Here I am at 60, and I just came across a word I have been spelling incorrectly all these years. I would have sworn it was spelled masonary. And I have a deep interest in the pre-and-post Civil War masonry forts along the US coast. But a spell-check of the last post about Fort Monroe shows the word is spelled masonry.
It's like the scotch and clipper ship called the Cutty Sark which I was sure was spelled Cutty Shark. And then there was Niagra Falls, as I would spell it. And I was sure of it. I even went to the place twice and it was still Niagra, until one of my students said that I had misspelled it in some lesson I was teaching. We got into a discussion about it and I looked it up...and the student was the teacher's master.
I must learn to eat grasshopper.
So, education is an ongoing thing.
Congradulations!!
Well, that was how I spelled that word on the Great Sign of the Wheeling Northbrook Holiday Inn in Illinois until somebody pulled over off River Road and said I hadn't spelled it correctly. Supposed to be "Congratulations!" As in "T" not "D."
Learn Something Every Day, I always Say. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Fort Monroe Becomes Mighty Important to the Union
From the April 15th Daily Press (Va.)
Fort (also called Fortress) Monroe was the United States' largest-ever masonry fort, covering some 63 acres. Its deep-water wharf at Old Point Comfort was just a day's steam by boat from Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York City, Charleston and Savannah; a very strategic place.
When Virginia seceded on April 17th, two regiments of Massachusetts arrived, pushing the fort's garrison to 320. They began preparing the fort for war and retraining its guns at the land instead of sea as an attack by Confederate forces was expected at any time.
And now, after all these years, the federal government is preparing to turn the fort over to the State of Virginia as a historical site.
Real Big Fort never held by the Confederates. --Old B-R'er
Fort (also called Fortress) Monroe was the United States' largest-ever masonry fort, covering some 63 acres. Its deep-water wharf at Old Point Comfort was just a day's steam by boat from Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York City, Charleston and Savannah; a very strategic place.
When Virginia seceded on April 17th, two regiments of Massachusetts arrived, pushing the fort's garrison to 320. They began preparing the fort for war and retraining its guns at the land instead of sea as an attack by Confederate forces was expected at any time.
And now, after all these years, the federal government is preparing to turn the fort over to the State of Virginia as a historical site.
Real Big Fort never held by the Confederates. --Old B-R'er
Fought the Civil War...and Lost Again-- Part 1
Another battle, another loss. Kind of feel like the White Sox when they play the Twins or the Twins when they play the Yankees. Yankees! Right here at Tara?
Not sure if we (meaning the Southrons) lost on the battlefield re-enactment, but I sure did get "lost" in the parking lot.
Took US-12 to Bonner Road and then Fairfield Road to the Lake County Lakewood Forest Preserve. Free parking in a field and I was able to save the $8 admission because of my membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) as I was going to be manning the recruitment tent.
CONFEDERATE VETERAN AND HALLOWED GROUND MAGAZINES
I brought along some old Confederate Veteran and Hallowed Ground magazines. Confederate Veteran is the magazine of the SCV, continuing the magazine used by our father organization, the United Confederate Veterans, made up of real Johnny Rebs. We give these magazines to men who wander over and look to be interested. Let's them get a better idea of what the whole organization is about.
The Hallowed Ground Magazine is the mouthpiece of the Civil War Preservation Trust and a magazine every Civil War enthusiast should subscribe to by belonging to the organization. It does not favor either side and is only interested in preserving and saving land made hallow by the sacrifices of Americans all those years ago.
Back in spring, the magazine ran articles on Fort Sumter that have to be the best short history I've ever read of the engagement. Mighty interesting.
A New Camp? More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Not sure if we (meaning the Southrons) lost on the battlefield re-enactment, but I sure did get "lost" in the parking lot.
Took US-12 to Bonner Road and then Fairfield Road to the Lake County Lakewood Forest Preserve. Free parking in a field and I was able to save the $8 admission because of my membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) as I was going to be manning the recruitment tent.
CONFEDERATE VETERAN AND HALLOWED GROUND MAGAZINES
I brought along some old Confederate Veteran and Hallowed Ground magazines. Confederate Veteran is the magazine of the SCV, continuing the magazine used by our father organization, the United Confederate Veterans, made up of real Johnny Rebs. We give these magazines to men who wander over and look to be interested. Let's them get a better idea of what the whole organization is about.
The Hallowed Ground Magazine is the mouthpiece of the Civil War Preservation Trust and a magazine every Civil War enthusiast should subscribe to by belonging to the organization. It does not favor either side and is only interested in preserving and saving land made hallow by the sacrifices of Americans all those years ago.
