Death of Lt. J. Rudhall White-- Part 2: An Eulogy

From "History of the 118th  Pennsylvania Volunteers: The Corn Exchange Regiment."

"White was a handsome, soldiery young man of scarce twenty summers.    A native of Warrenton, Virginia, at the breaking  out of the war, he was a young lieutenant in the Black Horse Cavalry, a command subsequently famous in all the campaigns  of Virginia.

"Differing in sentiments among his friends and his family, sacrificing the ties of home and  friendship, he was determined to defend his convictions with his sword.  Firm in his belief that the unrighteous attempt to disrupt the Government should be suppressed, imbued with the purest and highest patriotism, he sought service in the Union  army.  (Even though a native of Virginia and with all his family and friends siding with the Confederacy, he determined to go with his country.)

"Instinctively a soldier by principle, his sad and early death interrupted a career that promised the brightest prospects.  His short service had secured him the confidence of his superiors and respect of the soldiers."

A Loss.  --Old Secesh

Virginia's Black Horse Cavalry

From the Encyclopedia Virginia.

In the last post, I mentioned that Lt. J. Rudhall White who was killed at the Battle of Shepherdstown as a member of the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry was a native of Warrenton, Virginia, and had been a member of the famed Black Horse Cavalry before he threw in his lot with the Union. 

The Black Horse Cavalry was conceived by a gathering of Warrenton lawyers in 1858 and was among the local militia groups called to active duty by Governor Henry Wise in 1859.

The Black Horse Cavalry led a successful charge against Union forces at the First Battle of Bull Run, winning the special praise of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.  Known as Company H of the 4th Virginia Cavalry, the unit served as  bodyguard, escort  and scout for generals Joseph E, Johnston and  Stonewall Jackson.

Following the war, a number of men from the group became prominent  leaders in the state.

--Old Secesh

Death of Lt. J. Rudhall White at the Battle of Shepherdstown: 'Thank God I Am Over At Last'

From the October 8, 2008, AotW "On the  trail of the Corn Exchange Regiment."  These guys went to the battle site, and retraced the steps of the hapless 118th, even crossing the Potomac River on foot.  Now, there's some dedication.  Well worth going to it and reading.  Lots of pictures.  Too bad John Burns was not with them.  This would be right up his line/

One of the saddest incidents on this disastrous day happened  after the action was really over.  Lieutenant J. Rudhall White had passed through the desperate dangers of the contest and had safely landed  upon the Maryland shore.

As he reached the top of the river-bank he stopped and said, "Thank God I am over at last."

His halt attracted attention and a musket ball, doubtlessly aimed  from the other side by a skilled marksman, plowed through his bowels.  The wound was almost instantly fatal; he died as he was being borne away.

White was a handsome, soldierly young man of scarce twenty summers.  A native of Warrenton, Virginia, at the breaking out of the war, he was a young lieutenant in the Black Horse Cavalry, a command subsequently  famous in all of the campaigns in Virginia.

Differing in sentiments from his friends and his family, sacrificing  the ties of home and friendship, he determined to defend his convictions with his sword...."

So Here Was a Man Who Was from Virginia But Fighting for the Union.  --Old Secesh

Second Day at Shepherdstown-- Part 6: Heavy Losses for the 118th

The 118th's dilemma.  Crossing the Potomac under the combined enemy and friendly fire seemed less dangerous than staying and most of the Pennsylvanians decided to risk it.  Some waded right into the water, while others threaded their way across the mill dam, which in places were knee-deep.  

Musket balls tore splinters from the slippery planks as Colonel Provost was carried across. Many men were shot down before they got to safety.

Lieutenant  J. Rudhall White only ha time to give thanks to God for reaching the other side safely when a musket ball fatally  struck him.

This is when Lt. Lemuel Crocker got involved with his rescue mission.

The 118th Pennsylvania entered the fight with 737 men.  When the fighting died down around 2 pm, three officers and sixty men had been killed, 101 were wounded and 105 were missing.  Their 269 casualties constituted the bulk  of the 361 Union men lost at the battle.  

