Despite a heroic death at Gettysburg, leading his brigade in Pickett's Charge, Richard Brooke Garnett is little known even among Civil War enthusiasts. A West Point graduate and Old Army veteran, he chose home and family over country, serving the Confederate cause although he opposed secession. He was involved in the most famous and controversial court martial in the history of the Army of Northern Virginia; famous not for the accused - Garnett - but for his accuser - "Stonewall" Jackson. Yet so much about Garnett remains a mystery. The program will cover Garnett's life and Civil War service, helping to shed light on a man who tread so lightly on history that he left few footprints behind.

Our speaker this month is our own Round Table member, Kathy Meacham. Kathy now heads up the Technical Services section of the Arcadia Public Library, after serving 23 years as a children's librarian. She holds a BA in History from USC.  Her interest in Civil War history was rekindled by Ken Burns' documentary and the film "Gettysburg." She made her first battlefield visit in 1996, and now heads east on research visits three to four times a year. Gettysburg, almost a second home, is always on the itinerary.

Kathy has become an oft-sought expert on the life of Richard Garnett, to the point of serving as an historical consultant for a renown Civil War artist doing an interpretation of Garnett at Gettysburg. Kathy will even grace us with a display of the art print that she assisted with.

Kathy and her husband live in Temple City, with their ten cats (three of which have CW names - Shiloh, Zou Zou and Moxley).

Come join us as we learn more about the life of this Confederate hero.

Janet Whaley
Program Chair

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