We are pleased to present the 2025-2026 Cleveland Civil War Roundtable program schedule. This year’s program contains an interesting mix of published authors and scholars as well as some members of our Roundtable. This year’s speakers will discuss a variety of topics related to the Civil War.
More information about the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable can be found on the About Us web page.
CLEVELAND CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE 2026-2027 PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Location of the Meetings:
Holiday Inn, 6001 Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio 44131
We anticipate that all of the 2026-2027 meetings will be held in person.
September 9, 2026
“A Civil War Road Trip of a Lifetime”
Speaker: John Banks
Over more than a year, John Banks crisscrossed the country exploring battlefields, historic houses, forts, and more. He rode on the back of an ATV with his “psychotic connection” in Mississippi, went under the spell of an amateur hypnotist at a U.S. Army fort in Tennessee, admired a sunset from the grounds of the notorious Andersonville prison camp in Georgia, prayed during a tense boat ride in Charleston Harbor in South Carolina, and briefly interviewed Louie the wild boar in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Join him on a road trip like no other.
John Banks is author of A Civil War Road Trip of a Lifetime, Connecticut Yankees at Antietam, and Hidden History of Connecticut Union Soldiers. His work has been featured in such notable publications as The New York Times, Civil War Times, Civil War Monitor, Civil War News, America’s Civil War, and Military Images. Banks and his friend Tom McMillan, a historian, author, and former journalist, co-host “The Antietam and Beyond Podcast.” Banks attended Mount Lebanon (Pennsylvania) High School and graduated from West Virginia University (BA in Journalism). A longtime journalist (The Dallas Morning News, ESPN, The History Channel), he is secretary-treasurer of The Center for Civil War Photography.
September 17-20, 2026
Annual Field Trip – Shenandoah Valley: Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign
The Roundtable’s 2026 field trip is to the Shenandoah Valley to study Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign. A block of rooms has been reserved, and the itinerary has some very enticing activities on it. As of now, the following activities have been scheduled for the 2026 field trip: the First Battle of Kernstown, the Battle of Front Royal, the First Battle of Winchester, the Battle of Cross Keys, and the Battle of Port Republic. Check back for updates. A downloadable PDF containing information about the hotel, the tentative itinerary, and information about signing up for the field trip can be found by clicking on this link.
October 14, 2026
“The Dawes Brothers”
Speaker: Steve Magnusen
Rufus Dawes is well-known among Civil War historians and authors because of his classic memoir, Service with the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers. Rufus served heroically in the Union’s famous “Iron Brigade.” His younger brother Ephraim served as an officer with the 53rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the Western Theater, and although mentioned by Rufus in his memoir, Ephraim is much lesser known. Yet both Ohio brothers from historic Marietta, Ohio served with distinction during and after the war. Preserved letters and battlefield recollections provide never-before-revealed details of their experiences. This presentation will highlight their significant battlefield and post-war contributions to America.
Steve Magnusen is past president and program chair for the Indianapolis Civil War Round Table. He is a past board member for the Society for Women in the Civil War (SWCW). Over two years of research into the previously unknown and remarkable story of Rufus Dawes and Mary Gates led to his first book, To My Best Girl. Steve has also written articles for Gettysburg and America’s Civil War magazines. He is a native of Indiana, but his professional career as a municipal engineer was in north suburban Chicago. He has presented the Dawes story to numerous organizations and maintains close relationships with a number of very supportive Dawes descendants. Steve’s book, The Dawes Brothers in Battle, is pending publication in 2026.
November 11, 2026
“After Gettysburg: Race to the Potomac – Meade’s Pursuit and Lee’s Retreat”
Brad Gottfried
The nation held its breath for eleven days after the Battle of Gettysburg. Would Meade be able to destroy Lee’s beaten army, or would it escape to Virginia to fight another day? Would Lee’s wagon trains, filled with supplies and the wounded, safely reach the Potomac River despite the marauding Union cavalry? This stimulating presentation follows the activities and exploits of each army as they made their way to the Potomac River after the battle. The presentation will also consider whether Meade was too slow, whether Lee conducted an effective retreat, and whether Lincoln was justified in his frustration with Meade.
Brad Gottfried earned a Ph.D. in Zoology and served as a college educator for over 40 years, rising to the presidency of two colleges before he retired in 2017. He has written 23 books on the Civil War. Brad is a Gettysburg Licensed Town Guide and an Antietam Licensed Battlefield Guide.
