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Virginia Division Speakers Bureau

The Virginia Division Speakers Bureau is intended to provide a list of program resources for your SCV camp meetings or other gatherings. If you wish to make use of  this list please contact the speaker or speakers directly for information on availability, topics, travel compensation, etc.

 

If you would like your name to be on this speaker lists, please email the

                    Virginia Division Webmaster.

* The views expressed in presentations made at Virginia Division Sons of Confederate Veterans camp meetings or other Division events are those of the speaker and are not, necessarily the views of the Virginia Division, and does not constitute an endorsement of the speaker's views, vendor products, or services.

Richard Perkins

Commander of the General R. E. Lee Camp 1589, in Midlothian, Va.

 

    He has done talks for different SCV camps and UDC chapters.  He has spoken for the Lee-Jackson Day observance in January (the last one held in the State Capitol, Historical Evening for the General UDC Convention last year in Myrtle Beach, June 9th memorial Day Service for the Ladies Memorial Association of Petersburg, rededication service for the Bowling Green Confederate monument, etc.,

 

His topics include:

  1. The Habeas Corpus Trial of Jefferson F. Davis

  2. The Battles at Sayler's Creek

  3. Matron of Chimborazo: Phoebe Yates Pember

  4. What Must He Have Thought (about Generals Lee & Jackson)

Richard Perkins email:  rkparchitect@yahoo.com

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Eric W. Buckland

 

Eric Buckland has written several books about the lives of some of the men who rode with the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry – Mosby’s Rangers and has received two United Daughters of the Confederacy’s Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medals for his research and writing.      

    Eric graduated from the University of Kansas and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. The majority of his 22-year military career was spent in Special Forces. He retired in 1999 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

He is currently the President of The Stuart-Mosby Historical Society and an Associate Member of Frank Stringfellow Camp #822.

Eric can be contacted by phone at (703) 851-9088 or by e-mail at ebuckland@aol.com or info@mosbymen.com

His presentations include:

  •  An Introduction To Mosby’s Rangers

  • John Singleton Mosby – a presentation about the life of the “Gray Ghost” COL John S. Mosby

  • Mosby’s Leadership – describes how Mosby was the “perfect man in the perfect place” 

  • From Rockbridge To Loudoun – stories about the 57 men who attended The Virginia Military Institute and rode with Mosby’s Rangers

  • Golden Nuggets & Legacies – short stories and interesting facts about 20+ men who rode with Mosby’s Rangers

  • June 1863 – a description of the activities and adventures of Mosby’s Rangers in June 1863 as the movements associated with the Gettysburg Campaign began to move through “Mosby’s Confederacy”

  • Married To A Mosby Ranger – stories about some of the extraordinary women who married Mosby Rangers

  • Mosby and Special Forces – the presentation describes how Mosby’s Rangers have much in common with today’s Special Forces

  • Ranger Retaliation – the full story on the execution of six of Mosby’s men in Front Royal, Virginia in September 1864 and the aftermath

  • Some Of My Favorite Stories – detailed stories about six of the men who rode with Mosby’s Rangers

  • Mosby’s Rangers – Playing Outside Of The Box: Places & Personalities – stories about some of the Rangers fights in the Shenandoah Valley and the Rangers who were involved

  • Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Stringfellow: “severely tried and never found wanting….” – a presentation about noted Confederate Spy/Scout “Frank” Stringfellow

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Bud Mayo Commander of the Frank Stringfellow Camp #822

Native Virginian, M. Ed University of Virginia

Contact : mayo5304@cox.net or 703-389-1505

 

Topic James W. Jackson First Marty in the Cause of Southern Independence

Presentation covers the background and death of Jackson at the Marshal House Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia, May 24, 1861. Presentation run 30 to 45 minutes with time for questions and come with hand outs.

$100.00 donation to SCV Frank Stringfellow Camp #822

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The topics I speak on are,

  1. The Battle of the Crater – From his book, ‘Petersburg, War on the Doorsteps’

  2. Short historical stories behind his Civil War Artwork.

  3. Confederate Medal of Honor and the stories of the Recipients.

  4. 30 years of reenacting including Portraying General Armistead at Gettysburg, making movies, and the Hunley Funeral

 

Henry Kidd

100 Waterfront Dr.

Colonial Heights, Va. 23834

Phone 804-943-2200

 

  • Life long resident of Colonial Heights, Virginia

  • Graduated from Virginia State University  with a BS in Art Education

  • Served six years in the US Army Reserves as a Sergeant

  • Retired from Philip Morris

  • National known War Between the States artist

       Artwork has appeared on covers of books and magazines and is displayed in many museums such as West Point, Virginia Historical Society, and the Museum of the Confederacy.

