The June meeting of the Rufus Barringer Civil War Round Table will be held on Thursday, June 20th at 7:00pm at the Southern Pines Civic Club. Socializing begins at 6:30pm. The special guest speaker will be the founder and program chair of the Barringer CWRT, Tonia Smith. Teej is both an author and historian in her own right. The title of her presentation is “Gentlemen, You Have Played this D****d Well!!!”

This is the convoluted story of Colonel William Orton William who was called Orton Williams until he changed his name to Lawrence Williams Orton. He was a Confederate officer who, after having been caught behind Union lines in a U.S. Army uniform, was executed by hanging as a spy. His associate was cousin, Lt. Walter G. Peter. What was the mission of these two brash officers? Come hear their story. Col. Williams and Lt. Peter were believed to be direct descendants of Martha Washington and relatives of Mrs. Robert E. Lee. Gen. Robert E. Lee was dismayed at the hanging.

Meetings are open to the public. For more details contact Matt Farina at 910.246.0452 or mafarina@aol.com. The Rufus Barringer Civil War Round Table is a 501(c)(3), incorporated, non-profit, educational organization. The purpose of the organization is to promote, educate, and further stimulate interest in, and discussion of, all aspects of the Civil War period.