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FF oo rr TT hh ee PP ee oo pp ll ee A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION VOLUME 16 NUMBER 4 WINTER 2014 SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS Banquet Performance: Frederick Douglass' Eulogy to Lincoln Re-enacted by Fred Morsell Fred Morsell began to study Fre- Seneca Falls National Historic derick Douglass in the fall of Parks, The Chautauqua Institute in 1984. A black clergyman friend New York State, colleges, civic asked him to help develop alterna- groups, churches and regional tive programs for inner city youth theatres. He has toured the coun- that would help them find a sense try with school versions of the full of self-respect and belief in them- -length play for public, private and selves — an antidote to the envi- jail schools. ronment of drugs and hopelessness in which they lioved. Morsell read In 1994, Morsell delivered Freder- Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of ick Douglass’ last great speech, Frederick Douglass, an American The Lessons of the Hour on Slave. He said the book the Bill Moyers Journal. The New “practically blew me away. It read York Times said of that perform- like a screenplay, because Doug- ance, “Even 100 years later, sadly lass’ descriptions of the events of Fred Morsell enough, the speech goes right to his life were so visually intense the very heart of the black experi- and dramatic. The images literally with their lives what Mr. Douglass ence in America. The standing jumped off the page at me. I did with his?” ovation given to Mr. Morsell, thought to myself, Wouldn't it be whose sonorous voice stems in wonderful just to read Frederick Since then Morsell has performed large part from his background as Douglass’ words to a group of his one-man, two-act play, Pre- a lyric baritone, is clearly and de- nine or ten year kids, and see if senting Mr. Frederick Douglass, servedly heartfelt. they could become inspired to do at Harper's Ferry, Gettysburg, the Original Entrance to Oak Ridge Cemetery Rededicated On December 3, 2014, the recreated Original Entrance to Oak Ridge Cemetery was dedicated. The entrance replicates the entrance through which Abraham Lincoln’s body was brought into Oak Ridge Cemetery on May 3, 1865. The Springfield Municipal Band played, the Mayor spoke, Headstart School children led those gathered in the pledge of allegiance, and those who had contributed to the project were recognized. For the ALA’s contribution to the project was recognized as the Mayor presented a beautiful plaque to ALA representatives, Mary Shepherd and Guy Fracker. The plaque pictured here is made from the Witness Oak Tree that was present in Oak Ridge Cemetery at the time of Lincoln’s funeral on May 4,1865. 2 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE The Battle of New Market Heights Reflections by Robert J. Davis the question ask by others. Why did so of Lincoln and the flow of his powerful Abraham Lincoln Association Board Member many (men and women) travel so far at words, “…Fondly do we hope, fervently do Historical Interpreter and Re-enactor personal expense to re-enact a battle we pray, that this mighty scourge of war 29th Inf. Reg. USCT may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that occurred 150 years ago? The an- O n swer was given by a Sargent Major that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty who quietly but passionately observed years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and that, “You didn’t have to come, but until every drop of blood drawn with the you did. And you know or should lash shall be paid by another drawn with know why. You are here [at New Mar- the sword, as was said three thousand ket Heights] to honor those that fought years ago, so still it must be said "the judg- and died here … and to tell their sto- ments of the Lord are true and righteous ries.” ….It was a sacred moment. altogether." Yes. …It was a sacred mo- ment. Later that day, standing in battle for- mation and consumed in private The following soldiers received the Medal of Honor for their action during the battle at thought, we prepared to re-enact this Chaffin’s Farm. The fight showed in clear historic fight as the First Sargent unmistakable terms that colored soldiers September 25, 2014, I departed Popu- quoted from a speech by Frederick could lead in battle. lar Grove National Cemetery after Douglass reminding us of what was at kneeling at the graves of Union veter- stake. “…by every consideration William H. Barnes: (1840 or 1845 – Decem- ber 24, 1866) Sargent, 38th USCI Regiment ans who had fought and died at the which binds you to your enslaved fel- low countrymen; …by every aspiration Powhatan Beaty: (Oct. 8, 1837 – Dec 6, Battle of the Crater. As I traveled in 1916). 