A.P. Hill was satisfied that the Yankees had been driven back across the Potomac and made no attempt to follow them.  Confederate losses numbered 30 dead and 261 wounded.

--Old Secesh

The Second Day at Shepherdstown-- Part 5: Defective Rifles and Friendly Fire for the 118th

I almost forgot to mention another pressing problem facing the 118th Pennsylvania.  Not only were the rookies coming up against seasoned veterans, but also there were a whole lot more of them.  In addition, a problem with their weapons developed.  Half the Enfields issued to the regiment probed to be defective.  Their mainsprings caused the hammers to strike too weakly to pop the percussion caps.

Some men, dazed by their first elephant, were not even aware that their rifles weren't firing.   They kept ramming cartridge after cartridge into the barrel.   As some gave up their useless weapons and tossed them away, others pounded on the hammers with rocks to force them to fire.  Officers searched desperately for rifles dropped by the dead or wounded, hoping to find some that would work.

So, the 118th was in a real desperate situation.

Some of them fell over the bluffs and were hurt.  Others took cover in the old limekilns near the cement factory.  There, they not only had to dodge fire from the Rebels, but also the Union guns from across the river.  The gunners there were cutting the fuses too short and their shells were exploding among friendly soldiers.

Lt. Donaldson believed he saw one Union shell killing 12 or 15 of his own soldiers.  He also said he'd seen several of his men  rush with a white flag to Rebel lines to surrender.

Friendly Fire--  Old Secesh

The Second Day of Shepherdstown-- Part 4: The 118thPennsylvania Sees the Elephant in the Worst Kind of Way

The 20th Maine got off fairly easily in what could have been a debacle.  However, the 118th Pennsylvania wasn't so fortunate.  (This is where Lt. Lemuel Crocker comes in).  They were positioned across a ravine from the other Union troops when couriers brought orders to withdraw across the Potomac River.

The messenger sent to the 118th delivered the message to a line officer, who relayed them to the colonel.  Men from other regiments yelled across the ravine to tell them to withdraw.    When word reached Col.  Charles Mallet  Prevost, he refused to accept them, saying: "I do not receive orders in that way.  If Colonel Barnes has any messages to give me, let his aide come to me."

Colonel Prevost grabbed the  regimental standard and started waving it to urge his men to move forward.  Just then, a musket ball slammed into his shoulder and ended the brief rally.  Command passed to Lt. Col. James Gwyn.  An aide brought  new orders to retreat and this time they were promptly followed.

The intensity of Confederate General A.P. Hill's attack and inexperience of the 118th began to tell.  They fell back to the edge of the bluff and began to break up in panic and confusion.  Men rushed and tumbled down the steep  hillside and streamed into the river.  Hill's men reached the top of the bluff and began pouring fire into the 118th.

One Tar Heel soldier wrote that he watched "them take to the water like ducks."

And, it is not yet over for the 118th.

--Old Secesh

Second Day at Battle of Shepherdstown-- Part 3: A Medal of Honor and the 20th Maine Sees the Elephant

Union General Fitz John Porter, seeing these new Confederates arriving on the field and in sufficient numbers to be a cause of concern, then ordered a withdrawal.

The regular Federal troops got out with no difficulty.  But, Private Daniel Webster Burke of the 2nd U.S. Infantry that one abandoned Confederate cannon in the Virginia side had not been spiked.  He got permission to spike and crossed the river under increasing Confederate lead the whole time and he finally had to halt his effort.

In 1892, Burke, who had stayed in the Army and attained the rank of  colonel was awarded a Medal of Honor for is feat.

Also, along with the 118th Pennsylvania, another Union regiment, the 20th Maine was seeing the elephant as well.  Ten months later they would win immortal fame for their stand on the crucial Little Round Top at another bloody battle.  Today, their second in command, Lt. Col. Joshua Chamberlain had borrowed a horse and was in the middle of the Potomac directing withdrawal when a Rebel bullet struck his horse and down he went into the water.

