Holly Springs-- Part 6: A Huge Confederate Success

On December 20, 1862, Van Dorn was just 14 miles awayfrom the Union supply depot at Holly Springs.  

When they attacked at 6 am, they hit the court house first, then the fairgrounds and by 8 am, had Holly Springs secure and started destroying supplies.  In seven hours,the Confederates had destroyed some $400,000 worth of Union assets.  Van Dorn estimated the destruction at $1.5 million.

In addition, 1500 Federal soldiers were captured and paroled.  According to Ed Bearss, Van Dorn's men became the best equipped Confederates in the South as a result.

The only casualty was a civilian.

North of Holly Springs there is Davis Mill.  Colonel William Morgan and 200 men of the Indiana regiment saved the trestle there.

Grant sent Grierson to go after Van Dorn.

--Old Secesh

Met My Good Buddy Bob at the Hainesville Civil War Re-enactment: His Ed Bearss Story

Since the event advertised Elijah Haines, founder of Hainesville as being there, I figured that my good buddy and long time teacher friend, Bob, was there portraying him.  He was.

Sadly, almost the only time I get to see Bob these days is at this event.  We taught together at Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois, for  31 years.  I usually taught 7th grade social studies and he 8th grade social studies.  He just turned 75 and has been retired 15 years.   Much of his time now is spent in theater.  Until this year he was the king at the famous Renaissance Faire on the Illinois/Wisconsin border.

He still belongs to The Civil War Round Table as the Chicago Civil War Round Table calls itself, but rarely attends meetings any more because they are at O'Hare and you have to drive your car.  He used to take the train downtown to Chicago before they moved meetings to O'Hare.

I told him about the McHenry County Civil War Round Table which I belong to and he says he might just get out to a meeting.

However, he has gone a lot of the Chicago Round table's Battlefield Tours and quite often Ed Bearss has been tour director.  A favorite story of Bob's is one time they were at a battlefield and it started raining and continued to get harder until everyone had retreated to cover, but there stood Ed out talking and pointing and gesturing with his arms, completely oblivious that he was the only one out there.

However, he soon had a new audience.  There was a cow pasture there and pretty soon, the cows all had meandered over to the fence and paying rapt attention to Ed.

Good Story.  --Old Secesh

Ed Bearss Off the Cuff

Next, we had a question-answer segment.

Some general observations of Mr. Bearss:

McClellan lacked the killer instinct.

Picketts Charge had 15 Virginia regiments in it and they were certainly not the Pride of the Army of Northern Virginia.

Had not Jackson been killed at Chancellorsville, Lee probably would have won the first day at Gettysburg.  By the third day, there was no way Lee had a chance to win the battle.

Meade made a huge mistake when he did not actively pursue Lee's army after Gettysburg.

In his wounding by the Japanese at Cape Gloucester.  They shot the s-h-i-t out of us because they had the terrain advantage.  I was fortunate not to be killed.  Was in the hospital for 72 months and did a real lot of reading while there.  One book that moved him was "Lee's Lieutenants."

A Most Memorable Evening With, In My Opinion, The #1 Civil War Guy In the Country.  --Old Secesh

Ed Bearss On Public Speaking

Up to now, Mr. Bearss had not read any of this far-ranging talk.  He did have a few notes to keep him on target which he'd glance at every so often, but this was not simply a "read" talk.  He says he doesn't write out his talks so he won't be looking at the words and instead keeps eye contact with the audience.  he gets his feedback from their eyes.

He is more effective when doing this.  He learned to "Look'em in the eye" in Washington, D.C..  Give the talk verbally, don't read it

Excite their emotions.

He also stood the whole talk up until the near the end when he sat down.  That is quite remarkable as, remember, Mr. Bearss is 95 years old.

If You Get A Chance To See Him, Do It Soon.  --Old Secesh

Ed Bearss On Understanding Battlefields

Illinois regiments played a very prominent role at the Siege of Vicksburg.  Every regiment there has a marker.

Ed did his masters degree thesis on Confederate General Patrick Cleburne.

