October 14, 2014

The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce that its next meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 7:00pm at the College of Southern Maryland’s Center for Business & Industry, Chaney Enterprises Conference Room, BI-113, at 8730 Mitchell Road in La Plata, MD.

Guest Speaker:  David R. Craig

                            

The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table welcomes Harford County Executive David R. Craig as he presents the story of native Marylander Confederate Brigadier General James J. Archer.

Born near Harve de Grace, MD in 1817 and a law student at the University of Maryland, Archer would fight in the Mexican-American War and serve in the regular army prior to the outbreak of the Civil War.  Joining the Confederate Army after resigning his commission, Archer would start as a captain, but worked his way up to the rank of Brigadier General by June 1862.

He would command troops at the Seven Days Battles, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Antietam and Gettysburg.  Archer would suffer the distinction of being the first general officer captured from the Army of Northern Virginia since Robert E. Lee took command.  David R. Craig will provide us all the details about this native son, who earned the nickname, “The Little Gamecock”; not for being from South Carolina, but due to his slight physical build and fierce attitude in combat.

In addition to serving as Harford County Executive, David R. Craig has a distinguished record of public service, including serving in the Maryland House of Delegates and State Senate, on numerous committees, boards and commissions, including the Maryland Civil War Heritage Commission.  He resides in Harford County, Maryland with his wife, Melinda, with whom he has three children and eight grandchildren.