Civil War Round Table Congress
The Civil War Round Table (CWRT) Congress is registered as a nonprofit with the state of Washington and is an official 501(c)3 with the IRS. It has a deep interest and dedication to preserving Civil War history.
Archived on this webpage is information (announcements, presentations, and other documents) disseminated by the CWRT Congress.
About the CWRT Congress
Mission
To educate and stimulate CWRTs around the world to become sustainable entities.
Vision
CWRTs are flourishing in meaningful partnerships with community organizations and are attractive to the next generation of members.
The CWRT Congress believes in...
- Inspiring leaders to animate CWRTs to grow and abound
- The power of public history
- Networking maximizes CWRT effectiveness
- Fostering critical reflection of Civil War-era history
- Expanding the skills and tools of CWRT leaders
- The independence of CWRTs
- Decisions made through the discovery and analysis of data
Like many individual CWRTs, the CWRT Congress has focused on on-line lecture presentations since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. You can watch these lectures on the CWRT Congress's YouTube channel by clicking here
.
CWRT Congress Document Index
If you are using a mobile device, once the document is opened, step forward and backward through the pages by scrolling down and up, respectively. Otherwise, if your device is a PC, proceed as follows:
- Select a document by clicking on the hyperlinked title in the Index below (e.g., Annual Report 2020).
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Annual Report 2020
CWRT Congress Annual Report 2020
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Fridays with U.S. Grant
FRIDAYS WITH U. S. GRANT (as impersonated by Dr. Curt Fields, Ph.D.) is an ongoing series presented by The CWRT Congress. Dr. Fields, the preeminent Grant living historian, tells the U.S. Grant story in Grant's own words.
As an aside, the Raleigh Civil War Round Table was honored to have Dr. Fields, as U.S. Grant, give a remote Zoom presentation at our February 8, 2021 monthly meeting. This presentation, Reflections on the Recent Vicksburg Campaign, was not part of the CWRT Congress's Fridays with U.S. Grant series but can be viewed below.
The following set of links encompasses all of Dr. Fields' YouTube videos presented by The CWRT Congress as of June 6, 2021. Running time for each video is shown in parentheses after the linked title. When finished viewing a video, press the <ESC> key, if in full screen mode, and then click the back arrow to close the video page and return here.
# 1 Grant - The Department of the Pacific (18:55)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as Captain Grant describes his trip to Columbia Barracks (Fort Vancouver), his many attempts to earn enough money to bring his family to Washington Territory, his promotion to Captain and transfer to Fort Humboldt and his subsequent resignation from the U. S. Army.
# 2 Grant - Travel from Fort Humboldt to White Haven (18:01)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as Ulysses S. Grant recalls his journey from Fort Humboldt through San Francisco to New York City and other points along the way to his loving home at White Haven Missouri.
# 3 Grant - Musical Homes in Missouri (11:53)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as Ulysses S. Grant recalls his relationship with "Colonel Dent" as strained. So, Grant and family moved to Wish-ton-Wish, then to his log home called Hard Scrabble, but shortly thereafter returned to White Haven.
# 4 Grant - Grant the Farmer (13:18)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as Ulysses S. Grant recalls his farmer's life that was fraught with problems including debilitating family sickness. But, despite these challenges, Grant soldiered on even manumitting his slave.
# 5 Grant - The Ironic Man (26:19)
Living historian Dr. Curt fields as Ulysses S. Grant recalls incidences of difficulties and situations throughout his life that Grant experienced that threatened his very life. Not only were these life changing, but they could have altered the trajectory of America.
# 6 Grant - Captain Grant Writes Letters (18:10)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as Ulysses S. Grant recalls Letters written in the first few days of the War by Captain Grant to his wife and her slave-holding father, his sister and their abolitionist father and Illinois Governor Richard Yates.
# 7 Grant - Grant Gets an Appointment (36:25)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as Colonel U. S. Grant of the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry regiment tells of his journey to that appointment.
