News

BELOW: Waud image of Civil War surgery after the Battle of Antietam (Library of Congress)

News Updated - 4/12/26

Join us for the next meeting on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 7:15pm (doors open 6:45), at the Harvey-Mitchell Library, 151 Main St, Epping.

As the Civil War Roundtable of New Hampshire celebrates its 35th anniversary, we welcome historian Dan Welch to New Hampshire.

"William Child, the Smoketown Hospital and the Aftermath of Antietam," will be the night's program.

Antietam remains the single-bloodiest day in American military history, with nearly 23,000 casualties in just 9 hours of combat. Hear the stories and challenges of the longest-operated field hospital at Antietam, the Smoketown Hospital. Through the letters and diary entries of William Child, Assistant Surgeon of the 5th New Hampshire, you can hear of the next fight for many wounded left in the battle’s wake: survival.

Dan Welch has served as editor of Gettysburg Magazine, National Park Service ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park, Education Programs Coordinator with the Gettysburg Foundation, and an instrumental music teacher with several public school districts in northeast Ohio. He is the co-author of two works in the Emerging Civil War Series, The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign, 1863 and Never Such a Campaign: The Battle of Second Manassas, August 28-30, 1862.

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In other news, we have elections coming in June for one director post. It's a 3 year term and requires little more than just offering opinion or a vote to the board. If you are so interested, please contact us.

We have no meetings in July or August, but will post events or news related to Civil War related activities thourhgout the summer.

Meetings and the new season will begin in September.

As always, we are FREE and open to the public! Come out and visit us and bring a friend!

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The rate for dues has not changed in many, many years ($25/person or $40/household). A form can be found on this website. Please fill out the form and bring with you money to the next meeting.

If you wish to mail your dues, please do not send cash in the mail. The post office could very well lose you payment.

Want to join our group? You can find the membership form on this page. Print and bring it to the next meeting or mail it to our PO Box. (address below on the form).

Our group meets at the Harvey-Mitchell Library, 151 Main St, Epping.

GPS: 43.03907, -71.07295

Coming this fall!

For the celebration of America's Semi-Quincentennial (250th anniversary), a series of quarters will be released throughout the year.

The last of these quarters will be one recognizing the Gettysburg Address.

The Weirs ~ What is it?

New Hampshire created a special place for its veterans of the Civil War in Laconia near Lake Winnipesaukee, still run by the New Hampshire Veterans Association.

It’s called “The Weirs,” and between 1878 and 1919, Civil War veterans from New Hampshire held reunions called encampments, often with special guests, such as William Tecumseh Sherman, George B. McClellan, Joseph Hooker, Ambrose Burnside, and in 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt.

The “Encampments” happened in August, and it was a very popular event in the state.

More info on “The Weirs,” can be found on these links:

New Hampshire Veterans Association

Weirs Beach - Veterans Section

Devoted to Patriotic Reminiscence," ... by Sally E. Svenson

We were founded in May 1991 and have presented talks by some prominent nationally known historians, regional historians including professors from universities and colleges, and many of our members who share their particular passion on a favorite person, battle, technology or what have you.

With the start of the season in September, dues are due. We welcome guests, but please consider becoming a member. Our dues have remained the same for some time now. $25/person and $40/family or household. Dues help our group function and bring in speakers. If you wish to mail in a form and dues, please email a request. A form will be emailed. Please don't send cash through the mail.

Our book raffle has returned. Gently used Civil War books are offered at each meeting. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Money goes into the fund for the RT and help us with expenses.

We also gladly take monetary donations and as a non-profit, it's tax deductible!

Please note we are meeting at the Harvey Mitchell Library, 151 Main St, Epping, NH

GPS: 43.03907, -71.07295

Park in back and enter through the backdoor. All are welcome: Blue & Gray!