In the Spring of 1778, Continental Army commander George Washington entrusted the young Marquis de Lafayette with a strong detachment of his forces at Valley Forge to gather information about the British Army in the Philadelphia area. Learn from Museum historian John Maass how the French general conducted his first independent operation and how he narrowly avoided disaster at Barren Hill, along the banks of the Schuylkill River.
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 “From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War” (2025).
Register for the Virtual Battle Brief on February 3 at 7pm
This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. 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 February 10 at 12pm
Register for the In-person Battle Brief on February 10 at 12pm
July 1, 1863, may have been the most chaotic day in the history of Union Army forces in the Civil War’s Eastern Theater. The Army of the Potomac had a new commander; its most capable corps commander had been killed early that day in the fighting west of Gettysburg, and not all of the Army’s troops were on the battlefield by evening. And yet, even with scanty intelligence on Confederate forces and movements, and suffering a sound defeat that day, Union forces commanded by Maj. Gen. George G. Meade barely held on east of the crossroads town. Learn from historian and museum educator John Maass how the beleaguered Federal troops averted disaster on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Dr. John R. Maass is an education specialist and historian 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 “From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War”(2025).
Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on March 3 here
This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. 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 March 10 here
Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on March 10 here
The Society of the Cincinnati is the nation’s oldest patriotic organization, founded in 1783 by officers of the Continental Army who served together in the War of the American Revolution. These men and their French counterparts sought to support the families of those officers killed and wounded during the long conflict with Great Britain. Learn from the organization’s Historical Programs Manager, Andrew Outten, about its modern mission to promote knowledge and appreciation of the achievement of American independence.
Andrew M. Outten is the Historical Programs Manager for the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati in Washington, D.C. He was previously Director of Education & Museum Services at Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates, and remains on its board. He is a 2011 graduate of Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg.
Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on April 7 here
This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. 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 April 14 here
Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on April 14 here