# 8 Grant - Part I - Fort Donelson to Shiloh (37:03)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as General Grant describes the political climate in which he operated after the victory at Fort Donelson, his discussions with army brass, his movement to Pittsburg landing and the first day of the battle.
# 9 Grant - Part II - Fort Donelson to Shiloh (35:50)
Living historian Dr. Fields as General Ulysses S. Grant completes his two-part Donelson to Shiloh series.
#10 Grant - The Surrender at Appomattox (13:20)
General of the Armies U. S. Grant reads a compelling account of the surrender at Appomattox as experienced and written by a Confederate soldier.
#11 Grant - Part I - Contrabands of War (31:42)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as Major General U. S. Grant discusses the problems he encountered in Tennessee when former slaves arrived in great numbers.
#12 Grant - Part II - Contrabands of War (28:08)
Major General U. S. Grant describes his efforts to handle the increasing number of contrabands of war through the appointment of Chaplain John Eaton, Jr. to be in charge of their care.
#13 Grant - Part III - Contrabands of War (23:58)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as Lt. General of the Army U. S. Grant talks about contrabands of war and their impact on reconstruction policy.
#14 Grant - Southeast District of Missouri (29:15)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as General U. S. Grant recalls his promotion to Brigadier General, his assignment to Jefferson City and then to the SE District of Missouri. He then tells of several experiences within the district including the surprise some Illinois men printed the "Stars and Stripes" newspaper on November 9, 1861.
#15 Grant - Part I - The Road to War (28:25)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as General Grant discusses how the seeds to the American Civil War began during the early days of the republic.
#16 Grant - Part II - The Road to War (32:41)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as General Grant discusses his recollections about how the Civil War was invested on the country. He tells of Stephen A. Douglas' role in passing the elements of the 1850 Compromise in five pieces, how Uncle Tom's Cabin affected America and the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854.
#17 Grant - Part III - The Road to War (27:13)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as General Grant recalls how the road to the Civil War was paved with the Dred Scott decision written by the slave-holding Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court, Roger Taney.
#18 Grant - Part IV - The Road to War (29:32)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as General U. S. Grant recalls how disparate events such as the John Brown raid on Harper's Ferry led to the attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861.
#19 Grant - Vicksburg to New Orleans to Chattanooga (47:27)
Major General Ulysses S. Grant explains how he came about to travel from his successes at Vicksburg to New Orleans where he suffered a severe fall and then on to Chattanooga to rescue the Army of the Cumberland.
#20 Grant - Five Days in Chattanooga (24:01)
General U. S. Grant explains the situation and how he elected to open the "Cracker Line" into Chattanooga, Tennessee.
#21 Grant - The Battles of Chattanooga (18:55)
Major General U. S. Grant, portrayed by Dr. Curt Fields, recalls the battles of Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain and Orchard Knob and what went as planned and what did not.
#22 Grant - Appointment to Lieutenant General (35:37)
Living historian Curt Fields tells U. S. Grant's story about his appointment to the rank of Lieutenant General of the Army and how that came about.
#23 Grant - Part I - General McClernand Through Donelson (26:53)
Lieutenant General U. S. Grant recalls the relationship between himself and Major General John A. McClernand from first meeting him through the Battle of Fort Donelson.
#24 Grant - Part II - General McClernand Through Vicksburg (40:06)
General Grant talks of McClernand’s actions between Shiloh and the movement down the Mississippi River; with Lincoln and Stanton involved in the intrigue and Halleck becomes an unexpected ally.
#25 Grant - Part III - General McClernand Relieved of Command (23:29)
General Grant recalls General McClernand violates military regulations after the Vicksburg campaign and subsequent relief from command.
#26 Grant - Part IV - McClernand (31:00)
Lt. General Grant recalls the interesting U. S. Army career of Major General McClernand following his removal from command of the 13th Corps.
