Programs by Bruce Allardice

Jeff Davis's Colonels
(from the new book)
Robert E. Lee once said that the men in his army "will go anywhere, if properly led." A vital component of that leadership was the Confederate army's regimental commanders, the colonels who actually led the troops into battle. What qualifications did they have for their office, and how were they chosen, are among the topics Bruce Allardice will address, along with stories about some of the army's odder officers. The talk will challenge several long-believed-in myths about the Confederate army.

Lincoln as War Leader
Abraham Lincoln is regarded by many as our greatest President. An orator of unmatched eloquence, a savvy politician with a compelling personal story, he towers above his contemporaries. Like no other presidency in history, Lincoln's presidency was defined by the Civil War that began a month after he took office and continued after his death. As such, Lincoln's performance as war leader must remain the center point of his administration. Mr. Allardice will examine that war leadership, coming to some surprising conclusions.

Baseball and the Civil War
Think baseball is a 20th Century sport? Think again. Mr. Allardices presentation will show that Civil War soldiers played baseball whenever they had the chance. And yes, the Chicago Cubs didn't win any pennants back then!

Civil War Conscription
The first U.S. draft prduced not only men for the army, but many surprising ideas to evade the draft.

The Election of 1864
Perhaps the one fleeting chance the Confederacy had to win the war occurred in 1864, when Northern voters were forced to decide, by their votes, whether to continue the war. The contest between President Lincoln, committed pro-war Republican, and Democrat George McClellan, uncertain in politics as he was in generalship, played out against a backdrop of the ever-widening war, was perhaps the most important election in U.S. history. Did McClellan have a real chance to win? If he had won, what might have been the consequences for the war, and for the Union? Expect some unexpected answers from this talk.

Civil War Genealogy
Mr. Allardice discusses the resources, both in print and online, for Civil War research. His suggestions on the best ways to mine these resources reflect personal research and usage.

"Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory"--The Ten Worst Civil War Generals
The generals of the armies of our Civil War were a mixed lot, quite often amateur soldiers, quite often politicians masquerading as soldiers, usually (but not always) devoted, usually (but not always) courageous. In this talk Bruce Allardice will examine the Braggs, the Burnsides, the Pembertons, how they became generals, and why they failed to justify their promotion to high rank. You've heard about the best--now hear about the rest!

Poltroons, Patriots and Politicans. America's Civil War Generals
Mr. Allardice examines some of the more colorful characters whp became Civil War generals. Sinces Webster defines a poltroon as a "spiritless coward," the topic promises to offer some entertaining insights into both the high and low points of the era.

Why the North Won the Civil War
Was the Northern win in the Civil War inevitable? Could the North have won sooner than it did? Clearly the North, with its greater population and industry, had a distinct advantage in its ability to produce soldiers and supplies. Bruce's talk will compare our Civil War to the wars fought by other nations at the time, focusing on the disparity of resources between the warring parties, and the strategies pursued by each side. The talk will challenge many preconceptions about the war and its outcome.

John C. Pemberton and the Struggle for Vicksburg
Like no other campaign of the war, the Vicksburg Campaign is mired in controversy and conflict. Was General Pemberton the incompetent historians have painted him? Was he ill-served by his superiors, General Joe Johnston and President Davis? Mr. Alalrdice will take a fresh look at the charges and counterchrges, bringing new perspectives to thse century-old questions.