September 2025 Newsletter

From the Editor

When I give talks about Stonewall Jackson, I often joke that he was not someone I would have wanted to hang out with.

He saw the world in black and white. He was uptight, strict, and literal. He had a sense of humor, sort of, but it was awkward. He was earnest to the point of overseriousness. He was known to be sincere but not warm.

And yet I find myself hanging out with him a lot lately. I’ve done a couple Stonewall Jackson talks this month, with a couple more later this fall: “Stonewall’s Greatest Hits” and “The Rise of Stonewall Jackson.” Kris White and I just recorded an upcoming podcast about Jackson at Gettysburg (tune in in October!). Earlier this summer, I revisited Stonewall Jackson's headquarters in Winchester for the first time in years—well worth a stop if you’ve never been there. (Great folks!)

I admit, for being someone I wouldn’t have wanted to hang out with, Jackson has been immensely good company!

I have an abiding connection with Jackson. He was my window into the Civil War almost 30 years ago, and I remain a fanboy, although my understanding of his life and times has evolved over that time. I have tried to take him down off that pedestal on the Manassas battlefield and ground him as a person so I can better understand from him and listen to what he has to tell me. While the mythology around him remains endlessly fascinating as a phenomenon, the humanity beneath the icon has remained the real touchstone for me. Jackson was a father and husband, after all, which resonates strongly with me as a husband and father.

In my latest talks, I’ve tried to offer some new ways to see a person whom folks might otherwise think they know. Let’s peel back the bronze and marble and stained glass. Let’s blow away the fog of war and the fog of magnolias and moonlight. Let’s humanize, let’s be a little irreverent, let’s even poke some fun. Let’s question our own assumptions. Let’s keep our feet on the ground.

Stonewall Jackson still has things to tell me. They all do—all of those men and women of the war era, great and common—if we just let them speak to us.

– Chris Mackowski, Ph.D.

Editor-in-Chief

12th Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge

Fewer things spark good armchair-generalling like leadership decisions. For the 12th Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge, we’ll focus on “Rivalries and Partnerships,” so there will be plenty of fodder for discussion. The event will be held August 7–9, 2026, at Stevenson Ridge in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

Our keynote speakers will be Harold Holzer and Craig Symonds. We'll also have a featured talk by ECW Chief Historian Kris White. More speakers will be announced soon.

Early bird tickets are now for sale for $275. On January 1, the regular ticket price of $325 will go into effect, so get your tickets early!

For information or to order tickets, visit our Symposium page.

News & Notes

On September 18, Neil P. Chatelain spoke at the 2025 McMullen Naval History Symposium, at the US Naval Academy. Neil spoke about the October 1861 battle of the Head of Passes at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Also at the symposium was one of ECW’s Polish Chrises, alum Chris Kolakowski (right)!

Sean Chick published at article in the latest issue of North & South (Series II, Volume 4, Number 6 ): “‘Not a Useless Appendage:’ Don Carlos Buell at Shiloh.”

Doug Crenshaw continues doing private tours of The Seven Days, North Anna and Cold Harbor battlefields.

Inspired by Brian Kowell’s recent post on the sculptor Gutzon Borglum and his work on the Stone Mountain carvings of Lee, Davis, and Jackson, Kevin Donovan hopped in the car and drove 500 miles from Roanoke VA to the site (carvings in background). (Full Disclosure: A family wedding also sparked the trip).

Earlier this month Jon-Erik Gilot announced the 2026 Civil War Symposium at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, PA. 1861: Small Battles, Big Outcomes, features seven dynamic historians who will unpack the military, political, and social threads of this pivotal first year of the war. ECW will be well represented with lectures by Chris Mackowski, Rob Orrison, Mark Maloy, Ryan Quint, with additional presentations from Melissa Winn, Rich Condon, Phil Spaugy. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see the Faces of Civil War Nurses exhibit, tour the Espy Post, taste Civil War cider, book sales, raffles, and more! For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit their website.

On Saturday, September 13, Chris Mackowski got to spend a whole day on the Spotsylvania Court House battlefield with two busloads of people as part of the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust’s annual conference. Chris offered a day-long tour of Spotsy, with a focus on topography to underscore the importance of battlefield preservation. (On the downside, he missed his youngest son’s soccer game, where Maxwell scored his first-ever goal. . . .) On Friday, September 12, Chris gathered with conference attendees at Massaponax Church to talk about the famous series of photos taken there as the Federal army left Spotsy on its way to the North Anna River. The talk also covered the movement of the armies south and a look at the cost of the Overland Campaign up to that point.

This month, Evan Portman visited the Dr. Samuel Mudd house during his trip to Charles County, Maryland. John Wilkes Booth stopped at the Mudd house during his escape to Virginia after assassinating President Abraham Linocln. Evan also presented a paper titled "Transnational Identities of German Americans in the Nineteenth Century" at the German Studies Association conference in Arlington, Virginia.

Terry Rensel will talk to the Erie PA Civil War Roundtable on Oct 21st about the 145th Pennsylvania (and Erie regiment!) at Chancellorsville.

