Civil War Seminar

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25th Annual Civil War Seminar – September 28, 2024 in Liberty’s School of Business

Join us for the 25th Annual Civil War Seminar hosted by the Liberty University Department of History. Strongly connected to research and scholarship, the Civil War Seminar features LU faculty and students, graduate and undergraduate, residential and online, presenting research on Civil War era topics. This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to history@liberty.edu if you plan on attending or watch the livestream here: Civil War Seminar Livestream & Recording.

The Life and Legacy of Bud Robertson

This year’s seminar is centered around Dr. James “Bud” Robertson’s life and career. He was a distinguished Civil War historian at Virginia Tech and participated in past LU Civil War Seminars.

Our keynote speaker, Dr. Steven Woodworth is editing a book of articles (Kent State University Press) in honor of Dr. Robertson, featuring three of our history professors who have written chapters. Faculty will present findings from these chapters in their seminar sessions.

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Steven E. Woodworth

Professor of History, Texas Christian University

In addition to his professorship at Texas Christian University, Dr. Woodworth also teaches graduate history for LUO. He is one of the world’s foremost authorities on the Civil War, having published over 30 books, many academic articles, chapters, and book reviews. Dr. Woodworth has been the keynote speaker for our Civil War seminars in the past. He is a dedicated Christian and is a model for our students as one who integrates faith and academics.

Presentation Topics

Keynote: Ulysses S. Grant and Military Leadership at the Highest Level, 1864 – 1865
The Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy

Steven E. Woodworth received his BA in history in 1982 from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and his Ph.D. in 1987 from Rice University in Houston, Texas. Since 1997 he has taught at Texas Christian University. Over the years he has authored, co-authored, or edited more than thirty books, including Manifest Destinies: America’s Westward Expansion and the Road to Civil War (2010), Nothing but Victory: The Army of the Tennessee, 1861-1865 (2006), While God Is Marching On: The Religious World of Civil War Soldiers (2001), and Jefferson Davis and His Generals: The Failure of Confederate Command in the West (1990). He is currently working on a study of Grant’s campaigns in Virginia.

Liberty Faculty Panel Presenters

Dr. Christopher J. Smith – Topic: Post-Gettysburg Theater Campaigns in Virginia

Dr. David L. Snead – Topic: Preparing the East Room for President Kennedy to Lie in Repose

Professor Donna D. Donald – Topic: Civil War Chaplains: Traces of the Past and the Liberty University Chaplains Museum

Dr. Christopher L. Jones – Topic: Reexamining and Retelling the Death of Stonewall Jackson

Student Presenters

Undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate Liberty University students will be presenting papers on various Civil War topics. Student papers presented will be eligible for publication consideration in our departmental journal, Bound Away.

Schedule of Events

Download Room Schedules:

8:30-9:30 Plenary Session – Keynote Address (Towns Auditorium)
Dr. Steven Woodworth – Ulysses S. Grant and Military Leadership at the Highest Level, 1864 – 1865

9:30-9:45 Introducing the Chaplains Museum
Prof. Donna Donald – Civil War Chaplains: Traces of the Past (Towns Auditorium)

9:45-10:05 The Life and Legacy of James I. “Bud” Robertson, Jr.
Dr. Betty Robertson – A few words from the wife of the late Dr. Robertson (Towns Auditorium)

10:20-11:20 Breakout Session I
Dr. Christopher Smith – Post-Gettysburg Theater Campaigns in Virginia & Student Sessions (Towns Auditorium)

Student Session Topics

The Experience of Prisoners of War (RM 1840 A)
Localities in the Civil War (RM 1840 B)
Culture & the Civil War (RM 1830 B)

11:30-12:30 Breakout Session II
Dr. David Snead –Preparing the East Room for President Kennedy to Lie in Repose (Towns Auditorium)

Student Session Topics

Religion in the Civil War & Reconstruction (RM 1840 A)
Civil War Combat I (RM 1840 B)
Slavery & Abolitionism (RM 1830 B)

12:30-1:45 LUNCH BREAK – The Chaplains Museum is open – Terrace Level of the Jerry Falwell Library

2:00-3:00 Breakout Session III
Dr. Christopher Jones – Reexamining and Retelling the Death of Stonewall Jackson (Towns Auditorium)

Student Session Topics

Politics & the Civil War (RM 1840 A)
Civil War Combat II (RM 1840 B)

3:10-4:10 Plenary Session (Towns Auditorium)
Dr. Steven Woodworth – The Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy

4:30-5:30 Chaplains Museum Open (Terrace Level of the Jerry Falwell Library)

Questions?

If you have questions or need to RSVP, contact the Department of History at history@liberty.edu.