From the December 5, 2010, Listverse.
10. BATTLE NAMES-- The Union named battles after natural objects, Confederates after towns. For example, the Union Battle of Bull Run (named for the creek) was called Battle of Manassas by Confederates (for the nearby town). Some 230 actions in the war have two or more names.
9. GEOGRAPHY-- The Confederacy had 750,000 square miles and 3,500 miles of coastline, 200 harbors, bays and navigable river mouths.
8. CAPITAL-- Originally in Montgomery, Alabama, then moved to Richmond, Virginia.
7. MONEY-- Confederate money began circulating in April 1861 (I believe I remember hearing the first notes were printed in the North). Approximately $1.7 billion in currency issued. Only a one cent and a fifty cent piece were issued.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Another Loss for the Home Team
From the Sept. 26, 2012, CBS News
The Selma, Alabama, City Council voted to stop work on the statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest in the cemetery because of black marches and opposition. Ten years ago, their demonstrations led to the statue being removed from outside a public building in a very visible site to the cemetery's Confederate section.
More recently, someone, wonder who, cut the head off the statue. Groups are trying to restore it, but the blacks and their supporters don't want it.
Looks Like They Have Won This One, At least Temporarily. --Old Secesh
The Selma, Alabama, City Council voted to stop work on the statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest in the cemetery because of black marches and opposition. Ten years ago, their demonstrations led to the statue being removed from outside a public building in a very visible site to the cemetery's Confederate section.
More recently, someone, wonder who, cut the head off the statue. Groups are trying to restore it, but the blacks and their supporters don't want it.
Looks Like They Have Won This One, At least Temporarily. --Old Secesh
Friday, September 28, 2012
Charlotte's Involvement in the War
From the August 31, 2012, Charlotte (NC) Observer "Charlotte put men, ships, gunpowder into Civil War" by Sam Shapiro.
A review of Michael C. Hardy's new book, "Civil War Charlotte: Last Capital of the Confederacy."
Charlotte was fortunate in having been spared the havoc of fighting, but it was completely involved in the war effort. Even so, in the waning days of the war, Charlotte and Mecklenburg County were on high alert with Sherman's Army heading its way, but it turned toward Wilmington.
Then, on April 19th, with the Confederacy in its death throes, Stoneman's Raiders got as far as the Catawba River before withdrawing.
Charlotte became a major strategic point because of its railroads. By 1862, supplies, machinery and troops were streaming through town. The railroad accessibility caused the Confederate government to establish a navy yard in what today is the First Ward. Shipbuilding became a primary Charlotte industry.
Also located in the city were industries supplying the war machine: the Sulphuric Acid Works, Mecklenburg Iron Works and North Carolina Powder Manufacturing Company.
All this caused Charlotte's population to grow.
On April 19, 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet along with the Confederate Treasury arrive in Charlotte. Today, a marker on Tryon Street shows where Davis stood when he received news of Lincoln's assassination. Seven days later, Davis and his cabinet met for the last time at the William Phifer home on North Tryon Street.
A Navy Yard That Far From the Coast? --Old Secesh
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Sometimes, You Win One: Skynyrd Keeps the Flag
From the Sept. 25, 2012, The Boot "Lynyrd Skynyrd's Confederate Flag Waves On" by Gayle Thompson.
As the headline suggests, Gary Rossington and Lynyrd Skynyrd have had a change of heart and the 40-year tradition of hanging the huge Confederate flag on the stage will continue. They listened to their fans.
Rossington did say that his reason for the move in the first place was that many times hate groups have used the Confederate flag.
Now, this whole thing isn't all that big of a deal, but considering the increasing attacks and pressure to do away with all things Confederate just seems to have taken on a life of its own. We now know how the folks at Vicksburg felt back in 1863.
But, I agree with Rossington in that I hate to see hate groups using the flag. It is too bad that they don't get fined thousands of dollars when they use it in a racist way, or, even be arrested.
But, today, I also see that a biracial group of 60 people marched in Selma, Alabama, protesting the repairs to the Nathan Bedford Forrest monument in that city.
So These Confederates Attacks Continue, But One Little Ray of Light. --Old Secesh
As the headline suggests, Gary Rossington and Lynyrd Skynyrd have had a change of heart and the 40-year tradition of hanging the huge Confederate flag on the stage will continue. They listened to their fans.
