'Talks' at the McHenry County Civil War Round Table 2024: 'Last Man Standing'

Earlier this month I listed the presentations that have been and will be given to the Rock River Valley CWRT.

I decided to list the ones at my Civil War Round Table.

JANUARY:  Morgan's Great Raid:  Taking the War to the North--  Dave Mowery

FEBRUARY:  "Last Man Standing" the 20th Indiana--  Chuck Rebesco

MARCH:  Confederate Railroads--  Charlie Banks

APRIL:  Central Florida's Civil War Veterans--  Bob Grenier

MAY:   Charles River Ellet, the Queen of the West and USS Indianola--  Ed Urban

JUNE:  John Brown:  Hero or Terrorist?  Martyr or Madman?--  Bob Pressman

--Old Secesh

Civil War Events in February: The Confederate States of America

From the American Battlefield Trust 2021 February calendar.

FEBRUARY 2

GROUNDHOG DAY:  I wonder if the groundhog saw his shadow on this date during the war.

FEBRUARY 4

1861  The seceded states meet in Montgomery, Alabama, to form a new government.

FEBRUARY 8

1861   The Confederate States of America adopts a provisional constitution.

FEBRUARY 18

1861  Jefferson Davis inaugurated President of the Confederate States of America.

FEBRUARY  20

1864   Battle of Olustee, Florida.

FEBRUARY 21

1862   Battle of Valverde, New Mexico Territory

--Old Secesh

Sons of Confederate Veterans and Veterans Administration Provide Grave Stones for Unmarked Confederate Graves

From the November 24, 2020, Clay  (Clay County, Florida) Today.

Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Kirby Smith Camp #1209 installed grave stones on unmarked graves of five  Confederate veterans and one for an unmarked grave of a Spanish-American War veteran.

The headstones:

Schley H. Wilson 48th Georgia Infantry

Mathew Mosley  11th Florida Infantry

John Mosley   1st Florida Infantry in Spanish American War

These  unmarked graves were at Federal Hill Cemetery in the Oakleaf area.

************************

At Peoria Cemetery in Doctors Inlet:

William J. Dickinson  1st Florida Cavalry

William Henry Shepard   7th Florida Infantry

Ivey Williamson  3rd Florida Infantry

Kirby Smith Camp, SCV is a heritage organization that focuses on the preservation and legacy of those who fought for then Confederacy during the Civil War.

The Veterans Administration (VA) provides the grave stones because Confederate soldiers are considered American veterans.

--Old Secesh

William Loring's History-- Part 3: A Long and Varied Career 'Old Blizzards'

 **  IN 1862 he was promoted to major general in the Confederate Army.

**  Loring earned the nickname of "Old Blizzards" at the Battle of Fort Pemberton when he cheered on his men yelling, "Give them blizzards, boys!"

**  He was at the Confederate General Johnston's surrender in North Carolina in 1865.

**  After the Civil War, he went to Egypt where he served nine years  in the Army of Isma'il Pasha, the Khedeve of Egypt.

**  He returned to Florida, ran for  Senate, but lost.

**  He then moved to New York where he died  in 1896 from pneumonia.

**  Loring was cremated in New York.  His ashes were later exhumed and moved to a cemetery in St. Augustine.  In 1920, his remains were then taken to his memorial in downtown St. Augustine.

**  Now, 100 years later, his remains are once again on the move.  This time to a cemetery in St. Augustine.  His monument is going to go to Trout Creek Fish Camp near St. Augustine.

And, remember, in addition to his remains and monument being moved, the last hurricane that came through Wilmington, North Carolina, knocked down the marker showing where he was born.

That's Four Moves His Remains Have Made Since His Death.  --Old Secesh

Maj. General Loring's Remains Found Under His Monument in St. Augustine

From the August 26, 2020, First Coast ABC News "100 years later:  Confederate major general's remains exhumed  in St. Augustine  beneath removed memorial:  Who was William Loring?" by Melissa Guz.

On Wednesday, August 26, archaeologists believe they have found Gen. William Loring's remains  within a container that was buried  underneath his memorial in downtown St. Augustine.  That memorial, an obelisk, was removed on Monday as part of a relocation process and is heading to  Trout Creek Fish Camp.

His descendants had asked the University of Florida, who manages the property it is on, to remove Loring's memorial and ashes to another place.

Archaeologist Kathleen Deegan carefully worked the exposed soil under the monument and found a name plate with the words "General William...Re-enterred"  written in cursive.  Part of a sword and its scabbard, believed to be his, were also found.

