May 19, 2009, Lexington (Ky) Herald-Leader.
Union Sgt. Lucien Wheatley certainly had the knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. First, he was captured at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863, then ended up spending 18 months at Andersonville Prison in Georgia.
He survived this, but at the end of the war, he was being transported back north on board the ill-fated Sultana when it exploded and sank near Memphis. His body was never found.
His family was prominent in Kentucky horse racing and they erected a small marker for him at the Old Episcopal Burying Ground on Third Street in Lexington. It was later shattered.
However, he was honored Sunday, along with other Sultana victims by the local chapter of the Sons of Union veterans of the Civil War who replaced the marker, had speeches, played taps on the bugle and fired rifles.
WORST US MARITIME DISASTER
More than 1700 deaths occurred on the Sultana (we'll never know how many because the vessel was so overloaded with weak former prisoners). It is considered the worst-ever US maritime disaster., more than US citizens on the Titanic.
The Sultana was registered to carry 376 passengers, but was overloaded because Union officers received kickbacks and about 2,300 boarded at Vicksburg. The captain had failed to repair a leaky boiler. Three of four boilers exploded leading to the disaster.
It received little press coverage because it occurred in April and there had been the surrender of Lee and Lincoln assassination.
An Event That Needs to Be Remembered. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Blockade-Runner That Killed a Guy-- Earlier This Month
From the Jan. 26th Houston Chronicle. "Permanently mark Confederate warship"
Well, technically, a blockade-runner was not a warship.
Just beneath the surface of the Navidad River in Texas, about three miles from Lolita and two miles from the confluence of the Navidad and Lavaca rivers, is the wreck of a ship sunk by the Confederates to hinder Union boats during the Civil War.
Unfortunately, that ship is still there and poses a dangerous obstacle to boating traffic. This past January 1st, it claimed the life of David Martin who died when his 14-foot aluminum boat struck it.
The wreck is on the National Register of Historic Places and the belief is that it should either be destroyed or permanently marked. The wreck is that of the Mary Summers, an ironclad steamer built in England in 1833 that was once a slave ship, but bought by the Confederacy for use to run the blockade.
So far, attempts at marking the ship have been futile as buoys have either been stolen or washed away.
The paper says that wrecks along the Texas coast are not unusual. There are some in the Sabine River that are not marked, but are above the waterline so can be seen.
Hoping They Can get the Wreck Marked. --Old B-Runner
Well, technically, a blockade-runner was not a warship.
Just beneath the surface of the Navidad River in Texas, about three miles from Lolita and two miles from the confluence of the Navidad and Lavaca rivers, is the wreck of a ship sunk by the Confederates to hinder Union boats during the Civil War.
Unfortunately, that ship is still there and poses a dangerous obstacle to boating traffic. This past January 1st, it claimed the life of David Martin who died when his 14-foot aluminum boat struck it.
The wreck is on the National Register of Historic Places and the belief is that it should either be destroyed or permanently marked. The wreck is that of the Mary Summers, an ironclad steamer built in England in 1833 that was once a slave ship, but bought by the Confederacy for use to run the blockade.
So far, attempts at marking the ship have been futile as buoys have either been stolen or washed away.
The paper says that wrecks along the Texas coast are not unusual. There are some in the Sabine River that are not marked, but are above the waterline so can be seen.
Hoping They Can get the Wreck Marked. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Naval Happenings Today All Those Years Ago
From today's Civil War Interactive Newswire's This Date in History.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1862-- FURIOUS FLOODING FRUSTRATES FOOTE
Flag Officer Andrew Foote and US Grant contact General Halleck saying they are sure they can take Fort Henry with four gunboats and troops which they have. Halleck says the river is flooding and there is a need to wait for the roads to dry out before attacking.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 1864-- RUDE "ROSITA" RAVISHING RATIONALIZED
The US Army steamship Western Metropolis captures the British Blockade-Runner Rosita carrying a cargo of liquor and cigars off the southern coast of Florida near Key West. Just the thing for the Confederate war effort. but big bucks would have been made had the Roasita succeeded.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1865-- "STONEWALL" SETS SAIL STEAMLESSLY--
One of the South's last chances, the CSS Stonewall was built in France for the Confederacy, but US interference caused it to be sold to Denmark for use in a war. It ended early, and the Danes refused to pay for it and the French sold it to the Confederacy.
