War in The West: Vicksburg is the Key Symposium at Raymond

The Vicksburg Campaign was one of the greatest operations in world military history. Often cited and casually discussed, it was a great deal more complex than most people who study the Civil War appreciate. It indeed demonstrated the “Art” or war making. The planning and execution of the campaign in all its dimensions brought the genius of US Grant to the attention of contemporaries and subsequent generations of students. Now for the first time, the BGES, America’s Premier Educational Institution will focus its eyes on this event. Join us in historic St. Mark’s Church in quaint and scenic Raymond, Mississippi as we “speechify and debate this world changing event at a price that will put a :>) on your face.

Friday, April 30, 2004

Arrive at leisure during the day. The hotel is the Holiday Express in Clinton. We will meet for registration at St. Marks Church between 5:30 and 6:30 PM. Our opening lecture will follow at 6:45 PM. After this icebreaker, the Friends of Raymond are pleased to host you at a wonderful reception with heavy hors de oeuvres at the Mayor’s house. This will run from 8 PM until 9 PM.

Saturday, May 1, 2004

You may register from 8:30 until 9:00 AM. Our morning speakers will present their talks in St. Marks at 9:15 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. We will then break for you to enjoy the Raymond town festival in the square. There will be many vendors and food stands--your lunch is on your own. The afternoon session will reconvene at 1:15 PM with lectures at 1:30; 2:45 and 4 PM. A panel discussion at 5 will end at 6. Dinner is on your own.

Sunday, May 2, 2004

We will close our program and lead into a fundraising program for the Friends of Raymond by having a lecture at St. Marks at noon. We will summarize the program and say our good byes. Immediately following the program the Friends of Raymond will be sponsoring a tour of the Battle of Raymond led by vice-president Parker Hills. This event is being held to raise funds in support of the Friends’ ambitious agenda of land acquisition and artifact restorable. We strongly urge you to join the Friends of Raymond. The tour itself will cost $50 (higher donations welcomed). Refreshments are included. The tour should end before 5 PM with plenty of time to make connecting flights or to drive home OR to Atlanta for our Ed Bearss Essential Civil War Program--Stop 12 Atlanta Campaign with Ed and Steve Davis.

The Faculty (topics will be announced)

Warren Grabau: Author of Ninety Eight Days, A Geographer’s Perspective of the Vicksburg Campaign

Bill Shea: Co-author of Vicksburg is the Key: The Struggle for the Mississippi River and Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign in the West

Parker Hills: Noted local military historian and retired Brigadier General, author of A Study in Warfighting, Nathan Bedford Forrest and the Battle of Brices Crossroads

Richard Kiper: Author of Major General John Alexander McClernand, Politician in Uniform and editor of Dear Catharine, Dear Taylor: The Civil War Letters of a Union Soldier and His Wife

Jean Smith: Author of Grant a highly regarded biography of the Union commander.

Dave Smith: Editor of Compelled to Appear in Print. This is the previously unpublished memoir of John C. Pemberton responding to critics of Vicksburg..

Terry Winschel: Historian of the Vicksburg National Military Park. Terry is the author or editor of a number of books including: Triumph and Defeat, The Vicksburg Campaign, and Co author of Vicksburg is the Key: The Struggle for the Mississippi River

Hotel and Airport Information:

We have selected the Holiday Inn Express in Clinton, Mississippi , 103 Johnston Place, Clinton, MS. Exit 36 off of I-20. This clean and relatively new hotel has extended a rate of $65 single or double (plus 9.5% tax) for this event. You can call the hotel at 601-924-0064 for reservations. Ask for the Blue and Gray Society rate.

Jackson International Airport (JAN) is about 30 minutes east of Clinton on I-20. If you fly in you will need a rental car. Vicksburg NMP is approximately 30 miles west of the symposium.

War in The West: Vicksburg is the Key Symposium Registration Form

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_____ Basic Registration* $ 150 OR ______ BGES Member Registration* $135

*This includes Friday reception, 7 lectures and panel discussion.

_____ Registration for tour of Raymond Battlefield Sunday May 2nd $ 50 (additional)

Form of Payment:

____ Check enclosed for payment in full

____ Charge my (circle one if applicable) AmEx VISA Mastercard

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Mail this form to BGES Raymond Symposium; 416 Beck Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23503

Or fax this registration form to 434-836-3292 or call Toll Free 888-741-BGES (2437)