Back in spring, the magazine ran articles on Fort Sumter that have to be the best short history I've ever read of the engagement. Mighty interesting.
A New Camp? More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Heading Out for the Civil War
Shortly,I will be driving south to Wauconda, Illinois, for the annual Civil War Days Re-enactment.
My Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp will have a recruitment tent set up which I will man when I'm not ambulating over the grounds at the Lake County Discovery Museum on the Forest Preserve grounds.
Just reading the publicity about the event I found out about tents and lodging used by soldiers.
CAMPAIGN TENTS were the two-man variety and used when operating on the campaign trail.
GARRISON TENTS were pitched when troops were staying put for several weeks or longer. They were often the Wedge A-Frame tents that slept 4-6 or the larger Sibley tents that resembled tee pees and slept 14-16.
WINTER ENCAMPMENT QUARTERS were often log cabins with all sorts of soldier luxuries.
There will also be am 1863 Summer Agricultural Fair and a Confederate Council of War.
Looking Forward to It. --Old B-Runner
My Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp will have a recruitment tent set up which I will man when I'm not ambulating over the grounds at the Lake County Discovery Museum on the Forest Preserve grounds.
Just reading the publicity about the event I found out about tents and lodging used by soldiers.
CAMPAIGN TENTS were the two-man variety and used when operating on the campaign trail.
GARRISON TENTS were pitched when troops were staying put for several weeks or longer. They were often the Wedge A-Frame tents that slept 4-6 or the larger Sibley tents that resembled tee pees and slept 14-16.
WINTER ENCAMPMENT QUARTERS were often log cabins with all sorts of soldier luxuries.
There will also be am 1863 Summer Agricultural Fair and a Confederate Council of War.
Looking Forward to It. --Old B-Runner
Congressional Cemetery on Capitol Hill-- Part 2
At the cemetery, you will also find the grave of Matthew Brady, noted Civil War photographer.
WASHINGTON ARSENAL EXPLOSION
There is a monument to the victims of the June 17, 1864, Washington Arsenal explosion where 22 of 28 women died and the six survivors were severely burned. Sixteen are buried under the monument. The funeral procession was led by Abraham Lincoln.
HUMPHRYS FAMILY
The graves of Joshua and his son Samuel are here as well. Both were renowned ship designers and builders. Among Samuel's sons were Andrew, who commanded Union troops and later the II Corps. His son Joseph was in the US Navy until 1853 when he resigned and settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and later served in the CS Navy. They are buried near each other.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
WASHINGTON ARSENAL EXPLOSION
There is a monument to the victims of the June 17, 1864, Washington Arsenal explosion where 22 of 28 women died and the six survivors were severely burned. Sixteen are buried under the monument. The funeral procession was led by Abraham Lincoln.
HUMPHRYS FAMILY
The graves of Joshua and his son Samuel are here as well. Both were renowned ship designers and builders. Among Samuel's sons were Andrew, who commanded Union troops and later the II Corps. His son Joseph was in the US Navy until 1853 when he resigned and settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and later served in the CS Navy. They are buried near each other.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
Those Rascally Confeds: Steamer St. Nicholas Seized
From the Huly 3rd Long Recall Blog.
According to Baltimore papers, the steamer St. Nicholas left that city Friday, June 28th, with about 50 secessionists on board. most disguised as mechanics and going to points along the Maryland shore of the Potomac River.
Among them was a Captain Hollis, late of the USS Susquehannock, who was disguised, by some accounts, as a woman. He/she retired to a state room immediately after boarding the ship.
After leaving Point Lookout, Hollis threw off his disguise and with the other secessionists, seized control of the steamer and immediately put across to Coney River on the Virginia side where the passengers were put ashore.
Hollis then took the ship on a "piratical cruise" of the Rappahannock River where he captured three other vessels with cargoes of coffee, ice and coal and took them all to Fredericksburg.
Confederate papers report that Col. Thomas and his Zouaves were the ones who captured the ship and then turned it over to Hollis. According to these papers, the operation was "bold and masterly."
What You Going to Do? --Old B-Runner
According to Baltimore papers, the steamer St. Nicholas left that city Friday, June 28th, with about 50 secessionists on board. most disguised as mechanics and going to points along the Maryland shore of the Potomac River.
Among them was a Captain Hollis, late of the USS Susquehannock, who was disguised, by some accounts, as a woman. He/she retired to a state room immediately after boarding the ship.
