The First Defenders

The original First Defenders were composed of the Ringold Light Artillery of Reading, the Logan Guard of Lewistown, the Washington Artillery of Pottsville, the National Light Infantry of Pottsville, and the Allen Rifles of Allentown. These units tendered services April 13, 1861. Moved to Harrisburg April 16 - 17. They were Mustered In To Service April 18, 1861. Also on April 18th, they moved to Washington D. C. via Baltimore, MD. They were quartered at the Capitol, the Arsenal, and the Navy Yard. The Logan Guard and Washington Artillery were on duty at Fort Washington.

The First Defenders Civil War Round Table at Kutztown University

The First Defenders Civil War Round Table at Kutztown University held it's Inaugural Meeting on the evening of April 15, 1997. The same date that the original First Defenders left this area for Harrisburg, PA in 1861. Seventy five people attended the charter meeting at the Moselem Springs Inn.

Dr. David L. Valuska presided over the meeting and much of the time was spent in the organization of the Round Table. The other officers appointed were:
Dr. Michael P. Gabriel, vice-president and program director
Dr. Ronald R. Rhein, treasurer and membership committee chairman.

Mission

The mission of The First Defenders CWRT is to the study of the Civil War, participate in the preservation of Civil War sites and artifacts and conducting educational field trips to various Civil War Battlefields and sites. Emphasis is being placed on local units.

The First Defenders Civil War Round Table at Kutztown University officers for the 2000 - 2001 Campaign are:

Dr. David L. Valuska, President
Dr. Michael P. Gabriel, Vice-President and program director
Mr. & Mrs. Arlan R. Christ , Treasurer and Membership Committee
Mr. Robert Grim, Esq., Solicitor
Mr. Donald Stripling, Recording Secretary
Mr. Tom Tate, Fund Raising/Book Committee

The '99 - 2000 Campaign

The 2000 - 2001 Campaign

The '98 - '99 Campaign

Links to other important Civil War Sites

Signals and Ciphers...What can we do?

This page has been visited times since October 15, 1997

To contact us with your comments, questions or suggestions about the Round Table just click here

These pages were last updated on 20 Jan 2001.

I must also appologize for the delay in updating these pages.