Other items were also found in the dirt, however, it is difficult to determine exactly what they were because of water intrusion.

All of the items will be reburied with Loring's remains in its new location at a cemetery.

All of the items found were respectfully placed in a hearse  on Wednesday afternoon.

--Old Secesh

William Loring Monument Removed in St. Augustine By Descendants' Request: First Hurricane Isaias, Now This. A Bad Month for the General.

From the August 24, 2020, News 4 Jax (Jacksonville, Fl.)  "UF  has Confederate statue removed from St. Augustine before dawn" by Zachery Lashway.

St. Augustine, Florida.

The University of Florida had it removed as it is on land leased by them.  The monument stood there since 1920.  His remains are under the monument and will also be removed and re-interred along with his monument on private land with "respect and dignity."

Loring was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, (see the previous blog entry), but grew up in St. Augustine.  According to Wikipedia, he joined the Florida militia as a teenager and fought in the  early skirmishes of the Second Seminole War.

He became a lawyer and served  in the Florida legislature before joining the U.S. Army.  When the Civil War started, he resigned and joined the Confederacy where he rose to the rank of general.  After the war, he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate from Florida, then lived in New York until his death.

A Bad Time for William Loring Stuff.   --Old Secesh

The Confederacy Under Attack-- Part 111: How About Those Other Flags on the Florida State Senate Seal?

The Florida State Senate Seal now just includes four flags: The United States, Spain, England and France.  The Confederate Flag has been removed as it stands for slavery and racism.

That is a horrible thing so it was removed.

Let's see, though, have those other flags ever flown over something that could bring shame to their countries?  Surely, those other countries have never done anything that anyone could find offensive, definitely not anything in the same league as that Confederate Flag and all that slavery and racism.

Well, I am now going to think of anything those other countries might have done that someone found  offensive.  Because if I do, I will ask the Florida State Senate to remove those flags.

Then, they will have to remove those flags as well.  We must be fair about offensive.

No One Must Be Offended.  No Way, No How.  --Old Secesh

More Civil War Books Than You'd Expect at Small Town Library

From the August 31, 2014, Tampa Tribune "Tiny town's library holds a treasure of Civil War books" by Keith Morelli.

E.C. Rowell Public Library in Webster, Florida is quite small, but has in its collection, over 1300 Civil War books with many first editions and some printed in the 1800s.  Included are two sets of the Official Records.  There are also periodicals, novels, photos and reference books.

Most of them were donated from the personal collection of E.C. Rowell, for whom the library is named.  He was the former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and Civil War buff who died in 1992.

Even better, these books are now accessible to everyone.

--Old Secesh

Maine's Gen. Neil S. Dow-- Part 2

He was made a brigadier general April 28, 1862 and commanded the two captured Confederate forts below New Orleans, Fort Jackson and Fort St. Phhilip, after their capture and later commanded the District of Florida.

He was wounded in the right arm and left thigh at the Siege of Port Hudson, Mississippi, (May 21-July 9, 1863) and sent to a local plantation to recover. Dow was captured while there and imprisoned for eight months at Richmond and Mobile. It was during this time that the Montgomery hotel escape took place.

Finally, he was exchanged for Confederate General William Henry Fitzhugh Lee, son of Robert E. Lee, on February 25, 1864. With his health seriously impaired by his prison time, he resigned in November of that year.

Back in Maine, he continued with the temperance movement and cofounded the National Temperance Society.

I'll Drink to That. --Old Secesh

Saw Another Really Big Confederate Flag

Yesterday, we drove from South Florida's Hollywood Beach across Alligator Alley to the west coast and took I-75 north to Tampa and then east on I-4.

I remembered hearing that the local SCV group had erected a huge flagpole from which to fly a huge Confederate Naval Jack at the intersection so that everyone could see it.  I was hoping to see that huge jack as I'd heard it was the largest one ever made.  But it wasn't flying.

They did have a large Third National flag flying proudly, though.  Made me feel proud.

It is too bad that the current anti-Confederate hatred is so prevalent.  If it wasn't, there would be no need for these huge flags.

They are kind of like the Revolutionary War "Don't Tread On Me" flags.

Flying High and Proud.  --Old Secesh

Finally Made It to Florida

Sitting here at the Super 8 Motel in St. Augustine Beach after 1200 miles and even a day of no traffic jams and no rain, sleet and snow which marked the first two days of the trip.

