Major General George Gordon Meade, the victor of Gettysburg, was born to American Parents in Cadiz, Spain. He was appointed to West Point from Pennsylvania and graduated in 1835. He served a year in the artillery before resigning to become a civil engineer. After having difficulty finding suitable employment in that field, he rejoined the army in 1842.
Lieutenant General James Longstreet entered West Point in 1838 where he excelled in horsemanship and sword exercise. Upon graduating fifty-fourth out of the sixty-two cadets in his class, he was posted to the infantry and served tours in Missouri, Louisiana, and Florida. In the Mexican War, he was wounded by a musket ball in the charge on Chapultepec. As he staggered from his wound, he handed the colors of the Eighth Infantry to Lieutenant George E. Pickett, who carried them over the wall. Following the first shots of the Civil War, Longstreet reported for duty in Richmond following an arduous journey from New Mexico in June of 1861.
Many doctors who saw service in the Civil War had never been to medical school but had served an apprenticeship in the office of an established practitioner.
When Virginia seceded in 1861, Navy Captain David Farragut told his Virginian wife that he was "sticking to the flag." "This act of mine may mean years of separation from your family," he told her, “So you must decide quickly whether you will go north or remain here." Although Farragut was Southern born, married a Virginian, and resided in the South, he was squarely behind the Union. They went north, to New York, where Farragut was assigned a desk job until January 1862, at which time he was chosen to command an expedition to capture New Orleans - which he did on April 24th, 1862.
The Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table is proud to welcome a new speaker, Jim Vos, and his presentation: "Genius or Insanity? The Salient Blunder of Dan Sickles." History is written by the victors, but it’s debated by the curious. Of all the controversies at Gettysburg, none sparks more heated discussion than the unauthorized advance of Major General Dan Sickles on July 2nd. Was he a visionary seizing the high ground, or a loose cannon who nearly cost the Union the war? Join us as we dissect the ego, the tactics, and the sheer audacity of the man in the Peach Orchard.
Jim Vos is an American history teacher at Grand Rapids Christian Middle School, where he has inspired students for 37 years. With a deep passion for the American Civil War, he has dedicated himself to bringing this pivotal era to life for his students. Over the years, he has led more than 20 tours of the Gettysburg battlefield for both students and adults, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for the history that shaped our nation.
Membership fees for the 2025-2026 season are $30.00.
Checks can be made out to GRCWRT.
Get your membership/renewal form on our website
membership page or at one of our meetings.
Dues are based on the meeting year, September - June.
We are always looking for new speakers. If you would like to give a presentation to the GRCWRT, or can recommend someone, please contact our program director.
Wednesday
March 18, 2026
Jim Vos
Genius or Insanity?
The Salient Blunder
of Dan Sickles
We Meet At:
Orchard View Church of God
2777 Leffingwell Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Located at the southwest corner of
3 Mile Road NE and Leffingwell Avenue NE
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Program begins at 7:00 pm
Civil War Notes
Our Next Meeting
Special Announcements:
Union Major General
Daniel E. Sickles
