Time for our look around the old North State.
Interested in checking out Raleigh’s Oakwood Cemetery? Check on renting a Segway. Information can be found here.
The Museum of the Albemarle is having a Civil War Living History Day on February 6th. You can learn more by reading this article.
Interesting story about some veterans in this week’s Beaufort Observer – check it out here if you want a laugh.
Yet another article about our friends in the 26th NCT and their work on preserving North Carolina’s Confederate flags can be found here.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Review of O’Brien – Mountain Partisans
I live in Southern Appalachia, and my mom’s family has lived in Southern Appalachia since the mid-1700s. At times I write about Southern Appalachia, and I often speak about Southern Appalachia and the war. So with great interest, I searched around and found a used copy of the out-of-print book, Mountain Partisans: Guerrilla Warfare in the Southern Appalachians, 1861 – 1865, by Sean Michael O’Brien.
The book has sections on guerrilla activity in western North Carolina, northern Alabama, eastern Kentucky, north Georgia, and West Virginia. Surprisingly, the book does not cover eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia. During the war years, I had family in western North Carolina, north Alabama, eastern Kentucky, and southwest Virginia, so the absence of sections on these two states was a bit of a disappointment.
I thought that we would spend a little time exploring what O’Brien has to say about western North Carolina. The section starts off with a snapshot of the Shelton Laurel episode as a segue into the area. On page 4, he writes that “Even in the mountains there was an initial flurry of patriotic support for the Confederacy, but this soon gave way to apathy as the war entered its second year.” Hmm, that “initial flurry” outpaced support for the Confederacy across the entire state, and the “apathy” was partly due to the fact that there were no more men left to give. The rest of Chapter 1 is spent on the Shelton Laurel massacre.
Chapter 2 starts with this: “In 1863, partisan warfare intensified in the western North Carolina mountains. Federal victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in July gave the loyalists hope.” I don’t really see what Gettysburg and Vicksburg have to do with partisan warfare in western North Carolina. I do understand that it hinged much more on Longstreet’s inability to recapture Knoxville, and his movement north. When Longstreet was attempting to lay siege to Knoxville, he sent some of his men into western North Carolina to gather supplies. These groups of regular Confederate soldiers kept many of the Unionists at bay. It is not until 1864 that partisan warfare really intensified. Part of Chapter 2 is spent on a Unionist by the name of Goldman Bryson and his activities against the Cherokee, and in Cherokee County, North Carolina, and in north Georgia. Col. George W. Kirk and his raid on Camp Vance near Morganton is covered in chapter 2, as are Keith and Malinda Blalock. Chapter 3 covers William H. Thomas and his legion, and part of Stoneman’s Raid. On page 33, O’Brien writes that Stoneman’s command reached Boone on March 28. “Stoneman’s men burned the county courthouse, the jail, and several other public buildings.” That’s not true. The courthouse records were burned, but not the courthouse. Some of Stoneman’s men who came into town to protect Stoneman’s line of retreat fortified the courthouse by cutting loopholes in the walls to use as gunports.
Chapter 4 dives into George Stoneman and his 1864 raid into southwest Virginia. Then we go back to Stoneman’s 1865 Raid into western North Carolina. The rest of Chapter 4 brings in a host of people not related to the war in western North Carolina: U. S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, George B. McClellan. William S. Rosecrans, George Cook, John C. Fremont, William Quantrill, Felix Zollicoffer, E. Kirby Smith, John S. Mosby, Ormsby M. Mitchell, Don Carlos Buell, William T. Sherman… I guess this chapter is trying to tie in the partisan war in other areas. I kind of thought that was the purpose of the whole book. That ends the North Carolina section of the book.
Mountain Partisans was released in 1999. You can buy it new for $72 on Amazon. I paid a little over half of that from a independent bookseller. I’m not so sure it was worth it.
The book has sections on guerrilla activity in western North Carolina, northern Alabama, eastern Kentucky, north Georgia, and West Virginia. Surprisingly, the book does not cover eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia. During the war years, I had family in western North Carolina, north Alabama, eastern Kentucky, and southwest Virginia, so the absence of sections on these two states was a bit of a disappointment.
I thought that we would spend a little time exploring what O’Brien has to say about western North Carolina. The section starts off with a snapshot of the Shelton Laurel episode as a segue into the area. On page 4, he writes that “Even in the mountains there was an initial flurry of patriotic support for the Confederacy, but this soon gave way to apathy as the war entered its second year.” Hmm, that “initial flurry” outpaced support for the Confederacy across the entire state, and the “apathy” was partly due to the fact that there were no more men left to give. The rest of Chapter 1 is spent on the Shelton Laurel massacre.
Chapter 2 starts with this: “In 1863, partisan warfare intensified in the western North Carolina mountains. Federal victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in July gave the loyalists hope.” I don’t really see what Gettysburg and Vicksburg have to do with partisan warfare in western North Carolina. I do understand that it hinged much more on Longstreet’s inability to recapture Knoxville, and his movement north. When Longstreet was attempting to lay siege to Knoxville, he sent some of his men into western North Carolina to gather supplies. These groups of regular Confederate soldiers kept many of the Unionists at bay. It is not until 1864 that partisan warfare really intensified. Part of Chapter 2 is spent on a Unionist by the name of Goldman Bryson and his activities against the Cherokee, and in Cherokee County, North Carolina, and in north Georgia. Col. George W. Kirk and his raid on Camp Vance near Morganton is covered in chapter 2, as are Keith and Malinda Blalock. Chapter 3 covers William H. Thomas and his legion, and part of Stoneman’s Raid. On page 33, O’Brien writes that Stoneman’s command reached Boone on March 28. “Stoneman’s men burned the county courthouse, the jail, and several other public buildings.” That’s not true. The courthouse records were burned, but not the courthouse. Some of Stoneman’s men who came into town to protect Stoneman’s line of retreat fortified the courthouse by cutting loopholes in the walls to use as gunports.
Chapter 4 dives into George Stoneman and his 1864 raid into southwest Virginia. Then we go back to Stoneman’s 1865 Raid into western North Carolina. The rest of Chapter 4 brings in a host of people not related to the war in western North Carolina: U. S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, George B. McClellan. William S. Rosecrans, George Cook, John C. Fremont, William Quantrill, Felix Zollicoffer, E. Kirby Smith, John S. Mosby, Ormsby M. Mitchell, Don Carlos Buell, William T. Sherman… I guess this chapter is trying to tie in the partisan war in other areas. I kind of thought that was the purpose of the whole book. That ends the North Carolina section of the book.
Mountain Partisans was released in 1999. You can buy it new for $72 on Amazon. I paid a little over half of that from a independent bookseller. I’m not so sure it was worth it.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
An interview with Colonel Tate
It would be difficult to express the amount of times I have wish I could talk to the old veterans of the war. Questions about positions, flags, uniforms, camps, and reasons would flow from my tongue. However, they are all gone, and have been gone for a very long time. Today, I give you an interview from Colonel Tate of the 6th North Carolina State Troops concerning the a visit he made to Gettysburg after the war, marking the position of his regiment during the fight. While my questions would be a little different, these nonetheless are informative, and I hope you enjoy.
“Tate at Gettysburg: The Colonel Marked the Position of North Carolina Troops.” The News and Observer (Raleigh) 15 Aug. 1894
Colonel S. McD. Tate returned yesterday from Gettysburg battlefield where he has been since Thursday last to assist in locating the position gained by North Carolina troops during the memorable battle of July 1863.
Colonel Tate was accompanied by Col. Thomas S. Kenan, of this city, also by Gen. W. Gaston Lewis, who went on his way to his home in Goldsboro.
