While on the Missouri Route 66 Motor Tour last September, I got to talking with Kip who said he was already thinking about making the 2011 one in that state about Civil War activity in honor of its 150th anniversary which starts next year.
That got me to thinking about doing one for the Route 66 Association of Illinois. Today, I looked up Grand Army of the Republic posts along the route and got a list. I also know of two Civil War Medal of Honor winners buried by Joliet and Dwight.
Plus, Jenny Hodgers, aka Albert Cashier is buried not too far off the road in Saunemin. She was one of several women who fought in the Union Army by passing themselves off as men.
Unfortunately, there won't be too much Confederate stuff other than the Confederates buried at the Camp Butler National Cemetery and the marker there.
Of course, the horrific Confederate prisoner of war Camp Douglas was in Chicago, but we usually don't go into that Route 66 city.
Just Thinking About It Right Now. --Old B-R
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Some Facts About This Blog-- Part 1
My first blog was my RoadDog's Roadlog, devoted to travels on the road. My niece Andrea helped me get it started while visiting there. When I returned home from Nashville, I found I was unable to get into the blog to post and, while experimenting and looking, ended up with a second blog I called Down Da Road. When I was able to get the first one back, I decided to turn Down Da Road into one about myself and other things I am interested in.
That would be music, history, Civil War, and what I'm up to. I started having so many Civil War posts, I decided to spin off a third blog, which became this one.
Saw the Elephant was a Civil War expression used by troops to describe the battle experience. I concentrate on events around Wilmington, North Carolina, Fort Fisher, both Navies, Blockade Running and any land events that catch my interest.
Way Too Much Time Devoted to This Effort. --Old B-Runner
I should mention that it is interesting that the first battle of the ironclads Monitor and CSS Virginia took place on this date in 1862. Kind of fitting that this blog's approaching 1000th entry would occur so close to it since the Navy is a big aspect of it.
That would be music, history, Civil War, and what I'm up to. I started having so many Civil War posts, I decided to spin off a third blog, which became this one.
Saw the Elephant was a Civil War expression used by troops to describe the battle experience. I concentrate on events around Wilmington, North Carolina, Fort Fisher, both Navies, Blockade Running and any land events that catch my interest.
Way Too Much Time Devoted to This Effort. --Old B-Runner
I should mention that it is interesting that the first battle of the ironclads Monitor and CSS Virginia took place on this date in 1862. Kind of fitting that this blog's approaching 1000th entry would occur so close to it since the Navy is a big aspect of it.
Battle of Goldsboro Bridge
The March 7th HMDB, Historical Marker Database featured a marker at the Battle of Goldsboro Bridge, the end of Foster's Raid in North Carolina.
On December 11, 1862, Union General John G. Foster left New Bern with 10,000 infantry, 640 cavalry and 40 cannons with the intention of marching to Goldsboro to destroy the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad bridge over the Neuse River and to provide a demonstration in support of Burnside's advance on Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The W & W Railroad was a major provider of supplies between Wilmington and Richmond.
He arrived at the bridge outside Goldsboro on December 17th and encountered a smaller Confederate force under Generals Thomas L. Clingman, Gustavus Smith and Nathan G. Evans. They soon pushed the Confederates back and set fire to the bridge, after which their cannons bombarded it.
As the Union forces returned to New Bern, the Confederates launched a sharp attack on the rear guard. Confederate losses in the battle were 150 killed, wounded and missing, Union around 100.
The bridge was repaired within weeks.
This marker is one of four on a walking tour.
Goldsboro is my birth place and the home of some of the best barbecue you're going to get anywhere at McCall's, Wilber's and Scott's.
A Small Battle, But a Big One in Eastern North Carolina and Home. --Old B-Runner
On December 11, 1862, Union General John G. Foster left New Bern with 10,000 infantry, 640 cavalry and 40 cannons with the intention of marching to Goldsboro to destroy the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad bridge over the Neuse River and to provide a demonstration in support of Burnside's advance on Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The W & W Railroad was a major provider of supplies between Wilmington and Richmond.