On Jan. 24th, it rendezvoused with the CSS City of Richmond in France ans was fully provisioned with crew, armaments and supplies, but was short on coal. This date, it left port under sail.
Naval History, That's for Me. --Old B-Runner
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1862-- FURIOUS FLOODING FRUSTRATES FOOTE
Flag Officer Andrew Foote and US Grant contact General Halleck saying they are sure they can take Fort Henry with four gunboats and troops which they have. Halleck says the river is flooding and there is a need to wait for the roads to dry out before attacking.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 1864-- RUDE "ROSITA" RAVISHING RATIONALIZED
The US Army steamship Western Metropolis captures the British Blockade-Runner Rosita carrying a cargo of liquor and cigars off the southern coast of Florida near Key West. Just the thing for the Confederate war effort. but big bucks would have been made had the Roasita succeeded.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1865-- "STONEWALL" SETS SAIL STEAMLESSLY--
One of the South's last chances, the CSS Stonewall was built in France for the Confederacy, but US interference caused it to be sold to Denmark for use in a war. It ended early, and the Danes refused to pay for it and the French sold it to the Confederacy.
On Jan. 24th, it rendezvoused with the CSS City of Richmond in France ans was fully provisioned with crew, armaments and supplies, but was short on coal. This date, it left port under sail.
Naval History, That's for Me. --Old B-Runner
The Strange Story of a Monitor-- Sunk Before Commissioning-- Part 2
There was the big fear that a Confederate ship might slip into the bay past the forts guarding it under the cover of darkness or fog. Once past the forts on Alcatraz Island and Fort Point and out of their range, the city would be at the Confederate's mercy unless an ironclad were there to challenge it.
Around 200 cannons were installed around the entrance of the bay at Fort Point, Alcatraz and Angel island.
The now-sunken Aguila had 25 feet of stern above water and the bow under 38 feet at high tide. And, the Camanche was still inside.
It took a year and a half to get the monitor out, reassemble it, and test its seaworthiness before it was commissioned after the Civil war was over and the threat no longer existed.
It remained on station for a year before decommissioning. After that, it spent most of its time anchored in the Napa River near the Navy Yard until it was sold in 1899 to J. P. Bereovich & Livingston for $6,581.25 and converted to a coal barge.
A sad end for a war ship.
I also found that the double-turreted monitor USS Monadnock, which participated in the attacks on Fort Fisher, made the perilous voyage around the tip of South America after the war to become the second ironclad available for San Francisco's protection.
An Interesting Story. --Old B-R
Around 200 cannons were installed around the entrance of the bay at Fort Point, Alcatraz and Angel island.
The now-sunken Aguila had 25 feet of stern above water and the bow under 38 feet at high tide. And, the Camanche was still inside.
It took a year and a half to get the monitor out, reassemble it, and test its seaworthiness before it was commissioned after the Civil war was over and the threat no longer existed.
It remained on station for a year before decommissioning. After that, it spent most of its time anchored in the Napa River near the Navy Yard until it was sold in 1899 to J. P. Bereovich & Livingston for $6,581.25 and converted to a coal barge.
A sad end for a war ship.
I also found that the double-turreted monitor USS Monadnock, which participated in the attacks on Fort Fisher, made the perilous voyage around the tip of South America after the war to become the second ironclad available for San Francisco's protection.
An Interesting Story. --Old B-R
The Strange Story of a Monitor-- Sunk Before Commissioning-- Part 1
A very interesting story I was not familiar with in Nilda Rego's days Gone By column in the January 3, 2010, Contra Costa (Ca) Times. It concerns a Union monitor that was built in New Jersey, shipped to San Francisco in pieces and sunk in the ship carrying it.
I also messed up on the spelling of the USS Camanche, spelling it like the Indian tribe, Comanche, and not finding anything in the searches as a result.
On November 3, 1863, the people of San Francisco were overjoyed as the ship Aguila entered the bay carrying the pieces of the second-generation monitor USS Camanche in its hold, the first ironclad on the Pacific Coast.
