KOMO News of Seattle and the Seattle Times reported on September 15th that a large number of forgotten Civil War veteran graves in Everett, Washington's Evergreen Cemetery had ceremonies honoring them.
Seven years ago, new general manager Jim Shipman took over and, while investigating an overgrown and forgotten northeast corner of the cemetery, realized that some of the markers were of Civil War vets and started counting. At first, he thought there were 25 to 30. That count now stands at 150 and he thinks he will find another 25.
In 2005, a 9-foot obelisk was dedicated and Saturday there was a 4th annual "Echoes of Blue and Gray" ceremony.
The Seattle Times said that there were speeches by the SUVCW, SCV, and UDC. The Boy Scouts now see to grave maintenance.
There are over 50,000 persons buried at Evergreen Cemetery which encompasses more than 100 acres.
In the late 19th century, a local GAR chapter set out to build a monument, but ran out of money after buying a small section of the cemetery on September 10, 1899 for burial of indigent veterans.
Glad to See Those Who Are Gone Are Not Forgotten. --B-R
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Middle School Students Experience the Civil War
The September 13th Waukegan (Il) News Sun reported that students at Palambi Middle Schol in Lake Villa, Illinois, got some first-hand experience with the 1860s on the 12th, when their school had a Civil War Living History Day in conjunction with the 6th annual Lake Villa Civil War Days.
Re-enactors put on surgery displays and became Harriet Tubman, spy Pauline Cushman. Even President Abraham Lincoln and wife Mary were there as well.
Fifty students from the Prince of Peace School and 30 home-schoolers attended.
Friday night, they had a Civil War Ball at school, attended by 50 costumed 7th and 8th graders.
Seventh graders at the school study US History and have an optional trip to Washington, DC which includes colonial and Civil War sidetrips.
This is a great way to get young folk interested in history. Give this to them at school, and for those interested, there is the major show at the Lehman Mansion for the next two days. Too bad we had all that rain.
Hopefully, This Will Happen Again Next year. --Old B-Runner
Re-enactors put on surgery displays and became Harriet Tubman, spy Pauline Cushman. Even President Abraham Lincoln and wife Mary were there as well.
Fifty students from the Prince of Peace School and 30 home-schoolers attended.
Friday night, they had a Civil War Ball at school, attended by 50 costumed 7th and 8th graders.
Seventh graders at the school study US History and have an optional trip to Washington, DC which includes colonial and Civil War sidetrips.
This is a great way to get young folk interested in history. Give this to them at school, and for those interested, there is the major show at the Lehman Mansion for the next two days. Too bad we had all that rain.
Hopefully, This Will Happen Again Next year. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Private Henry A. Thompson, Medal of Honor Winner
I asked about him on the Civil War Talk forum and had two replies.
Border Ruffian said that there was a IIRCC Connelly who deserted from the US Army and then enlisted in the USMC and won a Medal of Honor. His family later petitioned the HQMC for a name change.
M E Wolf had the accounts of the attack from the ORN and both definitely put our man at the palisades during the January 15th Naval Column attack on Fort Fisher.
I'll have to look into the IIRCC Connolly story and thanks E M Wolf.
Interesting Story. --Old B-R'er
Border Ruffian said that there was a IIRCC Connelly who deserted from the US Army and then enlisted in the USMC and won a Medal of Honor. His family later petitioned the HQMC for a name change.
M E Wolf had the accounts of the attack from the ORN and both definitely put our man at the palisades during the January 15th Naval Column attack on Fort Fisher.
I'll have to look into the IIRCC Connolly story and thanks E M Wolf.
Interesting Story. --Old B-R'er
Monday, September 15, 2008
Private Henry A. Thompson (aka Roderick P. Connelly)
An update on the Medal of Honor winner at Fort Fisher.
The September 15th New York Post reported that his grave is at Cavalry Cemetery in Queens, New York. It said that Private Henry A. Thompson was an immigrant who later changed his name to Roderick P. Connelly. A solemn ceremony was held at which he got a new granite tombstone and a 21-gun salute.
That helps explain the Connelly-Thompson question.
A Fort Fisher Hero Honored. --B-R'er
The September 15th New York Post reported that his grave is at Cavalry Cemetery in Queens, New York. It said that Private Henry A. Thompson was an immigrant who later changed his name to Roderick P. Connelly. A solemn ceremony was held at which he got a new granite tombstone and a 21-gun salute.
That helps explain the Connelly-Thompson question.
A Fort Fisher Hero Honored. --B-R'er
It Was a Real Mud March
Tenting Tonight on the Old Quagmire.
