Monthly Archives: May 2024

Meeting of May 28, 2024

Join us at 6:30 PM, May 28, at Holder’s Country Inn Restaurant located at 10088 N Wolfe Road, Suite 130, Cupertino, CA 95014, across from the former Vallco Fashion Mall and via ZOOM. This month’s topic is

Mark Costin on Battle of Buena Vista – Training Ground for the Civil War”

Battle of Buena Vista by Carl Nebel

This talk describes the 1847 Battle of Buena Vista where the American forces of Zachary Taylor defeated the Mexican army of Santa Anna. The battle saw significant contributions by many future Civil War stalwarts. Particular attention will be paid to the important actions by Jefferson Davis and Braxton Bragg in securing the victory. The talk will conclude with an open discussion of the comparison between the two wars.

Mark Costin is an engineer living in Sunnyvale, CA recently retired from working on functional safety for automated and autonomous vehicles. A long time history buff, Mark now has more time to devote to his hoppy. He holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, an M.Eng from McMaster University and B.Eng from McGill University.

Quiz for May 28, 2024

Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About the Fort Pillow Massacre?

Q#1 – Where is Fort Pillow located?

Q#2 – Who constructed Fort Pillow?

Q#3 – Why did the Confederates construct Fort Pillow?

Q#4 – What was a major defensive design flaw in the fort’s construction?

Q#5 – When did Union forces capture Fort Pillow?

Q#6 – Why were Union forces able to capture Fort Pillow?

Q#7 – After its capture by Union forces, how large was the military garrison at Fort Pillow?

Q#8 – What Confederate General led the attack on Fort Pillow?

Q#9 – What was the overall Confederate strategy that eventually led up to the attack on Fort Pillow?

Q#10 – What battle preceded the Confederate attack on Fort Pillow?

Q#11 – What tactic did Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest attempt to get Union forces to surrender at a military engagement that preceded the attack on Fort Pillow?

Q#12 – Approximately how many Confederate forces participated in the attach on Fort Pillow? (Note: the estimate is a range of 1,000 troops!)

Q#13 – What significant Union casualty early in the Confederate attack on Fort Pillow aided in losing the battle?

Q#14 – What occurred at the end of the Battle for Fort Pillow?

Q#15 – After the Battle of Fort Pillow what reason did the Confederates give for the high number of Union troops killed during the battle?