Always fearing an attack by Confederate raiders or privateers, the citizens had constantly petitioned Washington, DC, for one. Now it was here. Instead of the two 12-inch guns on the USS Monitor, the Passaic-class Camanche mounted two 15-inch cannons.
It had been built in New Jersey, dismantles, and on May 30, 1863, had begun its five and a half month voyage to California.
Six days after arrival, a severe gale blew in and sank the Aguila, with the Camanche still in its hold.
And the Story Continues. --Old B-Runner
I also messed up on the spelling of the USS Camanche, spelling it like the Indian tribe, Comanche, and not finding anything in the searches as a result.
On November 3, 1863, the people of San Francisco were overjoyed as the ship Aguila entered the bay carrying the pieces of the second-generation monitor USS Camanche in its hold, the first ironclad on the Pacific Coast.
Always fearing an attack by Confederate raiders or privateers, the citizens had constantly petitioned Washington, DC, for one. Now it was here. Instead of the two 12-inch guns on the USS Monitor, the Passaic-class Camanche mounted two 15-inch cannons.
It had been built in New Jersey, dismantles, and on May 30, 1863, had begun its five and a half month voyage to California.
Six days after arrival, a severe gale blew in and sank the Aguila, with the Camanche still in its hold.
And the Story Continues. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Robert Smalls, Civil War Hero
A brief history of Robert Smalls from the Jan. 26th Beaufort Gazette.
Smalls was born a slave in Beaufort April 5, 1839. During the Civil War, he was the pilot of the CSS Planter operating in Charleston Harbor. On May 13, 1862, Smalls and the black crew took over control of the ship and sailed out of the heavily fortified Charleston Harbor to the Union blockading fleet and turned the vessel over.
The crew and especially Smalls became immediate heroes in the north and even met President Lincoln. Smalls was given command of the USS Planter.
After the war, he returned to South Carolina and entered politics, serving as a state representative from 1868-1870 ans state senator 1870-1874. From 1874 to 1886 he served off and on in the US House of Representatives.
In 1889 he was appointed Collector of Customs at Beaufort. He died February 22, 1915.
Quite a Life. --B-R
Smalls was born a slave in Beaufort April 5, 1839. During the Civil War, he was the pilot of the CSS Planter operating in Charleston Harbor. On May 13, 1862, Smalls and the black crew took over control of the ship and sailed out of the heavily fortified Charleston Harbor to the Union blockading fleet and turned the vessel over.
The crew and especially Smalls became immediate heroes in the north and even met President Lincoln. Smalls was given command of the USS Planter.
After the war, he returned to South Carolina and entered politics, serving as a state representative from 1868-1870 ans state senator 1870-1874. From 1874 to 1886 he served off and on in the US House of Representatives.
In 1889 he was appointed Collector of Customs at Beaufort. He died February 22, 1915.
Quite a Life. --B-R
Robert Small Elected to SC Hall of Fame: What's the NAACP to Do?
January 26th Beaufort (SC) Gazette.
Civil War hero and Beaufort native Robert Smalls will be joining the South Carolina Hall of Fame almost 150 years after he and a group of other slaves seized the Confederate steamer CSS Planter in Charleston Harbor and sailed it out to surrender to the Union blockading fleet.
Former South Carolina Governor Richard Riley will also be joining the hall of fame.
The ceremony will be February 9th at the Myrtle Beach, SC, Convention Center.
WHAT TO DO?
This is where the problem comes in. The NAACP has fought a long battle to have the Confederate flag removed from state capitol grounds. They succeeded in getting it down from the dome, but still are incensed that it flies on the grounds.
To show their displeasure, they have called for a boycott of all conventions and business with South Carolina.
Since Robert Smalls was a black man, you would have to figure they would attend the event. But, it is happening at a convention site in the state they boycott.
It will be interesting to see what they do.
Attend or Boycott. I Say Attend. The Man's Courage and Bravery Would Make It Imperative to Do So. --Old B-Runner
Civil War hero and Beaufort native Robert Smalls will be joining the South Carolina Hall of Fame almost 150 years after he and a group of other slaves seized the Confederate steamer CSS Planter in Charleston Harbor and sailed it out to surrender to the Union blockading fleet.
