Everyone is welcome at our monthly meetings

NOTICE: We're meeting at the Blossom Cafe Restaurant, 8349 West Lawrence, Norridge, for 2025-26.


March 13th
Clifford Roberts on Castle Pinckney and the Confederate Defense of Charleston Harbor

Abraham Lincoln considered the capture of Charleston, where the Civil War formally began, as a crippling blow to Rebel blockade running as well as an emphatic statement of Union success. Despite repeated operations by both the Federal army and navy, and a 545-day bombardment, which is still considered the longest siege in American history, the old city did not surrender until the closing weeks of the war. Castle Pinckney is the oldest fortification still standing in the Charleston Harbor and its central location made it an important piece of P.G.T. Beauregard's "Circles of Fire."

W. Clifford Roberts graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1981 with a BA in Southern History. He is the author of three books and numerous magazine articles. Cliff Roberts is the author of Holding Charleston by the Bridle: Castle Pinckney and the Civil War, which was published by Savis Beatie in the fall of 2024. He is currently the president of the Fort Sumter Civil War Round Table and the vice president of the Friends of the Charleston National Parks. He lives in downtown Charleston with his wife Vicki and dog Hashbrown.

For our 2025-2026 program year, we proudly welcome these outstanding speakers:

Sept. 12th: James Pula on "Dan Butterfield"
Oct. 10th: Kim Harris as "Libby Custer"
Nov. 14th: Chris Kolakowski on "Civil War to World War: Simon Bolivar Buckner Sr. and Jr."
Dec. 12th: Brian Jordan on "Marching Home: Union Veterans and Their Unending Civil War"
Jan. 9th, 2026: Guy Fraker on "Lincoln the Lawyer"
Feb. 13th: Keith Bohannon on "Wheeler's Cavalry in the Atlanta Campaign"
Mar. 13th: Clifford Roberts on "Castle Pinckney"
Apr. 10th: Wayne Motts, The Nevins-Freeman Address
May 8th: Chris Mackowski on "A Tempest of Iron and Lead: The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House"
June 12th: Alex Rossino on "Confederate Plans for Maryland"

Copies of recorded meetings are available for a small charge. Click here for a printable list of recorded meetings. More current meetings can be viewed on Youtube.

Our meetings are held at:

Blossom Cafe
8349 West Lawrence, Norridge (corner of Lawrence and Cumberland)
Parking at the Blossom Cafe is FREE
Map and Directions

Dinner $50.00 Members and Non- Members
Cocktails at 5:30, Dinner at 6:30

Presentation only is $10 per person.
Payable at the door, cash or check. Be there by 7:15. For those attending the presentation only, your reservation is appreciated but not required.
Dinner reservations should be received by Sunday evening prior to the meeting.
Please make your reservation in advance by emailing DinnerReservations@ChicagoCWRT.org with the names of your party or by calling (630) 460-1865
Cancellations: email us at DinnerReservations@ChicagoCWRT.org  or call (630) 460-1865
Copyright 2009, The Civil War Round Table of Chicago.