Circular Memorandum #438 louisvillecwrt.yolasite.com April, 2012 Announcing Our 474th Meeting
“Gustavus V. Fox of the Union Navy”
Will be Presented by Ari Hoogenboom
DATE: Saturday, April 14 Location: Big Spring Country Club
COCKTAILS: 6:00 P.M. DINNER ($25.00): 7:00 P.M. PROGRAM: 8:00 P.M.
Meet our Speaker Ari Hoogenboom
Ari Hoogenboom was born in the borough of Queens, New York in 1927. His father, whose name was also Ari Hoogenboom, was a Dutch sailor. His father jumped ship in 1920, and came to the United States, and married Clara Behn, a Brooklyn girl in 1922, which given the law at that time, made her a subject of the Queen of Holland. Ultimately they both became naturalized citizens. Ari owes his love of the sea and maritime history to his father. He attended New York public schools and graduated from Atlantic Union College in 1949. Later that year he married a classmate, Olive Youngberg. He received his Ph.D. at Columbia in 1958 after studying under the great David Herbert Donald whom he described as “a great historian and superb teacher, who gave and demanded much to and from me.”
Ari Hoogenboom has taught history at the following institutions: University of Texas, El Paso, Pennsylvania State University, Brooklyn College, and in 1991-1992 he was the George Bancroft Professor of American History at the University of Gottingen in Germany.
He is the author of Outlawing the Spoils: A History of the Civil Service Reform Movement, 1865 -1883; The Presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes; Rutherford B. Hayes: Warrior and President; and Gustavus V. Fox of the Union Navy. He has also co-authored and co-edited numerous other volumes on American history. In addition to a Fulbright and the Ohioan award, Ari was a Guggenheim fellow in 1965-66.
He is currently at work as his wife‟s research assistant on her book, Washington Women: The Woodbury Family. From the 1820‟s into the 1900‟s this family was at the center of the social and political scene in the The Adjutant‟s Call 2 April, 2012 nation‟s capital. The mother married Levi Woodbury a senator, cabinet member, and Supreme Court justice. One daughter married Montgomery Blair, Lincoln‟s postmaster general and lived in the Blair House while another daughter married Gustavus Fox.
We are excited to have Ari Hoogenboom with us for our April meeting. Please join us for a night of learning and fellowship.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Gustavus V. Fox of the Union Navy
The talk on Gustavus Fox will stress that he was in effect chief of Union naval operations and was largely responsible for ships acquired, their armaments, their commanders, and their objectives. At the close of the war, Admiral Davis Dixon Porter wrote Fox, “We are indebted to you more than any other man for our Naval success.” Fox is of further interest because of his close relationship to Lincoln, who enjoyed his company and valued his judgment.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Books, Books, Books!
We will have the following books by the speaker available for sale at the meeting. They will be discounted. The Presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes; Rutherford B. Hayes: Warrior and President; and Gustavus V. Fox of the Union Navy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RESERVATIONS: Call Doug Krawczyk (502-425-0325) to place your reservations. If you are making reservations for more than just yourself, please give the names of the others. If you leave your reservation on his answering machine, please spell out your name so he can correctly identify you. You can also make your reservation by e-mail by sending it to [email protected]. Please call or email no later than Wednesday, April 11, by noon. We cannot accept reservations past this date! If you wish to join us just for the program, please call and make a reservation so that we can provide you with a chair. If you are only coming for the program, you can call Doug anytime up to 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. Reminder for Table Reservations: We can reserve tables for parties of eight only, and we need you to provide us with the names of all the people in your party when you make the reservation. This will enable us to manage our meeting space in a more efficient manner. Thank you.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Adjutant‟s Call 3 April, 2012
Laura Mae Griffin, Mother of Lowell Griffin Passes Away
Laura Mae Griffin, the mother of Life Member Lowell Griffin, passed away on February 24. She was 103 years old and was a resident of Petersburg, Florida. She was born in Waterford, Kentucky and a member of the first graduating class of Fern Creek High School. The Round Table wishes to express our deepest sympathies to Lowell and his family.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ed Bearss' Daughter Passes Away
The daughter of Life Member Ed Bearss, Sara Beth Bearss, 51, died in Richmond, Virginia on February 13, 2012 after a brief battle with cancer. She was a writer and historian and worked for the Virginia Historical Society and the Library of Virginia. We wish to express our heartfelt sympathies to Ed and his family.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Member Don VanSlyke Passes Away
Round Table member Don VanSlyke passed away November 1, 2011. We wish to express our belated condolences to his family and friends.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CIVIL WAR TRUST, FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICIALS, ANNOUNCE PRESERVATION VICTORIES FOR SHILOH BATTLE ANNIVERSARY
(Shiloh, Tenn.) – On Thursday, April 5, 2012, as part of the Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission‟s annual signature event, officials from the Civil War Trust, the National Park Service (NPS), and the State of Tennessee will gather to announce recent preservation successes at the Shiloh Battlefield.
During the event, which will be held in the days immediately prior to the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Shiloh, the Civil War Trust will announce three recent preservation efforts on the storied battlefield. These efforts include the transfer of 167 acres of hallowed ground to NPS, the announcement of a $1.25 million campaign to save an additional 491 acres of battlefield land at Shiloh, and an update on progress to preserve 267 acres at nearby Fallen Timbers.
The land being transferred was purchased by the Trust with the intention that it would eventually become part of Shiloh National Military Park. As part of its goal to create a permanent legacy of the sesquicentennial commemoration, the Department of the Interior has made acquisition of such properties a top priority.
