American Civil War scholar Edwin Bearss spoke yesterday about a Civil War general's journey during the war and why he should be honored as a hero.
The Athens County Historical Society sponsored the lecture Making Georgia Howl: Southeastern Ohio Boys March to the Sea with Sherman. The society budgeted $5,500 for the event, said Carl Denbow, Athens County Historical Society special media project director.
More than 400 people attended the presentation, which was an official Ohio University bicentennial event.
Bearss' great-grandfather, Robert Evanger of Lancaster, was friends with Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman. Sherman led a march that saved countless lives during the Civil War, and the war ended early partially because of that march.
He observed Sherman's personality, comparing his reputation of being a hero in the North and being an ogre in the South.
Sherman is a leader in law and order
Bearss said. He lives like a spartan.
He spoke about the hardships and successes of Sherman's journey with his group, which overcame condemnation throughout the entire nation and ended in success.
Bearss also focused on the group's travels through Ohio and its affect on southeast Ohio.
There were more Ohioans in Sherman's group than any other state Bearss said.
OU Senior Patrick Dunn from Mentor, an environmental geography major, attended the event because he said he is interested in Civil War history.
(Bearss) certainly is well-educated Dunn said. I thought it was most interesting how he concentrated on Ohio.
Denbow, who planned the event, said Bearss is a very dynamic lecturer and is often seen doing one-man re-enactments of battle scenes.
I'm thrilled to have a person with such an international reputation speak
Denbow said.
A wreath-laying ceremony at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on College Green preceded the lecture. The 63rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Battle I First Ohio Light Artillery performed the re-enactment that included a twenty-one gun salute and prayer and speech about the history of the monument. The Historical Society plans to begin a fundraising campaign to refurbish the monument, Denbow said.
Following the ceremony, the reenactment soldiers marched from College Green to the Rotunda in Walter Hall for the lecture.
I have spoken at many colleges. I'm really impressed with Ohio University
Bearss said. I'm impressed with both the campus and students I see.
Bearss was a commentator for a PBS series on the civil war and also appeared on the Arts & Entertainment channel. He has authored several works including Nine Months to Gettysburg and A War of the People.
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Re-enactors attached to the 63rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the Battery I First Ohio Light Artillery march in line past Grover Hall yesterday. The re-enactors marched down Richland Avenue from the Soldier Monument on College Green as part of Ohio Univers