These three gentlemen, together with the three National Commissioners, Col. J. B. Bachelder, of Massachusetts, Col. Nicholson, of Pennsylvania, and Major Robbins, of North Carolina, were the only ones engaged upon the work in hand.
“It was a matter of love with us who went from this State,” said the Colonel in the Yarborough House yesterday. “I have been there two or three times for the purpose of trying to maintain for the soldiers of this State the credit that is due them. Up to, say three years ago, the so-called ‘rebel’ positions had received no attention, while on the other hand, there was a forest of monuments, most beautiful, to mark the Union line of battle.”
“People came there from the world over, and the first question that came to them was: ‘What where you Union men shooting at?’ For there was nothing in sight except an old field against an army of monuments. Then it was that the esprit de corps was arrested in the yankee breast and they reasoned among themselves this: ‘Let us mark out the host that was against us.’ Thus was this work of justice to the South and to History set on foot.”
“Did you not have some trouble after all this lapse of time in picking out spots accurately?”
“Well, no: Gettysburg is a curiously marked field, not so that as it impressed me during the war. In settling upon one point, I found that we had pretty surely come certainly within ten feet of it. A Mr. Culp, a German farmer who now owns a part of the battle ground was with us at the time all of us being on his place. Said I ‘Mr. Culp, was that fence standing at the time of the battle?”
‘Yes” said he, ‘it is the same fence.’
“ ‘Well, was not these a clump of apple trees near here?’
“ ‘Yes’ he replied, with a hearty laugh, ‘but the bullets caused them to die, and I had to cut down, there is the spot.’
“I remember those apple trees, because I had sat down under one of the, during one part of the fight. Then I found the point I sought without difficulty.
“How about the position, Colonel, gained by your regiment on Cemetery Heights?”
We marked that, too, and the stake is there fast for the site of the monument that will make the story of those men’s valor imperishable.”
“You want to know about that flag? No I did not take it personally from the man who was shot down while carrying it: I should not have disgraced my men by refusing them the honor. But they took it up one by one as each one fell until it was rescued and brought back to me. It was my men who did it,” the Colonel added with a mingled ring of modesty as to himself and pride as to his brave fellows.
“Yes, they brought it back, and I kept it until three weeks ago, when I sent it Christian Reid, at Salisbury. The Salisbury Military Company had already asked me for it, but I could not think of sending it to them.
“Do you not think it belongs in the Historical Library?”
“Yes, but Christian Reid said I could not refuse her and these were the circumstances: She was the daughter Frances, of old Judge David S. Caldwell, and afterward married Col. Chas. Fisher. She and the Colonel’s sister, Christine Fisher, made that flag out of an old blue silk India shawl that belonged to the mother of Frances. The needle work was minute, elaborate, exquisite, and it was a gem among all the army flags. Now she has it, tattered as it is with bullet holes, but one strange thing about it was that the coat of arms which was worked so richly in embroidery was not scratched, and the legend is plain and unharmed upon it now, ‘Deeds, not Words.’
“Yes, we had every courtesy, shown us, both by the officers of the Commission, as well as by the others. For there are now these 8,600 Pennsylvania troops encamped, and last Saturday Governor Parrison with staff and a troop of cavalry came in, looking like real soldiers, dusty after a ride of fifty-two miles from Harrisonburg to Gettysburg. We received distinguished consideration from the Governor, and came away happy.”
“Has Gettysburg changed much?”
“Yes, it has prospered and is a snug little town of 3,000. The difference between that and Florida is that one lives on dead Yankees and the other on live ones.”
“Do the National Commissioners live there?”
“Yes, they will probably be at work for five years yet at $10 a day, according to the latest appropriation. This was the change made after Col. Bachelder had sold the plans he made just after the war to the government for $50,000, and was thought to be the cheapest way out. The gentleman engaged are charming men and seem to be animated only by a spirit of liberality and fairness.”
The Colonel looked well and walked out of the hotel to his office in the Capital.
PS – this is post #400!!!
“Tate at Gettysburg: The Colonel Marked the Position of North Carolina Troops.” The News and Observer (Raleigh) 15 Aug. 1894
Colonel S. McD. Tate returned yesterday from Gettysburg battlefield where he has been since Thursday last to assist in locating the position gained by North Carolina troops during the memorable battle of July 1863.
Colonel Tate was accompanied by Col. Thomas S. Kenan, of this city, also by Gen. W. Gaston Lewis, who went on his way to his home in Goldsboro.
These three gentlemen, together with the three National Commissioners, Col. J. B. Bachelder, of Massachusetts, Col. Nicholson, of Pennsylvania, and Major Robbins, of North Carolina, were the only ones engaged upon the work in hand.
“It was a matter of love with us who went from this State,” said the Colonel in the Yarborough House yesterday. “I have been there two or three times for the purpose of trying to maintain for the soldiers of this State the credit that is due them. Up to, say three years ago, the so-called ‘rebel’ positions had received no attention, while on the other hand, there was a forest of monuments, most beautiful, to mark the Union line of battle.”
“People came there from the world over, and the first question that came to them was: ‘What where you Union men shooting at?’ For there was nothing in sight except an old field against an army of monuments. Then it was that the esprit de corps was arrested in the yankee breast and they reasoned among themselves this: ‘Let us mark out the host that was against us.’ Thus was this work of justice to the South and to History set on foot.”
“Did you not have some trouble after all this lapse of time in picking out spots accurately?”
“Well, no: Gettysburg is a curiously marked field, not so that as it impressed me during the war. In settling upon one point, I found that we had pretty surely come certainly within ten feet of it. A Mr. Culp, a German farmer who now owns a part of the battle ground was with us at the time all of us being on his place. Said I ‘Mr. Culp, was that fence standing at the time of the battle?”
‘Yes” said he, ‘it is the same fence.’
“ ‘Well, was not these a clump of apple trees near here?’
“ ‘Yes’ he replied, with a hearty laugh, ‘but the bullets caused them to die, and I had to cut down, there is the spot.’
“I remember those apple trees, because I had sat down under one of the, during one part of the fight. Then I found the point I sought without difficulty.
“How about the position, Colonel, gained by your regiment on Cemetery Heights?”
We marked that, too, and the stake is there fast for the site of the monument that will make the story of those men’s valor imperishable.”
“You want to know about that flag? No I did not take it personally from the man who was shot down while carrying it: I should not have disgraced my men by refusing them the honor. But they took it up one by one as each one fell until it was rescued and brought back to me. It was my men who did it,” the Colonel added with a mingled ring of modesty as to himself and pride as to his brave fellows.
“Yes, they brought it back, and I kept it until three weeks ago, when I sent it Christian Reid, at Salisbury. The Salisbury Military Company had already asked me for it, but I could not think of sending it to them.
“Do you not think it belongs in the Historical Library?”
“Yes, but Christian Reid said I could not refuse her and these were the circumstances: She was the daughter Frances, of old Judge David S. Caldwell, and afterward married Col. Chas. Fisher. She and the Colonel’s sister, Christine Fisher, made that flag out of an old blue silk India shawl that belonged to the mother of Frances. The needle work was minute, elaborate, exquisite, and it was a gem among all the army flags. Now she has it, tattered as it is with bullet holes, but one strange thing about it was that the coat of arms which was worked so richly in embroidery was not scratched, and the legend is plain and unharmed upon it now, ‘Deeds, not Words.’
“Yes, we had every courtesy, shown us, both by the officers of the Commission, as well as by the others. For there are now these 8,600 Pennsylvania troops encamped, and last Saturday Governor Parrison with staff and a troop of cavalry came in, looking like real soldiers, dusty after a ride of fifty-two miles from Harrisonburg to Gettysburg. We received distinguished consideration from the Governor, and came away happy.”
