Volume 9 Issue 3
November 2016
September 2010
Monroe County Civil War
Round Table
S P O N S O R E D
B
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“Michigan at Antietam:
The Wolverine State’s Sacrifice on America’s Bloodiest Day”
Michigan Historical Commissioners and authors, Jack Dempsey and Brian Egen share
their research from their book Michigan at Antietam: The Wolverine State’s Sacrifice on
America’s Bloodiest Day”. Their book sheds new insights on the role of Michigan
soldiers and civilians during this epic struggle. Their research also reveals the Wolverine
state’s connections and involvement in one of the Civil War’s greatest mysteries – the
November 10 –
famous “Lee’s Lost Order”, never-told stories about the combat role of staff orderly
Michigan at
George A. Custer, and one regiment that lost nearly half of their unit in less than an hour.
Antietam
Learn more about Michigan soldiers’ monument-worthy contributions, the heroism of the
17th Michigan “Stonewall Regiment” at the Battle of South Mountain and the bloody
November 17 Course, the Infantry Officer
Advance
Master Fitness
Training
the Combined
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at Course,
the epicenter
of theArms
battleground.
sacrifice
of theCourse,
7th Michigan
Paging through the
centerpiece of the book is the tale of the state’s vital role in making possible the issuance
Civil War Book Club
of the Emancipation Proclamation. Their book Michigan at Antietam will be available for
purchase. To honor and remember Michigan’s sacrifice during the single bloodiest day in
December 8 – Show
American history, the authors will dedicate all proceeds from the book for the creation and
and Tell
installation of a new monument to the Wolverine State.
January 12 – TBA
About the Authors January 26 – Paging
JACK DEMPSEY is author of the award-winning Michigan and the Civil War: A Great and
through the Civil
Bloody Sacrifice and articles on Michigan involvement in the Civil War. His fascination
War Book Club
with the Civil War dates to the third grade; his first visit to Antietam came in 1973. He
co-authored (with Dave Dempsey) the Michigan Notable Book Ink Trails: Michigan’s
February 9 – African
Famous and Forgotten Authors and a forthcoming sequel, and he is author of Capitol
American Sailors
Park: Historic Heart of Detroit. A Super Lawyer® in the Ann Arbor office of Dickinson
Wright PLLC, he has served on the Michigan Historical Commission since 2007; he was
March 9 – Paging
elected its president in 2012. Born in Detroit, he lives in Plymouth, Michigan, with his
through the Civil
wife of forty-one years, Suzzanne.
War Book Club
Upcoming
Programs
All Round Table
programs begin at 7
pm and are held at
the Ellis Library and
Reference Center,
3700 South Custer,
Monroe, MI
BRIAN JAMES EGEN is an award-winning film director and producer, Civil War material
culture historian and lifelong student of the Civil War. He is executive producer at The
Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan where for many years he was responsible for the
implementation of the “Civil War Remembrance” program on Memorial Day weekend
devoted to study and commemoration of the Civil War. He has served on the Michigan
Historical Commission since 2011 and is chairman of its Civil War Sesquicentennial
Committee. He served as assistant director and historical consultant for Antietam: A
Documentary Film for the U.S. Department of the Interior on the Battle of Antietam, and
his fascination with the Antietam story dates to the early 1980s. Born in Monroe,
Michigan, he lives there in a historic home with his wife, Jody, and daughter, Scarlett.
Paging through the Civil War Book Club will meet Thursday, November 17 at 7 pm. This month’s book
is Our Man in Charleston: Britain’s Secret Agent in the Civil War South by Christopher Dickey. Please
contact Charmaine for more information or to reserve a book (734-241-5277).
Check out these books available from the Monroe County Library System…….
Thunder at the Gates: The Black Civil War Regiments that Redeemed America by Douglas Egerton.
Egerton chronicles the formation and battlefield triumphs of the 54th and 55th Massachusetts Infantry and the 5th
Massachusetts Cavalry—regiments led by whites but composed of black men born free or into slavery. He argues that the most
important battles of all were won on the field of public opinion, for in fighting with distinction the regiments realized the longderided idea of full and equal citizenship for blacks. (Amazon)
William Tecumseh Sherman: In the Service of my Country by James Le McDonough. McDonough offers
fresh insight into a man tormented by the fear that history would pass him by, who was plagued by personal debts, and who
lived much of his life separated from his family. As a soldier, Sherman evolved from a spirited student at West Point into a
general who steered the Civil War’s most decisive campaigns, rendered here in graphic detail. This meticulously researched
biography explores Sherman’s warm friendship with Ulysses S. Grant, his strained relationship with his wife, Ellen, and his
A
unassuageable grief over the death of his young son, Willy. The result is a remarkable, comprehensive life of an American icon
whose legacy resonates to this day. This is available as a downloadable audio book. (Amazon)
Drill! Drill! Drill!
The following was published in the Monroe Commercial on September 11, 1862:
Drill! Drill! Drill! – In many of the northern cities, citizens are suspending business after a given hour each day, and
gathering together for the purpose of learning the mysteries of Hardee. Why may not the citizens of Monroe do the
same? In our opinion it is high time that every man liable to do military duty in every city, village, hamlet and town
in the north should devote a small portion of each day to learning military drill. By this means new levies may
hereafter be put into the field with some knowledge of military affairs; where now we are all as ignorant of that
which it is most necessary for us to know as a child just learning his A, B, C. It is only by thorough and systematic
military organization that we shall ever succeed in putting down this rebellion. Let us then organize and commence
drilling without further delay. In Detroit military companies are being organized in each ward – the City to be
divided into two districts and placed under competent commandants. Companies are to meet on Monday and
Wednesday evenings and on Saturday afternoon for company and battalion drill.
Upcoming History Events
Friends of Potter Cemetery Soup/Chili Dinner – Nov. 12, noon to 5 pm – First United Methodist Church
Carleton
Michigan Civil War Round Tables
Ann Arbor Civil War Round Table - Meets 2nd Monday of each month - http://www.aacwrt.org/
Civil War Round Table of Southwest Michigan – Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month – www.cwrtswmi.org
Kalamazoo Civil War Round Table - Meets the 3rd Friday of every month - http://www.kcwrt.com/
Civil War Trivia Question: What brigadier, promoted
after the Battle of Antietam, faced a court of inquiry in
the aftermath of Five Forks? (Garrison 41)
Answer to September’s Trivia: The first action Custer
saw as a division commander was at Tom’s Brook on
October 9, 1864.
Book Sale! Our Round Table is hosting a
monthly book sale. All proceeds will
benefit the Antietam Monument
Project….Civil War hardcovers-$5.00 and
paperbacks-$2.00.