The Civil War may have ended 150 years ago, but Longwood University isn’t letting go of it any time soon.
On March 13 through 15, the university held it’s sixteenth annual Civil War seminar, in conjunction with the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, to instruct and inform visitors about the Civil War, its impact on the country and what it meant for the country’s citizens.
A large number of guest speakers, ranging from professors to historians to retired park personnel, arrived to lecture and spread their knowledge during this free event.
Not many, if any, students went to the event, although some of the guest speakers feel that more should come to learn.
“I think it’s important for students to know their country’s history,” author and retired National Park serviceman Ronald Wilson stated. “They need to know more about the area they live in.”
On Friday, the event started with an introduction of the guests by Longwood University’s Dr. David Coles, a professor and chair holder of the Department of History.
Before hand, author Tracy Chernault and ranger/historian Michael Gorman began discussing the histories of Petersburg and Richmond, respectively. The day ended with Longwood graduate and author/historian Chris Calkins, discussing the campaign held at Appomattox.
On Saturday, Dr. Coles again introduced the event, with Calkins returning to discuss the Battles of Sailor’s Creek on April 6, 1865.
Appomattox historian Patrick Schroeder spoke about the final battles in the Appomattox area, before Wilson discussed Lee’s surrender at the courthouse.
After lunch, Elizabeth Varon expanded more on Lee’s surrender and what this meant for the legacy of Appomattox, followed by Mark Bradley talking about the closing operations in North Carolina. The day ended with a trip to and tour of the Sailor’s Creek State Historical Park.
On Sunday, Dr. Coles introduced the day’s events, before Bert Dunkerly talked about rarely heard surrenders in America’s south, including Alabama and the Trans-Mississippi.
English professor Casey Clabough then discussed the descendants of Confederate soldiers who immigrated to Brazil. Clabough called these descendants the “Confederados.”
Finally, the day ended with historian John Hennessy discussing the legacy and impact of the Civil War in America.
For those who enjoy looking to the past and learning from its lessons, Longwood is ready to continue their seminars, with another one scheduled for next year.
“We will keep this going next year, and as far as I know, every year in the future,” Schroeder said in closing.