5th USCI Regiment. route to my ultimate destination, New which you cherish for the freedom and equality of yourselves and your chil- James H. Bronson: (1838 – March 16, Market Heights, Virginia, my mind th dren; by all the ties of blood and iden- 1884) First Sargent, 5 USCI Regiment drifted to the historic battle fought Nathan Huntley Edgerton: (August 28, tity which make us one with the brave th there at Chaffin’s Farm on September 1839 – October 27, 1932) Captain 6 USCI black men now fighting our battles in 29, 1864. That battle was part of a Regiment wave of successful union attacks east Louisiana and in South Carolina, I urge Christian Fleetwood: (July 21, 1840– you to fly to arms, and smite with th of the City of Richmond. At Chaffin’s September 28, 1914) Sargent Major, 4 Farm, a brigade of United States Col- death the power that would bury the USCI Regiment government and your liberty in the James Daniel Gardner: (September 16, ored Troops led the attack against Con- th same hopeless grave.” “Better [to] die 1839 – September 29, 1905) Sargent, 34 federate positions. Members of this USCI Regiment brigade from the 10th Army Corps, free, than to live [as] slaves.” ….It was a sacred moment. James H. Harris: (1828–January 28, 1898) Army of the James, sustained heavy Sargent, 38th USCI Regiment casualties, which included numerous Thomas R. Hawkins: (1840 – 1870) Sargent white officers. The soldiers retreated Deeply moved, we broke into song, as Major, 6th USCI Regiment and regrouped. Then with the aid of did our ancestors. And spoke of what Alfred B. Hilton: (1842 – October 21, th two other brigades of USCT, they at- was to come, while singing “Let My 1864) Sargent, 4 USCI Regiment Milton M. Holland: (August 1, 1844 – May tacked again. It was a fierce, bloody People Go.” Colored soldiers were th and determined attack, lead mainly by expressing through song “raw emotion 15, 1910) Sargent Major, 5 USCI and gut wrenching feelings.” We hon- Miles James: (Birth – Death Unknown) First enlisted colored soldiers. “They Sargent, 26th USCI fought with exceptional valor” and ored the sacrifices of the rebellious slaves, the passions of the abolitionist, and the Alexander Kelly: (April 7, 1840 – June 19, “eventually overwhelmed the Confed- th vision, spirit and commitment of President 1907) First Sargent, 6 USCI Regiment erate defenders.” Two white officers Robert A. Pinn: (March 1, 1843 January 5, Lincoln to the Nation’s “new birth of free- – and fourteen African American 1911) First Sargent, 5th USCI dom.” We prayed and readied ourselves enlisted soldiers were awarded the Edward Ratcliff: (February 8, 1835 – March to re-enact this historic battle fought by our th Medal of Honor for their heroism and ancestors, who, knowing that for many of 10, 1915) Sargent Major, 38 USCI Regi- leadership. ...It was a sacred moment. them, it would be their last charge. Stand- ment ing there, reflecting in the quiet stillness of Charles Veale: (Birth – Death Unknown) Private, 4th USCI Regiment After arriving at Chaffin’s Farm and the moment, one could feel the spirit of feeling as did many, honored by the freedom. ….It was a sacred moment. Company I of the 36th opportunity to participate in the recrea- As the sun creped over the horizon early Colored Regiment, tion of this historic battle, I ask myself that next morning, I could sense the spirit which served in the Battle convenience. If, as I suspect, this plea yields no evidence, let us refrain from repeating this myth. FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 3 The PRESIDENT ROBERT STUART Abraham Lincoln Association Robert A. Stuart, Jr. President Dear Members of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Kathryn M. Harris The 150th anniversary of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, which concludes the five year Vice President commemoration of the Civil War is fast approaching. During these last five years we have James M. Cornelius partnered with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the University of Secretary Illinois Springfield to expand the Abraham Lincoln Association/Benjamin P. Thomas Sympo- Douglas M. Barringer sium. We are extremely grateful for these partners. Treasurer I would also like to extend thanks yo the ALA Symposium Chair for the past five years, ALA Robert J. Lenz Immediate Past-President Board member Dr. Brooks Simpson. He has tirelessly labored to find and present outstanding speakers, which can be far more complicated than it appears. Mary F. Shepherd Executive Manager Our 2015 Banquet will come alive as we bring Fred Morsell, a nationally renowned actor and Board of Directors Frederick Douglass presenter, who will reach all of us through his portrayal of Douglass’ Kenneth L.