Civil War historian, instructor, lecturer, newspaper columnist, and author of Washington County, Virginia in the Civil War. As a member of the Society of Civil War Historians, Historians of the Civil War Western Theater, Georgia Association of Historians, Shaffer also serves on the board of the River Line Historic Area,  and as a Civil War consultant for the Friends of Camp McDonald. He teaches Civil War Courses at Kennesaw State University's College of Continuing and Professional Education, and frequently lectures to various groups across the country.