The Edward Kittoe House in Galena, Illinois, Is a B&B Now

Is located at 105 South High Street.

It is now Miss Murphy's B&B.   Rooms rent from $175 to $225.

Edward Kittoe was good friends with U.S. Grant, who rented a house a few doors away before the Civil War.

The original part of the house was constructed 1845-1850 and additions have been made  in 1861 and 1870.

Dr. Kittoe was  recorded as a physician practicing on Main Street in Galena in 1854 in the City of Galena Directory and listed as living at this home.

His obituary describes him as  "a very modest man who shunned notoriety...  No man living had a kinder or more sympathetic heart.  He despised falsehood, hypocrisy and sham, and was incapable of amean or despicable act."

When Dr. Kittoe died in  September of 1887, his funeral procession  was reported as being oneof the largest ever seen in Galena.  After the service at Grace Episcopal Church, of which he was a member  for over 30 years, he was buried  in Greenwood Cemetery.

Stay in Some History.  --Old Secesh

The Charles Wayne House in Elgin, Illinois-- Part 2

Continued from October 3, 2021.

Charles Wayne was the son of Harley Wayne of Union, Illinois, who was a captain and killed at the Battle of Shiloh.  I have written a lot about Harley and Charles earlier this year.

After Charles and his mother Ellen moved to Elgin, he  entered into a partnership with Attorney  John A. Russell.  Later, that partnership was dissolved and Mr. Wayne entered a partnership with Botsford, Wayne and Botsford..  According to newspaper articles gathered by Charles' wife Mary into scrapbooks, he became a prominent Northern Illinois trial lawyer.

He then entered local politics and soon became mayor of Elgin from 1895-1896.  After that, he declined to run for mayor again and went back to his law practice.

Mary Smith, his wife, was the daughter of Leonidas and Sarah J. Steward Smith and was born in Nashville, Tennessee.  She moved to Elgin with her sister Sarah when their brother Steward received  a position as  a priest at the Episcopal Church in Elgin.

Charles married Mary Carmichael Smith on January 18, 1888.

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson Obituary-- Part 2: Sheathed His Confederate Sword and Drew His Sword for the Lord

It is fortunate that the defense of Fort Sumter has had an eminently fair, impartial, unimpassioned  and scientific history from both contestants --  Gilmore writing  as to the attack and Johnson as to the defense.  Major Johnson's most valued historic contribution is remarkable  in its entire accuracy, its completeness of detail, and, above all, for the supreme modesty of its author.

Forever the name of Major John Johnson will be linked with the fame of the historic defense of Fort Sumter.

After sheathing in honor his Confederate sword, he drew bright and fair the sword of the Lord, and for many years the beloved rector of St. Philips Church, Charleston.  Brave in the struggle of life, consistent in every action, persistent in every duty, loving and tender  to all around him, he was in a long life of peace devoted to all that was pure, lofty, and enobling as true as when, amidst war's alarums  (old word for alarm),  he was coolly and skillfully rebuilding the ramparts of Fort Sumter.

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson-- Part 6: Surrendered With Johnston, Religious Pursuits and a Book

John Johnson was promoted to Major of Engineers in October 1864.  Upon recovering from his wounds, he joined Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army in eastern North Carolina and took part in the battles of Averasboro and Bentonville.  He was paroled as senior officer of engineers at the surrender of the army at Greensboro in April 1865.  (Probably Johnston's surrender at Bennett Place in Durham, N.C..)

After the war, he resumed his ministerial studies  and in January 188, was ordained  to the Episcopal ministry and assumed charge of Grace Church in Camden, South Carolina.  In 1871, he returned to Charleston and became assistant minister of St. Philip's Episcopal Church.  he was made rector the following year, at age 43, and served in that capacity for the next 34 years.

In July 1890 he published his work "The Defense of Charleston Harbor, Including Fort Sumter and Adjacent Islands 1863-1865."  This book received high commendation from the best literary and military critics.

In the summer of 1891,  he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee,  and a few years later the College of Charleston conferred on him the degree of LL.D..

