Welcome to the website of the American Civil War Round Table (UK)
We’re a growing group of mostly British-based members, who get together and share information about all aspects of one of the greatest conflicts of the 19th century. You will also find here articles taken from our thrice yearly magazine ‘Crossfire’, that is free to members. If after browsing our site you would like to join us we’d be very happy to enrol you, whatever colour you prefer!
Our Round Table comprises people from all walks of life who are interested in any or all aspects of the war, but who also care enough to contribute to the growing number of initiatives to preserve this heritage for future generations. We meet frequently, mostly in London, to hear a wide variety of presentations on the war. Our speakers have included such published historians as Ed Bearss, Amanda Foreman and Gary Gallagher.
Why all this interest in American events of the past with so much history of our own? Surprisingly, we are the first in the line of Civil War Round Tables set up in the 1950s - almost exclusively in the United States. We have maintained a natural affinity with events of the Civil War. With many of its participants hailing from these islands it is perhaps not surprising that British viewpoints have been brought to bear on this all-American affair.
Forthcoming events
ACWRT(UK) 2020 Programme
25 January 2020 - Professor Rodney Steward - The Judge and His Henchmen: The Tyranny of Confederate Confiscation
17 February LOCAL Meeting at Royal British Legion Shaftesbury. Members' Presentations. 1145 - 1500
March 21 - Greg Bayne - Was This the Worst Regiment in the Union Army?
24-26 April Conference: Gettysburg's Forgotten Battles. PLACES STILL AVAILABLE! Contact Peter Lockwood at Old Country Tours. Main speakers are Scott Mengis and Eric J Wittenberg, with Erick Bush and another (surprise) also speaking.
18 July – Graham Whitham - Drawing the War: Correspondent Artists, Illustrated Newspapers & Authenticity
19 September - Speaker To Be Confirmed.
16-18 October - Field Trip. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE! Metz & Sedan Franco Prussian War 1870
14 November - AGM. VOLUNTEERS TO SPEAK WELCOME!!!
19 December (Saturday) - Christmas Lunch at Union Jack Club.
Further details and dates will be published when available.
January 2020 Meeting Booking Form download and email to jim.carroll@acwrt.org.uk
Details of how to book for the next meeting
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2019 Conference report
Here are the details of our recent conference
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2020 Field Trip
Field trip 16 - 19 October Franco Prussian War 1870 Metz & Sedan.
Full Itinerary to follow.
25/1/2020 -
JANUARY MEETING - The Judge and His Henchmen: The Tyranny of Confederate Confiscation - Rodney J. Steward, USC
There are many windows through which a glimpse of the Confederacy’s true character might be gained, but none provide as penetrating a view as that onto how the Confederate government interacted with the home front. Our January speaker continues our 2019 Conference theme of 'War in the Carolinas' with a look at the murky world of Confederate politics.
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Preservation news
Adopt-a-Cannon
Our current $500 preservation pledge is for ongoing maintenance for the cannons at Charleston
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Crossfire magazine
An Officers Pay Slip
In Search of Lieutenant George Washington Ward
By Charles Priestley
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UK People in the Civil War
click image to zoom
by Maurice Rigby
Editorial note: This is the first of many (I hope) small vignettes of Britons who played a role in the American Civil War. Contributions are welcome from any source so get digging!
Webmaster adds: image is Owen Reynold's photo of Joe Hudson's prize-winning 'Blockade Runner'.
Arbuthnot Blain; was a cabinet maker at 35 Paradise Street, Liverpool, and had died at his residence 10, Wheathill Farm, Roby, Huyton, on June 23 1868 aged 72. Born in Donegal about 1796, his firm had furnished the cabins for the Alabama, the fittings and furniture being selected by James Dunwoody Bulloch. The firm of A Blain & son had been established in 1796 by his father, and that his son, William Hughes Blain had now carried on the business around 1864. William was a familiar figure in shipping circles, a portion of which supplied the ships, and the admiralty, with furnishings and upholstery. William Blain passed away at Croft House, Huyton, on February 25th 1909 and was buried in Huyton churchyard.
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