  • Designer of the Confederate Medal of Honor

  • Received a National Red Cross Award in 1991 from Elizabeth Dole, President of the American Red Cross, for Desert Storm artwork, which raised thousands dollars for our fighting forces and their families.

  • 30 year reenactor with the 12th Va. Inf.

  • Portrays Confederate General Lewis Armistead at the Gettysburg Reenactments

  • Extra in several Wartime movies such as Gettysburg and Gods and Generals.

  • Raised $25,000 for September 11th victims through the sale of his artwork, ‘America’s Heroes’

  • Founder and President of Adopt-A-Station, a non-profit organization to honor and remember the victims of September 11th.

  • Has presented more than three hundred framed ‘America’s Heroes’ prints to Fire Houses and Police Precincts in New York, Northern Virginia and Pennsylvania.

  • Recipient of a National Citizenship Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution for his work to aide September 11th victims.

  • Recognized by Virginia General Assembly with a Joint House and Senate Resolution for artwork and efforts aiding September 11th victims

  • For his efforts in reaching out to the community to end prejudices against people with Confederate ancestry, Mr. Kidd was invited to speak and participate in an international peace conference on race and social relations in Switzerland in 2002.

  • Medical First Responder for five years

  • Recipient of many SCV awards including the second highest award, the Robert E. Lee Medal

  • Recipient of the UDC, Jefferson Davis Medal.

  • Past Commander of the AP Hill Camp

  • First Commander of the Dearing Beauregard Camp

  • Past Virginia Division Commander

  • Past Councilman and Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia

  • Nominated for the Michael Shaara Award for his novel “Petersburg, War on the Doorsteps”.

  • Official historical artist for the 150th Gettysburg Reenactment

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Travis Toombs

    If you're in the SCV, OCR, UDC, C of C, MOS&B, or a historical society / preservation group and you need a speaker for your meeting, I am ready and willing to speak!

I have 6 presentations ready to go:

    1. Yankee Terrorism Part 1 - This is part 1 of a 2 part presentation describing some of the many acts of terrorism that the Yankees committed when they invaded the South. Part 1 is a 45 minute speech and consists of acts of terrorism that happened between 1861 and mid year 1863. This presentation is un-edited and is not suitable for young children under the age of 10 due to the graphic nature of some of the acts of terrorism described during the presentation.

    2. Yankee Terrorism Part 2 - This is part 2 of the previously described presentation. This presentation is about an hour long and consists of some of the acts of terrorism that happened between mid year 1863 and 1865. Again, this presentation is un-edited and is not suitable for young children under the age of 10 due to the graphic nature of some of the acts of terrorism described during the presentation.

    3. Secession, States Rights, & Tariffs - This is an hour long INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION discussing the real reasons the South left the United States. This presentation is not a speech, it is an interactive presentation that involves multiple props as well as the audience and because of that it will allow people to truly understand State's Rights, Tariffs, and exactly why the South seceded!

    4. Confederate Monuments - This an informational / motivational speech presentation and it comes in a 45 minute version or a 20 minute version depending on the event. I encourage people to take notes, audio, or video record this presentation because I provided A LOT of information that can be used when debating with people about the removal of Confederate Monuments. The 45 minute version is great for Camp / Chapter presentations and the 20 minute version is great for memorial services or other events.

    5. Confederate Flags (Informative) - This 45 minute power point presentation comes in 3 different forms: Regular, Expert Level, and one for kids. The regular presentation contains information about over 50 flags is great for any SCV, OCR, UDC, or MOS&B meeting. The expert level presentation contains almost 75 flags and is great for any group who is already familiar the most common Confederate Flags. And lastly, the kids presentation is designed to retain the attention of kids so that our youth can become more aware of the historical meaning of flags of the Confederacy.

    6. Confederate Flags (Motivational) - This 40 minute speech is another motivational speech that goes into why the Confederate Flags represent Southerners of all ages, races, religions, and genders. This is PERFECT for a Confederate heritage event and has never failed to receive a standing ovation from those in attendance.

