Welcome back, Jim Ogden, lifetime KCWRT member

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Jim Ogden, Knoxville Civil War Rountable

Jim Ogden, Chief Historian at Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park, is an historian, teacher and tour guide par excellence. A frequent speaker at Round Tables and historical organizations across the U.S., Jim is a longtime friend of the KCWRT and our most visited speaker. In December 2015, the KCWRT honored Jim with a KCWRT Lifetime Membership Award for his dedication to Civil War Preservation as well as his contributions to the organization.

He will be our speaker for the December KCWRT meeting.

A native of St. Mary’s County, Maryland, Jim graduated from Frostburg State College with a degree in history after spending his summers working at Point Lookout State Park and doing an internship at Harpers Ferry NHP. Jim joined the National Park Service in 1982 and served at Chickamauga and Chattanooga, Russell Cave, and Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania before returning to Chickamauga Chattanooga NMP in 1988 as historian, the position he now holds.

Jim has taught numerous history courses and written several articles on the Civil War. He also has appeared in several TV productions including “Civil War Journal,” “Civil War Combat,” and “History Detectives.” Jim, his wife Lora, and their son Jamie (born on the133rd anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg) live in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Next at KCWRT: Jim Ogden and the Great Locomotive Chase

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Andrews Raid, Great Locomotive Chase, Jim Ogden, The General

The Andrews Raid in April, 1862 is the stuff of legend and with good reason. The story of the taking of the “General” at Big Shanty, Georgia by 22 Union men and the subsequent chase after the locomotive by Confederate railroaders made headlines when it happened and has been told and retold in books and movies ever since.

It is the story of Yankee intrigue and audacity pitted against Confederate improvisation and determination with heroism amply served up on both sides. But the chase itself, exciting as it was, was but the first chapter of a larger affair that combined prisons, trials, hangings, and daring escapes in a tableau that stretched from Atlanta to Knoxville and beyond and resulted in the awarding of the first medals of honor.

Come join us as our old friend Jim Ogden takes us back in time to one of the Civil War’s most iconic events. And remember to bring your favorite holiday treat. At the end of the evening there will be time and a table set aside for all the tasty delights.

Jim will be speaking at the Dec. 13 meeting of the Knoxville Civil War Roundtable. All the details of our meetings can be found on the left sidebar of the page. Call by Monday noon to make your dinner reservations.