This past weekend, the Sons of Confederate Veterans held their national convention in Concord, a town outside Charlotte, NC. I had hoped to go and then visit with my family in the eastern part of the state, but ended up in the hospital and had surgery on my thumb for cellulitis and am still being treated for it as I write this. Pretty nasty stuff that I had never heard of before. It was an old yard wars injury, at least, I think.
Congratulations to new national Commander-in-Chief Chuck McMichael and Army of the Tennessee C-I-C Kelly Barrow and other newly elected officers.
IN OTHER SCV CONVENTION NEWS
This was hard to believe, but Kentucky Division Lt.-Commander Bazz Childress was arrested for putting up a battle flag in the window of his room at the Wyndham Hotel. This was at the behest of the hotel manager. This prompted all SCV members staying there to cancel their reservations and rightfully so.
Not that I could afford to stay at a Wyndham anyway, but another reason no to.
Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Civil Rights Monument Dedicated at Virginia's Capitol
I see this past week that a rectangular Civil Rights monument was dedicated on the grounds of Virginia's state capitol in Richmond. And I believe this is a proper place for it as the hard struggles by those who had to fight to get their rights as American citizens in the 50s and 60s need to be recognized in the same way that the struggles of our Confederate ancestors need to be.
For way too long after the Civil War, blacks were kept in a second class citizenship by a variety of laws and customs. Whenever an American citizen is denied their opportunities, this hurts the country.
It is not right for any group to say that another's struggles were insignificant.
For way too long after the Civil War, blacks were kept in a second class citizenship by a variety of laws and customs. Whenever an American citizen is denied their opportunities, this hurts the country.
It is not right for any group to say that another's struggles were insignificant.
It Ain't Over Yet
With this new round of Confederate Battle Flag controversy, I found it somewhat humorous when I came across a list of "New State Mottos" that my uncle sent me several years ago, and enjoyed South Carolina's, which read, "Remember the Civil War. Well, we didn't actually surrender yet."
Kind of like the old caricature of the grizzled old Confederate veteran holding the flag and defiantly saying, "Forget!! Hell No!!!!"
That's Pretty Good. --B-R'er
Kind of like the old caricature of the grizzled old Confederate veteran holding the flag and defiantly saying, "Forget!! Hell No!!!!"
That's Pretty Good. --B-R'er
SCV Response to NAACP Attack in South Carolina
One member of the Sons of Confederate veterans, the group established by Confederate veterans to protect the honor and heritage of their efforts, has stated that the SCV will put up Confederate flags all over the state and especially in Columbia. This really stirred up the old hornets nest.
Now, the division commander of the state says that is an option, but the member was giving his own personal opinion. The response will be determined at the annual state meeting.
It appears that South Carolina's legislature and governor have no intentions of getting involved with this divisive issue.
I took a look,and voted myself, on a poll attached to a local newspaper article. A total of 37 wanted the flag removed from the capitol grounds. While 152 wanted it to remain.
It's Heritage, Not Hate. --Old B-Runner
Now, the division commander of the state says that is an option, but the member was giving his own personal opinion. The response will be determined at the annual state meeting.
It appears that South Carolina's legislature and governor have no intentions of getting involved with this divisive issue.
I took a look,and voted myself, on a poll attached to a local newspaper article. A total of 37 wanted the flag removed from the capitol grounds. While 152 wanted it to remain.
It's Heritage, Not Hate. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
NAACP Still After Flag in SC
Meeting in Cincinnati, the NAACP leaders have vowed to continue on with their fight against the Confederate flag flying on the state capitol grounds in Columbia, South Carolina. They call the Confederate flag a "symbol of slavery and racism."
This also continues along with an economic boycott of the state's tourism spots. In 2000, a compromise was reached whereby the flag was removed from the top of the capitol and nowflies on the grounds by a Confederate soldier monument.
It looks to me like the NAACP would be better if they were to put their efforts into the struggling inner city neighborhoods as opposed to this.
This also continues along with an economic boycott of the state's tourism spots. In 2000, a compromise was reached whereby the flag was removed from the top of the capitol and nowflies on the grounds by a Confederate soldier monument.
It looks to me like the NAACP would be better if they were to put their efforts into the struggling inner city neighborhoods as opposed to this.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Springfield's Not ALL Lincoln
As blogged last month, there are OTHER Civil War related places in Springfield, Illinois, that are not directly related to Abraham Lincoln.
