The Knapsack Raleigh Civil War Round Table

The same rain falls on both friend and foe.

March 11, 2019 Volume 19

Our 217th Meeting Number 3

http://www.raleighcwrt.org

Mar. 11 Event Features Harold Knudsen, Lt. Col. (ret.), M.A. Speaking on “Modern War Methods of General Longstreet”

Our upcoming meeting will be on Monday, March 11, 2019 at 7:00 pm in Daniels Auditorium at the NC Muse- General — um of History in Raleigh and will feature Harold M. Knud- The Confederacy's Most Modern General sen, U.S. Army Lt. Col. (ret.), M.A. speaking on Modern In his book, General James Longstreet — the Con- War Methods of General Longstreet. This will be pre- ceded at 6:30 pm by a social "half-hour". federacy's Most Modern General (USA Publishing, Rev. ed. 2010; ISBN-10: 0982659202; Harold Knudsen is a former Army ISBN-13: 978-0982659205), Harold officer with 25 years of ac- Knudsen, U.S. Army Lt. Col., examines tive commissioned military service. the life of this controversial leader and He is an experienced program/ makes a number of astute points. project manager, force manage- Nearly the entire body of histories writ- ment consultant, military historian, ten about General Longstreet minimiz- author, and speaker. He also has an M.A. in history from Georgetown es his accomplishments and emphasiz- es his fall from grace with the postwar University. Southern elites. Longstreet’s bad

Harold is on the board of The press was due to the fact that he marched to the beat of his own drummer after the Civil War, becoming the Longstreet Society in Gainesville, poster child of political incorrectness: GA where he has been a member since 2009. His roles in The Longstreet Society include long range planning of • He cooperated with his old friend U.S. Grant, be- events, assisting in planning an annual seminar in the coming a member of the Republican Party areas of logistics, selection of speakers, tour guides, and • He served the U.S. Government as a diplomat, civil location visits for study. servant, and administrator

His interest in James Longstreet began at an early age, • In his memoirs, he was critical of the wartime per- and expanded while on military assignment in Germany formance of General Lee when comparing some of Longstreet's tactics and opera- • He disputed the tenets of the Lost Cause move- tions to current methods in the training areas. ment, which made him the scapegoat for the loss at Gettysburg

As an expert on General Longstreet, Harold gives Knudsen then focuses on the tactical genius of Long- presentations on the subject and has authored the book street as a forerunner of the tactics employed in battle General James Longstreet — the Confederacy's Most in the 20th century, comparing the similarities of Long- Modern General, which was published in 2008 street’s innovations and operations to certain aspects (softcover) and issued as a revised edition in 2010 of war that became standard in WWI and WWII. (hardcover). His book on Longstreet draws heavily from his experiences with 20th Century Army doctrine, field Politics aside, Knudsen shows that Lee saw and appre- training, staff planning, command, and combat experi- ciated this gift for tactics in Longstreet as demonstrated ence. by the facts that he referred to Longstreet as his “Old War Horse”, that Longstreet was Lee's most trusted He can be emailed at [email protected] if general, and that Lee made him second-in-command, interested in ordering a copy of his book directly from having approved his promotion to the newly created him. rank of lieutenant general one day ahead of Jackson's.

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Upcoming Events **Warning: The evening program will simulate combat trauma, and may not be suitable for all au- Mar. 9, 2019: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Maritime History diences.** of the : The Battle of the Ironclads For more info, contact Amanda Brantley at (910) 594- The Mariners' Museum and Park, 100 Museum Drive, 0789 x203 or email her at [email protected].

Newport News, VA 23606. ~ o ~

On March 9, 1862, Hampton Roads, , was the Apr. 5-7, 2019: "Two Weeks of Fury" Carolinas scene of the first battle between ironclad warships. The Campaign Tour and Symposium USS Monitor was able to block the CSS Virginia from destroying the rest of the Union fleet in Hampton Roads. Monroe's Crossroads, Averasboro, Bentonville, and, This engagement changed naval warfare forevermore, optionally, Wise's Forks and the CSS Neuse Museum proving the power of iron over wood. in Kinston, NC.

