The USS Monitor Center at the Mariner's Museum in Virginia is featuring cut-away interior views of the ship and its adversary as well as a commemorative anchor made of iron salvaged from the Virginia in 1929.
There is also an oil can that has been raised from the Monitor. It probably at one time contained whale oil, which was a major 19th century lubricant.
There is also a ten-foot long deck plate which was placed over the original plates to strengthen the deck. It was problably put on during a refitting at the Washington Naval Yard. This is one item that you are even encouraged to touch.
The USS Monitor Center is a 65,500 square foot, $30 million complex that open in March 2007. Admission is $12.50.
www.marinersmuseum.org
Touch a Piece of History. --Old B-Run.
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Ring My Bell
Sorry Anita Ward. Didn't mean to horn in on you song, EVEN if it WAS DISCO.
The National Museum of the US Navy in Washington, DC, has received the ship's bell of the USS Merrimack from private collector Adrian Piersall. It is not known if the bell were aboard the CSS Virginia, the ship built on the Merrimack's hull, during its famous fight with the USS Monitor.
It appears to have fire damage and a large dent, perhaps caused by a large timber falling on the heated bell when the merrimack was set fire.
The Grand Army of the Republic got it after the war and had it on exhibition until the 1920s when it passed into the hands of private collectors.
Ding Dong, the Bell is Back. --B-R
The National Museum of the US Navy in Washington, DC, has received the ship's bell of the USS Merrimack from private collector Adrian Piersall. It is not known if the bell were aboard the CSS Virginia, the ship built on the Merrimack's hull, during its famous fight with the USS Monitor.
It appears to have fire damage and a large dent, perhaps caused by a large timber falling on the heated bell when the merrimack was set fire.
The Grand Army of the Republic got it after the war and had it on exhibition until the 1920s when it passed into the hands of private collectors.
Ding Dong, the Bell is Back. --B-R
A Coupla Items of Interest
I highly recommend the Civil War daily Calendar for 2009. My sister-in-law got me the 2008 one and most days there is a new tidbit of interest.
Two recent ones:
CIVIL WAR VOCABULARY-- A shell is a hollow projectile, shot from a cannon. Filled with powder and lit by a fuse when fired. Shells exploded when the fuse burned down to the level of the powder. Depending upon the length of the fuse, artillermen could decide when they wanted the shell to burst. Then, you'd best duck.
DID YOU KNOW?-- During the Civil War, Henry Ward Beecher (as in Mr. "Battle Hymn of the Republic") traveled to England to get support for the Northern cause. Addressing a loud, pro-Southern crowd in Manchester, he was asked "Why didn't you whip the Confederates in sixty days, as you said you would?" He allegedly replied, "We found we had Americans to fight instead of Englishmen."
Good One Henry!! --Old B-Runner
Two recent ones:
CIVIL WAR VOCABULARY-- A shell is a hollow projectile, shot from a cannon. Filled with powder and lit by a fuse when fired. Shells exploded when the fuse burned down to the level of the powder. Depending upon the length of the fuse, artillermen could decide when they wanted the shell to burst. Then, you'd best duck.
DID YOU KNOW?-- During the Civil War, Henry Ward Beecher (as in Mr. "Battle Hymn of the Republic") traveled to England to get support for the Northern cause. Addressing a loud, pro-Southern crowd in Manchester, he was asked "Why didn't you whip the Confederates in sixty days, as you said you would?" He allegedly replied, "We found we had Americans to fight instead of Englishmen."
Good One Henry!! --Old B-Runner
Running the Blockade: Congrats Chuck-- Tampa Flag Meeting-- Landmark Confederate Apparel Case-- Water Witch on TV
Some New News About an Old War.
1. CONGRATS CHUCK-- The July 27th Shreveport (La) Times reports that Charles "Chuck" McMichael, 51, was elected by acclimation to lead the Sons of Confederate veterans at the 113th National reunion held in North Carolina. It is the largest Confederate heritage organization with over 30,000 members.
