As is the usual case, I start off at this point and end up way over there on things. It's like getting on You Tube and listening to old music. No telling where or how many hours later I will be.
I started on an article that compared Chicago's Camp Douglas with the Confederacy's Andersonville which led to Confederates buried in Illinois, both those who died in prisons in the state and those who died after the war while living in Illinois. There was one in McHenry County and two in Lake County.
Then, I came across the name of John Peter, a noted businessman in Algonquin, Illinois, here in McHenry County. he was in the 88th Illinois (2nd Chicago Board of Trade Regiment). That led to research on its commander, Col. Francis T. Sherman and a Captain Alexander C. McClurg. McClurg was a military advisor to several Union generals and later an important publisher in Chicago with his McClurg Building still standing.
His father and grandfather started and worked at the famed Fort Pitt Foundry in Pittsburgh, which supplied about 60% of the Union's artillery and also built the huge 20-inch Rodman guns. I'll be writing about this early next month.
--Old Secesh
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Friday, May 29, 2015
The McClurgs and the Fort Pitt Foundry
From Wikipedia.
The Fort Pitt Foundry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1804 by Joseph McClurg and was an early producer of cannons for the U.S. military. They manufactured the cannonballs used by Oliver Hazard Perry in the famed Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Joseph McClurg was Alexander C. McClurg of the 88th Illinois.
The foundry was best-known for its manufacture of large cannons. And one of the largest of those was a 20-inch Rodman gun.
The foundry closed after the Civil War
One of Joseph McClurg's sons was Joseph Washing McClurg who became governor of Missouri after the war. Another son was Alexander "Alex" McClurg, Sr., the father of Alexander C. McClurg.
--Old Secesh
The Fort Pitt Foundry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1804 by Joseph McClurg and was an early producer of cannons for the U.S. military. They manufactured the cannonballs used by Oliver Hazard Perry in the famed Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Joseph McClurg was Alexander C. McClurg of the 88th Illinois.
The foundry was best-known for its manufacture of large cannons. And one of the largest of those was a 20-inch Rodman gun.
The foundry closed after the Civil War
One of Joseph McClurg's sons was Joseph Washing McClurg who became governor of Missouri after the war. Another son was Alexander "Alex" McClurg, Sr., the father of Alexander C. McClurg.
--Old Secesh
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Alexander C. McClurg-- Part 4: Chicago's McClurg Building
From Wikipedia.
The McClurg Building is a historic skyscraper in Chicago's Loop. Built in 1899 and designed by noted Chicago architects Holabird & Roche. It is a short one by today's standards, standing just nine stories high and is 150 feet at its base.
A.C. McClurg Publishing is the main occupant.
It was placed on the NRHP in 1970.
At one time there was also a McClurg Court in Chicago which consisted of three theaters, but it closed in 2003.
--Old Secesh
The McClurg Building is a historic skyscraper in Chicago's Loop. Built in 1899 and designed by noted Chicago architects Holabird & Roche. It is a short one by today's standards, standing just nine stories high and is 150 feet at its base.
A.C. McClurg Publishing is the main occupant.
It was placed on the NRHP in 1970.
At one time there was also a McClurg Court in Chicago which consisted of three theaters, but it closed in 2003.
--Old Secesh
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Alexander C. McClurg, 88th Illinois-- Part 3
When word of his military abilities spread, he served with several different Union generals including Philip Sheridan and George Thomas. I have to wonder if McClurg and Sheridan got together when commanded the Army in Chicago after the war.
When the war ended, he returned to S.C. Griggs, bookseller, as a junior partner and eventually gained ownership of it and renamed it after himself.
A lifelong pursuit of all things literature and was influential in the establishment of the Chicago Literary Club and Newberry Library.
He died at St. Augustine, Florida, on April 15, 1901, and is buried at Chicago's Graceland Cemetery.
--Old Secesh
When the war ended, he returned to S.C. Griggs, bookseller, as a junior partner and eventually gained ownership of it and renamed it after himself.
A lifelong pursuit of all things literature and was influential in the establishment of the Chicago Literary Club and Newberry Library.
He died at St. Augustine, Florida, on April 15, 1901, and is buried at Chicago's Graceland Cemetery.
--Old Secesh
Captain Alexander C. McClurg, 88th Illinois-- Part 2
Continued from May 18th. McClurg was in the same regiment as John Peter, who I wrote about earlier this month as a Union veteran from McHenry County in Illinois.
McClurg spent most of the war as an advisor to a series of generals. After the war, he returned to the bookselling house as a junior partner and eventually became senior partner in it and later that company became known as the A.C. McClurg & Co..
At the outbreak of the war, he enlisted as a private in Co. D, 16th Regiment Illinois State militia, which was disbanded after several months and McClurg returned to the bookselling company., but reenlisted with the Crosby Guards, which was merged into the 88th Illinois and he became a captain.
Within a few months, the 88th saw action at the Battle of Perryville.
Shortly after the unit arrived in Nashville, he was named Judge Advocate of the General Court Martial. When Union general McCook met McClurg, he saw his military ability and appointed him assistant adjutant general. Acting as an advisor, McClurg helped plan the Tullahoma Campaign.
--Old Secesh
McClurg spent most of the war as an advisor to a series of generals. After the war, he returned to the bookselling house as a junior partner and eventually became senior partner in it and later that company became known as the A.C. McClurg & Co..