John V. Quarstein is a renowned historian and director Sponsored by Friends of the Bentonville Battlefield, the emeritus of the USS Monitor Center at "Two Weeks of Fury" Carolinas Campaign Tour and The Mariners' Museum & Park. Join Symposium will begin him on the 157th anniversary of the with an optional half-day battle, as he shares the thrilling story of on Friday, April 5, at the Battle of the ironclads, USS Moni- Wise's Forks and the tor vs. CSS Virgina (formerly the cap- CSS Neuse Museum in tured USS Merrimac). Kinston, NC. Friday evening will include a Lectures are FREE for Mariners' Members and included key-note lecture with in the $1 Museum admission for non-Mariners' Members. dinner at The Barn at For more details about this lecture or to reserve your seat Broadslab. Saturday's tours begin with a rare trip to online (as seating is limited), please visit MarinersMuse- Monroe's Crossroads battlefield and a guided tour of um.org/Lectures. Civil War Fayetteville and Averasboro. Saturday will ~ o ~ wrap-up with an intimate meet and greet at Bentonville

Mar. 16-17, 2019: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A Fighting Battlefield featuring heavy hors d'oeuvre and drinks. Chance for Life: 154th Anniversary at Bentonville Sunday will conclude with a guided tour of Bentonville Battlefield Battlefield.

Day events, with the site closing at 5:00 p.m. On Sat., Tickets include two meals, snacks, water, soda, and Mar. 16th only, the site reopens at 7:00 p.m. for night Saturday evening hors d'oeuvre and drinks. Your price tours which start every 15 minutes with the last tour at includes venue admissions and a copy of Mark Moore's 10:15 p.m. Bentonville Battlefield, 5466 Harper House Historical Guide to Bentonville, an excellent map guide- Rd, Four Oaks, NC 27524. book of the Carolinas Campaign. The price for the event will be $350 or $395 if you include the Kinston The Harper House trip on Friday afternoon. and grounds will be transformed back Please note: Only 100 tickets will be sold for the main in time to the XIV tours (Monroe's Crossroads, Averasboro, and Benton- Corps field hospital ville) and symposium, as it may have which run from the looked on March evening of April 5th to 19, 1865. Speak- midday on April 7. ers will include Only 25 tickets will be Chris Grimes on , Father of Battle- sold for the optional field Medicine and Col. (Ret.) Wade Sokolosky on North tours of Wise's Forks Carolina Confederate Hospitals 1861-1865. Conces- battlefield and the sions will be provided by the Bentonville Volunteer Fire CSS Neuse Museum Department. This event open to the public and the day- in Kinston, NC on the time events are free. afternoon of April 5th. As of Jan. 30th, only On the evening of Sat., Mar. 16th only, there will also be 15 tickets remain for the main tours/symposium and hospital tours which start every 15 minutes beginning at only 5 tickets remain for the optional Friday April 5th 7:00 p.m., with the last tour at 10:15 p.m. Purchased Wise's Forks and Kinston events. tickets for the night tours are required, are extremely lim- ited, cost $15 each, and will go on sale March 1 at 9:00 For more information, visit the website https:// a.m. They are anticipated to sell out quickly. historicsites.nc.gov/events/two-weeks-fury-tour-and- symposium-bentonville-battlefield, contact Amanda Tickets can be purchased online at https://squareup.com/ Brantley at (910) 594-0789, or email her at aman- store/fobb or by calling (910) 594-0789. All proceeds [email protected]. benefit The Friends of Bentonville Battlefield, Inc. The Knapsack 2 March 11, 2019

Upcoming Events (continued) This year’s activities will include painting the numerous artillery guns and carriages around the site. Groups will Apr. 6, 2019: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bennett Place: also be needed to assist in cleaning up brush, leaves, Civil War Park Day and debris from around the site. Volunteers are asked to register in advance by calling (910) 251-7342 and are Bennett Place State Historic Site, 4409 Bennett Memorial asked to assemble in the parking lot by 8:30 a.m. on the Road, Durham, NC 27705. day of the event. Tools and gloves will be provided. Volunteers will receive a free Park Day T-shirt and lunch This national workday for provided by the Friends of Fort Fisher, the support group volunteers is a coopera- that supports the site and all its programming. tive effort between the Civil War Preservation This event is free and open to the public. Trust and Civil War his- toric sites across the For more information, visit the website at http:// . Come www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher, or contact John Moseley out and support your local Civil War site. at (910) 251-7342 or by email to [email protected].

Projects this year include: replacing and updating the ~ o ~ split rail fence in the picnic area, landscaping the picnic area and clearing the Bennett family cemetery. Projects Apr. 20, 2019: 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Maritime History are subject to change. of the American Civil War: Louis M. Goldsborough, USN This is a great family event and open to all ages and abil- ities. This event begins at 10:00 a.m. and will conclude The Mariners' Museum and Park, 100 Museum Drive, approximately by 2:00 p.m. Those interested in coming Newport News, VA 23606. out to help are requested to bring rakes, gloves and headgear. The Bennett Place Support Fund, will provide Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough light snacks and water for all participants. Meet at the (Feb. 18, 1805 – Feb. 20, 1877) visitor center at 10:00 a.m. was a rear admiral in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He held several sea commands during the Civil War, including that of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. He was also noted for contributions to nau- tical scientific research.