He will begin serving a two year term and is a high school history andcivics teacher for twenty years. He joined the SCV in 1994 and has held many offices and is a member of the Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor Camp #1308.
The SCV attempts to ensure that the Southern perspective is shown, especially in the upcoming 150 year observation of the war. This is an increasingly difficult job these days so he has his work cut out for him.
TAMPA FLAG MEETING-- Well, that huge Confederate flag near Tampa, Florida, has certainly stirred up considerable controversy. The July 27th St. Petersburg Times reports that a meeting was held between backers and opponents of the flag. Unfortunately,there was not much of an attendance and no compromise was reached. The flag will still fly and the opponents will still do everything they can to bring it down.
Marion Lambert bought a .3 acre site for the Confederate monument and was incharge of the project. He praised the Civil Rights Movement and said that the Jim Crow laws were wrong.
Michelle Williams, an opposition leader, responded that the SCV had erected the monument legally, but will continue her efforts to bring the flag down.
Want to start a fight, hoist a Confederate battle flag.
LANDMARK CONFEDERATE APPAREL CASE-- Is being held in the Knoxville, tennessee federal Court. Tommy DeFoe, a graduated senior from Anderson County High School, is suing the Board of Education over their 26-year-long ban on Confedewrate symbols on clothing. A 4-5 day trial is expected.
This is a major case indeed.
WATER WITCH ON TV-- The Archaeology Channel is running a show on the finding of the USS and CSS Water Witch which was recently located in Georgia.
Let's Legalize the Flag. --Old. B-R'er
1. CONGRATS CHUCK-- The July 27th Shreveport (La) Times reports that Charles "Chuck" McMichael, 51, was elected by acclimation to lead the Sons of Confederate veterans at the 113th National reunion held in North Carolina. It is the largest Confederate heritage organization with over 30,000 members.
He will begin serving a two year term and is a high school history andcivics teacher for twenty years. He joined the SCV in 1994 and has held many offices and is a member of the Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor Camp #1308.
The SCV attempts to ensure that the Southern perspective is shown, especially in the upcoming 150 year observation of the war. This is an increasingly difficult job these days so he has his work cut out for him.
TAMPA FLAG MEETING-- Well, that huge Confederate flag near Tampa, Florida, has certainly stirred up considerable controversy. The July 27th St. Petersburg Times reports that a meeting was held between backers and opponents of the flag. Unfortunately,there was not much of an attendance and no compromise was reached. The flag will still fly and the opponents will still do everything they can to bring it down.
Marion Lambert bought a .3 acre site for the Confederate monument and was incharge of the project. He praised the Civil Rights Movement and said that the Jim Crow laws were wrong.
Michelle Williams, an opposition leader, responded that the SCV had erected the monument legally, but will continue her efforts to bring the flag down.
Want to start a fight, hoist a Confederate battle flag.
LANDMARK CONFEDERATE APPAREL CASE-- Is being held in the Knoxville, tennessee federal Court. Tommy DeFoe, a graduated senior from Anderson County High School, is suing the Board of Education over their 26-year-long ban on Confedewrate symbols on clothing. A 4-5 day trial is expected.
This is a major case indeed.
WATER WITCH ON TV-- The Archaeology Channel is running a show on the finding of the USS and CSS Water Witch which was recently located in Georgia.
Let's Legalize the Flag. --Old. B-R'er
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Union Color Bearer at Fort Fisher, NC
Sgt. Peter J. Keck of Co. E, 115th New York Infabtry was one of the first to each the fort's paparpets and plant the flag on them Jan. 15, 1865. He planted it on the first traverse on the Cape Fear River side. Evidently, he was in competition with the color bearer of the 13th Indiana to see who could get up there first.
He was wounded early in the fight, but continued until the Confederate surrender. It is surprising that this didn't get him nominated for a Medal of Honor.
Keck also fought in Florida and other engagements of the Army of the James.
