As we finally get some more springlike weather here in North Carolina, today would seem to be a great time to take a ride out to this battlefield site near Goldsboro, off US-117 on the way to Mount Olive.
The battle marked the end of Union General John G. Foster's raid from New Bern to destroy the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad bridge at Goldsboro, to coincide with Union Genral Burnside's attack on Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Battles were fought at Kinston, Whitehall and Mount Olive on the way. Once at Goldsboro, Foster's men vastly outnumbered the Confederate force and succeeded in destroying the bridge. But, the Union loss at Fredericksburg coupled with how rapidly the bridge was repaired essentially negated the strategic success of the raid.
The 150th anniversary was this past December 17, 2012. The battlefield is still largely intact, having just been used for agricultural purposes since the battle. A walking tour has been developed with markers and tablets, much of it done by the Goldsboro Rifles Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
A Small Battle Commemorated. --Old Secesh
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
"Civil War Voices"-- Part 6: Elizabeth Keckley
Of all the interesting characters portrayed in the play, she was the most poignant, Talk about a person who overcame all odds and rose to a position of insidership in the highest levels of government. That would be Elizabeth Keckley, a person I had never heard of before, but should have.
And, the casting had picked a person who could ably play her, Theresa George. She was by far the most striking character. And, what a voice!!
Wikipedia has a really long article on her which is well worth reading. The play followed her life in the most detail.
A short synopsis:
ELIZABETH KECKLEY (1818-1907) Wrote "Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House" (1868). Born a slave in Virginia. Her father was Amistead Burwell who was also her master and a colonel in the War of 1812.
Her owners moved her to St. Louis, where she became a seamstress and with the help of white patrons, she was able to buy her freedom and that of her son for $1200 in 1855,
She moved to Washington, DC, to set up a seamstress business and sewed dresses for Mrs. Jefferson Davis and Mrs. Robert E. Lee, before starting to work for Mary Todd Lincoln, a job she continued throughout the Civil War, She became a confidante of Mrs. Lincoln and sewed her dresses.
In 1862, she founded the Contraband Relief Association. Contraband was what slaves were called at the time who rad run away from their masters to be protected by the Union Army.
A Fascinating Life, Well Worth a Read. --Old Secesh
And, the casting had picked a person who could ably play her, Theresa George. She was by far the most striking character. And, what a voice!!
Wikipedia has a really long article on her which is well worth reading. The play followed her life in the most detail.
A short synopsis:
ELIZABETH KECKLEY (1818-1907) Wrote "Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House" (1868). Born a slave in Virginia. Her father was Amistead Burwell who was also her master and a colonel in the War of 1812.
Her owners moved her to St. Louis, where she became a seamstress and with the help of white patrons, she was able to buy her freedom and that of her son for $1200 in 1855,
She moved to Washington, DC, to set up a seamstress business and sewed dresses for Mrs. Jefferson Davis and Mrs. Robert E. Lee, before starting to work for Mary Todd Lincoln, a job she continued throughout the Civil War, She became a confidante of Mrs. Lincoln and sewed her dresses.
In 1862, she founded the Contraband Relief Association. Contraband was what slaves were called at the time who rad run away from their masters to be protected by the Union Army.
A Fascinating Life, Well Worth a Read. --Old Secesh
Thursday, March 28, 2013
"Civil War Voices"--Part 5: Captain Theophilus Perry, 28th Texas Cavalry
The program listed him at Theo Percy and his wife Harriet referred to him as Theo. My first efforts to look him up failed. My first problem was thinking Theo was short for Theodore. Later, I found that the man in question's last name was Perry, not Percy.
In the play, he wore an officer's uniform, but with no officer insignia nor was he ever called by rank. I did know he and his wife were from Texas.
I finally located information about him.
Captain Theophilus Perry, Co. F, 28th Texas.
Recently, there was a letter cover from him for sale at eBay. A letter sent to Miss Sally M. Person of Louisburg, Franklin County, NC, a relative of his wife. A book was written using his letters called "Widows By the Thousand" which chronicled his letters to his wife, Harriet.
Someone wrote on the front of the envelope, "28th Texas." Sold on eBay 8-23-10.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
In the play, he wore an officer's uniform, but with no officer insignia nor was he ever called by rank. I did know he and his wife were from Texas.
I finally located information about him.
Captain Theophilus Perry, Co. F, 28th Texas.
