DECEMBER 22, 1862-- From the Cumberland Plough Boys near Fredericksburg, Virginia, Dec. 17, 1862. "A list of Casualties in my company on the 13th: Private William Warwick and John Gardner.
Without any disparagement to the bravery of their comrades in arms, I may say that these men acted in a manner of the highest commendation.
My company was under a very hot fire of muskets from 11 o'clock, AM, till dark, but fortunately escaped without other loss than stated above. We took part in the repulse of three distinct charges and at one time had the pleasure of seeing eleven flags of the stars and stripes flying before us."
J.S. Evans, Capt. Co. F, 24th Reg't N.C.T."
This would be the Battle of Fredericksburg.
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Fayetteville, NC, At War-- Part 1
From the Dec. 30, 2012, Fayetteville (NC) Observer "Civil War 150th Anniversary: December 1862 Developments."
DECEMBER 1, 1862
"A couple of gentlemen turned out on Friday last to solicit subscriptions for purchasing a supply of wood to be distributed among the poor of the town.
They collected $572 and 100 cords of wood, equal to near $1,000."
Even in war time, people were helping the poor.
Old Secesh
DECEMBER 1, 1862
"A couple of gentlemen turned out on Friday last to solicit subscriptions for purchasing a supply of wood to be distributed among the poor of the town.
They collected $572 and 100 cords of wood, equal to near $1,000."
Even in war time, people were helping the poor.
Old Secesh
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Confederate Powder Mill Explosion in Texas, April 29, 1863
From the Feb. 23, 2013, Waxahachie (Tx) Daily Light by George Cole.
The Confederate gun powder mill operated by William Rowen and Tillman Patterson, located by McMillan and North Rogers streets in Waxahachie was totally destroyed after a series of explosions on April 29, 1863.
It had been established by the Confederate government in Austin in late 1862 or early 1863, but operated there for only a few months before moving.
Five men normally would be at work, but only three were there at the time of the explosion and all were burned severely. William Rowen and first assistant Joshua G. Phillips later died of their injuries.
David C. Nance survived. He was a soldier in Parsons' Rangers, Co. E and had been badly wounded at the Battle of Cache River in Arkansas. Furloughed to return home and recover, he had recovered and been assigned to work in the mill.
The exact cause of the explosion has never been determined. Some think it might have been Northern sympathizers, others that the inexperience Nance made a mistake.
In 1936, the Texas Historical Commission erected a marker at the approximate site at 306 N. Rogers Street.
A Dangerous Business. --Old Secesh
The Confederate gun powder mill operated by William Rowen and Tillman Patterson, located by McMillan and North Rogers streets in Waxahachie was totally destroyed after a series of explosions on April 29, 1863.
It had been established by the Confederate government in Austin in late 1862 or early 1863, but operated there for only a few months before moving.
Five men normally would be at work, but only three were there at the time of the explosion and all were burned severely. William Rowen and first assistant Joshua G. Phillips later died of their injuries.
David C. Nance survived. He was a soldier in Parsons' Rangers, Co. E and had been badly wounded at the Battle of Cache River in Arkansas. Furloughed to return home and recover, he had recovered and been assigned to work in the mill.
The exact cause of the explosion has never been determined. Some think it might have been Northern sympathizers, others that the inexperience Nance made a mistake.
In 1936, the Texas Historical Commission erected a marker at the approximate site at 306 N. Rogers Street.
A Dangerous Business. --Old Secesh
Monday, February 25, 2013
Maryland's Last Surviving Confederate Real Son Dies
From the Dec, 18, 2012 Cumberland (Md) Times-News "LaVale man, last surviving son of Civil War veteran dies at 91."
Albert L. Comer, Sr., Maryland's last son of a Confederate Veteran died Dec. 16, 2012.
At age 78, he was inducted into the Maryland Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) in a ceremony.
