November 12, 2024

The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce that its next meeting will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 7:00pm at The Maryland Veterans Museum, 11000 Crain Highway North, Newburg, MD 20664.

Guest Speaker:  Matt Borders

A star of our video presentations during the COVID epidemic, it is a great pleasure to welcome Matt Borders in person to our Round Table.  Having spoken to us twice on his excellent books, “Faces of Union Soldiers at Antietam” and “Faces of Union Soldiers at South Mountain and Harper’s Ferry”, tonight Matt will speak to us about Chief Justine Roger Brooke Taney:  Beyond Dred Scott.

Matt’s presentation, Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney: Beyond Dred Scott, looks at that enigmatic figure through his case work and whether it gives a deeper understanding for this much maligned historical figure. Chief Justice Taney will be forever remembered for the infamous Dred Scott decision in 1857, but was this hardline opinion from the bench always the opinion of the man himself, or did it develop over time during the raucous antebellum years of the United States?

A graduate of Michigan State and Eastern Michigan University, Matthew Borders holds a BA in United States History with a focus in the American Civil War and a MS in Historic Preservation. Following graduation he taught at Kalamazoo Valley Community College before accepting a position with the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program. He worked as the historian for the ABPP for six years, during which time he became a certified battlefield guide at Antietam National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historic Site. He is also the President of the Frederick County Civil War Round Table and a founding member of the Antietam Institute.

Currently, Matthew is a Park Ranger at Monocacy National Battlefield in Frederick, Maryland. He, along with fellow guide, Joe Stahl, have published four books in their Faces of Union Soldiers series

Help us welcome Matt by coming out hearing the fascinating exploration of the court decision that caused much strife and controversy in its aftermath.  Attendance is free as always, but membership is recommended.  Please contact us at bsunderland@somdcwrt.org or at 443-975-9142 for more details.