At the cocktail hour, the musicians were a a group called The Rules of Civility, consisting of Ridley Enslow on the fiddle, Anne Enslow, his wife, on the hammered dulcimer and Christa Pearson on the flute. As a special guest they brought along guitarist Linda Russell, who has often performed with them as Linda Russell and Companie. Genteely tripping to their music were the costumed Steuben House Dancers, who included Amy Adamo and her husband, Mark. As we sat down to dinner, we were treated to fifes and drums, playing a medley that ranged from ``Yankee Doodle'' to ``The World Turned Upside Down.'' The performers were members of the Continental Line of Philadelphia, led by their adjutant, Kim Newell.
Also on hand were our venerable founder, 90 year old North Callahan and his charming wife. The Round Table arranged for them to fly from Chattanooga to join us. North greeted everyone on behalf of ``the ghosts of yesteryear'' -- ticking off names of other founders. He presented the Round Table with a signed first edition copy of his book, Henry Knox: George Washington's General. Chairman Jacobs gave him an inscribed copy (the inscription in beautiful calligraphy by Dave's wife, Marilyn) of Tom Fleming's Liberty! The American Revolution. Tom also signed the book.
The meal was a feast, beginning with fresh shrimp, a delicious salad and a choice of Beef Wellington or Maryland Crab Cakes. The wine flowed freely for all, both at the open bar and at the table, and conviviality and comradeship among the 100 plus members and guests prevailed without diminution.
For a climax, we were treated to a brilliant talk by Don Higginbotham, professor of history at the University of North Carolina, the dean of Revolutionary War military historians. The talk was taken from Professor Higgenbotham's work in progress, Washington as a Revolutionary Leader. He called it ``Washington The Unifier.''
He took us on a tour of other military and civil leaders of the 18th Century, from Catherine the Great to Frederick the Great, and contrasted Washington's unique achievements to these other famous figures. He noted that the British debated withdrawing from America when the revolutionary turmoil erupted, betting on the strong likelihood that the 13 colonies would start quarreling among themselves. Almost certainly, this might have happened if it were not for Washington's role as the unifier.
Mr. Higginbotham also pointed out the remarkable transformation of Washington, from the quarrelsome, often petulant commander of Virginia forces in the French and Indian war to the patient, understanding, philosophical leader of the Revolution. He had matured and in that maturity became a leader for the ages.
Don urged us to read Washington's 1783 circular letter to the governors of the 13 states, on the eve of his retirement as commander in chief. He called it one of the great -- and unfortunately forgotten -- state papers of American history.
It would be hard to imagine a more perfect topic for our celebration. Round Tablers and their guests wobbled into the night, enthused, enlightened -- and looking forward to the 50th Anniversary party!