At the outbreak of the war, he enlisted as a private in Co. D, 16th Regiment Illinois State militia, which was disbanded after several months and McClurg returned to the bookselling company., but reenlisted with the Crosby Guards, which was merged into the 88th Illinois and he became a captain.
Within a few months, the 88th saw action at the Battle of Perryville.
Shortly after the unit arrived in Nashville, he was named Judge Advocate of the General Court Martial. When Union general McCook met McClurg, he saw his military ability and appointed him assistant adjutant general. Acting as an advisor, McClurg helped plan the Tullahoma Campaign.
--Old Secesh
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Lincoln's Killing Stunned the Nation-- Part 1
From the April 12, 2015, Chicago Tribune "Chicago Flashback: Killing stunned a nation" by Ron Grossman.
President Abraham Lincoln was in a lighthearted mood according to his wife on that fateful night they went to Ford's Theater to see a play on that Good Friday. After all, Richmond had fallen and Lee had surrendered. The long and bloody war was nearing an end. there were still problems to face, but the worst surely seemed over. And, then there was tragic death of their 11-year-old-son Willie, three years earlier.
On April 11th, Lincoln had given a speech at the White House talking about reconstruction and a new constitution for Louisiana. This speech infuriated one who was there, John Wilkes Booth. He vowed, "That is the last speech he will make." Three days later, on April 14th, he did something about it.
While the Lincolns were on their afternoon carriage ride, Booth slipped into Ford's Theatre, where he knew they would be that night because the management had placed ads announcing the Lincolns would be attending that night.
--Old Secesh
President Abraham Lincoln was in a lighthearted mood according to his wife on that fateful night they went to Ford's Theater to see a play on that Good Friday. After all, Richmond had fallen and Lee had surrendered. The long and bloody war was nearing an end. there were still problems to face, but the worst surely seemed over. And, then there was tragic death of their 11-year-old-son Willie, three years earlier.
On April 11th, Lincoln had given a speech at the White House talking about reconstruction and a new constitution for Louisiana. This speech infuriated one who was there, John Wilkes Booth. He vowed, "That is the last speech he will make." Three days later, on April 14th, he did something about it.
While the Lincolns were on their afternoon carriage ride, Booth slipped into Ford's Theatre, where he knew they would be that night because the management had placed ads announcing the Lincolns would be attending that night.
--Old Secesh
Camp Douglas Prison -- Andersonville of the North-- Part 6
Gale F. red has compiled separate rosters for Confederates buried at the Alton Confederate Cemetery (Alton Prison), Camp Butler National Cemetery (Camp Butler Prison), Rock island National Cemetery (Rock Island Prison), Oak Woods Cemetery (Camp Douglas Prison) and Mounds City National Cemetery (Mounds City Cemetery.
These were all prisons for Confederates in the State of Illinois.
Most people in Illinois are unaware of the large number of Confederate buried in the state who died while prisoners of war. But most also know about the horrors of Andersonville.
--Old Secesh.
These were all prisons for Confederates in the State of Illinois.
Most people in Illinois are unaware of the large number of Confederate buried in the state who died while prisoners of war. But most also know about the horrors of Andersonville.
--Old Secesh.
Monday, May 25, 2015
One Confederate Veteran Buried in McHenry County, Illinois-- Part 2
The two buried in Lake County, Illinois, and the one in McHenry County, Illinois, are of particular interest to me as this is where I lived for 18 years and 23 respectfully.
From the Northwest Herald "County home to intriguing historical oddities" by Hilary Gowins.
The body of James Johnson is buried at Union Cemetery on South Union Road by the town of Union. In the north section of the cemetery is the military marker of one James Johnson, the only Confederate soldier buried in McHenry County. The McHenry County Civil War Round Table (to which I belong) doesn't know much about him and didn't know he was a Confederate soldier until they investigated the cemetery records.
His birth date is unknown, but he died in May 1905.
They intend to give him a proper headstone with his name and dates.
--Old Secesh
Thursday, May 21, 2015
One Confederate Veteran Buried in McHenry County, Illinois-- Part 1
JAMES JOHNSON buried at Union Cemetery, Coral Township in McHenry County. Confederate Army, Lot 25
His grave was not marked, but now is. He is not mentioned in the 1870 census of the county, so must have died sometime between 1865 and then.
--Old Secesh
His grave was not marked, but now is. He is not mentioned in the 1870 census of the county, so must have died sometime between 1865 and then.
--Old Secesh
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Confederate Veterans Buried in Lake County, Illinois
Red Gale and Illinois History sites show that two Confederate veterans are buried in Lake County, Illinois, at the northeast corner of the state. lake County is where we lived for 18 years before moving to McHenry County, just to the west.
Of course, these men did not die in prison there, they moved there after the war.
HENRY GLASS- Buried at Ivanhoe Cemetery, Fremont Center Cemetery in Mundelein. Lot 130
Gale Red has him a private Co. G, 3rd Battalion Tennessee Infantry (Memphis Battalion Local Defense) Born 1833 in Germany. Died April 1904.
EDWARD BURKE McCLANNAHAN-- Captain Co. G, 6th Tennessee, Lot 67, section A. Served as judge advocate general under Gen. Braxton Bragg.
--Old Secesh
Of course, these men did not die in prison there, they moved there after the war.
HENRY GLASS- Buried at Ivanhoe Cemetery, Fremont Center Cemetery in Mundelein. Lot 130
Gale Red has him a private Co. G, 3rd Battalion Tennessee Infantry (Memphis Battalion Local Defense) Born 1833 in Germany. Died April 1904.
