Commonwealth Speakers:The Civil War Era


Jennie Wade is the subject of a talk by Judith Giesberg. Photo courtesy of Chicago History Museum.

As the bicentennial anniversary of Lincoln's birth and the sesquicentennial of the Civil War approach, it's appropriate that this category offers many different stories and perspectives on the era—ranging from an examination of slavery, to Civil War heroes, to a look at child soldiers in the war.

Lincoln and the Widow Bixby
In a scene in the 1998 movie Saving Private Ryan, General George Marshall reads a letter from President Lincoln written to a widow and mother of five sons killed in the Civil War. In the movie, the letter serves as inspiration to young soldiers preparing to risk their lives to rescue the one surviving son of a contemporary widow. But, while her story was immortalized in Stephen Spielberg's World War II saga, what do we know of the real Mrs. Bixby? Who was she and the sons she sent into battle? How does a mother survive an experience like this? Whatever became of Lydia Bixby? And, what happened to Lincoln's letter—the most famous condolence letter ever written? Through the life of Lydia Bixby, audience members will consider how ordinary women experienced the war and survived loss. And, we will explore the mystery surrounding Lincoln's letter.

Judith Giesberg, Havertown
Assistant Professor of History, Villanova University

The Underground Railroad in Quilts?
The Underground Railroad, the secret paths traveled by African Americans who escaped slavery in the South, is well documented by historians. Far more elusive is evidence that slaves used quilts as signals to guide their way to freedom. This hands-on talk and demonstration will feature authentic 19th century quilts and modern reproductions to explore some of the ways in which women stitched their politics, history and mythology into quilt designs. A folklorist who specializes in material culture, Cassandra Gunkel has documented and studied African American quilts and textiles. She also has curated numerous exhibits in Philadelphia and Bucks County.

Cassandra Stancil Gunkel, Ivyland
Folklorist

The Faces of the Civil War
Historian Paul Newman's 45-minute presentation will focus on Pennsylvania's role in the fighting and lasting memory of the Civil War. The presentation will contrast the popular memory of the war with its messy and gruesome realities, as revealed by photographs. Newman will ask participants to compare the realities of the Civil War with 20th and 21st century conflicts and to debate its permeating themes.

Paul Douglas Newman, Johnstown
Associate Professor of Early American History, University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown

Reminiscing with a Pennsylvania Officer About the Civil War
Dressed as a Civil War officer, David Valuska will discuss the life of regional soldiers in the Union Army from 1861-1865. Valuska will select a regiment reflecting the region of the host organization, and he'll also highlight several of the key battles that the regional regiment was involved in, such as Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Using a variety of props including uniforms, maps and weapons, Valuska will bring to life a Union soldier and his times. Audience members will be involved in this interactive presentation.

David Valuska, Kutztown
Professor Emeritus, Kutztown University

Civil War Era Music
The trauma of the Civil War era produced a tremendous amount of music, as the nation mourned and sought relief from the deaths of over 600,000 Americans. Some of the songs and tunes were handed down from immigrant cultures, and others were newly composed. Themes often included the life of soldiers, domestic scenes, death and abolition. Instrument maker and musician Thomas Jolin will perform a selection of these works and discuss their origins, as well as the origins of the instruments of the period.

Thomas Jolin, Orrtanna
Musician & Instrument Maker

The Boys in Blue
Far too often, books present Union Civil War soldiers as cardboard cutouts who fought the enemy and won the war. Few books portray common soldiers as they actually lived and died. Historian Richard Sauers will examine the common soldiers in blue and how they coped with a war in which more than 600,000 men died. Many of the soldiers were teenagers who learned to cope with army life by playing practical jokes, getting into trouble and, at times, harassing civilians. This often humorous presentation will show youthful soldiers in a new light.

Richard Sauers, Sunbury
Historian and Author

Heroes, Spies and Villains on the Underground Railroad
This presentation looks not only at those individuals who worked for the success of the Underground Railroad, but also at those who were determined to capture fugitives for a lucrative bounty. Kidnappers, spies and villains, operating under the guise of friend, spread terror and anxiety. But, in Pennsylvania, many individuals were willing to take a stand in the fugitives' defense. This slide-illustrated talk will explore some of the historical incidents involving Pennsylvania freedom fighters, spies and Underground Railroad passengers.