Here is the information for the places:
CAMP BUTLER NATIONAL CEMETERY-- 5063 Camp Butler Road-- 217-492-4070-- www.va.gov
Open daily year round until sunset
DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR MUSEUM-- 217-544-0616-- 503 s. Walnut Street-- www.duvcw.org Open Tuesday-Saturday
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MEMORIAL MUSEUM-- 629 South 7th Street--- 217-522-4373--www.gar-museum.com Open Tues to Saturday. Closed Jan-Feb
ILLINOIS STATE MILITARY MUSEUM-- 217-761-3910-- 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. (Camp Lincoln)-- www.il.ngb.army.mil. Open Tues-Sat.
More Than Just Abe. --Old B-R'er
Here is the information for the places:
CAMP BUTLER NATIONAL CEMETERY-- 5063 Camp Butler Road-- 217-492-4070-- www.va.gov
Open daily year round until sunset
DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR MUSEUM-- 217-544-0616-- 503 s. Walnut Street-- www.duvcw.org Open Tuesday-Saturday
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MEMORIAL MUSEUM-- 629 South 7th Street--- 217-522-4373--www.gar-museum.com Open Tues to Saturday. Closed Jan-Feb
ILLINOIS STATE MILITARY MUSEUM-- 217-761-3910-- 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. (Camp Lincoln)-- www.il.ngb.army.mil. Open Tues-Sat.
More Than Just Abe. --Old B-R'er
A Flag of a Different Color
The Sons of Confederate Veterans camp in Tampa was at it again this past Friday when the hoisted what they consider to be the world's largest Betsy Ross flag on the pole by the two interstates. It measures 30 by 50 feet.
The camp did it "because it is the flag of our founding fathers who were fighting for the same thing that the second American revolution was fighting for and that is liberty."
They plan to fly the Confederate flag continuously once the Confedrate memorial at the base is finished.
Here's Hoping They Will Also Provide Some Sort of Protection for it as There are Those Who Would Like to Burn It. -- Old B-Runner
The camp did it "because it is the flag of our founding fathers who were fighting for the same thing that the second American revolution was fighting for and that is liberty."
They plan to fly the Confederate flag continuously once the Confedrate memorial at the base is finished.
Here's Hoping They Will Also Provide Some Sort of Protection for it as There are Those Who Would Like to Burn It. -- Old B-Runner
Monday, July 7, 2008
Running the Blockade: --Officer Uniforms-- Fannie J-- Philadelphia Museum-- USS Hartford
Some New News About an Old War.
1. OFFICER UNIFORMS-- The CW Naval and Marine Forum Yahoo group has been discussing a star on Admiral Farragut's uniform that was not standard issue. It turns out that officers often had private tailors make their uniforms and had their own embellishments added.
2. FANNIE J-- The same forum also had a post about the Fannie J, called the oldest metal working tug in the US, launched during the presidency of US Grant in 1974. It is for sale, along with another tug, the 1904 Bath. It is in Portland, Maine.
3. PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM-- The Philadelphia Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum will be closing for two years starting this August as it prepares for its move to the Independence National Park. So, if you wan t to see it, you'd better get hoofing.
4. USS HARTFORD-- The same forum had a discussion about the USS Hartford, Farragut's flagship at the Battle of Mobile. This survivor of the Civil War managed to stay afloat until November 20, 1956, when it sank at its mooring at Norfolk Naval Yard in Virginia after years of slow deterioration.
My opinion is that someone should have done something to preserve it for future generations. We have no other Civil War wooden ships other than the USS Constitution which did no fighting.
Who Says It is an Old War. --Old B-R'er
1. OFFICER UNIFORMS-- The CW Naval and Marine Forum Yahoo group has been discussing a star on Admiral Farragut's uniform that was not standard issue. It turns out that officers often had private tailors make their uniforms and had their own embellishments added.
2. FANNIE J-- The same forum also had a post about the Fannie J, called the oldest metal working tug in the US, launched during the presidency of US Grant in 1974. It is for sale, along with another tug, the 1904 Bath. It is in Portland, Maine.
3. PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM-- The Philadelphia Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum will be closing for two years starting this August as it prepares for its move to the Independence National Park. So, if you wan t to see it, you'd better get hoofing.
4. USS HARTFORD-- The same forum had a discussion about the USS Hartford, Farragut's flagship at the Battle of Mobile. This survivor of the Civil War managed to stay afloat until November 20, 1956, when it sank at its mooring at Norfolk Naval Yard in Virginia after years of slow deterioration.
