George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War

News Archives

Dr. Snell and Sandhurst cadets during a class on the history of expeditionary operations

Dr. Mark Snell returned from England in December after having taught for one term at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Dr. Paul Harris, who has taught at Sandhurst for more than twenty years, exchanged with Dr. Snell and taught at Shepherd University. Dr. Harris returned to the UK in December. At left, Dr. Snell is giving a presentation to Sandhurst cadets on the 1983 U.S. invasion of Grenada for a class focusing on the history of expeditionary operations.

On February 12, 2009, Professor Snell spoke at the West Virginia Cultural Center to commemorate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. That same day, Governor Joe Manchin presented Dr.Snell with the "Honorary West Virginian" award, the highest accolade that he can bestow on someone who is not a West Virginia resident. (Although Dr. Snell has worked at Shepherd for more than fifteen years, he resides in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.) At right, Delegate John Doyle, Senator Herb Snyder, Mark Snell, and Governor Joe Manchin talk after the award ceremony.

On February 13, 2009, several of Dr. Snell's students gave a presentation in the backyard of the Conrad Shindler House to their colleagues in the Civil War course. This lesson was titled "Civil War Infantry." Kyle Pfalzer and Issac Forman (back row) were dressed as Union soldiers, while in the front row, Brett Asselin, Ian Brodhead, and Tim Ware were costumed as Confederate infantrymen. Here they are about to fire a volley (with blank cartridges, of couse!). In addition to discussing infantry tactics and weapons, the students also talked about their uniforms, equipment, and rations. As you can see, there are no farbs allowed in this course!

On February 25, 2009, Dr. Snell's Civil War class took a field trip to Baltimore to get a feel for shipboard life on the U.S.S. Constellation. The students also toured Ft. McHenry, best known for its role in the defense of Baltimore in 1814, but it also served as a Civil War prison. At left, Stan Berry, director of operations for the Constellation and other historic vessels in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, explains the role of Civil War-era marines.

On March 5, 2009, Mark Snell and Denise Messinger, program assistant of the Moore Center, took the Center's travelling display to the rotunda of the West Virginia State Capitol for "History Day." Mark and Denise also demonstrated the "Mountaineers of the Blue and Gray" CD-ROM, which was a big hit with legislators and other History Day participants.

On March 6, 2009, Dr. Jo-Ann Morgan, an associate professor at Western Illinois University, received a $5,000 check and a commemorative plaque for winning the 2008 Peter Seaborg Prize for Civil War Scholarship for her book 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' as Visual Culture. Dr. Morgan also gave a presentation that summarized her research on the topic. At left, students, staff, and friends of the Center present Dr. Morgan with her award at the Conrad Shindler House.

Posing on the front porch of the Shindler House on Graduation Day, Saturday, May 16, 2009, are our most recent History graduates within the 19th Century and Civil War America track. From left to right are Mr. Kyle Pfalzer, Ms. Ahna Wilson, their advisor Dr. Snell, Mr. John Stecklein, and Mr. Richard Hulver. The graduates, with their families and friends, gathered at the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War following graduation for congratulatory remarks, presents, and refreshments. These "Civil Warriors" are among the more than one dozen students graduated from this specialized program over the past five years.

Members of Shepherd University’s HIST 304 - Civil War America 1850-1865 course gather after the final day of classes to celebrate their excellent accomplishments. Brats and burgers were consumed in the back yard of the George Tyler Moore Center during the week of final examinations.

Mr. A. Wilson Green is Executive Director of the Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, where the GTM Center held its most recent Civil War seminar. A fine group joined him on a tour of the Petersburg campaign, including the field fortifications surrounding the park.

Our summer intern for 1999, Cadet Benjamin Tiffner, then a history major at the U.S. Military Academy, died of wounds received in Iraq in November 2007, the victim of an improvised explosive device. Ben was a native of Pigeon, West Virginia, and received his appointment to the academy from Senator Robert Byrd. Ben graduated from West Point in 2000. At the time of his death, Ben was serving as a detachment commander with the 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (The "Green Berets") with the rank of captain. He was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. We will miss you, Ben. "Duty, Honor, Country."