BRCWRT — Vol. XXVI, Issue 1, FEBRUARY 2019 Page 1 The Newsletter of the Bull Run Civil War Round Table — Vol. XXVI, Issue 1, FEBRUARY 2019 HISTORIAN/AUTHOR GENE SCHMIEL SPEAKS ON "THE BATTLE MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS OF ANTIETAM, SEPT. 17, 1862, & THE 7 p.m. Centreville Library THURSDAY, February 14, 2019 UNION COMMAND CONTROVERSY” AT THE FEBRUARY 14TH MEETING GUEST SPEAKER: Author and Historian Civil War historians love to debate tactics GENE SCHMIEL and strategies employed by the leading generals. But most would agree that Robert E. TOPIC: Lee took a potentially dangerous gamble when he arranged his forces outside Sharpsburg, “The Battle of Antietam and the Maryland, on September 17, 1862. Lee could Union Command Controversy” have faced complete defeat and surrender, with his forces backed up against the Potomac River. But for a variety of reasons, Lee's Army of 2014 by Ohio University Press. The book, a Northern Virginia survived the day, despite History Book Club selection, was labeled “best overwhelming odds, and the war continued. biography of the year” by the Civil War Books One of the most important reasons was and Authors web-site. Union commander Gen. George McClellan’s Gene holds a Ph.D. degree from Ohio State controversial command decisions made during University and was an assistant professor of the Maryland cam- History at St. paign. They con- Francis University fused and compli- (PA) before be- cated his army's coming a foreign “unity of command” service officer at and, combined with the State Depart- McClellan being ment. He resides over cautious, led in Gainesville, Vir- to the ultimate ginia with his wife stalemate. Those Bonnie Kathryn. decisions, involving His Web site is: generals Ambrose Burnside, Fitz-John Porter, Joseph Hooker, and https://civilwarhistory-geneschmiel.com. Jacob Cox, and the reasons behind them have He and former member Ron Mayer gave a been the subject of debate among Civil War presentation about the Battle of Franklin to the historians ever since. Bull Run CWRT a few years ago. Schmiel is We are so happy to have a Bull Run Civil currently working on a “counterfactual” book War Round Table member and author to tell us about the Battle of Antietam and how an over- the rest of the story. Gene Schmiel is a retired whelming Union victory there ironically would U.S. Department of State Foreign Service have resulted in the preservation of slavery. officer. He is also a student of the Civil War, Come on out to meet and dine with Gene at Car- whose book, “Citizen-General: Jacob Dolson rabba’s Italian Restaurant, 5805 Trinity Parkway, Cox and the Civil War Era,” was published in Centreville, VA 20120: (703) 266-9755. BRCWRT — Vol. XXVI, Issue 1, FEBRUARY 2019 Page 2 BULL RUN CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE UPCOMING 2019 MEETINGS Executive Committee President: Mark Trbovich, [email protected], February 14th - Gene Schmiel - “The Battle 703.361.1396 Past President: Nancy Anwyll, [email protected] of Antietam and the Union Command Controversy“ Vice-President: Mark Whitenton, [email protected] Treasurer: Joe Young. 703-281-7935 Secretary: John Pearson, [email protected], March 14th - Eric Whittenberg - “Cavalry 703.475.1943 At Large: Charlie Balch, John De Pue, Brian McEnany Action at Battle of Chickamauga ” Communications/Media: Jim Lewis, [email protected] Marketing: Stephanie Vale, [email protected] April 11th - Noah Cincinnati - "Seed and Blood: Slav- Membership: Mark Whitenton, [email protected] ery & American Capitalism " Preservation: Blake Myers, [email protected] Student Scholarship: Nancy Anwyll ([email protected]), Brian McEnany and Charlie Balch Education: Brian McEnany, Nancy Anwyll Field Trips: Scott Kenepp Webmaster: Alan Day, [email protected] Graphic Design: Drew Pallo, [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Nadine Mironchuk, [email protected] Newsletter Team: Saundra Cox, Ed Wenzel, Eric Fowler, Janet Re-up at the Bull Run Civil War Greentree and Andy Kapfer. The Bull Run Civil War Round Table publishes the Stone Wall. Round Table NOW! General Membership meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at: Centreville Regional Library 14200 St. Germain Drive In This Issue Centreville, VA 20121-2255 703.830.2223 President’s Column Page 3 For specific meeting dates and information, please visit the Web site: http://bullruncwrt.org 2019 BRCWRT Scholarship Page 4 NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE BRCWRT 25th Book Review Page 4 For the March 2019 issue, e-mail articles by 9 a.m., Monday, February 25, to Nadine Mironchuk at: The Book Corner Page 5 [email protected] Ms. Rebelle Page 6 NEWSLETTER ADVERTISEMENT SUBMISSION DEADLINE Lt. Col. McAnaw Laid to Rest Page 10 For the March 2019 issue, advertisers should please click on “Instructions