10 Facts Battle of Ball's Bluff-- Part 4: The Famed California Regiment Wasn't Actually from California

#5:  Ball's Bluff was the first major battle of the famed California Regiment.

Funded by Californians,  the 1st California Regiment was part of an effort to keep California in the Union by encouraging California men from across the United States to enlist in the regiment.  The regiment, however, was Californian in name only; not only was it led by  Colonel Baker, a senator from Oregon, but the regiment was raised primarily in Philadelphia, resulting in a regiment where the majority of the men were native Pennsylvanians.

After Baker's death, the regiment was renamed the  71st Pennsylvania Volunteers, and went on to see action at  Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, where they participated in the famous repulse of Pickett's Charge at the Bloody Angle.

Old Secesh

Ten Facts Battle of Ball's Bluff-- Part 3: A Big Defeat and Loss of Col. Baker

Eventually, the Confederates under Evans forced the Union forces off the bluff and into the Potomac River.  Here again, a shortage of boats took a toll on the Union forces.  Those who did not surrender would have to swim across the river and many drowned in the attempt.

The shocking disparity of casualties made the Union defeat all the more resounding.  The Federal Army suffered over 1,000 casualties while the Confederates less than 160.

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FACT #4:  The only sitting Member of Congress to be killed in battle died at Ball's Bluff.

Senator Edward  Dickinson Baker of Oregon and a close personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, became  a colonel when he was chosen to lead the California Regiment in May 1861.  He was assigned to  Brig. Gen. Stone's division stationed on the Potomac River.

On the morning of October 21, 1861,  Baker learned of Devin's raiding party into what they thought was a rebel camp and went to Stone to be briefed.  Stone, not yet knowing about the skirmish, ordered Baker to Ball's Bluff to take command of the reconnaissance and to evaluate whether to send in more troops or withdraw.

When Baker learned about the skirmish, he ordered all available troops forward and crossed the river to Ball's Bluff himself in midafternoon.  About 4 pm, he was struck simultaneously in the heart and brain by four bullets and died instantly.

--Old Secesh

Civil War Auction Honors Lincoln's Birthday-- Part 2: An Original Copy of the 13th Amendment

"People can bid interactively on our website,"  said Curtis Linder, a director of Americana at Heritage in Dallas and an expert on collecting areas in Americana, political memorabilia and the Civil War.

On February 12, Lincoln's birthday, bidders can also attend the auction in person in Dallas, or dial by phone.  The auction itself will be online only on February 13.  Both events start at 11 am.

Linder highlighted some of the Civil War-era artifacts that will be up for auction.

Among them is the original 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution signed by more than 109 members of Congress.  The one-page document is on parchment in the manuscript with a ruled border marked "Duplicate" at then heading, according to a description on the website.

Some of the text and signatures are hard to read as the vellum used for the documents absorbed the ink.  Four faint senators' signatures, including Charles Sumner and John P. Hale, are written in the left margin.

--Old Secesh

Roadtrippin' Thru History-- Part 4: Some More Itinerary

Some more places or people we'll be visiting:

Three generals:  one killed in battle, one you probably know and one you'll have to make up your mind about.

The Battle of Opequon  (Virginia)

The Battle of Barboursville (Virginia)

A long-serving U.S. Senator (the last U.S. Senator to serve in the Civil War)

A fort renaming, not once but twice

The Battle and Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana

Two marriages with Benefits

Several things that will make you go "HHhummmmm."

--Old Secesh