Wednesday
January 21, 2015
Chad Johnson
Petersburg in 1865
The Dewitt Student Center
Kuyper College
3333 East Beltline NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Program begins at 7:30 p.m.
Bring some friends!
June 1864, two armies stared at each other across their fortifications. For the last month, they had battled one another ferociously. To the southwest, the bells of Richmond could be heard. Once again the lines of blue had met defeat and frustration at the gates of Richmond. However, it was during this month the Federal army would sweep to the south and focus its efforts on the city of Petersburg.
For the next 10 months, Petersburg was the focus of Grant's and Lee's war. Battles such as the Crater, Ream's Station, White Oak Road, Fort Steadman, and Five Forks are all well known engagements of the Petersburg Campaign. These battles, however, were only part of the campaign to take Richmond. On the North side of the James river, boys in both blue in gray fell in the struggle for Richmond. Though not as well known as the fighting south of the James, the engagements were just as important.
Chad Johnson is and educator, local lecturer, and living historian.
Special Announcements:
Torpedoes were the "infernal machines" that were extensively used by the Confederates that are known as mines today.
Confederate Major General J.E.B. Stuart wore an ostrich plume in his hat and his coat was lined with scarlet. He also kept a banjo player on his headquarters staff.
"I'm a little sorry I wasn't wounded in front; it looks cowardly to be hit in the back, but I obeyed orders, ad it don't matter in the end, I know."
Dying Union soldier named John,
Wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg
As quoted by Louisa May Alcott
Our Next Meeting
Membership fees for the 2014-2015 season will be $20.00.
Checks can be made out to GRCWRT.
Get your membership/renewal form on our
Membership page or at the meeting.
Dues are based on the meeting year, September - June.
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The GRCWRT is in need of a volunteer to take over the duties of treasurer. Please contact our Coordinator, Dan Dunn, if you are interested.
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Refreshments for the January meeting will be provided by
Grace Davis and David Hartman
Civil War Notes
Petersburg, Virginia