EDWARD BURKE McCLANNAHAN-- Captain Co. G, 6th Tennessee, Lot 67, section A. Served as judge advocate general under Gen. Braxton Bragg.
--Old Secesh
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Camp Douglas Prison-- The Andersonville of the North-- Part 5
Gale F. Red of the Illinois Division of the SCV, (Lt. George Dixon Camp) has compiled a Roll of Honor of Confederate Veterans Buried in Illinois. Ten cemeteries are listed for Champaign County alone and the names, rank, unit, birth and death of 13 Confederates buried there are given. The Vermilion County had six Confederates buried in six cemeteries.
No Confederate veterans are known to be buried in DeKalb, Henderson, mason, Monroe, Putnam and Wabash counties, but all the rest have at least one.
These veterans, of course, were buried in Illinois after the war and that means that a lot of them moved here after their service.
I am familiar with Mr. Red's work and that is quite impressive.
--Old Secesh
No Confederate veterans are known to be buried in DeKalb, Henderson, mason, Monroe, Putnam and Wabash counties, but all the rest have at least one.
These veterans, of course, were buried in Illinois after the war and that means that a lot of them moved here after their service.
I am familiar with Mr. Red's work and that is quite impressive.
--Old Secesh
Camp Douglas Prison-- The Andersonville of the North-- Part 4
Gary Flavion's article "Civil War Prison Camps" says that these prisoners were potentially more dangerous and terrifying than the battles themselves. Some 56,000 men died in prison camps over the course of the war. That exceeds American losses in World War I, Korea and Vietnam.
Brent Harvey wrote about a memorial service carried out at the Camp Douglas Monument at Oak Woods cemetery in Chicago on April 29, 2007. This was put on by the Camp Douglas camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. His website also gives information on his five direct ancestors and 24 other relatives who served in Co. B of the 8th Missouri Cavalry, CSA.
She was impressed by a quote on his website by Confederate General John B. Gordon saying: "For the future glory of the Republic, it is absolutely inmaterial whether on this battlefield or that, the Blue or Gray won a great victory, for, thanks to God, every victory won in that War by either side was a monument to American valor."
--Old Secesh
Brent Harvey wrote about a memorial service carried out at the Camp Douglas Monument at Oak Woods cemetery in Chicago on April 29, 2007. This was put on by the Camp Douglas camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. His website also gives information on his five direct ancestors and 24 other relatives who served in Co. B of the 8th Missouri Cavalry, CSA.
She was impressed by a quote on his website by Confederate General John B. Gordon saying: "For the future glory of the Republic, it is absolutely inmaterial whether on this battlefield or that, the Blue or Gray won a great victory, for, thanks to God, every victory won in that War by either side was a monument to American valor."
--Old Secesh
Monday, May 18, 2015
Captain Alexander C. McClurg, 88th Illinois-- Part 1
While researching about John Peter's 88th Illinois Infantry Regiment, I came across this name which caused me to remember a place in Chicago called McClurg Court which at one time was a theater, also a McClurg Building.
I did some research on the man in Wikipedia.
Alexander C. McClurg was a Civil War brigadier general and a partner in the A.C. McClurg & Co. publishing house, born 1832 and died April 15, 1901. He was also a noted American bookseller and military advisor.
He was raised in Pittsburgh, Pa., where his father built Fort Pitt Foundry. He moved to Chicago and became a junior partner in a bookselling house. With the coming of the war, he became a captain in the 88th Illinois, but soon became a military advisor to Union generals when his abilities were recognized.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
I did some research on the man in Wikipedia.
Alexander C. McClurg was a Civil War brigadier general and a partner in the A.C. McClurg & Co. publishing house, born 1832 and died April 15, 1901. He was also a noted American bookseller and military advisor.
He was raised in Pittsburgh, Pa., where his father built Fort Pitt Foundry. He moved to Chicago and became a junior partner in a bookselling house. With the coming of the war, he became a captain in the 88th Illinois, but soon became a military advisor to Union generals when his abilities were recognized.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Col. Francis T. Sherman, Commander of 88th Illinois-- Part 2
The "T. in his name stood for Trowbridge and was born in Connecticut December 31, 1825.
He had gone out to the California Gold Fields from 1849-1851 and then returned to Chicago and worked in manufacturing, contracting and railroad building.
During the Civil War, he commanded the 88th Illinois Infantry regiment and participated in capturing the famous Confederate spy Belle Boyd.
He died November 9, 1905, and is buried at Chicago's Graceland Cemetery in Section A, Lot 38.
--Old Secesh
He had gone out to the California Gold Fields from 1849-1851 and then returned to Chicago and worked in manufacturing, contracting and railroad building.
During the Civil War, he commanded the 88th Illinois Infantry regiment and participated in capturing the famous Confederate spy Belle Boyd.
He died November 9, 1905, and is buried at Chicago's Graceland Cemetery in Section A, Lot 38.
--Old Secesh
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Colonel Francis T. Sherman, the 88th's Commander-- Part 1
From Wikipedia.
Colonel Francis T. Sherman commanded the 88th Illinois, this was John Peter's unit, for most of the war until he was captured outside of Atlanta on July 7, 1864. He was exchanged in October and assigned as inspector general of the Army of the Potomac Cavalry Corps.
He was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on July 21, 1865 and mustered out Jan. 15, 1866.
After the war he managed a Louisiana sugar plantation for a year, then returned to Chicago and worked as the city'd paymaster and then started a stone and sand manufacturing company named Sherman, Haley & Co.. he was ruined in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 which forced him to seek business ventures elsewhere.