On September 17, Joe Ricci spoke to the New Orleans Civil War Roundtable as their inaugural speaker for the 70th year. It was evening of food, lively conversation, a cocktail called the “Minie Ball,” and all the discussion of John Bell Hood’s postwar years one could handle. And cake—there was cake too!

Tim Talbott (right) spoke to the Varina (VA) Ruritan Club on September 2, sharing about events that happened in their own community at the Battle of New Market Heights. He also assisted with the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust's Annual Conference, held on September 12–14 (pictured with Kenneth Noe, left). In addition, Tim spoke about USCTs during the Petersburg Campaign at the Battle of New Market Heights Memorial and Education Association's 161st Anniversary events on September 27.

Join Kris White and Chris Mackowski at the American Battlefield Trust 2025 Battlefield BookFest and GettysNerd 2.0 on November 14–15 in Gettysburg. It’s an event that you don’t want to miss, with talks by Will Greene, Scott Hartwig, Carol Reardon, Jim Hessler, Garry Adelman, and more! Tickets are on sale NOW!

8 Questions with . . . Sarah Canfield

Sarah Canfield recently joined ECW as our new executive administrator. She’ll handle much of our day-to-day operations. In her full-time capacity beyond ECW, Sarah is an education and events specialist for the American Battlefield Trust. You can read her full bio here.

How did you get interested in the Civil War?

My first memory of Civil War history comes from some of my earliest reading. My favorite book as a kid was a compilation of short histories, from ancient Rome through World War II. One chapter told the story of the Union Army finding Special Orders No. 191 wrapped around three cigars. I remember being crammed into the backseat of my mom’s minivan reading the story over and over on long drives. That was my introduction to the drama of the Civil War!

What’s your favorite topic to study and why?

My favorite project in graduate school focused on violence in D.C. during the Red Summer of 1919. (Forgive me for not picking a Civil War topic!)

Are you working on any projects at the moment?

No, I’m not working on any research projects, just reading for now!

(Lightning Round)

Favorite primary source?

I generally enjoy digging into newspaper archives and reading reports from the front next to local news, marriage announcements, and advertisements for tinctures. I like thinking about the way information was presented and how people experienced the news.

Favorite Civil War-related monument?

I live right around the corner from the Emancipation Statue in D.C.’s Lincoln Park. While it is not my favorite stylistically, I appreciate that it continues to generate discussions on the Civil War and its legacy, as well as memory in public spaces. I also like the Grant memorial in front of the Capitol building—it’s definitely high drama!

Favorite unsung hero of the Civil War era?

She’s not exactly unsung, but Dr. Mary Edwards Walker is a fascinating figure, not only as a wartime surgeon and suffragist, but also as an important leader in the rational dress movement. Being arrested for wearing men’s clothes is very punk rock. I think the radical themes of her life are under-sung!

Bucket list Civil War site you’ve not yet visited?

I’ll make it to Lookout Mountain one day soon, I hope!

Favorite book by an ECW author?

It’s not just because I enjoy working with the author, but Sarah Bierle’s new book John Pelham in the Civil War has been a great read! I’ve also enjoyed hearing about her inspiration and research process. I always appreciate a peek behind the curtain.

ECW Multimedia

In September on the Emerging Civil War Podcast, Chris Mackowski started the month with a conversation on September 3 with historians John R. Heckman and Jonathan Noyalas about “The Ethics of Responsible Civil War History.” The conversation started a series at ECW, “Ethics and Issues,” that focused on ethical issues public historians face as they work on Civil War history. You can see a full-recap of that series here.

Also on the podcast in September, Chris spoke with

ECW Chief Historian Kris White about Gettysburg as “The Elephant in the Room” of Civil War studies (part of our “Ethics and issues” series). Sept. 9

Historian Jeffrey Boutwell about his recent biography of “the most influential 19th Century politician you’ve never heard of,” his distant cousin George Boutwell. Sept. 16

ECW’s newest member, Madeline Feierstein, who talked about the Federal occupation of Alexandria, Virginia, in the Civil War. Sept. 23

The ECW YouTube page featured video version of all these podcast episodes, plus a special interview with publisher Ted Savas, “The Elephant in the (Reading) Room,” a companion piece to the Kris White interview and part of our “Ethics & Issues” series.

Our YouTube page also included a video visit to the site of Turner Ashby’s death in Harrisonburg, VA; coverage of Central Virginia Battlefield Trust’s annual conference from Tyler McGraw; and a series of battlefield videos by Tyler commemorating the battle of Second Manassas, featuring Anthony Trusso with a guest appearance by Gene Schmiel.

You can listen for free on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or at https://emergingcivilwar.com/the-emerging-civil-war-podcast/.