    I never ask for any money for giving these presentations so long as it is within 3 hours drive time (one way) from my home in Carson, Virginia. The only thing I ask is to be allowed to pass around a donation bucket to collect donations with 100% of the money going towards getting a new fence installed around my Great Great Granddaddy's Confederate Cemetery in Charlotte County Virginia. I have been raising money for this endeavor for almost 3 years now and I have over $5,000 saved up so far. The total cost will be over $10,000 and I will continue raising money until I have enough.

    If the location is farther than 3 hours drive time (one way) then we can discuss if any hotel room money, flight money, or gas money will be needed. Again, any profit I would make from this will go straight towards my Great Great Granddaddy's fence!

     I'm ready to educate and I'm ready to travel! If you'd like to book me, please send me a message or email at travistoombs@gmail.com

God bless the SOUTH!!!

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Arthur Candenquist

    Arthur has been a serious scholar and researcher of the WBTS for over 60 years. His research focus is on the more unusual and lesser-known aspects of the War. Arthur is a Life Member of the SCV and a Life Member of the Virginia Division. He is twice Past Commander of the Turner Ashby Camp #1567 in Winchester and a Life Member of the Summers-Koontz Camp #490 in Luray. He was awarded the UDC's Jefferson Davis Medal in 2006 for his historical research and knowledge of the War.  His contact info is: phone: 540-937-7444, FAX: 540-937-7443, Mobile: 540-2704849; and email: AC9725@cs.com. His illustrated  presentations are about 45 minutes long and include the following:

 

  •  The War Between the Sheets (the seamier side of the War);

  •  Relieve & Befriend Every Brother: Freemasonry Under Two Flags (Freemasonry during the War);

  •  Jefferson Davis Must Be Killed! (The Kilpatrick-Dahlgren Raid on Richmond in 1864);

  •  If We Build It, Supplies Will Come (the world's first military RR, between Manassas & Centerville in 1861);

  • Did Anyone REALLY Know What Time It Was? (keeping time during the War, before Standard Time was established);      The Great Train

  • Raid (Stonewall Jackson's "appropriation" of the B&O RR equipment in 1861)

  • How The West Was Lost: The New Mexico Campaign of 1861 - 62;

  • The War Comes To The Morning Side Of the Blue Ridge: Rappahannock County During The War Between the States.

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William Connery

    William has spoken in the past 10 years to SCV Camps throughout the Maryland and Virginia area. The History Press has recently published two of his books: Civil War Northern Virginia 1861 (for which he was awarded the Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medal by the Fairfax Chapter of the UDC) and Mosby's Raids in Civil War Northern Virginia. He has spoken on 'Honoring President Robert E. Lee,' ‘The CSS Shenandoah and the Last Shot of the Civil War,’ ‘John Tyler and the Confederacy’ and ‘Fort McHenry During the War.’ Please feel free to contact the Commanders of the Camps concerning his talks. He can travel within a reasonable distance of his home in Alexandria, for a small fee and gasoline money. His contact info is: William Connery, 5777 Westchester Street, Alexandria, VA 22310, 703-719-6639, william.connery@verizon.net.

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James G. Flanagan

    James Education Coordinator of the Liberty Heritage Society in Fauquier County. Jim has a B. S. degree in Biology, a M. S. degree from Randolph Macon WC (now Randolph University), and a M. ST. degree, 9 National Science Foundation Summer Institutes in Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography, and Astronomy. Jim completed his course work for the PHD at the U. of MD and still collecting data for the dissertation. Jim speaks in high schools, and is an adjunct professor of Biology at LFCC at the Fauquier Campus. He was the 2012 Sons of the American Revolution Culpeper Region Educator of the year. His slides need to be shared with any Civil War group which shares that heritage. His e-mail is SumerduckWood@aol.com. Jim is a retired school teacher and lives in Sumerduck, VA. He speaks on Kelly's Ford and has over 15 unpublished and authenticated pages from the Ledger Books from Kellysville (1861- 1884) showing some very interesting accounts and quartermaster purchases. He is well versed in the Civil War and has degrees in Science and education. Topics of interest include: The Horse in the Civil War; The Battle of Kelly's Ford; The Night Attack at Rappahannock Station, Nov. 7, 1863; and John Pelham, Lee's Gallant Artillerist. These programs are all Power Point supported and based on Primary Source Data.