John V. Quarstein is a renowned historian and director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center at The Mariners' Mu- seum & Park. Join him as he describes Goldsborough's early success in February 1862 in coordinating with troops under General to capture Roa- For more information, visit the website at https:// noke Island and destroy a small Confederate fleet. historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/bennett-place, or contact the staff at (919) 383-4345 or by email to ben- Learn how Goldsborough then ruined his reputation by [email protected]. refusing to be placed under General George McClellan's direct command in the amphibious Spring 1862 Peninsu- ~ o ~ la Campaign and ended up sitting out the rest of the war,

being confined to administrative duty in Washington, D.C. Apr. 6, 2019: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Fort Fisher: Lectures are FREE for Mariners' Members and included American Battlefield Trust Park Day in the $1 Museum admission for non-Mariners' Members. Fort Fisher, 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd South, Kure Beach, For more details about this lecture or to reserve your seat NC 28443. online (as seating is limited), please visit MarinersMuse- um.org/Lectures. Calling all volunteers! ~ o ~ On Sat., April 6, 2019, Fort Fisher State Historic Apr. 27, 2019: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bennett Place: Site will host Park Day, 154th Anniversary Surrender Commemoration Event an annual hands-on Bennett Place State Historic Site, 4409 Bennett Memorial event sponsored by the Road, Durham, NC 27705. American Battlefield Trust, which brings histo- Join in remembering the events that occurred inside the ry enthusiasts together with staff members to help pre- home of James and Nancy Bennett 154 years ago. This serve our nation’s heritage sites. Fort Fisher welcomes year there will be a focus on the U.S. colored troops and volunteers of all ages and skill levels. how their role changed during the course of the war.

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Upcoming Events (continued) seum; the Forbes Campaign of 1758 featuring stops at Fort Ligonier, Bushy Run Battlefield and more. Talks Bennett Place: 154th Anniversary Surrender Com- also given by the historians listed memoration Event (continued) above.

There will also be special guided tours that will take the Deluxe continental breakfast for visitor inside the home to Hampton Inn guests each morning. learn about the negotia- Each participant will receive a pack- tions that took place in the et of tactical maps and a name parlor. Guest speakers badge.

this year are Earl Ijames For full itinerary and pricing, go to from the NC Museum of http://civilwarseminars.org/? History and author David page_id=398. Silknat. Chambersburg Civil War Seminars & Tours has been This event is open to the public. Admission is $3.00 per hosting Civil War Tours for more than 28 years. Experi- adult and $2.00 per child. ence a guided battlefield tour led by the experts including

For more information, visit the website at https:// Eric Wittenberg, Edwin Bearss, Dennis Frye, Carol Rear- www.bennettplacehistoricsite.com, or contact the staff at don, John Schildt, Daniel Toomey, Ed Steers, Joad Cha- (919) 383-4345 or by email to [email protected]. conas, J.D. Petruzzi, Jeffrey Wert, Steve French, Ted Alexander, and others to deliver an unforgettable experi- ~ o ~ ence. Special discounts are available for Civil War Round Table members. Apr. 27-28, 2019: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Port o’ Plymouth Museum: Living History Weekend For more information, visit the Chambersburg Civil War

The Port o’ Plymouth Museum, 302 East Water Street, Seminars & Tours website at http:// Plymouth, NC 27962. www.civilwarseminars.org, or contact Lark Plessinger by phone at (717) 264-7101 ext.

Now celebrating its 29th ~ o ~ year, the Washington County Historical Socie- May 11, 2019: 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Maritime Histo- ty’s annual Living History ry of the American Civil War: Last Days of CSS Vir- Weekend is one of North ginia Carolina’s premier Civil War events. Known for The Mariners' Museum and Park, 100 Museum Drive, its intimate feel and Newport News, VA 23606. beautiful riverfront setting, the weekend-long event fea- The Battle of Hampton tures two battle reenactments, an evening “Fireside Roads between the USS Feast”, “Dueling Narrators” debate, children’s recruiting Monitor and the CSS Vir- station, period music, troop encampment, book signers, ginia (March 9, 1862) sig- and more! naled the beginning of the

This event is open to the public and entrance to the mu- Age of the Ironclads. Af- seum is free. terwards, the CSS Virginia retired to the Gosport Naval For more information, visit the website at http:// Yard at Portsmouth, Virgin- www.portoplymouthmuseum.org/events, or contact the ia, and remained in drydock for repairs until April 4. In museum staff at (252) 793-1377 or by email to ad- the following month, the crew of Virginia were unsuccess- [email protected]. ful in their attempts to break the .

