The 2023 West Coast Civil War Round Table Conference “Pemberton and Grant: Vicksburg Campaign of 1863” November 4-5, 2023
By Professor Earnest Veritas · Originally published February 2024 · p. 29
Special Correspondent to The –Western Theater –
The 2023 annual West Coast Civil War Round Table Conference was held in Fresno, Calif., November 4th and 5th. It was a success for all who attended and engaged with the speakers in a far-ranging panel discussion on this year’s topic: “Pemberton and Grant: Vicksburg Campaign of 1863.” Last year’s conference topic was: “Grant’s 1864 Campaign.” The San Joaquin CWRT in Fresno, Calif., hosted the 2023 conference. The topic for this year was selected because of the 160th anniversary of the Campaign and the fall of Vicksburg. Thirtytwo people attended the two-day meeting and were very much engaged with the speakers, asking a number of questions.
Dr. Stansbery.
The West Coast conference has a long history, going back several decades. It has been held at different sites including: a cruise ship to Mexico, Clovis, Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare, Calif. It is moved to the host CWRT location. This year’s host, the San Joaquin Valley CWRT, has a long relationship with General Parker Hills and the Friends of Raymond Battlefield in Raymond, Miss. All possible profits from the West Coast CWRT Conferences are donated to the Friends of Raymond Battlefield because it is not a state or national park. Conference co-organizer and past president of the San Joaquin Valley CWRT, Ron Vaughan, said that over the years, they have donated more than $30,000 to the Friends of Raymond Battlefield. Some applications for that money went to purchase two cannon, rebuild a rail fence, and install a number of information signs. The speakers were General Parker Hills (USA, Ret.) and Ulysses S. Grant Living Historian Dr. Curt Fields. General Hills gave a presentation each day on the Vicksburg Campaign, and General Grant spoke each day about his involvement in the campaign. The presentations were followed by a Q&A session for the speakers. A panel discussion was also held between General Hills and Dr. Fields with two other participants, Michael Green, a past San Joaquin CWRT president, and Dr. Stanbery, a retired history professor at Long Beach City College. Dr. Stanbery also gave a separate presentation at the conference. Presentations at the end of the conference held a surprise for General Hills and Dr. Fields. Both men were awarded the JERRY RUSSEL CIVIL WAR PRESERVATION MEMORIAL AWARD. This was only the second time that the award was given to two people at the same time.
General Parker Hills.
“In recognition for your tireless efforts in supporting American Civil War Preservation, your work in creating the West Coast Civil War Conference Programs, and your sincere dedication to the cause of furthering Civil War History for future generations.” “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but can never forget what they did here.” Abraham Lincoln, November 19th, 1863, Gettysburg, PA Mr. Jerry Russell was a primary mover in establishing Civil War Round Tables in California and other western states. He was vitally interested in learning about and preserving our Civil War history for everyone. His tireless work promoting history and the involvement of as many people as possible to preserve and perpetuate our history is memorialized in the award given to recipients in his name. The conference was a success. Plans are already underway for next year. Jerry Russell would be proud.
“Simply put: tell the simple truth, simply.” – Professor E. Veritas
The award plaque reads:
General Ulysses S. Grant (Dr. Curt Fields). Professor Veritas would like to thank Mr. Ron Vaughan and Mr. Michael Green for their assistance in the preparation of this article. For more information about the annual West Coast Civil War Conferences: Mr. Ron Vaughan may be reached at his E-telegraph address of: [email protected] Mr. Michael Green may be reached at his E-telegraph address of: [email protected] Curt Fields.