Rossington did say that his reason for the move in the first place was that many times hate groups have used the Confederate flag.
Now, this whole thing isn't all that big of a deal, but considering the increasing attacks and pressure to do away with all things Confederate just seems to have taken on a life of its own. We now know how the folks at Vicksburg felt back in 1863.
But, I agree with Rossington in that I hate to see hate groups using the flag. It is too bad that they don't get fined thousands of dollars when they use it in a racist way, or, even be arrested.
But, today, I also see that a biracial group of 60 people marched in Selma, Alabama, protesting the repairs to the Nathan Bedford Forrest monument in that city.
So These Confederates Attacks Continue, But One Little Ray of Light. --Old Secesh
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Fans Outraged at Lynyrd Skynyrd
From the September 19, 2012, Examiner "Fans outraged after Lynyrd Skynyrd denounces the Confederate flag."
Just one original member of the Southern Rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd remains, Gary Rossington. Before now, the band never cared about being politically correct and featured a Confederate flag prominently behind them on stage during concerts as well as on their official tee shirts.
Their biggest song was "Sweet Home Alabama" where they praised former Alabama George Wallace, who is vilified for defending racial segregation.
But, now Rossington says he doesn't want to offend anybody with the flag so the band will no longer display it or feature it on clothing they sell.
Fans are outrages and there are a lot of great comments.
I can't help but feel stabbed in the back by the move. And, those folks Rossington is afraid to offend, aren't really fans anyway.
Now, they'll also have to drop "Sweet Home Alabama" from their set list as it might offend somebody.
Perhaps we ought to send the NFL Scab referees to their concerts as they can't see anything anyway.
Sweet Home It Ain't No More. --Old Secesh
Just one original member of the Southern Rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd remains, Gary Rossington. Before now, the band never cared about being politically correct and featured a Confederate flag prominently behind them on stage during concerts as well as on their official tee shirts.
Their biggest song was "Sweet Home Alabama" where they praised former Alabama George Wallace, who is vilified for defending racial segregation.
But, now Rossington says he doesn't want to offend anybody with the flag so the band will no longer display it or feature it on clothing they sell.
Fans are outrages and there are a lot of great comments.
I can't help but feel stabbed in the back by the move. And, those folks Rossington is afraid to offend, aren't really fans anyway.
Now, they'll also have to drop "Sweet Home Alabama" from their set list as it might offend somebody.
Perhaps we ought to send the NFL Scab referees to their concerts as they can't see anything anyway.
Sweet Home It Ain't No More. --Old Secesh
Monday, September 24, 2012
Lincoln Assassination Items in New York
From the June 12, 2011, Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow Patch.
The Historical Society of these two towns has two objects of interest to Lincoln assassination people.
One is a check signed by John Wilkes Booth.
The other is co-conspirator Mary Surratt's last letter, which includes the line, "God knows I am innocent, but for some cause I must suffer today."
Of Interest. --Old Secesh
The Historical Society of these two towns has two objects of interest to Lincoln assassination people.
One is a check signed by John Wilkes Booth.
The other is co-conspirator Mary Surratt's last letter, which includes the line, "God knows I am innocent, but for some cause I must suffer today."
Of Interest. --Old Secesh
While On the Subject of Antietam and Connecticut-- Part 3: A Bloody Mess
Field surgeons were overwhelmed by the wounded and soon ran out of bandages and began using corn leaves.
B.F. Blakeslee of the 16th Connecticut described the scene at the field hospital: In a room 12-by-20 feet a bloody table stood and around it five surgeons. A wounded man was laid on the table and it took but a few seconds for them to decide what to do and but a few minutes to do it.
The amputated limbs were thrown out the window. In 48 hours there were as many as two cartloads of amputated legs, feet, arms, and hands in the pile."
Of note, the Battle of Antietam was fought on the 75th anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Old Secesh
B.F. Blakeslee of the 16th Connecticut described the scene at the field hospital: In a room 12-by-20 feet a bloody table stood and around it five surgeons. A wounded man was laid on the table and it took but a few seconds for them to decide what to do and but a few minutes to do it.
The amputated limbs were thrown out the window. In 48 hours there were as many as two cartloads of amputated legs, feet, arms, and hands in the pile."
Of note, the Battle of Antietam was fought on the 75th anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Old Secesh
Saturday, September 22, 2012
While On the Subject of Antietam and Connecticut-- Part 2
Captain John Griswold of Lyme tried to bypass the three bridges over Antietam Creek, each about a mile apart, He waded across through waist-deep water and was shot in the chest in the crossing. He made it to the other side where he collapsed and died.
