Raleigh Civil War Round Table |
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"The same rain falls on both friend and foe."
The Mission of the Raleigh Civil War Round Table is to study the history of the American Civil War, to stimulate interest and promote education in a broad range of topics related to that war, and to aid in the preservation and enhancement of its battlefields, cemeteries, relics, and other historic sites and landmarks.
The Raleigh Civil War Round Table’s October 12th, 2026, meeting features renowned Civil War historian and speaker Robert M. (Bert) Dunkerly, M.A., speaking on An Overview of the Revolution and Its 250th Anniversary. Our meeting venue is the Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community at 1500 Sawmill Road in north Raleigh. Springmoor residents attend for free. See the associated map and directions below.
This is the final call for payment of your 2026-2027 dues if you have not already done so. Contact Raleigh CWRT Sec./Treasurer Griff Bartlett for details or refer to the back page of any Knapsack Newsletter.
NEW as of June 10, 2026! Access from within this website to the video-recorded episodes of Fridays with U.S. Grant, by living historian Dr. Curt Fields, Ph.D., and sponsored by the Civil War Round Table Congress, is now up-to-date. Links to an additional 4 episodes recorded by Dr. Fields have been added, bringing the total to 85! The entire suite of compelling, always interesting, episodes can be accessed by clicking on the link Fridays with U.S. Grant, located in the Navigation panel to the left. It is truly amazing how Dr. Fields is able to disappear into the role of U.S. Grant!
NEW as of June 8, 2026! Available now for your listening enjoyment are eight additional Civil War podcasts from Civil War lecturer Freddie Kiger, numbered 091 to 098 (Oct. 2025 to May 2026). These can be accessed from the Navigation Column to the Left by clicking on the link Freddie Kiger's CW Podcast.
A reminder that the podcast Addressing Gettysburg provides "great experiences, quality programs, and a welcoming community for those who love Gettysburg."
Andrew Ballard, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's The Knapsack newsletter editor emeritus, has created and curates a new YouTube channel showcasing an archive of videos of interest to the Raleigh CWRT's members and friends. To access it, click on the link Raleigh CWRT YouTube Channel in the Navigation panel on the left.
Upcoming meeting of the Raleigh CWRT
Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 12th, 2026, in the auditorium of Raleigh's Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community.
The gathering commences at 6:30 p.m. with socializing and light refreshments. The program, which begins at 7:00 p.m., features renowned Civil War historian and speaker Robert M. "Bert" Dunkerly, M.A., speaking on the topic An Overview of the Revolution and Its 250th Anniversary.
Bert’s presentation is based on his book An Explorer's Guide to America's Revolutionary War: Revolutionary Towns, Battlefields, Important Leaders, Iconic Places. (Blue & Gray Education Society, May 1st, 2026.)
Jam-packed with full-color images, detailed maps, and hundreds of historic sites, An Explorer's Guide to America's Revolutionary War is the ultimate travel guide to America's fight for freedom and democracy. This indispensable handbook takes you from colonial unrest to full-grown war to the creation of a new nation. The book is the recipient of a Silver Medal in the 2023 Lowell Thomas Awards (Guidebook) from the Society of American Travel Writers. Sidebars highlight important people, significant events, and interesting facts for a deeper understanding of the war.
Inside you'll also find:
Comprehensive information on historic houses, battlefields, churches, monuments, national historic sites, museums, historical markers, and more
Detailed visitor information on how to visit each site
9 walking tours of revolutionary cities with step-by-step directions and colorful maps
Overview maps for each state that include battles and points of interest, plus detailed battlefield maps that highlight the action
A list of the 25 most important events to put the war into historical perspective
A fact-filled chapter providing a Revolutionary War primer
Actively involved in historic preservation and research, Bert Dunkerly is a renowned historian, award-winning author, and speaker specializing in the American Revolution and the Civil War. He holds a degree in History from St. Vincent College and a Master's degree in Historic Preservation from Middle Tennessee State University.
Bert has worked at 14 different historic sites and is a member of the Emerging Civil War Speakers Bureau. His research interests include military history, archaeology, colonial life, and historic commemoration. He has worked at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, and has spent years analyzing the final months of the war. Bert is currently a Park Ranger at Richmond National Battlefield Park.