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John Fox

    John is the author of Red Clay to Richmond: Trail of the 35th Georgia Infantry Regiment, CSA . He is a member of Turner Ashby Camp #1567 in Winchester. He has given numerous talks to historical/civic groups about the Confederacy. Most recently he gave the keynote address for the 139th annual Confederate Memorial Day in Winchester. His current talk is titled "The Brutal Realities of War." He uses previously unpublished letters and diaries to detail in graphic fashion the difficult transition for Georgia soldiers coming to Virginia from the Deep South in 1861-1862. He has an 18 minute, 28 minute or 45 minute version depending on a camp's needs. More info is available at http://www.anglevalleypress.com. John's phone is 540-665-8567 

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Dave Goetz

    Compatriot Goetz currently serves as Commander of the Black Horse Camp in Warrenton, VA. He has been leading tours in Mosby's Confederacy and giving presentations on "The Life & Times of John Singleton Mosby" and "The Postwar Relationship Between John Singleton Mosby and Ulysses S. Grant" since 2001. More information can be found at his Web site located at http://www.mosbystours.com.

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Dana Jackson

    Dana speaks on "Confederates who served in the subsequent Indian Wars and in the Spanish-American War" and a "History of the Confederate Veterans Home in Richmond." His contact information is: 7506 Pepper's Ferry Blvd., Fairlawn, Va. 24141-8860,  email: danac_jackson@hotmail.com.

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Marc Lepton

    Marc has spoken on his newest book, Desperate Engagement, a history of the July 9, 1864, Battle of Monocacy and Jubal Early's subsequent raid on Washington, D. C., to many groups, including Civil War Roundtables, UDC, DAR and SAR Chapters, and SCV camps in Richmond, Winchester, Alexandria, Gaithersburg (Md.), Ellicott City (Md., May 13) and he is in the process of choosing a date for the Sharpsburg (Md) Camp. Marc is the author of six books, including Desperate Engagement, a free-lance journalist for many publications (including Civil War Times and America's Civil War), and historian. He lives in Loudoun County, and teaches U. S. History at Lord Fairfax Community College in Warrenton on an adjunct basis. Contact info: Marc527psc@aol.com 540-687-4131 or visit the Web site www.marcleepson.com.

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Thomas D. Perry

    Thomas has three talks, see list below. He may be contacted at 4443 Ararat Hwy., P. O. Box 11, Ararat, VA 24053, Email: freestateofpatrick@yahoo.com, 276-692-5300 www.freestateofpatrick.com

 

         •    Jeb Stuart's Last Ride: The Battle of Yellow Tavern, a slide program about Stuart's life and death at Yellow Tavern

         •    George Stoneman's 1865 Raid

         •    A Tale of Two Great-Grandfathers: Jeb Stuart Ancestors in the American Revolution

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Mary Schaller

    Mary is the author of PAPA WAS A BOY IN GRAY (Thomas Publications of Gettysburg, PA), a member of the UDC, and an accomplished speaker. She has spoken to school groups, CWRTS, SCV camps, UDC chapters and was the featured speaker April 30th at the Confederate Memorial Day ceremony at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick MD. Mary may be contacted at mnschaller@earthlink.net

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Fred D. Taylor

    Fred is a native of the Tidewater region, He is a life member of the SCV, and has held numerous positions from the camp to the national levels of our organization. His education background includes a B.A. in History from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, and a J.D. from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He may be contacted at: fred.taylor.va@gmail.com

Delight, entertain, and educate your audience with a program from attorney, writer, and speaker.

Historical topics include:

  • “Wildcats, Tigers, and Goobers, oh my!” – A history of professional and semi-pro baseball in the “Peanut City” of Suffolk, Virginia from the 1890s to 1951.

  • “The Last Battles at Appomattox” – An historical account of North Carolina’s claim of being “Last at Appomattox,” with an in-depth look at the final hours of the Army of Northern Virginia, April 8-9, 1865.

  • “Tar Heel Faces” – A survey of images of North Carolina Confederates, and the photographers who made them.

