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American Civil War History Special Interest Group Submitted by GFS Jayne@aol.com, GFS Teg@aol.com, GFH Amy and GFSJim@aol.com Edited by GFSGary@aol.com Mission Statement: To serve all genealogists by providing an enjoyable online environment with as many helpful and reliable resources as possible. Editor's Announcement: Ahhhh, a long awaited answer has arrived for you folk who aren't AOL members and some of you who are. The Genealogy Forum now has a WEB SITE that is accessible to everyone (member or not). The site URL is - http://www.genealogyforum.com/ Submitter's Note: for those of you who are AOL members, I want to encourage you to feel entirely free to post any Civil War Letters, or Stories or articles that you have in our Civil War History Files. There is also an area for you to upload photos, if you would desire to share those with the Civil War History community. Use "keyword = roots" to get to the Genealogy Main Screen. Then select Files, followed by selecting History and Culture and there you will find the two upload areas I mentioned; Civil War Files, and Civil War Photos. I would also note that the New Genealogy Forum Web Site is being constructed. On that Web Site, the Civil War History SIG will have an area to link to our Civil War Library (Lectures, Letters, Songs, Poems, Files, Firesides, and Photo's). When this is complete then anyone (not just AOL Members) will have access to all our material. We'll be sure to let you know when you can access it. Regimental Histories and Letters, etc. Postings: keyword "roots," after which will bring you to the main screen of the Genealogy Forum. Select the "Files Library Center," then "History Files". At that point select "Civil War Files." Lectures and the Letters, Songs and Poems evenings are also posted in the "Files Library Center" under "History Lectures" as the Lecture Subject. The "Firesides" when they eventually get there after their 30 days in the New Files section are posted in the "Files Library Center" under "Meeting Logs and Newsletters".
"WE REALLY WELCOME YOU TO OUR MERRY BAND" WE ENJOYED HAVING YOU, TRADING QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS AND ESPECIALLY YOUR CAMARADERIE!!! :-)... COME AGAIN OFTEN, WE DO INDEED "RELISH" YOUR COMPANY.. For your information, every first-timer to the American Civil War History SIG gets put on the newsletter distribution automatically, because we like to send you a "Thank You Card" for coming to visit and this is our way of doing so. We do this to give you an opportunity to jump right in with us. If you desire NOT to receive the newsletter, then just drop us an email saying UNSUBSCRIBE and we will quickly remove your screen name from distribution. We certainly don't want to clog your mailbox with unwanted material. Also many of you pass on the newsletter to others that don't subscribe to AOL. We really want to thank you for spreading the word. I would also like to let you know that we would be happy to add them to our list if they have email of any sort. We distribute everywhere to those that have requested it. AOL membership is not a requirement although we'd love to see you in the Chat Room: D
THE HELP DESK
This
segment is to address specific questions that hit our plate
on Thursday night that we didn't have a chance to answer or
needed a bit of time to check it out. Hope these answer the
mail: D
Andersonville Lookups:frye@gnat.net (FRYE FAMILY) Kevin Frye has offered his services for looking up Andersonville Ancestors http://www.corinthian.net/mccc/plookup.htm Kevin is now building a website around Andersonville that informs about the prison as well as his "lookup" offer above. The address is: http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/Andersonvilleprison/index.html Submitter's Note: I received the following on the Civil War Mail list I subscribe to and I received permission from Kevin to put this in our newsletter for a couple of weeks. I have received request from a few of you in the past, for information of Guards who died at Andersonville. The personnel at Andersonville had told me that NO remains were moved after the war. I have told at least 2 researchers of this and have recently found information that there were 115 members of the prison guard detail who died, were buried at Andersonville, and were disinterred and reburied in Oakgrove Cemetery in Americas, Georgia by the UDC. If you have asked me about this, please drop me a line with the names and regiments you had asked me about as I will be looking into the cemetery and its records in the next few weeks as I find time to get back to Andersonville to take photos and do research. Submitter's Note: Please visit his website. It is awesome. From (Kevin Frye) Hi all, I just got back from my BI-weekly visit to Andersonville and found a new piece of information some of you might be interested in. I had been asked by a few of you about Guards at Andersonville. I had also been told that NO remains were removed from the site. Well, It is true that there were NO prisoner remains moved from the site but I have recently found there were 130 guards who died during the operation of the prison camp. These soldiers remains were removed and reburied in the Oakgrove Cemetery in Amdercas, Georgia about 10 miles South of Andersonville. I haven't been to the cemetery as yet, but I did get a list of those soldiers from the fine Rangers at Andersonville today. Of the 130 ....38 were are marked as UNKNOWNS . Here is a list of the ones who were reburied at Oakgrove. The information I have here is all there is. Some , only names, Some have company regiment and state.....The last number is the grave number... When I get to the cemetery in the next few weeks....I hope to extend my grave photo offer.... Submitter's NOTE: Kevin had included a list of the soldiers from the Rangers at Andersonville, but my space restraints do not permit me to include it. If you need the information, either email Kevin (address below) or me GFS Jayne@aol.com and it will be emailed to you. Thanks!! WEEKLY WEB SITES WE'VE RECEIVED Have a favorite site that others might find useful ? Send it to GFS Jayne so your fellow researcher's may enjoy.
From GFS Amy: Fascinating Trivia http://home.ptd.net/~nikki/cwtrivia.htm Here are just a few samples from the site: The youngest recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor was Willie Johnston, drummer boy for the 3rd Vermont. He was 12 years old during the action at the Seven Days' Battles for which he received his medal. Almost 1/2 of Confederate soldiers were wounded, captured, killed, or died from disease. By war's end, over 2,000,000 volunteers had joined the Union army. During the Civil War, gonorrhea was treated with injections of ink.
Illinois State Archives http://www.sos.state.il.us/depts/archives/arc_home.html There is searchable Civil War database link from this site.
Civil War History-Military Records http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/9787/military.html Grace - I have been cruising this site all day. What a "Wealth"..... Jim
U.S Army_ Civil War. Medal of Honor Recipients http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rle/armymenu.htm Civil War-NAVY. Medal of Honor Recipients http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rle/navymenu.htm Marines-Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rle/usmc1.htm The Largest Civil War Cookbook on the Internet http://www.almshouse.com/cookbook.htm This sight came in through the Civil War maillist I belong to...... and of course living in Delaware I clicked on the link to DE and Mr. Torbert caught my eye because of the line in parentheses. Find A Grave by Location http://www.findagrave.com/tocs/geographic.html Torbert, Alfred Thomas Archimedes b. July 1, 1833. d. September 30, 1880. Civil War Union Brigadier General. He held both cavalry and infantry commands in the eastern theatre of the Civil War. In the beginning of the conflict Confederate officials, believing him loyal to their cause, had commissioned him as a Lieutenant in the CSA army. However, Torbert, a regular army officer and a West Point graduate, declined their offer and served whole-heartedly and courageously for the Union (He is the only documented officer to hold commissions in both USA and CSA armies simultaneously). He was colonel of the 1st New Jersey Infantry, and commanded the famed 1st New Jersey Brigade after its commander, Brig. Gen. George Taylor, was mortally wounded at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run. He led the brigade in its triumphant charge at Compton' Gap, Maryland just prior to the Battle of Antietam. Promoted Brig. Gen. in November 1862, he was present at the Battles of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Named to command a division of Cavalry under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan in April 1864, General Torbert fought with mixed success in the Shenandoah Valley. He defeated CSA cavalry forces at Tom's Brook, Virginia, and his troopers were one of the few organized troops still on the battle line at Battle at Cedar Creek before Sheridan made his famous rallying ride. He ended the war with brevets of Major General of Volunteers and Major General, United States Regular Army. Methodist Episcopal Cemetery, Milford, Delaware, USA.
