November 2025 Southern MD Civil War Round Table Meeting

November 11 , 2025

The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce that its next meeting will be held Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 7:00pm at The Maryland Veterans Museum, 11000 Crain Highway North, Newburg, MD 20664.

Guest Speaker: Bert Stevenson

It is a great pleasure to welcome Round Table member Bert Stevenson back to speak us. Tonight, Bert presents to us the story of “Going Home: The 90 Day Wonders“!

Bert Stevenson will tonight tell us story of a 90 day unit, which began as the 8th Wyoming Regiment, became the 8th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, then the 9th Regiment Pennsylvania Corps (AKA as Lochiel Cavalry) finally transitioning to the 92nd Regiment in three parts; summarizing their brief journey through the war. Bert will follow the career of one officer from Regimental commanding officer to a Company commander before he was fired and sent home. Also, a private who served until his position was abolished.

Part 1. Before the War – Units missions and training

Part 2. Initial organization and 90-day assignment

Part 3. Reorganization; training, transportation to the battle field and initial engagement.

Bert will conclude with a summary that showcases how some peace time leaders were not cut our for war time leadership. A few of the were pushed aside by the political leaders of the day, changing the dynamic of the unit’s structure. Additionally, many of the men had to learn new skills, some not necessarily related to combat. Finally, there was the problem of things going poorly on the home front, while these men were away from home and loved ones..

Attendance is free, but membership is encouraged. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns at bsunderland@somdcwrt.org.

July 1, 2025December 7, 2025

2025-26 Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table Speaker Schedule

The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce its 2025-26 speaker schedule! All meetings will be held at the Maryland Veterans Museum, 11000 North Crain Highway, Newburg, MD. Start time is 7:00pm.

September 9, 2025: Donna Peterson – Snippets of Lincoln

October 14, 2025: Rick Barram – The Civil War Letters of Arthur McKinstry

November 11, 2025: Bert Stevenson – 90 Day Wonders

December 9, 2025: Tom Belote – Attempts at Eliminating Slavery

January 13, 2026: Ben Sunderland – Civil War Travelogue

February 10, 2026: Joe DiNatale – Incidents & Experiences of Samuel Whitebread, USA

March 10, 2026: Garth Bowling – Shadows of War: Civil War comes to Charles County, MD

April 14, 2026: Sarah Kay Bierle – John Pelham: Glorious Courage

May 12, 2026: Bob Crickenburger – Point Lookout and the 2nd Wave of Prisons

We look forward to welcoming all of these fine people to speak to us and to welcoming all of you to hear their presentations. Detailed descriptions about each speaker and their topics to be posted in the coming months. Attendance is free to all, but membership is encouraged For more information about the Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table or to learn how to join, please reach out at bsunderland@somdcwrt.org!

December 13, 2022September 21, 2022

January 2023 Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table Meeting

January 10, 2023

The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce that its next meeting will be held Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 7:00pm at The Maryland Veterans Museum, 11000 Crain Highway North, Newburg, MD 20664.

Guest Speaker: Bert Stevenson

We start out the New Year with a lecture about the Grand Army of the Republic and the Civil War Pension System from Round Table member Bert Stevenson.

Bert will discuss the simultaneous rise and fall of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and the Civil War Pension System. The GAR was a fraternal organization and the pension was a federal program. They both rose in power and influence just after the war ended. Both declined slowly as the veterans, their wives and children passed away. The process of joining the GAR, creating a local post, political influence are discussed with examples. The process of claiming a pension, appealing a negative decision, why the system lasted so long are illustrated with examples. Some of the examples are humorous and some are sad.

G. Bert Stevenson was born and raised in Shavertown; PA. He graduated from Marshall University, Huntington WV as a physicist and mathematician. Mr. Stevenson worked for the federal government for over 40 years; in the Army and as civilian doing research and development (bomb disposal, counter terrorism; counter narcotics). He has resided in Southern Maryland since 1974.

Mr. Stevenson is a member Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table, the Wyoming Valley Civil War Roundtable, and the Sons of Union Veterans. Because a large number of his relatives served in the Civil War, he has specific interest in several units: 5^th NY Cav; 9^th PA Cav (aka 92^nd PA Vol.); 8^th PA Vol Inf Rgmt (3 months); 112^th NY Vol. Inf. Rgmt; 143^rd PA Vol Inf Rgmt; 53^rd PA Vol Reserves; 3^rd Rgmt. PA Heavy Artillery (aka 152^nd PA Vol.) and 22^nd WI Vol Inf Rgmt.