  • “The Confederacy’s Lifeline:  Supplying A Nation through the Blockade” – An analysis of early “King Cotton” diplomacy and the Anaconda Plan in 1861 to the origins and successes of the South’s importation system with England.  This program includes a review of period material culture with a focus on the arms, clothing, and equipment imported into the Confederacy.

  • “Suffolk Under Siege, 1863” – Were you ever curious where Lt. General James Longstreet and thousands of his troops were during the battle of Chancellorsville in May of 1863?  This program discusses the often-forgotten “Suffolk Campaign,” its purpose, results, and aftermath.

  • “A Walk Through Cedar Hill Cemetery” – An entertaining story of unique figures from the Suffolk and Nansemond County, Virginia, area during the War Between the States. This program includes fascinating personal stories about secession, the Confederate “secret service,” Unionists during the War, and Brazil’s Confederados.

  • “Supplying the Old North State” – Follow the story of Scotsman turned Tar Heel, John White of Warrenton, who was appointed by Governor Zebulon Vance as Commissioner to Europe on behalf of the state of North Carolina in 1862.  Through White’s efforts, among others, North Carolina would purchase interest in several steam ships to run the blockade, and import countless arms, equipment, and clothing into the Confederacy to supply North Carolina troops, and much of the Army of Northern Virginia, from 1863 through the end of the War.

  • “The Life of Richard Byrd Kennon” – A native of Norfolk, Kennon was the descendant of a distinguished Virginia family. Kennon spent the majority of his childhood in and around Richmond, Virginia, and prior to the War Between the States, married the daughter of future Confederate Brigadier General Philip St. George Cocke.  During the war, Kennon served with distinction on the staffs of such noted Generals as J.E.B. Stuart, Thomas Rosser, James Dearing, and others. Following the war, Kennon lived with his family in Brunswick County, where his home today operates as the “Kennon House” restaurant in Gasburg.

  • “The History of Coleman’s Company, Virginia Heavy Artillery” – Also known as “Neblett’s Artillery” or the “Brunswick Rebel Artillery,” this unit formed in the Brunswick County area of Virginia in 1861, and served with distinction at Craney Island until the fall of Norfolk, and for the remainder of the War at Drewry’s Bluff, defending the Confederate Capital along the James River.

  • “Point Lookout Prisoner of War Camp, Maryland” – A program that details the history of Point Lookout prison, with a special look at the legal and political aspects of the United States’ prisoner and exchange policies.

  • “The Roanoke Minute Men” – Tracking the history of Company A, 14th North Carolina State Troops (formerly, the 4th North Carolina Volunteers), this program provides an historical look at one of the Tar Heel state’s greatest fighting units, composed primarily of men from the town of Littleton, Halifax County, and Warren County, North Carolina.  Organized as a militia company in December 1860, and enlisted into service in the spring of 1861, the “Roanoke Minute Men” saw action from the early days of the War on the Virginia peninsula all the way to the last shots fired at Appomattox.

  • “The Confederacy’s Eyes & Ears in Southeast Virginia” – More formally known as Major James F. Milligan’s Independent Signal Corps, the ISC served as a quasi-signal and secret service for the Confederacy along the Appomattox and James Rivers for much of the War, specializing in communications and military intelligence.  This was especially vital in those areas in the “no man’s land” between Union and Confederate forces, and their activities of espionage and romance would have made 007 himself proud!

  • “A Message of Love and a Life Cut Short – Brigadier General Junius Daniel” –  A native of Halifax County, North Carolina, Junius Daniel graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1851 and served as a Lieutenant in the 3rd United States Infantry for seven years.  Upon North Carolina’s secession in May of 1861, Daniel tendered his services to the Old North State, and was commissioned as Colonel of the 4th North Carolina Volunteers (later, the 14th North Carolina State Troops). Subsequently, he also served as Colonel of the 45th North Carolina State Troops until his appointment as Brigadier General in September of 1862.  Daniel served with distinction until a mortal wound received in combat in the “Mule Shoe” in the battle of Spotsylvania Court House took his life on May 13, 1864.

  • “From Nansemond County to Brazil:  The Life of Hamlin Lassiter Norfleet.” – A story that begins in present-day Suffolk and takes us through Norfleet‘s years as a Cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, distinguished service during four years of the War Between the States, and into South America as a Confederado!

