Six years later, Allen Wandling got a call from the family, who had found it in a closet after the old man had died. Then, Wandling traced the sword to William Rowley, of the 58th Illinois Regiment who had cut the sword from Col. Rogers' belt after his death. Rogers had been wearing an armored suit at the battle but had been shot many times before finally being done in by a direct blast of cannister from a cannon.
His body was taken back to Corinth where Rogers was buried with honors. Rowley later gave the sword to an officer of the 9th Illinois who took it back to Belleville after the war.
Rogers' great-great-great granddaughter found out about the sword and contacted Wandling, asking if she could buy the sword. He agreed to meet her at the show in Corinth, but wouldn't sell it. Wandling had an ancestor at the battle in the 63rd Ohio who was likely shooting at Rogers. " Here were two descendants of people who had fought each other, shaking hands and holding the sword. It was a nice moment, " said Wandling.
They plan on returning this fall for the 150th anniversary of the battle and hope to work out a deal to display the sword at the battlefield interpretive center.
I Would Surely Like to Have That Sword There So Everyone Can See It. --Old Secesh
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Collector Carries Sword to Grave of Fallen Hero-- Part 1
From the March 26, 2012, Auction Central News by Wally Spiers of the Belleville (Il) News-Democrat.
Allen Wandling held the old Confederate sword over the grave of its owner in Corinth, Mississippi and swears he felt the hair on his arms stand on end, "It was spooky."
He was at the grave of Confederate Col. William P. Rogers, killed at the Battle of Corinth on Oct. 4, 1862. He had bought the sword from a man in Joplin, Missouri, but the sword had been in Belleville, Illinois, for many years after the war where it most likely was a war momento in the local GAR post. Wandling has spent four years tracing the sword's history.
Wandling had bought the leather scabbard for the sword in 2006 from the man in Joplin who said his grandfather had inherited it from a sister who was married to a Belleville police officer, who had bought it when the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Hall had sold it at auction.
The scabbard did not have its drag, the brass tip of it,and Wandling had the man promise him to contact him if it was found. They also didn't have the sword. Six months later, he bought the drag, but still not the sword. What good is a scabbard without its sword?
The Sword Cometh. --Old Secesh
Allen Wandling held the old Confederate sword over the grave of its owner in Corinth, Mississippi and swears he felt the hair on his arms stand on end, "It was spooky."
He was at the grave of Confederate Col. William P. Rogers, killed at the Battle of Corinth on Oct. 4, 1862. He had bought the sword from a man in Joplin, Missouri, but the sword had been in Belleville, Illinois, for many years after the war where it most likely was a war momento in the local GAR post. Wandling has spent four years tracing the sword's history.
Wandling had bought the leather scabbard for the sword in 2006 from the man in Joplin who said his grandfather had inherited it from a sister who was married to a Belleville police officer, who had bought it when the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Hall had sold it at auction.
The scabbard did not have its drag, the brass tip of it,and Wandling had the man promise him to contact him if it was found. They also didn't have the sword. Six months later, he bought the drag, but still not the sword. What good is a scabbard without its sword?
The Sword Cometh. --Old Secesh
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Where the Civil War Ended: Blakely Park, Alabama-- Part 2
The first memorials were erected at Fort Blakely in the 1990s, one honors five Missouri units which fought at the battle. Showing the division caused by the war, three were Confederate and two were Union.
More United States Colored Troops fought at the action than at most any other fight during the war. It is the only location where a full division of black troops, about 5,000, fought.
The location of the fort, on the Blakely River, is also where another 19th century town was located, one that rivaled Mobile at one time as the major place on the bay. There was also a French colonial plantation and Indian sites dating back 2,500 years.
Here's Hoping the Site Continues. --Old Secesh
More United States Colored Troops fought at the action than at most any other fight during the war. It is the only location where a full division of black troops, about 5,000, fought.
The location of the fort, on the Blakely River, is also where another 19th century town was located, one that rivaled Mobile at one time as the major place on the bay. There was also a French colonial plantation and Indian sites dating back 2,500 years.