He managed to get to the Maryland bank of the river, wet, but still in control.  The 20th Maine did well in their first engagement despite some initial fear and confusion,  Three men were wounded; one man accidentally shot himself with his musket.

--Old Secesh

Civil War Events in January-- Part 2: Mill Springs, Georgia and Louisiana Secede, Monitor Launched, Lee and the 13th Amendment

JANUARY 19, 1862

**  The Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky.

JANUARY 19, 1861

**  Georgia adopts an Ordinance of Secession.

JANUARY 24, 1861

**  Georgia state troops seize  the U.S. Arsenal at Augusta.

JANAUARY 26, 1861

**  Louisiana adopts and Ordinance of Secession.

JANUARY 30, 1862

**  USS Monitor launched at Greenpoint, Long Island, New York.

JANUARY 31, 1865

**  Robert E. Lee assumes command of the Confederate armies.

JANUARY 31, 1865

**  The U.S. House of Representatives passes the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery.

--Old Secesh

Second Day of Battle of Sherpherdstown-- Part 2: The Battle Opens

The 118th Pennsylvania Regiment splashed into the Potomac River with orders to march to Shepherdstown.  The water was cold, but they were in high spirits and had a lot of fun when a comrade would slip or stumble into the river.  They did not know about the approaching Rebels and figured that the enemy had just skedaddled and it was going to be an easy day.

Little did they know what was in store for them.

The 118th waded ashore and paused long enough to replace their socks and shoes before being ordered to take up a position at the top of the bluffs.

For Captain  Francis A. Donaldson of the 118th's Company H, this felt a whole lot like deja vu.  The lay of the land and situation reminded him of what he'd been at on October  21, 1861, when he was a member of the 71st Pennsylvania at the Battle of Ball's Bluff.

He didn't know it, but he had good reason to worry.

Confederate General A.P. Hill's Light Division was arriving on the scene.  And, there were a lot of them.

Pendleton's artillery had been moved so far away that they were unable to support Hill's men and the Union artillery across the river really poured it into the advancing Rebels.  Hill wrote it was, "the most  tremendous fire of artillery I ever saw.... It was as if each man felt the fate of the army was centered on

himself."

--Old Secesh

Second Day: Battle of Shepherdstown-- Part 1: Back Across the River with the 118th Pennsylvania

Now, we come up to where the 118th Pennsylvania and Lt. Lemuel Crocker enter the battle.

As the sun rose on the morning of September 20 over their camps on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, Union soldiers finished their coffee and fell into ranks to again cross the river.  Once over, they headed to Shepherdstown along a narrow road,

They passed a tall bluff and an abandoned brock building that had once housed a cement mill.  A dam across the river at this spot diverted water to help power the mill.  (This is where the 118th Pennsylvania really Saw the Elephant.   As they advanced, they became aware of the approach of many enemy soldiers (A.P. Hill's division)

Other units were crossing the river as well, including Colonel James Barnes' brigade of Major General  George W. Morrell's division.  This included  a green regiment, the 118th Pennsylvania that had left Philadelphia for war just three weeks earlier after just barely a month of training.

The Philadelphia Corn Exchange, a financial market that speculated in agricultural futures, paid for their equipment and a $10 bonus for each man and the unit  had been nicknamed the Corn Exchange Regiment.

At the Battle of Antietam they had been kept in reserve and had not yet "seen the elephant."

Hey, That's What I Say.  --Old Secesh

First Day Battle of Shepherdstown-- Part 5: I've Lost My Cannons, All Is Lost

So, we have the Confederates at Boteler's Ford in dire straits, and their commander was nowhere to be found except out riding and looking for someone to tell him what to do or at least help.  First, he  found Brigadier Gen. Roger A. Pryor, but Pryor was not willing to commit his battered division, then Pendleton went looking for Gen. John Bell Hood.  Not finding Hood, William Pendleton was in a state of near panic when he finally found Lee.

