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 CWRTDC'S PREVIOUS DAY TOUR

A DAY TOUR WITH

JOHN SOWER

TO SEE 

"The Bladensburg Monument"

Saturday, August 23, 2025

About the Tour:

As a follow-up to his presentation on May 14, 2025, CWRTDC member John Sower coordinated a tour of The Battle of Bladensburg Monument.  A copy of his PowerPoint slides for his talk are posted on our website at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l-IxJiPGSssevKMJQNshmeqcX8RfMqjI/view.

The battle occurred during the War of 1812, and the tour offers an opportunity to commemorate an important event in our country's history and to learn about a hard-fought preservation effort that serves as an example of how to succeed in similar activities today.

The tour was scheduled for 1:00 pm ET on Saturday, August 23, 2025 (the day before the 211th anniversary of the battle on August 24, 1814).

All were invited to attend: CWRTDC members and non-members, as well as their families and friends. 

Parking for the site is available on the Monument site – across from the George Washington House at 4302 Baltimore Avenue, Bladensburg, MD 20710, and near the WWI Peace Cross and other monuments. 

John was one of the principals in planning and building the Monument, and he is the author of the book “The Last Battlefield Monument in America?” which is available on Amazon, at https://www.amazon.com/Last-Battlefield-Monument-America/dp/1917336160

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The Civil War Round Table of the District of Columbia, 

and the Nativo Coffee Shop

co-hosted a

Walking Tour of the Civil War Era
White House Neighborhood

with

Ed Moser and Paul Mazzuca

November 9, 2024 

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The Tour covered the Civil War Era-related stories in Ed Moser’s book, “The White House's Unruly Neighborhood.”  Chronicling the sometimes outlandish, often tragic history of the environs of the White House, the guides will discuss assassinations, escapes of enslaved persons, deadly duels, sex scandals, battles, brawls, and spy intrigues that took place in the presidential neighborhood, Lafayette Square. They will recount the triumphs and catastrophes of heroes and villains both famous and unsung, placing them in the context of contemporary world events of the day.  Ed’s books will be available for purchase and signing.

About the guides:  

Ed Moser is a former writer for Jay Leno's "Tonight Show," an operator of a history tours group, a speechwriter for President of the United States, a former editor for Time-Life Books, a tech/science writer/editor/manager, and a biotech writer (www.meetup.com/Lafayette-Sq-Tours-of-Scandal-Assassination-Spies-Meetup/).  

Paul Mazzuca is a former Capitol Hill staffer and lobbyist. He is now a licensed professional tour guide and tour director in the DC area as well as a member of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, the Historical Society of Washington, the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of DC, the Smithsonian Associates, and the Civil War Round Table of DC (www.DCPermanentTourist.com).

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The Battle of Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1863

Day Tour on October 23, 2021

Photography by John Ciccone, et al. 

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About the Battlefield:

The Battle of Ball’s Bluff was a simple accident that resulted from a faulty report provided by an inexperienced officer who led a reconnaissance patrol and thought he saw something that was not there. By later Civil War battle standards, it was a very minor affair, soon to be overshadowed by larger, bloodier battles.  In late 1861, however, it mattered for a number of reasons, which Jim Anderson will explore during his presentation. 

Jim Anderson gave a presentation to the Civil War Round Table of the District of Columbia on October 12, 2021.  His talk is posted at https://cwrtdc-audio.blogspot.com/p/jim-anderson-balls-bluff.html  

Jim Anderson also organized a tour of the battlefield on October 23, 2021, during the annual event at the battlefield organized by the Friends of Ball's Bluff (FoBB).  The tour and events were photographed by John Ciccone.

The FoBB offers free battlefield tours each Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 1pm from April; through November.  No registration is required.  Just show up.  For information and directions, Google:  NVRPA Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park.

The FoBB guides also would be happy to arrange special group tours for organizations and large family groups.  Just send an email request to:  friendsofballsbluff@gmail.com 

About the Speaker and Guide: 

Jim Anderson holds history degrees from Rhodes College (BA) and the University of Memphis (MA).  He also has done post-graduate work at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Virginia. 

After college, Jim served for 3 years in the Air Force as Chief of Air Intelligence Operations for a squadron of F-111D fighter-bombers. Upon leaving the service, he was “recruited” by the CIA, where he spent the next 27 years. His career included a variety of operational and management positions; and six overseas duty tours in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia.    

Jim's interest in the Civil War grew out of his experiences growing up on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line, and it was enhanced by his discovery that some of his ancestors wore “blue” and others wore the “gray.” 

After retiring from the CIA Senior Intelligence Service in 2005, Jim started his own leadership training business.  He has conducted over 200 seminars for corporate and government management teams, which featured day-long tours of Civil War battlefields as part of the curriculum. 

In retirement, Jim teaches classes and leads tours focusing on the Civil War and the American Frontier at the George Mason University Osher Life-Long Learning Institute (GW/OLLI).  He also leads church group tours to Israel and Palestine, and he volunteers with local youth and non-profit organizations. 

Jim is a member and past Board Chairman of the Friends of Ball’s Bluff Battlefield, and he belongs to the Loudoun Country Civil War Roundtable and the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association. 

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/KPm2hgRYuXkDw8Aq7

The Irish Brigade at Antietam
17 September 1862

Bike Tour and Photography by Ed Murphy

The Irish Brigade under General Thomas Edward Meagher played an important part in the Civil War battle of Antietam (17 September 1862).

Antietam was the bloodiest single day engagement. (Gettysburg was bloodier, but lasted three days.)

The outcome was enough of a Union victory that president Lincoln was emboldened to issue the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation --- making the Civil War an effort not only to preserve the Union, but also to end slavery.

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