He was the son of James J. Comer, who enlisted at age 14, the youngest member of Stonewall Jackson's 53rd Brigade.
he married after the war, and after the death of his wife, married a girl 34 years younger. Albert was born in 1921, when his father was 74.
What Were They feeding Those Boys in Gray? --Old Secesh
Albert L. Comer, Sr., Maryland's last son of a Confederate Veteran died Dec. 16, 2012.
At age 78, he was inducted into the Maryland Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) in a ceremony.
He was the son of James J. Comer, who enlisted at age 14, the youngest member of Stonewall Jackson's 53rd Brigade.
he married after the war, and after the death of his wife, married a girl 34 years younger. Albert was born in 1921, when his father was 74.
What Were They feeding Those Boys in Gray? --Old Secesh
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Back to the U.S. Dakota 1862 War: The Lake Shetek Massacre
The Lake Shetek Massacre was August 20, 1862. Fourteen white settlers were killed. Several days ago, I metioned that Captain William Duley cut the rope that hanged the 39 Dakota Sioux at Mankato and that he had lost several family members to the Indians at Lake Shetek.
Three white families first settled along the shores of Minnesota's Lake Shetek in 1859. By 1862, there were 12 families there.
On this date, they were attacked by about 100 Indians from the Lean Lodge and Bear Lodge. The Indians first ordered two families to leave their cabins before killing hired man John Voight. At the third place they killed Andrew Koch, but his wife escaped and spread the word of the attack on foot to the other whites.
Charley Hatch also heard and mounted his horse to get the word out as well. The whites gathered together in a cabin for safety.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Three white families first settled along the shores of Minnesota's Lake Shetek in 1859. By 1862, there were 12 families there.
On this date, they were attacked by about 100 Indians from the Lean Lodge and Bear Lodge. The Indians first ordered two families to leave their cabins before killing hired man John Voight. At the third place they killed Andrew Koch, but his wife escaped and spread the word of the attack on foot to the other whites.
Charley Hatch also heard and mounted his horse to get the word out as well. The whites gathered together in a cabin for safety.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Friday, February 22, 2013
Kansas Civil War History on Route 66
From the Feb. 17, 2013 wibw.com "Kansas Town Rich With Civil War History" AP
Southeast Kansas is usually overlooked when it comes to the Civil War, and especially that little thirteen mile section of the Mother Road going through that part, but there was a notable battle where about 100 Union soldiers were massacred in October 1863 by guerrillas under William Quantrill.
The union commander, James Blunt was not aware that Quantrill's men were in the area. The story also has racial overtones.
The town it took place in is called Baxter Springs and there will be a three-day observation planned to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Baxter Springs.
I'm Thinking About It. Nothing Like Cruising 66 Past That Marsh Bridge and Getting Some Civil War At the Same Time. --Old Secesh
Southeast Kansas is usually overlooked when it comes to the Civil War, and especially that little thirteen mile section of the Mother Road going through that part, but there was a notable battle where about 100 Union soldiers were massacred in October 1863 by guerrillas under William Quantrill.
The union commander, James Blunt was not aware that Quantrill's men were in the area. The story also has racial overtones.
The town it took place in is called Baxter Springs and there will be a three-day observation planned to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Baxter Springs.
I'm Thinking About It. Nothing Like Cruising 66 Past That Marsh Bridge and Getting Some Civil War At the Same Time. --Old Secesh
A Big Welcome Back to CWI
I had just about written this blog no posts for the last four months and no reason given. But, I was quite happy last Friday to see Civil War Interactive was coming back. I missed it and and had previously read it most days. The reason for the lapse was a serious illness which I am glad to see is in the past.
I have my own alerts, but even so, CWI comes up with stories I'm interested in (the only ones I use here or on any of my blogs) that I didn't know about. The last story and the one coming up came as a result of CWI.
Just search Civil War Interactive and go to Today's News. www.civilwarinteractive.com .
Welcome Back. --Old Secesh
I have my own alerts, but even so, CWI comes up with stories I'm interested in (the only ones I use here or on any of my blogs) that I didn't know about. The last story and the one coming up came as a result of CWI.