While he was on his quest, Pendleton's men meanwhile were struggling to drag their cannons to safety.  Fortunately for them, the Union sharpshooters and volunteers who had crossed the river were ordered to pull back to the Maryland side.

Lee knew there wasn't much he could do until morning and Pendleton went to sleep.  When Stonewall Jackson became aware of the situation, he ordered the nearest Confederate unit,  Major General A,P. Hill's Light Division to Boteler's Ford.

So, we had a full general doing what should have been done by staff work.

Has Anybody Seen My Artillery?  --Old Secesh

First Day Battle of Shepherdstown-- Part 4: Chaos at the River

I got to wondering how far Shepherdstown and Sharpsburg (site of the Battle of Antietam) were from each other.  I was shocked that they were so close, just 4.1 miles.

When Fitz John Porter's troops arrived at Boteler's Ford on the Maryland side, they eventually had some 70 cannons set up and began pounding the Confederate positions.  Confederate guns were effectively outdistanced.

Messages were sent to William Pendleton describing a worsening situation.  At 5:30, a group of U.S. Sharpshooters crossed the Potomac and set up a line on top of the bluffs.  Pendleton had never commanded infantry in combat before and started making mistakes with his positioning of them not knowing how many troops he actually had.

Reinforcing his flanks left him with just about 300 men to defend Boteler's Ford.  Pendleton's artillery began running low on ammunition.  Eventually the Confederate lines broke and mass confusion reined.  At that point, he went out looking for support and orders as to what he should do.  He had not seen any of his cannons for awhile and assumed the pieces had been captured.

However, all but four of the 44 cannons were saved.

--Old Secesh

The First Day at the Battle of Shepherdstown-- Part 3: William Pendleton Prepares for the Union Chase

William N. Pendleton was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1809 and graduated from West Point in 1830, a year after Robert E. Lee.  He spent three years in the Army before resigning to become an Episcopal priest, a vocation he continued  in addition to his military duties during the Civil War and that led to his nickname "Parson."

He taught at the Virginia Military Institute, serving on the faculty  with the future "Stonewall" Jackson.  At the outbreak of the war, Pendleton commanded the Rockbridge Battery, taking with him four cannons from VMI dubbed "Matthey", "Mark", "Luke" and "John."

Valued for his administrative skills, he moved through the ranks of the Confederate Army from colonel to brigadier general by March 1862.  And then he was  in the command of the Army of Northern Virginia's artillery.

He put together an artillery reserve of 44 cannons to guard the crossing at Boteler's Ford.  He managed to place 33 of the in position.  Despite looking good on paper, many of the guns were of too short range to battle with federal artillery on the other shore.  He also was given two battered brigades to protect the artillery which he posted along the shore.

--Old Secesh

The First Day of the Battle of Shepherdstown-- Part 2: Pendleton Receives the Job

Boteler's Ford was a mile and a half downstream from the town of Shepherdstown, Virginia (now West Virginia) and also called  Blackford's Ford and Pack Horse Ford and had been a spot to cross the Potomac River since colonial times.  When the water was down, the stony shelf of the ford was clearly visible.  However, during the Confederate retreat it was described as "deep and rocky" by Confederate artillery officer Lt. Col.  Edward Porter Alexander.

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal followed the Potomac River on the Maryland side through here.  The war had been hard on the canal and its berm had been destroyed in numerous places, draining the channel.  Rolling hills on the Maryland side offered Union artillery  abundant sites.  There were heights on the Virginia side, but they were somewhat steep and made for difficulty in placing artillery for the Confederates.

Roads on both sides leading to the ford were so narrow in places that it was difficult for a horse to pass a wagon.

Lee expected McClellan to, at some point, pursue him and was aware that the ford should be defended until his army was well away from it.  Perhaps because so many able officers had been lost on September 17, he chose William Pendleton, an officer with little  combat experience, to guard Boteler's Ford.

--Old Secesh

The First Day of Battle of Shepherdstown: Defending the Ford

From American Battlefield Trust "Battle of Shepherdstown" by David A. Norris.

