Roundtable Debates – The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable

The Great Debate of 2026

Other than Ohio, what was the most important state, North or South, during the Civil War era?

The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable
Copyright © 2026, All Rights Reserved

The January 2026 meeting of the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable featured the annual Dick Crews Memorial Debate. The topic for debate was the question: “Other than Ohio, what was the most important state, North or South, during the Civil War era?” Every state was important in one way or another during the turbulent time of the Civil War era, but some states are considered to be of greater importance. The 2026 Dick Crews Memorial Debate examined the question of which state, other than Ohio, was the most important, at least in the opinion of the debaters. (Ohio was excluded because the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable is located in Ohio.) Four debaters, each of whom chose a different state as the most important, presented arguments in support of their stance on this question. Below are the texts of those four arguments, along with moderator William Vodrey’s opening remarks.

The Great Debate of 2025

Which individual from the Civil War would be the most interesting to sit down and speak with over dinner or a tasty beverage?

The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable
Copyright © 2025, All Rights Reserved

The January 2025 meeting of the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable featured the annual Dick Crews Memorial Debate. The topic for debate was the question: “Which individual from the Civil War would be the most interesting to sit down and speak with over dinner or a tasty beverage?” There are many individuals from the Civil War who would be interesting to have a conversation with, and the 2025 Dick Crews Memorial Debate examined the question of which of these individuals would be the most interesting, at least in the opinion of the debaters. Five debaters, each of whom chose a different person as the most interesting, presented arguments in support of their stance on this question. Below are the texts of those five arguments, along with moderator William Vodrey’s opening remarks.

The Great Debate of 2024

Was George Gordon Meade aggressive enough in chasing Robert E. Lee’s army after the Battle of Gettysburg?

The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable
Copyright © 2024, All Rights Reserved

The January 2024 meeting of the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable featured the annual Dick Crews Memorial Debate. The topic for debate was the question: “Was George Gordon Meade aggressive enough in chasing Robert E. Lee’s army after the Battle of Gettysburg?” Meade was criticized, including by President Abraham Lincoln, for not being sufficiently aggressive in pursuing Lee’s defeated Army of Northern Virginia after the Battle of Gettysburg. The 2024 Dick Crews Memorial Debate examined this question. Four debaters presented arguments in support of their stance on this question. Two debaters argued in favor of Meade, and two debaters argued against him. Below are the texts of those four arguments, along with moderator William Vodrey’s opening remarks.

The Great Debate of 2023

Who was the best political general of the Civil War?

The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable
Copyright © 2023, All Rights Reserved

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 2023 Dick Crews Memorial Debate posed the question: “Who was the best political general of the Civil War?” Four debaters presented arguments in favor of a political general whom each debater considered the best. The four political generals for whom arguments were presented are Edward Ferrero, John A. Logan, John C. Breckinridge, and Benjamin F. Butler. Below are the texts of those four arguments, along with moderator William Vodrey’s opening remarks.

The Great Debate of 2022

Apart from Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman, which Civil War officer was the least deserving of being relieved of command?

General and flag officers, both Union and Confederate, were often relieved of their duties or commands, subjected to courts-martial and/or boards of inquiry, or otherwise the subjects of adverse disciplinary proceedings for their conduct on, and sometimes off, the battlefield.

The 2022 Dick Crews Debate posed the question: Apart from Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman, which Civil War officer was the least deserving of the discipline he received from superiors? Four debaters presented on the topic of which Civil War officer was least deserving of being relieved of command. Below are the texts of those four arguments, along with moderator William Vodrey’s opening remarks.

The Great Debate of 2008

The Southern Victory of 1865:
Was the Confederacy a Viable State?

Was the Confederacy a viable state? Could it have survived as a nation? If so, what made it viable? If not, what did it lack?

The 2008 Dick Crews Debate posed the question: The Southern Victory of 1865: Was the Confederacy a Viable State? Five speakers presented on the topic of how the Confederate States of America won its independence and how it did or did not survive. Below are the texts of those five arguments, along with moderator William Vodrey’s opening remarks, presented in the order the speakers addressed the Roundtable.