Colonel Henry Kingsbury of the 11th Connecticut, was engaged on one of the stone bridges. A Confederate shell wounded him in the foot, then a cannon shot from point blank range wounded him in the leg. While being taken back, he received two more wounds: one in the shoulder and another in the stomach. The stomach one killed him.
The 14th Connecticut, made up largely of men from Middletown received dozens of casualties advancing through a cornfield near the William Roulette farmhouse. When they emerged from it, they were cut down by Confederates in the sunken road that became known as Bloody Lane.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Colonel Henry Kingsbury of the 11th Connecticut, was engaged on one of the stone bridges. A Confederate shell wounded him in the foot, then a cannon shot from point blank range wounded him in the leg. While being taken back, he received two more wounds: one in the shoulder and another in the stomach. The stomach one killed him.
The 14th Connecticut, made up largely of men from Middletown received dozens of casualties advancing through a cornfield near the William Roulette farmhouse. When they emerged from it, they were cut down by Confederates in the sunken road that became known as Bloody Lane.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Friday, September 21, 2012
While On the Subject of Connecticut and Antietam-- Part 1
From the Sept. 20, 2012, Middletown (Ct) Patch "Connecticut Blood Flowed Freely at Antietam 150 Years Ago This Week" by Philip R. Devlin.
Yesterday, I wrote about Lyman Wilcox of the 16th Connectucut Infantry who was at Antietam and later captured and sent to Andersonville. I was looking for some sort of a tie-in with the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862. And that was a good one. Then, today, I came across yet another article featuring the men of Connecticut at the battle, so here goes.
The Battle of Antietam (Battle of Sharpsburg) to Confederates resulted in 12,400 Union and 10,300 Confederate casualties giving the battle the distinction of being the single bloodiest day in US military history. Of the Union, Connecticut regiments suffered 600 casualties, including 136 dead.
There were four Connecticut regiments at the battle, the 8th, 11th, 14th and 16th (Wilcox's regiment).
Without a doubt,the most famous Connecticut soldier to die that day was General John K. Mansfield of Middletown, one of six generals dying at the battle. The 40-year veteran graduated second in his class of 1822 from West Point. He fought in the Mexican War and commanded the 12th Corps at Antietam. leading his men, he was shot in the chest and died the next day at age 58.
After a big funeral, he was buried at Indian Hill Cemetery in Middletown.
A Bloody Day for Connecticut. --Old Secesh
Yesterday, I wrote about Lyman Wilcox of the 16th Connectucut Infantry who was at Antietam and later captured and sent to Andersonville. I was looking for some sort of a tie-in with the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862. And that was a good one. Then, today, I came across yet another article featuring the men of Connecticut at the battle, so here goes.
The Battle of Antietam (Battle of Sharpsburg) to Confederates resulted in 12,400 Union and 10,300 Confederate casualties giving the battle the distinction of being the single bloodiest day in US military history. Of the Union, Connecticut regiments suffered 600 casualties, including 136 dead.
There were four Connecticut regiments at the battle, the 8th, 11th, 14th and 16th (Wilcox's regiment).
Without a doubt,the most famous Connecticut soldier to die that day was General John K. Mansfield of Middletown, one of six generals dying at the battle. The 40-year veteran graduated second in his class of 1822 from West Point. He fought in the Mexican War and commanded the 12th Corps at Antietam. leading his men, he was shot in the chest and died the next day at age 58.
After a big funeral, he was buried at Indian Hill Cemetery in Middletown.
A Bloody Day for Connecticut. --Old Secesh
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Union Veteran Survived Antietam and Andersonville
From the Sept. 19, 2012, Berlin (Ct) My Town "Berlin Historical Society Members Write Book Based On Letters From Local Civil War Veteran" by Bill Leakhardt.
Lyman Wilcox enlisted as a drummer boy at the age of 17, survived eight months at the Confederate prison Andersonville and died at age 30 in 1870.
The book is titled "Field Music: From Antietam to Andersonville-- The Letters of Lyman B. Wilcox."
The letters were donated to the society decades ago.