It was after midnight on September 20, 1862, and Gen. Lee  was getting some much-needed sleep under an apple tree when he was awakened by a real-life nightmare.  Another general reporting the loss of the army's entire rear guard and 44 cannons.  That general's name was William Nelson Pendleton, the head of the Army of Northern Virginia's chief of artillery.

"All?" asked Lee.

The shaken Pendleton replied, "Yes, general, I fear all."

First thing you have to wonder about here is why a commanding general would leave his troops and artillery to report something like this.  An aide should have been the one speaking to Lee.

After the Battle of Antietam on September 17th, the Confederates had begun  to slip across the Potomac River back into Virginia at dusk on the 18th.  At dawn on September 19th, Lee had been astride his horse in the middle of the Potomac as the last remnants of his army crossed Boteler's Ford.

He then assigned Pendleton to defend the ford as a rear guard in case the ever-cautious McClellan followed.

Now, it sounded like a disaster had occurred.

--Old Secesh

Some More About the Battle of Shepherdstown

From the American Battlefield Trust  "Book:  A History and Guide to Civil War Shepherdstown."  An interview with Nicholas Redding who wrote the book.

What happened at the Battle of Shepherdstown --  why couldn't the Union finish the job?

One truism of war is that a river is a terrible obstacle to overcome, regardless  of your strength.  Napoleon knew it.  Washington knew it. Lee knew it.

Fitz John Porter learned it the hard way at Shepherdstown.

Following Antietam, with most of the Confederate Army safely back across the Potomac River and in Virginia, General McClellan slowly began his pursuit.  On September  19, he first sent Gen. Alfred  Pleasanton's cavalry, and later Gen Fitz John Porter's Fifth Corps to harass the retreat. 

Arriving that afternoon, Porter found a small  Confederate force across the river, in the incapable hands of  Confederate General William Nelson Pendleton.  Union troops sent across the river shook Pendleton's resolve and sent him running  for support.  Nightfall stopped all action.

--Old Secesh

Looking for Lt. Crocker-- Part 4: '...It Seemed Certain Death to Cross It'

Two days after the battle, Crocker, whose only punishment for disobeying orders was a reprimand, described his harrowing battle experience in a letter to his parents:  "As we got to the riverside we had to go near a half mile to a dam over which our men were attempting to cross, and to make this dam many a man lost his life, as the rebels were stationed on the bluff taking deliberate aim during the whole fight."

"I was cool and collected during my travel by the riverside," he continued, "but when I reach this dam, I think my cheek blanched, for it seemed certain death to cross it, as the rebels had got into a large brick building below the dam, and the main body above on the bluff, picking off our poor fellows."

Ravaged by time, nature and graffiti, that brick building used by the Confederates still stands.

After Lemuel Crocker's death in Buffalo in 1885, apparently from a stroke, no mention appeared in the local newspaper of his long-ago heroism.  It said that he was a respected businessman "noted for for his liberality, public spirit and kindheartedness.  he had many warm friends by whom his sudden taking off will be greatly deplored.

He was buried at Buffalo's famous Forest Lawn Cemetery.

He did not receive a Medal of Honor for his Shepherdstown efforts.  Hopefully at some time soon that will be rectified.  He definitely deserves one (along with William Barker Cushing in my book).

--Old Secesh

John Banks Looking for Lt. Crocker-- Part 3: 'Shell and Be Damned'

So, here you have an inexperienced group of soldiers pinned down by fire from Confederates above them and starting to get shelled by their own artillery from across the river.  Friendly and unfriendly fire.  Captain Frank Donaldson of the 118th Pennsylvania wrote later:  "A cry of horror went up from our men, heard across the river."

Lt. Lemuel Crocker had been one of the fortunate members of the 118th and made it across the river to safety in Maryland.  It was too much for his honor to do nothing so decided to start crossing that river and rescue wounded comrades and retrieved the dead as well.