Just search Civil War Interactive and go to Today's News. www.civilwarinteractive.com .
Welcome Back. --Old Secesh
Protest Planned to Save the Old Gettysburg Cyclorama Building
From the Feb. 14, 2013 Hanover (Pa) Evening Sun by Amy Stansbury.
Richard Neutra designed the Gettysburg Cyclorama Building in the late 1950s to memorialize Pickett's Charge. The modernistic building was created to unite the country.
Last month, the National Park Service made the decision to tear the building down in keeping with its efforts to return the terrain of the battlefield to the way it looked in July of 1863.
His son, Dion Neutra is leading a protest in an attempt to save it. This Sunday, February 24th at 1 PM, a mass meeting is planned at the battlefield. Neutra wants the building repurposed as a Lincoln museum dedicated to the Gettysburg Address.
As his father built the structure, the Cyclorama was on the second floor and the first was dedicated to Lincoln.
Preliminary assessment of costs put repurposing the building at $21 million and $3.3 million to tear down. There must be asbestos in it as the repurposing an existing building is quite high to my thinking.
Of Course, I Say "Save IT!!" --Old Secesh
Richard Neutra designed the Gettysburg Cyclorama Building in the late 1950s to memorialize Pickett's Charge. The modernistic building was created to unite the country.
Last month, the National Park Service made the decision to tear the building down in keeping with its efforts to return the terrain of the battlefield to the way it looked in July of 1863.
His son, Dion Neutra is leading a protest in an attempt to save it. This Sunday, February 24th at 1 PM, a mass meeting is planned at the battlefield. Neutra wants the building repurposed as a Lincoln museum dedicated to the Gettysburg Address.
As his father built the structure, the Cyclorama was on the second floor and the first was dedicated to Lincoln.
Preliminary assessment of costs put repurposing the building at $21 million and $3.3 million to tear down. There must be asbestos in it as the repurposing an existing building is quite high to my thinking.
Of Course, I Say "Save IT!!" --Old Secesh
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Officials Want Confederate POW Camp in Georgia Preserved
From the Feb. 4, 2013, Jacksonville (Fl) Times Union by Terry Dickson.
The camp, located near Blackshear, Georgia, was used for only two months after Andersonville was evacuated.
There is a historic marker about it on Georgia Highway 203, the only indication that 5,000 Union prisoners and 700 Confederate guards once occupied the 35 acre site. The county owns 2.7 acres and the rest owned by private citizens.
Back in 1864, General William Sherman and his Army were cutting a wide swath of destruction across Georgia, but Confederate commanders were unable to figure out his objective or route. the infamous Andersonville Prison Camp was closed and Union prisoners sent elsewhere. Some 5,000 moved to Thomasville and 10,000 to Millen at what is now Magnolia Springs State Park
The Thomasville prison site is preserved and within the last two years, archaeologists, scientists and students have been scouring tbe Millen site. But nothing has been done at Blackshear where records indicate that some of the Union soldiers are buried on the grounds.
Recovering the Past. --Old Secesh
The camp, located near Blackshear, Georgia, was used for only two months after Andersonville was evacuated.
There is a historic marker about it on Georgia Highway 203, the only indication that 5,000 Union prisoners and 700 Confederate guards once occupied the 35 acre site. The county owns 2.7 acres and the rest owned by private citizens.
Back in 1864, General William Sherman and his Army were cutting a wide swath of destruction across Georgia, but Confederate commanders were unable to figure out his objective or route. the infamous Andersonville Prison Camp was closed and Union prisoners sent elsewhere. Some 5,000 moved to Thomasville and 10,000 to Millen at what is now Magnolia Springs State Park
The Thomasville prison site is preserved and within the last two years, archaeologists, scientists and students have been scouring tbe Millen site. But nothing has been done at Blackshear where records indicate that some of the Union soldiers are buried on the grounds.