After leaving Point Lookout, Hollis threw off his disguise and with the other secessionists, seized control of the steamer and immediately put across to Coney River on the Virginia side where the passengers were put ashore.
Hollis then took the ship on a "piratical cruise" of the Rappahannock River where he captured three other vessels with cargoes of coffee, ice and coal and took them all to Fredericksburg.
Confederate papers report that Col. Thomas and his Zouaves were the ones who captured the ship and then turned it over to Hollis. According to these papers, the operation was "bold and masterly."
What You Going to Do? --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Get Your Civil War Trading Cards at the Park
From the July 4th WHTM 27 ABC News.
In an attempt to get kids interested in the Civil War, Gettysburg National Military Park and other battlefields are giving away Civil War trading cards to kids when they attend programs.
Once collected, they can present them at locations and get a backpack. The article didn't mention how many you needed to get the backpack or if they had to be from one park.
Unfortunately, the program is for kids and not adults.
Gettysburg offers eight different ones and there are others at other battlefields.
Back during the centennial, I collected those gory Civil War trading cards. I'm wondering if these will be gory as well. Probably not.
Hey, I Want Those Cards Too. No Fair!! --Old B-Runner
In an attempt to get kids interested in the Civil War, Gettysburg National Military Park and other battlefields are giving away Civil War trading cards to kids when they attend programs.
Once collected, they can present them at locations and get a backpack. The article didn't mention how many you needed to get the backpack or if they had to be from one park.
Unfortunately, the program is for kids and not adults.
Gettysburg offers eight different ones and there are others at other battlefields.
Back during the centennial, I collected those gory Civil War trading cards. I'm wondering if these will be gory as well. Probably not.
Hey, I Want Those Cards Too. No Fair!! --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Congressional Cemetery on Capitol Hill-- Part 1
From the Washington Times American Civil War Blog by Steve Hammond.
This cemetery opened in 1807 and today the 35+ acres has over 55,000 burials.
Some interesting folks permanently residing there are as follows:
ELBRIDGE GERRY-- signer of Declaration of Independence, vice president and the person for whom the term gerrymander was named.
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA-- the march master
J. EDGAR HOOVER
DAVID HEROLD-- Lincoln assassination conspirator
ARCHIBALD HENDERSON-- longest-serving Marine Corps Commandant
700 Civil War veterans: 600 Union, 100 Confederate
There are also 185 cenotaphs which are empty tombs built to honor members of Congress.
One belongs to Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina who co-authored the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854. In 1856, Sen. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts gave a speech severely derogatory toward Butler. Two days later, his nephew, Representative Preston Brooks of SC, caned Sumner.. His cenotaph is 100 feet away.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
This cemetery opened in 1807 and today the 35+ acres has over 55,000 burials.
Some interesting folks permanently residing there are as follows:
ELBRIDGE GERRY-- signer of Declaration of Independence, vice president and the person for whom the term gerrymander was named.
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA-- the march master
J. EDGAR HOOVER
DAVID HEROLD-- Lincoln assassination conspirator
ARCHIBALD HENDERSON-- longest-serving Marine Corps Commandant
700 Civil War veterans: 600 Union, 100 Confederate
There are also 185 cenotaphs which are empty tombs built to honor members of Congress.
One belongs to Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina who co-authored the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854. In 1856, Sen. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts gave a speech severely derogatory toward Butler. Two days later, his nephew, Representative Preston Brooks of SC, caned Sumner.. His cenotaph is 100 feet away.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Col. Sewall Fremont: USMA Class of 1841
Back in March, I wrote about this man who was put in command of the coast defense around Wilmington, NC, back in the early stages of the war. He graduated from the USMA at West Point in 1841 and served in the Army. First, he was a 2nd Lt. at Fort Columbus in New York, then served in the Florida War, Second Seminole War and the Mexican War along with other assignments during his 12 year career.
He resigned and became a civilian engineer for NC river improvements before joining the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad before the war. The town of Fremont in Wayne County, NC, is named for him. It was a station on the W &W Railroad. My brother and I attended their Daffodil Festival in the spring.
At the time, I had no idea of the connection between the town and the man.
Some other notable cadets from the West Point Class of 1841 who made a name for themselves in the Civil War:
Josiah Gorgas
Thomas J. Rodman
Nathaniel Lyon
John F. Reynolds
Robert Garnett
Richard Garnett
Don Carlos Buell
Just Some Stuff I Didn't Know. --Old B-R'er
He resigned and became a civilian engineer for NC river improvements before joining the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad before the war. The town of Fremont in Wayne County, NC, is named for him. It was a station on the W &W Railroad. My brother and I attended their Daffodil Festival in the spring.