The announcement will take place during the opening session of Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission‟s signature event “Invasions by Rail and River: The Battle of Shiloh.” The event begins at 9:00 a.m. at Pickwick Landing State Park. All events, including living histories, lectures and musical performances, are free and open to the public, but advance registration is suggested. Visit www.tncivilwar150.com for more information.
The Adjutant‟s Call 4 April, 2012
Welcome New Members!
We wish to extend the warm hand of fellowship to new members:
Dan Griffith and Clay Stuckey
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Visit Us on Facebook!
The Louisville Civil War Round Table now has a Facebook page. So, please check it out! It can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Louisville-Civil-War-Round-Table/337508532941975 or by browsing for "Facebook Louisville Civil War Round Table." Items and news of interest to members and other interested parties will be posted periodically, including meeting dates and speakers. Members can post messages on the page. Please visit the page.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bourbon and BBQ Fundraiser in June
The Round Table will be sponsoring a special Fundraiser on June 9th at Art Boerner‟s house from 4:00 – 8:00. The event will feature a special bourbon tasting presentation by bourbon expert and historian Mike Veach of the Filson Club who will talk about the role of bourbon in the Civil War. The event will also feature BBQ slow cooked and smoked by gourmet BBQ chefs Marc Oca and Art Boerner. That‟s correct, Art and Marc will slow- cook and smoke some of the very best BBQ ribs, brisket, and pulled pork that you have ever tasted! And it will come with all the fixins, sauces, sides, and desserts that you can possibly eat in four hours. This event is to raise money for the Round Table speakers‟ expenses and will help us keep the high quality programming that you enjoy. The event will cost $35 per person and includes food, desserts, drinks, and the bourbon tasting and it‟s for a good cause. You will also get to enjoy the beautiful view from Art‟s patio which is just above the Ohio River. A sign-up sheet will be available at the meeting. Space is limited so sign up soon. Your payment at the April or May meeting will guarantee your reservation as well as mailing your check to Harriette at 1028 Sarah Dr., Louisville, KY 40219-4923. You can also email your reservation to Harriette at [email protected].
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Getting the Newsletter via Email is Fast and Saves $$$
With the cost of postage going up (as always), we want to encourage everyone to consider getting the newsletter by email. It costs the Round Table about $10.00 per year in postage, envelopes, and printing costs to mail each newsletter. If you multiply that times 150 you can see it adds up to a large amount. In order to receive the newsletter by email, you do need the capability to read a „Word Document‟ on your computer. Just contact Harriette Weatherbee at [email protected] and let her know. You will get your newsletter faster and help us save $$$ at the same time.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2012 Dates The Adjutant‟s Call 5 April, 2012
Saturday April 14 Ari Hoogenboom “Gustavas Fox of the Union Navy”
Saturday May 12 Brian McKnight “Contested Borderland”
Saturday June 9 Bourbon and BBQ Art Boerner‟s House
Friday September 7 Chris Kolakowski “Antietam at 150”
Saturday October 13 Tim Smith “TBA”
Saturday November 10 Michael Ballard “Grant at Vicksburg”
Saturday December 8 James Lewis “Stone‟s River”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Winners of the March Door Prizes
Congratulations to our door prize winners at the March meeting.
Southern Storm by Noah Trudeau won by Dave Hoffmann Private Elisha Stockwell by Byron Abernathy won by Paul Fridell Voices from Cemetary Hill by Allen Speer won by Peter Mullen Secret Missions of the Civil War by Phillip Stern won by Joy Davis Storming of the Gateway by Fairfax Downey won by Milt Koger
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
April 2012 Quiz:
1. At the beginning of the Civil War both the United States and the Confederacy paid bounties to encourage men to enlist in the armies. How much were these bounties?
2. Northern bounties increased as the war went on, as did bounty jumping. Who is said to be the Union's champion bounty jumper?
3. Who was the first member of CSA General Robert E. Lee's staff to die in battle, and for what else is he famous?
4. Who were the first three rear admirals in the U.S. Navy, and what did they do to get promoted?
The Adjutant‟s Call 6 April, 2012
5. Why did U.S. General Henry Halleck suspend General Ulysses S. Grant following Grant's capture of Fort Donelson, and how did Grant get his command back?
March 2012 Quiz Answers:
1. What western towns did the Confederates label "the Gibraltar of the West"?
First Columbus, Kentucky; later Vicksburg Mississippi.
2. President Lincoln tried to get his generals to adopt the military strategy of "concentration in time." Briefly, what did he want them to do?
He wanted them to attack different Confederate points at the same time.
3. How many men were commissioned Union generals during the Civil War?
583
4. The "political generals" appointed by President Lincoln were either politicians, or they came from what ethnic background?
They were either German Americans or Irish Americans.
5. What Union general nearly fought a duel with Abraham Lincoln?
Brigadier General James Shields challenged Lincoln to a duel on September 22, 1842. Lincoln had published an inflammatory letter in a Springfield, Illinois newspaper poking fun at Shields, who was the State Auditor at the time. When Mary Todd and a friend continued writing letters about Shields without Lincoln's knowledge, Shields took offense, believing Lincoln was responsible for those letters. They met on Sunflower Island, Missouri, near Alton, Illinois. Just prior to the duel, Lincoln demonstrated his ability by cutting a branch just above Shields' head. Their seconds then intervened and were able to convince both men to call off the duel on the grounds that Lincoln had not written the letters.
(The Quiz is prepared by Harriette Weatherbee)
Attest: By Order of: John Davis Chris Kolakowski Adjutant President