LIGHTHOUSE
Associated Press on Aug. 4th reports that work has begun on the Morris Island Lighthouse, which now sits 300 yards offshore, even though it was originally built on land.
A cofferdam has been built around the base so that repairs on the foundation can begin. It was built in 1876 and taken out of service in 1962. Worms have been eating at the base, and there is fear that it might collapse in a hurricane.
The Save the Light organization has raised $4,500,000 from federal,state, and local sources for the job.
Let's Hope They Can Save It and Not Have a Repeat of the Loss of Fort Wagner. --Old B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Morris Island Bought
The city of Charleston, SC has bought Morris Island for $3 million and will be preserving for all-time the site of the famous attack by the 54th Massachusetts, an all-black regiment on Fort Wagner.
This attack was shown in the movie "Glory."
The city bought it before the island could be given over to developers who were planning to build multimillion dollar mansions on it for the rich folk.
The city is now going to decide what they will be doing with it.
The Civil War Preservation Trust is involved with raising $100,000 to nhelp in the effort.
Unfortunately, the actual site of the fort is now under water as is the beach the 54th charged along to attack it.
Always Good to Hear About Stuff Like This. --B-Runner
This attack was shown in the movie "Glory."
The city bought it before the island could be given over to developers who were planning to build multimillion dollar mansions on it for the rich folk.
The city is now going to decide what they will be doing with it.
The Civil War Preservation Trust is involved with raising $100,000 to nhelp in the effort.
Unfortunately, the actual site of the fort is now under water as is the beach the 54th charged along to attack it.
Always Good to Hear About Stuff Like This. --B-Runner
Running the Blockade: Hunley Anniversary-- Stupid Confederates-- No Flag for You
Some New News About an Old War.
1. HUNLEY ANNIVERSARY-- it was on this date back in 2000, that the CSS Hunley was raised from its watery grave in Charleston Harbor.
2. STUPID CONFEDERATES-- a southerner calling himself Cotton Mouth who has a blog about Life, Politics, and Mississippi is not too pleased with the Confederate flag near Tampa and worries that the stupid Confederate folks in Mississippi don't do the same. He was not too nice inn his descriptions of the SCV.
3. NO FLAG FOR YOU-- The "Soup Nazi" on Seinfeld might decide that you weren't to get any of his delicious soup, well, now we hyave a guy in Arkansas who has decided that no Confederate flag wil be flown tomorrow at the 100th anniversary observation of the Confederate soldier statue at Bentonville Square.
John Scott, the bSuperintendent of the Pea Ridge National Military Park, has decided not to fly it because it is not liked by some folks.
Hey, it's a statue of a Confederate soldier. I think it would be appropriate.
Some People Just Don't Understand. --Old B-Runner
1. HUNLEY ANNIVERSARY-- it was on this date back in 2000, that the CSS Hunley was raised from its watery grave in Charleston Harbor.
2. STUPID CONFEDERATES-- a southerner calling himself Cotton Mouth who has a blog about Life, Politics, and Mississippi is not too pleased with the Confederate flag near Tampa and worries that the stupid Confederate folks in Mississippi don't do the same. He was not too nice inn his descriptions of the SCV.
3. NO FLAG FOR YOU-- The "Soup Nazi" on Seinfeld might decide that you weren't to get any of his delicious soup, well, now we hyave a guy in Arkansas who has decided that no Confederate flag wil be flown tomorrow at the 100th anniversary observation of the Confederate soldier statue at Bentonville Square.
John Scott, the bSuperintendent of the Pea Ridge National Military Park, has decided not to fly it because it is not liked by some folks.
Hey, it's a statue of a Confederate soldier. I think it would be appropriate.
Some People Just Don't Understand. --Old B-Runner
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Bikers Working on Confederate Cemetery
The July 28th Helena (Ar) Daily Word had an article about ABATE's continuing efforts to to restore and preserve the Confederate cemetery in that town. ABATE stands for Arkansas Bikers Aimed Toward Education.
They have been clearing brush, building road signs and installing concrete benches at the site as well as raising funds for future projects.
A battle took place by Helena on July 4, 1863, in which a larger Confederate force attacked the Union defenders to relieve pressure on Vicksburg, which, unfortunately, capitulated on hat day. Helena was being used as a supply base for the Union Vicksburg operations.
