Sarah Bierle will present on November 5, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. to the Petersburg Civil War Roundtable. Bierle will share the story of “Glorious Courage; John Pelham in the Civil War.”

Major John Pelham was a dashing and handsome 24-year-old Alabama officer who earned the compliments and admiration of his men, the war-gods of Virginia, and Southern society—all while helping transform the concept of horse artillery on Civil War battlefields across Virginia and Maryland. In her book Glorious Courage, historian Sarah Kay Bierle reconsiders Pelham’s extraordinary, if short, life by drawing on primary and other sources and her extensive knowledge of the battlefields. Pelham’s zest for living carried him from Alabama to the military academy at West Point, while his zeal in command of the Stuart Horse Artillery earned him well-deserved plaudits. But like every other man who served the Confederate cause, the remarkable young officer was a human being with flaws. He deserves his place in history as he lived it, not varnished with the perspectives shoved upon him by later generations.

Sarah Kay Bierle graduated from Thomas Edison State University with a BA in History and works in the Education Department at the American Battlefield Trust. She has spent years exploring ways to share quality historical research in ways that will inform and inspire modern audiences, including school presentations, writing, battlefield tours, and speaking engagements. She has published seven books, including “Glorious Courage: John Pelham in the Civil War” (Savas Beatie, 2025) and “Decisions at Chancellorsville” (University of Tennessee Press, 2025).

The Petersburg Civil War Roundtable (PCWRT) will meet the first Thursday of each month (except for the months of June, July and August) at Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm. Annual membership is $40.00. Individuals who are already members of Pamplin Historical Park can become members of PCWRT for $20.00. Non-members can attend for $5.00 each meeting. Call (804) 861-2408 for more information.