San Francisco Civil War Round Table Meeting Thursday 20th March 2014 at the United Irish Cultural Center 2700 45th Avenue, San Francisco ===========
The meeting started at 6:45pm with the Pledge of Allegiance and the introduction of guests.
Mike McAdoo reported on his visit to Treasurer Emerita Joan Keller at Atria. Mike also passed out cards so that members could mail their good wishes to Joan.
The President reminded members of the "Living History Day" scheduled for Alcatraz Island on Saturday April 5th.
Bob Bowen offered some fine Civil War calendars which were eagerly snapped up.
Treasurer Mary Kunitake announced that she has membership forms for any members who had not yet renewed their membership.
Bob Lawhon encouraged members to attend the meeting of Westerners to be held on Tuesday March 25th at L'Olivier on Davis Street.
Our guest speaker, Matthew Borowick (above, left) gave an excellent presentation on "The Court Martial of Fitz John Porter" (above, right). A (second) Union defeat at Manassas in 1862 led to criticism and a court-martial for one of the rising stars of the Army of the Potomac. After Robert E. Lee drove General John Pope's army back to Washington, questions were raised about who was responsible for the defeat. Fingers quickly pointed toward Major General Fitz John Porter, who supposedly did not perform as Pope had expected him to. Porter's enemies claimed that Porter wanted to see Pope fail. Porter spent the next twenty-four years of his life trying to clear his name, eventually succeeding.
After a lively question and answer session, Program Chair Bob Hubbs announced that our April Speaker will be Ken Bruce, speaking on the Seven Days Battle.