The article mentioned that there were seven Confederate generals hailing from Helena, including Patrick Cleburne, who is buried at the cemetery.
A Tip of the Kepi to ABATE. --B-R'er
They have been clearing brush, building road signs and installing concrete benches at the site as well as raising funds for future projects.
A battle took place by Helena on July 4, 1863, in which a larger Confederate force attacked the Union defenders to relieve pressure on Vicksburg, which, unfortunately, capitulated on hat day. Helena was being used as a supply base for the Union Vicksburg operations.
The article mentioned that there were seven Confederate generals hailing from Helena, including Patrick Cleburne, who is buried at the cemetery.
A Tip of the Kepi to ABATE. --B-R'er
Running the Blockade: --Lincoln Flag Lowering-- Rabid Fox at Fisher-- Augusta Confederate Monument
Some New News About an Old War.
1. LINCOLN FLAG-LOWERING-- Not many people know about this, but if you're in Springfield, Illinois, on a Tuesday night during the summer, you should make your way out to the Lincoln Tomb for the flag-lowering ceremony which is performed by a Union unit.
In the last years, folks from ten countries and 48 states have attended it. Usually about 400 people show up for the event that starts at 7 pm. One lucky person gets to take the flag home.
We saw it three years ago and were impressed, but alas, no flag.
2. RABID FOX AT FISHER-- A woman was bitten by a rabid fox while bird watching at the Fort Fisher Air Force Base Recreation Area this past week, the 93rd case of rabies found in New Hanover County since the disease's return in the 1990s.
So, if you're walking around Fort Fisher, don't pet any foxes you come across.
3. AUGUSTA CONFEDERATE MONUMENT-- The Waymarkers have listed the Confederate Monument in Augusta, Georgia. It is located in the median of Broad Street and was built in 1878, featuring a likeness of Augusta Private Berry Denson.
Here Foxey, Foxey. --Old B-Runner
1. LINCOLN FLAG-LOWERING-- Not many people know about this, but if you're in Springfield, Illinois, on a Tuesday night during the summer, you should make your way out to the Lincoln Tomb for the flag-lowering ceremony which is performed by a Union unit.
In the last years, folks from ten countries and 48 states have attended it. Usually about 400 people show up for the event that starts at 7 pm. One lucky person gets to take the flag home.
We saw it three years ago and were impressed, but alas, no flag.
2. RABID FOX AT FISHER-- A woman was bitten by a rabid fox while bird watching at the Fort Fisher Air Force Base Recreation Area this past week, the 93rd case of rabies found in New Hanover County since the disease's return in the 1990s.
So, if you're walking around Fort Fisher, don't pet any foxes you come across.
3. AUGUSTA CONFEDERATE MONUMENT-- The Waymarkers have listed the Confederate Monument in Augusta, Georgia. It is located in the median of Broad Street and was built in 1878, featuring a likeness of Augusta Private Berry Denson.
Here Foxey, Foxey. --Old B-Runner
Da Sore Thumb
Not a lot of posting last month from me due to an extremely sore thumb that landed me in a hospital for several days and then there was lots of follow up care including visiting nurses, antibiotic deliveries, hydrotherapy treatments back at the hospital on a daily basis, my regular doctor appointments, the infectuous disease doctor, and doctor who operated on my thumb (I had two operations).
I'll tell you that cellulitis is NASTY, and not something you want to get or take likely. I was told I could have lost my thumb, hand, and/0r arm. Evidently, I had a thistle embed itself in my thumb while working in the yard and then bacteria got under the skin. The thumb at one time was double its size and oozing all sorts of colored liquids. Pretty nasty.
Then, on top of it, they put a picc in my left arm for the antibiotics. This pretty-well cost me the use of my left hand. My right hand was already messed up with the thumb. As a result, I was very helpless.
It's getting better now, so I will try to continue on this subject of my great interest.
Dadburn Cellulitis!!! --Old B-Runner
I'll tell you that cellulitis is NASTY, and not something you want to get or take likely. I was told I could have lost my thumb, hand, and/0r arm. Evidently, I had a thistle embed itself in my thumb while working in the yard and then bacteria got under the skin. The thumb at one time was double its size and oozing all sorts of colored liquids. Pretty nasty.