Linda Gottfried earned a BFA and served as a graphic designer and development officer at several colleges and nonprofit organizations before retiring in 2015. She now spends her time as a sculptor and enjoying retirement. Several of her pieces have won awards. The Gottfrieds have five children and seven grandchildren, and they live in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania.
Brad and Linda have collaborated on four projects: Hell Comes to Southern Maryland (published by Turning Point Publications), Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg: The Creation of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (published by the Emerging Civil War), and The Antietam Paintings by James B. Hope (published by Turning Point Publications) as well as a book based on tonight’s presentation, Race to the Potomac: Meade and Lee After Gettysburg, July 4-14 (published by the Emerging Civil War). They have completed another book: Grant and Meade: An Uneasy Alliance.
December 9, 2026
“Civil War Horses”
Brian Kowell
Horses (and their cousins, mules) were the engines that made Civil War armies go. Brian will briefly address the roles, the sacrifices, and the management of these essential animals and how it differed on each side. Brian will also talk about some famous horses of the Civil War.
Brian D. Kowell became interested in the American Civil War in the 5th grade and became a lifelong student of the Civil War. He graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio in 1973 with a BS in Biology and an Ohio Teaching Degree in Secondary Education for Science. He played varsity tennis for four years in college and taught tennis full-time for two years after college in Chicago, Hawaii, and Cleveland. In 1975, he started his 35-year career in pharmaceutical sales – 32 of those years with 3M’s pharmaceutical division as a field representative, hospital representative, and company trainer. Brian returned to teaching tennis at Towpath Tennis Club in Akron, Ohio and has played in National Seniors’ tournaments. He is a member of the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable, having served as president and newsletter editor. He is also a member of the North Fort Myers Civil War Round Table, and past-charter member of the Northeast Ohio Civil War Round Table. He began writing for Emerging Civil War in 2021, and a list of his articles is as follows.
America’s Civil War, vol. 5, no. 2, July 1992: “Pell-Mell Cavalry Chase: The Battle of Buckland Races”
North & South Magazine Series II, vol, 4, no. 5, Dec. 2024: “David vs. Goliath at Hampton Roads: The Squib vs. the Minnesota”
North & South Magazine, Series II, vol. 4, no. 6: “Fighting Generals: Sweeny vs. Dodge”
North & South Magazine, Series II vol.5, no.1 (to be released): “The Case of Lucy Bagby: The Last Fugitive Slave”
Brian is also a member of the Emerging Civil War Speakers Bureau and is available to speak on the following topics:
The Magnificent Seven: Pook’s Turtles in the Civil War (follows the inception, construction, and battles of Eads City-class ironclads)
The Battle of Buckland Races: Kilpatrick and Custer vs. Stuart and Fitz Lee
The Case of Lucy Bagby: The Last Fugitive Slave (follows the life of runaway slave Lucy Bagby and her capture in Cleveland, Ohio)
Horses in the Civil War (discusses the importance of Civil War horses, their acquisition, care, and sacrifice, and some famous horses of the Civil War)
The Life of William Rion Hoel: Mississippi Riverboat Pilot and Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, U.S.N. (follows Hoel’s life and his Civil War exploits on the Mississippi River)
John Barleycorn in the Civil War (alcohol in the Civil War in the ranks and officer corps)
Brian lives in Hinckley, Ohio with his wife Carole and winters in Estero, Florida. When he is not reading or writing about the Civil War, he can be found playing and teaching tennis.
January 13, 2027
The Annual Dick Crews Memorial Debate
Topic: “Who Is Considered the Worst General in the Civil War?”
This year’s debate is an “Oldie but a Goodie” from the past. In January 2001, I had the honor of participating in the debate which was titled, “The Absolutely Worst General of the Civil War.” The question of who was the worst general of the Civil War remains one of history’s most contentious debates. I foresee this year’s debate to be one of great fun and memories.
Each debater will present a brief argument to make his or her case to the attendees at the meeting, and then each debater will take questions from the attendees. The assembled members and guests will then vote to choose which debater made the most compelling case. The winner will, or course, receive fabulous prizes. As in past debates, William Vodrey will serve as moderator.
