~~~~The Old Liner~~~~
- Online edition of newsletter -

Robert Ford, Interim Editor
Future Meetings: 4th Tuesday of each month
January 27, 2026, February 24, March 24, April 28, May 26, June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November 24, December 8.
(Time: Doors open at 7:00, Business meeting and Speaker: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Hiss United Methodist Church, 8700 Harford Rd, Parkville, MD 21234 (from the beltway (I-695) the church will be on your right. Pull into the upper parking lot-the lot just before the church building- and walk to the semi-circle at the front. Enter the first door on the right, go up the stairs to the second floor and turn right to the library (rm #208).
 
Views expressed in this Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of members as a whole,
nor do they represent a position taken by the Baltimore Civil War Roundtable.
Next Meeting: October 27, 2026

 Ulysses S. Grant never expected to play a role in the Civil War, yet by its end, he commanded every soldier in the United States Army. Along the way, he secured impressive victories, learned from critical mistakes, broke the Confederacy’s resolve, overcame the criticism of his immediate superior, and earned the steadfast support of the president. “Grant is my man and I am his  the rest of the war!” exclaimed Abraham Lincoln after the pivotal victory at Vicksburg, Mississippi.

 

Join the Baltimore Civil War Roundtable as we host historian and first-person Grant reenactor Dr. Curt Fields on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Fields is the co-author, with Dr. Chris Mackowski, of Unconditional Surrender: Ulysses S. Grant in the Civil War. Unlike our regular hybrid meetings, this one will be only online via Zoom.

 

Unconditional Surrender invites readers to follow Grant’s journey with Dr. Curt Fields, the nation’s foremost Ulysses S. Grant living historian. Since February 2010, Fields has portrayed Grant in first-person reenactments. Drawing on years of extensive research, this book offers an ideal introduction to the “dust-covered man” from the West who won the Civil War and preserved the United States.

 

Dr. Curt Fields, has presented to the BCWRT on previous occasions, has had a strong interest in the Civil War since he was about 12 years old. That interest led him, ultimately, to portray General Grant in first-person. In “being” General and President Grant, he developed a deep respect for the complex man that Grant was—a man who has, regrettably, been shunted into the shadows of history. In the 21st century, Curt has been a police officer and hostage negotiator; a high school teacher and later a principal; and a university instructor. In 2022, Curt was elected to the board of directors of the Ulysses S. Grant Association. He serves on the board of directors for the Civil War Roundtable Congress and on the board of the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association.

 

Curt as well as co-authoring Unconditional Surrender : Ulysses S. Grant in the Civil War, part of the Emerging Civil War Series, and he contributed to Grant at 200: Reevaluating the Life and Legacy of Ulysses S. Grant. He lives in Collierville, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis.

 

Remember, join the Baltimore Civil War Roundtable as we host historian and first-person Grant reenactor Dr. Curt Fields on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., as he presents Unconditional Surrender: Ulysses S. Grant in the Civil War. Register for this Zoom only meeting at:

 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1OGpX54BSRe_jEbfwMEhhA

 

 

 


 

Notes from the President


“Old Father Time checked, so there'd be no doubt. Called on the north wind to come on out. Then cupped his hands so proudly to shout
La-di-da, di-da-di-dum, 'tis Autumn” Although not written until 1941, the henry nemo composed jazz standard “Tis Autumn”  truly describes the normal weather changes we experience this time of year, no matter what century.

 

Whether warm, chilly or just outright cold, soldiers fighting during the civil war faced conditions in many October battles. The 1861 Battles of Santa rosa island and Ball’s Bluff marked the Contrast of fighting in Florida and northern Virginia.

 

The Battle of Perryville – (October 8, 1862) was  fought over a lack of  water during a severe drought. October of 1863 witness the virginia battles of Bristoe Station and Buckland Mills.

 

Lastly,  The Cedar Creek/Belle Grove/ battle (which reenactment recently took place) emerged in the fall harvest season of 1864  Shenandoah valley. – October 19, 1864 (Virginia): Union Major General Philip Sheridan rallied his troops after a surprise Confederate dawn attack by Major General Jubal A. Early, securing a decisive Union victory that ended Confederate offensive operations in the Shenandoah Valley.

 

Speaking of reenactments, the 70th Annual Remembrance Day Parade will take place on in Gettysburg, Pa. Saturday November 14, 2026, at 1 p.m. Sponsored by the Sons of Veterans Reserve, the parade features us and csa reenactors and marks the unofficial end of the reenacting season.

 

Related activities include: the civil war Ball, the cemetery illumination And many other events.

 

The annual dedication day, marking the actual anniversary of lincoln’s Gettysburg address, is Thursday, November 19, 2026, This year’s event marks the 163rd anniversary of the Gettysburg Address at Soldiers' National Cemetery.

 

Further information can be obtained at https://destinationgettysburg.com/november-in-gettysburg/=
Links:   October News Articles    Previous Meetings 

Annual Dues Notice

Dues for the Baltimore Civil War Roundtable are due at the beginning of each Calendar Year. Please make check payable to
BCWRT and mail to:

Frank Armiger, 42 Norwick Circle, Timonium. MD. 21093, 410-591-9977.
NEW  >>> Effective 2/11/2026 You may pay your dues via your banking app or website that supports Zelle.  Send dues to farmiger@verizon.net  using Zelle.

NAME ____________________________________________$25 IND ___ $35 FAM ___ PHONE ___________

 

ADDRESS __________________________________________________EMAIL ______________________

Note: If you would like your membership card mailed to you please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Otherwise, you can pick it up at the meeting.