Recently, there was a letter cover from him for sale at eBay. A letter sent to Miss Sally M. Person of Louisburg, Franklin County, NC, a relative of his wife. A book was written using his letters called "Widows By the Thousand" which chronicled his letters to his wife, Harriet.
Someone wrote on the front of the envelope, "28th Texas." Sold on eBay 8-23-10.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
"Civil War Voices"-- Part 4: The Reserve At Oak Bowery
Earlier, I wrote about Joseph Henry Harris, an Alabama plantation owner, and came across his plantation's name as being Oak Bowery. Looked that up and there is a website for The Reserve at Oak Bowery in Chambers County.
Looking at its history, it was known as the McCurdy Plantation which at one time had 4,000 acres worked by 150 slaves and owned by Joseph McCurdy. During the Civil War, in 1864, Federal cavalry stopped to water their horses while heading toward Selma under the command of Col. Oscar LaGrange. The plantation was noted for its fresh water. The federals would soon get into a battle at West Point, two events that Harris mentioned.
The house was built in 1845 by Edmund S. Harris as a wedding present for her daughter and husband Joseph McCurdy. It took three years to build, all by hand. Most of the wood was heart of pine (from the middle of the tree) in the Greek Revival Style.
Two other interesting people from Chamber County, Alabama:
JOE " BROWN BOMBER" LOUIS-- Heavy weight boxing champion in 1934. Won 27 fights, mostly by knockout.
PAT GARRETT-- sheriff in ew Mexico who shot Billy the Kid
So, I am not sure about the McCurdy-Harris connection.
And So It Goes. --Old Secesh
Looking at its history, it was known as the McCurdy Plantation which at one time had 4,000 acres worked by 150 slaves and owned by Joseph McCurdy. During the Civil War, in 1864, Federal cavalry stopped to water their horses while heading toward Selma under the command of Col. Oscar LaGrange. The plantation was noted for its fresh water. The federals would soon get into a battle at West Point, two events that Harris mentioned.
The house was built in 1845 by Edmund S. Harris as a wedding present for her daughter and husband Joseph McCurdy. It took three years to build, all by hand. Most of the wood was heart of pine (from the middle of the tree) in the Greek Revival Style.
Two other interesting people from Chamber County, Alabama:
JOE " BROWN BOMBER" LOUIS-- Heavy weight boxing champion in 1934. Won 27 fights, mostly by knockout.
PAT GARRETT-- sheriff in ew Mexico who shot Billy the Kid
So, I am not sure about the McCurdy-Harris connection.
And So It Goes. --Old Secesh
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
"Civil War Voices"-- Part 3: Starling V. Belcher, Joe Harris' Substitute
From Alabama Troops site.
This man was just mentioned in he play, but I found some information on him. At the end of the play, I believe Joe Harris said that Belcher had won a lot of money gambling at the end of the war and had been killed because of it.
Was in Company I and G. Records show that he apparently was previously in the 46th Alabama, Co. E, enlisting March 20, 1862. Discharge unknown. Joined the 37th Alabama, July 20, 1862, at Columbus, Mississippi.
In his diary, July 20, 1862, Joe Harris noted: "Mr. Day came in this evening with a substitute for me (a Mr.m Belcher) give him $1500 to take my place for three years or the war had him examined by surgeon he accepts him...."
Belcher was a teamster for most of 1862, 1863 and 1864. He signed his parole at Vicksburg July 9, 1863 with an "x." Furloughed Dec. 22, 1863. Drove regimental wagons and received an extra 25 cents a day for extra duty.
I Didn't Know the Confederate Army Had Substitutes. --Old Secesh
This man was just mentioned in he play, but I found some information on him. At the end of the play, I believe Joe Harris said that Belcher had won a lot of money gambling at the end of the war and had been killed because of it.
Was in Company I and G. Records show that he apparently was previously in the 46th Alabama, Co. E, enlisting March 20, 1862. Discharge unknown. Joined the 37th Alabama, July 20, 1862, at Columbus, Mississippi.
In his diary, July 20, 1862, Joe Harris noted: "Mr. Day came in this evening with a substitute for me (a Mr.m Belcher) give him $1500 to take my place for three years or the war had him examined by surgeon he accepts him...."
Belcher was a teamster for most of 1862, 1863 and 1864. He signed his parole at Vicksburg July 9, 1863 with an "x." Furloughed Dec. 22, 1863. Drove regimental wagons and received an extra 25 cents a day for extra duty.