“Has Gettysburg changed much?”
“Yes, it has prospered and is a snug little town of 3,000. The difference between that and Florida is that one lives on dead Yankees and the other on live ones.”
“Do the National Commissioners live there?”
“Yes, they will probably be at work for five years yet at $10 a day, according to the latest appropriation. This was the change made after Col. Bachelder had sold the plans he made just after the war to the government for $50,000, and was thought to be the cheapest way out. The gentleman engaged are charming men and seem to be animated only by a spirit of liberality and fairness.”
The Colonel looked well and walked out of the hotel to his office in the Capital.
PS – this is post #400!!!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
They fought for the Union
I was doing some research this afternoon on the interaction between Lt. Col. John B. Callis of the 7th Wisconsin and Col. Thomas S. Kenan of the 43rd North Carolina Troops on the first day of the battle of Gettysburg. That story is interesting enough, but we will save it for another post sometime in the future. What surprised me was that both Kenan and Callis were Tar Heel natives. Kenan was born in Duplin County in 1838 and Callis was born in Cumberland County (Fayetteville) in 1828. So, I got to looking for other Tar Heel natives who served in the higher echelons of command in the Federal army. They include:
John A. Winslow – born Wilmington in 1811. Joined the US Navy and commanded the USS Kearsarge in its famous duel with the CSS Alabama. Later promoted to Rear Admiral.
Joseph R. Hawley – born Stewartsville in 1826. Colonel, 7th Connecticut Infantry, Mustered out Bvt. Major General. Later Governor of Connecticut, US Congressman and US Senator.
James Johnson – born Robeson County in 1811. Provisional Governor of Georgia after the war.
Andrew Johnson – born in Raleigh in 1808 – Brigadier General, Military Governor Tennessee, Vice President, President, United States.
William Spicely – born Orange County in 1823. Colonel, 24th Indiana Infantry. Bvt. Brigadier General.
Henry H. Bell – born Orange County in 1808. US Navy – retired as a Rear Admiral.
Edward Stanly – born in New Bern in 1810. Military Governor of North Carolina 1862-1863.
Henry Lee Scott – born in New Bern in 1814. Colonel, Inspector General.
Solomon Meredith – born in Guilford County in 1810. Colonel, 19th Indiana Infantry, Bvt. Major General.
Jonathan Cranor – born Guilford County in 1823. Colonel, 40th Ohio Infantry, Bvt. Brigadier General.
William Stokes – born in Chatham County in 1814. Colonel, 5th Tennessee Cavalry, Bvt. Brigadier General.
Surprisingly, none of these men came from the western part of North Carolina, the part that is supposed to be so Unionist in its leanings. Thoughts?
John A. Winslow – born Wilmington in 1811. Joined the US Navy and commanded the USS Kearsarge in its famous duel with the CSS Alabama. Later promoted to Rear Admiral.
Joseph R. Hawley – born Stewartsville in 1826. Colonel, 7th Connecticut Infantry, Mustered out Bvt. Major General. Later Governor of Connecticut, US Congressman and US Senator.
James Johnson – born Robeson County in 1811. Provisional Governor of Georgia after the war.
Andrew Johnson – born in Raleigh in 1808 – Brigadier General, Military Governor Tennessee, Vice President, President, United States.
William Spicely – born Orange County in 1823. Colonel, 24th Indiana Infantry. Bvt. Brigadier General.
Henry H. Bell – born Orange County in 1808. US Navy – retired as a Rear Admiral.
Edward Stanly – born in New Bern in 1810. Military Governor of North Carolina 1862-1863.
Henry Lee Scott – born in New Bern in 1814. Colonel, Inspector General.
Solomon Meredith – born in Guilford County in 1810. Colonel, 19th Indiana Infantry, Bvt. Major General.
Jonathan Cranor – born Guilford County in 1823. Colonel, 40th Ohio Infantry, Bvt. Brigadier General.
William Stokes – born in Chatham County in 1814. Colonel, 5th Tennessee Cavalry, Bvt. Brigadier General.
Surprisingly, none of these men came from the western part of North Carolina, the part that is supposed to be so Unionist in its leanings. Thoughts?
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Things They Were Given
Many of you are familiar with Tim O’Brien’s book, The Things They Carried. This book is about the Vietnam war. Well, I’ve slightly reordered the title for today’s post: “The Things They Were Given.”
There were numerous objects presented to officers (usually) by their men. The men of the 1st NCST presented Matt Ransom a sword in 1861. Zeb Vance was presented a .31 cal. Colt pistol in December 1861 by the men of the 26th NCT. Brig. Gen. James H. Lane was presented a saddle, bridle, sash, and sword by his men toward the end of March 1863. In 1861, the men of the 1st NC Volunteers had presented Lane with a sword, bridle, saddle, and two pieces of plate silver. I have even read of uniforms being presented. Probably the most famous would be the gift of a uniform to Stonewall Jackson by JEB Stuart.
This month’s issue of Confederate Veteran brought an interesting story, or item, to add to that list of presentation materials. According to an article by Bill Young, it seems that the men of the 11th North Carolina Troops (Bethel Regiment) presented their colonel, Collett Leventhorpe, with a cased set of boot jacks. According to the article, on the outside of the wooden case are :two delicate, sterling silver oval plates fastened… with silver pins. The ovals had delicate rope borders and were handsomely engraved in a jewelers flowing script. One plate read “To Col. Collett Leventhorpe – C. S. A. – 1862,” and the other read, “From his comrades in the Bethel Regt.”
The article goes on to state that the boot jacks came out of an attic in upstate New York. The author writes that he “figured that some Yankee soldier took it home as a souvenir…” An plausible idea is that Leventhorpe was forced to sell the book jacks when he was incarcerated after his capture at Gettysburg.
That is a first for me – a presentation set of boot jacks.
There were numerous objects presented to officers (usually) by their men. The men of the 1st NCST presented Matt Ransom a sword in 1861. Zeb Vance was presented a .31 cal. Colt pistol in December 1861 by the men of the 26th NCT. Brig. Gen. James H. Lane was presented a saddle, bridle, sash, and sword by his men toward the end of March 1863. In 1861, the men of the 1st NC Volunteers had presented Lane with a sword, bridle, saddle, and two pieces of plate silver. I have even read of uniforms being presented. Probably the most famous would be the gift of a uniform to Stonewall Jackson by JEB Stuart.
This month’s issue of Confederate Veteran brought an interesting story, or item, to add to that list of presentation materials. According to an article by Bill Young, it seems that the men of the 11th North Carolina Troops (Bethel Regiment) presented their colonel, Collett Leventhorpe, with a cased set of boot jacks. According to the article, on the outside of the wooden case are :two delicate, sterling silver oval plates fastened… with silver pins. The ovals had delicate rope borders and were handsomely engraved in a jewelers flowing script. One plate read “To Col. Collett Leventhorpe – C. S. A. – 1862,” and the other read, “From his comrades in the Bethel Regt.”
The article goes on to state that the boot jacks came out of an attic in upstate New York. The author writes that he “figured that some Yankee soldier took it home as a souvenir…” An plausible idea is that Leventhorpe was forced to sell the book jacks when he was incarcerated after his capture at Gettysburg.
That is a first for me – a presentation set of boot jacks.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
From the news wire...
The 26th Regiment N.C. Troops, Reactivated, Funds Conservation of Battle Flag of the 47th N.C. Troops
The N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh has one of the nation's largest collections of Confederate flags. Conservation of these banners requires specialized textile treatment, costing approximately $7,500 per flag. The 26th Regiment N.C. Troops, Reactivated, the state's largest Civil War re-enactment group, has helped fund this need. On Dec. 12, 2009, the group unveiled the newly conserved battle flag of the 47th Regiment N.C. Troops during a dedication ceremony at the museum. The 26th Regiment raised the funds necessary to restore this historic artifact.
