For Cindy Beaston, looking in the rearview mirror matters. And it should matter to all of us, said the Civil War historian.

"I think it's important to learn about as much history as possible so that you can have a better understanding of where we have come from and what mistakes to avoid in the future," she explained.

Beaston will highlight one specific historic event at "An Orchard of Death," a public program to be held on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Columbia Public Library, 24 S. Sixth St., Columbia.

"The topic that will be discussed will focus on the fighting at the Sherfy Peach Orchard on July 2, 1863, during the second day of fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg, and why it was vital that, despite everything that happened, the Union Army had to stand and hold as much of the ground as possible against Lt. Gen. James Longstreet's First Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia," Beaston remarked. "We will look at the key players who fought there, examine the fight to its full extent, the aftermath of the fight and ask the ultimate question, 'Was it worth it?'"

She noted that while many people may be familiar with certain aspects of the Battle of Gettysburg, this particular skirmish is less well known.

"It has always been my favorite fight during the Battle of Gettysburg that not many people know about," she shared. "When people visit the battlefields, they visit Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Wheatfield, Pickett's Charge, but many drive past the beautiful Peach Orchard that held some of the most gruesome and hardest-fought-over land during the second day of the battle."

She hopes her program, sharing what happened that day in the middle of summer, will inspire people to take the time to walk the Peach Orchard on their next visit to Gettysburg, exploring firsthand why the struggle was so contentious.

People can expect a laid-back, warm environment where they learn this piece of history, as they will be transported to the battlefield, all from the comfort of the library.

"Here, you can see and hear the 'why' of the intense, bloody struggle at the Peach Orchard," she said. "One will get the who, what, when, where, why and how this fight took place, without having to walk the cold, frigid battlefield in the winter months."

The program is part of the General Welsh Post 118: Columbia Civil War Roundtable, an organization Beaston formed to focus on her favorite historical period.

"The General Welsh Post 118: Columbia Civil War Roundtable is the only Civil War Roundtable in Lancaster County currently," she said. The name comes from the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post in Columbia, which opened to Union veterans in 1868 and was created in honor of Columbia's first general, Gen. Thomas Welsh. Beaston chose that GAR Post for the Columbia Civil War Roundtable as a way to honor all of Columbia's brave men who fought in the Union Army to preserve the Union.

Beaston hosts a free monthly meeting through the roundtable, discussing a variety of topics from the Civil War-era that people may not be familiar with, including battles, generals, regiments, holidays and - her favorite topic - women's roles during the war.

"Here at the General Welsh Post 118: Columbia Civil War Roundtable, whether it's myself or a guest speaker, we don't charge the public to come to the meetings," Beaston commented. "Our goal is to educate the public on a topic of the war (so they) leave learning something new or gaining a new perspective. These meetings are geared to all ages, and we highly encourage all to attend."

In her day job, Beaston works at the Hempfield recCenter, where she serves as a lifeguard, teaches water aerobics and offers swim lessons to kids of all ages. Outside of that job, she speaks regularly at historical societies and organizations in the region; other Civil War Roundtables, including the Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable; and senior living communities. A lifelong resident of Columbia, she also participates in the town's Riverfest annually, which commemorates Columbia's role in the Civil War, giving presentations and leading trolley tours.

Creating the General Welsh Post 118 fulfilled an interest in history Beaston has had since she was very young, she said, and she loves highlighting untold stories of the Civil War.

"I have been studying this war for 12 years, and I am still learning something new or seeing a new perspective on a battle or learning something interesting about a general," she said. "I'm so passionate simply because I don't want this conflict or the people who risked everything to be forgotten. ... I want people who attend the General Welsh Post 118: Columbia Civil War Roundtable to leave feeling that same passion so they can pass it on to someone else."

To learn more about the General Welsh Post 118, search for "General Welsh Post 118: CWRT" on Facebook or visit https://columbiapubliclibrary.org and click on the Calendar tab.