I Didn't Know the Confederate Army Had Substitutes. --Old Secesh
Monday, March 25, 2013
"Civil War Voices"-- Part 2: Joseph Henry Harris
This man served as the narrator of the story which takes place in an attic. He was from Alabama and owned a plantation. He was a Confederate, but not gung-ho. I had never heard of him so looked him up. I did not find out a lot, but what I did fit with what I learned from the play.
He enlisted as a private in Co. I of the 37th Alabama, somewhat surprising as I thought most plantation owners were officers. He was 24 at the time and joined in Auburn, Alabama, May 6, 1862. He became ill in camp and was furloughed home where he employed a substitute to take his place, Private Starling V. Belcher, who joined Co. I "for three years or the war" at Columbus, Mississippi.
Harris was a diarist and a well-to-do plantation owner, so his diary was used as a source in the play.
As near as I could learn, his plantation still stands, Oak Bowery, Alabama, which can be used for weddings and other events to this day.
Doing Some Background. --Old Secesh
He enlisted as a private in Co. I of the 37th Alabama, somewhat surprising as I thought most plantation owners were officers. He was 24 at the time and joined in Auburn, Alabama, May 6, 1862. He became ill in camp and was furloughed home where he employed a substitute to take his place, Private Starling V. Belcher, who joined Co. I "for three years or the war" at Columbus, Mississippi.
Harris was a diarist and a well-to-do plantation owner, so his diary was used as a source in the play.
As near as I could learn, his plantation still stands, Oak Bowery, Alabama, which can be used for weddings and other events to this day.
Doing Some Background. --Old Secesh
Saturday, March 23, 2013
"Civil War Voices" A Great Show-- Part 1
Hard to believe that these aren't professionals, but the cast at "Civil War Voices" put on a stunning show last night at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, NC. The show lasted a little over two hours and gave a very balanced look at the war from Southern, Northern and Black viewpoints.
Relying on letters and books written by actual people, some famous and some not so, and adding era songs, it was quite the undertaking,
I had never heard of the people representing the Confederacy: Theo and Harriet Perry of Texas (mistakenly listed as Percy after I did some research) and Joseph Henry Harris of Alabama.
I did see, sadly, that the Confederate battle flag, or even one of the national flags, was not used, to be politically correct and not offend certain groups. The Bonnie Blue Flag stood in for it, however and "The Bonnie Blue Flag" sung along with "Dixie."
Well Worth the $5 to See It. --Old Secesh
Relying on letters and books written by actual people, some famous and some not so, and adding era songs, it was quite the undertaking,
I had never heard of the people representing the Confederacy: Theo and Harriet Perry of Texas (mistakenly listed as Percy after I did some research) and Joseph Henry Harris of Alabama.
I did see, sadly, that the Confederate battle flag, or even one of the national flags, was not used, to be politically correct and not offend certain groups. The Bonnie Blue Flag stood in for it, however and "The Bonnie Blue Flag" sung along with "Dixie."
Well Worth the $5 to See It. --Old Secesh
Friday, March 22, 2013
"Civil War Voices"
From the March 17, 2013, Goldsboro, NC, News-Argus "Show to feature Civil War "voices."
1860s characters will be materializing from old books and letters at Wayne Community College on March 21, 22 and 24 at Moffatt Auditorium There is also a musical aspect to the show with period songs.. Narration will be done by Geoff Hulse, who finds the documents in the attic of an old plantation house.
Other characters are a Texas couple separated by the war, a former slave and seamstress for Mary Todd Lincoln, the Lincolns themselves, Joshua Chamberlain (hero at Gettysburg), abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe (who wrote the "Uncle Tom's Cabin") and Frederick Douglas.
Should Be Interesting. --Old Secesh
1860s characters will be materializing from old books and letters at Wayne Community College on March 21, 22 and 24 at Moffatt Auditorium There is also a musical aspect to the show with period songs.. Narration will be done by Geoff Hulse, who finds the documents in the attic of an old plantation house.
Other characters are a Texas couple separated by the war, a former slave and seamstress for Mary Todd Lincoln, the Lincolns themselves, Joshua Chamberlain (hero at Gettysburg), abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe (who wrote the "Uncle Tom's Cabin") and Frederick Douglas.