The 47th Regiment's colors were captured at the Battle of Hatcher's Run in Virginia on Oct. 27, 1864, by Sgt. Daniel Murphy of the 19th Regiment Mass. Volunteer Infantry. The flag was sent to the U.S. War Department in Washington, D.C., and returned to North Carolina in 1905.
"Since its return to North Carolina in 1905, the battle flag of the 47th N.C. Troops has remained in storage and could not be displayed due to its condition," says Tom Belton, Curator of Military History. "With the support of the 26th Regiment N.C. Troops, who spearheaded a conservation drive, we can now include this important North Carolina artifact in upcoming exhibits."This Confederate flag and others are being conserved in preparation for the N.C. Civil War Sesquicentennial. From 2011 to 2015, exhibits and programs will be presented in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in North Carolina.
The restored 47th Regiment banner is an Army of Northern Virginia pattern with "47 NC" painted in the center. It was issued as a replacement for the regiment's colors captured by the 12th New Jersey Infantry at the Battle of Gettysburg.
"This is the third flag project completed by the 26th Regiment N.C. Troops for the Museum of History," says Skip Smith, colonel of the 26th Regiment. "With the help of many individuals and groups across the state, such as 47th Regiment N.C. State Troops, Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) Camp #166 in Wake Forest, we were able to complete the fund-raising for this project. It is our honor to partner with the Museum of History to help conserve our state's battle flags."
Gary Lee Hall, Lt. Cmdr. of the 47th Regiment SCV Camp, adds that many members of the 47th Regiment N.C. Troops were from the Wake Forest area. "We actually have one direct descendant of the 47th Regiment in our camp. We appreciate the opportunity to help with conservation of the flag and to honor the men of the 47th Regiment."
The 26th Regiment has begun its 2010 Preservation Project: the battle flag of the 22nd Regiment N.C. Troops. The organization has inspired several other Civil War re-enactment and remembrance groups to adopt other flags in the museum collection.
For details about the Museum of History, call 919-807-7900 or access ncmuseumofhistory.org or Facebook. To learn more about the 26th Regiment N.C. Troops, Reactivated, go to www.26nc.org<http://www.26nc.org/>. For information about the N.C. Civil War Sesquicentennial, access www.ncculture.com
The N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh has one of the nation's largest collections of Confederate flags. Conservation of these banners requires specialized textile treatment, costing approximately $7,500 per flag. The 26th Regiment N.C. Troops, Reactivated, the state's largest Civil War re-enactment group, has helped fund this need. On Dec. 12, 2009, the group unveiled the newly conserved battle flag of the 47th Regiment N.C. Troops during a dedication ceremony at the museum. The 26th Regiment raised the funds necessary to restore this historic artifact.
The 47th Regiment's colors were captured at the Battle of Hatcher's Run in Virginia on Oct. 27, 1864, by Sgt. Daniel Murphy of the 19th Regiment Mass. Volunteer Infantry. The flag was sent to the U.S. War Department in Washington, D.C., and returned to North Carolina in 1905.
"Since its return to North Carolina in 1905, the battle flag of the 47th N.C. Troops has remained in storage and could not be displayed due to its condition," says Tom Belton, Curator of Military History. "With the support of the 26th Regiment N.C. Troops, who spearheaded a conservation drive, we can now include this important North Carolina artifact in upcoming exhibits."This Confederate flag and others are being conserved in preparation for the N.C. Civil War Sesquicentennial. From 2011 to 2015, exhibits and programs will be presented in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in North Carolina.
The restored 47th Regiment banner is an Army of Northern Virginia pattern with "47 NC" painted in the center. It was issued as a replacement for the regiment's colors captured by the 12th New Jersey Infantry at the Battle of Gettysburg.
"This is the third flag project completed by the 26th Regiment N.C. Troops for the Museum of History," says Skip Smith, colonel of the 26th Regiment. "With the help of many individuals and groups across the state, such as 47th Regiment N.C. State Troops, Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) Camp #166 in Wake Forest, we were able to complete the fund-raising for this project. It is our honor to partner with the Museum of History to help conserve our state's battle flags."
Gary Lee Hall, Lt. Cmdr. of the 47th Regiment SCV Camp, adds that many members of the 47th Regiment N.C. Troops were from the Wake Forest area. "We actually have one direct descendant of the 47th Regiment in our camp. We appreciate the opportunity to help with conservation of the flag and to honor the men of the 47th Regiment."
The 26th Regiment has begun its 2010 Preservation Project: the battle flag of the 22nd Regiment N.C. Troops. The organization has inspired several other Civil War re-enactment and remembrance groups to adopt other flags in the museum collection.
For details about the Museum of History, call 919-807-7900 or access ncmuseumofhistory.org or Facebook. To learn more about the 26th Regiment N.C. Troops, Reactivated, go to www.26nc.org<http://www.26nc.org/>. For information about the N.C. Civil War Sesquicentennial, access www.ncculture.com
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial interview.
After our discussion last month about North Carolina and the upcoming sesquicentennial, I asked Chris Meekins at the Department of Cultural Resources if he would be interested in an interview about the plans of the Department of Cultural Resources. Please find below my questions and the DCR’s answers. I hope you enjoy. You can learn more about the sesquicentennial at DCR’s website.
How will North Carolina’s Civil War Sesquicentennial differ from the centennial remembrance?
There are many differences in the two events due to both the intervening history between the events and to the way in which the committees were organized.
The first significant difference is that the Confederate Centennial Commission was a legislative creation and the North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee is not. The authority of the sesquicentennial committee derives from the Department of Cultural Resources (DCR). As steward of many historical sites, objects, and records associated with the Civil War era, the DCR Deputy Secretary, North Carolina Office of Archives and History, Dr. Jeffrey Crow recognized the coming importance of the sesquicentennial and organized a committee to prepare the DCR for the commemoration. In 1959 (renewed in 1961), the General Assembly created the Confederate Centennial Commission; charging that body with planning and conducting programs to commemorate the centennial of the Civil War and the Assembly ordered the commission to cooperate when possible with individuals, unofficial organizations, and agencies of the federal government and other states. While the Sesquicentennial Committee will perform similar responsibilities as the prior Confederate Centennial Commission it does not have the mandate or charge of the General Assembly. Thus the North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee’s authority is limited to the DCR proper.
Major historic events and new approaches in the craft of History have expanded our knowledge and understanding of the Civil War era. New historical methodologies challenged the interpretation of the war and asked important questions about the home front, soldier’s activities, African American participation as soldiers and freedmen, and women’s issues. More recent historical interpretation seeks to understand the way memory and remembrance interacts with facts to create a particular understanding of the events in both place and time. Advances have also been made in presenting living history and historic site interpretation. Understanding the Civil War era in North Carolina is no longer regulated only to the experience of the soldiers in battle; it is no longer contained in the entirety by the old “Rebel Boast” of “First at Bethel, Fartherest at Gettysburg and Chickamauga, Last at Appomattox.” Understanding the Civil War era in North Carolina is a multifaceted approach to teaching the many and varied components that created, sustained, and challenged the state during the era.
The names of the two committees reflect that change in understanding. Without question the focus of the centennial event was on North Carolina’s Confederate status. The Sesquicentennial Committee seeks to focus on the entirety of the Civil War experience and not just the Confederate heritage (which remains an integral component).
