VANCOUVER – After the Army post in Vancouver was established in 1849, many young officers who served at Fort Vancouver and Vancouver Barracks later rose to the rank of general.
Historian and author Jeff Davis will focus Thursday on many young officers who served here from the 1849 to the early 1860s, and went on to become generals in the Civil War.
The young officers served on both sides, including Union generals Ulysses Grant and Phil Sheridan and Confederates George Pickett and William Wing Loring.
The historian’s presentation — “The Vancouver Barracks, Proving Ground for Generals” — will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Marshall House, 1301 Officers Row.
The discussion is part of a military history lecture series presented by the nonprofit Vancouver Barracks Military Association.
There is no admission fee. Seating is limited, so interested parties planning to attend are asked to reserve a seat by emailing president@vbma.
Davis retired as an Army major after than 30 years of active and reserve military service, including two deployments with Operation Enduring Freedom in Southwest Asia as a military historian.
The historian is the principal author of the book “Weird Washington” and co-author of “Weird Oregon.”
The next talk will be April 20 at 6:30 p.m., with Tim Shotwell presenting “C-4 Does Not Float.”