Lee and His Generals: William Henry Chase Whiting-- Part 2

Continued from Dec. 4.  These were from the July McHenry County (Illinois) Civil War Table Discussion group.

Whiting was very much involved in the defenses and action around Charleston Harbor in March and April 1861.

He, however, got in trouble with Confederate President Jefferson Davis for declining the command of a brigade of five Mississippi regiments.  Further problems came for his being very outrspoken about his superiors' shortcomings as he perceived them.

Whiting was at the Seven Days battles after which Lee replaced him and assigned him to the military district at Wilmington, North Carolina.

Promoted to major general in February 1863.   After that, he briefly tookover the defense of Petersburg in May 1864.

--Old Secesh

First Memorial Day in U.S. Plaque in Charleston, S.C.

From the same article as the previous four blog entries on Memorial Day.

FIRST MEMORIAL DAY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, May 1, 1865.

At the time of the Civil War, Hampton Park was the site of the Hampton Racecourse, which was owned by the South Carolina Jockey Club and was one of the most famous racetracks  of the antebellum  South.  In late  1864, this site became a large open-air prison for thousands of Union troops evacuated from Andersonville, GA. prison in advance of Sherman's March to the Sea.

Before Charleston fell in February 1865, several hundred of the prisoners died and were buried in mass graves.  In an effort led by African-American churches in April 1865, the dead were reinterred in orderly graves enclosed by a picket fence.  Over the gate was written: "Martyrs of the Racecourse."

In May 1, 1865, a parade in honor of the prisoners of war who died here took place with ten thousand participants, according to contemporary sources.  Nearly 3,000 were school children from the new Freedman's Bureau Schools.

The children led the parade, carrying armloads of flowers  and singing patriotic songs.  They were followed by  women's organizations, church leaders, Unionists, recently emancipated  slaves and Union troops, including members of the 54th Massachusetts.

The soldiers were late buried at Beaufort and Florence National Cemeteries or in their hometowns.  

Annual events to honor the dead of both sides of the Civil War eventually became known as Memorial Day.  The event that occurred in what is now Hampton Park is acknowledged by most historians to be  the first Memorial Day  in the United States of America.

--Old Secesh

Why Do We Commemorate Memorial Day?-- Part 1: It's a Civil War Thing

From May 27, 2022, USA Today "Why do we observe  Memorial Day?  Here's the true history of the holiday" by Camille Fine.

It was originally called Decoration Day and honors all soldiers who have died during service to the nation.

It was declared a  national holiday  through an Act of Congress in 1971, and its roots date back to the Civil War era.

The origins can be traced back to local observances for soldiers with neglected gravesites from the Civil War.

Some historians believe the very first observance  of what would become our Memorial Day took place in Charleston, South Carolina, at the site of a horse racing track that Confederates had turned into a prison for captured Union troops.  Blacks in the city organized a burial of deceased prisoners and built a fence around the site.

Then, on May 1, 1865,  they held an event, including a parade including Blacks who had served as soldiers in the Union Army, spiritual readings and songs, and picnicking.  A commemorative marker was erected there in 1810.

--Old Secesh

MCCWRT Artillery-- Part 5: More Exploding Parrotts

From the March 26, 2022, McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group.

**  The cannon called the Swamp Angel at Charleston, South Carolina, was a 200-pounder Parrott and had a gun crew from the 11th Maine.  During its career, it fired 35 massive projectiles, with 10 of them containing an incendiary mixture known as Greek Fire.

Charleston was 4 1/2 miles away.

But six other incendiary shells exploded prematurely.  It exploded on its 36th shot.

**  On December 24, 1864, at Fort Fisher, the 100-pdr Parrott on board the USS Juniata exploded, killing 5 sailors and two officers and badly injured 8 more.

The autopsy of Fireman Theodore Abos:  "left leg, thigh, hip. arm and forearm fractured, soft parts extensively lacerated, killed by hemorrhage and shock."

--Old Secesh

Civil War Events in January-- Part 1: States are Seceding

From the American Battlefield Trust "This day in the Civil War."

JANUARY 1, 1863

**  President Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation.

JANAUARY 2, 1863

**  South Carolina troops seize Fort Johnson in Charleston Harbor.

JANUARY  3, 1861

**  Georgia troops seize Fort Pulaski

JANUARY 5, 1861

**  U.S. Senators from seven Southern states meet in Washington, D,C. to discuss secession.

JANUARY 9, 1861

**  Mississippi secedes from the Union, the second state to do so.  South Carolina has already adopted an Ordinance of Secession on December 20, 1860.

JANUARY 15, 1865

**  Fall of Fort Fisher, North Carolina.

--Old Secesh

Edward Bragg-- Part 2: Lawyer to Captain

Continued from May 27.