He later settled in Waukegan, Illinois, where he died in 1905.
--Old Secesh
Colonel Francis T. Sherman commanded the 88th Illinois, this was John Peter's unit, for most of the war until he was captured outside of Atlanta on July 7, 1864. He was exchanged in October and assigned as inspector general of the Army of the Potomac Cavalry Corps.
He was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on July 21, 1865 and mustered out Jan. 15, 1866.
After the war he managed a Louisiana sugar plantation for a year, then returned to Chicago and worked as the city'd paymaster and then started a stone and sand manufacturing company named Sherman, Haley & Co.. he was ruined in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 which forced him to seek business ventures elsewhere.
He later settled in Waukegan, Illinois, where he died in 1905.
--Old Secesh
The 88th Illinois Infantry Regiment
From Wikipedia.
John Peter, leading citizen and businessman in Algonquin, Illinois, in McHenry County belonged to the 88th Illinois Infantry Regiment which was organized at Camp Douglas in Chicago and mustered into Federal service on September 4, 1962 and saw heavy fighting until mustered out June 9, 1865, and discharged in Chicago. (I have also recently writing about Camp Douglas while it was used as a Confederate prison.)
During the course of the war, the regiment had 5 officers and 98 enlisted men killed in action or mortally wounded. In addition, another 4 officers and 84 enlisted men died of disease.
The 88th is sometimes referred to as the Second Board of Trade Regiment because of its support in raising it.
--Old Seecsh
John Peter, leading citizen and businessman in Algonquin, Illinois, in McHenry County belonged to the 88th Illinois Infantry Regiment which was organized at Camp Douglas in Chicago and mustered into Federal service on September 4, 1962 and saw heavy fighting until mustered out June 9, 1865, and discharged in Chicago. (I have also recently writing about Camp Douglas while it was used as a Confederate prison.)
During the course of the war, the regiment had 5 officers and 98 enlisted men killed in action or mortally wounded. In addition, another 4 officers and 84 enlisted men died of disease.
The 88th is sometimes referred to as the Second Board of Trade Regiment because of its support in raising it.
--Old Seecsh
Friday, May 15, 2015
John Peter, Co. K, 88th Illinois-- Part 2: Prisoner at Andersonville
John Peter took part in the Battles of Stone River, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro and both battles of Franklin (I only knew of one battle there in Tennessee).
In the second Battle of Franklin, he and 50 others were recovering lost Union cannons from the field and were returning when they blundered into Confederate lines and were taken prisoner.
They were marched to Corinth, Mississippi and then by train to Meridian where they were held for a month. Then, they were sent to Andersonville where he came through in good condition. He was paroled and sent to Vicksburg for exchange and arrived just when word reached there of Lee's surrender.
He then returned to Illinois. Obviously he was very fortunate to have not been on the ill-fated SS Sultana which was carrying newly released Andersonville prisoners when the disaster took place.
--Old Secesh
In the second Battle of Franklin, he and 50 others were recovering lost Union cannons from the field and were returning when they blundered into Confederate lines and were taken prisoner.
They were marched to Corinth, Mississippi and then by train to Meridian where they were held for a month. Then, they were sent to Andersonville where he came through in good condition. He was paroled and sent to Vicksburg for exchange and arrived just when word reached there of Lee's surrender.
He then returned to Illinois. Obviously he was very fortunate to have not been on the ill-fated SS Sultana which was carrying newly released Andersonville prisoners when the disaster took place.
--Old Secesh
John Peter, Co. K, 88th Illinois-- Part 1
From the 1903 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Biography of McHenry County Citizens.
I turned right to this page and decided to write down the pertinent information for this Illinois Civil War veteran and McHenry County resident.
He is described as being a leading citizen and businessman in Algonquin, Illinois.
Born in Harlem, New York August 21, 1842 and his parents moved to Chicago that year.
Enlisted July 28, 1862 in Co. K, 88th Illinois and honorably discharged in Springfield, Illinois, July 7. 1865.
--Old Secesh
I turned right to this page and decided to write down the pertinent information for this Illinois Civil War veteran and McHenry County resident.
He is described as being a leading citizen and businessman in Algonquin, Illinois.
Born in Harlem, New York August 21, 1842 and his parents moved to Chicago that year.
Enlisted July 28, 1862 in Co. K, 88th Illinois and honorably discharged in Springfield, Illinois, July 7. 1865.
--Old Secesh
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Camp Douglas Prison -- Andersonville of the North-- Part 3
In 1911, bronze panels were added to the base of the monument with the soldiers' names, rank, units and home states. You can go online and see photographs of this fitting memorial. You can also see photos of the 16 bronze tablets with 4,243 names.
The terrible conditions at Camp Douglas are well-documented at such sites as Pritchett Ford's article "Camp Douglas" as well as an article in the Illinois State Historical Society "Chicago's Camp Douglas, 1861-1865" by Joseph L. Eisendrath Jr.
I should mention that Camp Douglas at first served as a training camp for Union recruits from the Chicago area.
--Old Secesh
The terrible conditions at Camp Douglas are well-documented at such sites as Pritchett Ford's article "Camp Douglas" as well as an article in the Illinois State Historical Society "Chicago's Camp Douglas, 1861-1865" by Joseph L. Eisendrath Jr.
I should mention that Camp Douglas at first served as a training camp for Union recruits from the Chicago area.
