Col. Gary Kirk will present "The Battle of Gettysburg - Its Strategy and Execution" at the Washington Civil War Round Table meeting on Monday evening, November 24, at 6 p.m., at The Jockey Club on The Square in Washington.

In June, 1863, Gen. Robert E. Lee (C.S.A.) initiated his second invasion of the northern states. Gen. Lee had achieved a number of significant victories in Virginia over the Union Army, but was unable to take much advantage of these victories. His thinking was that if he could achieve a significant victory in the northern states, he would then be in a position to capture some of the major northern cities such as Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.

After a number of deadly clashes in Virginia, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia entered Maryland headed toward Pennsylvania and that almost accidental but fateful meeting at the town of Gettysburg.

Gettysburg turned into a threeday battle. The first two days went very well, with the Confederate Army prevailing. It was the third that included that fatal Confederate charge of three divisions under Gen. Pickett, Gen. Pettigrew, and Gen. Trimble, which became known as Pickett's Charge. Col. Porter Alexander, the brilliant Confederate artillerist from Washington, Georgia, directed the bombardment for this charge. Although the Union lines were breeched in several locations, it was an absolute disaster for the Confederate Army. Of the 15 regiments in Gen. Pickett's Division, there was only one field officer who was not killed or wounded.

Claibourne Darden, Round Table President, says that the public is invited and welcomed. The cost of the meeting is $10 per person and includes a very nice dinner. Please make reservations, as soon as possible, by e-mail at claibourne@ darden-atlanta.net or by calling 404- 210-5811 and leaving a message.