“T. M. Chester: His Amazing Story”

In 1861, the concept of a competent journalist covering the action on a battlefield was a new one, tested only in the Crimean War. By 1865, hundreds of journalists from various newspapers throughout North American and Europe would write articles, with varying degrees of accuracy, about the war raging across America. Most of these were either career journalists trying to boost their careers or absolute beginners, struggling along on pay as low as five dollars per week, including expenses, or being paid a penny per line of copy filed.

So how did it come to pass that the first Union journalist into Richmond at its fall was instead a man with limited interest in newspapers? And one whose resume involved fields ranging from law to education to politics in three countries? Not to mention his influence on both Reconstruction and baseball . . .

Thomas Morris Chester as loosely involved with a number of key events of the 1860s and 70s, and yet his name is an unfamiliar one to most students of the period. This month’s presentation will help rectify that, and also explain why and how it came to pass that he is so far forgotten. It may also shed light on the war journalism of the period, and it’s influence on how certain people are remembered even today.

This month’s speaker is our own president, Nick Smith. Nick is a technical specialist at the Pasadena Public Library, where his job includes statistical analysis and web design, as well as working with the public at the circulation desk. With a varied background, he has worked in the bookstore field, performed as a storyteller, worked on a radio show on KPFK, and been editor/art director for a fantasy magazine.

Nick’s interest in the Civil War began in his youth, during the Centennial. By high school, one of his focuses was on war games about the Civil War. While he has done professional war game designs, he has never done one for the Civil War. Nick attended Caltech in Pasadena, and has been a member of our Round Table for over 15 years.

Come join us as we learn more about Civil War journalism, and T. M. Chester’s amazing exploits.

Janet Whaley
Program Chair

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