~ o ~ John V. Quarstein is a renowned historian and director

May 1-5, 2019: National Ed Bearss Symposium and emeritus of the USS Monitor Center at The Mariners' Mu- Tours: Military Leadership and Combat seum & Park. Join him on the 157th anniversary of the self-destruction of the CSS Virginia as he describes the Symposium based at the Hampton Inn, 955 Lesher final weeks of the CSS Virginia and the end of her exist- Road, Chambersburg, PA 17201. ence when she was run aground off Craney Island near Hampton Roads and blown up by her own crew to pre- Featuring Larry Alexander, Ted Alexander, Scott Ander- vent her from falling into the hands of oncoming Union son, Steve Bockmiller, Steve French, Col. Douglas troops and ships. Mastriano, David Moore, Thomas J. Ryan, Dr. Richard Sommers and Martin West. Special guest Edwin Bearss! Lectures are FREE for Mariners' Members and included Exploring American military history! Tours of the follow- in the $1 Museum admission for non-Mariners' Members. ing: Civil War sites in southern Pennsylvania including For more details about this lecture or to reserve your seat Monterey Pass; military history sites in Washington online (as seating is limited), please visit MarinersMuse- County, Maryland including the Hagerstown Aviation Mu- um.org/Lectures.

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Upcoming Events (continued) Special pricing for participants based on room availability. When making hotel reservations, mention Chambersburg June 8, 2019: 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Maritime History Civil War Seminars / Lark Kennedy. Use code of the American Civil War: Summer on USS Monitor 072319LAR.

The Mariners' Museum and Park, 100 Museum Drive, For full itinerary and pricing, go to http:// Newport News, VA 23606. civilwarseminars.org/?page_id=29. Register online at http://business.chambersburg.org/events/details/antietam After the Confederates were forced to destroy CSS Vir- -the-bloodiest-day-27802. ginia as they withdrew from Norfolk in early May, USS Monitor sailed up the James Chambersburg Civil War Seminars & Tours has been River to support the Union hosting Civil War Tours for more than 28 years. Special Army during the Peninsula discounts are available for Civil War Round Table mem- Campaign. The ship partici- bers. For more information, visit the Chambersburg Civil pated in the Battle of War Seminars & Tours website at http:// Drewry's Bluff later that www.civilwarseminars.org, or contact Lark Plessinger by month and remained in the phone at (717) 264-7101 ext. 206.

area giving support to Gen- ~ o ~ eral McClellan's forces on land. August 24, 2019: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Life on Campaign: Summer Living History at Bentonville John V. Quarstein is a renowned historian and director Battlefield emeritus of the USS Monitor Center at The Mariners' Mu- seum & Park. Join him as he describes the Summer of Bentonville Battlefield, 5466 Harper House Rd, Four 1862 aboard the USS Monitor and how the time spent on Oaks, NC 27524. the river was marked with inactivity and hot weather Hear the roar of cannon fire! Learn how artillery regi- which had a negative effect on the morale and health of ments loaded and fired during the Civil War. Infantry dis- USS Monitor's crew. plays by the 27th NC Co. D will showcase a common Lectures are FREE for Mariners' Members and included soldier’s daily life. Demonstrations will occur throughout in the $1 Museum admission for non-Mariners' Members. the day. This event is free and open to the public.

For more details about this lecture or to reserve your seat For more information, contact Amanda Brantley at (910) online (as seating is limited), please visit MarinersMuse- 594-0789 or email her at [email protected]. um.org/Lectures.

~ o ~ October 18 @ 9:00 a.m. to October 20 @ 5:00 p.m. 23rd Annual Civil War Symposium: Small Battles, July 23-28: Antietam: The Bloodiest Day -- Civil War Big Results! History Conference and Tours The 23rd Annual Civil War Symposium at Pamplin Histor- Symposium based at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, 1718 Un- ical Park presents some of the nation’s greatest Civil War derpass Way, Hagerstown, MD 17201. scholars as they talk about Small Battles, Big Results!

Featuring Tom Clemens, Dennis Frye, Kevin Pawlak, Wayne Motts, Carol Reardon, John Priest and many oth- ers at the LARGEST Antietam Conference ever held!