Bert has authored ten books and over twenty articles about the Civil War, including several in the Emerging Civil War Series. Dunkerly has served as president of the Richmond Civil War Round Table, taught classes at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and at Central Virginia Community College. He also writes for the Emerging Civil War and Emerging Revolutionary War blogs.
Beyond his writing, he frequently gives presentations and book talks at Preservation Virginia and various Civil War Round Tables. Bert has visited over 400 battlefields and over 700 historic sites worldwide. When not reading or writing, he enjoys hiking, camping, and photography.
Bert most recently spoke to the Raleigh Civil War Round Table at our May 2026 meeting where his presentation focused on the events covered in his book To the Bitter End: Appomattox, Bennett Place, and the Surrenders of the Confederacy (Emerging Civil War Series). (Savas Beatie, Mar. 19th, 2015.)
Bert Dunkerly’s Civil War authored or co-authored oeuvre is listed in the May 11th, 2026 issue of The Knapsack Newsletter, Vol. 26, No. 5. This listing includes links to the web pages where they can be purchased on Amazon.com.
Other than An Explorer's Guide to America's Revolutionary War, Bert has authored or co-authored six additional books on the American Revolution. In the order they were published, they include:
Old Ninety Six: A History & Guide by Robert M. Dunkerly and Eric K. Williams. (History Press Library Editions, April 1st, 2006.)
The Battle of Kings Mountain: Eyewitness Accounts by Robert M. Dunkerly. (History Press Library Editions, March 20th, 2007.)
Women of the Revolution: Bravery and Sacrifice on the Southern Battlefields by Robert M. Dunkerly. (The History Press, Nov. 24th, 2007.)
Redcoats on the Cape Fear: The Revolutionary War in Southeastern North Carolina revised edition by Robert M. Dunkerly. (McFarland, June 12th, 2012.)
Eutaw Springs: The Final Battle of the American Revolution's Southern Campaign by Robert M. Dunkerly. (University of South Carolina Press, May 15th, 2017.)
Unhappy Catastrophes: The American Revolution in Central New Jersey, 1776-1782 by Robert M. Dunkerly. (Savas Beatie, Sept. 27th, 2022.)
Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community
The Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community is located at 1500 Sawmill Rd., Raleigh, NC. This is the NE quadrant of the intersection of Sawmill Road and Creedmoor Road, aka NC Hwy 50. Their phone number is (919) 848-7080.
As shown circled in red on the map, monthly meetings take place in the Administrative/Activity Center Building at North Village, adjacent to the main parking lot. Enter the right side of building into the lobby and check in with the receptionist. Then take the stairs or elevator to the 2nd floor, where the auditorium is located.
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The Podcast Addressing Gettysburg
The podcast Addressing Gettysburg was founded, and is hosted, by Matt Callery. Its name is a clever wordplay on Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Its motto is "Great experiences, quality programs, and a welcoming community for those who love Gettysburg." Matt is supported by his team consisting of Veronica Brestensky (Co-Host), and regular contributors and Licensed Battlefield Guides Bob Steenstra and Tim Smith.
Following are two endorsements of Addressing Gettysburg:
"Matt Callery and his Addressing Gettysburg podcast sets out with the idea that history is not boring and succeeds admirably. The podcasts explore fascinating aspects of the Gettysburg and the American Civil War and Matt asks penetrating, interesting questions that draw the best from his guests. If you have any interest in Gettysburg or how people endured and responded to extreme circumstances and conditions, you will find this podcast well worth your time investment."
— Scott Hartwig - Author, To Antietam Creek: The Maryland Campaign of 1862
"Anyone interested in learning more about the events of July 1863, and their place in history and memory, can find something to enjoy in Addressing Gettysburg. Through engaging interviews with historians, guides, experts, and other informed guests, each episode provides thorough, educational, entertaining, and informative historical content. From military tactics, to civilian and human interest stories, to the battle's lasting legacy locally and across the nation, when it comes to Gettysburg, this podcast covers it all.
— Codie Eash - Author, Historian, Visitor Services Coordinator at Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum
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Third Member-Produced Civil War Documentary Film Now Available
Andrew Ballard, editor emeritus of The Knapsack newsletter, has just produced a companion Blu-ray film to two earlier documentaries that the Raleigh Civil War Round Table previously released.