An index of songs http://users.erols.com/kfraser/titles.html
This is from Cyndi's List - Whats New:
DESCRIPTION: Civil War site related to Confederate West Virginia history, with links for the WV Division SCV, and the 36th Virginia Infantry.
DESCRIPTION: Civil War reenactment group. The page has a history of the unit and company rolls. TITLE: 1st Louisiana Cavalry Regiment, CSA DESCRIPTION: History of the Regiment, Regimental Staff, Company Commanders, Muster Rolls of all Companies,list of engagements of Regiment. The Monmouth County Genealogy Society will host a Civil War Day at the Fort Monmouth facility on 29 April 2000 featuring speakers, war games, and other activities. For information, contact: beahive@aol.com."
{{{{{Gary}}}}} I don't where you keep finding them, but keep them coming!!! NOTE: Gary "edits" our Weekly Fireside for the Genealogy Forum News, which can be found at http://www.genealogyforum.rootsweb.com/
97th Regiment PA Volunteers - http://www.users.fast.net/~mdolfan/97thregt.html {{{{{Amy}}}}} partner!! keep on sendin' them in!!!!
Tip of the Iceberg: Society publishes Popular Resource Online: Wisconsin Civil War Rosters What used to require a trip to the Society library in Madison now can be done via the Internet from anywhere in the world. This, because the Society recently published on at http://www.shsw.wisc.edu/roster the "Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865", a popular resource for genealogists, military historians, and others. The roster describes the service of all soldiers known to have served in Wisconsin's Civil War regiments. Patrons have responded enthusiastically to this new service. The roster will prove only the tip of the iceberg of the Society's plans to digitize rare books and basic references from its collections. Michael Edmonds, acting library director, says the online version "is just the first in a series of full-text web sources that will appear over the next few years as the library and archives begin to provide public access to their holdings in a digital fashion." Each page of the online book appears on the computer screen as a facsimile of the original. Special software, which users may download to their computer for free, enables readers to print single pages. A few years ago, in anticipation of technological advances and ever-increasing reliance on the Internet as an electronic resource, the Society formed a partnership with Northern Micrographics of La Crosse. NMI scans reference works and rare books and manuscripts in the Society's collections, making acid-free reprints available to libraries and providing the Society with the electronic version for posting on its web site. Generous financial support has enabled the Society to make this initial foray into providing digital access to the library and archives' collections. {{{Eileen}}} Thanks for the info and I'm sure WI researchers thank you also!!!
Civil War Rosters, Mercer Co., KY Genealogy http://www.rootsweb.com/~kymercer/CivilWar/Union/ The Civil War Reenactors Home Page - {{{{{PABorn55}}}}}} thanks!!!!! keep those eyes on the lookout for more sites <G>
{{{{{Deanna}}}}} How nice to hear from you.. thanks for the website, there are sure a bunch o' books listed on it!!!!!
If you're looking for some Civil War Clothing, you might want to try the following website:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
An Announcement from Bulldogtjr: Happy New Year to all of you folks, I have been off the air for three days due to a modem failure but now back and ready to go. The forwarded mail herewith just might be of interest to you, particularly you, Jim. I hope they make a videotape of this unusual event. Best to all, Ted And The Band Played On July 2000 National Civil War Band Festival The American Civil War Institute of Campbellsville University and the Campbellsville University School of Music announced today the launching of the "greatest and most significant gathering of Civil War bands in the nation since 1865" with the University's sponsorship of The National Civil War Band Festival, July 28-30, 2000. The three-day music festival will be held on the campus of Campbellsville University, which is located in south central Kentucky (82 miles southwest of Lexington; 90 miles southeast of Louisville; and 150 miles northeast of Nashville). Organizers of the event said that they are estimating The National Civil War Band Festival to attract between 10,000 to 25,000 people to the City of Campbellsville. Host bands for the festival are the Saxton's Cornet Band, based in Lexington, Kentucky, and the Old Towne Brass, based in Huntsville, Alabama. Bands wishing to participate or seeking further information may contact either Nicky Hughes at Soyuz11@aol.com or Bob Baccus at mwrbaccus@hiwaay.net. For more information concerning the festival, contact Marc C. Whitt at 270-789-5211--office or at mwhittm@campbellsvil.edu, or Dr. David McCullough, director of bands at Campbellsville University, at 270-789-5058--office or at mmcdavid@campbellsvil.edu. Marc C. Whitt Vice President for Advancement Campbellsville University 1 University Drive Campbellsville, Kentucky 42718-2799 (270) 789-5211-office phone (270) 789-5095-office fax "Ted" thanks for this neat tip. It sounds like a "once in a lifetime" event..... If any of you Readers are interested in this, Ted has provided all the "contact" information to get "your dibs" in early. I would suspect this will fill up in a hurry and this is a "first time" gathering of this nature.... :-) I'm also going to leave this notice in for a few weeks.
Morris Island - NO DEVELOPMENT From:AJWRJW I am very happy to forward this information on to you! It seems that the collective voice was heard around Morris Island! Amy http://www.charleston.net/pub/news/local/folly0112.htm "Here is the results of the Morris Island development - a BIG NO! Thanks for those who wrote letters - BTW, the middle school in Pa that they mentioned - that was ME!!! I had my students write letters as part of a civics project!!!!!!!!!!!" Paula {{{Amy}}} this is good news.. :-) Sooooo one can make a difference!! SOMETHING SPECIAL!!...
As those of you who were at our last Songs, Letters and Poems night know, one of the poems GFS Jim was reading "went awry" sooooo... for all you who requested that it be in the Fireside...... Here it tis!!!!! The Cumberland by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1802-1887)
"The Cumberland was a wooden ship, a sloop with twenty-four guns, rammed and sunk by the Confederate ironclad Merrimac at Hampton Roads, Virginia, on Saturday, March 8, 1862. Union sailors on the Cumberland fought until the last, enduring fearsome casualties. When the ship sank, the main mast with the American flag still flying remained above the water waving in the breeze.
