Upcoming CCWRT Program
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

February 2023 Roundtable Meeting: Dick Crews Debate – “Who was the best political general of the Civil War?”

The meeting will take place on February 8, 2023 beginning at 6:00 p.m. This will be an in-person meeting. The meeting will feature the Roundtable’s Dick Crews Debate. The topic is “Who was the best political general of the Civil War?”

According to available information, fewer than half of all the generals in the Union army during the Civil War were graduates of West Point. Because of a shortage of men to serve as generals, a number of men who lacked military training were given the rank of general. These generals are referred to as political generals, because they often received their rank due to political connections. Quite a few of these political generals, not surprisingly, proved to be inadequate – or worse. However, some of the political generals were effective and did well for the army in which they served.

The debaters and their choices for the debate are as follows.

Paul Burkholder: Benjamin Butler
Kent Fonner: John C. Breckinridge
Charles Patton: Edward Ferrero
Bob Pence: John A. Logan

Moderator: William Vodrey

Debaters will each make his case to the assembled multitude attending the February 2023 meeting. The order of debaters will be chosen by random draw that night. Each debater will speak for five minutes, take questions from the membership for another five minutes, and then take part in a general discussion/rebuttal opportunity with the other debaters. The winner, chosen by majority vote of members and guests attending, will, of course, receive fabulous prizes.

The February 2023 meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Independence (6001 Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio 44131). Reservations should be made by sending an email to the Roundtable’s reservation email account (ccwrtreserve@gmail.com) or by phoning 440-449-9311. Reservations must be made no later than seven days before the meeting (i.e., no later than February 1, 2023). When making a reservation, please include your name and the number and names of any guests. Please also indicate if you want the non-vegetarian or vegetarian meal. If a reservation needs to be canceled, it must be canceled no later than February 7, 2023. Dinner will be provided to anyone who has a reservation. The cost of dinner is $35 per person. Other details can be found on the Reservations web page by clicking on this link.

Roundtable Member Dennis Keating’s Presentation at the Westlake Porter Library

Roundtable member Dennis Keating gave a presentation on January 24, 2023 at the Westlake Porter Library. The title of Dennis’ presentation was Cleveland and the Civil War. Dennis recently published a book that is also titled Cleveland and the Civil War. Dennis spoke to an overflow crowd of at least 100. It was considered by all a wonderful evening as Dennis shared stories about three future U.S. presidents who were from our area and also shared stories about the men from Cleveland who went to war and the women who supported them.

Bob Pence, current Roundtable vice president, gave a plug for the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable at Dennis’ lead. Bob spread the word about our organization when Dennis asked Bob to say a few words about the Roundtable.

Congratulations, Dennis, on a very enjoyable, informative, and successful presentation.

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Click on the book link above to purchase Dennis’ book from Amazon. Part of the proceeds from any book purchased from Amazon through the CCWRT website is returned to the CCWRT to support its education and preservation programs.

January 2023 Charger Uploaded

The January 2023 issue of The Charger has been uploaded. It can be accessed by clicking on this link.

Latest History Brief (January 2023) Now Posted

Roundtable historian Dan Ursu’s January 2023 history brief has been posted. Dan’s latest history brief is President Lincoln on Emancipation Proclamation Day, January 1, 1863. The January history brief recounts Abraham Lincoln’s activities on the day that Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Dan’s history brief can be accessed by clicking on this link.

2023 Roundtable Field Trip: Warning Order (i.e., Save the Date)

Roundtable vice president Bob Pence has put together a superb itinerary for the 2023 field trip. The dates for the field trip are Thursday, September 21, 2023 to Sunday, September 24, 2023. The field trip will be to Manassas, Virginia to tour the battlefields of the First and Second Battles of Manassas (Bull Run). In addition to the battlefields of First and Second Manassas, other places that will be visited are the Manassas Visitor Center Museum, Liberia House (headquarters for General P.G.T. Beauregard), Mayfield Fort (a Confederate fortification that protected Manassas Junction from Union attack), and Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. A block of rooms with a group rate has been reserved at the Holiday Inn and Suites about a mile from the Manassas Battlefield Visitor Center. As with past field trips, Thursday and Sunday will be travel days to and from the field trip location, and Friday and Saturday will be used to tour the battlefields and related sites. Detailed information and a complete itinerary, including information about making a hotel reservation, can be found by clicking on this link. Anyone who is interested in the 2023 field trip should send an email to the Roundtable at clecwrt@gmail.com with your name, email address, and phone number so that you can receive updates about the trip. The Roundtable thanks Bob for organizing a great field trip for 2023.

2022-2023 Program Schedule Posted

Roundtable president Lily Korte has put together a superb program for the 2022-2023 season. Lily’s program includes a meeting on October 12, 2022 at the Western Reserve Historical society, where those who attend the meeting will be able to examine Civil War artifacts. The complete program for the 2022-2023 meetings can be accessed by clicking on this link.

Membership Roster and Contact Information

We have worked very hard to improve our membership database and contact information this year, but we know we probably have more work to do. Please be sure to keep us advised of changes in contact information by sending us the information at clecwrt@gmail.com. We monitor that email account on a regular basis, so this would be a big help in making sure we can keep you informed of group activities. If you want to see what has been posted on our Facebook page or Twitter account, you do not have to become a member of the Roundtable. Everyone is welcome to view our Facebook page and Twitter account. These can also be accessed by googling “Cleveland Civil War Roundtable” and either “Facebook” or “Twitter” and clicking on the appropriate link in the search results.