One thing Mr. Bearss really believes in is that the only way to understand a battlefield is to walk it and note the vegetation cover and landscape.

As he continued to drift toward what became his lifelong occupation he said that he knew battlefields and their Smokey Bear rangers, but not historians.  The eastern U.S. battlefields were more prestigious, but there were no openings there, but there was one at Vicksburg and this is where he went to work in 1966.

One of the first things he did was walk the military park to study the vegetation and landscape.  He said of himself that he was a Big Fish in a Little Pond at Vicksburg.  He later became a Big Fish in a Big Pond.

--Old Secesh

Ed Bearss On Mines and T.J. Higgins "If I Had Known What I Know Now"

The 45th Illinois was known as the Leadminer regiment.  At the Siege of Vicksburg they supervised and dug a mine under the redan of the 3rd Louisiana and exploded it.  However, compared to the mine explosion at Petersburg, the one at Vicksburg was just a pimple.

The one at Vicksburg was 45-feet deep, compared to the 505 foot depth at Petersburg.

The 99th Illinois was also famous in the XIII Corps, especially because of one incident at Vicksburg when Grant's Army attacked the Confederate defenses.  The regiment's color bearer, T.J. Higgins carried the flag at a run  toward the enemy lines.  Of course, color bearers always received heavy fire, but he never wavered.  On he came, waving the flag and exhorting his regiment and the other supporting troops to follow.

What he didn't know, however, was that everyone else had halted and fallen back.  He was a one-man charge.  He did not become aware of his solo attack until at the Confederate lines when he was captured.  When asked why he had made the solo attack, he replied, "If I had known what I know now."

--Old Secesh

Ed Bearss On Albert Cashier and U.S. Grant's Confederate Connection

Next Mr. Bearss talked about one interesting Union soldier named Albert Cashier, who actually was a woman by the name of Jennie Hodgers.  She was able to keep her sex secret until 1911 when she was struck by a hit-and-run driver and was hospitalized.

Then, it was back to Vicksburg where he said there were more Illinois units participating than any other state.  Their numbers came to about 40,000  (Wikipedia quotes a total of 77,000 men in Grant's army).  The Illinois monument has three medallions on it:  Lincoln is in the center, flanked by Grant and Civil War Governor Yates.

U.S. Grant was a good friend of Confederate General James Longstreet who stood up at Grant's wedding before the war.  When Grant got out of the Army before the war in New York City he was dead broke he borrowed money from future Confederate General Simon Bolivar Buckner.

--Old SecGrant

Ed Bearrs On Chicago Baseball and the Biograph Theater

Mr. Bearss said he had seen the very first All-Star game in Chicago because of famed Chicago Tribune sports editor Arch Ward.  It was played July 6, 1933, at Comiskey Park in Chicago and was Arch Ward's idea.  It was held to be a boost to Chicago and something to get people's minds off the Great Depression.

He saw it also because Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis who was baseball commissioner at the time and also  kept his office in Chicago.

He believes he may be the only person alive who saw that game.The wort seats in Comiskey Park were in the extreme right field which is where Babe Ruth played.  But he did see the Babe make a great catch and of course, hit a home run to right field.

He was also at this year's All-Star game played at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., compliments of the Civil War Times.

In his two days being driven around Chicago a highlight was seeing the Biograph Theater where John Dillinger was killed thanks to the "Lady In Red."  He also wanted to see as many Chicago mob sites as possible.

It Would Appear That Our Mr. Bearss Is Interested In More Than Just the Civil War.  --Old Secesh

Ed Bearss: Pronounced "Barrs," On Chicago

I found out his name is pronounced "Barrs" not as the animal as I thought.

I was the first person into the room where he was to speak and sat right up in the front row.  I want every bit of this.  When Mr. Bearss arrived, he took a seat right next to me.  Wow!!  Had the meeting not started right away I would have really enjoyed talking to him.

This being the 77th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and Ed Bearss being in that war and a badly wounded Marine, that was going to be one of his topics, along with, of course, the war.

