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The annual Southeast Iowa Civil War Roundtable McClellan’s Christmas dinner was held at the Burlington Iowa Library January 9th with members Haven Noble, Glenda Campbell, Gary Kupferschmid, Becky Wright, Dan Gillett (Vice President), Greg Miller, Stasia Bath, Ray Wilson (President), Cheryl Lotz (Secretary/Treasurer) and visitor Jack Larson attending. Dinner consisted of food that would have been available or served during the Civil War.
Several years ago, the group was trying to find a date for the Christmas dinner in the busy month of December and they were forced to have it the first of January. Member Donald Bath suggested calling it "The McClellan Christmas Dinner" because he was always late.
George Brinton McClellan served as Commanding General of the United States Army from November 1861 to March 1862. He was also 24th governor of New Jersey, an engineer, and chief engineer and vice president of the Illinois Central Railroad, and later president of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad in 1860. A West Point graduate, McClellan served with distinction during the Mexican–American War before leaving the United States Army to serve as a railway executive and engineer until the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. Early in the conflict, McClellan was appointed to the rank of major general and played an important role in raising the Army of the Potomac, which served in the Eastern Theater.
McClellan and President Abraham Lincoln developed a mutual distrust, and McClellan was removed from command in November, in the aftermath of the 1862 midterm elections. A major contributing factor in this decision was McClellan's failure to pursue Lee's army following the tactically inconclusive but strategic Union victory at the Battle of Antietam outside Sharpsburg, Maryland. He was replaced by Ambrose Everts Burnside. Burnside was responsible for some of the earliest victories in the Eastern theater, but promoted above his abilities, and is mainly remembered for two disastrous defeats, at Fredericksburg and the Battle of the Crater (Petersburg).
(Fun Fact: Burnside's unusual facial hair grew down both sides his face and connected to his mustache. His name was thus reversed to "sideburns" and that is where the name originated.)
After the McClellan dinner, the January 9th meeting of the SEICWRT was opened by President Ray Wilson at 6:10 PM.
Approved was the agenda, minutes, and the Treasurer's Report with beginning balance: $512.95. Deposit of $20.00 dues and ending balance of $532.95.
Becky Wright gave an update on the Roundtable Symposium. She had approached someone from the Harlan-Lincoln House, who might be interested in helping them host it. She presented a tentative schedule of presenters. This probably won’t happen until fall, after Old Threshers in Mt. Pleasant.
Dan talked about the fact there was a Confederate raid in 1863 in Fountain Green, Illinois in Hancock County and mentioned his acquiring some of the Civil War artifacts from the Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum in Carthage.
After the death of the woman that had loaned items to the museum, her daughter wished them put up for auction.
President Wilson reported the signs have been made for the Kossuth Civil War Monument and waiting to be installed. He also said the SEICWRT is booked to participate in the Mediapolis Sesquicentennial celebration this fall.
President Wilson also presented the idea of creating Life Memberships with the option of not paying dues, which was discussed. No action was taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM. The group watched a DVD Gary brought on the Rock Island Arsenal Civil War prison camp. Information was taken from the January 9, 2025 minutes, respectfully submitted by SEICWRT Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Lotz.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, February 13th (always the 2nd Thursday) at the Burlington Public Library at 6:00 p.m. with a presentation on Researching Your Civil War Roots by President Ray Wilson.
Members and visitors who wish to dine together ahead of the meeting will gather at Napoli Pizza & Restaurant, 115 N 3rd St.
Burlington, at 4:30 p.m.. Anyone is welcome to join.