Former South Carolina Governor Richard Riley will also be joining the hall of fame.
The ceremony will be February 9th at the Myrtle Beach, SC, Convention Center.
WHAT TO DO?
This is where the problem comes in. The NAACP has fought a long battle to have the Confederate flag removed from state capitol grounds. They succeeded in getting it down from the dome, but still are incensed that it flies on the grounds.
To show their displeasure, they have called for a boycott of all conventions and business with South Carolina.
Since Robert Smalls was a black man, you would have to figure they would attend the event. But, it is happening at a convention site in the state they boycott.
It will be interesting to see what they do.
Attend or Boycott. I Say Attend. The Man's Courage and Bravery Would Make It Imperative to Do So. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Answers to Fort Fisher Quiz
These are the answers to the questions I posted Jan 14-16th. I also note the ones I missed and why.
1. Rhode Island
2. About one mile
3. 10-inch Columbiad **Missed. I guessed the 150-pdr. Armstrong gun. Had I known it was just an 8-inch bore, I would have gone with the Columbiad. What's bigger? Ten inches or 150 pounds?
4. USS Louisiana
5. lighthouse
6. Fort Anderson-- I took a big guess on this one. But the question and time frame would have made this an option.
7. Fort St. Philip-- **Missed. I had no idea.
8. True
9. C No one knows but also accepted Gen. George Burgwyn Anderson which was my guess.
10. barracks **Missed. I knew they had discovered a gun platform at the dig but hadn't read anything about the barracks. I had to go with platform although her clue of building bothered me.
11. Robert F. Hoke
12. True
13. Sugar Loaf
14. USS Niphon-- **Missed A complete guess on my part of the USS Santiago de Cuba.
15. E
16. Did not count this because of a printing error. Should have been E All of the Above.
17. Kate
18. CSS North Carolina **Missed I didn't think he commanded the CSS Albemarle.
19. at sea
20. eaten by worms
21. wounding of Jackson at the Battle of Chancellorsville
22. not related **Missed Who knew?
23. Lincoln Memorial
24. Rose O'Neal Greenhow
25. United Daughters of the Confederacy **Missed I guessed Thalian Hall, but had no idea.
Better Luck Next Time. --Old B-Runner
1. Rhode Island
2. About one mile
3. 10-inch Columbiad **Missed. I guessed the 150-pdr. Armstrong gun. Had I known it was just an 8-inch bore, I would have gone with the Columbiad. What's bigger? Ten inches or 150 pounds?
4. USS Louisiana
5. lighthouse
6. Fort Anderson-- I took a big guess on this one. But the question and time frame would have made this an option.
7. Fort St. Philip-- **Missed. I had no idea.
8. True
9. C No one knows but also accepted Gen. George Burgwyn Anderson which was my guess.
10. barracks **Missed. I knew they had discovered a gun platform at the dig but hadn't read anything about the barracks. I had to go with platform although her clue of building bothered me.
11. Robert F. Hoke
12. True
13. Sugar Loaf
14. USS Niphon-- **Missed A complete guess on my part of the USS Santiago de Cuba.
15. E
16. Did not count this because of a printing error. Should have been E All of the Above.
17. Kate
18. CSS North Carolina **Missed I didn't think he commanded the CSS Albemarle.
19. at sea
20. eaten by worms
21. wounding of Jackson at the Battle of Chancellorsville
22. not related **Missed Who knew?
23. Lincoln Memorial
24. Rose O'Neal Greenhow
25. United Daughters of the Confederacy **Missed I guessed Thalian Hall, but had no idea.
Better Luck Next Time. --Old B-Runner
Fort Fisher Quiz
Back on January 14th, 15th and 16th I wrote down the questions Amy Hotz had written to test our knowledge of Civil War Wilmington, NC, and Fort Fisher in honor of the 145th anniversary commemoration that was held Jan 15th to 17th.
I did not look up any answers and figured that I had gotten between 17 and 21 of them correct as I had to really guess on some of them. I ended up with 18 correct.
The ones I thought I might have missed turned out to be the ones I did miss.
Most people missed number 3 and 9. Several only missed one question and their entries drawn at random. Joe George of Wilmington won the three books.