Although in the army for less than a month, the lieutenant "absolutely covered with blood and dirt" was carrying a soldier to the riverbank when he was approached by an aide for 5th Corps commander Fitz John Porter.  He yelled at Crocker to stop or battery will open fire to persuade you.

"Shell and be damned," replied Crocker, who went on and continued his work on the Virginia side of the river.

On one trip across the river, he was confronted by a Confederate general and his staff, Crocker -- a large, muscular man with a hick beard -- told them "humanity and decency demanded" that Union dead and wounded be cared for properly.

The Confederates allowed him to continue his efforts, or, as Banks wrote:  "And so this Civil War bad ass proceeded with his rescue and recovery mission.

Taking No Guff from Anybody.  --Old Secesh

John Banks Looking for Lt. Crocker at Battle of Shepherdstown-- Part 2: 'Beaten, Dismayed, Wild With Fright'

Like I said, John Banks gets down and dirty (and in this case with the copperheads) with his person.  he goes there and experiences.

He goes out to where the battle was fought and he's standing there with the Potomac River about 15 yards away and a steep bluff to the other side of River Road where he is standing.  He can imagine what a treacherous place this would be for even veteran troops, but especially for the "rookie" 118th Pennsylvania, the Corn Exchange Regiment.

This is their first real action.  They are described as "beaten, dismayed, wild with fright" where they now find themselves.  Atop the bluffs they had already fought with muskets that proved defective.  Some had plunged to their deaths off those bluffs.

Under these circumstances. Lt. Lemuel Crocker and others hastily beat a retreat under fire across a mill dam to the Maryland side of the Potomac River.  (They were on the Virginia side  (now West Virginia).  You can still see the remains of that dam stretching across the river.

Others huddled alongside the river by Boteler's Cement Mill kilns where some were even killed by friendly Union artillery fire from across the river.  John Banks said:  "You can still see those ruins, too, if you're mentally prepared for the copperheads."

Hard to get More Real Than This.  --Old Secesh

John Banks Goes Looking for Lt. Crocker, Unsung Hero of Battle of Shepherdstown-- Part 1: 'My House Is Haunted'

From the December 2021 Civil War Times magazine "No Man Left Behind" by John Banks.

Every so often, John Banks' blog makes an appearance in the hallowed pages of this magazine (I believe it was the first non-veteran regular magazine published).  This is how I became aware of him and now I often go to Mr. Banks' blog as he writes more than one blog a month.

He often travels to the spot he's talking about in his post, as he did for the Battle of Shepherdstown. 

Now, remember, until recently I really didn't know anything about this battle.  I've learned a lot and it was quite the coincidence that the battle would be featured again.

John Banks' goal was to walk in the footsteps of 118th Pennsylvania Lieutenant Lemuel Croker "whose heroics on September 20, 1862, in the final Maryland Campaign should be legendary."

They, unfortunately, are not, but Mr. Banks makes a good point of support for the lieutenant.  

In typical John Banks style, he meets an interesting character who will take him on a tour of the battlefield, but had some time to kill, so finished his cup of coffee in the Sweet Shop Bakery.  

Because of the likelihood of ghosts since the building was used as a Confederate hospital in the aftermath of the Battle of Antietam, the war's single bloodiest day, he asks the woman behind the counter is that creeps her out.

She tells him:  "My own house is haunted so it really doesn't bother me."

And, then John was off.

--Old Secesh

My Busman's Holiday with a Blogger: John Banks

All blogs devoted to the Civil War are great, but I am of the belief that the absolute best blogger is John Banks.  This guy lives the Civil War.  Kind of reminds me of the scene from the movie "Patton" where he said that he had been at Carthage when that city was destroyed by the Romans.

He lives the Civil War.

He also finds some of the most interesting things to focus his attention on.  

In the December 2021 Civil War Times magazine, he wrote about the Battle of Shepherdstown with a focus on the efforts of Lt. Lemuel Crocker to save his men. He visits the actual spots he writes about it.

I'd sure like to go along with him on a jaunt (other than with copperheads) and just do the experience.

