The Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table is on its winter break. We wish you all a safe and blessed Christmas and New Year's. We will resume our meetings in January when we welcome Bruce Kalish.
In mid-April of 1863, Union Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson led a raid inro Mississippi as part of Grant's plan to divert attention away from Vicksburg. Grierson reported, "During the expedition we killed and wounded about a hundred of the enemy, captured and paroled over five hundred prisoners, many of them officers, destroyed between fifty and sixty miles of railroad and telegraph, captured and destroyed over three thousand stand of arms. Much of the country through which we passed was almost entirely destitute of forage and provisions, and it was but seldom that we obtained over one meal per day. Many of the inhabitants must undoubtedly suffer for want of the necessaries of life."
The tactics of Confederate General Robert E. Lee were studied in military academies, from West Point to St. Cyr in France up to World War I.
"Lamp Posts" was a nickname affectionately bestowed, by artillerists, upon especially big shells, usually weighing one hundred pounds or more.
Chaplains' duties in the Civil War encompassed many areas. Most important were the worship services then conducted in tents, outdoors, or around campfires. The themes of their sermons were either patriotism to the cause, or admonitions against "evil" behavior, such as swearing, gambling, and drunkenness. Chaplains also performed counseling and comforted the sick and wounded. Among other chores assigned to them were those of postmaster, writer of letters telling of a soldier's death, banker, ambulance driver, defense counselor, and army recruiter.
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
January 21, 2026
Bruce Kalish
To Be Announced
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:
"Christmas Morning"
From
Harpers Weekly
