March 10, 2026
The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce that its next meeting will be held Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 7:00pm at The Maryland Veterans Museum, 11000 Crain Highway North, Newburg, MD 20664.
Guest Speaker: Garth Bowling
We invite you to join us this evening, as we welcome back local educator, historian and friend of the Round Table, Mr. Garth Bowling. Garth has written three books about Charles County’s role in the Civil War. In his most recent book, Shadows of War, Civil War Comes to Charles County, Maryland, Garth continues to write about the experiences of the Union soldiers in the county, as well as the spy network that flourished during those four tumultuous years. Special attention is given to the four regiments of African-American soldiers who were trained at Benedict, how they distinguished themselves in combat, and how they adjusted to freedom after the war. Other chapters deal with Charles County men at Gettysburg and Booth’s attempted escape from the Federals. Garth’s presentation to the Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table will focus on some of these chapters from his newest book.
Garth Bowling is a native Charles Countian who lives in La Plata with his wife Debra. He has a B.S. in Political Science from Towson University as well as an M.Ed. from Towson. He earned an Advanced Degree in School Management from Loyola College of Baltimore. Garth served in the Army National Guard for six years. He was the recipient of the Washington Post Educational Leadership Award from Charles County in 2002 and from St. Mary’s County in 2014. His professional career spanned 43 years in public education. He taught for six years, was a vice principal for six years, and served as a principal for 31 years. Most of his career was in Southern Maryland where he was principal of Piccowaxen M.S., Hanson M.S., McDonough H.S., La Plata H.S., and Chopticon H.S. After serving as an educator in nine schools in four counties, Garth retired in 2016.
From the time he was a small boy he was interested in the American Civil War. He was raised on stories told by his great-grandfather who remembered the Civil War. When he was in 6th grade his class took a trip to Stratford Hall, birthplace of Robert E. Lee. From that moment on he read and studied all he could about the Civil War. For five years he was a Confederate re-enactor and in 1982 he formed the La Plata Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
He has been a member of the board of directors of the Historical Society of Charles County, the Charles County Heritage Commission, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco, the Surratt Society and the American Legion.
Since his retirement he has written three books entitled, Gateway to the Confederacy, On the Confederate Border, and his most recent book, Shadows of War, Civil War Comes to Charles County, Maryland.
If you have ever heard Garth Bowling speak in public, heard one of his many presentations to the Round Table, or attended the field trip he conducted for us around Charles County, MD, you know what a treat we are in for. Bring a friend and come out for an evening of entertaining local history. Attendance is free, but membership is recommended. Please contact us with any questions at bsunderland@somdcwrt.org or 443-975-9142.