Emerging Revolutionary War News

September saw the largest battle of the American Revolution—by forces engaged—at Brandywine on September 11, 1777. This year's Emerging Revolutionary War Annual Bus Tour will visit Brandywine, along with other sites associated with this campaign. Although the bus tour is sold out, check ERW’s blog and Facebook sites for live videos and updates—as well as info about next year's tour location! (www.emergingrevolutionarywar.org)

And remember to check Facebook and YouTube for the popular "Rev War Revelry," which includes this month an interview with historian Gary Ecelberger on his latest book George Washington's Momentous Year: Valley Forge to Monmouth, January to July 1778.

On September 29, ERW historian Mark Wilcox will be presenting a lecture on Benedict Arnold's Raid in Virginia for the Colonial Dames at Wilton House and Museum in Richmond, Virginia.

You Can Help Support Emerging Civil War

Emerging Civil War is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. If you’re interested in supporting “emerging voices” by making a tax-deductible donation, you can do so by visiting our website: www.emergingcivilwar.com; you can mail us a check at the address below (make checks payable to "Emerging Civil War"); or you can make a gift through PayPal.

Thank you!

Upcoming Presentations

October

4–5: Curt Fields, Dover (TN) Relic Show

8: Chris Mackowski, “A Tempest of Iron and Lead: the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House,” Lynchburg (VA) CWRT

14: Curt Fields, General Grant and General Beauregard (Larry McCluney, Jr.) will discuss their “meeting” at Shiloh, CWRT Congress’s Giving Tuesday event @ 7 p.m. EDT/4 p.m. PDT (Please join us and contribute to the cause of the CWRT Congress and the American Battlefield Trust!)

15: Kevin C. Donovan, “The Court Martial of Fitz John Porter: Fair or Fixed?” York CWRT, York, PA

15: Curt Fields, “Unconditional Surrender”: The Book, Civil War Talks Zoom program (open to the public)

16: Derek Maxfield, Miami CWRT (virtual)

18: Curt Fields, “Grant Speaks,” Georgetown, OH

18: Tonya McQuade, “A State Divided: The Civil War Letters of James Calaway Hale and Benjamin Petree of Andrew County, Missouri,” San Diego CWRT in San Diego, CA

20: Daniel Welch, “Battle of Secessionville,” Inland Empire Civil War Round Table, (Virtual)

21: Curt Fields, Grant in the Western Theatre, Twin Cities CWRT, Eden Prairie, MN (on the new telegraph of ZOOM)

21: Tonya McQuade, “A State Divided: The Civil War Letters of James Calaway Hale and Benjamin Petree of Andrew County, Missouri,” Peninsula CWRT in Redwood City, CA

24: Curt Fields, “Remembering Sam Clemens,” Civil War Roundtable Congress, “Fridays with Grant” (on the new telegraph of ZOOM)

25: Madeline Feierstein, “”St. Elizabeths Asylum: Civil War Care at the Hospital for the Insane,” Lee-Fendall House Museum, Alexandria, VA

Oct. 31—November 1: Curt Fields, Civil War Days, Johnsonville State Historic Park, Johnsonville, TN

November

4: Curt Fields, General Grant and General Lee (Thomas Jessee) will discuss the Appomattox Campaign and surrender, CWRT Congress’s Giving Tuesday event @ 7 p.m. EDT/4 p.m. PDT (Please join us and contribute to the cause of the CWRT Congress and the American Battlefield Trust!)

6: Bert Dunkerly, “Final Bivouac: The Appomattox Surrender and Disbanding,” Hanover Tavern, Hanover Courthouse, VA

7: Bert Dunkerly, “Final Bivouac: The Appomattox Surrender and Disbanding,” Civil War Round Table Congress

7: Curt Fields, U. S. Grant Symposium, Cape Giradeau, MO

8: Chris Mackowski, “Stonewall Jackson’s Greatest Hits,” Louisville (KY) CWRT

10: Kevin C. Donovan, “The Court Martial of Fitz John Porter: Fair or Fixed?”, Shenandoah Valley CWRT, Harrisonburg, VA

10: Curt Fields, “Grant’s visit to Raleigh to confer with Sherman,” Raleigh (NC) CWRT, (on the new telegraph of ZOOM)

11: Jon-Erik Gilot, “The Hardest Campaign Ever Inaugurated: Hunter’s Retreat from Lynchburg,” Stonewall Jackson CWRT, Clarksburg, WV

11: Chris Mackowski, “The Mud March,” Veterans Day observances, Fall Run, VA

12: Jon-Erik Gilot, “The Hardest Campaign Ever Inaugurated: Hunter’s Retreat from Lynchburg,” Ohio Valley CWRT, Wheeling, WV

18: Curt Fields, “Grant: The Man Behind the Uniform,” John Knox Village CWRT, Kansas City, MO

18: Jon-Erik Gilot, “The First Cut: The Civil War’s First Amputation,” Mason Dixon CWRT, Morgantown, WV

20: Jon-Erik Gilot, Kevin Pawlak, “John Brown’s Raid,” Miami CWRT Book Club, Miami, FL (Virtual)

20: Derek Maxfield, Hershey CWRT, Hershey, PA, 7:00 PM

Emerging Civil War | www.emergingcivilwar.com