--Old Secesh
Camp Douglas Prison -- Andersonville of the North-- Part 2
Continued from Friday, May 8th.
There is only one monument to those Confederates who died at Camp Douglas in Chicago and, it is an impressive one, but not at the camp's site. It is at Chicago's famous Oak Woods Cemetery at 1035 E. 67th Street in what is called "The Confederate Mound" where at l;east 6,000 are buried (4,200 known, the rest unknown). They are buried in a mass grave on one acre of land.
The monument was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1895 and reads: "To the memory of the six thousand Southern soldiers here buried... who died in Camp Douglas prison ... 1862-65." This is the largest mass burial in the entire Western Hemisphere.
Every April, the Camp Douglas Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, based in the Chicagoland area, holds a memorial service for the dead at the mound.
The dead interred in the mound had previously been buried in paupers graves in Chicago's City Cemetery but were moved in 1867 to make way for the creation of Lincoln Park. Who knows how many bodies are still buried there?
--Old Secesh
There is only one monument to those Confederates who died at Camp Douglas in Chicago and, it is an impressive one, but not at the camp's site. It is at Chicago's famous Oak Woods Cemetery at 1035 E. 67th Street in what is called "The Confederate Mound" where at l;east 6,000 are buried (4,200 known, the rest unknown). They are buried in a mass grave on one acre of land.
The monument was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1895 and reads: "To the memory of the six thousand Southern soldiers here buried... who died in Camp Douglas prison ... 1862-65." This is the largest mass burial in the entire Western Hemisphere.
Every April, the Camp Douglas Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, based in the Chicagoland area, holds a memorial service for the dead at the mound.
The dead interred in the mound had previously been buried in paupers graves in Chicago's City Cemetery but were moved in 1867 to make way for the creation of Lincoln Park. Who knows how many bodies are still buried there?
--Old Secesh
List of McHenry County Civil War Veterans in 1903
From Historic Encyclopedia of Illinois and Biography of McHenry County Citizens.
Colonel William Avery, 95th Illinois
George W. Ames, 95th Illinois
Lathrop H.S. Barrows, 15th Illinois
Gordon Lucius Beckley, 52nd Illinois
John Edmund Beckley, 95th Illinois
Henry Bright, 95th, Illinois
Eli T. Chase, no regiment given but enlisted Aug. 6, 1864
Ira Rozel Curtis, Co. D, 15th Illinois
John S. Cummings, Co. A, 1st Illinois Light Artillery. Captured July 22, 1864 and sent to Andersonville.
I only researched the book up to this last man. An extensive military service was given for each man, by I only did one that I found at random, which will be in my next post. Colonel Avery was quite involved in post-war veteran affairs along with being the commander of the the 95th Illinois, which was McHenry County's regiment.
--Old Secesh
Colonel William Avery, 95th Illinois
George W. Ames, 95th Illinois
Lathrop H.S. Barrows, 15th Illinois
Gordon Lucius Beckley, 52nd Illinois
John Edmund Beckley, 95th Illinois
Henry Bright, 95th, Illinois
Eli T. Chase, no regiment given but enlisted Aug. 6, 1864
Ira Rozel Curtis, Co. D, 15th Illinois
John S. Cummings, Co. A, 1st Illinois Light Artillery. Captured July 22, 1864 and sent to Andersonville.
I only researched the book up to this last man. An extensive military service was given for each man, by I only did one that I found at random, which will be in my next post. Colonel Avery was quite involved in post-war veteran affairs along with being the commander of the the 95th Illinois, which was McHenry County's regiment.
--Old Secesh
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Killing Time and Researching-- Part 2: Apparently This Is the House
From the December 19, 1901, Woodstock (Il) Sentinel.
And, it has a Civil War connection, albeit, not a direct one. I did some more researching (but not in my RoadLog Blog) and found out that Charles P. Barnes was born in the town of Don (wherever that might be) on Feb. 14, 1862. That would definitely be too young to have fought.
However, his father was killed in the Civil War a year after his birth.
The article went on to mention that he was married three times and lived "in the most beautiful residence in Woodstock, situated on Fremont Street at the south end of Madison Street." I.m not sure about the Fremont Street, but I know the "Groundhog Day" house sits at the end of Madison Street, which is shown whenever Bill wakes up and looks out the window. It is also at the end of the movie.
Madison Street is also the site of the piano teacher's house and where the boy fell out of the tree.
Another source mentioned that Charles P. Barnes was once owner of the current Royal Victorian B&B which was called Cherry Hill Inn in the movie "Groundhog Day."
I'll have to go back to the library to research more on Mr. Barnes.
My Eyes Didn't Deceive Me. Old Secesh
And, it has a Civil War connection, albeit, not a direct one. I did some more researching (but not in my RoadLog Blog) and found out that Charles P. Barnes was born in the town of Don (wherever that might be) on Feb. 14, 1862. That would definitely be too young to have fought.
However, his father was killed in the Civil War a year after his birth.
The article went on to mention that he was married three times and lived "in the most beautiful residence in Woodstock, situated on Fremont Street at the south end of Madison Street." I.m not sure about the Fremont Street, but I know the "Groundhog Day" house sits at the end of Madison Street, which is shown whenever Bill wakes up and looks out the window. It is also at the end of the movie.
Madison Street is also the site of the piano teacher's house and where the boy fell out of the tree.
Another source mentioned that Charles P. Barnes was once owner of the current Royal Victorian B&B which was called Cherry Hill Inn in the movie "Groundhog Day."
I'll have to go back to the library to research more on Mr. Barnes.