At the time, I had no idea of the connection between the town and the man.
Some other notable cadets from the West Point Class of 1841 who made a name for themselves in the Civil War:
Josiah Gorgas
Thomas J. Rodman
Nathaniel Lyon
John F. Reynolds
Robert Garnett
Richard Garnett
Don Carlos Buell
Just Some Stuff I Didn't Know. --Old B-R'er
Wilmington, NC, at Onset of War
From the April 12th WWAY 3 ABC News, Wilmington, NC.
Fort Sumter and Charleston Harbor was less than 200 miles down the coast from Wilmington on that fateful day that Fort Sumter was fired on. Still is.
The attack brought mixed emotions to the towns citizens according to local historian Chris Fonvielle.
In 1861, Wilmington was a very cosmopolitan city and was evenly split between Unionists and secessionists.
After the attack, President Lincoln called for 75,000 troops which changed the attitude of both Wilmington and North Carolina Unionists to side with their secessionist brethren.
They could and would not fight their fellow Southerners.
Choose Your Side. --Old B-Runner
Fort Sumter and Charleston Harbor was less than 200 miles down the coast from Wilmington on that fateful day that Fort Sumter was fired on. Still is.
The attack brought mixed emotions to the towns citizens according to local historian Chris Fonvielle.
In 1861, Wilmington was a very cosmopolitan city and was evenly split between Unionists and secessionists.
After the attack, President Lincoln called for 75,000 troops which changed the attitude of both Wilmington and North Carolina Unionists to side with their secessionist brethren.
They could and would not fight their fellow Southerners.
Choose Your Side. --Old B-Runner
Monday, July 4, 2011
Celebrating the 4th of July, 1861-Style
From the July 4th Long Recall Blog.
These are articles from era newspapers.
From the July 4th Philadelphia Inquirer.
July 4, 1861, the 85th anniversary of the United States "will be celebrated to-day in a manner worthy of the occasion." However, the City Council will not be giving money to help defray costs as it has in the past.
A Military Display by the Home Guard and Reserve Brigade was to take place in the morning and there was to be a parade by the Ellsworth Cadets (probably named for the slain hero Col. Elmer Ellsworth).
At Camden, the military fired salutes at daybreak and would have a parade.
There was no mention of fire works.
FIREWORKS
However, perhaps in New York City, I couldn't be sure, there was to be a "Grand Union Fireworks Display" at the corner of Arch and 21st streets on the night of the 4th.
Accommodations for 20,000 to view it were available and Beck's Band was to be on hand.
Tickets were either 5 cents or 25 cents (I couldn't make out the newsprint).
In addition, there was to be "Thirteen Tableaux of FIRE, Including Yankee Doodle Routing the Rebels and P_no Temple, in which the figure of Washington ____ ____ of the Army, amid showers of solver." Blanks where I couldn't make out the word.
So, even with war at hand, people in the North were still going to observe the celebration.
I wonder if they also had celebrations in the South.
By the Rockets Red Glare and All. --Old B-R'er
These are articles from era newspapers.
From the July 4th Philadelphia Inquirer.
July 4, 1861, the 85th anniversary of the United States "will be celebrated to-day in a manner worthy of the occasion." However, the City Council will not be giving money to help defray costs as it has in the past.
A Military Display by the Home Guard and Reserve Brigade was to take place in the morning and there was to be a parade by the Ellsworth Cadets (probably named for the slain hero Col. Elmer Ellsworth).
At Camden, the military fired salutes at daybreak and would have a parade.
There was no mention of fire works.
FIREWORKS
However, perhaps in New York City, I couldn't be sure, there was to be a "Grand Union Fireworks Display" at the corner of Arch and 21st streets on the night of the 4th.
Accommodations for 20,000 to view it were available and Beck's Band was to be on hand.
Tickets were either 5 cents or 25 cents (I couldn't make out the newsprint).
In addition, there was to be "Thirteen Tableaux of FIRE, Including Yankee Doodle Routing the Rebels and P_no Temple, in which the figure of Washington ____ ____ of the Army, amid showers of solver." Blanks where I couldn't make out the word.
So, even with war at hand, people in the North were still going to observe the celebration.
I wonder if they also had celebrations in the South.
By the Rockets Red Glare and All. --Old B-R'er
Looking for the Cumberland and Florida-- Part 2
Continued from July 1st.
The last survey was in 2007 and since then, the sites have been subject to several research expeditions as well as illegal artifact hunting.