115th NEW YORK
Was recruited from upstate New York in the Mohawk Valley. During both attacks on Fort Fisher, they were in Col. Louis Bell's Third brigade XXIV Corps. In the first attack, they were commanded by Major Ezra Walrath and by Lt. Col. Nathan J. Johnson in the second.
During the Wilmington Campaign, they were in the XXIV Corps, 2nd Division under Brig. Gen. Adelbert Ames. They were still in the 3rd Brigade, but Col. Bell had been killed in the second attack on the fort.
The 115th is credited with participating in the Advance on Wilmington and the Sugar Loaf Batteries on Feb. 20th and the attack on Fort Anderson on Feb. 19th.
They also made a forced march to the Northeast Cape Fear River where they captured a pontoon bridge.
Why No Medal of Honor for Keck? --Old B-Runner
He was wounded early in the fight, but continued until the Confederate surrender. It is surprising that this didn't get him nominated for a Medal of Honor.
Keck also fought in Florida and other engagements of the Army of the James.
115th NEW YORK
Was recruited from upstate New York in the Mohawk Valley. During both attacks on Fort Fisher, they were in Col. Louis Bell's Third brigade XXIV Corps. In the first attack, they were commanded by Major Ezra Walrath and by Lt. Col. Nathan J. Johnson in the second.
During the Wilmington Campaign, they were in the XXIV Corps, 2nd Division under Brig. Gen. Adelbert Ames. They were still in the 3rd Brigade, but Col. Bell had been killed in the second attack on the fort.
The 115th is credited with participating in the Advance on Wilmington and the Sugar Loaf Batteries on Feb. 20th and the attack on Fort Anderson on Feb. 19th.
They also made a forced march to the Northeast Cape Fear River where they captured a pontoon bridge.
Why No Medal of Honor for Keck? --Old B-Runner
Ever Hear of Camp Reliance, SC, or Was It Fort Reliance?
I'd never heard of it, but came across an interesting article in the August 14th SC Now about efforts being made in Florence to make sure that its site remains undeveloped.
During the Civil War, there was a fear that Union gunboats would ascend the Pee Dee River and destroy the plantations producing rice. Confederate General William W. Hardee (and I didn't know that Florence, SC was named after his daughter) found a suitable area along the river to place obstructions and artillery.
The site selection wasn't too popular as it was believed that the river was so shallow here that any Union ships coming up it wouldn't be able to mount cannons. The editorial referred to it as Fort Finger, probably after J. F. Finger of Florence who was foreman of the carpenters.
Local planters who had their slaves work on the fortifications were paid $1 a day. If a horse was supplied, the planter got $5
Archaeologists haven't found any military items yet other than the remains of trenches and magazine pits. The obstructions were rafts chained together and they are long gone.
Sounds Like It Was More of a Fort If Artillery was Mounted. --Old B-Runner
During the Civil War, there was a fear that Union gunboats would ascend the Pee Dee River and destroy the plantations producing rice. Confederate General William W. Hardee (and I didn't know that Florence, SC was named after his daughter) found a suitable area along the river to place obstructions and artillery.
The site selection wasn't too popular as it was believed that the river was so shallow here that any Union ships coming up it wouldn't be able to mount cannons. The editorial referred to it as Fort Finger, probably after J. F. Finger of Florence who was foreman of the carpenters.
Local planters who had their slaves work on the fortifications were paid $1 a day. If a horse was supplied, the planter got $5
Archaeologists haven't found any military items yet other than the remains of trenches and magazine pits. The obstructions were rafts chained together and they are long gone.
Sounds Like It Was More of a Fort If Artillery was Mounted. --Old B-Runner
Running the Blockade: Watch Where You Swim-- Jefferson Davis Tourism Up
Some new news about an old war.
1. WATCH WHERE YOU SWIM-- Or, perhaps where you step. The August 13th Farragut (Tn) Press reports that David Sink found a Civil War artillery shell in the North Fork Turkey Creek.
He took it up on land and decided he should call 911. A bomb squad came out and determined that it was still live and exploded it after evacuations were made.