Just go to John Banks' Civil War Blog and see what I mean.

Happy Busman's Holiday for Me.  --Old Secesh

That Busman's Holiday for Me

I got to thinking about what trip I'd go on during a busman's holiday.  Right off the bat came Fort Fisher as I opined yesterday.   But, is that a true busman's holiday?  What does that have to do with my current employment which is actually retired.  Do I have a regular job of some sort.  I mean, is there something I have to do?

Well, let's see.  Is there something I feel I need to do most every day?  It came to me that I am typing one right now with my two little fingers.  

And, that would be BLOGS.  Blogs, glorious blogs, Waste of time blogs.

So, my Busman's Holiday would have to be something dealing with blogs.

But, What?  --Old SeceshBlog

What Civil War Site Would You Visit on a Busman's Holiday? And, What Is a Busman's Holiday Anyway?

This question was asked of the editorial staff of the December 2021 Civil War Times magazine.

Editor Dana B. Shoaf said Shiloh.  Others said Mobile Bay, Vicksburg and Lookout Mountain.

Of course, little ol' me would want to go to Fort Fisher, especially since I haven't been there since you-know-what hit.

(While reading the Civil War Talk site today, I came across an Obediah Joseph Syfrett, a member of the 25th South Carolina Infantry Regiment, who was captured at Fort Fisher and sent to Elmira Prison Camp, which he survived.  He and his family moved to Texas where he died in 1925.  Now, finding a tidbit of information like that sure does make my day.)

Well, in case you're wondering what a "busman's holiday" is, I looked it up.  I'd heard of it, but wasn't really sure.

Originated in Britain and refers to a period of leisure time where a person does something of a similar nature to his normal occupation.  In case you're wondering.  Now, I know.  You learn something new every day.

There's Old Obediah.  --Old Secesh

About Those Toy Civil War Muskets

From the December 2021 Civil War Times Magazine "Firing up interest."

The editor of the magazine, Dana B. Shoaf, went to Gettysburg with friends and one of them had his two sons  each a toy musket and forage cap (Union sadly) and they had a ball with them.  

That reminds me of the great fun my brother and I had with out muskets growing up.  We fought many battles against neighbor boys and Yankees with those.  It was always funny to "shoot" someone point blank and be told you missed.

Anyway, it brought back some good memories.  I have no idea what happened to my musket.  Perhaps the victim of one of Mom's garage sales.  Hope some other boy is still getting enjoyment from it.

Wondering if Southern boys are even allowed to play "Rebel" anymore?  Believe me, when I was growing up, nobody wanted to be Union soldiers.  Of course, you could "shoot" a pal point blank and he'd say you missed.

--Old Secesh

Civil War Events in January-- Part 1: States are Seceding

From the American Battlefield Trust "This day in the Civil War."

JANUARY 1, 1863

**  President Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation.

JANAUARY 2, 1863

**  South Carolina troops seize Fort Johnson in Charleston Harbor.

JANUARY  3, 1861

**  Georgia troops seize Fort Pulaski

JANUARY 5, 1861

**  U.S. Senators from seven Southern states meet in Washington, D,C. to discuss secession.

JANUARY 9, 1861

**  Mississippi secedes from the Union, the second state to do so.  South Carolina has already adopted an Ordinance of Secession on December 20, 1860.

JANUARY 15, 1865

**  Fall of Fort Fisher, North Carolina.

--Old Secesh

Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky, 686 Acres Saved

From the American Battlefield Trust January 2022 calendar.

The Battle of Mill Springs in south central Kentucky on January 19, 1862, was the first significant Union victory of the Civil War.

Union troops broke a Confederate offensive aimed at securing Kentucky's allegiance to the Confederacy, forcing their foe back into Tennessee.

The Trust and its partners, including the Kentucky Heritage Council and the Mill Springs Battlefield Association, have saved 686 acres of the battlefield.

Always great to preserve more battlefield acreage.  Another battlefield I don't know much about, but will learn.

--Old Secesh