for Advertisers” at: http://bullruncwrt.org and e-mail ads by noon on Febru- Scholarship Artifacts Sale Page 11 ary 15, to Charlie Balch at: [email protected] PWC/Manassas Symposium Page 13 Support the BRCWRT in its important mission to educate and to commemorate New Member Page 13 the battles and events of the Civil War Preservation Report Page 15 JOIN US AT CARRABBA’S Coming to PWC in February Page 20 Do you come directly to the monthly meeting from work and look for a place to Coming to PWC in March Page 21 eat, or would you just like to come early to dinner? Join BRCWRT members, and our monthly guest speaker, for good food and camaraderie. We are currently meeting Check out the GREAT artifacts sale on around 5 p.m. at Carrabba’s Italian Grill Page 11 located just across Lee Highway from the Centreville Regional Library. All proceeds go to support the BRCWRT 2019 Scholarship Award!! ~~~ BRCWRT — Vol. XXVI, Issue 1, FEBRUARY 2019 Page 3 The President’s Column attended. Thank you By Mark A. Trbovich again, Jim, for stepping up and presenting during a most cold and Bull Run Civil War Round Table Members, miserable evening. Winter 2019 is a cold season of snow and At the January meet- ice, and we are all just wanting to stay home by ing, our former treasurer the fire. This was most obvious at our January Mark Knowles presented 2019 meeting to which only a few brave souls the BRCWRT 2019 An- ventured out to attend as the threat of snow nual Budget - his last loomed. I hope everyone had a wonderful Merry time coming before us in Christmas and Happy New Year with you and that role. He did an out- yours. This year is shaping up as an outstanding standing job and the one here at the Bull Run Civil War Round Table BRCWRT member Jim Lewis unanimous voice vote Pitch hits for January’s approved the budget. I (our 28th), with many memorable events coming speaker, talking about cav- up. Our Executive Committee and I are alry officer Charles Russell would like to again thank committed to bringing you outstanding Civil War Lowell in Virginia. Mark for his 20 years of speakers, tours, picnic, and presentations Photo by Brian McEnany service as treasurer and throughout 2019. We are proud to be an look forward to working outstanding group of dedicated folks, now 283 with Joe Young as our new treasurer in 2019. members strong, who look forward with Thank you so much, Vice President Mark excitement to the next years to come. Whitenton, for taking my place at the meeting Our December speaker, Eric Buckland, and holding this most important vote. presented an outstanding program on tales of Don’t forget - you can also “tune in” to all of coincidence and “I didn’t know that” stories of our lectures and follow along with specific Mosby’s Rang- PowerPoint slides, at our Web site audio ar- ers. Eric has a way of chives, located at: http://bullruncwrt.org/ telling these tales that BRCWRT AudioArchives/Audio_menu.html. is entertaining and February is the second month for our 2019 comical to all who Membership Drive, which concludes at the end came out. We had a of April. I encourage everyone to bring new wonderful cake and folks to join the round table, either at our Web lots of holiday fellow- site or at the next meeting. I am always ship in the air. Thank encouraging a “youth movement” for the you again, Eric; we’ll BRCWRT, so that a future generation of Civil see you at the round War historians and preservationists will continue table this year. our proud traditions here in Centreville, VA. I’m Our scheduled Jan- looking forward to getting to 300 members in Mosby expert Eric Buckland uary speaker, MNBP 2019, which has been my goal for the last 9 spoke about individual Rangers Superintendent Bran- years. I believe together we can make that goal! at the December meeting of the BRCWRT. don Bies, could not Your Executive Committee has been working Photo by Janet Greentree speak due to the U.S. overtime on new initiatives for constantly government’s partial improving our round table’s vision and mission. shutdown and being furloughed as a National This year will be another tremendous year for us Park Service employee. We were so very at the BRCWRT, as we continued to bring great fortunate to have our own Jim Lewis speak on lectures and events to the membership. the activities of Federal Cavalry Officer Charles Preservation lead Blake Myers and his team Russell Lowell in the Northern Virginia area… have been working on many projects this year mainly Vienna, VA, and the Hunter Mill Rd. area. and look to be involved with many more as the Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the year unfolds. Our new Marketing Committee meeting but heard that Jim’s presentation drew lead, Stephanie Vale, needs some volunteers as great reviews from all the brave souls who (con’t on page 14) BRCWRT — Vol.