Edward Bragg settled in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and became a lawyer there.  He quickly rose to prominence and associated himself with the Democratic party.  In 1853, he was elected district attorney of the town and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Charleston, S.C., in 1860 and nominated Stephen A. Douglas for president.

When word  of the attack on Fort Sumter reached Fond du Lac, he addressed an assembly there and an entire company of men were raised for three months' service.   As Bragg was going about arranging his affairs, another call went out, this time  for three years' service.

He recruited another company and was elected its captain.  The company became known as "Bragg's Rifles" and would become Company E of the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

--Old Secesh

A Confederate Built the First Suspension Bridge Over Hudson River-- Part 2: A Railroad Opportunity

When the Civil War broke out, Robert Gilchrist,  though opposed to secession,  stayed in Charleston and sided with the Confederacy.  He fought to defend the Fort Sumter and Charleston Harbor.   He was commissioned an officer and rose to the rank of major under general Beauregard, the commander in Charleston.

The city held out until 1865, when it was abandoned as Sherman marched his Union force through South Carolina.

When the war ended, Robert, his wife and young family, traveled to The Glen to inspect the property owned by his uncle (also named Robert Gilchrist) and Mother (Mary Gilchrist).

Dr. Thomas Durant  by then had the Adirondack Railroad, whose completion had been delayed because of the war and was planning to expand his railroad from Saratoga to North Creek.  Robert Gilchrist was now in the Adirondacks and had plans to expand into the  forest, tourism and resort industries and saw an opportunity with the railroad.

Robert decided to help the railroad locate and had a bridge built across the Hudson River on his property.  The project cost $8,000 and was a John A. Roebling-style bridge and hired engineer Charles McDonald to supervise it.

--Old Secesh

A Confederate Built First Suspension Bridge Over Hudson River-- Part 1: Robert Gilchrest

From the December 20, 2020, Adirondack Almanack "Uncovering the mysteries behind a bridge's remains" by Mike Prescott.

Robert Codgell Gilchrest was of a wealthy, well-connected Charleston, S.C., family and born kin 1829.  His father had received  a federal judgeship from President Martin Van Buren and owned an opulent home.  Each summer his family journeyed north to avoid the hot and dangerous Charleston summers.

They would stay with his mother's relatives in the Great Northern Wilderness of New York.

Hus father, Robert Budd Gilchrest had married his first cousin, Mary Gilchrest in 1827.  At the time it was not uncommon for first cousins to marry to consolidate family wealth.  She was related to the Thurman family of the southern Adirondacks, and it is through marriage and family connections that Gilchrest inherited thousands of acres in the Adirondacks upon his mother's death in 1869.

As a young man of great wealth the young Robert led a privileged life.  He graduated from the College of Charleston, studied law and took up a lucrative law practice.  He joined the city's militia group, the Washington Light Infantry.

During this time, the nation became more divided.

--Old Secesh

John Ross Key, Engineer CSA-- Part 1: Yep, That Key Name

One of the men appointed to the Board to detail the defense of Fort Sumter and Charleston Harbor was John Ross Key.  Well, last name of Key.  Could he be related to that other famous Francis Scott Key?

The answer is yes, he was.

From the North Point Gallery site.  Turns out John R. Key was quite the artist and mapmaker.

John Ross Key was born July 16, 1837, two months after the death of his father, and was raised until the age of five by his grandfather, none other that Francis Scott Key, who wrote, of course, "The National Anthem."  His grandfather died in 1843.

As a teenager, he was forced to work to support his widowed mother.

His talent for drawing  led to a job as a topographical artist and draftsman  with the U.S. Coast Survey.  In 1859, he was hired as mapmaker in the advance party of the Lander Expedition to chart the best overland  through hostile Indian territories of Wyoming and Nevada.

In 1861, along with several other Francis Scott Key grandsons, he threw in his lot with the Confederacy.

--Old SeceshKey

Major John Johnson Appointed to Committee to Record the Defense of Fort Sumter and Charleston

From the forward of the Book "Defense of Charleston Harbor, Including Fort Sumter and the Adjacent Islands" by John Johnson.

Understanding the significance of the defense of Charleston even during the war. on April 19, 1864, General Beauregard, in charge of the city's defenses and Confederate commander when the fort was surrendered in 1861, directed that a board be assembled to write the story of the defense of that city.

It was to commence with the Union naval attack on Fort Sumter on April 7, 1863.

He appointed five members to the Board:

Pierre Soule as president
Major W.S. Basinger, Artillery P.A.C.S.
Captain John Johnson, Engineers
Lt. John Ross Key, Engineers, draughtsman
Captain Henry Wemyss Feildon as Recorder of the Board

"Captain Johnson will continue to supervise the defense of Fort Sumter, but will leave an assistant  in immediate charge of that work.  He will be furnished by the chief engineer with a boat and crew, that he may visit the fort whenever necessary."