Should Be Interesting. --Old Secesh
"Civil War Voices"
In a few hours, I'm going to Wayne Community College here in Goldsboro, NC, to see a theatrical presentation of the Civil War on stage. These are based on letters supposedly found at a later date and concerning a fictional Confederate soldier. There will also be some characters who actually existed.
Should be interesting. One thing nice about being here in North Carolina is that there is always something going on dealing with history. Sunday, we'll be going to see a presentation on the Indian Tuscorora War in the early 1720s.
I'll write about the Civil War play tomorrow.
Old Secesh
Should be interesting. One thing nice about being here in North Carolina is that there is always something going on dealing with history. Sunday, we'll be going to see a presentation on the Indian Tuscorora War in the early 1720s.
I'll write about the Civil War play tomorrow.
Old Secesh
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Two Children of Civil War Veterans Still Receiving Pensions-- Part 1
From the March 21, 2013, Mailonline (UK) The two children of American Civil War veterans who are STILL receiving soldiers' pensions nearly 150 YEARS after the war ended."
Two soldiers' children are receiving $876 a year from the U.S. government after all these years. Granted, that is not a lot, but, still....
The last verified veteran died in 1951 (the year I was born), which means that their fathers would have had to have been in their 70s and 80s when they were born.
Their names were not given, but one lives in Tennessee and the other in North Carolina. My guess is that they might be the children of Union veterans, so you could check the Real Sons of theSons of Union veterans of the Civil War to get an idea who they might be.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Two soldiers' children are receiving $876 a year from the U.S. government after all these years. Granted, that is not a lot, but, still....
The last verified veteran died in 1951 (the year I was born), which means that their fathers would have had to have been in their 70s and 80s when they were born.
Their names were not given, but one lives in Tennessee and the other in North Carolina. My guess is that they might be the children of Union veterans, so you could check the Real Sons of theSons of Union veterans of the Civil War to get an idea who they might be.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Monday, March 18, 2013
Bullet-Hole Riddled Flag Tells the Story
From the July 20, 2012, Atlanta Journal-Constitution by Howard Pousner.
The Southern Museum of the Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Georgia, will unveil a rare 65th Georgia Infantry flag carried during the Atlanta Campaign which has 41 bullet holes in it and blood stains.
It belonged to the Davis family of Alabama for nearly 150 years after Private John Davis of the 65th rolled it up and tucked it in his boot to bring it home rather than surrender it at the end of the war.
The unit fought at Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek and Atanta. After that, it was carried in battle at Franklin, Tennessee. Davis took the flag after two color bearers were wounded.
Textile Preservation Associates of West Virginia spent 13 months restoring the flag. It is the only known remaining Army of Tennessee banner that boasts unit and state designations sewn onto both sides and will be added to the museum's permanent exhibit.
A Great Addition. --Old Secesh
The Southern Museum of the Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Georgia, will unveil a rare 65th Georgia Infantry flag carried during the Atlanta Campaign which has 41 bullet holes in it and blood stains.
It belonged to the Davis family of Alabama for nearly 150 years after Private John Davis of the 65th rolled it up and tucked it in his boot to bring it home rather than surrender it at the end of the war.
The unit fought at Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek and Atanta. After that, it was carried in battle at Franklin, Tennessee. Davis took the flag after two color bearers were wounded.
Textile Preservation Associates of West Virginia spent 13 months restoring the flag. It is the only known remaining Army of Tennessee banner that boasts unit and state designations sewn onto both sides and will be added to the museum's permanent exhibit.
A Great Addition. --Old Secesh
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Another Follow Up on South Washington, NC
This is probably more this town? has had written about it in a hundred years. And, it also shows how come it takes me so long to go through these blog entries. One thing just leads to another.
Anyway, I came across of map showing the stations along the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad back during the Civil War. South Washington is shown on it as a flag stop between Burgaw and Leesburg (also not there anymore).
Evidently, the town wasn't much more than a station.
Flag stops between Rocky Point and Rose Hill:
Rocky Point
Burgaw
South Washington
Leesburg
Teachey
Rose Hill
Identity Solved. --Old Secesh
Anyway, I came across of map showing the stations along the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad back during the Civil War. South Washington is shown on it as a flag stop between Burgaw and Leesburg (also not there anymore).
Evidently, the town wasn't much more than a station.
Flag stops between Rocky Point and Rose Hill:
Rocky Point
Burgaw
South Washington
Leesburg
Teachey
Rose Hill
Identity Solved. --Old Secesh
The 27th Regiment North Carolina Troops
Of course, I then needed to get some research on this 27th Regt. North Carolina Troops that James A. Graham belonged to.