Then, on top of it, they put a picc in my left arm for the antibiotics. This pretty-well cost me the use of my left hand. My right hand was already messed up with the thumb. As a result, I was very helpless.
It's getting better now, so I will try to continue on this subject of my great interest.
Dadburn Cellulitis!!! --Old B-Runner
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Civil War "Holy Grail" Found? Or Was It?
The August 1st Centre Daily Times reports that the Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum in Philadelphia has made quite a discovery as it prepares to shut down for its move to the former First Bank of the United States, which functioned as the central financial institution of the young republic until the early 1800s.
The museum is going through its collection and re-evaluating what it wants to keep and discard. It is believed that they have discovered one of three original documents of Lee's surrender that was originally considered to be a photocopy.
The day after the surrender on April 9, 1865, Union and Confederate officers met to work out the terms of the surrender and three documents were made. Union General John Gibbon was in charge of it and kept one which he later donated to the Maryland Historical Society. Another copy was sent to Grant's headquarters and is now in the National Archives. What the museum thinks it has is the long lost Confederate copy.
OR, IS IT?
The National Park Service, however,thinks it might be a souvenir copy made at the same time. However, the museum's copy, upon closer examination, clearly shows pen marks.
The problem that led the museum to believe it was a photocopy was that someone back in the early 1900s had tried to preserve it and their efforts made it look like the document dated from the 1920s or 30s.
It was originally donated by one of the museum's founders, Bruce Ford, in the early 1900s. How he came into possession of it is not known.
Civil War collectors consider this as the Holy Grail and it is
I found out from another source that you can see the head of Old Baldy, General Meade's horse on display at the museum. But you'd better hurry as the museum shuts down soon.
A Real Sleuth Story. --Old B-Runner
The museum is going through its collection and re-evaluating what it wants to keep and discard. It is believed that they have discovered one of three original documents of Lee's surrender that was originally considered to be a photocopy.
The day after the surrender on April 9, 1865, Union and Confederate officers met to work out the terms of the surrender and three documents were made. Union General John Gibbon was in charge of it and kept one which he later donated to the Maryland Historical Society. Another copy was sent to Grant's headquarters and is now in the National Archives. What the museum thinks it has is the long lost Confederate copy.
OR, IS IT?
The National Park Service, however,thinks it might be a souvenir copy made at the same time. However, the museum's copy, upon closer examination, clearly shows pen marks.
The problem that led the museum to believe it was a photocopy was that someone back in the early 1900s had tried to preserve it and their efforts made it look like the document dated from the 1920s or 30s.
It was originally donated by one of the museum's founders, Bruce Ford, in the early 1900s. How he came into possession of it is not known.
Civil War collectors consider this as the Holy Grail and it is
I found out from another source that you can see the head of Old Baldy, General Meade's horse on display at the museum. But you'd better hurry as the museum shuts down soon.
A Real Sleuth Story. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
SCV National Convention in Charlotte
This past weekend, the Sons of Confederate Veterans held their national convention in Concord, a town outside Charlotte, NC. I had hoped to go and then visit with my family in the eastern part of the state, but ended up in the hospital and had surgery on my thumb for cellulitis and am still being treated for it as I write this. Pretty nasty stuff that I had never heard of before. It was an old yard wars injury, at least, I think.
Congratulations to new national Commander-in-Chief Chuck McMichael and Army of the Tennessee C-I-C Kelly Barrow and other newly elected officers.
IN OTHER SCV CONVENTION NEWS
This was hard to believe, but Kentucky Division Lt.-Commander Bazz Childress was arrested for putting up a battle flag in the window of his room at the Wyndham Hotel. This was at the behest of the hotel manager. This prompted all SCV members staying there to cancel their reservations and rightfully so.
Not that I could afford to stay at a Wyndham anyway, but another reason no to.
Old B-Runner
Congratulations to new national Commander-in-Chief Chuck McMichael and Army of the Tennessee C-I-C Kelly Barrow and other newly elected officers.
IN OTHER SCV CONVENTION NEWS
This was hard to believe, but Kentucky Division Lt.-Commander Bazz Childress was arrested for putting up a battle flag in the window of his room at the Wyndham Hotel. This was at the behest of the hotel manager. This prompted all SCV members staying there to cancel their reservations and rightfully so.