He arrived at the bridge outside Goldsboro on December 17th and encountered a smaller Confederate force under Generals Thomas L. Clingman, Gustavus Smith and Nathan G. Evans. They soon pushed the Confederates back and set fire to the bridge, after which their cannons bombarded it.
As the Union forces returned to New Bern, the Confederates launched a sharp attack on the rear guard. Confederate losses in the battle were 150 killed, wounded and missing, Union around 100.
The bridge was repaired within weeks.
This marker is one of four on a walking tour.
Goldsboro is my birth place and the home of some of the best barbecue you're going to get anywhere at McCall's, Wilber's and Scott's.
A Small Battle, But a Big One in Eastern North Carolina and Home. --Old B-Runner
Monday, March 8, 2010
Either the 1,000th or 996th Post-- USS Preston-- Snow at Fort Fisher--Problems at Gettysburg?
According to the "Saw the Elephant" dashboard, this is the 1,000th posting. Counting up the yearly and monthly totals, this is the 996th. I'm not sure which to believe, so will have the official marking of way-too-many posts later this week.
Anyway.
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE: Some new news about an old war.
1. USS PRESTON-- Remo in his Naval Warfare Blog recently featured the USS Preston DD-795 which was named after Lt. Samuel W. Preston, USN, who was killed at Fort Fisher, NC, Jan. 15, 1865, while participating in the naval brigades attack on the northeast salient.
It is the sixth ship in the navy to be named after him and 4th destroyer, along with DD-19, DD-327 and DD-379.
2. SNOW AT FORT FISHER-- The February 13th Carolina Beach Today blog featured pictures of Fort Fisher with snow on it. I've never seen snow at the fort.
3. PROBLEMS AT GETTYSBURG?-- The March 3rd York (Pa.) Daily Record reported that a Maryland company had bought the 120 acre Gettysburg Country Club. They plan on changing its use, but won't say to what. It is located within the Gettysburg National Military Park boundaries. L
Here's Hoping for the Best. Snow at Fort Fisher, Who Would Have Believed It, But, After All, This is Uncle Al's Global Warming. --Old B-Runner
Anyway.
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE: Some new news about an old war.
1. USS PRESTON-- Remo in his Naval Warfare Blog recently featured the USS Preston DD-795 which was named after Lt. Samuel W. Preston, USN, who was killed at Fort Fisher, NC, Jan. 15, 1865, while participating in the naval brigades attack on the northeast salient.
It is the sixth ship in the navy to be named after him and 4th destroyer, along with DD-19, DD-327 and DD-379.
2. SNOW AT FORT FISHER-- The February 13th Carolina Beach Today blog featured pictures of Fort Fisher with snow on it. I've never seen snow at the fort.
3. PROBLEMS AT GETTYSBURG?-- The March 3rd York (Pa.) Daily Record reported that a Maryland company had bought the 120 acre Gettysburg Country Club. They plan on changing its use, but won't say to what. It is located within the Gettysburg National Military Park boundaries. L
Here's Hoping for the Best. Snow at Fort Fisher, Who Would Have Believed It, But, After All, This is Uncle Al's Global Warming. --Old B-Runner
Tampa's Fort Brooke
Last week, I was writing about Tapa's Oaklawn Cemetery being shelled by the USS Sagamore while it was attacking Fort Brooke, which also played a role when Tampa was attacked by a naval expedition Oct-16-18, 1863 and a landing party caused three blockade-runners: the Scottish Chief, Kate Dale and A. B. Noyes to be destroyed. I wrote about this in three entries from October 20-25, 2008. The Union ships were te USS Adela and USS Tahoma.
In this battle, the bloc
Fort Brooke was located on the east bank of the Hillsborough River at its mouth on Tampa Bay. It is no longer there, being the present location of the Tampa Convention Center. The cemetery of the fort was relocated to Oaklawn.