To that end, the North Carolina Sesquicentennial Committee is planning many public events to expand (hopefully) the understanding of the war era. Three major conferences are scheduled and structured around the three interpretive themes of Freedom, Sacrifice, and Memory. Every state historic site that interprets the Civil War era has scheduled major and minor events throughout the sesquicentennial period including lectures, re-enactments, and living history days. The committee is committed to an open forum on the Civil War era. State museums are developing exhibits, workshops and teacher institutes (for renewal credit). The State Archives is planning talks, workshops, exhibits, and online presentations. Our hope is to provide stimulating and compelling educational opportunities for the public to explore North Carolina’s rich Civil War heritage.
What message does the DCR want to get across to the people of North Carolina during the sesquicentennial?
The Sesquicentennial Committee wishes to invite the people of North Carolina to explore their rich, diverse, and significant shared history. To that end Deputy Secretary Dr. Jeffrey Crow charged the committee to prepare appropriate and historically accurate activities which will bring understanding of the complex issues and events to all North Carolinians. The DCR encourages participation in the various planned programs.
What areas of scholarship do the personnel of the DCR hope to see emerge during the sesquicentennial?
The DCR personnel are committed to remain up to date with current trends in historical analysis and reflect those approaches when presenting any historical interpretations to the public. Such recent trends include (but are not limited to) the study of Memory, guerilla warfare, soldier’s experience, Confederate nationalism, home front experiences, women’s studies (such as the development of political power through Ladies Aid Societies), and the African American experience (including United States Colored Troops, Emancipation Proclamation, free blacks and slaves in the Confederate forces). In addition, it would be worthwhile to revisit studies of battles, brigades, generals, and statesman - the familiar Civil War stories which continue to inform us about the Civil War era.
What can local folks in the communities around the state do to make sure that the sesquicentennial is remembered where they live?
The biggest thing that local people can do is to become involved and engaged to ensure that the Civil War sesquicentennial is remembered where they live. There are endless opportunities for such groups as local history groups, genealogy groups, heritage groups such as the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Sons of Union Veterans, and Sons of Confederate Veterans, to have educational forums, speakers at their meetings, coordinate local history days, etc. Citizens should consider forming Civil War 150 committees for their municipality and or county that would plan and execute activities that would resonate with local constituencies. Keeping in mind that these activities should seek to draw a wide audience and be based in objectivity and sound scholarship. It may help the local committee in planning by using the three themes – Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory – as touchstones in their activities. In addition, local committees can draw resources from the NCCivilWar150.com web site. The DCR, and in particular the North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, stands ready to assist local groups who ask for such aid. However, the impetus for such commemoration must come from a local source. The DCR is planning regional activities within the frame work of its Historic Sites, Museums, and the Archives but is not authorized to go beyond the bounds of the agency.
And along those lines, would the DCR be interested in partnering with or supporting other civic, historical, economic, and other organizations across North Carolina in an effort to expand the understanding and appreciation of the American Civil War?
The role of the DCR Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee is to plan events to promote and further the public understanding of the Civil War era. The committee is both empowered and constricted in being only an agent of the DCR (rather than a mandate from the General Assembly). On a limited basis the committee is partnering with entities and or institutions when such a partnering furthers the DCR’s outreach and educational goals. In all such instances (for example, two of the three symposia are partnered with academic institutions as host schools) the Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee retains control over the event (content, promotion, etc.). The best way for the DCR to assist civic groups is to remain, for the most part, in an advisory capacity. When opportunities arise for partnering the committee will review such opportunities and make recommendations for a course of action (partnering, advising, etc.).
How will North Carolina’s Civil War Sesquicentennial differ from the centennial remembrance?
There are many differences in the two events due to both the intervening history between the events and to the way in which the committees were organized.
The first significant difference is that the Confederate Centennial Commission was a legislative creation and the North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee is not. The authority of the sesquicentennial committee derives from the Department of Cultural Resources (DCR). As steward of many historical sites, objects, and records associated with the Civil War era, the DCR Deputy Secretary, North Carolina Office of Archives and History, Dr. Jeffrey Crow recognized the coming importance of the sesquicentennial and organized a committee to prepare the DCR for the commemoration. In 1959 (renewed in 1961), the General Assembly created the Confederate Centennial Commission; charging that body with planning and conducting programs to commemorate the centennial of the Civil War and the Assembly ordered the commission to cooperate when possible with individuals, unofficial organizations, and agencies of the federal government and other states. While the Sesquicentennial Committee will perform similar responsibilities as the prior Confederate Centennial Commission it does not have the mandate or charge of the General Assembly. Thus the North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee’s authority is limited to the DCR proper.
Major historic events and new approaches in the craft of History have expanded our knowledge and understanding of the Civil War era. New historical methodologies challenged the interpretation of the war and asked important questions about the home front, soldier’s activities, African American participation as soldiers and freedmen, and women’s issues. More recent historical interpretation seeks to understand the way memory and remembrance interacts with facts to create a particular understanding of the events in both place and time. Advances have also been made in presenting living history and historic site interpretation. Understanding the Civil War era in North Carolina is no longer regulated only to the experience of the soldiers in battle; it is no longer contained in the entirety by the old “Rebel Boast” of “First at Bethel, Fartherest at Gettysburg and Chickamauga, Last at Appomattox.” Understanding the Civil War era in North Carolina is a multifaceted approach to teaching the many and varied components that created, sustained, and challenged the state during the era.
The names of the two committees reflect that change in understanding. Without question the focus of the centennial event was on North Carolina’s Confederate status. The Sesquicentennial Committee seeks to focus on the entirety of the Civil War experience and not just the Confederate heritage (which remains an integral component).
To that end, the North Carolina Sesquicentennial Committee is planning many public events to expand (hopefully) the understanding of the war era. Three major conferences are scheduled and structured around the three interpretive themes of Freedom, Sacrifice, and Memory. Every state historic site that interprets the Civil War era has scheduled major and minor events throughout the sesquicentennial period including lectures, re-enactments, and living history days. The committee is committed to an open forum on the Civil War era. State museums are developing exhibits, workshops and teacher institutes (for renewal credit). The State Archives is planning talks, workshops, exhibits, and online presentations. Our hope is to provide stimulating and compelling educational opportunities for the public to explore North Carolina’s rich Civil War heritage.
What message does the DCR want to get across to the people of North Carolina during the sesquicentennial?
The Sesquicentennial Committee wishes to invite the people of North Carolina to explore their rich, diverse, and significant shared history. To that end Deputy Secretary Dr. Jeffrey Crow charged the committee to prepare appropriate and historically accurate activities which will bring understanding of the complex issues and events to all North Carolinians. The DCR encourages participation in the various planned programs.
What areas of scholarship do the personnel of the DCR hope to see emerge during the sesquicentennial?
The DCR personnel are committed to remain up to date with current trends in historical analysis and reflect those approaches when presenting any historical interpretations to the public. Such recent trends include (but are not limited to) the study of Memory, guerilla warfare, soldier’s experience, Confederate nationalism, home front experiences, women’s studies (such as the development of political power through Ladies Aid Societies), and the African American experience (including United States Colored Troops, Emancipation Proclamation, free blacks and slaves in the Confederate forces). In addition, it would be worthwhile to revisit studies of battles, brigades, generals, and statesman - the familiar Civil War stories which continue to inform us about the Civil War era.
What can local folks in the communities around the state do to make sure that the sesquicentennial is remembered where they live?