My opinion is that someone should have done something to preserve it for future generations. We have no other Civil War wooden ships other than the USS Constitution which did no fighting.
Who Says It is an Old War. --Old B-R'er
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Gettysburg Address Returns to Display in Springfield, Illinois
The June 26th State Journal-Register of Springfield reports that Illinois' original manuscript of this important speech will be back on display next week at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential library.
It had been removed from view last year. The Library and Museum regularly rotates its collection to help preserve the valuable items, where they are able to rest in a controlled environment.
But, you'll have to hurry if you want to see it, as it will again removed on August 20th.
An Important Piece of History. --Old B-R'er
It had been removed from view last year. The Library and Museum regularly rotates its collection to help preserve the valuable items, where they are able to rest in a controlled environment.
But, you'll have to hurry if you want to see it, as it will again removed on August 20th.
An Important Piece of History. --Old B-R'er
Springfield, Illinois-- Civil War
Everyone knows of the Lincoln heritage here in Springfield, but, there are other Civil War-related places here as well. Some of then are...
1. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MEMORIAL MUSEUM-- which pays tribute to Union veterans of the war. There are many items donated by the vetrans and their relatives.
2. CAMP BUTLER NATIONAL CEMETERY-- where many Civil War veterans on both sides are buried. At one time during the war, it was a training camp for Illinois veterans and later was a prison camp for Confederates, many of whom died there. A few years ago, the Illinois Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans dedicated a monument in their honor.
3. DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR MUSEUM.
4. Once a year, the Sons of Union Veterans has a ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb in April, and, usually a week later, the Illinois Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans has its annual convention at the Hilton
So, Springfield is not all Lincoln. --Old B-R
1. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MEMORIAL MUSEUM-- which pays tribute to Union veterans of the war. There are many items donated by the vetrans and their relatives.
2. CAMP BUTLER NATIONAL CEMETERY-- where many Civil War veterans on both sides are buried. At one time during the war, it was a training camp for Illinois veterans and later was a prison camp for Confederates, many of whom died there. A few years ago, the Illinois Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans dedicated a monument in their honor.
3. DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR MUSEUM.
4. Once a year, the Sons of Union Veterans has a ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb in April, and, usually a week later, the Illinois Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans has its annual convention at the Hilton
So, Springfield is not all Lincoln. --Old B-R
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Running the Blockade: --Shell Found at Fort Morgan --Not-So-Nice SCV Article
Some New News About an Old War.
1. SHELL FOUND AT FORT MORGAN-- A 100 pound Parrot shell was found buried atop Fort Morgan's parapet in Alabama at the mouth of Mobile Bay. It had been there over 100 years and had been fired in 1864. It was determined to be harmless and will undergo preservation.
2. NOT-SO-NICE SCV ARTICLE-- This past weekend,the Chicago Sun-Times ran an article that did not paint the Sons of Confederate Veterans in the best of light. It portrayed the organization as being divided between those interested in honoring their ancestors and those trying to stir up trouble. I would imagine this is referring to the SCV camp in Tampa that occasionally flies that huge Confederate flag.
I'll go more into depth on these two stories later.
Shells and Nasties. --Old B-R'er
1. SHELL FOUND AT FORT MORGAN-- A 100 pound Parrot shell was found buried atop Fort Morgan's parapet in Alabama at the mouth of Mobile Bay. It had been there over 100 years and had been fired in 1864. It was determined to be harmless and will undergo preservation.
2. NOT-SO-NICE SCV ARTICLE-- This past weekend,the Chicago Sun-Times ran an article that did not paint the Sons of Confederate Veterans in the best of light. It portrayed the organization as being divided between those interested in honoring their ancestors and those trying to stir up trouble. I would imagine this is referring to the SCV camp in Tampa that occasionally flies that huge Confederate flag.
I'll go more into depth on these two stories later.
Shells and Nasties. --Old B-R'er
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Fort Fisher
Two new plaques have been proposed for mounting south of the visitors center. One will be about the Mound Battery and the second one about the Confederate retreat from the fort.
According to maps I've seen, the site of the Mound Battery has not been covered by the ocean, but it no longer exists. It would be something if it was reconstructed. That was quite an engineering feat.
For a long time, there were no books published dealing with Fort Fisher. My goal at one time was to correct that and I spent a lot of time gathering information about it.
HOWEVER, since 1991, there have been four books published, so I think it has been pretty-well covered, so I no longer have to do it.
