The Hamilton County Civil War Round Table speaker for March will be David J. Sutherland, vice president of the Indianapolis Civil War Round Table and a 1973 honors history graduate of the Virginia Military Institute where he first joined the Civil War Round Table. During his four years at VMI, Sutherland studied under noted Civil War scholar Dr. John G. Barrett, author of “The Civil War in North Carolina” and “Sherman’s March through the Carolina’s.” He will discuss VMI’s Civil War legacy and how this legacy shaped the Institute and molded her alumni.
Sutherland’s career follows VMI’s “citizen-soldier” paradigm. After graduation from VMI Mr. Sutherland served on active duty with the U.S. Army after which he returned to Indiana and studied law at Indiana University. He maintains a civil law practice in Indianapolis and continues his military association through the U.S. Army Reserves.
During his lifetime Sutherland has made scores of visits to Civil War battlefields. In the summer of 1997 his Army Reserve unit conducted a Shenandoah Valley Civil War staff ride noting terrain of military significance in Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. In addition to his VMI degree, Sutherland holds a Master’s degree from Webster University and a law degree from Indiana University.
His message will be presented at 7 p.m., March 8 at the Carmel City Building. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome to come. There is no cost to attend.
