Honoring the GAR's 150th Anniversary

I missed it by one day, but yesterday, April 6, marked the 150th anniversary of the Grand Army of the Republic.  It was organized April 6, 1866, and composed of all members of the Union military and Revenue Cutter Service.

Its counterpart was the United Confederate Veterans.

The work of both organizations continue on today by their heirs:  The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Sons of Confederate Veterans.

From a SCV Member to the Other Side.  Congratulations.  --Old Secesh

150th Anniversary of the Grand Army of the Republic to be Celebrated in New York

From the April 5, 2016, Albany (NY) Times-Union "Oakwood bell ceremony marks 150th anniversary of the GAR."

The Vanderheyden Memorial Bell at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York, will be part of a statewide celebration Bells Across New York this Saturday.  It will be honoring the 150th anniversary of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR).

The commemoration will be put on by the Friends of Oakwood Cemetery and the Col. George L. Willard Camp, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW).  The Vanderheyden Bell will be rung for one minute at noon.

Members of the 125th New York Volunteer Infantry re-enactment group will present the flag, ring the bell and fire a musket.

The GAR was formed by Union veterans from the Army, Navy, Marines and Revenue Cutter Service to maintain communication and give veterans a political voice.  It was formed on April 6, 1866, on the principles of "Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty."

The legal heir to it isSUVCW.

Bells Ring to Commemorate Lee's Surrender-- Part 2

At 2:15, Thursday (April 9th), descendants of Union soldiers who trained at Camp Douglas, as well as Confederate soldiers held prisoner there, took turns ringing the bell four times to signify each year of the war.

Olivia Mahoney, senior museum curator rang it as well.  She is descended from soldiers on both sides, including several who died at Camp Douglas.

The bell came from the chapel of Camp Douglas, a 60 acre, 200 building facility that was at the heart of present day Bronzeville area in Chicago.  Camp Douglas got its name from Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas, on whose land it was built..

Dawn Griffin-O'Neal also struck the bell as a descendant of a Unioin soldier.

--Old Secesh

Civil War Buff's 65 Battlefield Campaign Comes to Close-- Part 2

And he has been to a lot of battlefields, including Petersburg, Fort Sumter, Antietam, Perryville, Chancellorsville and of course, Gettysburg.

He travels in his 2005 Ford Escape or his 2011 Toyota RAV4 and usually stays in local Hampton Inns.  Usually accompanied by friends or co-workers, he returns loaded with t-shirts and books.  (I hear you Rob.)

He compares his travels to a baseball pilgrimage where someone tries to visit every major league ballpark.

On a few occasions, he has also flown to the sites.

Wish I'd Have Thought of It.  Wonder If Anyone Else Did This?  --Old Secesh

Civil War Buff's Campaign Ends Soon After 65 Battlefields-- Part 1: "There Are Worse Hobbies"

From the April 4, 2015, Yahoo! News, AP "After 65 battlefields, buff's Civil War campaign nears end" by Steve Szkotak.

From 2011 to next weekend, Primo Civil War Buff Rob Orriso, 39, has been visiting the battlefield of yore, apparently mostly on the actual 150th anniversary of the fight.  I have to wonder if he was at the Battle of Fort Fisher?

Along the way, he figures he has spent some $10,000 and logged "thousands and thousands of miles."  he has an extremely understanding wife, but sometimes marital strife ensued, especially with next weekend's surrender of Lee at Appomattox Courthouse coming into conflict with a certain wedding anniversary.

Even so, he intends to be there at the conclusion of his quest along with his two-year-old son Carter.

Mr. Orriso shrugs and smiles, "There are worse hobbies."

More to Come.  --Old Secesh

Fort Fisher Falls 150 Years Ago Today

Today, January 15, 2015, marks the sesquicentennial of the capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina, by a combine Navy and Army attack.  This effectively closed the port of Wilmington and closed the Confederacy to the outside world.

I have written about this fort often in this blog and a whole lot in my Running the Blockade Civil War Navy Blog, including a whole lot in the past month.  For the account of the battle, read that blog.

Fort Fisher holds a special place in my heart as it was that place that got me interested in the Civil War and then, history in general.  This is why I taught for 33 years.

A Real Big Thing.  --Old Secesh

William Gray Hollowell, Confederate Soldier

From the May 21, 2014, Goldsboro (N.C.) News-Argus.

Picture on the front page of a large photograph of William Gray Hollowell taken at the Confederate Burial Mound at Willowdale Cemetery in Goldsboro.

Caption under the picture reads: "Glenn Fields of the Sons of Confederate Veterans unveils a portrait of Civil War soldier William Gray Hollowell during a Confederate Memorial Day Service at Willowdale Cemetery on Sunday.

"Hollowell was a private in the Goldsboro Rifles who enlisted at the age of 21.  He was wounded at the Battle of Bristoe Station, Va., in the fall of 1863 and had his left leg amputated.