The books:
Confederate Goliath-- by Rod Gragg, 1991
Last Rys of Departing Hope: The Wilmington Campaign-- by Chris Fonvielle, Jr., 1997
The Wilmington Campaign and the Battle for Fort fisher-- Mark A. Moore, 1995
Hurricane of Fire-- by Charles M. Robinson, 1998
I have the first three books and am unfamiliar with the last one.
I met Chris Fonvilelle when he was director of the Blockade Runner Museum in Carolina Beach.
At Least I Don't Have to Write a Book. --Old B-R'er
According to maps I've seen, the site of the Mound Battery has not been covered by the ocean, but it no longer exists. It would be something if it was reconstructed. That was quite an engineering feat.
For a long time, there were no books published dealing with Fort Fisher. My goal at one time was to correct that and I spent a lot of time gathering information about it.
HOWEVER, since 1991, there have been four books published, so I think it has been pretty-well covered, so I no longer have to do it.
The books:
Confederate Goliath-- by Rod Gragg, 1991
Last Rys of Departing Hope: The Wilmington Campaign-- by Chris Fonvielle, Jr., 1997
The Wilmington Campaign and the Battle for Fort fisher-- Mark A. Moore, 1995
Hurricane of Fire-- by Charles M. Robinson, 1998
I have the first three books and am unfamiliar with the last one.
I met Chris Fonvilelle when he was director of the Blockade Runner Museum in Carolina Beach.
At Least I Don't Have to Write a Book. --Old B-R'er
Confederate Cannon in Petoskey, Michigan
Here's the story of had, lost, found, and preserved. A "lost"Confederate cannon, perhaps given to the City of Petoskey by an ex-Confederate cannon wikll once again be on public display.
The June 16th Petoskey News-Review reports that this Saturday, the Robert Finch Camp 14 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War will unveil the the preserved Confederate cannon that was unearthed downtown 12 years ago. The barrel will be mounted on a replica carriage.
It is called the "Iron Napoleon Howitzer" and was dug up near Stafford's Perry Hotel in 1996. Of interest was that it was cast at the Augusta, Georgia arsenal. Until this one was found, it was thought that these cannons were all manufactured at the Tredegar Foundry in Richmond, Virginia.
No one is sure exactly how the cannon got to Petoskey, perhaps it was given to the town at the 1899 Michigan Grand Army of the Republic Encampment. US Major General Joe Wheeler attended and had been a Confederate general during the Civil War.
No mention was made as to how the cannon was lost and buried, but I'm sure that would have been an interesting story as well.
Lost and Found inPetoskey. --Old B-Runner
The June 16th Petoskey News-Review reports that this Saturday, the Robert Finch Camp 14 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War will unveil the the preserved Confederate cannon that was unearthed downtown 12 years ago. The barrel will be mounted on a replica carriage.
It is called the "Iron Napoleon Howitzer" and was dug up near Stafford's Perry Hotel in 1996. Of interest was that it was cast at the Augusta, Georgia arsenal. Until this one was found, it was thought that these cannons were all manufactured at the Tredegar Foundry in Richmond, Virginia.
No one is sure exactly how the cannon got to Petoskey, perhaps it was given to the town at the 1899 Michigan Grand Army of the Republic Encampment. US Major General Joe Wheeler attended and had been a Confederate general during the Civil War.
No mention was made as to how the cannon was lost and buried, but I'm sure that would have been an interesting story as well.
Lost and Found inPetoskey. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Running the Blockade: SCV Protests Black Cemetery Desecration-- No Flags on Your Caps-- New Civil War Museum-- Cannonball Found
Some New News About an Old War.
1. SCV PROTESTS BLACK CEMETERY DESECRATION-- The Sons of Confederate Veterans have joined the protest against the Virginia Commonwealth University's decision plan to repave a parking lot in Richmond that covers a burial ground for slaves and free blacks. VCU recently purchased the 400 space lot. The SCV would also like an archaeological study done. This is a bit confusing. Is the parking lot already existing, or is the added area where the burial ground is located?
2. NO FLAGS ON YOUR CAPS-- Graduates at Wolfe County Middle School in Williamson, Kentucky, were told that they could not wear Confederate flags on their mortarboards because the principal finds the flag to be offensive.
Students were originally told they could decorate their caps anyway they wanted.
3. NEW CIVIL WAR MUSEUM-- June 14th was the grand opening of the Kenosha, Wisconsin Civil War Museum, eventhough most of the displays are not yet completed. Both Confederate and Union re-enactors were there for the festivities and cannons were fired.
The museum starts in the 1850s at one end and continues to the 1870s at the other.
