Battle Briefs

A Glorious Sight to See: Victory at Saratoga, 1777

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 | 7 p.m. (ET) | Virtual

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 | 12 p.m. (ET) | Virtual and In-Person

The Saratoga Campaign of 1777 during the Revolutionary War was the most decisive turning point of the conflict. This American victory stretched across a vast area, and involved soldiers and warriors from America, Britain, Germany, and Native American peoples. Ultimately the British army was forced to surrender on the banks of the Hudson River in New York, changing the course of the war, and securing independence for the new United States. Join National Park Service historian Eric Schnitzer and National Army Museum educator John Maass as they discuss the intricacies of the campaign and debunk long-held myths about its people and events.

Eric Schnitzer has been an interpreter and historian at Saratoga National Historical Park for more than 20 years. He is the co-author of “Don Troiani’s Campaign to Saratoga – 1777: The Turning Point of the Revolutionary War in Paintings, Artifacts, and Historical Narrative” (2019).

Dr. John R. Maass is an education specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. history and military history. His most recent book is “The Battle of Guilford Courthouse: A Most Desperate Engagement” (2020).

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on October 3 at 7 p.m. ET

This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, October 10. Museum guests may attend in-person. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on October 10 at 12 p.m. ET

Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on October 10 at 12 p.m. ET

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The Civil War Defenses of Washington

with Steve Phan

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 | 7 p.m. ET | Virtual

Tuesday, November 14, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-Person

During the Civil War, the U.S. Army constructed a ring of defenses around Washington and its environs to guard against Confederate attacks. By the war’s end in 1865, 68 forts and 93 batteries had been erected in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to defend the nation’s capital with over 800 cannons. Guided by museum educator John Maass and National Park Service interpreter Steve Phan, take a virtual tour of many of these sites and learn about their construction, their role during the war, and an enemy attack on the capital in July 1864.

Dr. John R. Maass is an education specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. history and military history. His most recent book is “The Battle of Guilford Courthouse: A Most Desperate Engagement” (2020).

Steve T. Phan is a park ranger and serves as the chief of interpretation at Camp Nelson National Monument. He recently served as the historian at the Civil War Defenses of Washington. He holds a master’s degree in American history from Middle Tennessee State University.

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on November 7 at 7 p.m. ET

This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, November 14. Museum guests may attend in-person. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on November 14 at 12 p.m. ET

Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on November 14 at 12 p.m. ET

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Ten Crucial Days: The Trenton/Princeton Campaign, 1776-77

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 | 7 p.m. ET | Virtual

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-Person

From the winter crossing of the icy Delaware River on Christmas night, 1776, to Gen. George Washington’s crucial victory at Princeton, New Jersey, ten days later, American fortunes in the Revolutionary War changed from almost hopeless to suddenly promising. Learn from historian John Maass how Washington and his freezing, ragged troops defeated their British and Hessian enemies in three battles that marked a major turning point in the war, and helped lead to American independence seven years later.

Dr. John Maass is an education specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a B.A. in history from Washington and Lee University, and a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. history and military history. His most recent book is “The Battle of Guilford Courthouse: A Most Desperate Engagement” (2020).

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on December 5 at 7 p.m. ET

This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, December 12. Museum guests may attend in-person. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on December 12 at 12 p.m. ET

Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on December 12 at 12 p.m. ET

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