Montgomery College will host a lecture on military history, with a presentation on "The Civil War Through Texas-German Eyes," set for Friday, February 9, at 3 p.m. Dr. Walter Kamphoefner, director of graduate studies in the history department at Texas A&M University, will make the presentation.
The lecture is part of a monthly series put together by Montgomery College history professor, Craig Livingston, Ph.D., and is held at 3 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. Sessions take place on the second floor Commons area in Building A.
Dr. Kamphoefner is co-editor (along with Wolfgang Helbich) of “Germans in the Civil War: The Letters They Wrote Home,” a collection that contains more than 300 letters written by 78 German immigrants--men and women, soldiers and civilians, from the North and South. Their missives tell of battles and boredom, privation and profiteering, motives for enlistment and desertion and for avoiding involvement altogether. Although written by people with a variety of backgrounds, these letters describe the conflict from a distinctly German standpoint, the editors argue, casting doubt on the claim that the Civil War was the great melting pot that eradicated ethnic antagonisms.
The series follows with a presentation on March 9 on “Battle of Salamis: Culture Clash in 480 B.C.,” presented by Dr. Charles Pehl, and April 13 on “The Vicksburg Campaign: Environment is Key,” presented by Diane Humphries.
"This series encompasses all time periods, topics and nationalities," said Dr. Livingston. "Whether your interests are 19th century field music or World War II strategy, the lecture series promises to invigorate the mind and inspire the soul."
For more information about the series, contact Dr. Livingston at (936) 273-7329.
Montgomery College is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call (936) 273-7000, or visit montgomery.lonestar.edu.
NHMCCD, among the largest and fastest growing community colleges in Texas, comprise, Cy-Fair College, Kingwood College, Montgomery College, North Harris College, Tomball College, six satellite centers, and The University Center.