In 1823, Colonels George Mercer Brooke and James Gasden were ordered to establish a military presence in the new Florida Territory and started a wood log fort at the site in 1824.
Besides the engagement with the Sagamore and the 1863 battle, the fort and town of Tampa was captured by Union forces May 6, 1864.
A Little-Known Part of the Civil War. --Old B-Runner
In this battle, the bloc
Fort Brooke was located on the east bank of the Hillsborough River at its mouth on Tampa Bay. It is no longer there, being the present location of the Tampa Convention Center. The cemetery of the fort was relocated to Oaklawn.
In 1823, Colonels George Mercer Brooke and James Gasden were ordered to establish a military presence in the new Florida Territory and started a wood log fort at the site in 1824.
Besides the engagement with the Sagamore and the 1863 battle, the fort and town of Tampa was captured by Union forces May 6, 1864.
A Little-Known Part of the Civil War. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, March 6, 2010
CSS Neuse-- Part 2
A Short History of the CSS Neuse.
1861-1864-- constructed
March 1865-- participated in the Battle of Southwest Creek
March 1865-- sunk by crew to prevent capture
1963-- hull recovered from the Neuse River. My grandfather took me over to see it.
2002-- local efforts for a CSS Neuse II begin
2005-- construction completed
2008-- I got to see the outside of it
2010-- a new president of the foundation begins a capitalization campaign
The article mentioned that the CSS Neuse is the only replica of a Civil War ironclad in existence, but the Mariner's Museum in Norfolk, Virginia has a replica of the USS Monitor. I think it is too bad that the US government made no effort to keep any of the old ironclads. Some of the monitors were still afloat into the early 1900s.
Quite an Impressive Sight. --Old B-R'er
1861-1864-- constructed
March 1865-- participated in the Battle of Southwest Creek
March 1865-- sunk by crew to prevent capture
1963-- hull recovered from the Neuse River. My grandfather took me over to see it.
2002-- local efforts for a CSS Neuse II begin
2005-- construction completed
2008-- I got to see the outside of it
2010-- a new president of the foundation begins a capitalization campaign
The article mentioned that the CSS Neuse is the only replica of a Civil War ironclad in existence, but the Mariner's Museum in Norfolk, Virginia has a replica of the USS Monitor. I think it is too bad that the US government made no effort to keep any of the old ironclads. Some of the monitors were still afloat into the early 1900s.
Quite an Impressive Sight. --Old B-R'er
CSS Neuse II-- Part 1
From March 3rd ENC.com
The CSS Neuse II has a new president, John Nix, who wants to use the ship to help Kinston, North Carolina's tourism. This full-sized replica of the original is definitely an impressive sight to see in downtown Kinston. Up to 5,000 visit the ship annually, and many more view it. At present, it is only open on the weekends.
The ship history goes back to 2002 when Alton Stapleford and the late Ted Sampley spearheaded efforts to make the 158-foot-long ironclad reality.
It is still a project in progress and now most of the interior work is completed. Soon, two replica cannons will be mounted inside the ship. However, they have had problems with exterior fiberglass which has cracked and allowed leakage to get inside.
Presently, the foundation is working on a pier structure to resemble what it was tied up to in the nearby Neuse River. Plans also call for a cannon to be mounted outside the ship.
Hoping to Visit It and Go Inside This Month When I Go back to North Carolina for the Bentonville 145th Reenactment. --Old B-Runner
The CSS Neuse II has a new president, John Nix, who wants to use the ship to help Kinston, North Carolina's tourism. This full-sized replica of the original is definitely an impressive sight to see in downtown Kinston. Up to 5,000 visit the ship annually, and many more view it. At present, it is only open on the weekends.
The ship history goes back to 2002 when Alton Stapleford and the late Ted Sampley spearheaded efforts to make the 158-foot-long ironclad reality.
It is still a project in progress and now most of the interior work is completed. Soon, two replica cannons will be mounted inside the ship. However, they have had problems with exterior fiberglass which has cracked and allowed leakage to get inside.