Saturday, I went over to the annual Lake Villa, Illinois, Civil War encampment at the Lehman Mansion to man the Sons of Confederate Veterans table. I figured there would be problems as it rained all day Friday and was continuing. We set records for rainfall in the Chicagoland this past weekend.
Upon arrival at the grounds, I saw a sign saying "Closed to the Public" and a cop also told me it was closed, but he let me proceed when I told him I was with the SCV. After parking in a gravel area (believe me, you wouldn't want to in the grass, you'd never get out) I walked along the paved driveway through the treed area back to the mansion.
The first thing I saw was a group of Confederates breaking camp and putting some dripping rolled up rugs into a van. Then, I saw Custer trying to extricate his boots from a wet area. Next, a group of Union soldiers were pushing a cannon through "the mud and the blood and the beer." Even Abe was heading off the grounds in a Ford Explorer (you'd think he'd at least be driving a Lincoln).
I never was able to find the SCV tent even though I walked, excuse me, slogged, over a lot of the area. The patch by the sutlers was particularly wet. Not much was sold that day. I saw one food vendor eating an ear of corn and remarked to him that he was eating his profits. he said it was the last one and shrugged.
I'm not sure about Sunday, but it was probably canceled as well since it continued to rain the whole time.
Certainly Not a Good Day for man Nor Beast. --B-R
Saturday, I went over to the annual Lake Villa, Illinois, Civil War encampment at the Lehman Mansion to man the Sons of Confederate Veterans table. I figured there would be problems as it rained all day Friday and was continuing. We set records for rainfall in the Chicagoland this past weekend.
Upon arrival at the grounds, I saw a sign saying "Closed to the Public" and a cop also told me it was closed, but he let me proceed when I told him I was with the SCV. After parking in a gravel area (believe me, you wouldn't want to in the grass, you'd never get out) I walked along the paved driveway through the treed area back to the mansion.
The first thing I saw was a group of Confederates breaking camp and putting some dripping rolled up rugs into a van. Then, I saw Custer trying to extricate his boots from a wet area. Next, a group of Union soldiers were pushing a cannon through "the mud and the blood and the beer." Even Abe was heading off the grounds in a Ford Explorer (you'd think he'd at least be driving a Lincoln).
I never was able to find the SCV tent even though I walked, excuse me, slogged, over a lot of the area. The patch by the sutlers was particularly wet. Not much was sold that day. I saw one food vendor eating an ear of corn and remarked to him that he was eating his profits. he said it was the last one and shrugged.
I'm not sure about Sunday, but it was probably canceled as well since it continued to rain the whole time.
Certainly Not a Good Day for man Nor Beast. --B-R
Another Medal of Honor Winner's Grave Marked
I came across a blog entry by Elektratig from New York who had seen an article in the September 13th New York Post about a ceremony to be held Sunday at the previously unmarked grave of Roderick Connelly in a Queens cemetery.
He was born in England in 1841 and signed up with the Marines in 1863 and won his Medal of Honor on January 15, 1865, at the battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
After the war, he lived at 332 E. 22nd street and worked as a varnisher before dying in 1889.
A researcher from the Midwest came across this oversight and notified the New York Department of the Marine Corps League who were instrumental in marking the grave.
A personmade a comment to the Post article saying that they couldn't find his name listed among the Marine Medal of Honor winners in the Civil War, but did find a Henry A. Thompson (aka Roderick Connelly).
Way Overdue, But At Last. --Old B-Runner
He was born in England in 1841 and signed up with the Marines in 1863 and won his Medal of Honor on January 15, 1865, at the battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
After the war, he lived at 332 E. 22nd street and worked as a varnisher before dying in 1889.
A researcher from the Midwest came across this oversight and notified the New York Department of the Marine Corps League who were instrumental in marking the grave.
A personmade a comment to the Post article saying that they couldn't find his name listed among the Marine Medal of Honor winners in the Civil War, but did find a Henry A. Thompson (aka Roderick Connelly).
Way Overdue, But At Last. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Some More on Oscar Slagle's Medal of Honor
As reported yesterday, Oscar Slagle finally got his deserved recognition for his heroic deed last month.
However, I was not able to find much of the particular action at Elk Creek, Tennessee, so more research was necessary.
Besides Mr. Slagle, seven other members of the 104th Illinois received Medals of Honor that day: Richard Gage, Douglas Hapeman, Lemuel F. Holland, George L. Houghton, Sergeant George Marsh, John Shapland, and Ruben S. Smalley. Perhaps they all received the medal in 1895, as did Slagle.