Important Back Then.  --Old Secesh

Major John Johnson Obituary-- Part 2: Sheathed His Confederate Sword and Drew His Sword for the Lord

It is fortunate that the defense of Fort Sumter has had an eminently fair, impartial, unimpassioned  and scientific history from both contestants --  Gilmore writing  as to the attack and Johnson as to the defense.  Major Johnson's most valued historic contribution is remarkable  in its entire accuracy, its completeness of detail, and, above all, for the supreme modesty of its author.

Forever the name of Major John Johnson will be linked with the fame of the historic defense of Fort Sumter.

After sheathing in honor his Confederate sword, he drew bright and fair the sword of the Lord, and for many years the beloved rector of St. Philips Church, Charleston.  Brave in the struggle of life, consistent in every action, persistent in every duty, loving and tender  to all around him, he was in a long life of peace devoted to all that was pure, lofty, and enobling as true as when, amidst war's alarums  (old word for alarm),  he was coolly and skillfully rebuilding the ramparts of Fort Sumter.

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson, Obituary-- Part 1

From Confederate Vets.com.  From the Confederate Veteran magazine of the United Confederate Veterans.

REV. JOHN JOHNSON D.D.

Tribute by Gen. Cornelius Irvine  Walker, Charleston, S.C.

The most obstinate , prolonged and gallant defense of the whole war was that of Fort Sumter in Charleston, S.C. Harbor. There the first Confederate flag was planted in victory, and there almost the last was lowered in disaster.

For two years the vast resources of the United States, its navies and its armies, were in vain expended against the fortress.  Shot and shell from the most powerful armaments of the day were thundered against its ramparts; but it never yielded to a front attack, and was abandoned only when Sherman flanked the Confederates out of Charleston.

The heroic men who so gallantly held the fortress won an imperishable glory.

The man who, by his skill, patience, untiring energy, and superb courage, made possible the prolonged holding of the fort was its chief engineer, Major John Johnson.  His genius converted the crumbling ruins  of Fort Sumter into an impregnable stronghold.

So preeminent and  and well-known were these services that  all unite in yielding him credit.

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson-- Part 6: Surrendered With Johnston, Religious Pursuits and a Book

John Johnson was promoted to Major of Engineers in October 1864.  Upon recovering from his wounds, he joined Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army in eastern North Carolina and took part in the battles of Averasboro and Bentonville.  He was paroled as senior officer of engineers at the surrender of the army at Greensboro in April 1865.  (Probably Johnston's surrender at Bennett Place in Durham, N.C..)

After the war, he resumed his ministerial studies  and in January 188, was ordained  to the Episcopal ministry and assumed charge of Grace Church in Camden, South Carolina.  In 1871, he returned to Charleston and became assistant minister of St. Philip's Episcopal Church.  he was made rector the following year, at age 43, and served in that capacity for the next 34 years.

In July 1890 he published his work "The Defense of Charleston Harbor, Including Fort Sumter and Adjacent Islands 1863-1865."  This book received high commendation from the best literary and military critics.

In the summer of 1891,  he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee,  and a few years later the College of Charleston conferred on him the degree of LL.D..

The Reverend John Johnson died  in Charleston at age 78 on April 7, 1907, the 44th anniversary of his posting to  Fort Sumter.  he was survived by his wife of  of 42 years, Floride Canteyand eight children.  he is buried at St. Philip's Church Cemetery..

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson-- Part 5: Fifteen Months Under Fire

John Johnson was posted to Fort Sumter on April 7, 1863,  in time to witness the U.S. Navy attack on that place and then served for 15 months as engineer-in-charge of the fort's severest bombardment.  Applying his expertise and constant attention to detail, he oversaw daily repairs to damage and reinforcement efforts to sustain the fort throughout the devastating  rain of shellfire  from Union guns.

On July 28, 1864, he received his second and most serious of two wounds which left him a cripple for the rest of his life.

General Beauregard said to Major John Johnson was due  the masterly defense of Fort Sumter:

"It did not end in triumph, but it has left behind a setting of glory as of the western skies, a blazonry of heroism where gold and purple serve to tell of valor  and endurance, and the crimson hue is emblem of self-sacrifice in a cause  believed to be just."

--From the concluding sentence of Major John Johnson's book "The Defense of Charleston Harbor, Including Fort Sumter and Adjacent Islands 1863-1865."

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson of Fort Sumter-- Part 3: Also Saw Service at Wilmington

From the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie NPS.

Joined Confederate Army in 1862 and rose through ranks from lieutenant, captain to major in the Corps of Engineers.  Saw service at Savannah, Wilmington (another Fort Fisher-Wilmington person) and especially noted for his time in Charleston and at Fort Sumter.

He was twice wounded at Fort Sumter  where he served as engineer in charge for the 15th months of the severest Union bombardment of that place.

