Richmond Civil War Round Table

09/04/2026

Learn about cannons at Malvern Hill! Artillery dominated the Malvern Hill battlefield. Tomorrow, Saturday, September 5, the Park will hold a special event focused on the use of artillery.

10:00 a.m. - Cannon Demonstration
11:00 a.m. - Ranger Talk on Artillery in the Battle
1:00 p.m. - Cannon Demonstration
2:00 p.m. - Ranger Talk on Artillery in the Battle

08/31/2026

We are very much looking forward to welcoming Melissa Winn to our Round Table on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Melissa's topic is "Grant's Conscience: The Unique Camaraderie Between Ulysses S. Grant and His Chief of Staff John Rawlins." The meeting at the Weinstein JCC, 5403 Monument Avenue, begins at 7:30 p.m.

In this talk, Melissa discusses the life of Union General John Rawlins, the prewar origins of his close and unique friendship with General Ulysses S. Grant, and the many ways in which the lives and legacies of these two men not only intertwined during the Civil War, but for each of their lifetimes, and, likely, eternity.

Melissa A. Winn is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. She is a Senior Editor for "Military Images" magazine with a regular column focused on women and the Civil War. She is the editor of "Shavings" and "The Chronicle," the member newsletter and magazine of the Early American Industries Association, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Civil War Round Table Congress and Manassas Battlefield Trust; and serves as President of the Bull Run Civil War Round Table.

08/24/2026

Here's a heads-up.... We are looking forward to welcoming Melissa Winn to our September 8, 2026 meeting. Melissa's topic is "Grant's Conscience: The Unique Camaraderie Between Ulysses S. Grant and His Chief of Staff John Rawlins." Stay tuned for more information.

08/18/2026

Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Walking Tour of Malvern Hill Battlefield,
9175 Willis Church Road, Henrico, VA 23231

A Park Ranger from Richmond National Battlefield Park will offer a guided walking tour of the Malvern Hill Battlefield from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. The tour will offer an overview of the July 1, 1862 battle that marked the end of the Seven Days Battles. The tour will cover about a mile-and-a-half of uneven ground. Wear appropriate shoes for the terrain, bring water to stay hydrated. Meet your guide at the Malvern Hill Battlefield parking area.

08/18/2026

Saturday, September 26, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.:
162nd Anniversary New Market Heights Battlefield Tour - 3256 New Market Road, Henrico, VA 23231

Join the Battle of New Market Heights Memorial and Education Association for a special walking tour of the New Market Heights battlefield. The tour will start at Four Mile Creek Park/Virginia Capital Trail parking lot's center gazebo. About 1.5 to 2 miles of walking over occasionally uneven terrain, including periods of standing. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and bug spray.

08/14/2026

We had another great meeting on Tuesday when the inimitable Charlie Fennell spoke to a large group on "Culp's Hill and the Failure of Sustainable Restoration."

08/03/2026

Guests are welcome to

We are thrilled to welcome back to the Round Table on August 11 one of our favorite speakers, Dr. Charles Fennell, one of Gettysburg's Finest. Charlie's presentation is entitled, "Culp's Hill and the Failure of Sustainable Restoration." The meeting at the Weinstein JCC begins at 7:00 p.m.

Culp's Hill is the forgotten gem of the battlefield at Gettysburg. It receives only a fraction of the visitation that Little Round Top and the Angle receive and yet it is as important if not more so to the outcome of the battle than the more famous parts of the field. When the National Park Service was forced to close Little Round Top due to heavy visitation, it was decided to restore and interpret a portion of Culp's Hill to get more visitors to go there and relieve some of the attrition on Little Round Top. This then is the story of the failed attempt to restore one of the most significant parts of the Battlefield of Gettysburg.

Dr. Charles Fennell was born in Western Pennsylvania just a little north of Pittsburgh on the Allegheny River. He has received three higher education degrees, all in American History with his final degree being a PhD in History from West Virginia University in 1992. His dissertation topic was "The Attack and Defense of Culp's Hill." After retiring from teaching at the college level for forty-one years he continues to pursue his passion as a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park, a position he has had for forty years. Charlie and Joleen, his wife of forty-six years, live in Hanover, Pennsylvania, where they raised their three children.