Not that I could afford to stay at a Wyndham anyway, but another reason no to.
Old B-Runner
Civil Rights Monument Dedicated at Virginia's Capitol
I see this past week that a rectangular Civil Rights monument was dedicated on the grounds of Virginia's state capitol in Richmond. And I believe this is a proper place for it as the hard struggles by those who had to fight to get their rights as American citizens in the 50s and 60s need to be recognized in the same way that the struggles of our Confederate ancestors need to be.
For way too long after the Civil War, blacks were kept in a second class citizenship by a variety of laws and customs. Whenever an American citizen is denied their opportunities, this hurts the country.
It is not right for any group to say that another's struggles were insignificant.
For way too long after the Civil War, blacks were kept in a second class citizenship by a variety of laws and customs. Whenever an American citizen is denied their opportunities, this hurts the country.
It is not right for any group to say that another's struggles were insignificant.
It Ain't Over Yet
With this new round of Confederate Battle Flag controversy, I found it somewhat humorous when I came across a list of "New State Mottos" that my uncle sent me several years ago, and enjoyed South Carolina's, which read, "Remember the Civil War. Well, we didn't actually surrender yet."
Kind of like the old caricature of the grizzled old Confederate veteran holding the flag and defiantly saying, "Forget!! Hell No!!!!"
That's Pretty Good. --B-R'er
Kind of like the old caricature of the grizzled old Confederate veteran holding the flag and defiantly saying, "Forget!! Hell No!!!!"
That's Pretty Good. --B-R'er
SCV Response to NAACP Attack in South Carolina
One member of the Sons of Confederate veterans, the group established by Confederate veterans to protect the honor and heritage of their efforts, has stated that the SCV will put up Confederate flags all over the state and especially in Columbia. This really stirred up the old hornets nest.
Now, the division commander of the state says that is an option, but the member was giving his own personal opinion. The response will be determined at the annual state meeting.
It appears that South Carolina's legislature and governor have no intentions of getting involved with this divisive issue.
I took a look,and voted myself, on a poll attached to a local newspaper article. A total of 37 wanted the flag removed from the capitol grounds. While 152 wanted it to remain.
It's Heritage, Not Hate. --Old B-Runner
Now, the division commander of the state says that is an option, but the member was giving his own personal opinion. The response will be determined at the annual state meeting.
It appears that South Carolina's legislature and governor have no intentions of getting involved with this divisive issue.
I took a look,and voted myself, on a poll attached to a local newspaper article. A total of 37 wanted the flag removed from the capitol grounds. While 152 wanted it to remain.
It's Heritage, Not Hate. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
NAACP Still After Flag in SC
Meeting in Cincinnati, the NAACP leaders have vowed to continue on with their fight against the Confederate flag flying on the state capitol grounds in Columbia, South Carolina. They call the Confederate flag a "symbol of slavery and racism."
This also continues along with an economic boycott of the state's tourism spots. In 2000, a compromise was reached whereby the flag was removed from the top of the capitol and nowflies on the grounds by a Confederate soldier monument.
It looks to me like the NAACP would be better if they were to put their efforts into the struggling inner city neighborhoods as opposed to this.
This also continues along with an economic boycott of the state's tourism spots. In 2000, a compromise was reached whereby the flag was removed from the top of the capitol and nowflies on the grounds by a Confederate soldier monument.
It looks to me like the NAACP would be better if they were to put their efforts into the struggling inner city neighborhoods as opposed to this.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Springfield's Not ALL Lincoln
As blogged last month, there are OTHER Civil War related places in Springfield, Illinois, that are not directly related to Abraham Lincoln.
Here is the information for the places:
CAMP BUTLER NATIONAL CEMETERY-- 5063 Camp Butler Road-- 217-492-4070-- www.va.gov
Open daily year round until sunset
DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR MUSEUM-- 217-544-0616-- 503 s. Walnut Street-- www.duvcw.org Open Tuesday-Saturday
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MEMORIAL MUSEUM-- 629 South 7th Street--- 217-522-4373--www.gar-museum.com Open Tues to Saturday. Closed Jan-Feb
ILLINOIS STATE MILITARY MUSEUM-- 217-761-3910-- 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. (Camp Lincoln)-- www.il.ngb.army.mil. Open Tues-Sat.
