Wednesday, December 2, 2015

WNCCWRT December 2015 Newsletter

Mackowski Returns with Ewell to Gettysburg

Mackowski

Ewell


Round Table favorite, Chris Mackowski, will appear before the WNCCWRT at its annual Christmas Party on December 14 at 7 pm. Cocktails will be at 5pm, dinner at 6pm and the program witll bein at 7pm.  It is there he will explore the performance of Maj. Gen Richard S. Ewell and his II Corps at Culp’s Hill at Gettysburg.  The event, being held at the Comfort Inn on 1245 Main St. in Sylva, will for the first time mark the conclusion of this truncated Speaker’s Schedule as the Round Table switches from an August-to-May year to a March-to-December term.

Members, guests and the public-at-large are invited to attend.  Tickets/reservations for the dinner are $25 a person, and are due on or in advance of December 7. The party will include a scrumptious variety for dinner, again catered by John Faulk.  There will be a limited cash bar.  Also, for the attendees’ amusement, there will be a silent auction as well as a door prize-styled raffle.  The Round Tables request those attending to do so in jackets or “Sunday best” or period costume.
In a style of what can be called practiced, yet frenetic, Mackowski will evaluate critically the actions and/or inactions of the II Corps under its new commander, Richard Ewell, who had replaced the now-fallen iconic Stonewall Jackson.  In doing so, he will look at the orders, the decision, and the execution of those strategies on the July first and their performance throughout the battle.


Culp’s Hill at Gettysburg

Those wishing for more information may contact Richard Smith (828-293-5924) or Bill Baltz (828-712-9314). Otherwise, to request tickets send your checks to WNCCWRT; Attn: Christmas Party; PO Box 3709; Cullowhee, NC 28723.  

The Round Table looks forward to seeing all of its old friends on what promises to be a delightful evening of fun, scholarship and camaraderie.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

WNCCWRT November 2015 Newsletter


Sokolosky to Examine Importance of Wyse Forks
 


The Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table will present Col. Wade Sokolosky (Ret.) to address the organization and its guests at the HFR Auditorium on the campus of Western Carolina University, Monday, November 9 at 7 pm. Admission is free.  The traditional meet n’ greet with the speaker at Bogarts in Sylva will be at 5 pm and the casual social, 6:30 at the WCU location.   Members, their guests and the interested public are encouraged to come.

The Battle of Wyse Fork fought on March 8-10 in 1865 is sometimes known as the Second Battle of Kinston involved Union troops (three divisions) of Maj. Gen. Jacob Cox under Maj. Gen. John Schofield faced off against a division of North Carolina Reserves commanded by Maj. Gen. Robert Hoke along with elements (approximately 29 regiments) of a shattered Army of Tennessee, Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill commanding, with overall command under Gen. Braxton Bragg. Fighting aside the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad and in front of the Neuse River the Confederates would have to withdraw across the Neuse after three days of hard fighting and seeing any initiatives slip away with poor communications and against superior numbers. 

Col. Sokolosky’s most recent book, co-authored with Smith, "To Prepare for Sherman's Coming": The Battle of Wise's Forks, March 1865 is from where the research and thesis of the presentation is created. He will attempt to erase the misconception that the battle was little more than an insignificant skirmish and elevates this combat action and its related operations to the historical status it deserves. 

Sokolosky, a 25-year U.S. Army veteran and native North Carolinian (Beaufort), has co-authored two books regarding the Sherman’s Carolinas Campaign with Mark A. Smith, the aforementioned To Prepare … and Such Army Since the Days of Julius Caesar: Sherman's Carolinas Campaign from Fayetteville to Averasboro being the other. He is the sole author of Final Roll Call: Confederate Losses during the Carolinas Campaign. With these book credits and current the Vice-President of Friend of Bentonville Battlefield, Skolosky has become regarded as one of the leading authorities of Sherman’s Carolinas Campaign.He is a graduate of East Carolina University. During his time in the service, Wade served in a variety of leadership and staff positions, both in the United States and overseas, most notably in Afghanistan.  Upon relinquishing command of the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade in 2011, Wade returned home to Beaufort.  He has lectured throughout the Carolinas, speaking to roundtables, various societies and organizations, and at historical sites.  

View The Entire Newsletter

Pages Updated: 'Gallery' and 'Meetings & Event'

'Meetings & Events' page has been updated with new WNCCWRT Regional Events Calendar for November 2015.

'Gallery' page has been updated to contain additional images from WNCCWRT Montgomery and Mobile Trip.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Sokolosky to Examine the Battle of Wyse Forks


The Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table will present Col. Wade Sokolosky (Ret.) to address the organization and its guests at HFR Auditorium on the campus of Western Carolina University, Monday, November 9 at 7 pm.  Admission is free.  There is casual social 30 minutes prior to the event at the same location.
Sokolosky, a 25-year U.S. Army and native North Carolinian, has co-authored two book regarding the Sherman’s Carolinas Campaign with Mark A. Smith and is currently the Vice-President of Friend of Bentonville Battlefield. As such, he has become an authority of the events and their implications of the closing days of the Civil War in Eastern North Carolina.
Wade's presentation will attempt to erase the misconception that the four-day battle was little more than an insignificant skirmish and elevates this combat action and its related operations to the historical status it deserves.  

