A special evening of living history is coming to Marietta, Ohio, as the Civil War Round Table of the Mid-Ohio Valley welcomes the return of Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant—brought to life by nationally renowned reenactor and historian Curt Fields, Ph.D.
The event will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, at First Congregational Church, located at 318 Front Street in downtown Marietta. Admission is free and open to the public, though small donations will be accepted to help cover the event’s cost. Thanks to a matching grant from the Ohio Arts Council, this immersive historical experience is made possible for the community.
Dr. Curt Fields is recognized across the country for his accurate and moving portrayal of Ulysses S. Grant, the Union general who led the North to victory during the American Civil War and later became the 18th President of the United States. For this presentation, titled “This Cruel War is Over: Now What?”, Fields will delve into the complex and often overlooked challenges that followed the Confederate surrender in April 1865.
Drawing directly from Grant’s personal memoirs, letters, public statements, and other firsthand sources, Fields will portray the national atmosphere in the weeks and months after General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia surrendered at Appomattox.
His performance will explore how the U.S. grappled with several monumental issues: the surrender of remaining Confederate forces across multiple states, the tragic assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, and the difficult process of reuniting a divided nation.
One major theme of the evening will be the federal government’s efforts to ensure freedom, rights, and citizenship for formerly enslaved African Americans—millions of people suddenly thrust into a new and uncertain reality.
These were times filled with tension, hope, confusion, and conflict. Dr. Fields’ portrayal aims to help audiences connect with the emotional and political weight of that moment in U.S. history.
Fields brings impressive credentials to his role. As a retired Memphis police officer, educator, and college instructor, he combines a lifelong dedication to public service with scholarly research and dramatic presentation. He holds multiple degrees in education, including a Ph.D. from Michigan State University.
Over the years, he has portrayed Ulysses S. Grant at major historical sites and commemorations across 22 states. His performances have been featured by the National Park Service, including appearances at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Appomattox. He also regularly presents at the Grant National Monument in New York and the U.S. Grant Boyhood Home in Georgetown, Ohio.
In addition, Fields can be seen in educational films at visitor centers across the country, including at Appomattox Court House National Historic Park and on the American Battlefield Trust website.
The Mid-Ohio Valley Civil War Round Table, with support from the Ohio Arts Council, is proud to host such a distinguished historian and performer. The organization is dedicated to making history accessible to everyone and encourages diverse attendance. The event venue is wheelchair accessible, and accommodations for additional disabilities are available upon request.
This is more than a history lesson—it’s a powerful reminder of what it took to rebuild a broken nation. Anyone interested in American history, leadership, or the human side of the Civil War will not want to miss this unique event.
