| The San Francisco Civil War Round Table Meeting 20th September 2012 |
Following the cocktail ceremony,an enthusiastic group opened the meeting with the Pledge of
Allegiance, led by Gildo Lopez.
Since this was the first meeting of the season, the President invited all present to introduce
themselves, lest any names had been forgotten during the summer recess.
The President commemorated the passing of long-time member Winchell Haywood on July 31st.
The Treasurer reported that membership dues for the 2012-2013 were coming in slowly. These
are payable by September 30th.
Election of Officers
Five worthy souls bravely volunteered for the five positions on the board and the proposed slate
was elected unanimously, as follows:
President: Patrick Doyle
Vice President: David Hargrave
Treasurer: Joan Keller
Secretary: Steve Harrington
Program Chair: Wayne Padgett
The evening's featured speaker was John Herberich, President of the South Bay Civil War Round
Table. John's topic was "Masters of the Field," a history of the Fourth Regiment United States
Cavalry During the Civil War.
Of the 272 mounted regiments that fought during the Civil War, only six were Regular Army,
approximately 4,000 officers and men. The rest were volunteer regiments raised by the various
states. The Fourth United States was the only regular regiment to fight in the Western Theater.
John's great-grandfather, 1st Sergeant John M. Herberich was in Company I from 1859 to 1871,
and, along with his Regiment, participated in most of the major battles in the West, from Wilson's
Creek, Missouri, to Shiloh, the Chickamauga Campaign, and the siege at Chattanooga. The 4th U.
S. Cavalry rode with Sherman through Atlanta, participating in (and saving) Kilpatrick’s Raid on
the city. During the last months of the war, as personal escort for General James H. Wilson they
participated in the last great cavalry battle at Selma, Alabama.
At the beginning of the war the young volunteer cavalry was the laughing stock of the Union Army.
After two years of war, the Cavalry came into its own, earning respect and their place alongside the
Infantry and Artillery. Much of their success can be attributed to the small group of officers and
men of the Regular United States Cavalry. By the end of the war the Cavalry had rewritten all
known military tactics on the use of Cavalry and Cavalry Raids; tactics which were studied by Field
Marshal Erwin Rommel in preparing for World War II
John's knowledge and enthusiasm for his subject, which he has spent ten years researching, were
evident and his demonstration of cavalry saber techniques was convincing (and unnerving for those
in the front row).
Following a spirited question and answer session, the meeting concluded at 9:15pm
Norman Tutorow, Wayne Padgett, and Steve Harrington, thinking about the dues
John Herberich and Bob Hubbs