Rebel Gibraltar: Fort Fisher and Wilmington, C.S.A. by James L. Walker
Fort Anderson: The Battle for Wilmington by Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.
The Wilmington Campaign: The Last Rays of Departing Hope by Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.
Oh well, I had the two Fonvielle books already.
Guess I Should Have Looked Up Some Stuff. --Old B-Runner.
I did not look up any answers and figured that I had gotten between 17 and 21 of them correct as I had to really guess on some of them. I ended up with 18 correct.
The ones I thought I might have missed turned out to be the ones I did miss.
Most people missed number 3 and 9. Several only missed one question and their entries drawn at random. Joe George of Wilmington won the three books.
Rebel Gibraltar: Fort Fisher and Wilmington, C.S.A. by James L. Walker
Fort Anderson: The Battle for Wilmington by Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.
The Wilmington Campaign: The Last Rays of Departing Hope by Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.
Oh well, I had the two Fonvielle books already.
Guess I Should Have Looked Up Some Stuff. --Old B-Runner.
Monday, January 25, 2010
General Cleburne Statue
December 28, 2008, Atlanta Journal Constitution.
A 700 pound bronze statue of Major General Patrick Cleburne is still in a warehouse under plastic wrap. It is hoped that its erection in Ringgold, Georgia, will help bring tourism and money.
The paper reports that most people in the area had never heard of him.
It almost wasn't completed because the organizations who wanted it couldn't come up with enough money to pay the sculptor.
general Cleburne was at Ringgold on November 27, 1863 when Confederates retreating in disorder from Chattanooga came through. Cleburne and about 4,100 of his troops fought off 12,000 Union troops and allowed the main Confederate body to pass through.
He was killed at the Battle of Franklin in November 1864 at the age of 36. Until recently, he was not well known, but a book about him is spreading the word.
$50,000 SHORT
The Ringgold people were $50,000 short and sculptor Ron Tanison, who makes Civil War statues across the country, warned that the project would be scrapped if he was not paid in full.
The Ringgold telephone Company stepped in with the needed funds.
The organizers realize that putting up a statue in today's anti-Confederate sentiment might cause some controversy because of the slavery issue. Earlier this year, Ringgold's small black community objected to the Confederate flag flying over the depot and it was taken down.
I see that the dedication ceremony did occur October 29, 2009, so next time through, I will stop and view this statue that almost wasn't.
The Stonewall of the West. --B-Runner
A 700 pound bronze statue of Major General Patrick Cleburne is still in a warehouse under plastic wrap. It is hoped that its erection in Ringgold, Georgia, will help bring tourism and money.
The paper reports that most people in the area had never heard of him.
It almost wasn't completed because the organizations who wanted it couldn't come up with enough money to pay the sculptor.
general Cleburne was at Ringgold on November 27, 1863 when Confederates retreating in disorder from Chattanooga came through. Cleburne and about 4,100 of his troops fought off 12,000 Union troops and allowed the main Confederate body to pass through.
He was killed at the Battle of Franklin in November 1864 at the age of 36. Until recently, he was not well known, but a book about him is spreading the word.
$50,000 SHORT
The Ringgold people were $50,000 short and sculptor Ron Tanison, who makes Civil War statues across the country, warned that the project would be scrapped if he was not paid in full.
The Ringgold telephone Company stepped in with the needed funds.
The organizers realize that putting up a statue in today's anti-Confederate sentiment might cause some controversy because of the slavery issue. Earlier this year, Ringgold's small black community objected to the Confederate flag flying over the depot and it was taken down.
I see that the dedication ceremony did occur October 29, 2009, so next time through, I will stop and view this statue that almost wasn't.
The Stonewall of the West. --B-Runner
USS Canonicus at Fort Fisher
In the second Battle of Fort Fisher, the US flag on the monitor Canonicus had to be replaced. Quartermaster Daniel Dickinson went out on the deck and replaced it while under fire from the guns of the fort. For this action, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
his action is mentioned in the book "Deeds of Valor: Vol. 2" page 79. A painting of him doing this exists.
There are photographs and paintings at www.navsource.org/archives/01/canonicus.
The ship was hit four times in the first attack and 36 in the second. During the second fight, the Canonicus is credited with knocking out two of Fisher's guns.