  • “The Dying Soldier.”  – Born in Frederick County, Virginia, Daniel Harvey Christie was a man of immense talents.  Musician, Singer, Businessman, Teacher, and ultimately, a Soldier and Husband.  Commissioned an officer with the 23rd North Carolina Troops, Christie rose to the rank of Colonel by 1862, served as a brevet Brigadier General, but ultimately died due to wounds received during the bloody first day of action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

  • “The War Comes to South Quay.”  – Originally a lecture given for the anniversary of South Quay Baptist Church in 2017, this program highlights the importance of the early town and port of South Quay, and the lives of the residents from 1860-1865 in the no-man’s-land between Union and Confederate forces.

  • “Never Give Up:  The Life of William Rice Jones of Brunswick County, Virginia.” – This program was originally presented to a meeting of the Brunswick County (Virginia) Historical Society in 2009, and tells the story of Captain William Rice Jones.  From his early days growing up on his family plantation, at the Brunswick Mineral Springs, through his acceptance at West Point, service as a Confederate officer under Major General John Bankhead Magruder in Texas, and his post-war years as a “Cowboy” and Superintendent of the famed Callaghan Ranch in Encinal, Texas.

  • “Forty-Niner to Confederate General: The Story of Archibald Campbell Godwin” – Born in Virginia, this renaissance man struck west to California in 1849 to find gold, and became a successful miner, rancher, explorer, and political leader. His heart remained in Dixie, however, and with the creation of the Confederate States in 1861, Godwin tendered his services to President Jefferson Davis.  Godwin served with distinction in a number of positions, ultimately rising to the rank of Brigadier General, until his death at the age of thirty-two during the third battle of Winchester in 1864.

  • “The Man Who Knew No Fear” – This story profiles the life of Thomas Mann Thompson, Jr., of Southport, North Carolina, one of the Confederacy’s most successful blockade runner pilots, making over 30 runs through the blockade while escaping capture. Famed Confederate Captain Michael P. Usina called Thompson “an officer who knew no fear.”

Fred’s availability for programs is often limited due to his court schedule and booking is best done well in advance, although sometimes last-minute openings are available.

Rates are based on event type, audience size, travel distance, and other relevant factors.

Please e-mail Fred at fred.taylor.va@gmail.com for more information.

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H. V. "Bo" Traywick, JR.

    Bo will give a thirty minute presentation on his book Empire of the Owls: Reflections on the North's War Against Southern Secession. He has a projector and would only require a screen or a blank wall at the meeting venue for the presentation. The book's web site is www.empireoftheowls.com. A thumbnail sketch of his biography appears there. In addition, he has published a new book entitled Virginia Iliad: The Death and Destruction of "The Mother of States and of Statesmen." He has a 30 minute presentation on this book as well but it is purely a lecture dissertation, without props. Also, there is a web site for the publisher: http://www.hvtraywickjr.com/ with links to the same information, and for purchasing copies of the books. Contact information: H.V. "Bo" Traywick, Jr., P. O. Box 9086, Richmond, VA 23225, (804) 241-5415 (c). He has offered presentations in Virginia and the Carolinas, but for trips far afield, he would be grateful for some travel compensation.

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Mark Vogl

    Mark is a Citadel graduate, former infantry officer, professor, political aide, and presently an author and speaker. Though living in Texas he enjoys travelling and speaking to camps across the Confederation. His contact information is: Mark Vogl, 2LT Cdr., Texas Division, 7082 Fm 1795, Big Sandy, TX 75755, (903) 725-3175, and his e-mail address is johnyreb43@yahoo.com. Contact Mark and he will send you an information flier with a more complete biography and a list of formal programs he has developed or click here to download a sample flier of some of the presentations that Mark has prepared. If you contact him in advance, he can develop a custom made presentation specifically for your camp. Mark accepts donations but does not ask a fee.

