“This part of the state is in deplorable condition,” is part of a curious title created by the Brunswick Civil War Round Table’s guest speaker scheduled for March 5.
Prolific author, educator and Civil War historian, Dr. Gordon McKinney will be on hand to discuss a number of regional, social and political issues during his presentation entitled, “This Part of the State is in Deplorable Condition: The Civil War in Western North Carolina.”
Major events and issues were never-ending in this part of North Carolina during the Civil War, according to a Civil War Round Table press release.
Begin with geographic isolation of the region; mountain politics; the impact of Confederate policies; competing loyalties; the violence among civilians, including the Shelton Laurel massacre; and, the changes to slavery as a result of the war effort. Being somewhat isolated, western North Carolina had its hands full.
McKinney is a doctoral graduate of Northwestern University. During his illustrious career, he has been history professor at three universities, Director of the Appalachian Center at Berea College, Director of National History Day and a published scholar.
As a renowned historian specializing in 19th Century Appalachian history, he has authored numerous books and articles on central and southern Appalachia, including, “Zeb Vance: North Carolina’s Civil War Governor and Gilded Age Political Leader.”
The March 5 meeting will be at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St., Southport. Registration and refreshments begin at 6:30 p.m. The guest admission fee for this meeting is $5, which can be applied toward the $25 annual membership dues.
For more information about the Round Table or the meeting, contact Round Table president Wally Rueckel at (910) 253-7382, or [email protected]. The organization’s website is brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com.
