May 12 , 2026

The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce that its next meeting will be held Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 7:00pm at The Maryland Veterans Museum, 11000 Crain Highway North, Newburg, MD 20664.

Guest Speaker:  Bob Crickenberger

Tonight, we welcome back our good friend Bob Crickenberger, as he presents “Point Lookout, and the Second Wave of Prisons”. 

As the Civil War persisted into another bloody year, federal campaigns were sending thousands of prisoners north that overwhelmed existing prisons. The cessation of the prisoner exchange cartel compounded the burden of the already overcrowded prison system with the additional numbers. By June 1863, Commissary General of Prisoners, Colonel William Hoffman, began seeking additional locations to open new camps in order to better manage this sudden influx of prisoners. Hoffman’s latest prison, Point Lookout, began the succession of new holding areas in what is now referred to as the “Second Wave of Prisons”.

Retired as a Production Coordinator for the Prince George’s County Department of Printing, Bob has taken an active role in the preservation of our Southern Maryland Civil War history. A volunteer at Point Lookout State Park since 1978, Bob is also the founder and chairman of The Friends of Point Lookout, which has been in existence since 1985. As well as being a member of the Round table, Bob is also a member of the Sons of Union Veterans Sgt. James Harris Camp #38.

Please come out and help us wrap up our 14th year as we learn more about the events and people that contributed to our own rich Southern Maryland Civil War history. Attendance is free, but membership is recommended. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns at bsunderland@somdcwrt.org or at 443-975-9142.