Survived the war and authored "The Defense of Charleston Harbor, Including  Fort Sumter and Adjacent Islands 1863-1865."  It was published in 1890 and is still considered the one of the best historical and technically detailed accounts of that bombardment.

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson, Fort Sumter Defender of Charleston-- Part 2: Of Engineers and the Church

The Rev. John Johnson, rector emeritus of St. Philips Episcopal Church in Charleston, Confederate Major of Engineers in charge at Fort Sumter,  and author of "The Defense of Fort Sumter" and other historical works, died last night at the age of 78.

He studied civil engineering, to which for ten years he devoted his energies in railroad constructing and other large engineering work throughout South Carolina.  In 1853, he published the largest map of this state ever undertaken.

In 1860, he studied for the ministry at the Camden University in South Carolina, but at the outbreak of the war, he entered the engineering  corps of the Southern army  with the rank of Lieutenant of Engineers and rose rapidly through the ranks to major of Engineers.

He was mostly engaged  on the fortifications of several towns and was at Fort Sumter for fifteen months of its bombardment.  During this time, he was wounded twice by shells which left him crippled for life.

After the war, he was paroled as senior officer in the engineers and resumed his his ministerial studies, being ordained in 1866.   In 1872, he was appointed rector of St.Philips.

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson, Fort Sumter Defender of Charleston-- Part 1

In the last post, I mentioned four young ladies who dedicated the Confederate defenders of Charleston statue in 1932.  One of them was Alicia Rhett, who was in the movie "Gone With the Wind" and whose name inspired that of the Rhett Butler character in that movie.

Unfortunately, the site I went to for the statue did not list the names of the four young ladies but I will do some research on their ancestors who were among the defenders.

The granddaughter of this man was one of the four young ladies.  He was listed as a Confederate engineer and author of a book on the defense of Charleston.

From the Find-A-Grave site.

REV. JOHN JOHNSON

BIRTH:  December 25, 1829  Charleston, S.C.

DEATH:  April 7, 1907  Charleston, S.C.

BURIAL:  St. Philip's Episcopal  Church Cemetery,  Charleston, S.C.

Alicia Rhett and her father Edmund Moore Rhett and mother Isobell Murdoch Rhett are buried there as well.  Also, John C. Calhoun is buried there.

--Old Secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston-- Part 4: The Four Young Ladies

The monument was unveiled by four young ladies, all descendants of members of the Confederate Defenders of Fort Sumter:

**  The granddaughter of Colonel Alfred Rhett, the first commanding officer of Fort Sumter.  (Alicia Rhett)

**  The granddaughter of Captain Thomas A. Hueguenin,  the last Confederate commander of Fort Sumter

**  The grandniece of Major Stephen Elliott, the second in command under Colonel Rhett

**  The granddaughter of Major John Johnson, a member of the Confederate Engineers and author of "The Defense of Charleston."

Two ushers placed on the monument the last Confederate flag that flew over Fort Sumter.

"The young ladies," the News & Courier reported, "then placed on the base of the monument  two wreaths of red and white carnations."

--Old Secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston Statue-- Part 3: "In Perpetue With Love and Veneration"

The last living Confederate Defender of Charleston in 1932 (the dedication date), Col. William Robert Greer, attended the ceremony.  He described Fort Sumter's ordeal and praised Andrew B. Murray, the philanthropist who donated $100,000 to the city to fund the monument.

There was never "at any time  and lack of courage,"  Col. Greer said, "but a determination unalterable that this great Gibraltar of Charleston should never be captured or  surrendered.... There were many flags shot down in the fort during the siege...

"But before the force embarked for the city, the commander, the gallant and intrepid  [Thomas A.] Huguenin, removed the standard and consigned it as a scared  relic to the care of the Sumter Guards, where it has been held in perpetue with love and veneration."

--Old Secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston Monument-- Part 2: Dedicating the Monument in 1932

The monument is topped by two figures, that of a woman representing Charleston and a young man representing the Confederate defenders.  The young muscular man is wearing nothing but a strategically placed fig leaf.

On October 20, 1932, some 8,000 people gathered for the statue's dedication in White Point Gardens, the Battery, for the Confederate defenders of Fort Sumter.  Many of those present had fathers, uncles and  grandfathers who fought  in what many still called "The Confederate War."

The statue's sculptor, Hermon A. McNeill, said of the monuments:  "The motif in brief, is that of a stalwart youth, standing in front with sword and shield symbolizes by his attitude the defense not only of the fort, but also of the fair city behind the fort in which are his most prized possessions, wife and family.

"And she, the wife,  glorified into an Athena-like woman, unafraid, stands behind him with arms outstretched toward the fort, this creating an inseparable  union of the city and Fort Sumter."

--Old secesh