He had been in the Chicago area for two days already and escorted around by the president of the Northern Illinois Civil War Round Table.  He is a big fan of all things Chicago.  He said he had been associated with the very first Civil War Round Table in Chicago for 54 years, saying he had been in it longer than even Marshall Krolick.

Plus his grandparents had lived in Chicago.

It Was a Chicago Thing.  --Old Secesh

Ed Bearss-- Part 4: An Experience

Beginning in 1951, he began leading Civil War tours for the prestigious Chicago Civil War Round Table.  Today, even well into his nineties, he is on the road as many as 200 days a year speaking or giving tours.

He lives in Arlington County, Virginia.

The Northern Illinois Civil War Round Table getting him to speak was quite a feat.  I thank them for giving me another chance to see  him.

I saw him in Smithville, North Carolina, where he was keynote speaker of a Battle of Bentonville/Carolina Campaign symposium.

This Was Quite An Experience for Me.  --Old Secesh

Ed Bearss-- Part 3: "You Can't Describe A Battlefield Unless You Walk It"

Ed Bearss then worked for three years with the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office in Maryland where he used his spare times to tour Civil War battlefields in the East.  (Careful, Mr. Bearss, that's a good way to get hooked.)

In 1955, he received his MA in History from Indiana University.  He wrote his these on Confederate General Patrick Cleburne and visited the battlefields Cleburne fought on, telling friends, "You can't describe a battlefield unless you walk it."  He lives still by these words, even at age 95

Afterwards, he became the historian at the Vicksburg National Military Park.  The hook was set.  While there, he and two friends did research that led to their finding the long-lost Union gunboat USS Cairo.  He also discovered the location of two "lost" forts at Grand Gulf, Mississippi.

In 1958, he was promoted to Southeast regional historian and spent most of his time visiting battlefields around the country.  In 1981, he was promoted to Chief Historian of the National Park service.

--Old Secesh

Ed Bearss-- Part 2: In the Marines in World War II, Badly Wounded At "Suicide Creek"

Mr. Bearss enlisted in the Marine Corps on April 28, 1942, and by July was on a troop transport to the Pacific Theater.  In the invasion of Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands, he was in the 3rd Marine Raider Battalion.  In New Britain, he was in the 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

On January 2, 1944, Bearss was severely wounded at "Suicide Creek" (Cape Gloucester, New Britain). by Japanese machine gun fire.  He was evacuated to California and spent 26 months in various hospitals before being discharged as a corporal March 15, 1946.

He returned to Montana.

Then, it was on to Georgetown University for college using his G.I. Bill. and earned a degree in Foreign Service studies.

--Old Secesh

Ed Bearss, Mr. Civil War-- Part 1: From Montana

From Wikipedia.

I decided to do some of Mr. Bearss' background before writing about what he said December 7, 2018 in Arlington Heights.

Born June 26, 1923, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WW II, military historian and author known for his work in the Civil War and World War II eras.  Served as Chief Historian of the National Park Service from 1981 to 1985 and currently is Chief Historian Emeritus.

Born in Montana and grew up on his family's cattle ranch.  His father was a Marine in WW I and used to read accounts of military campaigns to his son.

He graduated from high school in May 1941 and hitchhiked around the United States visiting and visited his first Civil War battlefields.

After that he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

--Old Secesh

Ed Bearss Speaks on Chicago, WW II and the Civil War

The Northern Illinois Civil War Round Table hosted none other that noted Civil War Guy, Ed Bearrs, at their meeting on December 7, 2018, at the Arlington Heights History Museum.  I had heard about him being there at the McHenry County Civil War Round Table.  If you're into the Civil War, this is a guy you definitely do not want to miss.

I can't help believe that he was there when the war was fought in a past life.

He has written many books about the war as well as made many talks to groups and led many a battlefield tour.  Again, you get total immersion with him.

For years he was chief historian at the Vicksburg National Battlefield.  He really came to the public attention because of his work with the Ken Burns Civil War documentary.

Plus, at age 95, he won't be with us much  longer.

--Old Secesh

The Bearss Comes to New Bern-- Part 2

Edwin C. Bearss, 90, served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and is a noted historian known for his work with the Civil War and World War II.  He was badly wounded by the Japanese during the war and hospitalized for two years before his honorable discharge.  After that, he returned home to his native Montana.

