Virtual Symposium 2020: The Union’s Most Infamous Civil War Prison Camp

Today, we’re pleased to share Derek Maxfield’s talk from the 2020 ECW Virtual Symposium. Derek spoke about his new book from the Emerging Civil War Series, Hellmira: The Union’s Most Infamous Civil War Prison Camp—Elmira, NY.

“I have enjoyed researching and writing about the POW camp in Elmira mainly because the site of the camp is so close to where I grew up, which was such a surprise to me,” Derek says. “It was not until I was in college that I learned that the camp even existed. Since beginning the project I have been struck by the nature of POW camps on both sides and how little regard was given to the men incarcerated.”

Derek’s trip to Stevenson Ridge to participate in the virtual symposium was his first opportunity to attend one of ECW’s annual events. “I enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in the virtual symposium because I had not yet been able to attend any symposium to date—they always fall just as the fall semester is gearing up,” he says. “I most enjoyed the opportunity to meet many of my ECW colleagues for the first time. Residing in Upstate New York, it sometimes feels like I am an outsider.”

Click here to access Derek’s talk on the ECW YouTube page.

Meanwhile, tickets for the rescheduled Seventh Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge are available for early bird purchase by clicking here. Tickets are $155.00 each and cover all three days, August 6-8, 2021. Our theme, “Fallen Leaders,” will feature a keynote address by Gordon Rhea on the fall of Jeb Stuart at Yellow Tavern, ten speakers, and a battlefield tour of Longstreet’s wounding in the Wilderness by Greg Mertz.