Vol. 49, No. 4
America’s Monthly Newspaper For Civil War Enthusiasts
$4.00
40 Pages, April 2023
Back to Normal—Annual Civil War Show a Success! DALTON, Ga.—The 28th Annual Chickamauga (Dalton) Civil War Show held February 4th and 5th at the Dalton Convention Center in Dalton, Ga., exceeded expectations according to promoter Mike Kent of MK Shows. Kent noted that shows overall seem to have been stuck in the doldrums for the past two years due to concerns over Covid-19 but finally broke free this year leading to the best attendance for the Dalton show in the past six years. Dealers were upbeat and commerce was brisk as relics and cash traded hands throughout the 45,000 square foot state of the art Dalton Convention Center. As always, General Manager Doug Phipps was on hand for move in on Friday and reminisced with Kent about their initial meeting in 2002 where Kent agreed to take over management of the show and how it has grown to its full capacity of 500 tables, attracting dealers and attendees from over 30 states and the United Kingdom. Dalton is one of the few cities that actually encourages and supports Civil War shows and related activities as evidenced by front page coverage on Thursday before the show.
The Convention Center actively promotes the show through the hard work of our long time Event Services Manager Tuesday Jones who ensures our Dalton Lecture Series is well publicized several weeks in advance. Tuesday did such an excellent job this was the first year that all seats were taken at many sessions with standing room only for late comers. The lecture series was put together by well-known author and lecturer Greg Biggs who continues to bring the best and most entertaining speakers to Dalton year after year. The speakers and their topics for this year’s show were as follows: ★ Richard McMurry: Jeff and Joe: The Quarrel that Doomed the Confederacy ★ Steve Davis: The Atlanta Daily Intelligencer Covers the Atlanta Campaign ★ Gene Andrews: General Forrest at Fort Pillow - The Truth ★ Robert Jenkins: The Cassville Affairs, May 19, 1864, and the Failed Confederate Strategy in the Atlanta Campaign ★ Donna Faulkner Barron: The Man Who Carved Stone Mountain
Kenny Copelin, Scott Riddle, and Dr. Bill Blackman shared honors with Best of Show awards for their combined six tables of rare Confederate buckles.
Speaker, columnist, and author Steve Davis.
David LaSlavic won the People’s Choice Award for his educational display of fake swords.
Speaker and author Robert Jenkins. ★ Scott Sallee: The Deification, Sanctification and Sainthood of Abraham Lincoln – How Did That Happen?
Josh Phillips always comes to the show with rare and unusual flags like this one. 16 – American Battlefield Trust 34 – Book Reviews 14 – Central Virginia Battlefield Trust
26 – Critic’s Corner 30 – Emerging Civil War 39 – Events
As always there are vendors who participate in Civil War shows primarily to display their collections and vie for awards.
They generally don’t buy, sell, or trade artifacts and memorabilia unless it is to enhance or improve their collection. Hats off those who pursue this type of activity as it is often expensive and time consuming with few rewards other than a small plaque and the respect and admiration of their fellow collectors. It is truly a labor of love. This year’s award winners were: ♦
♦
David LaSlavic - People’s Choice Award – Fake Civil War Era Swords Gerald Roxbury – Chairman’s Award – The Cutlasses of Columbus, Ga.
24 – The Graphic War 20 – The Source 22 – This And That
Gerald Roxbury was winner of the Chairman’s Award for his display entitled “The Cutlasses of Columbus, GA”. ♦
Kenny Copelin, Scott Riddle, and Dr. Bill Blackman – Best of Show Award – Confederate Buckles and Belt Plates
Make plans now for next year’s Chickamauga Civil War Show on February 3 & 4, 2024. For information on all shows, visit www.MKShows.com or contact Mike Kent by email at Mike@MKShows.com.
H Dalton
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12 – The Unfinished Fight 18 – Through the Lens