2. JEFFERSON DAVIS TOURISM UP-- The August 13th Canadian Press reports that tourism at Jefferson Davis sites is up this summer, despite the high gas prices. Most likely this is due to the increasing hoopla surrounding the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday next year.
This year, of course, is Davis' 200th birthday. Plus, the fact that his postwar home Beauvoir finally opened after being ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Lincoln's Kentucky sites report a n 18.1% increase, to 105,000 for the first six months compared to 89,000 for the similar period last year.
Davis' Fairview birthplace and monument is up12% and 30% for June 9his birthday is June 3rd). Over 4000 visitors came that month.
Even Davis' capture site in Georgia is up from the usual 12000 to 15000 visitors to 20,000.
Beauvoir had 4000 people come by on June 3rd.
Who Says No One Cares Any More. --Old B-R'er
1. WATCH WHERE YOU SWIM-- Or, perhaps where you step. The August 13th Farragut (Tn) Press reports that David Sink found a Civil War artillery shell in the North Fork Turkey Creek.
He took it up on land and decided he should call 911. A bomb squad came out and determined that it was still live and exploded it after evacuations were made.
2. JEFFERSON DAVIS TOURISM UP-- The August 13th Canadian Press reports that tourism at Jefferson Davis sites is up this summer, despite the high gas prices. Most likely this is due to the increasing hoopla surrounding the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday next year.
This year, of course, is Davis' 200th birthday. Plus, the fact that his postwar home Beauvoir finally opened after being ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Lincoln's Kentucky sites report a n 18.1% increase, to 105,000 for the first six months compared to 89,000 for the similar period last year.
Davis' Fairview birthplace and monument is up12% and 30% for June 9his birthday is June 3rd). Over 4000 visitors came that month.
Even Davis' capture site in Georgia is up from the usual 12000 to 15000 visitors to 20,000.
Beauvoir had 4000 people come by on June 3rd.
Who Says No One Cares Any More. --Old B-R'er
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Some More on the Fort Morgan Shell
As mentioned in an earlier "Running the Blockade," June 26th, a shell was found earlier this summer at Fort Morgan, guarding the entrance to Mobile Bay. This past February, I walked the fort's papapets after driving for what seemed to be forever to get there. It was a chilly and windy day so I was walking rather fast. Perhaps I might even have stood on this very shell. I could see the headlines now, "Dazed man Blown Up at Fort morgan."
From the June 23rd Press-Register.
A ninety pound shell fired at Fort Morgan was found buried after 144 years in the sand of the east wall. It had been underfoot of soldiers and tourists (including the old B-Runner) for all these years and was pointing north.
WHO FIRED IT?
On July 4, 1864, four Union ships opened fire on the fort, and three of them, the Hartford, Richmond and Brooklyn carriued guns capable of firing it. Six weeks later came the siege and passing Fort Morgan by the Union fleet. There were 100-pounder Parrots on eleven Union vessels at that time, so it could have been fired by one of them.
It is rusted, but the slots to fit thecannon grooves are still there on the 18 inch long, 6.4 inch diameter shell.
After disarming, it will go back to the fort's museum.
For Gosh Sake, Watch Where You Walk on a Civil War Battlefield. --Old B-Runner
From the June 23rd Press-Register.
A ninety pound shell fired at Fort Morgan was found buried after 144 years in the sand of the east wall. It had been underfoot of soldiers and tourists (including the old B-Runner) for all these years and was pointing north.
WHO FIRED IT?
On July 4, 1864, four Union ships opened fire on the fort, and three of them, the Hartford, Richmond and Brooklyn carriued guns capable of firing it. Six weeks later came the siege and passing Fort Morgan by the Union fleet. There were 100-pounder Parrots on eleven Union vessels at that time, so it could have been fired by one of them.
It is rusted, but the slots to fit thecannon grooves are still there on the 18 inch long, 6.4 inch diameter shell.
After disarming, it will go back to the fort's museum.
For Gosh Sake, Watch Where You Walk on a Civil War Battlefield. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, August 7, 2008
More on Morris Island
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
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)