Presently, the foundation is working on a pier structure to resemble what it was tied up to in the nearby Neuse River. Plans also call for a cannon to be mounted outside the ship.
Hoping to Visit It and Go Inside This Month When I Go back to North Carolina for the Bentonville 145th Reenactment. --Old B-Runner
Tampa's Oaklawn Cemetery-- Part 2
Members of Tampa's pioneer families are buried at the cemetery along with 13 Tampa mayors and one governor of Florida. The fact that most graves were designated with wooden markers explains why there are so many mass burials from Fort Brooke and Yellow Fever epidemic.
A walking tour is offered.
One interesting story belongs to J. T. MAGBEE, one of Tampa's first lawyers, a member of the Florida State Constitutional Convention, Florida state senator, early newspaper editor and a circuit court judge.
he was also known as a "scalawag" because he quickly sided with northern carpetbaggers after the Civil War. One time, locals took advantage of his propensity for strong drink which caused him to pass out cold in the street. They poured a mixture of molasses and cornbread on the passed out judge's body. Local night-roaming pigs found the mixture to their liking and they ate it as well as the poor judge's clothes causing quite an incident.
JOHN P. WALL was a mayor of Tampa and a surgeon in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He moved to Tampa in 1869 where his wife and daughter died from Yellow Fever. he then began a lifelong campaign to eradicate the disease. He was one of the first to determine the disease came from mosquitoes.
Interesting People. --Old B-R
A walking tour is offered.
One interesting story belongs to J. T. MAGBEE, one of Tampa's first lawyers, a member of the Florida State Constitutional Convention, Florida state senator, early newspaper editor and a circuit court judge.
he was also known as a "scalawag" because he quickly sided with northern carpetbaggers after the Civil War. One time, locals took advantage of his propensity for strong drink which caused him to pass out cold in the street. They poured a mixture of molasses and cornbread on the passed out judge's body. Local night-roaming pigs found the mixture to their liking and they ate it as well as the poor judge's clothes causing quite an incident.
JOHN P. WALL was a mayor of Tampa and a surgeon in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He moved to Tampa in 1869 where his wife and daughter died from Yellow Fever. he then began a lifelong campaign to eradicate the disease. He was one of the first to determine the disease came from mosquitoes.
Interesting People. --Old B-R
Alonzo Cushing to Receive Posthumous Medal of Honor
Long overdue, but a very deserved honor by a famous family of Union military folks. Alonzo Cushing's actions and death on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg earned him this honor, thanks to the unending efforts of local Delafield historian Margaret Zerwekh who started working on the project seven years ago.
Secretary of the Army John McHugh notified US Senator Russ Feingold of the honor this past week. The Congressional Medal of Honor was established in 1862 as the Civil War intensified. Of the 3,448 recipients so far, 618 have been given posthumously.
Alonzo was born Jan. 19, 1842 in Delafield, Wisconsin, outside of Milwaukee but ws raised in Fredonia, New York. He had a brother named William who was quite famous for his actions in the Navy. Another brother Howard, survived the war and became a famous frontiersman. His fourth brother Milton was a Navy paymaster.
However, they should now also give one to his brother William Cushing who definitely deserves one for his actions in the war.
From Civil War Interactive Newswire and the March 3rd Living Lake Country (Wi).
A Well deserved honor. --Old B-Runner
Secretary of the Army John McHugh notified US Senator Russ Feingold of the honor this past week. The Congressional Medal of Honor was established in 1862 as the Civil War intensified. Of the 3,448 recipients so far, 618 have been given posthumously.
Alonzo was born Jan. 19, 1842 in Delafield, Wisconsin, outside of Milwaukee but ws raised in Fredonia, New York. He had a brother named William who was quite famous for his actions in the Navy. Another brother Howard, survived the war and became a famous frontiersman. His fourth brother Milton was a Navy paymaster.
