In a reprisal of a popular interpretive program series, Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park is hosting another round of October Sunday afternoon discussions on a variety of informative American Civil War topics.

The informal format of the programs appears to be a big draw for the after-Sunday-church-crowd. Visitors came over the course of five Sundays last October to listen and discourse on the visitor center patio in the fall air surrounded by the changing color of the leaves in the piedmont vista.

The four October Sunday programs planned for this year are as follows:

October 7 – Researching Sailor's Creek. Park Manager and historian Chris Calkins shares his secrets of investigating and developing the factual, narrative of the Battles of Sailor's Creek that led to his publishing of the popular 36 Hours Before Ap-pomattox, a work that was first published in the 1970s and has been revised through several editions and remains in print to this day.

October 14 -Why the Battle of Atlanta Won the War. Jeff Dean is a veteran park interpreter, historical interpreter and con-tributor to the published history on the ACW in the West, specifically the Atlanta Campaign. He presents his thesis, which is sure to rouse lively conversation among those with an “eastern” perspective, on the key to the war's outcome.

October 21 -Lee & Grant: A Dramatic Conversation in Retrospect. Nationally renown historical interpreters David Palmer and Larry Clowers, who are also living history portrayers of the two giants of the American Civil War, come together for the first time to present an unique “what if” historical drama to intrigue any civil war buff's imagination: What would the two gen-erals have to say to each other, looking back past the surrender at Appomattox Court House? Come find out! This will be a tick-eted event with advance sales beginning at the park visitor center September 26th. The cost per ticket is a $4 donation to the Friends of Sailor's Creek, which is sponsoring this event. Payment prior to the date of the event will be accepted in cash or by check. Sales the day of the event will be for cash only.

October 28 – Burying the Beloved: Grief and Mourning in the American Civil War Era. Join Kathy Maitland, silently assist-ed by Sherry Graves, both consummate interpreters of ACW Era culture and customs. Ms. Maitland presents the rites, rituals, and customaries used to mourn, grieve and to bury loved ones lost in the war and otherwise. The event features props and stage craft to illustrate her explanations and descriptions.

Times for the Rocking Chair Reflection programs are 2-4 p.m. except for the October 21st event, which is 1-4 p.m.

These events are free to the public, except for October 21, as noted.

All programs are suitable for ages 16 and up with the Lee-Grant event being appropriate for ages 13 years and up.

The public is asked to bring its own portable seating.

In the event of inclement weather, all programs will be held inside.

Each of these events are part of the park's ACW History Education Program Series, 2012. Participants should bring their stamp booklets to authenticate participation towards end of the year award.

For more information contact the visitor center at 804-561-7510.