Here's Hoping the Site Continues. --Old Secesh
Where the Civil War Ended: Blakely Park, Alabama-- Part 1
From the March 9, 2011, Mobile (Al) Press-Register "Blakely Park, where the Civil War ended, still faces threats" by Gary Busby.
Blakely is known as the site of the last major engagement of the war, but it is not well-known. That makes it vulnerable to modern-day threats like budget cutting. The Civil War in Mobile was the subject of a symposium held last weekend at the Historic Blakely State Park and East Point Baptist Church.
Some 50,000 troops on both sides took part in the fight for Mobile's eastern defenses at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley in 1865. It was vastly overshadowed by Lee's surrender to grant in the same week in April and then the Lincoln assassination.
In the 1980s, Blakely became a state historical park with around 3,500 acres. But, since then, its budget has been drastically cut. In 2011, close to $170,000 was cut from the budget.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Blakely is known as the site of the last major engagement of the war, but it is not well-known. That makes it vulnerable to modern-day threats like budget cutting. The Civil War in Mobile was the subject of a symposium held last weekend at the Historic Blakely State Park and East Point Baptist Church.
Some 50,000 troops on both sides took part in the fight for Mobile's eastern defenses at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley in 1865. It was vastly overshadowed by Lee's surrender to grant in the same week in April and then the Lincoln assassination.
In the 1980s, Blakely became a state historical park with around 3,500 acres. But, since then, its budget has been drastically cut. In 2011, close to $170,000 was cut from the budget.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Coming Up On the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg-- Part 3
Kind of strange that the Union would not refer to this as the Battle of the Rappahannock, since that is the name of the river by the town. Normally, they named battles after nearby water.
A sunken road near the bottom of the hill was protected by a stone wall which made for excellent Confederate defensive positions. Members of the Goldsboro Rifles from Wayne County were among the men behind that wall.
Standing four deep, they used assembly line techniques to keep the soldier in the front constantly firing a gun and they literally mowed down the Union attackers. During the afternoon, there were twelve attacks that December 13th afternoon, all of which failed.
According to Bull, "It was probably the best defensive position lee held during the entire war. It wasn't war. It was murder."
He noted the actions of Richard Kirkland of South Carolina who jumped the wall to help the many wounded Union soldiers. He is remembered as "The Angel of Marye's Heights."
The next scheduled lecture in the series will be held Dec. 11th and will focus on the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge and a re-enactment of the battle is planned for Dec. 15-16 on the actual battle site, which is county-owned.
Sure Would Like to be There. --Old Secesh
A sunken road near the bottom of the hill was protected by a stone wall which made for excellent Confederate defensive positions. Members of the Goldsboro Rifles from Wayne County were among the men behind that wall.
Standing four deep, they used assembly line techniques to keep the soldier in the front constantly firing a gun and they literally mowed down the Union attackers. During the afternoon, there were twelve attacks that December 13th afternoon, all of which failed.
According to Bull, "It was probably the best defensive position lee held during the entire war. It wasn't war. It was murder."
He noted the actions of Richard Kirkland of South Carolina who jumped the wall to help the many wounded Union soldiers. He is remembered as "The Angel of Marye's Heights."
The next scheduled lecture in the series will be held Dec. 11th and will focus on the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge and a re-enactment of the battle is planned for Dec. 15-16 on the actual battle site, which is county-owned.
Sure Would Like to be There. --Old Secesh
More Heritage Attacks
It sure will be nice if some people ever learn to respect the heritage of others. I understand why they don't like Confederate heritage, with the slavery issue. Just like I have to ignore the lyrics and language of certain groups. You're not going to change what happened.
And to equate the Confederacy with Nazi concentration camps is completely ridiculous.
Recent attacks:
11-30-12: Country singer Trace Adkins was criticized for wearing an ear piece with the Confederate flag on it at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony. He correctly responded that it represents his Southern heritage and said he is descended from Confederate soldiers and said he did not "intend any offense by wearing it."