However, they should now also give one to his brother William Cushing who definitely deserves one for his actions in the war.
From Civil War Interactive Newswire and the March 3rd Living Lake Country (Wi).
A Well deserved honor. --Old B-Runner
Friday, March 5, 2010
USS Sagamore
A little Wikipedia information on the USS Sagamore. Its armament was listed as 1X20 pdr., 2X24 pdr. guns, and 1X12 pdr. It was commissioned December 7, 1861 (80 years before you-know-what) and served in the East Gulf Blockading squadron in the waters off Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.
Ordnance always contuses me a bit, so I'm not sure if one of its guns might have fired the 8-inch shell mentioned at the cemetery.
After the action at Tampa, which wasn't mentioned in the Wikepedia article, the Sagamore destroyed a Confederate salt works at St. Andrews Bay by today's Panama City on September 11, 1862. Three months later, it captured the British blockade-runner By George (great name) December 1, 1862 by Indian River, Florida.
Later, the ship captured or destroyed five other blockade-runners.
On July 28, 1863, it shelled New Smyrna, Florida, on the east coast. One of its targets was Stone Wharf, which still stands. It also operated on the Suwanee River.
Never Heard of the Ship Before. --Old B-R
Ordnance always contuses me a bit, so I'm not sure if one of its guns might have fired the 8-inch shell mentioned at the cemetery.
After the action at Tampa, which wasn't mentioned in the Wikepedia article, the Sagamore destroyed a Confederate salt works at St. Andrews Bay by today's Panama City on September 11, 1862. Three months later, it captured the British blockade-runner By George (great name) December 1, 1862 by Indian River, Florida.
Later, the ship captured or destroyed five other blockade-runners.
On July 28, 1863, it shelled New Smyrna, Florida, on the east coast. One of its targets was Stone Wharf, which still stands. It also operated on the Suwanee River.
Never Heard of the Ship Before. --Old B-R
Tampa's Oaklawn Cemetery
HMdb also mentions some other markers in the cemetery that are of interest.
One is for the Confederate States Soldiers and sailors that are interred there.
Another is for the 102 unknown soldiers and settlers relocated there from the old US Army cemetery at Fort Brooke March 24, 1981. This probably would have been before construction of the Tampa Convention Center which was built on the fort's site.
Another marker is on the spot where victims of the 1853, 1858, 1867, 1871 and 1887-1888 Yellow Fever Epidemics are buried.
Tampa was just a struggling community of about 500 when the cemetery was established in 1850. It was designated as a public burial ground for whites, blacks, slaves, rich and poor.
The first markers erected were wooden and decayed so that now, many bodies are unmarked. This is why there are so many mass burials of unmarked people.
Not Just Any Cemetery. --Old B-Runner
One is for the Confederate States Soldiers and sailors that are interred there.
Another is for the 102 unknown soldiers and settlers relocated there from the old US Army cemetery at Fort Brooke March 24, 1981. This probably would have been before construction of the Tampa Convention Center which was built on the fort's site.
Another marker is on the spot where victims of the 1853, 1858, 1867, 1871 and 1887-1888 Yellow Fever Epidemics are buried.
Tampa was just a struggling community of about 500 when the cemetery was established in 1850. It was designated as a public burial ground for whites, blacks, slaves, rich and poor.
The first markers erected were wooden and decayed so that now, many bodies are unmarked. This is why there are so many mass burials of unmarked people.
Not Just Any Cemetery. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, March 4, 2010
USS Sagamore Shells a Florida Cemetery
The HMdb, Historical Marker Data Base, recently had an account of a cemetery in Tampa in which a shell from the USS Sagamore landed during a bombardment of the city June 30-July 1, 1862.
An 8-inch shell landed in Oaklawn Cemetery, founded 1850, and a marker is in it today to commemorate the event. Tampa was just a very small town during the Civil War and several small skirmishes, usually of a naval nature, took place.
