Southern Indiana Civil War Roundtable

News & Events

The Battle of Munford: History, Archaeology, and Our Little Blue Home

The Southern Indiana Civil War Roundtable will welcome Bob Stewart for a compelling evening program on Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Evansville Fraternal Order of Police.

Stewart’s presentation explores the little-known Battle of Munford, fought in Talladega County on April 23, 1865—fully two weeks after Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House. In this late-war clash, Union cavalry under John T. Croxton engaged a smaller, largely untrained Confederate force led by Benjamin Jefferson Hill.

At the center of the story is Lt. A.J. Buttram, a local soldier shot from his horse during the fighting. He is widely regarded as the last Confederate soldier killed in action east of the Mississippi River. In 2020, archaeologists from the University of Alabama located and exhumed his remains, later returning them to rest in a historically grounded funeral reenactment.

Stewart brings more than scholarship to this subject. His family’s roots in Munford stretch back generations, and his talk weaves together history, archaeology, and personal narrative—including an unexpected connection to the Buttram story itself.

A native of Tuscaloosa, Stewart served as Executive Director of the Alabama Humanities Foundation from 1987 to 2012. During his tenure, he led numerous public humanities initiatives, including collaboration with Auburn University to develop the online Encyclopedia of Alabama. His earlier work includes positions at the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board, and the Huntsville Museum of Art. He holds degrees from Amherst College, Boston University, and Emory University. Since 2016, he and his wife, Lida, have lived in Nashville.

This program offers a vivid look at one of the Civil War’s final engagements—where the war’s end was near, but its cost was still being paid.

All are welcome to attend.

In Memory of Ron Sproatt

The Southern Indiana Civil War Roundtable mourns the passing of Ron Sproatt, who died Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the age of 91.

Ron was a fixture of this organization. As our Treasurer, he brought the same quiet discipline and reliability to the Roundtable that marked everything he did — a veteran’s sense of duty, a horseman’s patience, and a genuine love for history. He showed up. He cared. And for those of us who had the privilege of knowing him, that meant everything.

Born in Evansville on September 8, 1934, Ron served three years in the United States Army as a topographical surveyor, a man who spent his life reading the lay of the land, in more ways than one. He trained thoroughbred horses in California, fished for trout, hunted turkeys and mushrooms, and swung a golf club with the enthusiasm of someone who understood that life is best lived outdoors. He was, by any measure, a full man.

But we knew him here, around the table, talking about the war that defined this nation and we are better for it.

Ron is survived by his wife, Patsy, and by his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The Roundtable extends its deepest sympathies to Patsy and the entire Sproatt family.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 2, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 5501 Washington Avenue, Evansville, with visitation Wednesday evening, April 1, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Vanderburgh County Humane Society or Eastminster Presbyterian Church.

Ron, we will miss you at the table.

Thaddeus Lowe: Who Was He and Did He Make a Difference in the American Civil War?

The Southern Indiana Civil War Roundtable invites you to an evening of history, conversation, and discovery. Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Evansville Fraternal Order of Police, 801 Court Street in Evansville. Admission is free, and guests are always welcome.

This month’s program asks a question that once stirred both hope and doubt inside the Union high command: Who was Thaddeus S. C. Lowe—and did he truly make a difference in the American Civil War?

The presentation traces Lowe’s restless mind and bold ambition. Convinced that balloons could change warfare, he pressed for the creation of a Union Army Balloon Corps and helped usher aerial reconnaissance onto the battlefield. His work drew champions and critics alike. Yet through resistance and uncertainty, Lowe persisted. His story sheds light on innovation in wartime and the cost of thinking ahead of one’s time.

Our speaker, Dr. Cheryl D. McAuley, LTC, USA (Ret.), brings both scholarly depth and lived experience to the subject. A retired Army officer and former Department of Defense civilian, she served twenty-five years in fields ranging from military intelligence to music. She deployed to the Horn of Africa and to Iraq before retiring in 2010.

Dr. McAuley holds a Bachelor of Music from West Chester University, a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University, a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership from University of Phoenix. In retirement, she continues to study, write, and explore with the same drive that marked her military career.