The Reverend John Johnson died  in Charleston at age 78 on April 7, 1907, the 44th anniversary of his posting to  Fort Sumter.  he was survived by his wife of  of 42 years, Floride Canteyand eight children.  he is buried at St. Philip's Church Cemetery..

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson, CSA-- Part 4: Engineering and Divinity

Born in Charleston on December 25, 1829, he received his academic  education in engineering and pursued that for ten years where he was employed in surveys, railroad construction and water-works.  In 1853, under the patronage of the state, he prepared and published a large map of South Carolina.  He continued his academic studies at sessions offered at the University of Virginia 1858-1860.

In addition, he decided to enter the ministry  of the Protestant Episcopal Church and began  preparation at Camden, South Carolina,  under the direction of Bishop Thomas F. Davis until the war broke out.

He entered the engineering corps of the Confederate Army in August 1862 at age 33 with the rank of Lieutenant of Engineers, then Captain in 1863 and Major in 1864.  He was initially engaged in the construction of defenses at several towns (including Wilmington).

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson, Fort Sumter Defender of Charleston-- Part 2: Of Engineers and the Church

The Rev. John Johnson, rector emeritus of St. Philips Episcopal Church in Charleston, Confederate Major of Engineers in charge at Fort Sumter,  and author of "The Defense of Fort Sumter" and other historical works, died last night at the age of 78.

He studied civil engineering, to which for ten years he devoted his energies in railroad constructing and other large engineering work throughout South Carolina.  In 1853, he published the largest map of this state ever undertaken.

In 1860, he studied for the ministry at the Camden University in South Carolina, but at the outbreak of the war, he entered the engineering  corps of the Southern army  with the rank of Lieutenant of Engineers and rose rapidly through the ranks to major of Engineers.

He was mostly engaged  on the fortifications of several towns and was at Fort Sumter for fifteen months of its bombardment.  During this time, he was wounded twice by shells which left him crippled for life.

After the war, he was paroled as senior officer in the engineers and resumed his his ministerial studies, being ordained in 1866.   In 1872, he was appointed rector of St.Philips.

--Old Secesh

William Beall-- Part 5: Served In the Stonewall Brigade

Baltimore Sun June 18, 1907, obituary.

WILLIAM BEALL [Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun].

Charlestown, West Virginia.

William Beall, 63 years old, a well-known retired farmer, residing near Flowing Springs, died yesterday after an illness of some months, aged 63 years.

He served in the Confederate Army and was in the Stonewall Brigade.

Mr. Beall had for some years one of the vestrymen in Zion Episcopal Church.

He is survived by three sisters.

--Old secesh

135th USCT Re-Enactment Goldsboro-- Part 4: Mustered Into Service in Goldsboro in 1865

Then General  Sherman stayed in Scotland County, North Carolina, on the March through the Carolinas.  Scotland County is on the S.C. border and where Laurinburg is located.  While there, they used the Old Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church for headquarters (built 1856).

Then they went to Fayetteville where they destroyed the arsenal and then to the Battle of Bentonville March 19-21.  After the Union victory at Bentonville, Sherman continued on to Goldsboro.  There his troops were supplied.

The 135th was created when over 1,100 black men enlisted after Sherman arrived in Goldsboro, which is why  the 135th's re-enactment is taking place there.  Between late March and early April, the 135th trained and were issued uniforms and equipment.

USCT regiments acted as the U.S. Navy Seabees do, they created roads by felling trees and covering them with soil and built bridges.

I's Sure Like to be in Goldsboro for this event this weekend.  --Old Secesh

Emanuel AME Cemetery in Charleston, S.C., Is Home to a Confederate Soldier

From the July 8, 2016, 4 ABC News, Charleston, S.C., News.

Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., a historically black church where the horrible murders took place a year ago, is also home to the grave of a Confederate soldier.

His name was Louis B. Middleton and his grave has a First National Confederate Flag (not the battle flag) flying by it and the words "Confederate Soldier" on it.

Tall grass and weeds are by it.  Mr. Middleton was a cook in the Confederate Army.

