Meeting Recaps
Recap of October 13, 2022, Civil War Round Table of Venice
Website: www.venicecwrt.org
It is encouraged to wear a Civil War Soldier's or Civilian’s clothing if you have
such. A Battlefield Tour T-Shirt or Leader’s, Your Favorite Sides’ Blue or Gray Colors,
• Pledge of Allegiance – The group faced the flag and recited the pledge.
• Welcome: Tom Van Dyke – Tom welcomed everyone including our guest speaker, Charles Vavrina, PHD. W e went around the room and told our hurricane damage stories. Thankfully, no one suffered injuries or catastrophic losses.
“Campfire” Chat: All – We went around the room and each member said who was his favorite Civil War General and why. Ironically, there were few duplications and not everyone said Grant or Lee. In 1863, Hurricane Amanda raged off the Outer Banks in NC and the Ironclad Monitor was sunk off the coast of Cape Hatteras while on its way to participate in the Battle of Port Royal Sound. On Sept. 27, 1864, the Battle of Mariann, FL, resulted in a Union victory. Over 1100 troops were engaged. Because of the heavy losses in Union officers, the raiding mission was called off.
• Membership Report: Membership Chair, Harry Friend, was not present, so no report.
• Treasurer’s Report: Jim Middleton – Diego was off on another jaunt to Mexico and other destinations but insisted our funds were as secure as if Judah P. Benjamin had them himself.
• Web Site Report: Thomas Van Dyke – Tom also discussed the use of other media to post news and information and asked attendees to go out on the web site and provide feedback.
• Old Business: Recap of last Meeting – Due to time being more appropriately ceded to ourspeaker, the recap od September was not read.
• New Business- Wayne reported his findings about forming an actual chapter of the Civil War Round Table. There are no dues or fees to pay to a supreme body. If we wanted to become more official and open a bank account, we would have to file some organizational papers with the state. The group decided to remain informal.
• Trivia: Joe Testa – Reports of Joe Testa’s not attending October’s meeting were greatly exaggerated. Joe once again challenged us with a very informative trivia test. Joe will not be at meetings until January, so he passed the task to Mickey Lawrence.
• Presentation- We were treated to an outstanding presentation by Charlie Vavrina based on his book, “When This Cruel War is Over…” The book and the presentation details the actions of the 123rd NY, and is based on research and letters of Sgt. John McCollum Stevely. The 123rd participated an major battles from Chancellorsville in 1863 to the Carolina’s Campaign in 1865.
January, Mickey Lawrence, R.E. Lee, by Fitzhugh Lee; February, Joe Testa, Confederate Navy; March, Wayne Hall, TBA,
Next Meeting Date November 10, 2022, at the City Hall community room, 7PM.
• Program: Barry Westergreen, “