Bearss Symposium: Military Leadership & Combat

Description

Join us for the Ed Bearss Symposium: Military Leadership & Combat based in Chambersburg, Pa!
See the complete itinerary and brochure here.

Seminar based at Hampton Inn in Chambersburg, Pa. Deluxe continental breakfast for Hampton Inn guests.
Thursday, April 6
6-7 p.m. Registration at Chambersburg Heritage Center at 100 Lincoln Way East in Chambersburg
7-9 p.m. Evening Talk & Tour*
· Evening Talk: “The Opposing Forces at Antietam” by Ted Alexander at Chambersburg Heritage Center
· Tour of Chambersburg Heritage Center
*Parking is available in the Heritage Center lot as well as on the street. Street parking is free after 5 p.m. (no need to feed the meters)
Friday, April 7
Breakfast at Hampton Inn (avail. 6 - 10 a.m.)
9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Sessions at Hampton Inn
· Sessions in North/South Room
· Buffet Lunch at Hampton Inn
· Dinner on your own
Topics to discuss include:
· The Birth of the U.S. Cavalry: The Creation of the U.S. Regiment of Dragoons, 1832 - 1836” - Greg Urwin
· Find out about the establishment of the U.S. Army’s first permanent mounted unit and its original mission on the central Great Plains.
· “Founding Fathers: Renowned Revolutionary War Relatives of Significant Civil War Soldiers and Statesmen.” - Dr. Richard Sommers
· The program will examine family ties between the generation that gained American independence and the generation that preserved the nation - in the Civil War. Some connections are well known - for instance, Robert E. Lee and his father, “Light Horse Harry” Lee. Others are much less obvious. This presentation will highlight some of the family connections that bound together the “Greatest Generations” of 18th and 19th Century America.
12- 1 p.m. Lunch at Hampton Inn
1:30 - 5 p.m. Sessions Cont.
· “Victory or Death:” How Some 42 Texans Held Off More than 4,000 Yankees at the Battle of Sabine Pass - Wayne Motts
à   On September 8, 1863,  a Union expeditionary force was attempting to land on Texas soil just north of the Gulf of Mexico and South of Sabine Lake. In their way stood the small command of Confederate Lieutenant Richard Dowling, an Irish immigrant and Houston saloon keeper. With guts, skill, and determination the Southern men in Dowling’s command held their ground and defeated a much superior Union force in the most lopsided victory of the entire Civil War.    
· Douglas MacArthur as Military Leader
- Christopher Kolakowski
à   General Douglas MacArthur was one of the longest-serving officers in the history of the United States. He presided over some of the greatest battlefield triumphs and disasters in American history. This talk will examine MacArthur as a battlefield leader, from his first battles of WWI through WWII, and Korea.
· “Wake Island: Victory in Defeat: War, Survival, Liberation, and Understanding” - Greg Urwin
à Hear about one of the most valiant stands in U.S. history by the leading authority on the subject
Dinner on your own
7 p.m. Evening Session
· Dennis Frye, 2015 Ed Bearss Awardee
Saturday, April 8
Breakfast at Hampton Inn (avail. 6 - 10 a.m.)
7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. “George Washington on the Frontier” bus & walking tour led by Ed Bearss
· Bus leaves from Hampton Inn
· Lunch included
· Dinner Included
Bus Tour Description:
Join us as we view sites associated with Washington’s first taste of combat and the incident that started the French & Indian War.
Sites to visit: 
· Site of Braddock's Defeat & Battlefield History Center
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
· Braddock’s Grave
· And more!
Sunday, April 9
Breakfast at Hampton Inn (avail. 6 - 10 a.m.)
8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Sessions at Hampton Inn
Topics to discuss include:
· “General John J. Pershing and the American Expeditionary Force” - Mitch Yockelson
Our speaker will discuss the creation of the American Expeditionary Force and their combat history in WWI.
· “Hancock at Gettysburg” - Perry Jamieson
A leading authority on the battle discusses one of the most famous Union commanders on the field that day.
· “Ask Ed” Q&A Session with Ed Bearss