Recovering the Past. --Old Secesh
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The U.S.--Dakota War of 1862-- Part 6
As the Dakota took their places on the scaffold, they sang a Dakota song as white muslim coverings were pulled over their faces. They grasped each others' hands. A single blow from an axe and the platform fell away. Captain William Duley, who had lost several family members in the attack on the Lake Shetek settlement, cut the rope.
The Indians dangled for half an hour, were cut down and buried in a shallow mass grave on a sandbar between Mankato's main street and the Minnesota River. However, before morning, the bodies were dug up and taken to physicians for use as medical cadavers.
Later, it was discovered that two had been mistakenly hanged.
A Sad Story. --Old Secesh
The Indians dangled for half an hour, were cut down and buried in a shallow mass grave on a sandbar between Mankato's main street and the Minnesota River. However, before morning, the bodies were dug up and taken to physicians for use as medical cadavers.
Later, it was discovered that two had been mistakenly hanged.
A Sad Story. --Old Secesh
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862-- Part 5
On September 28, 1862, two days after the Indian surrender at Camp Release, a commission of military officers began trying Dakota men accused of participating in the war. Several weeks later the trials were moved from the Lower Sioux Agency. As weeks passed, trials weer handles with increasing speed.
On November 5, 1862, 303 were sentenced to death and 16 given prison terms.
At this time, President Lincoln got involved and decreed that only those involved in rape and massacring whites should be put to death. That lowered the number to 39.
At 10 AM December 26th, 38 Indians were led to the specially constructed scaffold. One was given a reprieve at the last minute. An estimated 4,000 spectators were on hand to witness and were not too well disposed to the Indians. To keep the peace, the commander of the executions had banned the sale of all alcohol sales or consumption within a ten mile radius of Mankato.
The Hangings. --Old Secesh
On November 5, 1862, 303 were sentenced to death and 16 given prison terms.
At this time, President Lincoln got involved and decreed that only those involved in rape and massacring whites should be put to death. That lowered the number to 39.
At 10 AM December 26th, 38 Indians were led to the specially constructed scaffold. One was given a reprieve at the last minute. An estimated 4,000 spectators were on hand to witness and were not too well disposed to the Indians. To keep the peace, the commander of the executions had banned the sale of all alcohol sales or consumption within a ten mile radius of Mankato.
The Hangings. --Old Secesh
Monday, February 18, 2013
The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862-- Part 4
l Sibley and his soldiers moved 303 condemned Indians from the Lower Sioux Agency to a prison camp in Mankato, Minnesota. On the outskirts of New Ulm, they were attacked by citizens and two of the Indians died of their injuries.
Those prisoners not executed at Mankato sere sent by steamboat to the military prison at Davenport, Iowa. At least 120 died while there of the horrible conditions.
From November 7-13, about 1700 Dakota (mostly women and children)who had surrendered but not sentenced to death or prison, were taken from the Lower Sioux Agency to an internment camp near Fort Snelling, Minnesota. As they passed through Henderson, they were attacked by white settlers.
They spent the winter in the internment camp and between 100-300 died, mostly of disease.
Old Secesh
Those prisoners not executed at Mankato sere sent by steamboat to the military prison at Davenport, Iowa. At least 120 died while there of the horrible conditions.
From November 7-13, about 1700 Dakota (mostly women and children)who had surrendered but not sentenced to death or prison, were taken from the Lower Sioux Agency to an internment camp near Fort Snelling, Minnesota. As they passed through Henderson, they were attacked by white settlers.
They spent the winter in the internment camp and between 100-300 died, mostly of disease.
Old Secesh
Saturday, February 16, 2013
The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862-- Part 3: After the War
To give an idea of the feelings of whites toward the Dakota, after the war, a bounty was offered for Dakota scalps. Volunteer Scouts would get paid $25 each and civilians $75.
