If you missed the 12th Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge last weekend, we thought we’d share a few of our favorite pictures. Our theme was “Partnerships and Rivalries,” which provided opportunity to look at the war’s participants from many perspectives.
Post event feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and a couple of anecdotes serve as great examples. One participant noted that “This is one of the very best events to attend every year. Keep up the great work.” Another commented “It keeps getting better and better. Thanks. See you next year!”
If you missed this year’s event, we hope you’ll be able to join us in 2027, August 6–8, for “Crime and Punishment” and keynote speaker Jim Hessler.
Thank you, ECW Social Media Team, for this batch of photos.
Here’s a group photo of the ECW family following Friday night’s program. We’re not all here, but here’s a nice chunk of us!ECW members Terry Rensel, Neil Chatelain, and Sam Flowers prepare the welcome packages before door opened Friday. Many ECW members were there early to ensure things were prepared for everyone.Friday’s presentations began with ECW president Neil Chatelain exploring how the Mississippi River had a mind of its own in 1862’s riverine campaigns.ECW vice president Evan Portman explored the relationship between Joshua L. Chamberlain and Ellis Spear.ECW Chief Historian Angela Zombeck discussed how POW’s partnered up in attempts to escape from prison camps.Saturday began with Chris Mackowski interviewing Kurt Fields to learn more about Ulysses Grant’s partnerships and rivalries.Patrick Kelley-Fischer gave a spirited comparative analysis of Canby and Sibley as they fought one another in the Southwest.Our first keynote speaker, Craig Symonds, provided an excellent comparison of Admirals David Farragut and Franklin Buchanan.Our second keynote speaker, Harold Holzer, put his Abraham Lincoln expertise on display by comparing Lincoln and Jefferson Davis’s portrayal in print.It has been a year of transition, with Neil Chatelain taking over as ECW president. Here Neil presents Chris with a thank you for all the many years of leadership.ECW co-founder Kris White explored the many layers of relationships circling Confederate General Braxton Bragg.Tim Smith (of the East) closed presentations with a detailed look at command conflicts in the early parts of the Gettysburg campaign.As is our tradition, we capped off Saturday with social time at Strangeways Brewing.ECW Grand Old Man Chris Mackowski closed the symposium with a great tour of Prospect Hill while talking about Stonewall Jackson’s rivalries of command.