On board of the Cumberland, sloop-of-war; And at times from the fortress across the bay The alarum of drums swept past, Or a bugle-blast From the camp on the shore. Then far away to the south uprose A little feather of snow-white smoke, And we knew that the iron ship of our foes Was steadily steering its course To try the force Of our ribs of oak Down upon us heavily runs, Silent and sullen, the floating fort; Then comes a puff of smoke from her guns, And leaps the terrible death, With fiery breath, From each open port. We are not idle, but send her straight Defiance back in a full broadside! As hail rebounds from a roof of slate, Rebounds our heavier hail From each iron scale Of the monster's hide. "Strike your flag!" the rebel cries, In his arrogant old plantation strain. "Never!" our gallant Morris replies: "It is better to sink than to yield!" And the whole air pealed With the cheers of our men. Then like a kraken huge and black, She crushed our ribs in her iron grasp! Down went the Cumberland all awrack, With a sudden shudder of death, And the cannon's breath For her dying gasp. Next morn, as the sun rose over the bay, Still floated our flag at the mainmast-head. Lord, how beautifil was thy dat! Every waft of the air Was a whisper of prayer, Or a dirge for the dead. Ho! brave hearts that went down in the seas! Ye are at peace in the troubled stream. Ho! brave land! with hearts like these, Thy flag, that is rent in twain, Shall be one again, And without a seam. Something
The Wreck of the Prisoners Train by Tom Gladwell/GFS TEG
This little-known accident caused more casualties than many well-recorded battles of the war. Many questions about its background and aftermath remain unanswered. Not all the tragic waste of human life in the Civil war was on the battlefields and in the hospitals and prison camps. Far removed from the fighting front, in the northeast corner of Pennsylvania near the little town of Shohola in Pike County, more soldiers died in the early afternoon of Friday, July 15, 1864 than were killed in many of the small battles that have received some notice in published Civil War history. This is the story of that tragedy. It has its beginning in the Point Lookout Federal military prison in Maryland. This prison camp ( there were no barracks) served as a kind of distributing point for the transfer of Confederate enlisted men to other prisons farther north. Set up in August 1863, it often had a tent dwelling population of close 20,000. Our story concerns 833 0f these men, selected to be shipped to the Elmira ( N.Y.) Military prison when Grant's decision in the spring of 64 to discontinue prisoner exchange led to overcrowding at Point Lookout. The first leg of the journey was by ship to Jersey City. Here in the early dawn of July 15 the men were transferred to a train made up of a hodgepodge of over 20 " emigrant" cars, box cars and the like. It carried a guard of about 125 soldiers stationed generally four to each car, two at the front and two at the rear. Security measures up to this point had been a bit leaky; the scheduled departure of the train at 4:30 a.m. was delayed for more than an hour by a search for three prisoners who escaped somewhere between the ship and the train. The train finally got under way sometime after 5:30, and shortly before 1:30 in the afternoon was moving northwest toward Shohola on the single-line track of the Erie Railroad paralleling the Delaware River. At the same time, several miles up the line beyond Shohola, tragedy was in the making. An eastbound 50-car coal train came onto the main line off the Hawley branch four miles away at Lackawaxen. Conductor John Martin swung off to ask Duff Kent, telegraph operator at the junction, if the track was clear for him to proceed. Kent had been carousing the night before he was still suffering from the " morning afters," and although the flag-carrying pilot train preceding the prisoner-laden extra had passed his station giving warning, he unthinkingly gave Martin the go-ahead. So the coal train turned east at 12 miles an hour toward the now westbound prisoner train then approaching Shohola at twice that speed. A mile west of Shohola lay a long, sharply curved cut called locally the King and Fuller's Cut from the contractors who had dug it. Track visibility in the deep cut was little better than 150 feet. There, without warning, the two engines met. A survivor described that meeting as a tremendous, crashing roar, with the engines rearing up " high in the air, face to face against each other, like giants grappling." The crash '' was followed by a second or two of awful silence and then the air was filled by most appalling shrikes and wails and cries of anguish." The impact telescoped the leading prison car into a space of little more than six feet; all four guards and all but one of 38 prisoners were killed, most of them horribly mangled. The succeeding cars suffered proportionately less, but when survivors and the townspeople who hurried to the scene had laid out the bodies, some of them hastily pieced together from bloody fragments, the toll of the dead came to 51 prisoners and 19 of their blue-coated guards. In addition, of the civilian train crews, the fireman and brakeman of the coal train and the engineer and fireman of the Prisoner train all perished. This was not the final total; many of the 123 injured died within the next few hours. The authorities acted promptly. A coroner's inquest was held at Shohola and strangely though the criminal carelessness that had caused the slaughter was well known, everyone connected with the disaster was exonerated. Duff Kent was not molested; in fact, while the victims of his drunken stupidity lay dead or pain-wracked from their injuries, he callously attended a dance that night at nearby Hawley. Next day, however, he disappeared, never to be heard of again. The railroad company took over the sad task of mass burial. A local undertaker supplied individual pine boxes for the Union dead; the Confederates were buried four in a box. A great trench 76 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 6 feet deep was dug the night of the disaster between the railroad and the river200 yards away. In this were placed the 72 Confederates then dead. They were buried in their gray uniforms, their feet toward the river. For 47 years the last sleep of these Southerners in a alien soil was undisturbed save by the river floods which periodically carried away some of the bones. Then in 1911 an act of Congress provided for reinterment of the remains in the Woodlawn National Military Cemetery at Elmira. On Tuesday, June 8, 1911, after three days of labor, the removal was completed. A number of relics-knives, pens, ink bottles, daguerreotypes, uniform decorations, and the like were turned over to the local historical society. Traces of the tragedy have long since been obliterated, but local historians still seek the answers to two questions; What became of the author of the disaster, Duff Kent? What happened to the five prisoners who escaped in the confusion of the wreck? Somewhere in northeastern Pennsylvania or adjoining New York, it is believed. Are the descendants of at least one who was known to have worked in a coal mine and later lived at Matamoras. But what of the others ? Did they find their way back to fight in the South's last battles, or did they begin a new life in a northern land? SOMETHING SPECIAL!!... ED. Note: I received the following from the CIVIL-WAR@rootsweb.com mail list, In searching Clark Co MS cemetery records, I (mailto:mcoach@Hillsboro.net) found this family who lost five sons to the Civil War. Very interesting inscriptions on the headstones...... CLARK COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI In memory of Erastus, third son of Wiley & Jane McNeill; born Dec. 18, 1841 - died Jan. 14, 1862 "A soldier once young, strong and brave who marched frulessly to his countries cause lies here. Though stout and bold, and vigorous, scorching fevers soon robbed of these and took him in the flower of manhood. To dwell in realms of bliss with Christ the sinners friend." In memory of Wiley, second son of Wiley & Jane McNeill; born Jun. 29, 1836 - died Feb. 7, 1862 "Faithful to the call of his county he went, but desease had unfit him for service severe and laborious; So, to his home he returned and a few week remained, and then the Lord relieved him of desease and made him a soldier in Heaven." In memory of Adin, First son of Wiley & Jane McNeill; born Sept 24, 1833 - died Sept 20, 1862 "Dear brother, too hard it seemed that just at the close of the struggle in which thou hast striven so bravely and the victory won from the foe, flying balls they life which promised so well should take but thus it was. And as the sun in silence hid his face and the enemy in confusion fled, and the den of battle lulled into stillness three shots they body pierced. And ended the life of one of whom we were proud and sent thy spirit to realms of glory." In memory of Malcom, fifth son of Wiley & Jane McNeill; born Jan. 9, 1946 - died Sept 26, 1862 "Anxious a soldier to become and march to the field of battle to fight for his countries rights. In boyhood he hastened to the front, but, ah, to his sick bed-side sad news soon brought a weeping father and mother to witness death lay his cold hand upon him and bear him way to dwell, we trust with Jesus our redeemer in heaven." In memory of William, fourth son of Wiley & Jane McNeill; born Dec. 17, 1848 - died May 21, 1864 "When but a youth with rosy cheeks his county call he answered. Bravely he stood the smoking musketry and marched from the field of battle without the enemies mark upon him. But alas! when for from a mother’s tender care, amid stranger in a strange land. Desease laid his unkind hand upon him. And placed him in a soldiers grave to sleep and rest in the arms of Jesus." SOMETHING ELSE SPECIAL!!
