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
Embedded Files
Bill Gwaltney introduces the AACWERT
Our Next Presentation. January 22nd at 7:15 Eastern Time. – Michael Schaffner - Camp Casey: United States Colored Troops, Recruitment and Training
Topic: AACWERT Presentation - Michael Schaffner, Camp Casey
Time: Jan 22, 2026 07:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85437772339?pwd=ma56aCy1aKdbcksWl1DuEf67ibZTm6.1
Meeting ID: 854 3777 2339
Passcode: 411859
Michael Schaffner
If you missed the program, you can view its recording by clicking the button above.
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.
Historian, author, and public speaker James K. Bryant II, Ph.D., presented 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.
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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