"The nation is observing the 150th anniversary of the war.  A photography exhibit made available by the state Department of Cultural resources is on display at the Wayne County Public Library through June 28."

My family is related to the Hollowells.

--Old Secesh

"Gone With the Wind" 75th Anniversary

Right now I am watching "Gone With the Wind" on AMC and believe this to be the 75th anniversary of the movie's release in 1939.

And, this also being the 150th anniversary of Sherman's March Across Georgia (March to the Sea) which was shown in the movie with the Union soldier being killed on the steps of Tara.

And, here I am in North Carolina.

--Old Secesh

N.C. Family Burial Ground Reveals Historic Gems-- Part 2

Among those buried at the cemetery:

THOMAS HANES:  December 26, 1803-Feb. 19, 1879.

Two small white stones with no inscriptions.  Possibly babies.

JACOB HANES: Born Dec. 28, 1828.  Confederate soldier.  Died Richmond, Virginia March 19, 1863.

BRYAN JARVIS SR.:  Feb. 16, 1829-March 16, 1864.  Confederate soldier buried at Point Lookout, Maryland.

--Old Secesh

Appomattox Expecting Huge Crowds for 150th Anniversary of Surrender

From the April 13, 2014 Richmond (Va.) Times Dispatch "Appomattox preparing for Civil War spotlight" by Katrina Koerting of the News and Advance.\

Appomattox is expecting big crowds for the 150th anniversary of General Robert E. Lee's surrender to General U.S. Grant on April 9, 1965.

The National Park Service will be having a commemoration April 8-12, 2015.  Also other organizations like the Museum of the Confederacy (well, used to be Museum of the Confederacy), Friends of Appomattox and the county historical society are involved.

Planning is now 76% completed and work still being done on traffic control, shuttle service and logistics.

Parking at local schools will be used as they will be on spring break

A Civil War ball is planned for April 10, 2015, at the Appomattox Primary School.Work on plans began in 2011.

--Old Secesh

Victory & Surrender: Appomattox's 150th Anniversary-- Part 3

Among the cast members is a direct descendant of one of the notables in the event, the great-great-grandson of Union General Ulysses S. Grant, John G. Griffiths, 76, of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Griffiths wore the Union blue in the movie (it didn't mention whether he played his g-g-granddad, however), but said in the past he has re-enacted as a Confederate and has been an extra in other park service films and in Hollywood, including the epic film "Gettysburg."

Appomattox's 150th anniversary events are planned for April 8-12, 2015, culminating in the stacking of arms at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park's Historic Village.

--Old Secesh

Victory and Surrender-- 150th Anniversary of Appomattox-- Part 2

Because the new film is being shot in high definition with surround-sound, park staff decided to upgrade the projector and speakers for "more of a theater experience."

About 80 people volunteered to be in the film and a number of Appomattox County animals will also star in it.

The film calls for men about the average age of Civil War soldiers, 18-24, to accurately portray the time.
The Appomattox 1865 Foundation is responsible for casting the men and managing the animals.

In between takes, the park's historian re-positioned people and changed clothing to ensure authenticity.  They even slathered Appomattox red clay mud onto the horse's legs and men's boots and trousers, something that would have been seen a lot during the hard campaigning back in 1865.  The male actors did not shave for a week.

--Old Secesh

Victory and Surrender: Appomattox's 150th Anniversary-- Part 1

From the August 18, 2014, Marine Corps Times "Victory & Surrender" by AP.

New film and more for Appomattox's 150th anniversary.

A new film is being made featuring actors portraying the individuals from that momentous occasion almost 150 years ago.  Just like then, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant rode a horse to the McLean House in Appomattox, Virginia, followed by seven officers, where he was greeted by some of his soldiers.

This film is being made by the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and hopefully it will be finished in time for the 150th anniversary in April 2015.

In addition, it will include Gen. Robert E. Lee and the stacking of arms by Confederate soldiers after the surrender.  There will also be information not included in the park's current films, made in 1975 and 1980.  It will include Lincoln's assassination and the contributions of 3,000 black troops in the Appomattox Campaign and civilian life at Appomattox.

More to Come.  --Old Secesh

Arlington National Cemetery's 150th-- Part 1

From the June 15, 2014, NPR "From Former Slaves To Writers,  Civilians, Too, Rest At Arlington."

There are 624 acres of Arlington national Cemetery across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C..

Sunday, June 15th,  marked its 150th anniversary of its designation as a military burial ground on land that once belonged to U.S. Army and Confederate Army leader Robert E. Lee.

More than 400,000 men and women are interred there., most members of the Armed Forces.  But others are family members as well as civilians, including one James Parks, gravedigger.

His Story in Next Post.

Goldsboro's Sacrifice at Battle of Antietam-- Part 6

The battle effectively convinced both sides that a peaceful solution to the war was not possible.

