Association, Inc. is planning quite a weekend of events.

Please note that this event is only held once every five years.