My Eyes Didn't Deceive Me. Old Secesh
Killing Time and Researching-- Part 1: The "Groundhog Day" Movie B&B
Yesterday, I went to Woodstock, Illinois, to attend the McHenry County Civil War Round Table and arrived an hour early at the library where Charlie Banks was to make his power point presentation on "Lincoln's Final Journey."
I have always loved libraries. It is like a treasure hunt in them. You never know what you're going to find.
After reading the Chicago Tribune and McHenry County's Northwest Herald (you can't beat the price), I still had time so went to the local history collection and started perusing some of their holdings. I came across the two volume Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Biography of McHenry County Citizens from 1903.
I decided to look for Civil War veterans in the remaining time before the meeting began. Unfortunately, there was no index, so I had to page through it.
Of interest, I came across the name Charles P. Barnes who was a prominent lawyer and judge in Woodstock, the name didn't do anything for me, but there was also a picture of his house and it really appears to me to be the one used as the Bed & Breakfast where Bill Murray stayed in the movie "Groundhog Day."
I seem to remember from my RoadDog's RoadLog blog that the home had been owned by a judge. Is it possible that this is the house used in the movie, and, did it have a Civil War connection?
Is This the Home? --Old Secesh
Monday, May 11, 2015
Flying Tall and Proud
This past Wednesday, we were driving through Alabama after our week at Panama City Beach, Florida. We met with some friends from Illinois and got through Thunder on the Beach, the annual spring motorcycle rally.
We had just gotten on I-65, north of Montgomery, Alabama's capital, and cruising along at 70 mph, when we saw it.
There, on the west side of the road, flying high and proud was a huge Confederate flag and under it a sign saying this was there because of the Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans. It did my heart good to see it flying there. I am getting so tired of the incessant attacks on it. This was a huge in-your-face.
Sadly, if it wasn't for all the attacks on it, it wouldn't have become necessary to do this.
--Old Secesh
We had just gotten on I-65, north of Montgomery, Alabama's capital, and cruising along at 70 mph, when we saw it.
There, on the west side of the road, flying high and proud was a huge Confederate flag and under it a sign saying this was there because of the Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans. It did my heart good to see it flying there. I am getting so tired of the incessant attacks on it. This was a huge in-your-face.
Sadly, if it wasn't for all the attacks on it, it wouldn't have become necessary to do this.
--Old Secesh
Heritage Attacks, In Reverse
The vast majority of things I read are anti-Confederate, but then there are ones like this which sure shows why those other groups are so anti-Confederate.
February 21, 2014: Three white students at the University of Mississippi put a Confederate flag on the statue of James Meredith, the black student who integrated the school in 1962. They also put a noose and the old Georgia state flag on it.
The students were members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity whose national organization has suspended the chapter.
Activity such as this should always be dealt with as severely as the actions require.
Actions and groups such as this bring about the Confederacy hatred more than anything else.
--Old Secesh
February 21, 2014: Three white students at the University of Mississippi put a Confederate flag on the statue of James Meredith, the black student who integrated the school in 1962. They also put a noose and the old Georgia state flag on it.
The students were members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity whose national organization has suspended the chapter.
Activity such as this should always be dealt with as severely as the actions require.
Actions and groups such as this bring about the Confederacy hatred more than anything else.
--Old Secesh
Heritage Attacks
I really should try to keep up with these in a more timely fashion. I read them in my Yahoo! and Google Alerts most every week. Someone is offended and the flag must come down. I generally disregard them as they sure go a ways toward making me angry.
Well, here's another one:
Jan. 17. 2014, Reidsville, N.C., Mom Upset After School gives her child a Confederate hat as a prize. Her 9-year-old son, Jacob, got the hat as part of a school rewards program. He picked it out himself.
First flags, now hats?
Gee Whiz, When Will It Stop? --Old Secesh
Well, here's another one:
Jan. 17. 2014, Reidsville, N.C., Mom Upset After School gives her child a Confederate hat as a prize. Her 9-year-old son, Jacob, got the hat as part of a school rewards program. He picked it out himself.
First flags, now hats?
Gee Whiz, When Will It Stop? --Old Secesh
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Heritage Attacks
Back on Jan. 1, 2014, a Florida TV station reported that a Confederate flag on a firefighter's ax led to changes after it was seen at a fire at a black person's home in Pine Hills.
Later that month came this headline: "Confederate leader's name on US-1 still rankles some." Robert Perry wants Jefferson Davis' name removed from the Jefferson Davis Highway (US-1). It was named by the General Assembly in 1992 and would need legislative removal for its removal. In 2001, the county board renamed the old Jefferson Davis Highway in Crystal City the Long Bridge Drive.
--Old Secesh
Later that month came this headline: "Confederate leader's name on US-1 still rankles some." Robert Perry wants Jefferson Davis' name removed from the Jefferson Davis Highway (US-1). It was named by the General Assembly in 1992 and would need legislative removal for its removal. In 2001, the county board renamed the old Jefferson Davis Highway in Crystal City the Long Bridge Drive.
--Old Secesh
Heritage Attacks
Attacks on the Heritage.
Back on Jan. 2, 2014, the LA Times reported that the Bar Association of Orange County was seeking the removal of the State of Mississppi banner from the Santa Ana Civic Center which displays the flags of all 50 states as it symbolizes hatred and racism. It is the last flag remaining with a Confederate flag on it. (I don't know, the State of Georgia flag sure is a Confederate flag but they wouldn't know that.)
