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About the Civil War Round Table of New York
The Civil War Round Table of New York is a
membership organization celebrating its 69th anniversary this
year, making it one of the oldest round tables dedicated to the
study of America’s Civil War.
The club generally meets once a month
from September to June. Meetings are held in New York City at
The 3 West Club,
3 West 51st Street in Manhattan.
Our
Expert Speakers, Authors and Historians
address a wide variety of Civil War
related topics including frequent updates about preservation
strategies of battlefields and other sites.
Past speakers have included "Legends"
like Ed Bearss, James I. “Bud” Robertson, Jr., James McPherson,
Shelby Foote, Harold Holzer and Doris Kearns Goodwin, among
others.
The January meeting is
Lee/Jackson Night,
when a speaker discusses these generals or a related southern
topic.
The
Barondess/Lincoln Award is
presented each February to any person or institution for
contributing to the greater appreciation of the life and work of
Abraham Lincoln. Named in memory of Benjamin Barondess, a CWRTNY
founding, charter member, the award has been presented annually
since 1962.
The Fletcher Pratt Literary Award
is presented in May to the author or
editor of the best non-fiction book about the Civil War published
during the previous calendar year. Named in memory of Fletcher
Pratt, journalist, author, and CWRTNY charter member, the award
has been presented annually since 1956.
The
Bell I. Wiley Award honors the
non-literary and/or the artistic talents of those who have
contributed to a greater understanding and preservation of any
aspect of the Civil War.
The
James I. Robertson Young Reader Award
acknowledges significant literary
contributions, fiction or non-fiction, about the Civil War for
elementary and high school students and has been named for the
renowned historian.
The Round Table conducts an annual trip
to a Civil War battlefield or related historical site.
Battlefield Tours
have been made to Gettysburg,
Appomattox, Petersburg, the Shenandoah Valley, Shiloh, Richmond,
Vicksburg, and other famous locations.
If you like history...if you share our
interest in the Civil War and its heritage...
PLEASE JOIN US AT OUR NEXT MEETING!
Why Still The Fascination With The Civil
War?
By Bud Livingston
It is not surprising at all that so many
people are still deeply interested in that peculiar period of
American history, the years 1861 through 1865. What is a surprise,
though, is that more and more people do not follow suit. The
factual interest is enormous, sometimes incredible, and source
material abounds.
What work of fiction could possibly match
this saga of internecine warfare? What contemporary writer could
have dreamed up the set of characters that were involved? A
general whose men refuse to fight unless he goes to the rear, away
from danger. Two of the most successful figures of the war who
were unsuccessful in civilian life during the fighting one was
deemed crazy…the other a drunk. A third (hardly a more prominent
figure exists even today!), a solitary martinet, sucked lemons and
refused to tell subordinates his plans. One cavalry leader
couldn't spell but always demanded surrender "to prevent further
effusion of blood"…another kidnapped a banjo player to entertain
his troops.
These were just a few of the characters.
Now…for some plots. Imagine this…
A set of Rebel
orders, found on an open field wrapped up with three cigars, plays
a decisive part in one of the major battles of the war, a
so-called victory for the Union, which brings forth an
Emancipation Proclamation, in effect, keeping England and France
from recognizing the Confederacy, a major triumph for the North.
Or…When a group of Pennsylvania coal miners turned soldier, ply
their trade again and dig a 511-foot tunnel to reach the
Confederate defenses, a mighty explosion follows. Unhappily, a
political decision causes untrained troops to be used, resulting
in the slaughter of the attackers. Or…A Confederate raider,
purchased by Theodore Roosevelt's uncle, ruins Northern shipping
by burning or capturing 69 Union vessels. The famous Alabama
is sunk off the French coast by the USS Kearsage, and the
survivors are picked up by British yachts.
All of these topics have been touched upon
by our speakers for over six decades. In the long ago past,
speakers included Bruce Catton, Allan Nevins, Douglas Southall
Freeman and Shelby Foote. Currently we have heard Ed Bearss,
“Bud”Robertson, “Jack” Davis, Harold Holzer, Allen Guelzo, and
other well-known historians.
No wonder so many of us try to relive this
period in so many ways once a month from September to June. The
wonder is that there aren't a host of others joining us.
To paraphrase one of our original
members and a direct descendent of Jeb Stuart, "If you want to
have fun, join the CWRTNY."
The Civil War
Round Table of New York
Officers and Directors 2019-2020
Kris Kasnicki , President
Margaret Echaniquei, VP of Programs
Joan McDonough, VP of Operations
Mike Connors, Treasurer
Pat
Holohan, Secretary
Board of Directors
2020
Daniel
McCarthy
Paul Weiss
2021
Beth
Connors
Carolyn Roxon
2022
John
Allen
Bill Finlayson
Board Member At Large – Dave Licalzi
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