Everyone is welcome at our monthly meetings

NOTICE: Due to the covid-related meeting restrictions, the CWRT's 2020-21 meeings will be "zoom" unless otherwise noted. CWRT members will be sent zoom access instructions via email. Members can also visit the CWRT's Facebook page, or email editor@ChicagoCWRT.org, for zoom access information.


April 9th
Ron Kirkwood on "Too Much for Human Endurance:" The Spangler Farm Hospitals at Gettysburg

The bloodstains are gone, but the worn floorboards remain. The doctors, nurses, and patients who toiled and suffered and ached for home at the Army of the Potomac's XI Corps hospital at the George Spangler Farm in Gettysburg have long since departed. Happily, though, their stories remain, and noted journalist and George Spangler Farm expert Ronald D. Kirkwood brings these people and their experiences to life in "Too Much for Human Endurance": The George Spangler Farm Hospitals and the Battle of Gettysburg.

Using a wealth of firsthand accounts, Kirkwood reveals the untold stories of the George Spangler family; its 166-acre farm; the ambulance workers, surgeons and nurses who labored to save lives; and the injured who suffered and died at the farm.

Kirkwood contends that logistically the George Spangler farm was the most important farm in the Battle of Gettysburg. His book presents newly-found information about Confederate Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead's time at Spangler, the Granite Schoolhouse hospital, the Spanglers, the Artillery Reserve and stories emerging from the two hospitals on-site.

Now retired, Ron Kirkwood had a 40-year journalism career as an editor and writer, including work for several local newspapers. He has served as a Gettysburg Foundation guide at The George Spangler Farm Field Hospital Site since it opened in 2013.

For our 2020-2021 program year, we proudly welcome these outstanding speakers:

Sept. 11th, 2020: Fergus Bordewich on Congress at War
Oct. 9th: Stuart Sanders on Perryville
Nov. 13th: John R. Scales on General Nathan Bedford Forrest
Dec. 10th: Dave Powell on Union Command Failure in the Shenandoah
Jan. 8th: Jennifer Murray on General George Meade
Feb. 12th: Leslie Goddard presents Clara Barton
Mar. 12th: Greg Biggs, The Nevin-Freeman Address
Apr. 9th: Ron Kirkwood on Too Much for Human Endurance: The Spangler Farm Hospitals
May 14th: Michael Hardy on General Lee's Immortals
June 11th: Wil Greene on Petersburg

Copies of recorded meetings are available for a small charge. Click here for a printable list of recorded meetings. More current meetings can be viewed on Youtube.

Our in-person meetings are held at:

Holiday Inn O'Hare
5615 N. Cumberland, Chicago, IL 60631
Parking at the Holiday Inn is FREE
Map and Directions

Dinner $40.00 Members and Non- Members
Cocktails at 5:30, Dinner at 6:30

Presentation only is $10 per person.
Payable at the door, cash or check. Be there by 7:15. For those attending the presentation only, your reservation is appreciated but not required.
Dinner reservations should be received by Sunday evening prior to the meeting.
Please make your reservation in advance by emailing DinnerReservations@ChicagoCWRT.org with the names of your party or by calling (630) 460-1865
Cancellations: email us at DinnerReservations@ChicagoCWRT.org  or call (630) 460-1865

Dinner choices. The CWRT has gone to a buffet style dinner. The buffet will include caeser salad, pasta, garlic bread, two meats (grilled chicken, meat balls, or Italian sausage) and dessert.

Copyright 2009, The Civil War Round Table of Chicago.