We hope you will join us for what promises to be a thoughtful look at innovation, leadership, and the Civil War’s expanding horizons.

In Memoriam: William Powell “Bill” Hale (1944–2025)

The Southern Indiana Civil War Roundtable mourns the passing of our long-time member and past president, William Powell “Bill” Hale. Bill died on September 4, 2025, at the age of 81, following a brief illness.

Bill was born on July 22, 1944, in Olney, Maryland, the son of the late William P. Jr. and Alice Rebecca (Fletcher) Hale. After graduating from Oak Ridge High School in Tennessee, he pursued higher education at Transylvania University, East Tennessee State University, and later earned a master’s degree from Ball State University. He dedicated more than three decades to education with the Franklin County Community School Corporation, where he taught science, history, and geography, shaping the lives of countless students.

Bill joined the Roundtable many years ago, and his knowledge, energy, and leadership enriched our community. As past president, he worked tirelessly to promote historical understanding and foster fellowship among members. Beyond scholarship, Bill was an active Civil War reenactor, bringing history to life for new generations.

Together with his late wife, Gretchen, Bill traveled widely—47 states and six continents—embracing a spirit of curiosity and adventure that also animated his love of history. He was deeply rooted in Franklin County, where he lived for more than 50 years, and he remained active in his church, professional associations, and community life.

Bill is survived by his children, Stephen Hale of Norfolk, Virginia, and LeAnna Matsey of Lawrenceburg, Indiana; his siblings, Bruce Hale of Clinton, Tennessee, and Barbara Hale Brooks of Atlanta, Georgia; as well as many friends, colleagues, and fellow history enthusiasts.

We will remember Bill for his dedication to learning, his generosity of spirit, and his passion for preserving the lessons of the past. The Roundtable extends its deepest condolences to his family. His absence will be keenly felt, but his legacy endures in the lives he touched and the history he so loved.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Boundless Ways of Grace Church in Metamora, Indiana.

August Meeting: George Payne and the Sand Creek Massacre

On Thursday, August 21, at 7:00 p.m., the Southern Indiana Civil War Round Table welcomes George Payne for a compelling program on the March 1862 Battle of Glorieta Pass in the New Mexico Territory. Often called the “Gettysburg of the West,” this pivotal clash elevated the reputation—and inflated the ego—of Colonel John M. Chivington, commander of the U.S. Colorado Volunteers. That rise to prominence set the stage for one of the darkest episodes of the American frontier: the Sand Creek Massacre of November 29, 1864. Backed by territorial governor John Evans, Chivington ordered 700 soldiers to attack a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho encampment, an atrocity that ignited Indian wars lasting a decade beyond the Civil War.

The Southern Indiana Civil War Round Table is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the U.S. Civil War and the lives it touched. Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Evansville Fraternal Order of Police, 801 Court St., Evansville, Indiana. All lectures are free and open to the public.

September Meeting: Lew Wallace and the Montgomery Guards

Join us on September 18th as the Southern Indiana Civil War Roundtable welcomes Thomas R. Meeks Jr., Associate Director of the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum, for an insightful presentation, “Lew Wallace and the Montgomery Guards: Preparing Indiana for War”

Thomas Meeks will explore the crucial decade of the 1850s, highlighting Lew Wallace’s transformation from a frustrated lawyer into a dedicated military leader. Wallace foresaw the coming storm of the Civil War and took decisive action by founding the Montgomery Guards, turning a casual local militia into one of Indiana’s most disciplined Zouave-style units. Learn how their skillful participation in state-wide parades and drilling competitions propelled Wallace into his role as Indiana’s Adjutant General at the outset of war.

We will also reflect upon the wartime service and enduring legacy of the men who proudly served under Wallace’s command. Don’t miss this fascinating exploration of local history and leadership at our September gathering!

Date: September 18, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Evansville Fraternal Order of Police, 801 Court St, Evansville, Indiana 47708

All lectures are free and open to the public. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. We look forward to seeing you there!

Eddie Price Joins Us

The next meeting of the Southern Indiana Civil War Roundtable is Thursday, July 17th, at 7:00 p.m. at FOP Lodge #73 located at 801 Court Street, in Evansville, Indiana.

