The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce will offer three Civil War seminars and tours in 2012, starting on April 20-22 with “Gray Ghosts, Raiders and Bushwhackers: Partisan Warfare 1861-65.”
Some of the nation’s top Civil War historians – including battlefield expert, Ed Bearss — will be presenters at the seminars. Civil War buffs from throughout the nation are expected to attend. Ted Alexander, Chief Historian at Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland, partners with the Chamber to present the seminars. The seminar brochure is available by request or can be viewed online at http://www.civilwarseminars.org/images/stories/pdfFiles/grayghostonline.pdf
Topic discussions on April 20 include the dramatic stories of John Mosby, John Mobberly, N.B. Forrest and John Hunt Morgan, as well as an overview of irregular warfare from both sides. Panel discussions will focus on myths and realities of partisan warfare in the Civil War and guerilla warfare in literature and film.
A bus tour of John Mosby’s Confederacy on April 21 will include sites such as Loudoun Heights, where Mosby suffered a serious defeat; Miskell’s Farm, where the raiders engaged in a hot fight; Mt. Zion Church, where Mosby organized his command; the site of the famous Greenback Raid and many other sites associated with the legendary “Gray Ghost.”
Presentations on April 22 will focus on Confederate raider Lige White, John Mosby in the Gettysburg Campaign, Col. John D. Imboden’s raid on the Upper Potomac and the Counterinsurgency Doctrine from the Civil War to the Present.
The second seminar in 2012 will be from July 25-29 and focus on“Antietam: The Bloodiest Day,” with talks, tours, panel discussions, exhibits and demonstrations. Tours include Gen. Lee’s advance from Leesburg to Frederick, the Army of Northern Virginia at Sharpsburg, Rodman’s advance from Snavely’s Ford, historic farmsteads of the battlefield and more, including dinner in the historic Mumma Barn.
The third seminar from September 28-30 will focus on“The Battles of South Mountain: Sept. 14, 1862,” with a bus tour that includes stops on private property not usually open to the public.
Call 717-264-7101 for information or visit www.chambersburgcivilwarseminars.org.
The Chamber and Alexander have presented seminars since 1989, donating proceeds each year for battlefield preservation. The Franklin County Visitors Bureau provides promotional support.
