Houston Civil War Round Table’s “Frank E. Vandiver Award of Merit” Presented to Dr. Timothy B. Smith

Originally published August 2022 · p. 31

HOUSTON, TX, June 13, 2022—Continuing a 40-year tradition, the Houston Civil War Round Table (HCWRT) has awarded Timothy B. Smith the Frank E. Vandiver Award of Merit. The Vandiver Award recognizes outstanding contributions to Civil War scholarship or preservation efforts by an individual or an institution. Presented annually, the award honors the memory of Dr. Frank Everson Vandiver (1925–2005), a renowned Civil War historian and one of the earliest members of HCWRT. Lynda Crist, a long-time member of HCWRT and editor of the Jefferson Davis Papers at Rice University, was the first Vandiver Award recipient in 1982. Other past winners include Gary Gallagher, Ed Bearss, Richard Sommers, Frank O’Reilly, William C. “Jack” Davis, Don

Troiani, David E. Roth, James “Bud” Robertson, Eric Jacobson, Ed Cotham, Gordon Rhea, James McPherson, Brian Steel Wills, and A. Wilson Greene. HCWRT selected Mr. Smith for this year’s award in view of his contributions to Civil War historiography and his service as an author, National Park Service ranger, tour guide, speaker, and preservationist over a career spanning more than 20 years. A native of Mississippi, Dr. Smith now resides in Tennessee where he teaches history at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He received BA and MA degrees in history from the University of Mississippi and a PhD from Mississippi State University in 2001. In addition to many articles and essays, he is the author, editor, or co-editor of some 20 books including: Champion Hill: Decisive Battle for Vicksburg (2004); Corinth 1862: Siege, Battle, Occupation (2012); Shiloh: Conquer or Perish (2014); Grant Invades Tennessee: The 1862 Battles for Forts Henry and Donelson (2016); The Union Assaults at Vicksburg: Grant Attacks Pemberton, May 17–22, 1863 (2020); and The Siege of Vicksburg: Climax of the Campaign to Open the Mississippi River, May 23–July 4, 1863 (2021). His latest work, Early Struggles for Vicksburg: The Mississippi Central Campaign and Chickasaw Bayou, October 25-December 31, 1862 was released this year. In announcing the award, HCWRT President Gene Boisaubin commented: “The HCWRT was extraordinarily fortunate to have a historian with the acclaimed stature of Dr. Smith as the recipient of our award. His presentation epitomized those same scholarly attributes as well as being quite entertaining.” A large, wooden Minié ball symbolizing the award was presented to Dr. Smith in late May after he addressed the Houston Civil War Round Table at its monthly meeting on March 17, 2022.