Wilcox was orphaned at age 13 and raised by his granmother. He enlisted in 1862 in the 16th Connecticut and had been in uniform just three weeks when he fought at Antietam September 17, 1862 where 23,000 Americans were killed, wounded and missing after just 13 hours at Sharpsburg, Maryland, near Antietam Creek. He was one of 209 who served from Berlin and of that number, 70 died.
Wilcox survived that battle, but was captured in 1864 at Plymouth, North Carolina and sent to Andersonville.
He survived that ordeal, but died soon after the war at age 30, reason unknown.
Just One of Millions of Stories from the War. --Old Secesh
Lyman Wilcox enlisted as a drummer boy at the age of 17, survived eight months at the Confederate prison Andersonville and died at age 30 in 1870.
The book is titled "Field Music: From Antietam to Andersonville-- The Letters of Lyman B. Wilcox."
The letters were donated to the society decades ago.
Wilcox was orphaned at age 13 and raised by his granmother. He enlisted in 1862 in the 16th Connecticut and had been in uniform just three weeks when he fought at Antietam September 17, 1862 where 23,000 Americans were killed, wounded and missing after just 13 hours at Sharpsburg, Maryland, near Antietam Creek. He was one of 209 who served from Berlin and of that number, 70 died.
Wilcox survived that battle, but was captured in 1864 at Plymouth, North Carolina and sent to Andersonville.
He survived that ordeal, but died soon after the war at age 30, reason unknown.
Just One of Millions of Stories from the War. --Old Secesh
Flags and Bell Returning to North Carolina
From the Aug. 15, 2011, Worcester (Mass) Telegram & Gazette "Worcester sending Civil War artifacts south" by Bill Fortier.
The Worcester GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Board of Trustees voted to return three captured Confederate flags from the Battle of New Bern, March 14, 1862, to the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC.
In addition, the 50 pound, cast iron ship's bell of the CSS Albemarle is being sent to the Port O' Plymouth Museum in Plymouth, NC.
One of the flags is a 36-inch by 66-inch one with the words Freedom and Victory on it.
Two of the flags were captured by the Union's 21st and 25th Divisions.
The flags were presented to Worcester Mayor P. Emory Aldrich by Major Matthew McCafferty on April 21, 1862, at a huge gathering at Mechanic's Hall.
Twenty Massachusetts soldiers were killed in the four-hour battle and another 55 wounded.
A Mighty Nice Thing to Do. Thanks Worcester. --Old Secesh
The Worcester GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Board of Trustees voted to return three captured Confederate flags from the Battle of New Bern, March 14, 1862, to the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC.
In addition, the 50 pound, cast iron ship's bell of the CSS Albemarle is being sent to the Port O' Plymouth Museum in Plymouth, NC.
One of the flags is a 36-inch by 66-inch one with the words Freedom and Victory on it.
Two of the flags were captured by the Union's 21st and 25th Divisions.
The flags were presented to Worcester Mayor P. Emory Aldrich by Major Matthew McCafferty on April 21, 1862, at a huge gathering at Mechanic's Hall.
Twenty Massachusetts soldiers were killed in the four-hour battle and another 55 wounded.
A Mighty Nice Thing to Do. Thanks Worcester. --Old Secesh
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Civil War Dead
Quite accidentally last night, I came across the TV show on PBS concerning the Civil War dead. In typical, but predictable fashion, yet another Burns has put together a great piece of history, this time delving into what became of the war's dead on both sides.
Unfortunately, I only saw the last 30 minutes, but that was of great interest with the Union's movement toward National Cemeteries and the business of locating all the wide-scattered burial sites and identifying as many of the soldiers as possible.
And, these were numbers never before encountered.
It was interesting that black US soldiers were the ones who mostly dd the work for the North.
In the South, it was the women who did the most in recovering and reburying the Confederate dead.
I found the account of the nation's first Memorial Day observance by blacks in Charleston, SC, of particular interest. I had never heard of the Confederate prison at the Hampton Park that had formerly been for horse racing. Several hundred Union prisoners died there and in May 1865, the blacks of the city held an observance.
A fitting way to close the show.
I'll Need to see the Whole Thing. --Old Secesh
Unfortunately, I only saw the last 30 minutes, but that was of great interest with the Union's movement toward National Cemeteries and the business of locating all the wide-scattered burial sites and identifying as many of the soldiers as possible.
And, these were numbers never before encountered.
It was interesting that black US soldiers were the ones who mostly dd the work for the North.