Last night, we talked with a couple of Nebraska Cornhusker backers in the parking lot who are off to Orlando today for their New Year's Day matchup with Florida.  They had used frequent flyer miles and flown to Savannah, rented a car and doing a coastal run.

They even knew that they were going to play us three times in the next several years.  I doubt that before we made the Orange Bowl, they even would have had any idea who we were.

Wished them luck, as they're now Big Ten, er-11,er-12, er-13, er-14.  But will be pulling for Georgia as I went there for a year and have family who went there.

An Illinois car just backed out from the parking place next to us.  I didn't see any NIU stuff on it though.

We did encounter one NIU Huskie vehicle on I-75 yesterday, along with a whole lot of Georgia cars.

Planning to see Fort Mantanzas today and drive to Hollywood and check into the hotel.

Finally warm, so today it's shorts and "Orange Bowl Bound" tee shirt.

We did buy a Huskie dog magnet for the car at a TA store in Tifton, Ga.

Well. I see that this should have gone on my RoadLog Blog, but will go ahead and print it on the Civil War one.  Oops.

Huskies, Here We Come.

Hooray for Our Side

In these days of considering the Confederate flag and all things Confederate as being akin to Nazis, it sure was refreshing yesterday to see a sight upon entering the state of Florida.

There, flying high and proudly was a huge Confederate flag right next to I-75, showing that some of us believe it represents something besides slavery.

There appeared to be a memorial park at its base and I imagine this was a project of the Florida Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Thanks Guys.  --Old Secesh

Florida in the Civil War

From Feb. 10, 2012, "Guest Opinion: Southwest Florida's black history found in the Civil War" by Irvin Winsboro.

Florida's Civil War experience is sometimes referred to as "a trifling affair" but it was much more complex than that.  You should check out Dale Cox's excellent Civil War Florida blog to see just how complex it was.

Some 15,000 Floridians, 11% of the population participated after the state became the third to secede.  About 5,000 died.

Of Confederate troops, most fought elsewhere, but 2,500 stayed within the state.

Another 2,000 whites and blacks joined Union forces

Twenty-nine of the 65 Union regiments posted in the state were black.  Of the 1,044 Florida blacks mustered into Union service, most served in the United States Colored Troops and 255 joined the Navy.  Blacks participated in at least 32 skirmishes, scouting expeditions and battles in the state.

A Little-Known Part of the War.  --Old Secesh

The Fall of Florida's Fort Clinch 150 Years Ago Today

Union forces occupied Fort Clinch this date 150 years ago after the Confederates had evacuated the fort with no resistance. General Lee had ordered that non-strategic coastal positions along the coast where the Union Navy could mass ships should be abandoned for interior, more defensible positions.

Fort Clinch is located by Florida's northeast corner, not too far from Jacksonville. Different militaries have occupied the site since 1736 (it is located on the border of Spanish Florida and English Georgia).

Located on Amelia Island, the fort guards the entrance to St. Mary's Island and Cumberland Sound.

Construction of the present fort began in 1847, part of the Third American System of forts, a program that also included Fort Pulaski at Savannah. Fort Clinch was a pentagonal brick fort with both inner and outer walls.

It was abandoned after the Civil War, but reactivated in the Spanish-American War in 1898. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps restored the fort and the State of Florida bought it and 256 acres in 1935, making it one of its first state parks, opening in 1938.

Closed to the public during World War II when it was used as a communications and security post, it reopened after the war. In 1972, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Story of a Fort. --Old Secesh.

A "Rebel" Retirement Home for Yankees-- Part 3

Continued from the Jan. 3rd blog entry.

As Union veterans aged, retirement communities were built.  The first land offering in what is today Lynn Haven, Florida,  (Near Panama City) was January 11, 1911.  A five acre plot was offered for $150.

Seth Flint, the bugler, bought a five acre lot and built a home at what is now the corner of Fifth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

By 1913, the veterans were planning a memorial monument and plaque and by 1920 had raised enough money to build and dedicate it.  It is the only town Union monument south of the Mason-Dixon line.

The number of Union veterans began dropping by then and soon none were left. But the monument remains.

The Original Snowbirds?  --Old Secesh

Some More on Lynn Haven

I got the photo of Roberts Hall, mentioned in the previous post.  Along with it came the information that it was built as a store with an upstairs meeting room used by the International Order of Odd Fellows and the local Grant Army of the Republic (GAR) for their meetings.The GAR was an organization of Union veterans formed after the war.  After all, these were Union veterans retiring to Lynn Haven.

Evidently, at least one church opened in 1911, the United Methodist Church, which is also celebrated its centennial last year.

