March 2025 Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table Meeting

March 11, 2025

The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce that its next meeting will be held Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 7:00pm at The Maryland Veterans Museum, 11000 Crain Highway North, Newburg, MD 20664.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Bradley Gottfried

The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table will present a unique program that visualizes the Battle of Antietam by closely examining the panoramic Antietam paintings of Capt. James Hope.

Hope was a landscape painter who helped organize and then command a company in the 2^nd Vermont Infantry. The regiment was positioned on the Antietam battlefield in a reserve role. Although Capt. Hope saw action on many battlefields, Antietam haunted him. After a trip to the battlefield to attend a reunion in the 1880’s, Hope returned to his studio and created five panoramic paintings of the battle.

Bradley and Linda Gottfried have studied these paintings and created a book of them. In this presentation, they will review the action at Antietam using Hope’s paintings. Their approach of zooming in on each painting shows unique aspects of the battle.

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

March 8, 2022

The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is pleased to announce that its next meeting will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 7:00pm at The Maryland Veterans Museum, 11000 Crain Highway North, Newburg, MD 20664.

Due to Charles County Board of County Commissioner updated mandates, masks will be required for all in attendance. Seating will be limited to 4 people per table. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Bradley Gottfried

Join us as we welcome our first Past President and cherished friend as he and his wife Linda share with us some of the stories behind the creation of the Soldier’s National Cemetery in Gettysburg, PA

Most visitors to the National Cemetery at Gettysburg are unaware of its difficult birth. Many steps were required to bring the idea to fruition, from the decision to form the cemetery to its dedication. This presentation highlights the single-minded activities of several men who made it happen. From Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin, to William Saunders who created the cemetery’s plan, to Ward Lamon who planned the consecration ceremony, to Basil Biggs who helped dig up the corpses so they could be moved to the National Cemetery– all toiled to bring the cemetery to life. But one person towers above the others: David Wills, who played a major role during each phase. Lincoln also played a role and his story is one of sadness, fortitude, and mystery. The story of his visit is the stuff of legends.

Brad and Linda Gottfried will use a powerpoint presentation to illustrate the cemetery’s formation.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns at bsunderland@somdcwrt.org or at 443-975-9142. We look forward to seeing you!

Tag: Linda Gottfried