#27 Grant - Fred Grant is Wounded During Vicksburg (26:56)
Living historian, Curt Fields portrays General Grant in telling of Fred Grant's wounds during the Vicksburg campaign, the wound becoming infected and how the boy escaped death after returning home.
#28 Grant - Captain Grant Displays a Temper (20:13)
Living historian, Dr. E. Curt Fields recollects a time when Captain U. S. Grant confronted a loudmouth at a barn dance, had some difficulties over a friend's mule and dealt with a wood thief.
#29 Grant - First Command March (21:12)
Living historian, Dr. Curt Fields as U. S. Grant recalls the first march of the 21st Illinois Infantry Regiment under his command. They travelled from Springfield, Illinois (Camp Yates) into Missouri.
#30 Grant - Fort Donelson (40:14)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields portrays General U. S. Grant and recalls the successful attack on Confederate-held Fort Donelson on the Tennessee River. His recollection includes the involvement of Flag Officer Foote and the U. S. Navy, the nearly-successful attempted breakout and escape, the skedaddle of Confederate leadership and the actual the surrender.
#31 Grant - Part I - General John A. Logan (22:29)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields recalls encountering John A. Logan as an unknown quantity, as a "political general".
#32 Grant - Part 2 - General John A. Logan (30:45)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as General U. S. Grant concludes his thoughts about General John A. Logan. He tells about the bravery of Logan as he fought as a Congressman during the conclusion of First Bull Run, being wounded three times a Fort Donelson and his rise to command the Army of the Tennessee. Moreover, after the war, Congressman Logan nominated Grant to run for the Presidency.
#33 Grant - Cold Harbor (15:45)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields, who portrays General Ulysses S. Grant, explains why he ordered the attack on a well-defensed Confederate position at Cold Harbor during the Overland Campaign.
#34 Grant - The West Point Class of 1843 (19:56)
Living historian, Dr. Curt Fields as Ulysses S. Grant, recalls his classmates at the United States Military Academy at West Point, some of their foibles and their many roles during the Civil War.
#35 Grant - President Grant's First Inaugural Address (1:15:55)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields recites President Grant's 1st inaugural address and tells of his hopes for the future.
#36 Grant - Last Days of the Appomattox Campaign (26:27)
Living historian Curt Fields as Ulysses S. Grant recalls the days leading up to the surrender of the Army of Norther Virginia to him at the conclusion of the Appomattox Campaign.
#37 Grant - The Surrender at Appomattox Court House (40:58)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as General U. S. Grant reflects on the surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
#38 Grant - General Grant Answers Questions from the Audience (1:17:37)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields as General U. S. Grant answers all questions about the war years 1861 - 1865 in this live event.
#39 Grant - Dr. Curt Fields: Living Historian (1:25:03)
Dr. Curt Fields tells how he became a living historian, how he successfully portrays U. S. Grant and how that has become a blessing in his life.
#40 Grant - General Grant Recalls the Assassination of President Lincoln (21:34)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields recalls the assassination of President Lincoln and his experiences that day.
#41 Grant - The War Years Q&A Redux (1:20:44)
General U. S. Grant, portrayed by living historian Dr. Curt Fields, answers questions live about the Civil War years 1861-65 from Mount McGregor where the President lost his struggle with cancer.
#42 Grant - Curt Fields' Living Historian Journey - Redux (1:50:25)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields, answers questions about his life as Ulysses S. Grant. This was the second in a very popular interview process.Living historian Dr. Curt Fields, answers questions about his life as Ulysses S. Grant. This was the second in a very popular interview process.
#43 Grant - President Grant's Parents (31:49)
Living historian Dr. Curt Fields porting President U. S. Grant discusses his parents and their relationships.
#44 Grant - President Grant's Siblings (18:55)
Living historian, Dr. Curt Fields as President U. S. Grant, tells about his brothers and sisters.
#45 Grant - President Grant Tells About His Children (23:09)
Living historian, Dr. Curt Fields portrays President U. S. Grant and tells about his children.
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