ED Note: IllinoisCW sent me the following set of 2 letters written home by brothers. They were read into the room Thurs night, but I thought I'd share them with those of you who couldn't make it. There were 2 other "last letters" read also. They really make you think. Letter #1 I am sorry to inform you .... Privates John (Co K) & James (Co B) Adkinson 95th Illinois Natchez Missizsippi August the 20 / 63 Well dear brother i Set down to write a nuther letter to you to let you no that me and James is well and i hope thease few lines will fiend you the Same as it leaves me at present. well dear Brother you sed that you thought that i Sed you cud have that Steer for what I ode you. Well dear Brother i dont no i have for got wether i did or not but it is all rite and i think that you got a good price for im and dear Brother when i cum home you and me will make it all write. well Edward if you no how much i ow you i wish you wood write and let me no how much it is and i want you to no how how my colt is getting a long and i want to know wether you have got im broke in yet and Edward you can have in to ride when you go to See the girls. well dear Brother i all most for got to tell you when i received your letter. Dear brother i received your kind letter August the 19th and i was glad to hear that you was all well. well dear Brother i think you can write pruty good. you can write now prutineer as good as i cud when i left home and if you keep a writen you will improve in a little while. dear Brother ask robert if he pade old Mr Tirner that that i ode im. he sed he wood when i left home. if he did ef write and let me no. Edward i rote a letter to you Just a little wile before i got this letter. dear brother i was on picket yesterday and last night wee ad a good old time. wee ad all the bread and milk wee cud eat and wee honley pade 10 cents a quart for it. dear brother you sed that you think if i shud come home that odsen cud jump sum ire than he did before. i wood like to see obsen now and little henry and my 3 Sisters. well dear mother i must tell you the dream that i drempt won dark and raney nite when i was Sleeping all a lone in a plase that i bilt in sum boards, well i will tell you the dream now. dear mother i drempt that you was dead and i thought i was on guard and the boys was talking a bout their folks and i thought i felt very bad a bout it and i thought it was dark and raney and i thought i sed to the boys well boys this is a ard life to lead but i thought that mother was dead and i thought that i ad no home now and when i waked up it was thunern and litenen and ranen and dark as it cud bee and i razed up and thought it was so for a while and when i found out that it was onley a dream i tell you i was glad dear Mother. this what i drempt. dear father i wish i ad that tobacco and dear mother i wish i ad them cirence for they wood go good, Dear Brother i was glad of the Postage stamps that you Sent me. it is a ranen to day. Give my kind love to father and mother and to robert and all the rest of them and kizs little henry and the three little girls for me and please write Soone as you get this. So now I must bring my letter to a close. So good day Edward Y
Atkinson from John H Adkinson
Letter #2 Natchez August 26 1863 My dear father and mother I am happy to inform you that I am well at presant and hope this will find you all the same. I am sorry to inform you that johnny is drowned in the river. he was - him and five or six of the other boys to take the things off the boat that was brought down from Vicksburg and he came to his diner and was all right and went back again and the boys seen him about three o'clock and then did not see him after that. they hunted all through the boat and could not find him. this was on the 24 aug and i was on picket that day and dident know anny thing about it until the next day and then I hunted all over for him and could not find him and the next morning he was found. he floated ashore and we got him out. all his pockets was picked. He had about twenty four dollars in his pocket but it was all gone and we cant tell wether he fell over board himself or wether some body knocked him over but we buried him the best we could. the boys all feels bad about it and i feel bad but you know mother we cant help it and it dont do anny good to grieve about it as it would do you harm. I send my love to you all. Write as soon as you get this. From your son James to my dear father and mother Joseph and Mary Adkinson.