ROUTE 66 CONNECTION
I am a big Route 66 enthusiast and while looking at this list, came across burials of Medal of Honor winners in Illinois. Mr. Slagle's grave is near Route 66.
Others along the Mother Road, not just the Civil War:
Chenoa-- Edward Pike
Chicago-- 17 men
Collinsville-- Ninevah McKeen
Darien-- 3 men
Dwight-- Henry Fox
Elwwood-- Henry Fox
Springfield-- 3 men
And It Goes On. --Old B-Runner
However, I was not able to find much of the particular action at Elk Creek, Tennessee, so more research was necessary.
Besides Mr. Slagle, seven other members of the 104th Illinois received Medals of Honor that day: Richard Gage, Douglas Hapeman, Lemuel F. Holland, George L. Houghton, Sergeant George Marsh, John Shapland, and Ruben S. Smalley. Perhaps they all received the medal in 1895, as did Slagle.
ROUTE 66 CONNECTION
I am a big Route 66 enthusiast and while looking at this list, came across burials of Medal of Honor winners in Illinois. Mr. Slagle's grave is near Route 66.
Others along the Mother Road, not just the Civil War:
Chenoa-- Edward Pike
Chicago-- 17 men
Collinsville-- Ninevah McKeen
Darien-- 3 men
Dwight-- Henry Fox
Elwwood-- Henry Fox
Springfield-- 3 men
And It Goes On. --Old B-Runner
Friday, September 12, 2008
Civil War Medal of Honor Winner Recognized in Illinois
The August 23rd Bloomington-Normal Pantagraph had an article about Oscar Slagle getting recognition at his grave of the fact that he was a recipient of the nation's highest honor.
Doris Lowe knew her grandfather fought in the Civil War, but not much beyond that. When her mother died in 1985, she received a trunk and it it found two letters and a Congressional Medal of Honor for her grandfather.
Oscar Slagle was born in Ohio and joined the Union Army's 104th Illinois, Co. D at Manlius in 1862. He received the Medal of Honor in 1897 for an event taking place July 2, 1863. While the Battle of Gettysburg was raging to the east, Union forces found a Confederate fort built along Elk River, Tennessee. The commander asked for volunteers to attack it and 11 members of the 104th quickly stepped forward for what seemed to be a suicide assault across a field. They accomplished their task and seven received Medals of Honor. The other 4 didn't because they couldn't be identified.
A ceremony was held August 23rd at the cemetery and a plaque placed at the grave. Members of the 104th Illinois Re-enactors took part.
Broughton Township Cemetery is located along Livingston County Road 2400 North, two miles east of 3300 East Road.
Glad to See Slagle Get His Due. --Old B-Runner
Doris Lowe knew her grandfather fought in the Civil War, but not much beyond that. When her mother died in 1985, she received a trunk and it it found two letters and a Congressional Medal of Honor for her grandfather.
Oscar Slagle was born in Ohio and joined the Union Army's 104th Illinois, Co. D at Manlius in 1862. He received the Medal of Honor in 1897 for an event taking place July 2, 1863. While the Battle of Gettysburg was raging to the east, Union forces found a Confederate fort built along Elk River, Tennessee. The commander asked for volunteers to attack it and 11 members of the 104th quickly stepped forward for what seemed to be a suicide assault across a field. They accomplished their task and seven received Medals of Honor. The other 4 didn't because they couldn't be identified.
A ceremony was held August 23rd at the cemetery and a plaque placed at the grave. Members of the 104th Illinois Re-enactors took part.
Broughton Township Cemetery is located along Livingston County Road 2400 North, two miles east of 3300 East Road.
Glad to See Slagle Get His Due. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Stuffed Horse
While doing research on the Zero Mile Marker in Washington, DC, I came across this interesting bit of information.
It's Rienzi, Union General Phil Sheridan's magnificent steed who made a 12 mile gallop back to Winchester to save that battle for the North back in 1864. His tremendous strength and endurance made it possible. During the war, Rienzi was in a total of 19 battles.
After his death, he was stuffed and put on display at the US First Army Museum in New York City. After it burned in 1922, Rienzi was saved and moved to the Smithsonian in DC under full military escort.
Now, That's a Horse of a Different Color, Indeed. --Old Secesh
Union Soldier gets Correct Gravestone
Imagine being a Union soldier, but being incorrectly identified as a Confederate for 145 years. Thus was the plight of Private Jacob Pfeiffer of New York. Not only that, but he was misidentified as Confederate Private George Piper.
The August 10th Raleigh News & Observer reports that this situation has been cleared up as a new marker was put at Pfeiffer's grave.