In 1997, Laguna Hills removed the flags of Georgia and Mississippi. In 2001 there was an attempt to remove the flag in Mississippi, but it failed.
--Old Secesh
Back on Jan. 2, 2014, the LA Times reported that the Bar Association of Orange County was seeking the removal of the State of Mississppi banner from the Santa Ana Civic Center which displays the flags of all 50 states as it symbolizes hatred and racism. It is the last flag remaining with a Confederate flag on it. (I don't know, the State of Georgia flag sure is a Confederate flag but they wouldn't know that.)
In 1997, Laguna Hills removed the flags of Georgia and Mississippi. In 2001 there was an attempt to remove the flag in Mississippi, but it failed.
--Old Secesh
Friday, May 8, 2015
Camp Douglas Prison: Andersonville of the North-- Part 1
From the April 22, 2015, Champaign (Ill) News-Gazette by Joan Griffis.
When it comes to Civil War prisons, by far the best-known and most notorious is the Confederate one at Andersonville in Georgia. Terrible conditions and a high death rate were the norm. Andersonville is the National Prisoner of War Historical site, 476 acres, and there is a white headstone for each of the 12,912 Union prisoners who died there.
But the little-known one called Camp Douglas in Chicago, near the shores of Lake Michigan was known as the Union's prison camp with the highest morality rate.
Beginning in February 1862, when the first Confederate prisoners began arriving, an average of one in every five died.
--Old Secesh
When it comes to Civil War prisons, by far the best-known and most notorious is the Confederate one at Andersonville in Georgia. Terrible conditions and a high death rate were the norm. Andersonville is the National Prisoner of War Historical site, 476 acres, and there is a white headstone for each of the 12,912 Union prisoners who died there.
But the little-known one called Camp Douglas in Chicago, near the shores of Lake Michigan was known as the Union's prison camp with the highest morality rate.
Beginning in February 1862, when the first Confederate prisoners began arriving, an average of one in every five died.
--Old Secesh
"On to Richmond": Mort Kunstler's 2015 Civil War Calendar for May
Painting of General Grant and Staff riding through Union lines on May 7, 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness with the men ecstatic and cheering him on.
GRANT IN THE WILDERNESS, MAY 7, 1864: After two days of fighting the Battle of the Wilderness in dense woods, with forest fires raging everywhere, General Grant decided to march General Meade's Army of the Potomac south instead of north to retreat. The men, realizing their fighting and suffering had not been in vain, cheered Grant in a spontaneous and unexpected show of support.
Colonel Porter recalled the scene 30 years later: "While moving close to Hancock's line, there occurred an unexpected demonstration on the part of the troops, which created one of the most memorable scenes of the campaign. Notwithstanding the darkness of the night, the form of the commander was recognized and word was passed rapidly along that the chief who had led them through the mazes of the Wilderness was again moving forward with his horse's head pointed toward Richmond.
"Troops know but little about what is going on in a large army, except the occurrences which take place in their immediate vicinity; but this night ride of the general-in-chief told plainly of the story of success, and gave each man to understand the cry was to be 'On to Richmond!"
--Old Secesh
GRANT IN THE WILDERNESS, MAY 7, 1864: After two days of fighting the Battle of the Wilderness in dense woods, with forest fires raging everywhere, General Grant decided to march General Meade's Army of the Potomac south instead of north to retreat. The men, realizing their fighting and suffering had not been in vain, cheered Grant in a spontaneous and unexpected show of support.
Colonel Porter recalled the scene 30 years later: "While moving close to Hancock's line, there occurred an unexpected demonstration on the part of the troops, which created one of the most memorable scenes of the campaign. Notwithstanding the darkness of the night, the form of the commander was recognized and word was passed rapidly along that the chief who had led them through the mazes of the Wilderness was again moving forward with his horse's head pointed toward Richmond.
"Troops know but little about what is going on in a large army, except the occurrences which take place in their immediate vicinity; but this night ride of the general-in-chief told plainly of the story of success, and gave each man to understand the cry was to be 'On to Richmond!"
--Old Secesh
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Bells Ring to Commemorate Lee's Surrender-- Part 5
The Associated Press was founded 15 years before the Civil War and at the time reported that ragged, hungry Confederate soldiers had already begun surrendering on their own in Virginia even before Lee officially surrendered. Days earlier, the Union Army had smashed its way through Petersburg and into the Confederacy's ca[pital, Richmond.
Lee was attempting to escape with his army when Union forces "attacked them vigorously: in the hours before the surrender, convincing him that surrender was the only alternative.
AP at the time reported accounts saying "the road for miles was strewn with broken down wagons."
--Old Secesh
Lee was attempting to escape with his army when Union forces "attacked them vigorously: in the hours before the surrender, convincing him that surrender was the only alternative.
AP at the time reported accounts saying "the road for miles was strewn with broken down wagons."
--Old Secesh
Bells Ring to Commemorate Lee's Surrender-- Part 4
That table was taken as a souvenir by Union soldiers and switched ownership several times before the
museum acquired it in 1920.
The Archdiocese of Chicago (Catholic) joined five other diocese across Illinois in ringing their bells for four minutes (each minute representing a year of the war).
The Cardinal Meyer Center, which houses archdiocese agencies now, was also a Confederate prison during the war (something that I was not aware of). Among the churches participating was Holy Family Parish, the second oldest parish in Chicago and one of two that was around during the Civil War.
Further research shows that the center is on the grounds of Camp Douglas.