NOTE from IllinoisCW John was 19 years, 10 months and 6 days old James died of dysentary at the regimental hospital in Vicksburg on December 21st, 1863 - 4 months later. A Special Story This one's for you Sis. Tom By GFS TEG/Tom Gladwell
Their reckless bravery at the Battle of Antietam gained the 2nd Delaware Regiment the sobriquet, "The Crazy Delawares." The men of the New York regiments, with which they were brigaded, christened the 2nd Delaware thus. Some have been so unkind as to say there were other reasons for this nickname for this highly unusual regiment. Regardless of the real reason, by January 13, 1863, the New York Times reported that all veterans of the Army of the Potomac knew it by that name. At Antietam the 2nd Delaware was part of Brook's brigade of Richardson's division of Summer's corps. When Richardson charged the Confederate position on the Sunken Road, it was one of the Union regiments that broke the Rebel front and advanced to the Piper house. There it changed front and with the 52nd New York flanked the Confederates until only Miller's Battery of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans, defended by about 150 infantry, stood before them. The 2nd Delaware, with a roaring cheer, prepared to charge this last force that would have cut Lee's army in two. Then, as they started to take off, Adjutant Charles P. Hatch appeared on the field with orders for them to retire. They objected strenuously, but Hatch said Richardson, the division commander, had been killed and the withdrawal orders came directly from McClellan. So with victory in their grasp the men retreated slowly, taking with them the colors of the 16th Mississippi which they had captured in their dash on the Piper house. Longstreet in his "From Manassas to Appomattox" says that only Miller's Battery prevented two of Brooke's regiments from cutting his line at that point and that Miller's gunners were so badly cut up by the fire of these regiments that his own staff officers jumped to their assistance. Miller himself is reported to have said that he could not understand why the charge on his battery was checked at the last moment as it seemed certain of success. Anyway, the 2nd Delaware was so reluctant and so slow in following the orders to retreat that the men were loudly cheered by the other Union regiments.. "You are crazy not to get out of there as soon as you could," some of the New Yorkers who had retreated earlier are said to have shouted to them. The regiment commander, Colonel H. W. Wharton, had resigned only a short time before and Maj. Robert Andrews was not with the regiment, so the 2nd Delaware had fought without field officers. Captain Daniel I. Stricker of Company A filed the report for the regiment and was so modest that he drew considerable heckling from the men. The men of the 2nd Delaware never felt they got full credit for what they did even though later they rated a special feature story in the New York Times. But the men of Company K were especially publicity conscious, for many of them were newspapermen from Wilmington. The 2nd Delaware was one of the few regiments that had its own newspaper. Called the Regimental Flag, it was published by Captain Joseph M. Barr, who had been a Wilmington newspaperman, and who had a whole staff of reporters, compositors, and pressman in his company. They put out their paper whenever they were near enough to a print shop, either Union or Confederate. To commandeer the necessary materials. The "Crazy Delawares" were perhaps not so representative of their conservative state as the other Delaware regiments for the very good reason that three of the companies came from Philadelphia and one from Elkton Maryland. This was the first regiment of volunteer infantry in the state to sign up for three years service. Its regimental organization dated from May 21, 1861, but Delaware was a border state and, after their first six companies were formed it looked as if no others would join. Moreover, the Democratic Governor, William H. Burton, had said Delaware to serve the Federal Army, but the state would not aid in their organization in any way. The men were anxious to get to the front so they agreed to accept companies from other states. The Pennsylvania and Maryland outfits comprised men who were organized and ready to go, but who could not find regiments in their own states to accept them. The regiment left Camp Brandywine near Wilmington on September 17,1861 just a year before it was to gain its nickname. During that fall the men helped subjugate the Eastern Shore of Virginia, but this entailed no fighting in March 1862, they were transferred to Baltimore for garrison duty. Their active service began as a part of French's brigade when the joined the Army of the Potomac just after the battle of Fair Oaks. They went all through the Seven Days battles around Richmond without seeing much action. Their losses were two men killed and two wounded. After their great day at Antietam the regiment had a quite time until Fredricksburg when it lead the charge of Zook's brigade on the Stone Wall. The Crazy Delawares succeeded in getting closer to the Confederate works than any other outfit in the brigade. They are reported to have yelled as loudly as any of the Rebels, which may have been another reason why their nickname became even better known after that battle. In it their new colonel William P. Bailey, was wounded by a shell fragment, but recovered in time to lead the regiment at Chancellorsville. The regiment saw some hot fighting, but gained principal mention because of the way in which some of the officers and men carried the wounded from the Chancellor house while it was under heavy artillery fire and already ablaze. At Gettysburg the Crazy Delawares' big day came on July second when they were in the midst of fight in the Wheat Field. At one time they lead a whooping counterattack on the Confederates which forced them back, but only momentarily. They fought stubbornly during the rest of the afternoon and ended up at the foot of Little Round Top. On July 3rd, when the men heard of the defeat of Pickett's charge, Captain John Evans of Company A led a little charge of his own with a part of the line of the 2nd Delaware and succeeded in capturing more Confederates before nightfall than he had that regiments could be formed in men under his command. That fall Colonel Bailey being disabled, Maj. D. I. Stricker was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Captain B. F. Ricketts of Elkton, Maryland to major. The regiment won some mention in reports for good service at Bristoe Station and Mine Run. The regiment missed the Battle of the Wilderness, but was practically wiped out at Spotsylvania where it took part in Hancock's early attack on the Mule Shoe salient and the withstood the Confederate counterattacks. Colonel Stricker was killed and Captain Evans of Gettysburg fame was mortally wounded. The regiment was reduced to so few men that those left were attached to the 1st Delaware Regiment until July 1, 1864, when their three years enlistment having run out, most of the men were returned to Wilmington to be mustered out. Remnants of Company K remained in the service until October. Maj. Peter McCullough succeeded Colonel Striker as Lieutenant Colonel and continued to fight after the regiment had been split up. He was wounded and left for dead on the field at Petersburg in June 1864, but was found still living some time later and eventually recovered. The Crazy Delawares were an argumentative lot. They resented their designation as the 2nd Delaware Regiment when they had been the first to sign for three years. The First Delaware was a 90 day outfit when, at the end of 90 days, most of them signed up for three years, they were allowed to keep the 1st Delaware name, but the 2nd always insisted they should have been designated the 3rd Delaware. Many of the men from Wilmington were of Irish descent. They engaged in fist fights in camp when there was no fighting to be done on the battlefield. Although the men from the three states got along well together the Wilmington Irish occasionally had their differences with the Germans from Philadelphia. None of these misunderstandings was serious enough to deserve severe disciplinary action, but they provided another reason for calling them the Crazy Delawares. {{{ Tom }}} Thank you lil' brother.... this is sooome story!!!!!! SOMETHING SPECIAL!!... THE WAR PRAYER by Mark Twain It was a time of great and exalting excitement. The country was up in arms, the war was on, in every breast burned the holy fire of patriotism; the drums were beating, the bands playing, the toy pistols popping, the bunched firecrackers hissing and sputtering; on every hand and far down the receding and fading spread of roofs and balconies a fluttering wilderness of flags flashed in the sun; daily the young volunteers marched down the wide avenue gay and fine in their new uniforms, the proud fathers and mothers and sisters and sweethearts cheering them with voices choked with happy emotion as they swung by; nightly the packed mass meetings listened, panting, to patriot oratory which stirred the deepest deeps of their hearts and which they interrupted at briefest intervals with cyclones of applause, the tears running down their cheeks the while; in the churches the pastors preached devotion to flag and county and invoked the God of Battles, beseeching His aid in our good cause in outpouring of fervid eloquence which moved every listener. It was indeed a glad and gracious time, and the half-dozen rash spirits that ventured to disapprove of the war and cast a doubt upon its righteousness straightway got such a stern and angry warning that for their personal safety's sake they quickly shrank out of sight and offended no more in that way. Sunday