February 10, 2027
“WikiTree Civil War Project”
Dave Ressler
By 1862, the American Civil War was not going well for the Union. Needing additional soldiers, President Abraham Lincoln put out the call for volunteers to serve in the Union army. Over 1,000 men from the northern Ohio counties of Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Medina answered that call. This unit was organized in Cleveland in August 1862 and became known as the 103rd Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The 103rd saw action in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. The regiment completed its service on June 12, 1865. During its tour, 248 soldiers were killed as a result of their service. Despite its losses, the regiment’s outstanding war record and commendable service to the United States serves as a bright spot in American history. Dave Ressler will show his work with the 103rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Museum, highlighting some of the local veterans of the 103rd. He will show and talk about using online genealogy tools to be able to create WikiTree profiles for Civil War soldiers and discuss WikiTree’s Civil War Project and ways to get involved.
Dave Ressler is the College Credit Plus U.S. History Teacher and History Day Coordinator at Lutheran West High School in Rocky River. Dave is a graduate of Lutheran West and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Kent State University and his Master’s Degree in U.S. History from American Military University. Dave is in his 33rd year of teaching, and his classes have participated in History Day since 2012. Dave started researching family history while at Kent State, and over the past four years he has worked with Deb Wagner, the curator of the 103rd OVI Museum, to create online profiles for each of the veterans of the 103rd in order to inform the public and potential descendants about the 103rd Museum and Foundation. Dave and his wife Martha live in Fairview Park.
March 10, 2027
“Vermont Brigade: The Attic Story”
Carleton Young
Imagine clearing out your family attic and discovering an enormous collection of letters written by two soldiers during the Civil War, but not knowing why those letters were there. Faced with that situation, Carleton Young spent more than a decade visiting battlefields and researching the two brothers from the celebrated Vermont Brigade who witnessed and made history by fighting in the Peninsula Campaign, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, the Bristoe Campaign, the Wilderness, Petersburg, and Cedar Creek.
Carleton Young’s background includes an MA in History from Ohio University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. For 37 years, he taught AP U.S. History at Thomas Jefferson High School in Pittsburgh. He has also taught classes as an adjunct professor at the Community College of Allegheny County, the University of Pittsburgh, Eastern Gateway Community College, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.
April 14, 2027
“Civil War Music: Songs of the North and the South”
Musicians Terry McHale and Anthony Salem
In the Civil War, opposing armies found comforting thoughts of home and encouraged partisan patriotism through the music that was a ubiquitous part of life in each camp. Cleveland Civil War Roundtable members Anthony Salem and Terry McHale both have a history of performing traditional folk music, and they, along with a band, will present a show of well-known and obscure musical selections that were popular among the troops on both sides of the conflict in the War Between the States.
May 12, 2027
“From ‘Old Bald Head’ to ‘Lee’s Bad Old Man'”
Phillip Greenwalt
This presentation will provide a close look into the evolution of command of the Army of Northern Virginia’s Second Corps as it not only combats the Army of the Potomac through the Overland and Shenandoah Valley Campaigns of 1864, but does so in the midst of changing leadership, horrific trench warfare, and an invasion to the very fringes of Washington, D.C. From “Old Bald Head” (Lieutenant General Richard Ewell) to “Lee’s Bad Old Man” (Lieutenant General Jubal Early), this presentation will dive into the leadership of both of these men, the exploits of soldiers and brigades that served under them, and how through 1864 the corps continued to be Lee’s strike force for offensive operations.
Phillip S. Greenwalt is the co-founder of Emerging Revolutionary War and a full-time historian with Emerging Civil War. He is the author and co-author of seven books on the American Revolutionary and Civil Wars. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Wheeling Jesuit University and a graduate degree in American History from George Mason University. He has worked for the National Park Service for the last 19 years at various historical and natural parks, including Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Morristown National Historical Park, and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. He is a native of Baltimore, Maryland.
Click on any of the book links on this page to purchase 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.
Meeting Times and Location
Second Wednesday of the month from September through May at 6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – Drinks & Socializing / 6:30 p.m. – Dinner
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Meeting & Presentation
Dinner is $35.00 per person. Reservations should be made no later than eight days before the meeting.
Reservations should be made via email to ccwrtreserve@gmail.com.
Check us out on Facebook.
Annual dues – $60.00.
The annual dues are used to support our speakers program and other initiatives (such as the technology needed for our internet sites) and to help support preservation efforts.