Brave Man. --B-R'er
his action is mentioned in the book "Deeds of Valor: Vol. 2" page 79. A painting of him doing this exists.
There are photographs and paintings at www.navsource.org/archives/01/canonicus.
The ship was hit four times in the first attack and 36 in the second. During the second fight, the Canonicus is credited with knocking out two of Fisher's guns.
Brave Man. --B-R'er
The Civil War Arrives in Australia
January 25th Sydney Morning Herald.
One hundred and forty-five years ago today, the Civil War arrived in Australia when the CSS Shenandoah arrived in Port Melbourne (today Melbourne) for repairs. There was no colonial navy stationed in that port to prevent them.
Many in town were sympathetic to the Confederate cause and the captain and crew soon found themselves the toast of town with balls and dinners in their honor.
US consul William Blanchard was livid and tried to get local authorities to intervene when he got word that the repairs were just a ruse to recruit crew, a strict violation of British neutrality.
The Shenandoah departed February 19th with 45 new crew members aboard. Then it raided the Indian Ocean and captured or destroyed 29 American ships. Unfortunately, the war had ended when 25 were attacked, technically acts of piracy.
Commanders of captured ships tried to convince Lt. James Waddell that the war was over, but he wouldn't believe them. When he finally became convinced it was over, he surrendered his vessel to the British government.
because of the recruitment, the British had to pay the US $15.5 million.
However, this incident, as well as fears of French and Russian ships operating off Australia's southern coast led to the establishment of a colonial naval detachment at Melbourne although today no evidence of naval operations exists in the city.
War Cometh. --Old B-Runner
One hundred and forty-five years ago today, the Civil War arrived in Australia when the CSS Shenandoah arrived in Port Melbourne (today Melbourne) for repairs. There was no colonial navy stationed in that port to prevent them.
Many in town were sympathetic to the Confederate cause and the captain and crew soon found themselves the toast of town with balls and dinners in their honor.
US consul William Blanchard was livid and tried to get local authorities to intervene when he got word that the repairs were just a ruse to recruit crew, a strict violation of British neutrality.
The Shenandoah departed February 19th with 45 new crew members aboard. Then it raided the Indian Ocean and captured or destroyed 29 American ships. Unfortunately, the war had ended when 25 were attacked, technically acts of piracy.
Commanders of captured ships tried to convince Lt. James Waddell that the war was over, but he wouldn't believe them. When he finally became convinced it was over, he surrendered his vessel to the British government.
because of the recruitment, the British had to pay the US $15.5 million.
However, this incident, as well as fears of French and Russian ships operating off Australia's southern coast led to the establishment of a colonial naval detachment at Melbourne although today no evidence of naval operations exists in the city.
War Cometh. --Old B-Runner
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Running the Blockade: Yankee Leaning?-- Chaplains-- Boys Will Be Boys-- NAACP
Some new news about an old war.
1. YANKEE LEANING?-- Jan. 22nd Wilmington Star News. A reader wanted to know how come the photographs run in the paper of the 145th Anniversary activities of Fort Fisher all were of Union re-enactors. The reader felt perhaps the paper was leaning toward the Yankees. Si Cantrell replied that he definitely had Confederate ties, but that the photographer mostly got pictures of the Union soldiers because they were more active at the time.
2. CHAPLAINS-- The Jan. 20th Liberty University newspaper reports that the grand opening of the National Civil War Chaplain's Museum on campus will be Jan. 23rd. It's role is to educate the public about the role played by chaplains, priests, rabbis and religious organizations during the war. It is also a place of research. It is located in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Long overdue.
3. BOYS WILL BE BOYS-- Jan. 7th NY Times. A Virginia jury has found both re-enactors not guilty of assault after both filed charges against each other. They were portraying cavalry officers at the Battle of Stanardsville when the Union re-enactor knocked the Confederate's cap off who then fired his pistol directly at the Union guy. It was, of course, a blank, but even then.
Boys and their guns.
4. NAACP-- Hard to believe that the NAACP has announced that they were going to continue their attacks on the Confederate flag at the South Carolina Capitol grounds. You'd have to think that they have much bigger issues to deal with than that flag.
