Join MHAA, NOVA Parks, and Loudoun County Public Libraries for the first 2019 installment of the popular Conversations in History series with author and historian Michael K. Shaffer. Shaffer will speak on his new book, In Memory of Self and Comrades: Thomas Wallace Colley’s Recollections of Civil War Service in the 1st Virginia Cavalry.

Thomas W. Colley served in one of the most active and famous units in the Civil War, the 1st Virginia Cavalry, which fought in battles from First Manassas/Bull Run to the defense of Petersburg. In May 1861, along with the other members of the Washington Mounted Rifles, Colley left his home in Washington County, Virginia, and reported to camp in Richmond. During the war, he received wounds on three different occasions: first at Waterloo Bridge in 1862, again at Kelly’s Ford in 1863, and finally at Haw’s Shop in 1864. The wound received at Haw’s Shop resulted in the amputation of his left foot, thereby ending his wartime service.

Michael K. Shaffer is a Civil War historian, instructor, lecturer, newspaper columnist, and author. He is a member of the Society of Civil War Historians, Historians of the Civil War Western Theater, and the Georgia Association of Historians. Shaffer teaches Civil War courses at Kennesaw State University’s College of Continuing and Professional Education, and frequently lectures to various groups across the country. After the talk, Shaffer will have copies of his book available for purchase.

The talk will begin at 2:00 pm at the Brambleton Library, 22850 Brambleton Plaza, Brambleton, VA 20148.

Admission to the talk is free. Reservations are not necessary.

For more information, please call (540) 687-5578.