Our Program will be provided by teacher, historian, and accomplished writer, Eddie Price. Eddie presented a program a few years ago to our roundtable on the US Ironclad Monitor, and the Union brown water navy. Since then, he has been busy! In addition to his previously published historical fiction books: Widder’s Landing: Life and Love on the Kentucky Frontier; and One Drop – A Slave!; both of which have received awards and have been very well received, he has written several award winning Children’s books. His latest publication is Rebels Abroad, a historical fiction book about Irish Indentured Servants in America.

We have invited Eddie to bring copies of his novels and children’s books and make them available for sale and to be signed. Looking for a gift for the Grandkids? Don’t forget your checkbook.

June 2025 Meeting Announced

Join us for the June 2025 Civil War Roundtable Meeting on Thursday, June 19 at 7:00 p.m., hosted at the Evansville Fraternal Order of Police (801 Court St, Evansville, Indiana 47708). We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Lucas Wilder, an accomplished historian and seasoned National Park Service interpretive ranger, who will deliver a captivating first-person portrayal of Confederate cavalry legend JEB Stuart.

Raised in the Appalachian Mountains, Dr. Wilder developed a profound interest in the region’s Civil War history, earning degrees from Lincoln Memorial University, East Tennessee State University, and Mississippi State University. His groundbreaking dissertation examined mountain warfare and analyzed the pivotal role the Appalachian environment played in military campaigns in East Tennessee.

Dr. Wilder is widely known for his dynamic YouTube channel, History Gone Wilder, which boasts nearly 700 videos, 1 million hours of watch time, and over 8 million views. Through detailed battle animations, book reviews, interviews, and scholarly deep dives, Wilder makes complex historical events accessible and engaging to the public.

In his compelling presentation, Dr. Wilder brings JEB Stuart vividly to life, sharing thrilling tales of cavalry charges, poignant moments of loss, and insights into Stuart’s enduring friendships with iconic Confederate figures such as Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson and Robert E. Lee. Don’t miss this chance to journey back in time and experience history brought brilliantly to life.

March 2025 Meeting Announced

Join the Southern Indiana Civil War Roundtable (SICWRT) on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. for an engaging presentation by historian and author Kevin McCray. The meeting will take place at the Evansville Fraternal Order of Police (801 Court Street, Evansville, IN).

McCray’s lifelong passion for the Civil War began in the early 1960s during the conflict’s centennial, sparked by a gift from his father—The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War. A dedicated researcher and writer, he has authored multiple works, including A Shouting of Orders, a history of the 99th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and his latest book, Without Bugle or Drum.

In this presentation, McCray will explore the forgotten battles of Milton’s Vaught’s Hill and Liberty’s Snow Hill, fought in Middle Tennessee in March and April 1863 during the longest period of inactivity in the war. These engagements, involving Confederate cavalry commander John Hunt Morgan, played a crucial yet often overlooked role in the Union’s efforts to hold ground after the Battle of Stones River. Through firsthand accounts, McCray brings these battles to life and examines their impact on the larger conflict in the region.

This event is free and open to the public. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a distinguished Civil War historian and deepen your understanding of this pivotal time in American history!

September 2024 Guest Announced

Our guest at the meeting on September 19th will be Dr. Lucas Wilder. Dr. Wilder was born in Lee County Virginia at the base of the Cumberland Mountain, about 10 miles from the historic Cumberland Gap. His proximity to this historic location and his family’s military history fueled his love of history. Lucas began his academic journey at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, where he received his associates degree. Then, Lincoln Memorial University awarded him a full academic scholarship to attend their institution and he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in history. He received his master’s degree from East Tennessee State University and then proceeded to Mississippi State University for his PhD, where he graduated in May 2022. His nodes of excellence at Mississippi State focused on American Military History and Environmental History. Both of those concentration took center stage in his research of Appalachia and its significance during the American Civil War. With his education in history, he runs a successful YouTube Channel entitled History Gone Wilder, which can be accessed by going to Historygonewilder.com.