Chales DeVilliers: Capture and Escape

As I wrote in the last post, he was taken prisoner on July 17, 1861 (the Battle of Bull Run was July 21) and sent to Richmond.  About the middle of September he escaped  in the guise of an aged, infirm and nearly blind mendicant Frenchman.  (Okay, I had to look up mendicant.  It means a beggar.)

He was able to get the prison commandants permission to go to  Fort Monroe (still under Union control) under a flag of truce that he might embark "for his dear old home in France,"

After a two week delay, the supposed Frenchman was assisted on board a transport in Norfolk and taken to a Union boat.  When safely under his own flag, he cast off his pack, green goggles and rags, thanked the officers for their politeness, shouted a loud huzza for the stars and stripes and gave them the pleasing information that they had just parted with Colonel De Villiers of the 11th Ohio.

He arrived safely in Washington, rejoined his regiment, and was brigadier general, 10 October 1861.

He had been military instructor for Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth.

His discharge from the Army on 23 April 1862, and returned to France.

--Old Secesh

Elodie's Fiancee At the Battle of Manassas and Knocked Down

Elodie Todd's fiancee, Captain Nathaniel Dawson was at the Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) , July 21, 1861, with the Alabama troops.  He wrote her

"We have had a terrible battle today, my dear Elodie, but have achieved a glorious victory.  Our brigade was in the hottest of the engagement, and the 4th Ala. Reg. has been cut to pieces.  I have had from twenty to thirty killed or wounded in the Cadets, but thanks to a merciful Creator and your prayers, I escaped unscathed.

"A cannon ball struck a fence which I was crossing and knocked me down, but the only harm done me was a dislocation of my ankle which I do not think will give me much pain...."

He "Saw the Elephant."   --Old Secesh

Jonathan Letterman-- Part 3: Advancements in Medicine

Continuing with the presentation of Gordon Dammann at the March 12 meeting of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table.

The first recorded use of anesthesia was 1847.  Chloroform and ether were used during the war.

During the Mexican War, rank was given to surgeons.

Bull Run was a complete mess for casualties.  Some remained on the field of battle for as many as two weeks.  There was no ambulance system at the time.

In 1862, Letterman joined the Army of the Potomac.  He immediately set out on reforms, including triage, evacuation and field hospitals.

During the Seven Days Battles there were 17,000 casualties.  Hospital ships were used and they had them all out in two weeks.

Ambulances got springs and ambulance crews had training.

Improving Chances of Survival--Old Secesh

William Beall-- Part 2: Captured At 2nd Manassas

Co. G, 2nd Virginia Infantry, Stonewall Brigade, Johnson's Division, 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, CSA.

Enlisted 6/8/1861 at Bolivar Heights, Virginia.  On 9/8/1861 he mustered in as a private in Co. G., 2nd Virginia.

Absent sick 10/3/1861.

POW 8/27/1862 in 2nd Battle of Manassas, Va.;  Exchanged 11/20/1862; granted Medical Furlough.

--Old Secesh

10th Wisconsin Infantry-- Part 2

From Wisconsin History.com.

Over 100 Burlington residents were in Company C, 1st Wisconsin.

Burlington men were also in Company F, 2nd Wisconsin at the Battle of Bull Run.  One Burlington man was killed there.  In 1880, his body was moved to Burlington Cemetery where more than 250 Burlington residents are buried who served during the war..

Burlington's original name was Foxville in 1837.  In 1839 it was changed to Burlington.

--Old Secesh

156 Years Ago-- July 20 and 21, 1861: Confederate Congress Meets and the Battle of First Bull Run

Looking at the Chicago Daily News, July 20 and 21

**  1861--  The Congress of the Confederate States of America began holding sessions in Richmond, Virginia.  The original Confederate capital had been in Montgomery, Alabama.

**  1861--  The First Battle of Bull Run was fought at Manassas, Virginia, resulting in a Confederate victory.
Things Were Sure Looking Good Back Then.  --Old Secesh

Lt. Colonel Green's Sword Comes to Long Island-- Part 1

This is the man who Fort Green on Folly Island was named after he died at Fort Wagner.

From the October 27, 2014, Smithsonian "A Civil War treasure returns to Long Island" by Joshua Ruff of the Long Island Museum of American Arts, History and Carriages.

The sword is three feet long with a silver grip and a gilt decorated blade.  The inscription reads: "Presented to Major James M. Green, 48th Reg. N.Y.S.V. by the members of Company F.  The sword and scabbard were loaned by the Smithsonian to the Long island museum.

More than 36,000 Long Islanders served in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Green was a 32-year-old Brooklyn resident when he enlisted in the 71st New York Infantry Regiment as a private and fought at the Battle of First Bull Run.

--Old Secesh

Battle Flag of "Bloody 6th" NC Conserved-- Part 2

The Cedar Fork Rifles Preservation Society raised the money to restore the flag. The museum has about 125 flags, only 30 of which have been preserved and cleaned.

The 6th North Carolina was formed in Charlotte in May 1861 and was the only North Carolina regiment at the Battle of Bull Run in August of that year. Its Colonel, Charles Fisher, was killed at the battle and the famed Fort Fisher at Wilmington named for him.

The 6th fought in all of the major battles of the Army of Northern Virginia. The day it was captured, it was a new flag that had replaced a series of other tattered ones. It is not known who was carrying it, but the Union soldier who came to possess it was Joseph Kimball of Littleton, New Hampshire.

He was awarded one of the 57 medals handed out that day. (Was it a Medal of Honor?)

It is missing one star which was probably cut off as a souvenir.

Glad to Have It Available for Viewing Again. --Old Secesh