The biggest thing that local people can do is to become involved and engaged to ensure that the Civil War sesquicentennial is remembered where they live. There are endless opportunities for such groups as local history groups, genealogy groups, heritage groups such as the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Sons of Union Veterans, and Sons of Confederate Veterans, to have educational forums, speakers at their meetings, coordinate local history days, etc. Citizens should consider forming Civil War 150 committees for their municipality and or county that would plan and execute activities that would resonate with local constituencies. Keeping in mind that these activities should seek to draw a wide audience and be based in objectivity and sound scholarship. It may help the local committee in planning by using the three themes – Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory – as touchstones in their activities. In addition, local committees can draw resources from the NCCivilWar150.com web site. The DCR, and in particular the North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, stands ready to assist local groups who ask for such aid. However, the impetus for such commemoration must come from a local source. The DCR is planning regional activities within the frame work of its Historic Sites, Museums, and the Archives but is not authorized to go beyond the bounds of the agency.
And along those lines, would the DCR be interested in partnering with or supporting other civic, historical, economic, and other organizations across North Carolina in an effort to expand the understanding and appreciation of the American Civil War?
The role of the DCR Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee is to plan events to promote and further the public understanding of the Civil War era. The committee is both empowered and constricted in being only an agent of the DCR (rather than a mandate from the General Assembly). On a limited basis the committee is partnering with entities and or institutions when such a partnering furthers the DCR’s outreach and educational goals. In all such instances (for example, two of the three symposia are partnered with academic institutions as host schools) the Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee retains control over the event (content, promotion, etc.). The best way for the DCR to assist civic groups is to remain, for the most part, in an advisory capacity. When opportunities arise for partnering the committee will review such opportunities and make recommendations for a course of action (partnering, advising, etc.).
Friday, January 08, 2010
A look around the Old North State - 2010
Here we are entering the second week of January, and I guess it is time to have a look around at headlines related to the War and the Tar Heel State.
The 13th Annual Confederate Prison Symposium will be held in April this year in Salisbury. You can check out a list of the speakers here.
The Winston-Salem Journal has a review of Richard Reid’s new book, Freedom For Themselves: North Carolina’s Black Soldiers in the Civil War Era. Check it out here.
There are numerous events going on in the Fort Fisher area commemorating the 145th anniversary of the battle. You can find more information here.
On January 14, there will be a screening of “Civil War Letters of Macon County” at the Jackson County Genealogical Society. You can get more information here.
UNC Greensboro is sponsoring a exhibit entitled “Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln’s Journey to Emancipation” from January 25 until March 5, 2010. You can learn more here.
Readers and researchers can now access one of North Carolina’s war-time newspapers through a new search engine put out by the state. This is a part of the N. C. Digitization Project. You can learn more about the program here.
The 13th Annual Confederate Prison Symposium will be held in April this year in Salisbury. You can check out a list of the speakers here.
The Winston-Salem Journal has a review of Richard Reid’s new book, Freedom For Themselves: North Carolina’s Black Soldiers in the Civil War Era. Check it out here.
There are numerous events going on in the Fort Fisher area commemorating the 145th anniversary of the battle. You can find more information here.
On January 14, there will be a screening of “Civil War Letters of Macon County” at the Jackson County Genealogical Society. You can get more information here.
UNC Greensboro is sponsoring a exhibit entitled “Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln’s Journey to Emancipation” from January 25 until March 5, 2010. You can learn more here.
Readers and researchers can now access one of North Carolina’s war-time newspapers through a new search engine put out by the state. This is a part of the N. C. Digitization Project. You can learn more about the program here.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
The cost to bury a soldier…
A few weeks ago, I posted a little about the life of Jacob Evans, a Tar Heel who served in the US Navy during the war. I found Evans’s grave while on a ramble in Avery County. I dug out another piece of information: how much it cost to bury Evans after his death in 1926. It cost a grand total of $85.00. Here is the breakdown:
Coffin - $25.00 (J. C. Harmon)
Services rendered - $5.00 (W. M. Estes)
Burial service - $2.00 (F. G. Cook)
Burial service - $2.00 (Leonard Storie)
Burial service - $2.00 (Joe Parlies)
Livery - $5.00 (Earnest McGuire)
Clothing Expenses - $44.00 (Hobert Church)
Pretty remarkable, considering how many soldiers, during the war, simply got wrapped in a blanket and buried in a grave with someone else.
Coffin - $25.00 (J. C. Harmon)
Services rendered - $5.00 (W. M. Estes)
Burial service - $2.00 (F. G. Cook)
Burial service - $2.00 (Leonard Storie)
Burial service - $2.00 (Joe Parlies)
Livery - $5.00 (Earnest McGuire)
Clothing Expenses - $44.00 (Hobert Church)
Pretty remarkable, considering how many soldiers, during the war, simply got wrapped in a blanket and buried in a grave with someone else.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! I meant to post this a couple of days ago, but between the snow, ice, loss of power, and trips to see in-laws and parents, I just never got around to it. I’m home now, and have electricity. But it is still cold, about eight above as I sit and write at 8:30 this morning, and they are saying that this weekend will be colder than the last. I do hope you had a great Christmas and New Year season.
I have many great things to share this year, including interviews (which I have only done infrequently), book reviews, news reports, and observations about the Old North State and the War. I hope you enjoy.
Regards,
Michael
I have many great things to share this year, including interviews (which I have only done infrequently), book reviews, news reports, and observations about the Old North State and the War. I hope you enjoy.
Regards,
Michael
Friday, December 18, 2009
Good News!
Greetings from a very snowy western North Carolina. We have about eight inches right now – expecting about another ten more. I am happy that the book on the Fifty-eighth NCT finally has a front cover. I like it – what do you think?
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
News and notes...
I’ve found a couple of interesting items in the last few days that I thought I would share. The 26th North Carolina Troops (reactivated) has released a great new recruiting video. Check it out here.
Great article talking about Mt. Jefferson in Ashe County being used as a refuge for runaways (slaves, Tar Heel Citizens, escaped prisoners) at the Mountain Times. You can check it out here, along with a few comments from your humble scribe.
The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History will be having a special program on North Carolina Women and the War on Thursday evening. You can get more information here.
There is some good information about the town of Mooresville in this article.
Great article talking about Mt. Jefferson in Ashe County being used as a refuge for runaways (slaves, Tar Heel Citizens, escaped prisoners) at the Mountain Times. You can check it out here, along with a few comments from your humble scribe.
The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History will be having a special program on North Carolina Women and the War on Thursday evening. You can get more information here.
There is some good information about the town of Mooresville in this article.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Rambling.... again
If you have been following this blog for any length of time, you have probably noticed that blog posts get kind of slim in the month of December. By December every year, I am tired – tired of writing, tired of blogging, tired of answering email, tired of traveling. This year is a little better. I’ve been tired since October, and I’ve tried really hard to take it easy. I’ve been reading, sitting on my porch, playing with my kids, and reflecting. A lot of reflecting. I have four projects sitting here in my office that are one or two research trips away from the writing process. Three of them focus on North Carolina and the war, and the other on one of the most famous individuals of the war. That project has been ready to go for some time, and I actually have the first two chapters finished, or at least in draft form. For some reason, I’ve not been able to jump and get this one finished. Maybe it is the almost foot-high pile of primary research that needs to be culled through. I’ve also got a fifth project that I’ve been dabbling with the past couple of weeks. To be honest, I will probably not do anything until the first of the year, and then it will be time to go back to work.
As I have written before, there is so much that still needs to be done, researched, and written about to understand the role of North Carolina and the War. I could not begin to tell you the number of emails that I get from people wanting to know when I am going to write about this regiment, or that person. No, I’ll never be able to get to all of it. But I look forward to seeing what I can accomplish.
I am looking forward to next year. I’ve got some “first rate” things that I’ve found recently that I look forward to sharing. And, I’ve a few more trips planned. May try and go back to Gettysburg. The 58th NCT book will be released, and I’ll be traveling around promoting the book. I am hoping to do a mini-reunion at Chickamauga. The plan is to invite all those folks I have corresponded with for the past decade and explore the role of the 58th NCT at that battlefield. Maybe we could do a similar trip to Bentonville.