He was chief historian of the National Park Service from 1981 to 1994 and is now chief historian emeritus.  Even at his age, he still does tours and talks as if he were actually there.

His lecture on Jan. 11th is being sponsored jointly by the New Bern Civil War Round Table and the New Bern Historical Society.

--Gone a Bearss'n.  --Old Secesh

The Bearss Comes to New Bern-- Part 1

From the December 17, 2014, New Bern (NC) Sun-Journal "Bearss to return to New Bern for ninth Civil War program."

"An American treasure, Civil War historian Edwin C. Bearss will again appear in New Bern early next year.

On January 11, 2015, at 2 p.m., he will present "Lincoln and His Cabinet" at the North Carolina History Center in town.

The cost is $10 with all proceeds going to the New Bern Battlefield Park.

I finally was able to see him back in 2013 at a Bentonville Battlefield symposium in Smithville, N.C..  I'd wanted to see him for a long time as he is quite a treat to listen to, I doubt if anyone knows more about the war than he does.  And, at his advanced age, he will not be with us forever.

Better take your opportunity to see him now.  If I didn't live so far away, I'd sure be there.  He evidently will speaking the next week at the 150th anniversary of Fort Fisher near Wilmington.

Must Be a Bearss Tour.  --Old Secesh

North Carolina Civil War Seminar Earlier This Month

And, I was happy to be able to attend it. It was primarily put on by the Battle of Bentonville State Historic Site and Friends of the Battle of Bentonville and held at the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium at the Johnston County Community College.

For $25, you got to hear and see six noted Civil War authors and experts on events surrounding the Carolina Campaign of 1865 leading up to and following the Battle of Bentonville.

And one of them was a man I have been wanting to see for many years.

Speakers were BERT DUNKERLY The Confederate Surrender at Bennett Place; WADE SOKOLOSKY Battles of Wyse Fork and Averasboro; CHRIS FONVIELLE Union Naval operations in NC in 1865; MARK BRADLEY the Battle of Bentonville; ERIC WITTENBERG Cavalry in the Carolina Campaign and ED BEARSS.

Ed Bearss IS the foremost Civil War Scholar around these days and someone I've really been wanting to see.

Glad to Get to See These People. --Old Secesh

A "National Treasure" Returns to Southport

From the Dec. 22, 2011, Southport (NC) Times.

Historians and Civil War buffs describe Ed Bearss as a "National Treasure.  He will be speaking to the Jan. 11, 2012, Brunswick Civil War Round Table at the Brunswick County Senior Center.

Mr. Bearss is in his 80s and Director of the National Park Service Historical Section.  He is the recipient of many awards and a prolific writer.

His presentation will be on "President Lincoln and General McClellan.  There will be a $10 admission (worth every cent of it).

I sure would have liked to be there.  It seems that Mr. Bearss speaks a lot in North Carolina, so he must live nearby.  One of these days I definitely would love to have the opportunity to see him.

Maybe next Time.  --Old Secesh

The Brunswick Civil War Round Table

This organization is fairly new, just being formed in May 2010. As of this past June, membership stood at 280 members. That is one big organization, much bigger than most round tables. And to have reached that number that fast. I sure wish our Sons of Confederate Veterans camps could do likewise here in Illinois.

It is called Brunswick probably because of the North Carolina county its in.

Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at Trinity United Methodist Church at 209 East Nash Street in Southport.

I was impressed that they would have a speaker of Stephen Wise's stature come to speak to them, but looking at other talks coming up, it no longer surprises me.

Jan. 11, 2012, they are having Ed Bearss speak. This is one man I sure would love to see. he is the real Mr. Civil War. (However, my wife's birthday is Jan. 10th so doubt I'll get to go.)

In April and May, two other noted Civil War scholars also speak. First, William C. Davis and then Chris Fonvielle. Fonvielle will speak on Union Naval hero William B. Cushing.

I Know Three Times I'd Really Like to Be in Southport. --Old B-Runner