Patrick Falci slated to speak on Oct. 10

CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE

William Dyess, a retired attorney, has lived in Granbury since 2007, and has had an interest in the American Civil War since childhood. He is a member of the steering committee of the North Central Texas Civil War Round Table.

The North Central Texas Civil War Round Table had its first meeting of the 2022-23 season on Sept. 12, at Spring Creek Barbeque. Approximately 25 members were present, along with five guests. Fort Worth author and historian Richard Selcer, PhD, spoke on the 50th anniversary reunion of the Battle of Gettysburg, held in 1913.

The reunion was attended by more than 50,000 Union and Confederate veterans of the battle, and at that time was the largest tent encampment in America since the Civil War.

While the meeting was a great success, the age of the veterans (most were in their 70s), the sheer number who attended, and in some cases strong feelings still held, led to a number of trials and problems.

NEXT MEETING

Our next meeting will be Oct. 10, and the program will be presented by Patrick Falci, an actor, historian and lecturer. Falci, who spoke to us several years ago, was the chief historical advisor for the movies “Gettysburg” and “Gods and Generals”, and in “Gettysburg” he played the part of Confederate General A. P. Hill.

When Robert E. Lee reorganized the Army of Northern Virginia after his victory at Chancellorsville in May 1963, General Hill, widely considered the finest division commander in Confederate service, was promoted to Lt. General and assigned to command Lee’s Third Corps (James Longstreet and Richard Ewell commanded the 1st and 2nd Corps, respectively.) He ably served in that position until April 2, 1865, when he was killed while attempting to reestablish his lines at Petersburg.

Falci generally appears in costume as General Hill, and adds great insight into the general’s thinking and action, as well as being very entertaining. This is a program you will not want to miss.

DID YOU KNOW?

The westernmost battle of the Civil War was fought in what is now the State of Arizona. On April 15, 1862, a small force of Texas Confederates ambushed an advance party of the Union’s First California Cavalry at Picacho Pass, roughly 45 miles northwest of Tucson. While historians differ as to who won the battle, Confederate influence in the area soon waned, and the Union gained control of the territory.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

On Oct. 5, 1862, Union Naval forces captured and occupied Galveston, Texas, the second largest city in the state and the major Confederate seaport west of the Mississippi River. The city was an important point of entry for ships running the Federal blockade and delivering goods and materials to the South. The Union held the city until January 1, 1963, when Confederate troops led by General John B. McGruder reoccupied the town. Galveston remained in Confederate hands the remainder of the war, but the tightening of the Union blockade greatly limited its value as a seaport.

The North Central Texas Civil War Round Table meets on the second Monday of each month, at 6:30 P.M., at Spring Creek Barbeque, 317 Hwy 377 E in Granbury, and guests are always welcome. For more information, please refer to our website: WWW.ncentexcwrt.com, or call either David Wells, at 817-579-5769, or Bill Dyess, at 817-326-8216.

Civil War Round Tables exist in cities and communities worldwide. All are independent and share a common objective in promoting and expanding interest in the study of the American Civil War.