Well, I’ve probably rambled enough here this morning. – Y’all have a great day.
As I have written before, there is so much that still needs to be done, researched, and written about to understand the role of North Carolina and the War. I could not begin to tell you the number of emails that I get from people wanting to know when I am going to write about this regiment, or that person. No, I’ll never be able to get to all of it. But I look forward to seeing what I can accomplish.
I am looking forward to next year. I’ve got some “first rate” things that I’ve found recently that I look forward to sharing. And, I’ve a few more trips planned. May try and go back to Gettysburg. The 58th NCT book will be released, and I’ll be traveling around promoting the book. I am hoping to do a mini-reunion at Chickamauga. The plan is to invite all those folks I have corresponded with for the past decade and explore the role of the 58th NCT at that battlefield. Maybe we could do a similar trip to Bentonville.
Well, I’ve probably rambled enough here this morning. – Y’all have a great day.
Friday, December 11, 2009
A trip through the South
Interesting article today on North Carolina Miscellany blog. The article tells of a true Northern soldier (not one of our home-grown Yankees) who took a little trip through the South, including North Carolina, in 1868. What I find interesting is how this former soldier was treated by the former Confederates. Several months ago, I had a good argument with an acquaintance on this very subject. His premise was that the vast majority of Southerners, following the war, would have rather bushwhacked this chap than give him a carriage ride, or three cheers. Do I doubt that there were some in the South that hated those from the North? No, not one bit. However, to not help someone in need, or to not stretch out the hand of friendship to a passerby, is a strictly un-Southern attitude.
This brings to mind another conversation that parallels the thought above. At one of our recent round table talks, the conversation turned to commanders of the local home guard companies here in western North Carolina. Two of those commanders, the ones for Watauga and Yancey Counties, were forced to relocate after the war. I wonder how many of the others were forced to move out of the area after the war? I know that Watauga County’s Home guard commander, Harvey Bingham, had to leave because of the way he enforced state and Confederate laws. Bingham did return for a short time, but later settled in Iredell County where he ran a law school.
Just random thoughts for today.
You can check out the article at North Carolina Miscellany here.
This brings to mind another conversation that parallels the thought above. At one of our recent round table talks, the conversation turned to commanders of the local home guard companies here in western North Carolina. Two of those commanders, the ones for Watauga and Yancey Counties, were forced to relocate after the war. I wonder how many of the others were forced to move out of the area after the war? I know that Watauga County’s Home guard commander, Harvey Bingham, had to leave because of the way he enforced state and Confederate laws. Bingham did return for a short time, but later settled in Iredell County where he ran a law school.
Just random thoughts for today.
You can check out the article at North Carolina Miscellany here.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
In Salisbury Tonight
Folks – I’ll be speaking this evening at 6:30 pm at the Rowan County Public Library in Salisbury. Topic will be my program on Gravestone Art, which includes over 100 images of gravestones that I’ve taken over the past ten years. Drop by and say hi!
Also, do you need books for Christmas presents? I’ve got all of my books in stock – 37th NCT; Remembering North Carolina’s Confederates; the Brooksville-Bayport Raid; Mitchell County Images; Families, Friends, and Felons: Growing Up in the Avery County Jail; and many more. Drop me a line or visit my web page if you are interested. But please order soon…
Also, do you need books for Christmas presents? I’ve got all of my books in stock – 37th NCT; Remembering North Carolina’s Confederates; the Brooksville-Bayport Raid; Mitchell County Images; Families, Friends, and Felons: Growing Up in the Avery County Jail; and many more. Drop me a line or visit my web page if you are interested. But please order soon…
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Sesquicentennial??
This past Saturday, I was at the Appalachian Authors’ Festival in Old Fort, North Carolina. There were several other authors there, including Richard Russell, editor of Fear in North Carolina: The Journals and Letters of the Henry Family (great book if you don’t already have it!).
I was surprised to see David Madden, founder of the U. S. Civil War Center at LSU and Lincoln Bicentennial Member. We had a very interesting talk about the upcoming sesquicentennial of the War. One part of our conversation centered on what appears to be a lack of community input and participation in our upcoming sesquicentennial plans. Sure, the state has a web page, but look at the North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee – every single person on this Committee works for the state. Look at the plans of the sesquicentennial committee – academic symposiums to be held in Raleigh, Wake Forest University, and (probably) UNC-Wilmington. The committee plans to hold programs and events at thirteen of the state’s historic sites (two each year per site). That’s great. What about the dozens of historic sites across the state that are not within the state’s system? I can think of three historic sites within an hour of my house – has anyone from the state contacted them to see if they are interested?
This is not to bash the folks on the Commission – this is just to say that the focus seems a little one-sided.
I took a look at the Sesquicentennial plans in Virginia. Their commission seems dominated by politicians. While I do not think that this system is the best, at least they are answerable to the people. What is nice to see is that just about every county, and a few of the large cities, have formed their own sesquicentennial committees. Wow – the entire state working together. Sure, I know, some of these committees will be working harder than others, but at least something is happening.
Most you know that I have been working on promoting an open discussion about the war in the western part of the state. I’ve been working in five different counties, trying to get people out and talking about the War, both in terms of the men (and women )who marched away, and the events that took place at home. I am going to continue to do this, and I hope to expand in the next couple of years. As I told Madden on Saturday, I would love to see this type of local dialogue happen in each of North Carolina’s 100 counties. I would love to be a part of each one, which is probably not a very realistic goal. But, if I can work with the counties that are interested and the counties that are nearby, then maybe something can happen to educate and preserve what took place 150 years ago. Maybe I’ll even head down to the next Avery County Commissioners meeting to try and get approval for a local Avery County Sesquicentennial Committee.
Come on North Carolina, you supplied more men and lost more men than any other Southern State. We can do better than what we are doing.
I was surprised to see David Madden, founder of the U. S. Civil War Center at LSU and Lincoln Bicentennial Member. We had a very interesting talk about the upcoming sesquicentennial of the War. One part of our conversation centered on what appears to be a lack of community input and participation in our upcoming sesquicentennial plans. Sure, the state has a web page, but look at the North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee – every single person on this Committee works for the state. Look at the plans of the sesquicentennial committee – academic symposiums to be held in Raleigh, Wake Forest University, and (probably) UNC-Wilmington. The committee plans to hold programs and events at thirteen of the state’s historic sites (two each year per site). That’s great. What about the dozens of historic sites across the state that are not within the state’s system? I can think of three historic sites within an hour of my house – has anyone from the state contacted them to see if they are interested?
This is not to bash the folks on the Commission – this is just to say that the focus seems a little one-sided.
I took a look at the Sesquicentennial plans in Virginia. Their commission seems dominated by politicians. While I do not think that this system is the best, at least they are answerable to the people. What is nice to see is that just about every county, and a few of the large cities, have formed their own sesquicentennial committees. Wow – the entire state working together. Sure, I know, some of these committees will be working harder than others, but at least something is happening.
Most you know that I have been working on promoting an open discussion about the war in the western part of the state. I’ve been working in five different counties, trying to get people out and talking about the War, both in terms of the men (and women )who marched away, and the events that took place at home. I am going to continue to do this, and I hope to expand in the next couple of years. As I told Madden on Saturday, I would love to see this type of local dialogue happen in each of North Carolina’s 100 counties. I would love to be a part of each one, which is probably not a very realistic goal. But, if I can work with the counties that are interested and the counties that are nearby, then maybe something can happen to educate and preserve what took place 150 years ago. Maybe I’ll even head down to the next Avery County Commissioners meeting to try and get approval for a local Avery County Sesquicentennial Committee.
