Battle Briefs

Tarleton’s Charlottesville Raid, 1781

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 | 7 p.m. ET | Virtual

Tuesday, August 13, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | In-Person and Virtual

In June 1781, British forces in central Virginia launched a daring strike to destroy Patriot supplies, disrupt the meeting of Virginia’s legislature, and capture Governor Thomas Jefferson. Join Museum educator and historian John Maass as he tells the story of Tarleton’s Charlottesville Raid during the American Revolution. Using rare period maps and modern images, Dr. Maass walks the viewer through key sites associated with the raid’s events.

John R. Maass, Ph.D. is an education specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army, and a former officer in the 80th Division of the Army Reserve. 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. Prior to coming to the Museum, he was a historian at the U.S. Army Center of Military History for 10 years. His most recent book is “The Battle of Guilford Courthouse: A Most Desperate Engagement” (2020).

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on August 6 at 7 p.m. ET

This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, August 13. 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 August 13 at 12 p.m. ET

Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on August 13 at 12 p.m. ET

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Sheridan’s Valley Victory: Fisher’s Hill, 1864

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 | 7 p.m. ET | Virtual

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | In-Person and Virtual

On Sept. 19, 1864, just two days after his smashing victory at Winchester, Virginia, the aggressive Union Maj. Gen. Phillip Sheridan advanced his 29,000 men against a strong position held by 9,500 weary Confederate defenders under General Jubal Early on Fisher’s Hill. Learn the details of this bloody Shenandoah Valley battle during the Civil War from museum educator and historian John Maass, and the region’s pitiless destruction after the fighting was over.

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. A former U.S. Army Reserve officer, his most recent book is “The Battle of Guilford Courthouse: A Most Desperate Engagement” (2020).

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

This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, September 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 September 10 at 12 p.m. ET

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

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Following the French: Rochambeau’s Army in Virginia

Tuesday, October 1, 2024 | 7 p.m. ET | Virtual

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | In-Person and Virtual

During the last major campaign of the Revolutionary War in 1781, over 8,000 French troops under Lt. Gen. Comte de Rochambeau marched from New York to Virginia to fight in the victorious siege of Yorktown led by George Washington. They marched and sailed over 400 miles alongside their American allies, then returned on foot the next year. Join museum educator John Maass on a tour of these historic sites in Virginia where the French army helped America win its independence.

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. A former U.S. Army Reserve officer, his most recent book is “The Battle of Guilford Courthouse: A Most Desperate Engagement” (2020).

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on October 1 at 7 p.m. ET

This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, October 8. 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 8 at 12 p.m. ET

Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on October 8 at 12 p.m. ET

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Wilson, Washington, and World War I

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 | 7 p.m. ET | Virtual

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | In-Person and Virtual

The Great War, or World War I, had been raging for almost three years before U.S. Army forces began to arrive in Europe to help defeat Germany in 1917. All told over 2 million American troops served during the conflict, half of which were in combat in northern France. Follow museum educator John Maass on a virtual tour of Washington, D.C., area sites commemorating the Soldiers and events of this dreadful war.

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. A former U.S. Army Reserve officer, his most recent book is “The Battle of Guilford Courthouse: A Most Desperate Engagement” (2020).

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

This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, November 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 November 12 at 12 p.m. ET

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

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