A.A.C.W.E.R.T
A.A.C.W.E.R.T
The African Americans in the Civil War Era Round Table
A 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization
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Pursuant to the provisions of the Bylaws as listed in the link below, this is to announce that interested parties may now apply to serve as Directors and Officers of the AACWERT.
Bill Gwaltney introduces the AACWERT
Our Next Zoom Program
December 11th – Dr. Gaila Sims - A Monumental Weight: The Auction Block in Fredericksburg, Virginia.”
Gaila Sims, Ph.D., will present the AACWERT virtual program at 7:15 p.m. (Eastern) Thursday, Dec. 11 on “A Monumental Weight: ‘The Auction Block’ in Fredericksburg, Virginia.” The program link will be posted in early December at: aacwert.org. The Auction Block is a 1,200-pound sandstone block, which, the Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM) states “was associated with the sale and hiring of enslaved people” at its prominent, downtown location at the corner of Charles and William streets. It was installed circa 1843. According to Dr. Sims, more than 300 enslaved individuals overall were sold during the 20 or more sales held on this corner between 1847 and 1862. The Auction Block was removed by the city June 5, 2020; and relocated that fall one block north to the FAM, where it is on loan from the city for a long-term exhibit. The museum is at 907 Princess Anne St., near the corner of Princess Anne and William streets. Dr. Sims is a public historian and museum educator, specializing in African American history. From August 2022 until Aug. 1, 2025, she served as the FAM’s Curator of African American History and Special Projects, and became its Vice President of Programs and Interpretation. Dr. Sims is on contract to consult on the FAM’s upcoming, interpretive memorial at the Auction Block’s original location. She also is writing a book, to be published by Louisiana State University, on Fredericksburg’s racial issues; and teaching an African American history course at Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg this fall.
Topic: AACWERT Presentation - Dr. Gaila Sims
Time: Dec 11, 2025 07:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85031144123?pwd=mrm8XLqCGEDin9eYbPetjiW7i9dhaA.1
Meeting ID: 850 3114 4123
Passcode: 118334
Historian, author, and public speaker James K. Bryant II, Ph.D., will present a free, virtual program at 7:15 p.m. (Eastern) Thursday, Nov. 6 on “The 36 United States Colored Troops In The Civil War,” hosted by the African Americans Civil War Era Round Table (AACWERT).
If you missed Dr. Bryant II program, here is the link to view the recorded program
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17y_pBUona2mmFqVxH3pTZ-SbClbAg4wQ/view?usp=drive_link
Dr. Byrant’s talk will be based on one of his books, “The 36th Infantry United States Colored Troops In The Civil War: A History and Roster” (McFarland, 2012). The regiment was known initially as the 2nd North Carolina Colored Volunteer Infantry, until it was redesignated as the 36th USCT (United States Colored Troops) in November 1863. Made up of formerly enslaved men from Southeastern Virginia and Eastern North Carolina, the 36 USCT “served in the trenches before Petersburg and Richmond, and stood as one of the first units to enter the abandoned Confederate capital on April 3, 1865.”
Dr. Bryant was an associate professor of history at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, where he served as the History Department chair, and as executive director of its History and Tourism Center. For nine years prior to his decade of university work, he was affiliated with the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, initially as a seasonal interpreter, and later as a permanent Park Ranger in Interpretation.
Dr. Bryant is anticipated to address the AACWERT in 2026 on his years-long research on the regimental history of the 23rd Infantry USCT. The AACWERT, a part of the Civil War Round Table community, offers virtual presentations and a website that focuses on the African American experience during the period from 1850 to 1877.
Our October 16th Presentation
John Hennessy – The Moral Spectacle of Freedom: The Union Army and the Slow End of Slavery in Central Virginia 1862
View the recorded program by clicking on the link below.
John Hennessy - The Moral Spectacle of Freedom
John Hennessy retired as the Chief Historian at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, where he worked for the final 26 years of his NPS career. He worked to affect how the NPS did the business of history, on both the local and national level, challenging visitors to see the Civil War through a broader lens, one that acknowledges the complexities of history and the varied experiences and perspectives of those who experienced it. His books, articles, and essays have appeared under the imprint of Simon & Schuster, Cambridge University Press, Stackpole Books, LSU Press, the University of North Carolina Press, and another dozen publications. In the coming years he will be working on projects relating to the history of the Fredericksburg region during the war, the Army of the Potomac, and slavery and freedom in the Rappahannock region.
Fast Forward to 5 minutes and 30 seconds for the start of the presentation.
Dr. Gregory J.W. Urwin is on "Glory and Me: A Professor's Love/Hate Relationship with Hollywood."
Dr. Urwin is a Professor of History at Temple University. He was also recruited, drilled, and commanded a Company of soldier extras in the movie "Glory" from the University of Central Arkansas. He is the author of nine books, in addition to numerous articles and essays, including one on Civil War racial atrocities and reprisals, which was honored with the Harold L. Peterson Award from the Eastern National Park and Monument Association.
The AACWERT is planning another presentation on the making of the movie "Glory," scheduled for early 2026, featuring "Glory," veterans who share their experiences in making the movie.
What is the AACWERT?
What is the AACWERT?
The AACWERT is a part of the Civil War Round Table (CWRT) community. These round tables have existed for decades and have traditionally brought like minded individuals who have an interest in America's Civil War together for monthly or quarterly meetings at brick and mortar locations in cities across the nation. Experts in academia, in a multitude of focus areas, in a variety of subjects, within the time period of struggle, have presented lectures to these C WRT members.
This CWRT is unique in that the focus is placed on the African American experience during the time period (1850-1877) all presentations are provided through a web-based communications platform enabling global participation.
African Americans in the Civil War era
100% Virtual Presentations (accessible worldwide)
As a Civil War Round Table dedicated to the subject of the African American experience this forum provides a platform for often untold stories. We purposefully conscious of the roles that racism, enslavement, discrimination and racial violence played in the era. Often overlooked are the powerful uplifting stories too; those of hope, bravery, family, and community. War, emancipation, famine, and pandemics had an effect on the African American community far more powerful than any other ethnic group. The role of African Americans in the military is also one of heroism, hope, struggle for equality, acceptance, and discrimination. These stories and more that are the focus of this CWRT.
What to expect?
What to expect?
We are dedicated to documented history, rather than inventive theories and wishful thinking.
The presentations provided by this Civil War Round Table are based on first-rate research; are well-organized, and are professionally presented. Our African Americans in the Civil War Era Round Table, Inc. is a place for accomplished researchers and historians to share what they have learned, through primary and secondary sources, with interested parties from around the nation and around the world.
What else does the AACWERT provide?
Our AACWERT provides more than just Zoom presentations. We plan to add to this central hub links to high quality USCT and African Americans in the Civil War information and agencies such as those from libraries, National Archives, US Library of Congress, US Army Center for Military History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Genealogy, etc.
Sample Zoom CWRT Presentation (Steward Henderson)
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