Next Civil War Round Table set for March 19

The next Wayne County Civil War Round Table, free and open to the public, will be held March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wayne County Historical Society schoolhouse, 546 E. Bowman St., Wooster.

The program will feature John Burke, who will portray Frederick Phisterer, a Union soldier in the Civil War from Medina County who received the Medal of Honor for valor at the Battle of Stones River at Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

On Dec. 12, 1894, Phisterer was recognized for his actions of extraordinary heroism on Dec. 31, 1862, while serving with 18th U.S. Infantry in action at Stones River, Tennessee. First Lt. Phisterer voluntarily conveyed, under a heavy fire, information to the commander of a battalion of regular troops by which the battalion was saved from capture or annihilation.

Burke, the treasurer of Medina County, has been a local historian for many years. He is a lifelong resident of Medina County, where his ancestry dates back to the first pioneers to Valley City. His relatives include veterans from the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and World War II.

There are two parts to the program. First, Phisterer will speak about the Battle of Stones River. In the second part, Burke will step out of character and tell more about the battle and also answer questions.

Parking is available onsite — enter from the Spink Street entrance — and along the fence in the Drug Mart parking lot. For more information about the Wayne County Historical Society, visit waynehistoricalohio.org. Special thanks to the Wayne County Historical Society and CWRT members for making these programs possible.

For questions or more information, call Penny Gasbarre at 330-845-3069 or email pennygasbarre@gmail.com.