April 14, 2026

The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce that its next meeting will be held Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 7:00pm at The Maryland Veterans Museum, 11000 Crain Highway North, Newburg, MD 20664.

Guest Speaker:  Sarah Kay Bierle

Fresh off her appearance before the Round Table last April. Sarah Kay Bierle returns this evening to speak to us about Confederate Officer John Pelham and his “Glorious Courage“.

John Pelham’s Fall & The Rise of a Confederate Legend 

On March 17, 1863, Major John Pelham—commander of the Stuart Horse Artillery—fell off his horse mortally wounded. That day at Kelly’s Ford marked the end of his short life and the beginning of his memory and influential legends. This presentation explores the experiences of the twenty-four-year-old officer, his battlefield tactics and innovations, and how he rose to fame during his life and even more after his death.

Sarah Kay Bierle works in the public history field, focusing on education and battlefield preservation. A graduate from Thomas Edison State University with a B.A. in History, she has spent years researching, writing, and speaking about the American Civil War, helping audiences gain a stronger appreciation for the accounts of real people caught in the struggles of the past. She has published seven books—most recently “Glorious Courage: John Pelham in the Civil War” (Savas Beatie) and “Decisions at Chancellorsville” (University of Tennessee Press).

Take a break from preparing those taxes and come out for a lively presentation from a friend of the Round Table.  As always, attendance is free, but membership is recommended.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns at bsunderland@somdcwrt.org