More Than Just Abe. --Old B-R'er
Here is the information for the places:
CAMP BUTLER NATIONAL CEMETERY-- 5063 Camp Butler Road-- 217-492-4070-- www.va.gov
Open daily year round until sunset
DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR MUSEUM-- 217-544-0616-- 503 s. Walnut Street-- www.duvcw.org Open Tuesday-Saturday
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MEMORIAL MUSEUM-- 629 South 7th Street--- 217-522-4373--www.gar-museum.com Open Tues to Saturday. Closed Jan-Feb
ILLINOIS STATE MILITARY MUSEUM-- 217-761-3910-- 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. (Camp Lincoln)-- www.il.ngb.army.mil. Open Tues-Sat.
More Than Just Abe. --Old B-R'er
A Flag of a Different Color
The Sons of Confederate Veterans camp in Tampa was at it again this past Friday when the hoisted what they consider to be the world's largest Betsy Ross flag on the pole by the two interstates. It measures 30 by 50 feet.
The camp did it "because it is the flag of our founding fathers who were fighting for the same thing that the second American revolution was fighting for and that is liberty."
They plan to fly the Confederate flag continuously once the Confedrate memorial at the base is finished.
Here's Hoping They Will Also Provide Some Sort of Protection for it as There are Those Who Would Like to Burn It. -- Old B-Runner
The camp did it "because it is the flag of our founding fathers who were fighting for the same thing that the second American revolution was fighting for and that is liberty."
They plan to fly the Confederate flag continuously once the Confedrate memorial at the base is finished.
Here's Hoping They Will Also Provide Some Sort of Protection for it as There are Those Who Would Like to Burn It. -- Old B-Runner
Monday, July 7, 2008
Running the Blockade: --Officer Uniforms-- Fannie J-- Philadelphia Museum-- USS Hartford
Some New News About an Old War.
1. OFFICER UNIFORMS-- The CW Naval and Marine Forum Yahoo group has been discussing a star on Admiral Farragut's uniform that was not standard issue. It turns out that officers often had private tailors make their uniforms and had their own embellishments added.
2. FANNIE J-- The same forum also had a post about the Fannie J, called the oldest metal working tug in the US, launched during the presidency of US Grant in 1974. It is for sale, along with another tug, the 1904 Bath. It is in Portland, Maine.
3. PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM-- The Philadelphia Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum will be closing for two years starting this August as it prepares for its move to the Independence National Park. So, if you wan t to see it, you'd better get hoofing.
4. USS HARTFORD-- The same forum had a discussion about the USS Hartford, Farragut's flagship at the Battle of Mobile. This survivor of the Civil War managed to stay afloat until November 20, 1956, when it sank at its mooring at Norfolk Naval Yard in Virginia after years of slow deterioration.
My opinion is that someone should have done something to preserve it for future generations. We have no other Civil War wooden ships other than the USS Constitution which did no fighting.
Who Says It is an Old War. --Old B-R'er
1. OFFICER UNIFORMS-- The CW Naval and Marine Forum Yahoo group has been discussing a star on Admiral Farragut's uniform that was not standard issue. It turns out that officers often had private tailors make their uniforms and had their own embellishments added.
2. FANNIE J-- The same forum also had a post about the Fannie J, called the oldest metal working tug in the US, launched during the presidency of US Grant in 1974. It is for sale, along with another tug, the 1904 Bath. It is in Portland, Maine.
3. PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM-- The Philadelphia Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum will be closing for two years starting this August as it prepares for its move to the Independence National Park. So, if you wan t to see it, you'd better get hoofing.
4. USS HARTFORD-- The same forum had a discussion about the USS Hartford, Farragut's flagship at the Battle of Mobile. This survivor of the Civil War managed to stay afloat until November 20, 1956, when it sank at its mooring at Norfolk Naval Yard in Virginia after years of slow deterioration.
My opinion is that someone should have done something to preserve it for future generations. We have no other Civil War wooden ships other than the USS Constitution which did no fighting.
Who Says It is an Old War. --Old B-R'er
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