Private Pfeiffer grew up on a farm in Manhattan (farm on Manhattan?) and was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg and believed to be a Confederate soldier for all these years until Civil War historian Charles Purser of Raleigh discovered his true identity. Purser has written a book about the cemetery's Confederate dead called "A Story behind Every Stone."
A New York historian helped with the identification and Purser says he couldn't have accomplished this without a lot of help from the internet.
You can see the names Piper and Pfeiffer might have been confused in the not-too-specific efforts to determine bodies back in the Civil War.
Perhaps Purser is the Unknown Midnight Creeper Who Decorates the Grave of Raleigh's Last Confederate Defender Every Year. --B-R'er
The August 10th Raleigh News & Observer reports that this situation has been cleared up as a new marker was put at Pfeiffer's grave.
Private Pfeiffer grew up on a farm in Manhattan (farm on Manhattan?) and was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg and believed to be a Confederate soldier for all these years until Civil War historian Charles Purser of Raleigh discovered his true identity. Purser has written a book about the cemetery's Confederate dead called "A Story behind Every Stone."
A New York historian helped with the identification and Purser says he couldn't have accomplished this without a lot of help from the internet.
You can see the names Piper and Pfeiffer might have been confused in the not-too-specific efforts to determine bodies back in the Civil War.
Perhaps Purser is the Unknown Midnight Creeper Who Decorates the Grave of Raleigh's Last Confederate Defender Every Year. --B-R'er
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Really Long Hunley Law Suit Dismissed
Senior US District Judge Sol Blatt has formally dismissed the lawsuit between Lee Spence and Clive Cussler as to whom the credit for "discovering" the Confederate submarine goes to. That means that Cussler gets it. This ends one of the area's longest-running lawsuits.
A key point in the case was that the Hunley was under five feet of accumulated debris and a study by Coastal Carolina University concluded that it had been sovered since the end of the 19th century..
The Hunley was brought to the surface in 2000 and is currently undergoing restoration at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in North Charleston, SC.
Let's Get On With It. --Old B-Runner
A key point in the case was that the Hunley was under five feet of accumulated debris and a study by Coastal Carolina University concluded that it had been sovered since the end of the 19th century..
The Hunley was brought to the surface in 2000 and is currently undergoing restoration at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in North Charleston, SC.
Let's Get On With It. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Running the Blockade: -- Beavoir Hurricane Report-- Gettysburg Witness Tree Damaged-- Stealing Cannons
Running the Blockade: Some New News About an Old War.
1. BEAVOIR HURRICANE REPORT-- Gustav was not as bad as Katrina. Reports say that six trees are down and the storm surge was up to US-90 in front of it. A security guard is outside and extra help is hired at night. It had just reopened back in June.
2. GETTYSBURG WITNESS TREE DAMAGED-- and perhaps is beyond saving. This honey locust stood just 150 feet from where Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address and is one of the few remaining witness trees in the park. Between 70 and 80% of the top is broken off and it is doubtful that it can be saved.
3. STEALING CANNONS-- someone stole a miniature reproduction Civil War cannon from a park near Fort Huger in northern Isle of Wight County, Virginia. These culprits also stole a historical sign. It was located on three pedestals behind a low brick wall and owned by the Lawnes Point development company that sells large-acreage lots in the area.
Gimme Back My Cannon. --Old B-Runner
1. BEAVOIR HURRICANE REPORT-- Gustav was not as bad as Katrina. Reports say that six trees are down and the storm surge was up to US-90 in front of it. A security guard is outside and extra help is hired at night. It had just reopened back in June.
2. GETTYSBURG WITNESS TREE DAMAGED-- and perhaps is beyond saving. This honey locust stood just 150 feet from where Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address and is one of the few remaining witness trees in the park. Between 70 and 80% of the top is broken off and it is doubtful that it can be saved.
3. STEALING CANNONS-- someone stole a miniature reproduction Civil War cannon from a park near Fort Huger in northern Isle of Wight County, Virginia. These culprits also stole a historical sign. It was located on three pedestals behind a low brick wall and owned by the Lawnes Point development company that sells large-acreage lots in the area.
Gimme Back My Cannon. --Old B-Runner
Monday, September 8, 2008
Running the Blockade: Better Warn Your Contactor-- SCV Paying for Black Cemetery Marker
Running the Blockade. Some New News About an Old War.
1. WARN YOUR CONTRACTOR-- According to Bluefield, West Virginia's September 8th WHSV, construction workers at a home in Charles Town were more than a little surprised to find a live 10 pound Civil War shell in the wall.
The American Public University System recently bought the home and crews found the shell while repairing the siding and insulation.