--Old Secesh

Civil War Bell Rings for GAR's 150th Anniversary

From the April 7, 2016, Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle "Civil War-era bell to ring on Saturday."

It was first rung before the Civil War at the Webster Baptist Church.  It will again be rung 15 times Saturday for the 150th anniversary of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR).  It is a part of the Bells Across New York event.

The commemoration will be conducted   by the local chapters of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Daughters of Union Veterans.

The bell was installed in 1857 when the church was built.  When Lee surrendered at Appomattox in 1865 it was rung so hard that it cracked and that crack is still there.

A Real Piece of History.  --Old Secesh

Old Sheldon Church Remains in South Carolina

This is a follow-up on yesterday's post.

From Wikipedia.

The ruins of the church are located in northern Beaufort County, S.C., about 17 miles north of Beaufort.

It is known as the Sheldon Church or Old Sheldon Church.

The first church at the site was known as Prince William's Parish Church and was built in the Greek Revival style between 1745-1753.  It was burned by the British in 1779 and rebuilt in 1826.

Then, it was burned by Sherman's men in 1865, but was it.  There is another source that says it was not burnt, but torn up inside by blacks and whites searching for building materials whose homes had been burned by Sherman.  Though gutted, reportedly, it could have been rebuilt.

The ruins are picturesque, set among huge oak trees and graves.  Inside is the grave of Col. William Bull, who assisted James Oglethorpe in laying out Savannah.

The site is popular for photographs and used for weddings.  An annual service is held there the second Sunday after Easter.

--Old Secesh

Shorpy Goes to War: Casualty of War: Church Destroyed By British and Then By Sherman

From June 13, 2015, Shorpy "Casualty of War: 1938."

Prince William's Church--Sheldon Church (ruins).

Sheldon, Beaufort County, S.C..  The building dated of 1753 and destroyed by the British Army in 1779.  rebuilt in 1826 upon the former church.  In 1865, it was destroyed by Sherman's Army.

8 X 10 inch acetate negative by Francis Benjamin Johnston.

--Old Secesh

As We Commeorate the Last Day of the Battle of Gettysburg-- Part 7: The Christian Commission and Aftermath

Ten years ago, John Wega quit his job to move his family to Gettysburg to open a museum and ministry devoted to the story of the Christian Commission.  This organization enlisted men and women to follow armies to minister tospiritual and physical needs.  After Gettysburg, dozens of the members stayed to attend the wounded, bury the dead and feed doctors, nurses and burial details.

"We are dedicated to not telling just the story of the fighting, which is an incredibly compelling story, and there are so many what-ifs," says Catherine Lawhon, the NPS spokeswoman at Gettysburg.  "But there is an important story of the aftermath and the recovery and what happens when the armies leave Gettysburg, and that kind of culminates with the Gettysburg Address."

Some families returned to destroyed homes and farms, and 'some of them never recover.'"

Old Secesh

Civil War Graffiti on West Virgina Church Wall

From the April 23rd Herald-Mail.

Martinsburg, W. Va.  The full exposure and conservance of "remarkable" graffiti from Civil War Union soldiers will cost $63,000.

Morgan's Chapel in Bunker Hill, W. Va., is the scene of the graffiti, most done in pencil, but some in crayon.

Berkely County Historic Landmarks Commission and the Episcopal Diocese of W. Va., are working to preserve the north wall of the chapel which was built in the 1850s and is in danger of collapsing without emergency work.  Its original plaster walls have remained pretty much the same since the Civil War.

The graffiti was uncovered in November 2008 by workers cleaning the interior which was covered with five layers of paint.

One notation read: "Look out Johnny Reb for we are coming.  And by the help of God we are bound to lick you Traitors..."  The graffiti is on a wall in the "slave gallery" of the church which is located along US-11.  there is a belief that other structures along the road might also contain graffiti.

The workers also found several patched holes in the brick walls of the church, nearly uniform in size and height, apparently rifle slots used while the church served as a make-shift fort.

I Don't Know, Putting Graffiti On a Church?  --Old Secesh