On July 2, 1862, the Confederate commander of Fort Brooke, John W. Pearson, wrote of the USS Sagamore's attempt to reoccupy Tampa. One of the shells landed in the cemetery, which he noted a being quite a bit north of the fort.
There was mention in the article that Pearson might have moved some of his supplies to a nearby area.
There was no mention as to whether the shell was recovered, but I imagine it was.
Just a Little Bit of Minor History. --Old B-Runner
An 8-inch shell landed in Oaklawn Cemetery, founded 1850, and a marker is in it today to commemorate the event. Tampa was just a very small town during the Civil War and several small skirmishes, usually of a naval nature, took place.
On July 2, 1862, the Confederate commander of Fort Brooke, John W. Pearson, wrote of the USS Sagamore's attempt to reoccupy Tampa. One of the shells landed in the cemetery, which he noted a being quite a bit north of the fort.
There was mention in the article that Pearson might have moved some of his supplies to a nearby area.
There was no mention as to whether the shell was recovered, but I imagine it was.
Just a Little Bit of Minor History. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Ole Miss Admiral Ackbars?
Is this Star Wars character to be the new mascot of the University of Mississippi? The old one, Col. Reb was kicked out in 2003 as being, well, too Confederate. You know, pol in. So students are deciding what they want the new one to be. Admiral Ackbar is a character from Star Wars and evidently has the backing of some folks.
OLE MISS BLUTOS
My choice would be the Ole Miss Blutos, after that wonderful character in "Animal House." Hey, he always was going around in a sweatshirt with the word "college" on the front. And, you would have a built-in dance to do at athletic events, "Do the Bluto."
Just Seems to Me If You're Going to Get Stewpid, Go All the Way. --Old B-Runner
OLE MISS BLUTOS
My choice would be the Ole Miss Blutos, after that wonderful character in "Animal House." Hey, he always was going around in a sweatshirt with the word "college" on the front. And, you would have a built-in dance to do at athletic events, "Do the Bluto."
Just Seems to Me If You're Going to Get Stewpid, Go All the Way. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Fort Sumter Cannons in Portland, Oregon
The March 2nd Cyclotram blog had pictures and a report about two Civil War cannons in Portland's Lowndale Square by a statue of a Spanish-American War soldier. These are small howitzers that were reportedly used by both Confederate and Union soldiers, so one points south and the other north.
They were brought to Portland compliments of Col. Henry Dosch. The plaque has Fort Sumter incorrectly spelled Sumpter (I always have to stop and think about this spelling myself when I write it).
It reads "Howitzers used in defense of Fort Sumpter 1861."
Cyclotram says this is the ONLY Civil War memorial in Portland.
Thanks, Cyclotram. --Old B-R'er
They were brought to Portland compliments of Col. Henry Dosch. The plaque has Fort Sumter incorrectly spelled Sumpter (I always have to stop and think about this spelling myself when I write it).
It reads "Howitzers used in defense of Fort Sumpter 1861."
Cyclotram says this is the ONLY Civil War memorial in Portland.
Thanks, Cyclotram. --Old B-R'er
The Real Fort Walton, Florida
On our way leaving Destin, Florida, we stopped in Fort Walton Beach and took video and pictures of the cannon and Indian Mound downtown.
The cannon was from Fort Walton, hence the name of the town and beach, which was built during the Civil War and occupied by a small garrison.
The gun is pointing out to the Gulf of Mexico and was recovered from the ruins of the fort.
You can find out more about the fort in Dale Cox's excellent ExploreSouthernHistory.com.
And You Thought Beaches Were Just for Spring Breakin'. --Old B-Runner
The cannon was from Fort Walton, hence the name of the town and beach, which was built during the Civil War and occupied by a small garrison.
The gun is pointing out to the Gulf of Mexico and was recovered from the ruins of the fort.
You can find out more about the fort in Dale Cox's excellent ExploreSouthernHistory.com.
And You Thought Beaches Were Just for Spring Breakin'. --Old B-Runner
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