Graham's company, the "Orange Guards" Co. G, was from Orange County, North Carolina. There were also two companies from Wayne County, where the Goldsboro Rifles were from.
The regiment was mustered in September 28, 1861 for twelve months. At that time the regiment was split up with Co. G being sent to Fort Macon, NC. In March 1862, they were in the defense of New Bern. From there they went to Richmond and helped hold Drewry's Bluff and fought in the Seven Days' battles.
Later, they were at Harper's Ferry and Antietam and then the Battle of Fredericksburg. This unit definitely say its share of action.
Then they were transferred to South Carolina for awhile. This would be the movements that Graham was writing about.
The regiment was in Richmond during the Gettysburg Campaign.
Interesting History. --Old Secesh
Graham's company, the "Orange Guards" Co. G, was from Orange County, North Carolina. There were also two companies from Wayne County, where the Goldsboro Rifles were from.
The regiment was mustered in September 28, 1861 for twelve months. At that time the regiment was split up with Co. G being sent to Fort Macon, NC. In March 1862, they were in the defense of New Bern. From there they went to Richmond and helped hold Drewry's Bluff and fought in the Seven Days' battles.
Later, they were at Harper's Ferry and Antietam and then the Battle of Fredericksburg. This unit definitely say its share of action.
Then they were transferred to South Carolina for awhile. This would be the movements that Graham was writing about.
The regiment was in Richmond during the Gettysburg Campaign.
Interesting History. --Old Secesh
A Follow Up on South Washington, NC and Goldsboro Units
I am somewhat familiar with North Carolina towns between Wilmington and Goldsboro and had never heard of one called South Washington. So, I had to do some more research.
There is no longer any town called South Washington near the New Hanover County line. Perhaps it became present-day Castle Haynes, which, by the way, was named for the plantation of Roger Hayne. I always thought that was a strange name for the name. There are no castles in the area.
Having been born in Goldsboro and with plenty of family still there, I came across the 27th North Carolina Regiment's Company A, which was the Goldsboro Rifles, a famous unit from that city in which my great uncle David Prince served during World War I. The 27th North Carolina was the regiment in the two previous posts.
While on the subject, there were three other groups of Confederate soldiers from Goldsboro:
Goldsboro Volunteers, Co. D, 4th Regt. NC State Troops
Goldsborough Confederate Rifles, Co. H, 2nd Regt. NC State Troops
Goldsborough Guards, Co. H, 9th Regt. NC Troops
Goldsborough was the original spelling of Goldsboro.
Why It Takes So Long to Do These Blogs. --Old Secesh
There is no longer any town called South Washington near the New Hanover County line. Perhaps it became present-day Castle Haynes, which, by the way, was named for the plantation of Roger Hayne. I always thought that was a strange name for the name. There are no castles in the area.
Having been born in Goldsboro and with plenty of family still there, I came across the 27th North Carolina Regiment's Company A, which was the Goldsboro Rifles, a famous unit from that city in which my great uncle David Prince served during World War I. The 27th North Carolina was the regiment in the two previous posts.
While on the subject, there were three other groups of Confederate soldiers from Goldsboro:
Goldsboro Volunteers, Co. D, 4th Regt. NC State Troops
Goldsborough Confederate Rifles, Co. H, 2nd Regt. NC State Troops
Goldsborough Guards, Co. H, 9th Regt. NC Troops
Goldsborough was the original spelling of Goldsboro.
Why It Takes So Long to Do These Blogs. --Old Secesh
At Camp in South Washington, NC-- Part 2: Spending Time in Goldsboro with Brother Joe
"I was in Goldsboro for three or four days the last of last week and first of this having been sent there by Gen. Cooke to bring down our baggage which we left there. I saw brother Joe while there. he is very well.
I wish you would send me a pocket map of North Carolina, if such a thing is to be had in Raleigh, and send it to me by the first opportunity. I hope that there will be some chance of my getting furlough before very long, as they have commenced granting furloughs again. I think there is very little chance of a fight in North Carolina now."
Old Secesh
I wish you would send me a pocket map of North Carolina, if such a thing is to be had in Raleigh, and send it to me by the first opportunity. I hope that there will be some chance of my getting furlough before very long, as they have commenced granting furloughs again. I think there is very little chance of a fight in North Carolina now."
Old Secesh
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