Trip to Civil War Naval Museum

… We’re Still Goin’ to Georgia


Providence through the “Rains” has afforded another opportunity for WNCCWRT members and guests to go west Georgia to view and tour the Civil War Naval Museum and Andersonville NHP on November 14 & 15.  Newcomers should be aware of the following, there is a non-refundable $30 deposit required by the November 9 meeting with possibility of those willing to carpool.  


Those with arrangements in place are good to go.  Also, the itinerary remains the same with the exception of the dates – departure from the Jackson County Justice Center at 7 am, Saturday November 14 with arrival approximately 11:30 am EST.  Arrival in Columbus will be at the Cracker Barrel at 1500 Bradley Park Dr. Columbus.  If the group exceeds 15, a private tour is then possible.  Accommodations at the Microtel Hotel for Saturday have been arranged at a reduced rate of $64.94 (9 rooms) if booked by November 6.  Other food and fuel expenses are being left to individual arrangements, however the hotel does come with a breakfast bar.  Departure for Andersonville should be no later than 8:30 am, Sunday the fifteenth.  Arriving at Andersonville for a 10:30 tour and subsequent tour of the POW museum is to follow.

Departure and stops on the home leg of the trip will be left up to occupants in each car bearing in mind it’s a five-hour journey back to Sylva.  Need to know more about the sites? See WNCCWRT Newsletter (October).  Those wanting or needing additional information should contact Richard Smith, 828-293-5924.

Monday, October 5, 2015

WNCCWRT October 2015 Newsletter

Pages Updated: 'Sidebar' and 'Meetings & Event'

'Sidebar' page has been updated with links to view and download updated Organization By Laws.

'Meetings & Events' page has been updated with new WNCCWRT Regional Events Calendar for October 2015.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

WNCCWRT August 2015 Newsletter

Pages Updated: 'Meetings & Events' and 'Contact'

'Meetings & Events' page has been updated with new WNCCWRT Regional Events Calendar for August 2015.

'Contact' page has been update to reflect new Member at Large - Mardy Ashe and updated contact information for WNCCWRT President Paul Turner, Jr. and Vice President Richard Smith.

These changes are also in the August 2015 WNCCWRT Newsletter.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

'Meetings & Events' page updated

Updates have been made to the 'Meeting & Events' page to reflect WNCCWRT meetings scheduled for August 2015 - December 2015

Friday, April 3, 2015

'Meetings & Events' and 'Contact' pages updated

Updates have been made to the 'Meeting & Events' page to reflect WNCCWRT Regional Events scheduled for April 2015.

Also the 'Contact' page has been updated to reflect the most recent contact information on hand for each member.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

WNCCWRT April 2015 Newsletter

Allatoona Trip Announcement


Travel with WNCCWRT to Bartow County and Allatoona Pass, as they follow the same route of Generals Hood and Sherman bumping -and-running back through north Georgia in the fall of 1864 almost 151 years ago. 

 Vice-President and Programs Director Richard Smith planned a Day Trip to Allatoona Pass Battlefield, Georgia State Historical Park for April 18. Smith has arranged for local authority Brad Butkovich to serve as guide. Butkovich of Historical Imagination has been recommended by staff members of the NPS and has authored two book published by the History Press, The Battle of Allatoona Pass, and The Battle of Pickett’s Mill. 

 Enthusiasm for the trip has been building as seven have already expressed interest in the journey. Smith anticipates a group of approximately fifteen and will require a deposit / payment of $20 by April 10. The plan is to meet at the Jackson County Justice Center about 7:15 am on April 18, depart 7:30 am travelling by passenger van and returning to Sylva that evening. Members will be responsible for the own vittles.


Among the areas interest to be explored are the Grave of the Unknown Soldier, and the blockhouse located over Allatoona Creek, and if possible the Jackson House which served as a hospital during the battle. Reservations can be made by sending payment to: WNCCWRT, Attn: Allatoona, P.O. Box 3079, Cullowhee, NC 28723. Those needing or wanting more information should contact Richard Smith, 828-293-5924 or via email nanloval@frontier.com.  

Thursday, January 1, 2015

WNCCWRT January 2015 Newsletter

Quilt Raffle


Have you gotten your tickets to sell for the Annual Raffle? This year we are raffling a locally-made quilt from Maggie Valley. This is a very high quality quilt that is good for any occasion to use or as a keepsake. The sale of these tickets will help us continue to have the fine speakers each monthas well as other programs.

1 ticket for $5, 3 for $10

Get Your Tickets Now!