Many artifacts from both ships, including guns, cannon parts, glassware and a belt buckle are on display at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum in Norfolk, Virginia.
The raider CSS Florida captured almost 40 merchant ships during its career and was involved in an international dispute between the United States and Brazil over whether its seizure in Brazilian waters was illegal. Its sinking was under controversial reasons as well.
Both sites are protected under federal law, but there has never been a survey of the Florida before.
The NOAA is also surveying World War II Battle of the Atlantic wrecks off the North Carolina shore at this time as well.
Always Interested in Sunken Ships. --Old B-Runner
The last survey was in 2007 and since then, the sites have been subject to several research expeditions as well as illegal artifact hunting.
Many artifacts from both ships, including guns, cannon parts, glassware and a belt buckle are on display at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum in Norfolk, Virginia.
The raider CSS Florida captured almost 40 merchant ships during its career and was involved in an international dispute between the United States and Brazil over whether its seizure in Brazilian waters was illegal. Its sinking was under controversial reasons as well.
Both sites are protected under federal law, but there has never been a survey of the Florida before.
The NOAA is also surveying World War II Battle of the Atlantic wrecks off the North Carolina shore at this time as well.
Always Interested in Sunken Ships. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Fifty Ways the Civil War Changed American Life-- Part 3
CULTURAL LEGACY
The war influenced our holidays and play.
16. Juneteenth holiday
17. Memorial Day
18. Thomas Nast popularized our image of Santa Claus
19. Some 65,000 books have been written about the war
20. Films such as Gone With the Wind, Glory, Cold Mountain
21. More than 70 National Park Service Civil War Sites (not to mention all the state ones)
22. Centennial toys: Civil War Trading Cards and blue and gray toy soldiers (Oh Yeah!!)
And It Had a Little Bit of an Impact on Me. --Old B-R'er
The war influenced our holidays and play.
16. Juneteenth holiday
17. Memorial Day
18. Thomas Nast popularized our image of Santa Claus
19. Some 65,000 books have been written about the war
20. Films such as Gone With the Wind, Glory, Cold Mountain
21. More than 70 National Park Service Civil War Sites (not to mention all the state ones)
22. Centennial toys: Civil War Trading Cards and blue and gray toy soldiers (Oh Yeah!!)
And It Had a Little Bit of an Impact on Me. --Old B-R'er
Fifty Ways the Civil War Changed American Life-- Part 2
From the June 2011 AARP Magazine. Continued from June 23rd.
MEDICAL ADVANCES
The Civil War set the stage for modern medicine (and prices?) as it provided thousands of poorly-trained physicians a vast training ground.
11. Modern hospital organization
12. Embalming techniques
13. Safer surgical techniques
14. Improved anesthesia
15. Organized ambulance and nurses' corps
And That's Just Biting the Bullet. --Old B-Runner
MEDICAL ADVANCES
The Civil War set the stage for modern medicine (and prices?) as it provided thousands of poorly-trained physicians a vast training ground.
11. Modern hospital organization
12. Embalming techniques
13. Safer surgical techniques
14. Improved anesthesia
15. Organized ambulance and nurses' corps
And That's Just Biting the Bullet. --Old B-Runner
Friday, July 1, 2011
Looking for the Cumberland and Florida-- Part 1
From the June 27th Daily Press.
Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Navy had a two-day expedition to survey the remains of two famous Civil War ships resting on the bottom of the lower James River in Virginia.
Using sonar technology, data will be retrieved and 3-D maps made of the USS Cumnerland, which was sunk off Newport News Point by the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia during the March 8-9 Battle of Hampton Roads. The Cumberland, a frigate mounting 50 guns, sank with over 120 crew members and is protected by federal law as a war grave.
The same will also be done for the Confederate captured commerce raider CSS Florida which was sunk November 19, 1864, after a collision with a Navy troop ferry.
Sunken Ships Always a Big Interest of Mine. --Old B-Runner
Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Navy had a two-day expedition to survey the remains of two famous Civil War ships resting on the bottom of the lower James River in Virginia.
Using sonar technology, data will be retrieved and 3-D maps made of the USS Cumnerland, which was sunk off Newport News Point by the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia during the March 8-9 Battle of Hampton Roads. The Cumberland, a frigate mounting 50 guns, sank with over 120 crew members and is protected by federal law as a war grave.
The same will also be done for the Confederate captured commerce raider CSS Florida which was sunk November 19, 1864, after a collision with a Navy troop ferry.
Sunken Ships Always a Big Interest of Mine. --Old B-Runner
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