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Randolph H. (Randy) Watkins

    Randy is a member of the Diniwiddie Grays Camp #2220 and has spoken at numerous SCV Camps and Civil War Round Tables on a variety of subjects. He will retire from Petersburg National Park Service on 30 April 2015 and will be readily available after that. He has developed many presentations that may be of interest to SCV Camps and can research a particular topic to develop a program if desired. PowerPoint presentations are available for some programs and the presentation length can be adjusted to fit meeting agendas. Some programs available include:

 

        •    Initial Attacks on Petersburg

        •    Battle of Fort Stedman

        •    Battle of the Crater

        •    Battle of Second Weldon Railroad

        •    Battle of Peeble's Farm

        •    Battle of Five Forks

        •    Battle of Sutherland Station

        •    Battle of Fort Gregg

        •    Provost Marshal Operations

        •    Supply and Logistics at Petersburg

        •    Fortifications in the Petersburg Campaign

        •    Sin and Vice in Petersburg

        •    The Great Beefsteak Raid

        •    The Applejack Raid

        •    Artillery at Petersburg

        •    Soldier Life in the Trenches

 

    Tours based on most of the above subjects can also be arranged. Cost: (Travel) If within 90 miles of Petersburg, no charge but contribution toward fuel costs is appreciated; Excess of 90 miles - Contribution toward fuel costs and one meal (if meal is not part of the normal meeting); Honorarium: Whatever you feel the program is worth. To arrange for a presentation, contact Randolph H. (Randy) Watkins, 24416 River Road, North Dinwiddie, VA 23803, 804-615-0107 or by e-mail at RangerWatkins74@gmail.com.

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    Beth White

   A Civil War historian who is interested in studying about the common soldier, Beth White has extensive lecture experience in a variety of venues including libraries, museums, symposia, seminars across Virginia. Her education experience includes an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum & Instruction from Liberty University as well as two M.A. degrees from American Military University in Civil War Studies and American History. Currently, Beth is working on her doctoral dissertation “PTSD in the Civil War: A case study of how lessons learned can ease the transition for today’s student-veterans from the battlefield to the classroom.”

    Beth  has been employed at Liberty University for more than 20 years. She also served Virginia for 10 years in the Virginia Defense Force and separated in 2013 at the rank of Major and the state’s only female S-3 (Training/Operations Officer). Her historical experience includes volunteer service at Appomattox Court House National Military Park, two-term past President of the Lynchburg Civil War Round Table, member of the Lynchburg Sesquicentennial Committee and Civil War docent at Lynchburg’s Presbyterian Cemetery. Published works include “Remembering the Fallen: A biographical study of the Civil War interments at Lynchburg’s Presbyterian Cemetery” (2015) and her M.A. thesis, “The impact of Lynchburg, Virginia upon the Confederacy during the Civil War” (2015).

    There are a variety of lecture topics that include PowerPoint presentations that are approximately one hour in length. Those topics include:

  •  The early years of Stonewall Jackson (a look at how his formative years were the basis for    adult decisions)

  • The faith of Stonewall Jackson

  • The legacy of Stonewall Jackson

  • Remembering the fallen: A look at Lynchburg’s Civil War interments

  • Press on: The Stonewall brigade

  • Lynchburg during the Civil War

  • PTSD and the Civil War

    To arrange for a lecture presentation, Beth can be reached by phone at 434-444-0945 or by email at civilwartourslynchburg@gmail.com

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Richard G. Williams, Jr.

     Richard is a southern writer, relic hunter, autodidact and raconteur who specializes in Virginia history and the War Between the States. A former contributor to the Washington Times' Civil War column, he has also written for Homeschooling Today Magazine, Confederate Veteran, Western & Eastern Treasures Magazine and regularly contributes articles about the Civil War and Virginia history to various publications and websites. He has co-produced two history-related videos: the award-winning Institute on the Constitution and Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story. His writing and historical research involving the Confederacy earned him the Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medal from the United Daughters of the Confederacy and he is also a member of the SCV’s Bonnie Blue Society. Williams is the author of The Maxims of Robert E. Lee for Young Gentlemen, Stonewall Jackson, the Black Man’s Friend, and Lexington, Virginia and the Civil War. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Civil War Chaplains Museum in Lynchburg, Virginia. Williams was born and grew up on battlefields in Virginia's rural Shenandoah Valley where he still resides and is a direct descendant of three Confederate soldiers and a ninth-generation great-grandson of the Reverend Roger Williams. His topics include:

 

        •    Stonewall Jackson’s Black Sunday School Class

        •    Lexington, Virginia & the Civil War

        •    The History of the “Shrine of the South” – Lee Chapel

        •    Touching Civil War History Through Civil War Artifact Recovery

        •    The Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia

 

Williams can be contacted at Stonewallbook@yahoo.com.

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