morning came - next day the battalions would leave for the front; the church was filled; the volunteers were there, their young faces alight with martial dreams - visions of the stern advance, the gathering momentum, the rushing charge, the flashing sabers, the flight of the foe, the tumult, the enveloping smoke, the fierce pursuit, the surrender! - then home from the war, bronzed heroes, welcomed, adored, submerged in golden seas of glory! With the volunteers sat their dear ones, proud, happy, and envied by the neighbors and friends who had no sons and brothers to send forth to the field of honor, there to win for the flag or failing, die the noblest of noble deaths. The service proceeded; a war chapter from the Old Testament was read; the first prayer was said; it was followed by an organ burst that shook the building, and with one impulse the house rose, with glowing eyes and beating hearts, and poured out that tremendous invocation - God the all-terrible! Thou who ordainest, Thunder thy clarion and lightning thy sword! Then came the "long" prayer. None could remember the like of it for passionate pleading and moving and beautiful language. The burden of its supplication was that an ever-merciful and benignant Father of us all would watch over our noble young soldiers and aid, comfort, and encourage them in their patriotic work; bless them, shield them in the day of battle and the hour of peril, bear them in His mighty hand, make them strong and confident, invincible in the bloody onset; help them to crush the foe, grant to them and to flag and county imperishable honor and glory . An aged stranger entered and moved with slow and noiseless step up the main aisle, his eyes fixed upon the minister, his long body clothed in a robe that reached to his feet, his head bare, his white hair descending in a frothy cataract to his shoulders, his seamy face unnaturally pale, pale even to ghastliness. With all eyes following him and wondering, he made his silent way; without pausing, he ascended to the preacher's side and stood there waiting. With shut eyes the preacher, unconscious of his presence, continued his moving prayer, and at last finished it with the words, uttered in fervent appeal, "Bless our arms, grant us the victory, O Lord our God, Father and Protector of our land and flag!" The stranger touched his arm, motioned him to step aside - which the startled minister did - and took his place. During some moments he surveyed the spellbound audience with solemn eyes in which burned an uncanny light; then in a deep voice he said: "I come from the throne of Almighty God!" The words smote the house with a shock; if the stranger perceived it he gave no attention. "He has heard the prayer of His shepherd and will grant it if such be your desire after I, His messenger, shall have explained to you its import - that is to say, its full import. For it is like unto many of the prayers of men, in that it asks for more than he who utters it is aware of - except he pause and think. "God's servant and yours has prayed his prayer. Has he paused and taken thought? Is it one prayer? No, it is two - one uttered, the other not. Both have reached the ear of Him Who heareth all supplications, the spoken and the unspoken. Ponder this - keep it in mind. If you would beseech a blessing upon yourself, beware! lest without intent you invoke a curse upon a neighbor at the same time. If you pray for the blessing of rain upon your crop which needs it, by that act you are possibly praying for a curse upon some neighbor's crop which may not need rain and can be injured by it. "You have heard your servant's prayer - the uttered part of it. I am commissioned of God to put into words the other part of it - that part which the paster, and also you in your hearts, fervently prayed silently. And ignorantly and unthinkingly? God grant that it was so! You heard these words: `Grant us the victory, O Lord our God! That is sufficient. The whole of the uttered prayer is compact into those pregnant words. Elaborations were not necessary. When you have prayed for victory you have prayed for many unmentioned results which follow victory - must follow it, cannot help but follow it. Upon the listening spirit of God the Father fell also the unspoken part of the prayer. He commandeth me to put it into words. LISTEN! "O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle - be Thou near them! With them, in spirit, we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe. O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with their little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it - for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. AMEN. After a pause: "Ye have prayed it; if ye still desire it, speak! The messenger of the Most High waits." It was believed afterward that the man was a lunatic, because there was no sense in what he said. MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS!!.. Here's how it works.. If you are trying to get photographs of a gravesite or battlefield, to collect for your Civil War ancestor research and records, then send us a request and we will post it here... Other members seeing your request and being in the near vicinity, and are willing to assist can email you direct (this protects your privacy) and work out the details. We HIGHLY recommend the "Requester" pay for all film costs and any postage involved for a helping member. This is intended to be a "Free" assistance between members (with the exception of defraying film and postage costs). Do unto others as.... you know :-) Keep us posted on how this is working, so we can share them in the "Fireside"!! GFS Jim IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED ANSWER(S) TO YOUR QUESTIONS, PLEASE BE SURE TO LET US KNOW!!!!! Thanks!!
- The Editors
My gr gr grandfather, Pvt. Adam Schneider, 183rd Ohio Infantry, died on the Sultana on April 17, 1865, while coming home from Confederate prison with over 2,000 other parolees. Shortly after, his family in Cincinnati was visited by a survivor of this disaster who was also his friend, Pvt. Michael Conrad, and Conrad told my gr gr grandmother what happened to her husband. I am looking for descendants of Conrad in the hopes that they can tell us Michael's version so what happened the night the Sultana went down. Thanks so much! Pam Newhouse
SIMON POLK enlisted in the Confederate Army on 16 April 1862 at Rudes Hill, New Market, VA. He went in as a Private. He was assigned to the 2nd VA Infantry, Company F, Winchester Rifles. This Company and Infantry rode with Stonewall Jackson throughout the war and was part of "Stonewall's Brigade." SIMON POLK was listed as 'sick' in September 1862, and in a hospital at Bunker Hill, West Va. He was later moved to a hospital in Martinsburg, W. Va., where he died on 11 October 1862. The hospital is not named. I would appreciate anyone who may be able to help me, with any lookup or advice. Thank you VERY much. Jan in Shenandoah Co., Va. "Jan" - we're glad your "plea" was passed on to us. We'll put this to the membership who many dedicated and expert researchers in all aspects of the Civil War and see what we can find..... :-) Hey Faithful!.... What say Ye??
Could anyone help me with this one? My great grandfather James A. Furman Truett was enlisted into the 14th SC Infantry in Aug.1861 in a town called Lightwood Knot Springs. Does anyone know where that was? Susan Truett Hovermale Mt. Pleasant,SC {{{{Susan}}}} Here's hoping some one of the Civil War History "Faithful" can help.
PLEASE..... Any help out there for "our" Jim?????? (he's getting desparate) LOL A BIT OF COMMUNITY... Check out the following member inputs for comments and requests for information, Feedback's, Items of Interest and Plea's for HELP... We have had some gracious members offer their assistance in this area. Their screen names and areas they have offered to help in are listed.... Please honor their "goodness" and don't abuse them :-).... We ask that you do follow the guidelines indicated above....
GFS TEG has a complete list of the Confederate and Union burials at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira, NY. If you would like a "look-up" send him an email at GFS TEG@aol.com
Confederate Research Sources SKU: 9946 The Ancestry.com Price: ON SALE! $8.95 Regular Price: $15.95 Savings of 44%!!! Confederate Research Sources: A Guide to Archive Collections by James C. Neagles. Finding and using Confederate records can be problematic at best. In his book,Confederated Research Sources, James C. Neagles seeks to eliminate many of the problems that accompany searching for ancestors who participated actively in the Confederacy. This book will save you from countless hours of searching by leading you directly to the records you need. It is an invaluable resource for any one who has Confederate ancestry. {{{{{Gary}}}}} Thanks so much for the info. It is indeed a good one for those with Confederate ancestry. Check out http://www.ancestry.com and look in their "Shop" then type in the title of the book. Unknown how long it will be "on sale".
Hello friends! I would like to know about the Veterans Reserve Corps (VRC), stationed at Saint Louis in 1864. What is it and what was its purpose? I had a ggg-Grandfather in it. Thanks for the great newsletter. I look forward to it every week. RFS. Phreyor - got your request! We'll see what the reader's come up with. In the mean time I'll take a look. I haven't had any experience with them to date. From:GFS TEG The Veteran Reserve Corps (VRC) was made up of members who still had time left on their enlistments when their Regiments went home. Example - all the men who joined the 14th Brooklyn in 62 and 63 became members of the 5th VETERANS RESERVE CORPS. After the men of 61 went back to Brooklyn. Tom Thanks Tom for the feedback to Phreyor......