Photgraphers were at the battle and for the first time, the folks back home in the North got a first-hand look at the horrors of the war.  Exhibits of masses of dead soldiers were shown all over the country.

Then, Lincoln used the Battle of Antietam, although not a complete victory, as the enabler to issue his Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves in the Confederacy.

Coffman compared the news coverage of the Vietnam War with that of the Civil War, which helped sway public opinion at home about the reasons for fighting.

A bus trip was planned to the Antietam Battlefield for October 19-21 for $100, with attendees paying for their own room and meals.

I was able to visit the battlefield this past November, just two months after the battle's 150th anniversary and was impressed with it.  However, if you're thinking of finding all the Civil War-related stores, musems, etc., in Sharpsburg, that's not going to happen.  This town has gone through great lengths not to allow the Gettsburgation of it.  I could not easily find a place to eat breakfast the morning I was there.

Old Secesh

150th Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam

Considered  the single bloodiest day in American history, the battle ended Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the north.  A Confederate defeat.

Old Secesh

Tomorrow Marks the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run

Or do you call it the Battle of Manassas as do so many of my SCV friends? Union forces named battles usually after a nearby body of water and Confederates named battles after towns.

This was the first really big battle of the war and ended up as a Confederate victory. But, both sides realized the other was ready to fight and go the distance as a result of it.

There is some fear that the heat wave gripping the country might have an adverse effect on the commemoration.

In honor of the event, Stonewall Jaclson's belt buckle and a rifle belonging to Col. John Mosby will be on special display at the Manassas National Battlefield Park. A West Virginia couple bought them at auction two years ago and they have lent the artifacts to the museum.

Of course, Confederate General Thomas Jackson earned his Stonewall name at the battle. A Mexican officer originally owned the belt buckle which has the symbol of Mexico, an eagle devouring a snake. It was Jackson's trophy from the Mexican War.

Col. John Singleton Mosby's shotgun is labeled "My first cavalry gun" and he went on to earn the nickname "Gray Ghost of the Confederacy.

The Conflict Now Begins in Earnest. --Old B-Runner

Across the South, An Enduring Conflict-- Part 3

Back to the Feb. 17th USA Today.

The event in question, the commemoration of the the only president the Confederacy ever had, brought a lot of negative reaction, but at least this time the NAACP was content not to try to disrupt it.

Even the USA Today's seven pictures on it had three that were a slam on the South and Confederacy.

The firing on Fort Sumter is a month and a half away, but already events have been divisive.

** Charleston's Secession Ball to commemorate SC's secession drew protesters.

** Last year, Virginia's Gov. Bob McDonnell, was "forced" to apologize for not mentioning slavery in proclaiming April Confederate History Month.

** A big to-do was made about the erroneous mention in Virginia textbooks that thousands of blacks fought for the Confederacy.

** Plus, the SCV Mississippi Division has caught grief for proposing that Bedford Forrest be honored with a specialty license plate.

One Hundred and Fifty Years On, and It's Still Not Over. --Old B-R'er

Across the South, an Enduring Conflict-- Part 3

The organization that I belong to, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, have taken the brunt of attacks from those folks intent on denying us our right to commemorate the sacrifices and bravery of our ancestors who stood up against unbelievable odds to start a new country, much as their forefathers had done back in 1776.

As such, I feel like those who fought for the gray back 150 years ago. It seems that we are under attack on all fronts and compared to some really horrible groups from other episodes of history. Sure, slavery is indefensible by today's standards and was a major anchor preventing the South's full development, not to mention how the rich plantation owners somehow convinced the majority of Southerners who didn't own slaves that secession would be the only answer.

You just have to wonder if there were some other reason they fought.

Wonderin'. --Old B-Runner

Across the South, an Enduring Conflict-- Part 1

From the Feb. 17th USA Today by Rick Hamson.

The article was about the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, specifically the re-enactment of the swearing in of Jefferson Davis that took place in Montgomery, Alabama, on the 18th. But a big part of the article was about the Civil Rights efforts that too part in the city.

For example, the parade through the city started near where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in 1955, sparking the Montgomery bus boycott. It also went up the avenue where King and his followers completed the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights mrch in 19654. It also passed the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where King was pastor.

It also came close to the bus station where Freedom Riders were beaten by a white mob.

Mark Potok of the Civil Rights group Southern Poverty Law Center called the re-enactment as "particularly ugly. This is a racist event, celebrating a government that stood on the foundation of slavery. Bernard Simelton of the Alabama NAACP likens it to "celebrating the Holocaust." (I'll need Mr. Simelton's proof of Confederate gas chambers and concentration camps for that one.)

This intro to the article and quotations kind of sets the tone for the rest of the story. In other words, those of us who are proud of our heritage are not going to get a fair shake.

Again, as I said in yesterday's entry, let everyone observe the 150th anniversary as they see fit. And, I will respect and be interested in what they have to say.

Proud of My Heritage, Even If Some Don't Like It. --Old B-Runner