12-212: Dixie State College in St. George, Utah, got its name after Mormons from the South tried to grow cotton in the area back in the 1800s. But, there are some who argue the name Dixie is too closely connected to slavery. They want the school renamed.
A Confederate soldier statue stands on the campus and the school recently retired its mascot, a Rebel.
Ridiculous Attacks on My Heritage. --Old Secesh
And to equate the Confederacy with Nazi concentration camps is completely ridiculous.
Recent attacks:
11-30-12: Country singer Trace Adkins was criticized for wearing an ear piece with the Confederate flag on it at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony. He correctly responded that it represents his Southern heritage and said he is descended from Confederate soldiers and said he did not "intend any offense by wearing it."
12-212: Dixie State College in St. George, Utah, got its name after Mormons from the South tried to grow cotton in the area back in the 1800s. But, there are some who argue the name Dixie is too closely connected to slavery. They want the school renamed.
A Confederate soldier statue stands on the campus and the school recently retired its mascot, a Rebel.
Ridiculous Attacks on My Heritage. --Old Secesh
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Coming Up on the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg-- Part 2
At Goldsboro, NC, the multi-pronged attack fared better than the debacle at Fredericksburg. On December 17th, Union troops advancing from New Bern burned the railroad bridge south of the city.
But, 300 miles to the North, the South had already scored a great victory at Fredericksburg, four days earlier when repeated Union attacks against fortified Confederate positions were thrown back with huge losses.
Bull, who gave the talk, is a former Goldsboro High School teacher and is very involved with Civil War history and is a re-enactor, having appeared in the movie "Gods and Generals." According to him, Union General Burnside's defeat was the result of "a good plan gone bad.
The Union Army was to exploit a weakness in Confederate General lee's defensive line, but failed to follow it up. The result was 17,000 casualties on both sides with Federal troops having twice as many due to the failed charges against entrenched Confederates on a hill named Marye's Heights.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
But, 300 miles to the North, the South had already scored a great victory at Fredericksburg, four days earlier when repeated Union attacks against fortified Confederate positions were thrown back with huge losses.
Bull, who gave the talk, is a former Goldsboro High School teacher and is very involved with Civil War history and is a re-enactor, having appeared in the movie "Gods and Generals." According to him, Union General Burnside's defeat was the result of "a good plan gone bad.
The Union Army was to exploit a weakness in Confederate General lee's defensive line, but failed to follow it up. The result was 17,000 casualties on both sides with Federal troops having twice as many due to the failed charges against entrenched Confederates on a hill named Marye's Heights.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Saturday, December 1, 2012
The Battle of Corinth
I started the blog entry back on March 13th and 19th.
There is a Col. W. P. Rogers Camp #321 in Corinth, Mississippi, where I got this information.
Rogers was born Dec. 27, 1819 and married Martha Halport of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Jan. 15, 1840 and became a successful lawyer in Aberdeen, Mississippi.
During the Mexican War, he raised Company K, the Tombridge Guards, which became part of the 1st Mississippi Regiment, commanded by Col. Jefferson Davis. Rogers became a captain and earned the reputation for bravery and leadership.
At the capture of Monterrey, Rogers was the second to enter the Mexican Fort Teneria while under heavy enemy fire. Later, he became US consul at Vera Cruz, Mexico.
After the war, he moved to Washington, Texas, before establishing his law practice in Houston.
A Soldier's Officer. --Old Secesh
There is a Col. W. P. Rogers Camp #321 in Corinth, Mississippi, where I got this information.
Rogers was born Dec. 27, 1819 and married Martha Halport of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Jan. 15, 1840 and became a successful lawyer in Aberdeen, Mississippi.
During the Mexican War, he raised Company K, the Tombridge Guards, which became part of the 1st Mississippi Regiment, commanded by Col. Jefferson Davis. Rogers became a captain and earned the reputation for bravery and leadership.
At the capture of Monterrey, Rogers was the second to enter the Mexican Fort Teneria while under heavy enemy fire. Later, he became US consul at Vera Cruz, Mexico.
After the war, he moved to Washington, Texas, before establishing his law practice in Houston.