1. YANKEE LEANING?-- Jan. 22nd Wilmington Star News. A reader wanted to know how come the photographs run in the paper of the 145th Anniversary activities of Fort Fisher all were of Union re-enactors. The reader felt perhaps the paper was leaning toward the Yankees. Si Cantrell replied that he definitely had Confederate ties, but that the photographer mostly got pictures of the Union soldiers because they were more active at the time.
2. CHAPLAINS-- The Jan. 20th Liberty University newspaper reports that the grand opening of the National Civil War Chaplain's Museum on campus will be Jan. 23rd. It's role is to educate the public about the role played by chaplains, priests, rabbis and religious organizations during the war. It is also a place of research. It is located in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Long overdue.
3. BOYS WILL BE BOYS-- Jan. 7th NY Times. A Virginia jury has found both re-enactors not guilty of assault after both filed charges against each other. They were portraying cavalry officers at the Battle of Stanardsville when the Union re-enactor knocked the Confederate's cap off who then fired his pistol directly at the Union guy. It was, of course, a blank, but even then.
Boys and their guns.
4. NAACP-- Hard to believe that the NAACP has announced that they were going to continue their attacks on the Confederate flag at the South Carolina Capitol grounds. You'd have to think that they have much bigger issues to deal with than that flag.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
John H. Winslow, USN-- Hero of the Kearsarge
I came across an interesting blog about people buried in Boston's Forest Hills Cemetery. One of those is noted Civil War Navy man, John H. Winslow, who commanded the USS Kearsarge in its battle against the CSS Alabama.
Winslow was born in Wilmington, NC, but had New England ancestry. He entered the Navy in 1827 and fought in the Mexican War. In 1863, he took command of the USS Kearsarge and in 1864 was involved in the famous one hour twenty minute fight with the Confederate Raider Alabama off Cherbourg, France.
Of the 370 projectiles fired at the Kearsarge, only 28 struck. One 100-pdr shell exploded in the smokestack and another shell struck and became lodged in the sternpost and was allowed to remain there for the rest the ship's career. Only three men on the Kearsarge was injured. It fired 173 shells at the Alabama.
Because of the victory, Winslow was promoted to commodore and he became a rear admiral in 1870.
He died in Roxbury soon after retirement while living on Kearsarge Street, so named after his ship. His coffin was draped with the ship's battle flag. The Winslow family plot is on Orange Path and a huge boulder on it is from Mount Kearsarge, New Hampshire.
From Forest Hills Educational Trust, http://foresthillstrust.blogspot.com.
A Real Hero. --Old B-Runner
Winslow was born in Wilmington, NC, but had New England ancestry. He entered the Navy in 1827 and fought in the Mexican War. In 1863, he took command of the USS Kearsarge and in 1864 was involved in the famous one hour twenty minute fight with the Confederate Raider Alabama off Cherbourg, France.
Of the 370 projectiles fired at the Kearsarge, only 28 struck. One 100-pdr shell exploded in the smokestack and another shell struck and became lodged in the sternpost and was allowed to remain there for the rest the ship's career. Only three men on the Kearsarge was injured. It fired 173 shells at the Alabama.
Because of the victory, Winslow was promoted to commodore and he became a rear admiral in 1870.
He died in Roxbury soon after retirement while living on Kearsarge Street, so named after his ship. His coffin was draped with the ship's battle flag. The Winslow family plot is on Orange Path and a huge boulder on it is from Mount Kearsarge, New Hampshire.
From Forest Hills Educational Trust, http://foresthillstrust.blogspot.com.
A Real Hero. --Old B-Runner
Goodbye to the USS Fort Fisher
I came across some photos on Flickr by Daver6 taken earlier this month of the USS Fort Fisher LSD-40 tied up at Pier 80 in Benicia, California. He mentioned that it was soon to be towed to Texas for breaking up.
A person commented that it had already been towed out, so looks like it will soon be gone.
Too bad, it would have made a nice ship to have been tied up near Fort Fisher.
Support From the Sea to the Shore. --Old B-Runner
A person commented that it had already been towed out, so looks like it will soon be gone.
Too bad, it would have made a nice ship to have been tied up near Fort Fisher.
Support From the Sea to the Shore. --Old B-Runner
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