--Old Secesh
museum acquired it in 1920.
The Archdiocese of Chicago (Catholic) joined five other diocese across Illinois in ringing their bells for four minutes (each minute representing a year of the war).
The Cardinal Meyer Center, which houses archdiocese agencies now, was also a Confederate prison during the war (something that I was not aware of). Among the churches participating was Holy Family Parish, the second oldest parish in Chicago and one of two that was around during the Civil War.
Further research shows that the center is on the grounds of Camp Douglas.
--Old Secesh
Monday, May 4, 2015
Bells Ring to Commemorate Lee's Surrender-- Part 3
During the Civil War, between 6,000 and 7,000 Confederates died at Chicago's Camp Douglas (there is a Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp based in the Chicagoland area that has the name of the prison to honor those men). Most of the soldiers who died during the war were as a result of diseases like typhoid and dysentery.
The bell at Camp Douglas was rung when news of the surrender reached Chicago. Also rung were most of the church bells in the city.
People at the ceremony also stood in front of the table on which Confederate General Lee signed the surrender at the McLean house in Appomattox Court house, Virginia. That was a real connection to the event.
--Old Secesh
The bell at Camp Douglas was rung when news of the surrender reached Chicago. Also rung were most of the church bells in the city.
People at the ceremony also stood in front of the table on which Confederate General Lee signed the surrender at the McLean house in Appomattox Court house, Virginia. That was a real connection to the event.
--Old Secesh
Original Gettysburg Cyclorama Unveiled in N.C.-- Part 2
After the 1933 Chicago World's Fair it was thought to be lost, but was found and eventually donated to Wake forest University. It is 22 feet high and weighs 6 tons (that's a real lot of paint and canvas). It was one of four Gettysburg Cycloramas made.
It is now up for sale and I'm hoping that the new Fayetteville, N.C., Civil War Museum will be able to get it.
--Old secesh
It is now up for sale and I'm hoping that the new Fayetteville, N.C., Civil War Museum will be able to get it.
--Old secesh
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Original Gettysburg Cyclorama Unveiled in North Carolina-- Part 1
From the April 29, 2015, Charlotte (NC) Observer.
One of the biggest paintings in the world at nearly 400 feet in length is now for sale. It has not been seen by the public since 1965. It was painted between 1881-1883 by sixteen artists working under the direction of French painter Paul Philippoteaux who made three more nearly identical paintings of this one, which is the original.
It has been appraised at $5.5 million and it is hoped that it might be acquired by the new North carolina Civil War History Center being built in Fayetteville, N.C..
It drew thousands of visitors as it toured the country after it was finished, including nearly 500,000 in 1883. It was a big attraction at the 1933 Chicago World Fair.
--Old Secesh.
One of the biggest paintings in the world at nearly 400 feet in length is now for sale. It has not been seen by the public since 1965. It was painted between 1881-1883 by sixteen artists working under the direction of French painter Paul Philippoteaux who made three more nearly identical paintings of this one, which is the original.
It has been appraised at $5.5 million and it is hoped that it might be acquired by the new North carolina Civil War History Center being built in Fayetteville, N.C..
It drew thousands of visitors as it toured the country after it was finished, including nearly 500,000 in 1883. It was a big attraction at the 1933 Chicago World Fair.
--Old Secesh.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Bells Ring to Commemorate Lee's Surrender-- Part 2
At 2:15, Thursday (April 9th), descendants of Union soldiers who trained at Camp Douglas, as well as Confederate soldiers held prisoner there, took turns ringing the bell four times to signify each year of the war.
Olivia Mahoney, senior museum curator rang it as well. She is descended from soldiers on both sides, including several who died at Camp Douglas.
The bell came from the chapel of Camp Douglas, a 60 acre, 200 building facility that was at the heart of present day Bronzeville area in Chicago. Camp Douglas got its name from Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas, on whose land it was built..
Dawn Griffin-O'Neal also struck the bell as a descendant of a Unioin soldier.
--Old Secesh
Olivia Mahoney, senior museum curator rang it as well. She is descended from soldiers on both sides, including several who died at Camp Douglas.
The bell came from the chapel of Camp Douglas, a 60 acre, 200 building facility that was at the heart of present day Bronzeville area in Chicago. Camp Douglas got its name from Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas, on whose land it was built..
Dawn Griffin-O'Neal also struck the bell as a descendant of a Unioin soldier.
--Old Secesh
Friday, May 1, 2015
Bells Rang to Commemorate Lee's Surrender-- Part 1
From the April10, 2015, Chicago Tribune by Meredith Rodriguez.
Chicago joined the nation on Thursday in commemorating the unofficial, but highly climatic, end of the Civil War. Church bells were rung around the city as well as one at the Chicago History Museum. What made this bell even more special was that it was the one that was at Chicago's Camp Douglas, the largest military installation in Illinois during the war. It was also a Confederate prison where over 6,000 captured Southerners died.
The National Park se3rvice asked that bells be rung to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's surrender to Union General U.S. Grant on April 9, 1865.
--Old Secesh
Chicago joined the nation on Thursday in commemorating the unofficial, but highly climatic, end of the Civil War. Church bells were rung around the city as well as one at the Chicago History Museum. What made this bell even more special was that it was the one that was at Chicago's Camp Douglas, the largest military installation in Illinois during the war. It was also a Confederate prison where over 6,000 captured Southerners died.
The National Park se3rvice asked that bells be rung to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's surrender to Union General U.S. Grant on April 9, 1865.
--Old Secesh
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