Again, after the war/hangings, in February-March, all treaties with the Dakota were abrogated or revoked. In May 1863, 1,300 Dakota were put on a steamboat and sent to the Crow Creek reservation. Conditions on the boat were crowded and many died and conditions at the reservation were horrible. In the first six months, 200 Dakota died, mostly children.
Old Secesh
Again, after the war/hangings, in February-March, all treaties with the Dakota were abrogated or revoked. In May 1863, 1,300 Dakota were put on a steamboat and sent to the Crow Creek reservation. Conditions on the boat were crowded and many died and conditions at the reservation were horrible. In the first six months, 200 Dakota died, mostly children.
Old Secesh
The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862-- Part 2
Four Dakota hunters killed five white settlers in Acton Township, Meeker County, Minnesota, on August 17, 1862. Some Dakota then seized the moment to declare war against the United States and reclaim their homelands. After all, hopefully, the US Army would be too involved with the Confederacy to do much about what was happening in Minnesota.
However, the US government found the troops and set out to smash the uprising. A letter from the Union commander, General John Pope to Henry Sibley on September 28, 1862, essentially summed up his ideas as to what to do. "The horrible massacres of women and children and the outrageous abuse of female prisoners, still alive, call for punishment beyond human power to inflict....It is my purpose utterly to exterminate the Sioux if I have the power to do so....Destroy everything belonging to them and force them out to the plains....They are to be treated as maniacs and wild beasts...."
General Pope had been relieved of command of the Army in Virginia after he was soundly defeated by Robert E. Lee at the Second Battle of Manassas and now found himself in command in Minnesota.
I Don't Think he Liked Them. --Old Secesh
However, the US government found the troops and set out to smash the uprising. A letter from the Union commander, General John Pope to Henry Sibley on September 28, 1862, essentially summed up his ideas as to what to do. "The horrible massacres of women and children and the outrageous abuse of female prisoners, still alive, call for punishment beyond human power to inflict....It is my purpose utterly to exterminate the Sioux if I have the power to do so....Destroy everything belonging to them and force them out to the plains....They are to be treated as maniacs and wild beasts...."
General Pope had been relieved of command of the Army in Virginia after he was soundly defeated by Robert E. Lee at the Second Battle of Manassas and now found himself in command in Minnesota.
I Don't Think he Liked Them. --Old Secesh
Friday, February 15, 2013
The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862-- Part 1
From the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 site www.usdakotawar.org
The year 2012 marks the 150th anniversary of the war, yet this tragedy is largely unobserved even though it "had a profound impact on shaping Minnesota as we know it today." The problem is that it was overshadowed by the bigger Civil War. "Mni Sota," according to oral histories, had been the Dakota homeland for thousands of years.
Beginning in 1805, Indians living in Minnesota began making concessions to whites. In 1862, the US government made even more incentives to cause "newcomers," as whites were called, to move onto Indian land with the Homestead Act.
The war only lasted six weeks in southwestern Minnesota. In the years leading up to it, there had been much hunger in the Minnesota-Dakota lands. A poor crop production in 1861 had led to the "Starving Winter 1861-1862.
Reservations had little or no food and Indians began moving off them and came into conflict with whites.
A Tragedy Preparing to Happen. --Old Secesh
The year 2012 marks the 150th anniversary of the war, yet this tragedy is largely unobserved even though it "had a profound impact on shaping Minnesota as we know it today." The problem is that it was overshadowed by the bigger Civil War. "Mni Sota," according to oral histories, had been the Dakota homeland for thousands of years.
Beginning in 1805, Indians living in Minnesota began making concessions to whites. In 1862, the US government made even more incentives to cause "newcomers," as whites were called, to move onto Indian land with the Homestead Act.
The war only lasted six weeks in southwestern Minnesota. In the years leading up to it, there had been much hunger in the Minnesota-Dakota lands. A poor crop production in 1861 had led to the "Starving Winter 1861-1862.
Reservations had little or no food and Indians began moving off them and came into conflict with whites.
A Tragedy Preparing to Happen. --Old Secesh
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)