4. CANNONBALL FOUND-- A Civil War cannonball was found on the beach of a South Carolina community after being dredged up in a beach nourishment project at the Wild Dunes on the Isle of Pines.
Explosive experts have determined that it is not dangerous and it was probably fired from a 10-inch Columbiad. The dredge was diggingup sand about two miles offshore.
This is close to Charleston, SC, the site of a 600 day siege.
Who Says It's an Old War?
1. SCV PROTESTS BLACK CEMETERY DESECRATION-- The Sons of Confederate Veterans have joined the protest against the Virginia Commonwealth University's decision plan to repave a parking lot in Richmond that covers a burial ground for slaves and free blacks. VCU recently purchased the 400 space lot. The SCV would also like an archaeological study done. This is a bit confusing. Is the parking lot already existing, or is the added area where the burial ground is located?
2. NO FLAGS ON YOUR CAPS-- Graduates at Wolfe County Middle School in Williamson, Kentucky, were told that they could not wear Confederate flags on their mortarboards because the principal finds the flag to be offensive.
Students were originally told they could decorate their caps anyway they wanted.
3. NEW CIVIL WAR MUSEUM-- June 14th was the grand opening of the Kenosha, Wisconsin Civil War Museum, eventhough most of the displays are not yet completed. Both Confederate and Union re-enactors were there for the festivities and cannons were fired.
The museum starts in the 1850s at one end and continues to the 1870s at the other.
4. CANNONBALL FOUND-- A Civil War cannonball was found on the beach of a South Carolina community after being dredged up in a beach nourishment project at the Wild Dunes on the Isle of Pines.
Explosive experts have determined that it is not dangerous and it was probably fired from a 10-inch Columbiad. The dredge was diggingup sand about two miles offshore.
This is close to Charleston, SC, the site of a 600 day siege.
Who Says It's an Old War?
188th New York Infantry
Dec. 31st Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle "188th helped usher in the end of the Civil War."
The 188th hailed largely from Rochester and surrounding area.
They participated in the Petersburg campaign and were in the thick of the fight at the First Battle of Hatcher's Run Oct. 27-28th where 3,400 Union soldiers were killed. The 188th lost 54 and there was little to show for it as the Confederate4s continued to hold their line.
Then, it was in the Hicksford Raid in Dec. 1864 where the unit tore up railroad tracks all the way to NC.
SECOND BATTLE OF HATCHER"S RUN
In February 1865, another attempt was made at Hatcher's Run, this time resulting in 1,500 Union casualties., 34 from the 188th. This time, Lee's army was forced to extend their trenches, something they could ill-afford to do with its dwindling manpower.
On March 29th, the 188th was among two army corps supporting Sheridan's cavalry in actions at White Oak Road, Gravelly Run, and Five Forks. Here, the 188th had another five casualties, the last the regiment would lose in the war.
Lee surrendered April 9th.
AFTER THE WAR
The 188th returnedto Rochester by special train and arrived July 4, 1865. They marched to the courthouse and had speeches and a wonderful dinner.
They had been on the frontlines for less than six months and during that time, had lost 90 killed or died of disease and another 99 wounded.
Guess We Could Call Them the Fightin' 188th. --Old B-R'er
The 188th hailed largely from Rochester and surrounding area.
They participated in the Petersburg campaign and were in the thick of the fight at the First Battle of Hatcher's Run Oct. 27-28th where 3,400 Union soldiers were killed. The 188th lost 54 and there was little to show for it as the Confederate4s continued to hold their line.
Then, it was in the Hicksford Raid in Dec. 1864 where the unit tore up railroad tracks all the way to NC.
SECOND BATTLE OF HATCHER"S RUN
In February 1865, another attempt was made at Hatcher's Run, this time resulting in 1,500 Union casualties., 34 from the 188th. This time, Lee's army was forced to extend their trenches, something they could ill-afford to do with its dwindling manpower.
On March 29th, the 188th was among two army corps supporting Sheridan's cavalry in actions at White Oak Road, Gravelly Run, and Five Forks. Here, the 188th had another five casualties, the last the regiment would lose in the war.
Lee surrendered April 9th.
AFTER THE WAR
The 188th returnedto Rochester by special train and arrived July 4, 1865. They marched to the courthouse and had speeches and a wonderful dinner.
They had been on the frontlines for less than six months and during that time, had lost 90 killed or died of disease and another 99 wounded.
Guess We Could Call Them the Fightin' 188th. --Old B-R'er
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