November
29, 2011 - Southport,
NC - E. Porter Alexander was an engineer, an officer
in the U.S. Army, a Confederate general during the
Civil War, and later a railroad executive, planter
and author. Even with this extraordinary lifelong
career, Alexander is best known as the officer in
charge of the massive artillery bombardment
preceding Pickett's Charge on the third day of the
Battle of Gettysburg, conducting a massive two-hour
bombardment, perhaps the largest in the war, using
between 150 and 170 guns. He is also noted for his
early use of signal flags and observation balloon
intelligence in combat, and well regarded for his
postwar memoirs and analyses of the Civil War.
The Tuesday,
December 6th
Brunswick Civil War Round Table meeting topic is
entitled "Gen. E. Porter Alexander: Rebel Gunner
Extraordinaire." The featured guest speaker is Col.
Black Jack Travis, an author, historian, popular
lecturer, professional Civil War re-enactor and a
Lifetime Charter Member of the Brunswick Civil War
Round Table. He has authored two books, the latest
of which is entitled "Rebel Gunner, Gen. E. Porter
Alexander;" completed extensive research on the army
of Northern Virginia and its artillery branch; and,
has received the prestigious "George MacDonald"
award from the National Civil War Artillery
Association.
The Round Table meeting will take place at Trinity
United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St., Southport,
across from the Post Office. Registration begins at
6:30pm. Everyone is welcome. There is no admission
fee. Visitors are encouraged to join our now over
300 members. Annual dues are $25 for individuals and
couples, and $10 for students. As a non-profit
organization, most of the dues collected go toward
inviting the most renowned and knowledgeable
historians covering a variety of subjects relating
to the Civil War period to educate and entertain our
near-capacity audiences every month.
For more information, contact president Wally
Rueckel at (910) 253-7382, or email at
wrueckel@questor.com.