More than 25 of the top histori- ans and tour guides in the Civil War history field will cover di- The authors and topics are as follows: verse topics such as the oppos- • Mr. Peter Cozzens: Battle of Iuka ing forces, medical care, photog- raphy, the historic Dunker • Mr. Jerry Desmond: Battle of Ringgold Church and more. • Mr. Rod Gragg: Battle of Fort Fisher • Mr. Jeff Hunt: Battle of Mine Run In addition, you will have the opportunity to engage in • Mr. James Morgan: Battle of Ball’s Bluff micro tactical tours of the battlefield, and the campaign • Dr. Timothy Smith: Battle of Champion Hill led by expert • Dr. Brian Steel Wills: Early Bird Pricing – Save $30 when you register for a Space is limited and pre-registration and payment is re- Generals or Complete Weekend Package by April 1, quired for the Symposium. A letter of confirmation will be 2019. Use code EARLY30 when registering online. sent to all registrants. Call (804) 861-2408 or visit http:// Note: All participants are responsible for arranging hotel www.www.pamplinpark.org for more information and to accommodations at www.wyndhamhotels.com for the register today. The registration form can be found at seminar, which is not included in tour price. $110/night https://pamplinpark.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ double occupancy plus tax. symp19-flyerfinal2full.pdf. The Knapsack 5 March 11, 2019

News of the RCWRT

Upcoming 2019 RCWRT Meetings (February 2019 Circulation: 265)

Staff Date Speaker Topic Bob Graesser, Editor Harold Knudsen, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Modern War Methods of Contributors Mar. 11 (retired), M.A. in General Longstreet Griff Bartlett History Charlie Knight Bruce Venter, Ph.D. The Kilpatrick-Dahlgren Apr. 8 in Ed. Admin. Raid on Richmond Readers are encouraged to submit photos, events, & articles for publication to Gerald Prokop- His book: All For The Bob Graesser, Editor May 13 owicz, Ph.D. in His- Regiment, The Army of tory, J.D. the Ohio, 1861-1862 RCWRT Board of Directors (2018-2020) Charlie Knight, M.A. Jun. 10 The Battle of New Market in Military History Name Position Phone # Email Address Jul. 8 James White, M.Ed. New Bern in the Civil War Ted 919-787- President [email protected] Aug. 12 TBD TBD Kunstling 5282 Adam Vice 919-478- [email protected] Sep. 9 TBD TBD Medlin President 5643 Wade Sokolosky, Griff 919-848- NC Confederate Hospitals Sec.-Treas. [email protected] Oct. 14 U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bartlett 6562 in 1865 (retired) Jack 919-848- Trip Coord. [email protected] Milani 3670 Desperate Hours: Under- Pattie 252-450- Ron Roth, M.T. in standing the Battle of Get- Prog. Chair [email protected] Nov. 4 Smith 5040 Museum Studies tysburg Through the Art of Bob Knapsack Ed./ 919-244- its Battlefield Monuments [email protected] Graesser Webmaster 9041 Location and entertainment John 919-802- Dec. 9 Holiday Party Member [email protected] to be announced Wood 7996 Beverly 919-859- Member [email protected] Thomas 4474 Did You Know? Paying Memberships / Total Members: 159 / 176 On May 6th, 1864, during the second day of the Wilderness Campaign, Gen. James Longstreet was wounded — accidental- ly shot in the shoulder and throat by his own men only 4 miles New members: Lon and Chandler Ellis of Raleigh from the place where “Stonewall” Jackson had suffered the same fate during the same week a year earlier. Unlike Jackson, Funding Effort Toward Conserva- Longstreet survived but was out of action that Spring and Sum- tion of Our “Adopted” 30th NC In- mer during Grant’s and was sorely missed. fantry Regiment’s State Flag

The Raleigh Civil War Round Table was formed on March 12, 2001 As of February 28, thanks to proceeds and is a 501(c)(3) “tax exempt organization.” from sales of Andrew Ballard’s documen- We meet on the second Monday of most months at 6:30 pm, at the N.C. tary DVD covering the end of the Civil Museum of History (located at 5 Edenton Street, across from the State War in North Carolina, plus generous Capitol). The programs begin at 7:00 p.m. Check the RCWRT website donations from the Raleigh CWRT Board (http://www.raleighcwrt.org) for program dates and timing. and others, and including proceeds from Annual membership dues are $30 (individual and family) and $10 for the raffle at our November 2018 meeting, teachers. Student membership is free. Half-year memberships are the amount raised currently stands at available March through May for $20. Dues should be submitted to the $6,849 toward the estimated $7,500 - Treasurer by September 15 each year. $8,000 conservation cost! The Knapsack 6 March 11, 2019