This latest documentary film, The Civil War in North Carolina: Taking the Offensive, 1864, covers events that took place in our state that year including efforts by Maj. Gen. George Pickett to retake New Bern. The film features the following:
- James E. White III (Batchelor’s Creek / New Bern and USS Underwriter)
- Philip Gerard (Kinston Hangings)
- Alex Christopher Meekins (Battle of Plymouth)
- Andrew Duppstadt (CSS Albemarle and Battle of Albemarle Sound), and
- Chris Fonvielle (Fort Fisher).
It is narrated by S.N. Burkholder of Middletown, CT and filmed on site. It includes re-enactment footage along with historical maps and illustrations and period music.
Blu-ray discs of this film will be offered at our August 14th, 2023, meeting for donations of $10 or more. Copies of The Civil War in North Carolina: Battles for the Coast, 1862 and The Civil War in North Carolina: The Final Campaigns, 1865 are also still available. As we have done with donations for the first two films, net proceeds from the third film will be used for preservation and conservation efforts related to the Civil War in North Carolina. Checks should be made out to Raleigh CWRT.
The first film, The Civil War in North Carolina: The Final Campaigns, 1865, features historians and authors speaking on the major events of 1865, including the following:
- Ed Bearss (Overview/Monroe's Crossroads)
- Chris Fonvielle (Fort Fisher / Fort Anderson / Wilmington)
- David Waller (Wyse Fork)
- Andrew Duppstadt (CSS Neuse)
- Wade Sokolosky (Averasboro)
- Mark Bradley (Bentonville)
- Chris Hartley (Stoneman's Raid)
- Ernest Dollar (Raleigh / Morrisville)
- Bob Farrell (Logan), and
- John Guss (Bennett Place)
The experts were all filmed at the applicable historical sites and re-enactment footage from the sesquicentennial events at Fort Fisher, Fort Anderson, and Bentonville is included.
Music by the Liberty Hall Drum & Fife Corps and the 26th North Carolina Field Music/Carolina Fifes and Drums, artwork by Stephen McCall, Martin Pate, and Darrell Combs, and maps by Mark A. Moore and Hal Jesperson are also in the documentary.
The second film, The Civil War in North Carolina: Battles for the Coast, 1862, covers events that took place in our state that year including the Burnside Expedition and Foster's Raid. The film features the following:
- Former National Park Service Ranger Michael Zatarga (Roanoke Island, South Mills)
- Author James E. White III (New Bern)
- N.C. State Park Ranger Paul R. Branch Jr. (Fort Macon)
- Military Curator for the NC Museum of History Charles R. Knight (Tranter's Creek), and
- Founder of the Goldsborough Bridge Association Randy Sauls (Foster's Raid / Kinston, White Hall, and Goldsborough Bridge).
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The American Battlefield Trust is Offering Free Educational Materials on the American Revolution and American Civil War
The American Battlefield Trust "wants to share a sample of the digital resources that might be helpful to you right now. We hope that they can help bring history to life at home, whether you are a parent, educator, lifelong student of history, or anywhere in between."
Click here to be taken to The American Battlefield Trust's Facebook page where you can find links to free on-line educational materials covering both the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War.
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The American Battlefield Trust Needs Your Help
The American Battlefield Trust asks for your help in saving two acres of irreplaceable Civil War history on small, but vital, tracts of land of three Civil War battlefields: East Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg, PA (one-half acre), Parker’s Cross Roads, TN (one-half acre), and Sailor’s Creek, VA (one acre). The goal is to raise $193,000. Donations are matched at a ratio of $4.00-to-$1.00.
For more information, click the following link: Save Central Land at 3 Battlefields Including Gettysburg.
The Trust’s website has a web page devoted to a wonderful interactive tool. Displayed is a map of the U.S. that can be toggled between topographical and satellite views. In either case, an Interstate highway system is superimposed for reference.
For each State in which Civil War battles were fought, one can zoom in on that State and then drill down to show a specific battle. Clicking on the battle location brings up a webpage with details about the battle.
The map can be filtered by State, by Civil War year, and by victor. One can toggle a depiction of any land within the battlefield that is part of the current campaign for preservation. For each battle, the number of acres already saved as well as the number of additional acres available for saving is displayed. The interactive map can be found by clicking the following link: Saved Land.
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