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Thursday, August14, 2008 - 6;30 p.m. - Elk's Lodge
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| Jeffrey Ewing - "The History of the 6th U.S. Cavalry- From Stoneman's Raid to Brandy Station, 1863" |
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Early in 1863, a northern newspaper correspondent reflected on the contributions
of the cavalry forces
of the Army of the Potomac: "This
Arm of our service has been of little account heretofore, owing to the
mismanagement and imbecility of
General McClellan". Yet less than six months later these same troopers would
play a pivotal role in the
army's decisive victory at Gettysburg. Documentary filmmaker and TVCWRT member Jeffrey Ewing's historical documentary will explore the events during the first half of 1863 that transformed these troopers into the mounted fighting force that challenged their once dominant Confederate counterparts for the remaining years of the war. The project was commissioned by the 6th Cavalry Museum and the story is told through the eyes of troopers from that regiment. Jeff will also report on the week he spent at June Conference of The Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College, which featured presentations by James McPherson, Ken Burns, Craig Symonds, Harold Holzer, Kent Gramm, and Ed Bearss. |
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Jeffrey Ewing's interest in the Civil War is a legacy from his father, an amateur historian who dragged the family to Civil War battlefields each summer. Jeff enrolled in Gettysburg College after high school and occasionally returns to his alma mater for its Civil War Institute; where he lives in the dorms, eats in the dining hall, and tries to pretend he is much younger. After a career in human resources and communication, Jeff moved to the Huntsville area and opened his own video production company, "Grin Without a Cat", specializing in genealogical/historical documentaries and Internet commercials. He also teaches film appreciation and digital video production. When not exploring battlefield terrain with his topographical maps and compass, Jeff enjoys watching high school and college softball. |
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| Maj Gen Alfred Pleasonton | Maj Gen J.E.B. Stuart |
| Commanding Union Cavalry | Commanding Confederate Cavalry |