Welcome to our 2025 - 2026 Civil War Lecture Series
FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
- September thru May
- Program starts at 7:30 PM
- In Person at Six Paupers Tavern and Restaurant , 7465 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707
- ZOOM Available
Dinner : (optional ) 6:30 pm
NOTE : Dinner is not provided by the CWRT but is available for guests to order and purchase off the menu.
- Business Meeting 7:15 pm
- Program begins at 7:30 pm
- Non - member program fee $5.00
September 3, 2025
Craig Breneiser, “Assault of the First Amendment: Burnsides Other Blunder”
During the Civil War, Union General Ambrose Burnside significantly challenged First Amendment rights by issuing General Order No. 38 in 1863, which criminalized "disloyal" speech in the Department of the Ohio. His actions, including arresting Congressman Clement Vallandigham and suppressing newspapers like the Chicago Times, led to intense debates over free speech
October 15, 2025
Jim Christ and Chuck Ulmann speaking on the "Christian C. Sanderson Museum Civil War Collection"
Jim Christ and Chuck Ulmann speaking on the "Christian C. Sanderson Museum Civil War Collection"
Jim Christ and Chuck Ulmann speaking on the "Christian C. Sanderson Museum Civil War Collection"
Jim Christ is best known as the President of the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund.
Charles Ulmann is the Curator of the Christian C. Sanderson Museum.
Christian C. Sanderson Museum
Jim Christ and Chuck Ulmann speaking on the "Christian C. Sanderson Museum Civil War Collection"
Jim Christ and Chuck Ulmann speaking on the "Christian C. Sanderson Museum Civil War Collection"
The Christian C. Sanderson Museum is a private, non-profit enterprise located in the historic village of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The museum exhibits the eclectic collection of historical relics, artifacts, and memorabilia acquired by Christian Sanderson over a period of more than 75 years. The museum was founded in 1967, and is operated almost entirely by volunteers.
November 5, 2025
Mike Monroe, “Gettysburg Undertaker from the Soldiers' Orphanage”
Mike Monroe portrays a "spirit guide" or historical figure in Gettysburg related to the National Soldiers’ Orphans' Homestead. The National Soldiers' Orphans' Homestead, located at 777 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg, opened in October 1866 as a home and school for children orphaned by the Civil War. It operated until 1878 when it became infamous for the abuse inflicted on children by headmistress Rosa Carmichael in the 1870s, which led to its closure. Today, the building is a known haunted landmark and a site for tours
January 7, 2026
Steve Cowie, “When Hell Came to Sharpsburg”
Steve Cowie earned a degree from California State University, Long Beach. As part of the Los Angeles film industry, he penned spec screenplays and sold his award-winning short film "Lola" to the Sundance Channel. A lifelong student of the Civil War, Cowie dedicated fifteen years to exclusively researching the Battle of Antietam. "When Hell Came to Sharpsburg" is his first book. He has also written for North & South Magazine, HistoryNet, Crossfire Magazine (UK), The Antietam Journal, and Civil War Times.
February 4, 2026
James Rada, Jr. "Kidnapping the Generals: McNeill's Regiment 1865 in Cumberland, MD
James Rada, Jr. "Kidnapping the Generals: McNeill's Regiment 1865 in Cumberland, MD
James Rada, Jr. "Kidnapping the Generals: McNeill's Regiment 1865 in Cumberland, MD
February 21, 1865:
40 to 65 Confederate Rangers led by Lieutenant Jesse McNeill targeted Union Generals George Crook and Benjamin Kelley, who they captured from their hotel rooms in Cumberland, Maryland, a city occupied by thousands of Union soldiers. The raid was successful, bloodless, and allowed the Rangers to transport the generals to Richmond, Virginia. The raid is considered one of the most thrilling and audacious incidents of the Civil War.
James Rada, Jr. Website
James Rada, Jr. "Kidnapping the Generals: McNeill's Regiment 1865 in Cumberland, MD
James Rada, Jr. "Kidnapping the Generals: McNeill's Regiment 1865 in Cumberland, MD
James Rada, Jr. is an Amazon.com-bestselling author who writes non-fiction history and historical fiction. His books include the historical novels Canawlers, October Mourning, Between Rail and River, and The Rain Man. His non-fiction books include Battlefield Angels: The Daughters of Charity Work as Civil War Nurses and Looking Back: True Stories of Mountain Maryland. Many of his books have been bestsellers in their categories on Amazon.com.
He lives in Gettysburg, Pa., where he works as a freelance writer. Jim has received numerous awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, Associated Press, Maryland State Teachers Association and Community Newspapers Holdings, Inc. for his newspaper writing.
March 4, 2026
Michael Morgan "Civil War Delaware: The First State Divided"
Morgan is a retired high school history teacher who holds a Master's degree in history. A former member of the interpretive staff at Fort McHenry National Monument, he served as the 1st Sergeant of the Fort McHenry Guard, a living history unit dedicated to the War of 1812. A frequent lecturer in the coastal region, Morgan's look at history is marked by a lively, storytelling style that has made his writing popular.
Michael Morgan's Books
Author Michael Morgan deftly navigates the complex history of Delaware during the Civil War. From Wilmington abolitionist Thomas Garrett, who helped 2,700 fugitive slaves flee north, to the prison camp at Fort Delaware that held thousands of captured Confederates and political prisoners, Morgan reveals the remarkable stories of the heroes and scoundrels of Civil War Delaware.
April 1, 2026
Domi Miller, "Daughters of Charity in Gettysburg"
About 40 Daughters of Charity from Emmitsburg, MD, arrived in Gettysburg on July 5, 1863, to nurse soldiers from both sides. Domi Miller tells their story.
May 6, 2026
Tom Hansen, First Person Portrayal: Col. Strong Vincent
Tom Hansen is a Corry, Pennsylvania-based historical re-enactor who has portrayed Union Colonel Strong Vincent for over 12 years, specializing in first-person interpretations of the Civil War hero from the Battle of Gettysburg. Hansen's portrayal highlights Vincent's critical decision to break the chain of command at the Battle of Gettysburg to secure Little Round Top. As "Colonel Vincent," Hansen describes the sensory details of battle, including the smoke, smell of black powder, and the cries of wounded soldiers. His portrayal emphasizes duty, with Hansen (as Vincent) stating, "I just know that if I lived or if I died, I was doing my duty for the country. The country came first to me". Hansen frequently highlights that Vincent was mortally wounded while holding the line, was promoted to Brigadier General on his deathbed, and died five days after the battle.