Nilgun Anadolu-Okur, Broomall
Associate Professor of African American History, Temple University

Meet General Meade, Victor of the Battle of Gettysburg
Using Meade's own words and extensive background research, Anthony Waskie, speaking as General Meade, will recount the general's career and services to the nation. From his work as an engineer and lighthouse builder, to combat in the Seminole and Mexican Wars, to his assuming command of the Union Army on the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg (where he handed Lee his first defeat), Meade was integral to the survival of the Union. Not only successful in war, Meade also designed Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, founded two schools for orphans of Civil War veterans and helped integrate surviving veterans back into peacetime pursuits. Participants are encouraged to ask "General Meade" questions about his life and work.

Anthony Waskie, Philadelphia
Professor of Languages & Member of the Civil War & Emancipation Studies Forum, Temple University

Philadelphia and the Civil War
Philadelphia often is noted as a shrine to the Revolutionary War, but the city played a significant role in the Civil War as well, earning it the title of "Arsenal of the North." As a major transportation hub, a manufacturing center, the site of the finest hospitals in the nation and the source of tens of thousands of men for the armed forces, the city was crucial to the war effort. Anthony Waskie will discuss many of the sites closely identified with the Civil War, including training camps, recruiting stations, hospitals, arsenals and depots as participants learn of Philadelphia's pivotal role in the Civil War.

Anthony Waskie, Philadelphia
Professor of Languages & Member of the Civil War & Emancipation Studies Forum, Temple University

Jennie Wade's Bad Reputation
Gettysburg visitors have heard her name and perhaps part of the story. As it goes, Jennie was in the kitchen on July 3, 1863 kneading biscuit dough when a stray bullet from the battlefield passed through the door of the house, striking and killing her instantly. Hearing the news, soldiers came to the home to remove her body and the rest of her family to safety. Jennie was buried in a municipal graveyard, where a statute was erected in her honor some years later. But, there is more to the story of Jennie Wade—her life, namely, and the afterlife of her reputation. In this talk, audience members will hear about how the family struggled to overcome poverty, stick together and to support the soldiers during the war. We will talk about how and why Jennie's mother had to fight for 50 years to save her daughter's reputation.

Judith Giesberg, Havertown
Assistant Professor of History, Villanova University

Stories of Famous Escapes from Pennsylvania's Underground Railroad
The nation's growing interest in re-evaluating its own history has launched a new approach to historical research, one that focuses not only on facts but also on people's stories. Historian Nilgun Anadolu-Okur will share accounts that come to us from passengers of the Underground Railroad. Why and how passengers decided to start on this most dangerous voyage and the varied routes and methods they employed during their escapes will be discussed. This slide-illustrated talk includes descriptions of escapes from William Still's book and accounts from the numerous trips taken by conductor Harriet Tubman.

Nilgun Anadolu-Okur, Broomall
Associate Professor of African American History, Temple University

The Black Soldier in the Civil War
Appearing in authentic 19th century garb, Joe Becton will display an interactive style opening a window into the world of Civil War African American soldiers. Using an array of techniques including question & answer, the demonstration of period equipment, and music and poetry, Becton will identify the causes of the Civil War, reveal the conditions of camp life and explore the reality of war. For groups young and old.

Joseph Becton, Philadelphia
Interpreter & Musician

Researching Your Pennsylvania Civil War Ancestor
Historian Richard Sauers will provide participants with information on how to research and learn about their Civil War ancestors. Sauers will show how to obtain records from the National Archives, Pennsylvania State Archives and other historical organizations. Handouts include a bibliography of basic reference books and articles, a list of military unit organizations and their relationship with each other, a list of Pennsylvania-related Civil War websites and copies of National Archives forms. The talk will be illustrated with books, magazines and newspapers. Questions and audience discussion are encouraged.

Richard Sauers, Sunbury
Historian and Author

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