November 20-21, 2009 Seminar November 21, Abilene TX Tour & Reception November 20, Buffalo Gap Historic Village

theVicksburg fatal fulcrum

Ed Bearss, photo courtesey of South Mountain Expeditions

Speakers & Topics: MCMurry Speaker: Ed Bearss, Historian Emeritus, . UNIVERSITY “Overview of .” This introductory segment will McWhiney Foundation present the overview of the offensive and defensive strategies with particular attention to the problems of the Confederate defense, the Co-Sponsored by Hood’s Texas Brigade development of the campaign, the roles of “key” commanders, and the reasons for final Union success. Association, Re-Activated

Speaker: Charles Grear, Department of History, Prairie View A&M Department of History, University. “Texans at Vicksburg.” This subject will explore the roles of McMurry University the 2nd Texas Infantry, Waul’s Legion, and the 7th Texas Infantry in the Grady McWhiney Research Vicksburg Campaign, providing an understanding of their respective contributions and effectiveness in the siege and relief efforts. Foundation, Inc.

Speaker: Susannah Ural (formerly Bruce), Department of History, See p. 2 for information on registration . . . University of Southern . “Letters from Hood’s Brigade Soldiers on the Effects of the Two Defeats at Vicksburg and Gettysburg.” The speaker will draw on her extensive work with letters written by members of Hood’s Brigade to explore the effect of the defeats at Vicksburg and Gettysburg on the soldier’s morale in the fall of 1863. Buffalo Gap Dinner & Tour Speaker: Dale K. Phillips, Superintendent of George Rogers Clark Friday evening, November 20th, enjoy a real taste of frontier Texas at Buffalo Gap Historic Village, just outside of Abilene (www.buffa- National Historical Park in Vincennes, IN. “Port Hudson & Vicksburg.” logap.com). The pre-seminar event includes a Chuck Wagon Dinner This topic will discuss the importance of Port Hudson to Trans- on the grounds at 7:00 pm, preceded by a 5:30 pm tour of the historic Mississippi communications and the parallel campaign of Major village, living history that brings the West Texas Frontier alive with over General Nathaniel P. Banks against the Louisiana stronghold several a dozen original buildings and scores of historical artifacts. Sound wands hundred miles below Vicksburg. will be provided for those who wish to customize their tour. The Museum Shop will be open. This will be a chance to mingle with the speakers in an Speaker: Richard Lowe, Professor of History, North Texas University. informal setting with time to socialize and relax. Dress is Texas casual “Walker’s Texas Division: The Attempt to Relieve Vicksburg from the (blue jeans and boots optional!). For those who need it, transportation West.” The final topic will explain the relief efforts in Louisiana, the will be arranged from the MCM Eleganté Suites. The Pre-Event cost role of the Texans, and the reasons for failure. is $65 per person. over . . . Saturday Agenda Registration 9:00-9:10 Welcome by Martha A. Hartzog, President, Hood’s Texas Brigade Assn., Re-Activated Deadline October 23, 2009 9:10-9:15 Greetings by Donald S. Frazier, $50.00 (including lunch) for the Saturday Seminar CEO, McWhiney Research Foundation & $65.00 for the 5:30 Friday Afternoon Tour of Buffalo Gap His- Professor of History, McMurry University toric Village, followed by a 7:00 pm Chuck Wagon Dinner. (See 9:15-10:15 Ed Bearss, “ The Vicksburg Campaign” reverse for hotel information and directions to McMurry & Buffalo Gap.) 10:15-10:45 Break 10:45-11:45 Charles Grear, “Texans at Vicksburg.” Vicksburg: The Fatal Fulcrum • Registration

11:45-1:30 Lunch and a talk by Susannah Ural, Name: ______“Gettysburg and Vicksburg: Letters from the Front” Address: ______Time to visit the vendors and exhibits. ______1:30-2:30 Dale K. Phillips, “Port Hudson & Vicksburg” City State Zip 2:30-3:00 Break and time to visit vendors and displays. 3:00-4:00 Richard Lowe, “Walker’s Texas Division: The Seminar: @ $50 each. x No. Attending: ______Attempt to Relieve Vicksburg from the West” Friday Pre-Event @$65 ea. x No. Attending:______4:00-4:30 Wrap-up and Discussion Names of others attending: ______

______MCM• Hotel Eleganté Information Suites (http://mcmelegantesuites.com -- includes a map) ______325-698-1234 or 888-897-9644 Toll free 4250 Ridgemont Drive Abilene, Texas 79606 e-mail contact: ______Special Rates available for Friday, November 20-Saturday November 21, 2009 at $104 (+ tax) per night for a limited block of rooms. When you call for reservations, indicate you are part of the Grady McWhiney Send this form, together with your check made payable to Research Foundation group. Reservations must be made by October Hood’s Texas Brigade Association, Re-Activated to— 15, 2009 to receive the special rate. Ann Oppenheimer Corresponding Secretary/Treasurer HTBAR • Flight Information 11 Dallari Court Several daily flights leave for Abilene from DFW/ Fort Worth San Antonio, Texas 78216-7887 International Airport via American Airlines American Eagle service. Check www.aa.com for details. Contacts: Ann Oppenheimer - [email protected] Martha Hartzog - [email protected] • Getting to Buffalo Gap Amy Smith, GMRF - [email protected] Buffalo Gap Historic Village • 133 N. William Street Buffalo Gap, Texas 79508 Located 14 miles south of Abilene on State Highway 89 (Buffalo Gap • Getting to McMurry University Road in Abilene), in the middle of the scenic town of Buffalo Gap. If McMurry University • 1400 Sayles Blvd • Abilene, TX 79605 you’re driving in from the Dallas – Fort Worth area, get on Interstate (325) 793-3800 • www.mcm.edu/newsite/web/ 20 and head west. When you get to Abilene, take Loop 322 south to Seminar will be at the Radford Memorial Auditorium. the Buffalo Gap Road exit. If you’re coming from Midland or Odessa, From the East– On I-20, exit #292A toward Abilene. This will do the same thing except head east; and when you reach Abilene, take you into Abilene on S. 1st. Follow S. 1st to Sayles Blvd, turn follow Loop 83/84 south to the Buffalo Gap Road offramp. Once left. Continue down Sayles Blvd until you reach S. 14th. McMurry you’re on Buffalo Gap Road, continue south, past the Abilene Mall University will be on the southwest corner of the Sayles & S. 14th and the city limits. When you start seeing speed signs telling you to intersection. slow down, you’ll know you’re on the edge of the town of Buffalo From the West– On I-20, exit #279 toward Abilene. This will take you Gap. Turn right on Elm – then go two blocks. If you miss Elm, don’t into Abilene on S. 1st. Follow S. 1st to Sayles Blvd, turn right. Continue panic; just keep driving until you come to William Street (across from down Sayles Blvd until you reach S. 14th. McMurry University will be Jim Ned Elementary School), make a right turn on it, and head north. on the southwest corner of the Sayles & S. 14th intersection. We’re at 133 North William Street.