It is believed that the shell was fired October 18, 1863 by Confederate General John Imboden's artillery when they shelled the Jefferson County Courthouse.
It was given to the Jefferson County Museum who will disarm it.
Sure Hope They're Careful.
2. SCV PAYING FOR BLACK CEMETERY MARKER-- As reported in the September 8th yankee Philip blog, the Stonewall Brigade Camp #1296 of the Sons of Confederate veterans has been raising money to eract a marker for the old Lexington, Virginia, free black cemetery. So far they have raised $760 and are still $590 they need to pay for the $1350 marker.
This new marker is for the cemetery of lexington's free blacks. The majority of burials were unmarked and no records were kept. The cemetery closed in 1880, and supposedly the remains were removed. In 1946, the site was subdivided and homes built.
You's Think Certain Organizations Might Put More of Their Effort Here Than in Attacking the Flag That So Many Died and Suffered For.
1. WARN YOUR CONTRACTOR-- According to Bluefield, West Virginia's September 8th WHSV, construction workers at a home in Charles Town were more than a little surprised to find a live 10 pound Civil War shell in the wall.
The American Public University System recently bought the home and crews found the shell while repairing the siding and insulation.
It is believed that the shell was fired October 18, 1863 by Confederate General John Imboden's artillery when they shelled the Jefferson County Courthouse.
It was given to the Jefferson County Museum who will disarm it.
Sure Hope They're Careful.
2. SCV PAYING FOR BLACK CEMETERY MARKER-- As reported in the September 8th yankee Philip blog, the Stonewall Brigade Camp #1296 of the Sons of Confederate veterans has been raising money to eract a marker for the old Lexington, Virginia, free black cemetery. So far they have raised $760 and are still $590 they need to pay for the $1350 marker.
This new marker is for the cemetery of lexington's free blacks. The majority of burials were unmarked and no records were kept. The cemetery closed in 1880, and supposedly the remains were removed. In 1946, the site was subdivided and homes built.
You's Think Certain Organizations Might Put More of Their Effort Here Than in Attacking the Flag That So Many Died and Suffered For.
Civil War Re-enactment in Lake Villa
This weekend, I will be attending the Civil War Re-enactment out in Lake Villa, Illinois, and will be helping to man the Camp Douglas Sons of Comfederate veterans Camp booth.
This is one of the bigger ones in Illinois and will feature a skirmish out by the Illinois Highway 83 bridge. You just have to wonder what the people driving over that busy bridge think when the cannons go off, especially when they are unaware of what is going on.
Hope to See Y'all. --Old B-Runner
This is one of the bigger ones in Illinois and will feature a skirmish out by the Illinois Highway 83 bridge. You just have to wonder what the people driving over that busy bridge think when the cannons go off, especially when they are unaware of what is going on.
Hope to See Y'all. --Old B-Runner
No 4th of July Here-- Battlefield Casualties
From the Civil War Daily Calendar. Big thanks to my sister-in-law for getting this for me. Reckon I'll have to buy one for myself next year.
NO 4TH of JULY HERE
After 1863, well 1862 probably, this southern town did not officially celebrate the nation's birthday until near the end of WW II in 1944. That would be Vicksburg, Mississippi, and the reason being that it fell to Union forces on July 4, 1863, the day after the end of the Battle of Gettysburg.
It ignored the holiday for the next 81 years!! Hey, get over it.
BATTLEFIELD CASUALTIES
Second to disease as a cause of death were battlefield injuries which amounted to around 200,000. Even just removing the wounded from the battlefields was a problem. As late as 1862, there was no ambulance corps on either side. In August of that year, Union General George McClellan authorized the creation of an ambulance corps for the Army of the Potomac, and soon armies on both sides had them.
Dealing with the Masses of Wounded was Something the Armies had to Learn to Cope With. --B-R
NO 4TH of JULY HERE
After 1863, well 1862 probably, this southern town did not officially celebrate the nation's birthday until near the end of WW II in 1944. That would be Vicksburg, Mississippi, and the reason being that it fell to Union forces on July 4, 1863, the day after the end of the Battle of Gettysburg.
It ignored the holiday for the next 81 years!! Hey, get over it.
BATTLEFIELD CASUALTIES
Second to disease as a cause of death were battlefield injuries which amounted to around 200,000. Even just removing the wounded from the battlefields was a problem. As late as 1862, there was no ambulance corps on either side. In August of that year, Union General George McClellan authorized the creation of an ambulance corps for the Army of the Potomac, and soon armies on both sides had them.
Dealing with the Masses of Wounded was Something the Armies had to Learn to Cope With. --B-R
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)