In the South, it was the women who did the most in recovering and reburying the Confederate dead.
I found the account of the nation's first Memorial Day observance by blacks in Charleston, SC, of particular interest. I had never heard of the Confederate prison at the Hampton Park that had formerly been for horse racing. Several hundred Union prisoners died there and in May 1865, the blacks of the city held an observance.
A fitting way to close the show.
I'll Need to see the Whole Thing. --Old Secesh
150th Anniversary Stirs a Trove of Memories
From the Dec. 26, 2011, Fox News.
There is a diary with a life-saving hole in it and a homemade Valentine's Day card.
The Valentine is on pink paper shaped like a heart using an intricate basket weave and was sent to Confederate soldier Robert H. King by his wife Louisa. King was killed in 1862.
There is also a diary kept by a soldier in his breast pocket. It stopped a bullet that would have killed him. Thankful, no doubt, but the soldier continued writing in it. Of course, he had to write around the hole.
Just Some Interesting Little Bits of the War. --Old Secesh
There is a diary with a life-saving hole in it and a homemade Valentine's Day card.
The Valentine is on pink paper shaped like a heart using an intricate basket weave and was sent to Confederate soldier Robert H. King by his wife Louisa. King was killed in 1862.
There is also a diary kept by a soldier in his breast pocket. It stopped a bullet that would have killed him. Thankful, no doubt, but the soldier continued writing in it. Of course, he had to write around the hole.
Just Some Interesting Little Bits of the War. --Old Secesh
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The "Boy Colonel" Dies at the Podium-- Part 2
Arthur MacArthur retired and came home to Milwaukee. On September 5, 1912, while speaking at a reunion of his Civil War regiment, he suffered a heart attack at the podium and died there on the stage..
I had to wonder about the name. Was he related to, possibly father of, the more famous Douglas MacArthur? Turns out, he was Douglas's father. This would give General Douglas MacArthur a connection to the Philippines before he commanded there and "returned."
The two men were also the first father and son to both win Medals of Honor.
Strange that the article would not mention the family connection.
Also, the article didn't mention the elder MacArthur's regiment in the Civil War. It was the 24th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
In addition, Arthur MacArthur was originally buried in Milwaukee, but in 1926, he was moved to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. I wonder if this was his son's idea?
Just A Bit More. --Old Secesh
I had to wonder about the name. Was he related to, possibly father of, the more famous Douglas MacArthur? Turns out, he was Douglas's father. This would give General Douglas MacArthur a connection to the Philippines before he commanded there and "returned."
The two men were also the first father and son to both win Medals of Honor.
Strange that the article would not mention the family connection.
Also, the article didn't mention the elder MacArthur's regiment in the Civil War. It was the 24th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
In addition, Arthur MacArthur was originally buried in Milwaukee, but in 1926, he was moved to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. I wonder if this was his son's idea?
Just A Bit More. --Old Secesh
The "Boy Colonel" Dies at the Podium-- Part 1
From the September 5th Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) "Odd Wisconsin: 'Boy Colonel' died while speaking during regiment reunion."
Died 100 years ago today.
General Arthur MacArthur (1845-1912) was the celebrated "Boy Colonel." At age 18, he won the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery at the Battle of Missionary Ridge outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the next year given command of his regiment.
After the war, he fought in the west for thirty years and was promoted to general in 1898 and sent to the Philippines. The U.S. had gotten the islands in the Spanish-American War and refused to turn the government over to the Filipinos who started a guerrilla war against the Americans.
MacArthur was there to suppress it and was extremely harsh, establishing concentration camps, deporting agitators, executed civilians and committed other inhumane actions.
As details of the occupation became known and American deaths surpassed 4,000, Washington declared its military mission accomplished and withdrew.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Died 100 years ago today.
General Arthur MacArthur (1845-1912) was the celebrated "Boy Colonel." At age 18, he won the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery at the Battle of Missionary Ridge outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the next year given command of his regiment.
After the war, he fought in the west for thirty years and was promoted to general in 1898 and sent to the Philippines. The U.S. had gotten the islands in the Spanish-American War and refused to turn the government over to the Filipinos who started a guerrilla war against the Americans.
MacArthur was there to suppress it and was extremely harsh, establishing concentration camps, deporting agitators, executed civilians and committed other inhumane actions.
As details of the occupation became known and American deaths surpassed 4,000, Washington declared its military mission accomplished and withdrew.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
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