From:JETFLYR2 Unsubscribe :( I'm moving off AOL after 5 years, new e-mail address is dalongs@earthlink.net PLEASE keep sending the fireside newsletter to my new address. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the chats anymore, whenever I do happen to be in country. You folks take care and keep pressing on in keeping our important heritage "alive"- Regards, Don Long {{{{{Don}}}}} We're leavin' "JETFLYR2" on the distribution till AOL tells us you aren't here anymore, but we've also added your new address. "Iffen" you can "borrow" AOL from a friend sometime, drop in to see us. You take care my friend and God Bless.
Can anyone help this fellow? "Subj: Re: [NYALBANY] Civil War/34th NY Infantry Regt. From:Trimmerrw@aol.com Anyone familiar with the 34th NY, sometimes called the Herkimer Regt., but had many from Albany including my great-great-grandfather and brother? Lt. Louis Chapin of Albany wrote the regimental history in 1903. "Ike" - we'll put this in the newsletter and see what hits.....
For those who can travel to Andersonville , I just wanted to let you know of what is happening there Saturday March 4 and Sunday March 5. There is going to be a living history weekend at the Stockade. Heres what's happening... Andersonville revisited offers visitors the opportunity to see and experience what life was like at the infamous Civil War Prison Camp. Living historians portraying prisoners of war and guards. Various activities throughout the day including rations issue, escape and punishment, drill, demonstrations and more. Dates and times::::::: Saturday March 4 10:00 a.m. Prisoner arrival and shebag building 10:30 a.m. Guard drill and demonstration 11:00 a.m. Artillery Talk ( Earthwork-North end of prison ) 11:30 a.m. Guard Inspection of prison 12:00 Noon Issuing of rations 1:00 p.m. Arrival of " FRESH FISH " & guard inspection of prison 1:30 p.m. Guard Drill and demonstration 2:00 p.m. Artillery Talk ( Earthwork-North end of prison ) 2:30 p.m. Guard inspection of prison 3:00 p.m. Escape and punishment 3:30 p.m. Guard Drill and Demonstration 4:00 p.m. RAIDER ATTACK 4:30 p.m. Artillery Talk ( earthwork-North end of prison ) 5:00 p.m. Park Gates close 6:00 p.m. Park gates reopen 6:30 p.m. Lantern tours begin. Tours start every 20 minutes and last approximately 45 minutes. The last tour will begin at 9:10 p.m. Reservations are required for the Lantern tours.Reservations can be made beginning February 14 2000 by calling (912) 924-0343, extensions 201 or 202. The following tips are helpful tips for those attending the Lantern tours:
I already have reservations for the 7:30 tour They have had candle light tours of the cemetery but this one is only the prison site. Sunday March 5 10:00 a.m. Shebang building 10:30 a.m. Guard drill and demonstration 11:00 a.m. Artillery Talk ( Earthwork-North end of the prison ) 11:30 a.m. Guard inspection of the prison 12:00 Noon Issuing of rations 1:00 p.m. Arrival of " Fresh Fish & inspection of the prison 1:30 p.m. Guard inspection of prison 2:00 p.m. Artillery Talk ( Earthwork-North end of prison 2:30 p.m. Guard drill and demonstration 3:00 p.m. Escape and Punishment 3:30 p.m. Artillery Talk ( Earthwork-North end of prison ) 4:00 p.m. RAIDER ATTACK 5:00 p.m. Park Gates Close {{{{{Kevin}}}}} Boy, sure would like to be there!!!!!! Thanks for the heads up!!! If any of you can go.... Keep an eye out for Kevin!!!
Thank you so much for sending stories,appreciate it. My daughter called just before 10..... Again thank you Flo
Thank you very much for sending this.
Thanks so much ! this was a great suprise to me that night I stumbled into the room!! Keep it up ! Linda {{{{{Flo, Frank and Linda}}}}} Sure am glad you all enjoyed GFS TEG's "The Angel of Marye's Heights" story. It is definitely a "keeper"
When I am able to join them, I thoroughly enjoy the Civil War chats that you and the others host on Thursday and Friday evenings. I just wish I had the time to be present for all of them. You, Jim, et al, do a very superior job keeping them interesting and flowing along with such enjoyable material. It has appeared to me, when I have been present, that stories from the Northern (i.e., Yankee, in my parlance) side have been more prevalent for some reason with few from the Confederate side. But I guess that's OK; the Yankees did win the war and are entitled to braggin' rights. So I have a book I would like to send you in hopes that a few of the items it contains may prompt a few stories from the Southern point of view... {{{{{Gordon}}}}} I've only included part of your note as you can see... but I would like to tell the "faithful" that you did indeed send me the book and an incredible book it is!! I'm making copies of as many of the letters and I can before I return it.
Maybe this is an oldie that everyone but me has heard, but I think it is funny! And probably typical. I recall taking a bus tour at Vicksburg, and that soft Mississippi drawl pointing out all the pertinent sites -- paeans of praise for the Confederates and contempt for the Yankees. Hmmm, wonder how it is at Gettysburg where the bus drivers probably are all Yanks? Don't mean to stir up trouble!! (much, that is!) anyway, the joke: A bus driver is conducting a tour of famous Civil War battle sites. "Here," he points out at one spot, "is where the Southern troops routed a whole regiment of Yankees. Over there, the Rebs wiped out a whole platoon of Yanks. Down about a mile, there's another valley where we captured a thousand Union soldiers." A tourist says, "Didn't the North ever win a battle?" "Yes ma'am. But not while I'm driving this bus." {{{{{Joan}}}} Thanks for touching my funny bone!! HI JOAN: The answer to your question about what happens on the tour here in Gettysburg is quite simple. As one of the guides here I can tell you we do not take sides. As we tour the field we tell you the story of the fighting and what happened here to both sides. Our job is to try to bring the battle to life for you so that you have an understanding of what happened here. Gettysburg is a very pretty place today but remember that on the first 3 days of July 1863 170,00 men tried their best to wipe each other off the face of the Earth. I hope someday to get to take all of you on a tour of the place I love so much and now call home. GFS TEG Tom {{{{{Tom}}}}} and what a guide you are!! Your stories bring the battlefield alive with both Yanks and Rebs.
I have an Evening job now if I am not here I am at work,. Cyndy {{{{{Cyndy}}}}} We'll keep you on the distribution of the Weekly Fireside so you can keep "tabs" on us <G>
Have not told u lately but it should be said that I truly appreciate you emailing the Fireside weekly. Thanks so Much!! Jotroy {{{{{Jotroy}}}}} You just don't know how good it makes us feel to hear words like yours. They let us know we're doin' our "job" right. Thank you!!
Thank you very much for sending me the Marye's Heights story, parts 1 & 2. I really appreciate it. Kathy {{{{{Kathy}}}}} You're more than welcome. It is a truly special story.