A Soldier's Officer. --Old Secesh
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Coming Up on the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg-- Part 1
From the Nov. 28, 2012, Goldsboro (NC) News-Argus "Historian shares fact about battle" by Dennis Hill.
Wayne County soldiers (Goldsboro is the county seat) were on the front lines of Battle of Fredericksburg.
"While troops from other states were defending Goldsboro in December 1862, soldiers from Wayne County were in Virginia, helping hold the main Union Army from advancing on the Confederate capital of Richmond."
Still others were at Fredericksburg, defending it from from frontal attacks from a huge Union army.
Civil War historian Lynn Bull talked about the Battle of Fredericksburg Tuesday night at Wayne Community College (had I not been a trip to the Christmas shows at Myrtle Beach, SC, I would have surely been there). His talk was part of a lecture series commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
That December, the Battle of Fredericksburg was part of a Union strategy to strike at several points along the Southern perimeter with the hopes that pressure coming from many points at once might collapse the already stretched Confederate defense.
Would Have Liked to See the Talk. --Old Secesh
Wayne County soldiers (Goldsboro is the county seat) were on the front lines of Battle of Fredericksburg.
"While troops from other states were defending Goldsboro in December 1862, soldiers from Wayne County were in Virginia, helping hold the main Union Army from advancing on the Confederate capital of Richmond."
Still others were at Fredericksburg, defending it from from frontal attacks from a huge Union army.
Civil War historian Lynn Bull talked about the Battle of Fredericksburg Tuesday night at Wayne Community College (had I not been a trip to the Christmas shows at Myrtle Beach, SC, I would have surely been there). His talk was part of a lecture series commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
That December, the Battle of Fredericksburg was part of a Union strategy to strike at several points along the Southern perimeter with the hopes that pressure coming from many points at once might collapse the already stretched Confederate defense.
Would Have Liked to See the Talk. --Old Secesh
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
"Lincoln" Director Spielberg Speaks in Gettysburg-- Part 2
Spielberg spent seven years working on the movie, which I will be seeing next week. While doing the research, Spielberg said that Lincoln became like one of his oldest and dearest friends. "Lincoln wanted us to understand that equality was a small "D" democratic essential." He regards the three-minute speech as the "most perfect prose poem ever penned by an American."
I was thinking of going to the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Gettysburg Address, but after talking with one of the Antietam rangers, I may have to reconsider. I drive to North Carolina every Thanksgiving and can easily arrange to drive by Gettysburg.
However, the ranger said that last weekend he had driven the hour from his house to Gettysburg and was surprised by the larger than usual crowds there as well as preparations for the Monday actual anniversary of the speech.
Maybe I'll Have to Change My Mind. We'll See. --Old Secesh
I was thinking of going to the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Gettysburg Address, but after talking with one of the Antietam rangers, I may have to reconsider. I drive to North Carolina every Thanksgiving and can easily arrange to drive by Gettysburg.
However, the ranger said that last weekend he had driven the hour from his house to Gettysburg and was surprised by the larger than usual crowds there as well as preparations for the Monday actual anniversary of the speech.
Maybe I'll Have to Change My Mind. We'll See. --Old Secesh
"Lincoln " Director Spielberg Speaks in Gettysburg-- Part 1
From the Nov.20, 2012, Hagerstown Herald-Mail, AP.
Steven Spielberg expressed humility Monday as he delivered the keynote address at cereminies marking the 149th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address. "I've never stood anyplace on earth where it's easier to be humbled than here."
Spielberg, of course, has just released his biopic on the man who led the country in one of its direst moments. His address is commemorated annually on Nov. 19th, the date in 1863 he gave the speech. at the Soldier's National Cemetery in Gettysburg, near the actual site, four months after the battle that turned the tide of the Civil War when Robert E. lee's final invasion of the North was turned back.
The first one was at Antietam which I visited earlier this month.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Steven Spielberg expressed humility Monday as he delivered the keynote address at cereminies marking the 149th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address. "I've never stood anyplace on earth where it's easier to be humbled than here."