Come on North Carolina, you supplied more men and lost more men than any other Southern State. We can do better than what we are doing.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
In Old Fort Today
The Appalachian Authors’ Festival is today in Old Fort in McDowell County, from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm. It is being held this year in the old Train Depot/Museum. If you are in the area, stop by and say hi!
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
News and notes...
Well, let’s have a little look around the Old North State to see what is brewing in the news.
The Sun News (Raleigh) had an interesting article on a soldier in the 15th NCST who suffered from PTSD (even though the article does not quite go that far). The soldier ended up in the NC State Insane Asylum and is buried in the hospital’s cemetery. The article can be found here.
Rob Neufeld continues his writings on western North Carolina and the War with an article on Thomas L. Clingman. It is interesting that while Neufeld calls Clingman that “fire eater from the Carolina mountains” due to Clingman’s stance on secession, he makes no mention of that fact that Clingman owned no slaves. Check out the article here.
Another article dealing with the battle at Deep Creek appeared recently in the PJStar (Peoria, IL). Read more here.
The Mount Airy News reports on a living history held recently Horne Creel Living History Farm. Check it out here.
Check out this article on the cemetery at Mount Bethel Evangelical Church in Summerfield.
The Sun News (Raleigh) had an interesting article on a soldier in the 15th NCST who suffered from PTSD (even though the article does not quite go that far). The soldier ended up in the NC State Insane Asylum and is buried in the hospital’s cemetery. The article can be found here.
Rob Neufeld continues his writings on western North Carolina and the War with an article on Thomas L. Clingman. It is interesting that while Neufeld calls Clingman that “fire eater from the Carolina mountains” due to Clingman’s stance on secession, he makes no mention of that fact that Clingman owned no slaves. Check out the article here.
Another article dealing with the battle at Deep Creek appeared recently in the PJStar (Peoria, IL). Read more here.
The Mount Airy News reports on a living history held recently Horne Creel Living History Farm. Check it out here.
Check out this article on the cemetery at Mount Bethel Evangelical Church in Summerfield.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Davidson County
It has been a while since we looked at one of North Carolina’s counties and the war. So, I thought we would pick up and take a look at Davidson County, located in the Piedmont section of the state.
Davidson County was formed in 1822 from Rowan County and was named for William Lee Davidson, a patriot during the Revolutionary War who was killed at the battle of Cowan’s Ford, on the Catawba River, in 1781. The county seat is located in Lexington, named for the 1775 battle of Lexington at the start of the Revolution. The railroad arrived in Davidson County in 1855. Another principal town is Thomasville.
In 1860, Davidson County had a total population of 16,601 people, including 3,076 slaves and 147 free people of color. In the 1860 presidential election, 1,186 men voted for Bell, 728 for Breckinridge, and 15 voted for Douglas. In the February 1861 vote on whether or not to call a convention to consider secession, Davidson County men voted 368 for and 1806 against the convention. Their elected delegates were Benton C. Douthitt and Benjamin A. Kittrell. Douthit was born in 1811 and served in the house of Commons in 1844 and the State Senate in 1858. He was a Unionist who switched when Lincoln called for troops. Kittrell was born in 1831, attended UNC, and studied law under Judge Pearson. He also opposed secession.
Davidson County sent nearly 2,000 men into Confederate service. Some of those men served in Companies B and I, 14th North Carolina Troops; Company A, 21st North Carolina Troops; Companies A and I, 42nd North Carolina Troops; Company K, 45th North Carolina Troops; Companies B and H, 48th North Carolina Troops; and Company A, 54th North Carolina Troops.
There are many interesting sites throughout the county. Several soldiers took advantage of the depot at Thomasville and left for the war from that point. A NC Civil War Trail Marker marks the site. Near Main Street and Salem Street in Thomasville is another marker. This one teaches us about a site nearby that was a hospital and a refugee camp. The hospital started out for Confederate soldiers, but later provided care for soldiers from both armies. Not far away is the Thomasville City Cemetery. There are 36 soldiers interred in the soldiers’ plot. Certain websites write that the Thomasville City Cemetery is the only cemetery in the world where Confederate and Union soldiers are buried together in a single gravesite. Thomasville was also the site of a shoe factory that helped supply Confederate soldiers during the war. In Lexington, the county courthouse was burned in February 1865 and General Kilpatrick stayed at the home of Dr. Holt at the close of the war. General Stoneman was stopped in a skirmish on April 12, 1865, at the Yadkin River bridge, and Jefferson Davis camped in a “pine grove” on April 16, 1865, as he sought to evade Federal troops.
Davidson County was formed in 1822 from Rowan County and was named for William Lee Davidson, a patriot during the Revolutionary War who was killed at the battle of Cowan’s Ford, on the Catawba River, in 1781. The county seat is located in Lexington, named for the 1775 battle of Lexington at the start of the Revolution. The railroad arrived in Davidson County in 1855. Another principal town is Thomasville.
In 1860, Davidson County had a total population of 16,601 people, including 3,076 slaves and 147 free people of color. In the 1860 presidential election, 1,186 men voted for Bell, 728 for Breckinridge, and 15 voted for Douglas. In the February 1861 vote on whether or not to call a convention to consider secession, Davidson County men voted 368 for and 1806 against the convention. Their elected delegates were Benton C. Douthitt and Benjamin A. Kittrell. Douthit was born in 1811 and served in the house of Commons in 1844 and the State Senate in 1858. He was a Unionist who switched when Lincoln called for troops. Kittrell was born in 1831, attended UNC, and studied law under Judge Pearson. He also opposed secession.
Davidson County sent nearly 2,000 men into Confederate service. Some of those men served in Companies B and I, 14th North Carolina Troops; Company A, 21st North Carolina Troops; Companies A and I, 42nd North Carolina Troops; Company K, 45th North Carolina Troops; Companies B and H, 48th North Carolina Troops; and Company A, 54th North Carolina Troops.
There are many interesting sites throughout the county. Several soldiers took advantage of the depot at Thomasville and left for the war from that point. A NC Civil War Trail Marker marks the site. Near Main Street and Salem Street in Thomasville is another marker. This one teaches us about a site nearby that was a hospital and a refugee camp. The hospital started out for Confederate soldiers, but later provided care for soldiers from both armies. Not far away is the Thomasville City Cemetery. There are 36 soldiers interred in the soldiers’ plot. Certain websites write that the Thomasville City Cemetery is the only cemetery in the world where Confederate and Union soldiers are buried together in a single gravesite. Thomasville was also the site of a shoe factory that helped supply Confederate soldiers during the war. In Lexington, the county courthouse was burned in February 1865 and General Kilpatrick stayed at the home of Dr. Holt at the close of the war. General Stoneman was stopped in a skirmish on April 12, 1865, at the Yadkin River bridge, and Jefferson Davis camped in a “pine grove” on April 16, 1865, as he sought to evade Federal troops.
In September 1905, “Several thousand people from Davidson and surrounding counties gathered to witness” the unveiling of Davidson County’s Confederate monument. Among the throngs were an estimated 300 to 400 Confederate veterans. The monument was originally in the center square in front of the courthouse, and it was frequently hit by automobiles. In the 1950s the monument was relocated to a less dangerous place, not far from the original site.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
I was hoping to get some things posted before taking a small break for Thanksgiving, but alas, I’ve just not been able to get to anything. I’ve been putting together two notebooks on the Hardy and Glanton families for a family reunion we are having over Thanksgiving. No, these are not my North Carolina families. I did find a slew of ancestors in the 50th Alabama Infantry, along with the ancestors I already knew about in the 9th Alabama Cavalry, and 37th Alabama Infantry.
I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving break. We’ll see you on the flip side.
I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving break. We’ll see you on the flip side.
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