I also believe that there is a monument to Union soldiers in Lynn Haven, something you don't often see in the South.

Stuff You Didn't Know.  --Old Secesh

Lynn Haven, Fl., Turns 100

From the Jan. 12th Panama City News Herald "Capturing Time" byAli Helgoth.

So, what does this have to do with the Civil War, which had been over 46 years when the town was founded?

I wrote about it last week in this blog about Union soldiers retiring to Lynn Haven starting in 1911.  These folks wouldn't be considered snowbirds since they did not return north when winter was over.  However, they could be considered the "First Wave" on northerners retiring south to escape winter.

A time capsule was buried in Lynn Haven (near Panama City) Wednesday to be opened in fifty years for the town's sesquicentennial.  Fourteen children were asked to be on hand for that future event.  When the capsule is opened, there will be coins from 1911, 1961 and 2011, a Florida commemorative coin and other items.

Resident Bobby Roberts has deep ties to Lynn Haven.  His great-great-grandfather, Andrew Jackson Gay, was one of the early investors in the St. Andrews Bay Development Co., which started the town in 1911.  Another great-great grandfather, William Martin, was a Union veteran who moved to the retirement city.

His daughter's family joined him and her husband, Lee Jay Roberts, who built Roberts Hall in 1912.

The ceremony marked the end of a years' worth of ceremonies commemorating the event, including a gala, Memorial Day celebration, block party, Christmas tree lighting, Heritage Trail Day and a run.

Way to Go, Lynn Haven!!  --Old Secesh

A "Rebel" Retirement Home for Union Soldiers-- Part 2

So, I guess this could be considered the second Yankee invasion, if you count the first as the war itself.

A THING OR TWO ABOUT SALT

Before the war, salt was imported to the South from the North or Europe.  It was more than just a seasoning, but also important for preservation in those pre-refrigerator days.  During the war, Confederate soldiers typically received a 1.5 pounds of salt monthly ration.

However, with the war and blockade, supplies were cut off.   The price of salt soared and by the end of 1861, salt-making was the biggest industry in St. Andrews (by present-day Panama City).  Salt prices went up to a dollar a pound in the first months of the war and continued to rise.  A salt maker could earn $180 a day getting salt from seawater through an evaporation process.

During the course of the war, it is estimated that some 5,000 in the St. Andrews area were involved in the slat industry in one fashion or another.

Of course, this drew the attention of Union vessels patrolling off shore.  Every so often they would lead raids onto the shore.

Must Be That Lost Chigger of Salt Jimmy Sings About.  --Old Secesh

A "Rebel" Retirement Home for Union Soldiers-- Part 1

From the Feb, 27, 2011, Panama City (Fl) News Herald "Southern City, Union Pride" by Ali Helgoth.

On April 9, 1865, Seth M. Flint played taps on the bugle for the Confederate surrender at Appomattox.  His account of the event was published in the Saturday Evening Post, 75 years later.

The town of Lyn Haven, Florida, was founded in 1911 as a retirement community for Union soldiers, along with other communities in Fitzgerald, Georgia, and St. Cloud, Florida.

Union soldiers were the first to receive their Civil War pensions and Grand Army of the Republic papers carried advertisements to return to the sunny south, this time, instead of conquerors, to live out their lives.  So it started even back then.

Florida's Panhandle was not the scene of major fighting during the war, but there was a lot of activity involving salt works and blockade-running.

Come to Sunny F-L-A.  --Old Secesh

The Cow Cavalry and Battle of Ft. Myers (Fla)-- Part 2: "I Respectfully Decline"

Three companies of the Cow Cavalry and one cannon set out and arrived at Fort Thomson (LaBelle, Fl.) February 19th and then marched down the river and encamped near Billy's Creek.  On Feb. 20th, they surprised some black soldiers on picket duty and shot them.  This alerted the Fort Myers, whereupon the Confederates fired their cannon and demanded it surrender.

The fort's commander, Captain James Doyle replied, "I respectfully decline."

He wheeled his two cannons out and the battle was on,continuing throughout the day.

On Feb. 21, 1865, the Cow cavalry returned to Fort Meade, having failed to capture the Union fort.  Of 300 Union troops involved, there was one dead and three wounded.  Of the 250 Confederates, one was wounded.

Nothing remains of the fort today, but it was located by the downtown Ft. Myers Historical District.  The original US-41 (Cleveland Avenue) goes by the former location.

Cow cavalry to the Rescue!  --Old B-Runner (Soon to be Old Secesh)