Spielberg, of course, has just released his biopic on the man who led the country in one of its direst moments. His address is commemorated annually on Nov. 19th, the date in 1863 he gave the speech. at the Soldier's National Cemetery in Gettysburg, near the actual site, four months after the battle that turned the tide of the Civil War when Robert E. lee's final invasion of the North was turned back.
The first one was at Antietam which I visited earlier this month.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Antietam Battlefield Lights Up
From the Nov. 18, 2012, Picket News.
The 24th Annual Antietam National Battlefield memorial Illumination will take place the first Saturday in December to honor the fallen in the battle. It is put on by the Antietam National Battlefield, the American Business Women's Association and Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
It has been held since 1989 and consists of 23,110 luminaries, one placed every 15 feet along a 5-mile route throughout the battlefield. Annually the event attracts more than 20,000 from 6 PM to midnight.
That Has to Be Some Sight. --Old Secesh
The 24th Annual Antietam National Battlefield memorial Illumination will take place the first Saturday in December to honor the fallen in the battle. It is put on by the Antietam National Battlefield, the American Business Women's Association and Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
It has been held since 1989 and consists of 23,110 luminaries, one placed every 15 feet along a 5-mile route throughout the battlefield. Annually the event attracts more than 20,000 from 6 PM to midnight.
That Has to Be Some Sight. --Old Secesh
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Learn Those Civil War Ancestors of Yours
From the Nov. 18th Picket News (Md). "Antietam National Battlefield Host Genealogy Specialist..."
On Nov. 16th, John Deeben, geneaology specialist at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC, discussed army service in the Civil War with an overview of what's available and how to go about researching your ancestors who fought in the war.
There were two presentations, one at 11 Am and the other at 2 PM at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center.
His discussion covered both Union and Confederate veterans.
Nice to know there is information and how to go about finding and using it.
The Past Is Nice to Know. --Old Secesh
On Nov. 16th, John Deeben, geneaology specialist at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC, discussed army service in the Civil War with an overview of what's available and how to go about researching your ancestors who fought in the war.
There were two presentations, one at 11 Am and the other at 2 PM at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center.
His discussion covered both Union and Confederate veterans.
Nice to know there is information and how to go about finding and using it.
The Past Is Nice to Know. --Old Secesh
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Doing My Civil War Thing: The Battle of Antietam
Yesterday, I drove the short distance from Hagerstown, Maryland, to Sharpsburg to visit the Antietam Battlefield. I was not sure if I had been to it before, but now know for a fact that I had been.
I went to the town of Sharpsburg first and drove all over looking for a place to get breakfast, but didn't find any on Main Street or just off it. I did find breakfast being served at the Battle View Market.
It cost $4 a person to get into the museum.
I had originally planned to go to Gettysburg on the way to North Carolina, but this year is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, which took place just two months earlier, September 17th. Of course, the Union "victory" here enabled Lincoln to turn the whole course of the war and issue his Emancipation Proclamation.
A Great Side Trip. --Old Secesh
I went to the town of Sharpsburg first and drove all over looking for a place to get breakfast, but didn't find any on Main Street or just off it. I did find breakfast being served at the Battle View Market.
It cost $4 a person to get into the museum.
I had originally planned to go to Gettysburg on the way to North Carolina, but this year is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, which took place just two months earlier, September 17th. Of course, the Union "victory" here enabled Lincoln to turn the whole course of the war and issue his Emancipation Proclamation.
A Great Side Trip. --Old Secesh
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Battle of Antietam Here I Come
In a few minutes I'll be leaving for my annual trip to get together with family in North Carolina and this year am planning on taking a different route to get there, driving the National Road from Zanesville, Ohio, to Cumberland, Maryland, which isn't too far from the Antietam battlefield, or Sharpsburg if you're of Southern leanings.
The battle was fought in September 1862, and recently marked its sesquicentennial commemoration.
Looking forward to it. I've only been there once before and that was iin the 70s.
Old Secesh
The battle was fought in September 1862, and recently marked its sesquicentennial commemoration.
Looking forward to it. I've only been there once before and that was iin the 70s.
Old Secesh
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