The Monmouth County Genealogy Society will host a Civil War Day at the Fort Monmouth facility on 29 April 2000 featuring speakers, war games, and other activities. For information, contact: beahive@aol.com."
Life in the 1500s, something interesting to ponder.
{{Ted}} great material. I only knew a couple of these. The rest were new to me. :D
SAVING BUFFINGTON ISLAND Hello, My name is John , and I'm a 30 year + resident of Ohio. This email is in regards to Buffington Island, Ohio. Buffington Island is Ohio's only civil war battlefield, and it is in grave danger of being destroyed. A gravel company owns 500 acres of the battlefield, in which some of the heaviest fighting of the day was done. 60+ men , from both sides are said to be buried there, no markers were ever set for them and only a handful of the men are named. I have worked for over a year to prepare a report to distribute to the people on this battlefield and the men involved. Included in the report are online links to rosters for as many units as I could find. I'm hoping that someone may find a relative that may be buried at Buffington Island. Until a bit ago, I could only email out the report, which is 2.5 megs (78 pages). I have been graced by a friend with the same feelings for this subject as I do. He has put my report together on a website, which , I can only say was a God send. I invite you to visit our website, it has all the same links and articles as my report. It will explain the battle, the commanders, where its situated, and of course the links to the units involved. There is a petition there that I respectfully ask you to sign, if you share the same feelings as I , on this issue. If you know others that might take interest in this issue , please forward this to them. Below you will find 2 links, one will take you to my original petition, the other will take you to the website, which also has a petition, where you can read about Buffington Island. I must say that this is of an urgent matter, as the gravel company is pushing to be allowed to begin their mining. I have other material on this battle if you are interested, email me. Thank You for Your Time John A. Rawdon Sign the Petition to Save Buffington Island http://www.petitiononline.com/Buff/petition.html VISIT THE SAVING BUFFINGTON ISLAND WEBSITE http://www.geocities.com/buffington_isle/ {{Tom}} thanks for the heads up. WHAT WE ARE ABOUT OUR FOCUS: the "History of the American (United States) Civil War". OUR GOAL: to enhance your Genealogy activity, knowledge, and "wisdom" by talking about the history surrounding their lives and actions; specifically the "Civil War" that our ancestors lived through and died because of. Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes of the 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, said it so well. To do whatever we may by written Word or molded bronze and sculpted Stone to keep our memories, our Reverence and our love alive and To hand them on to new generations All too ready to forget." OUR PROMISE: to provide an "online" environment that is NOT judgmental and to address ALL aspects of this "Pivotal Period" in our History, with honesty and truth (as we know it). We do "Fireside Stories" about the battles, the people and the social happenings. In addition we dedicate one Thursday a month to the sharing of Songs, Poems and Letters from that era. So come back and visit; we'll save you a seat at the Fireside, and keep the Cider warm..... For a full listing of upcoming events, either look on the Schedule at the end of this Notice or in the Upcoming Events of the Genealogy Forum.
Time: Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Golden Gates Room with Hosts GFH Amy, GFS Jayne, GFS TEG and GFS Jim and our many faithful friends :) 03/02/2000 - A Tale About A Man Called "Old Beeswax" - GFS Jim 03/09/2000 - It's our Monthly Special again; Letters, Songs and Poems night. 03/16/2000 - OPEN CHAT 03/23/2000 - When the Ozarks Burned - GFS Jim 03/31/2000 - OPEN CHAT We'll See You Thursday Night..! Your Joyful, Intelligent and Fun-lovin' Hosts/Hostesses :-) GFS Jim, GFS Jayne, GFS TEG and GFH Amy
GFS Jim suggests for reading, "In Deadly Earnest" by Phil Gottschalk, which is about the Missouri Brigade. You might want to take a look at both of these items.
You all are the first to know... and you get a chance to take a sneak peak as the award isn't usually added to the website until Tuesday The following website has been given THE SITE OF THE MONTH AWARD by Uncle Hiram... The American Civil War Homepage http://sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/warweb.html You can read what Unk thinks about the website by going to: http://www.stategensites.com/unclehiram/site_feb2000.asp
The StateGenSites.com website has a new look!!! Be sure to check out the Bits of Blue and Gray Homepage http://www.stategensites.com/bitsofblueandgray/ A daily trivia question has been added. The answer will appear the following day along with a brand new question. I want to thank AJWRJW, IllinoisCW and TUBES14 for sending questions and answers to me for inclusion on the site. Another new thing the website "guru" has added are message boards where you can "talk" to the various columnists. There you may ask questions, leave suggestions for trivia questions, make comments... or just say hi. Please stop by.
If you are of Irish roots this will move you like no other. And, if you're not of Irish roots it will move you about the same way :-) Cathie Ryan has that lilting voice quality that brings the tears to your eyes. That and the attending acoustic guitar, fiddle and tin whistle result in something to behold .... I've rambled enough - here is the song. Soak it in :D There's a dear little Isle, in the Western Ocean. It's an island of purity, Aeolian grand. It's name fills it's daughters, and sons with emotion. When they are a-part, on a far distant strand. Tis' Ireland, my country, the birthplace of heroes The home of the preacher, warrior, and sage, Of bards and chieftains whose names live in stories. May they live on forever on history's page. You once were a proud, and a glorious nation. Your name and your fame, were known all over the world. Til misfortune came o'er you, and sad desolation, Your emerald banner, in slavery lay unfurled. They tortured your children. They spoiled your green banner. They tried to exterminate you, long, long, long-ago. But the Irish live somehow, like wild creeping flowers. The faster you blossom, the quicker they seem to grow. I love every blade, of grass green on your mountains, Every leaf from your trees, and every rock on your strand. I love your green valleys, and murmuring fountains. I love you Irish Isle, My own dear native land.
From: QNavyWife I told you last month I believe that I am a member of the Madison County (NY) Civil War Round Table. We held our elections last month, and I am now officially the secretary. Well, I was wondering if you would be able to put something in the next Fireside about our next meeting....it will be Tuesday, February 29, 2000 at 7:30 pm at the Chittenango (NY) American Legion Hall in Chittenango, NY. Our presentation will be on the Sgt William C. Lilly Day celebration that was held back in May at Woodlawn Cemetery in Syracuse, NY. I may be helping the presenter (Sue Greenhagen) with the presentation since I was there and do know a bit about Sgt. Lilly and the regiment he was with, the 149th NY. Anyone who is interested is more than welcome to attend. For more info, email me! Thanks again! Robin {{Robin}} Congratulations on becoming "Official" :-) We'll be sure to post your announcement for the New York audience. By the way thanks for the Lyric Aid. :D
The following book was mentioned by Amy in the chat Thursday "Everything Civil War" by Spencer Kope from Willow Creek Press of Washington 1996 Submitter's Note: After doing a check with Amazon.com, I found that the title is unavailable as publisher is out of stock, so you might want to keep an eye out for this book at yard sales or second hand book stores
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