Case Shot & Canister

1BA Publication of the Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table Partners with Manor College and the Civil War and Military History Institutes Our 26th Year!!

July 2018

4BVolume 28

5BNumber 7

Editor Patricia Caldwell

Contributors Hugh Boyle, Book Nook Editor Rose Boyle Nancy Caldwell, Artistic Advisor Jerry Carrier Mike Cavanaugh Jack DeLong Judy Folan Paula Gidjunis Ed Greenawald Bernice Kaplan Our July Meeting – Annual Book Discussion Night Herb Kaufman “Touched with Fire – Five Presidents & the Civil War Walt Lafty, “Snapshots” Editor Battles That Made Them” Zack Margolies Facilitator: Jerry Carrier Jane Peters Estes Larry Vogel, Senior Contributor Tuesday, July 17, 2018 Andy Waskie 7:30 pm 6:15 pm for dinner Officers President (all welcome – but reservation needed!) Hugh Boyle Radisson Hotel Vice President Jerry Carrier Route 1 @ Old Lincoln Highway Treasurer Trevose, PA Herb Kaufman Secretary Patricia Caldwell Dinner Menu – Stuffed Shells with basil tomato marinara sauce. Served with fresh fruit cup, rolls/butter, iced tea, diet soda, coffee, e-mail:[email protected] U phone: (215)638-4244 and dessert.

website: HUwww.dvcwrt.orgU Substitute: Pasta (chef’s selection).

Umailing addresses: Membership Contact Rose Boyle at [email protected] or 215-638-4244 for 2601 Bonnie Lane dinner reservations by July 12. Dinner Price $27.00 Huntingdon Valley PA 19006

Newsletter You are responsible for dinners not cancelled 3201 Longshore Avenue Philadelphia PA 19149-2025 by Monday morning July 16.

might recall that in other years the book night In This Issue evolved into quite a lively discussion!!

 Member News – is your news included here? For new members, everyone is welcome to voice his  Judy Folan profiles one of our most traveled or her thoughts and opinions. We’d like to get a good members in this month’s Member Snapshot discussion going!!! It’s not critical that you have  Events to attract you through summer into read the book, or even chapters. Everyone is welcome to come and participate or to just come and fall and beyond listen. After all, you might find you have something  Paula Gidjunis updates the Preservation Notes to say! At least you’ll be cool on a hot July night!!!  Our June meeting is recapped by our newly- dubbed Senior Contributor, Larry Vogel  Hugh Boyle finds the forgotten man of the president’s assassination “Under Lincoln’s Hat”  In our Book Nook Hugh Boyle tackles the question of why we read, and shares a review of a

fascinating book on a horrific event during WWII

 Larry Vogel and Judy Folan teamed up with text and photos for a Personal Civil War with friends and family on a Jane Peters Civil War Trail  Jack DeLong takes the term “wild Indians” and tells us “What He Thinks About That”  Two related statues in “Where Am I” July 4th  Bernice Kaplan once again goes “Off the Wall” about middle names???? What?? It comes every year, and each year there are  July 4, 1865 at the Center City Meade House parades, fireworks, patriotic movies. It is a  Our remaining summer schedule for the Civil holiday and for many it is an extended time off, War and Military History Institutes, plus an and it is a kick off for a vacation week, but do we important raison d’etre look at it as we should and as we did in the past?  “What did you say?” – Why Walt Lafty would Do we look forward to it as we did when we were wash your mouth out with soap  Mike Cavanaugh with a fascinating and kids? History tells us that it was and is an personal “Military Memory” important day for America. Here are some events th of July 4 .

1776 – Declaration of Independence is adopted 1802 – West Point opens A Favorite Kind of Month 1826 – Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson die For our Annual Book Discussion Night, we have 1862 – Lewis Carroll first tells the story of Alice chosen Touched with Fire – in Wonderland Five Presidents & the Civil 1879 – The Anglo-Zulu War ends War Battles That Made 1884 – France transfers ownership of the Statue Them by James M. Perry. of Liberty to the United States Once again our vice president Jerry Carrier will be the facilitator for the Here is one that not much is said about. It was discussion. July 4, 1840. It was the day that President Polk laid the cornerstone for the Washington For longtime members, you Memorial. That cornerstone weighed 24,000

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pounds. It was a big day in Washington, complete with Senators and members of the House all there, but many came to see two special guests. They were Elizabeth Hamilton, the wife of Alexander Hamilton, and the famous Congratulations to our June raffle winners – Walt Dolly Madison. Dolly was still the Belle of Lafty (dinner raffle), Judy Folan, Matt Bruce Washington; both of these famous widows were and Jerry Carrier. there to celebrate and honor the man that their husbands worked for and admired. That Larry Vogel says that his annual trip to memorial took years to complete, with an Cooperstown, NY did not give him any good story interruption because of the Civil War. It now ideas, although he did see the ghost of Abner stands above our Capital city. So maybe next Doubleday haunting the "halls". year we can take the time and remember all that took place on July 4th. Zack Margolies continues his in-stadium support of his beloved New York Mets. He went on a road trip to Cincinnati for May 7-9. “The outcome Hugh Boyle could have been better. We lost 2 of 3 including President an out for batting out of order. Not a typical Zack occurrence.” also has several Met games lined up at Citi Field, including the July 9th make- up double header with the Phillies and a two game series against the Nationals in DC.

On July 12, Paula Gidjunis conducted a workshop entitled “African Americans: On the Road to Freedom” for the American Battlefield Trust’s National Teacher Institute “Independence to Emancipation” at Valley Forge.

JULY BRAIN TEASERS Also on July 12, Bob Russo spoke to the Old Baldy

CWRT. His topic was “Independence: An Ideal, a What historical events happened on National Park, and a World Heritage Site”. these dates???

1 – June 25, 1876 On August 5 Walt Lafty will present a program on 2 – November 19, 1863 “Researching Your Civil War Ancestors” at the 3 – July 11, 1804 monthly open house program at the GAR Museum & 4 – April 15, 1865 Library on Griscom Street. Details in the 5 – May 26, 1856 Upcoming Events column on page 5.

(Answers in next month’s newsletter!)

ANSWERS TO JUNE BRAIN TEASERS

1 – In what state was the Battle of Franklin? - Bill Linhart – Philadelphia Tennessee 2 – Who published the daily “Richmond Donald O’Neill – Furlong, PA Examiner”? – Edward Pollard 3 – What brilliant Kentucky cavalryman was married to Miss Mattie Ready by rebel General Leonidas Polk? – General John Hunt Morgan

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MEMBERS' SNAPSHOTS by Judy Folan

This month we feature a long time member and an outstanding gentleman, who began touring battlefields in High School, and who belongs to more historic organizations and has done more for historic causes than can be listed herein; I speak of our Mr. Dick Simpson.

Dick, who today lives with his wife Deborah in Lancaster, was raised in Long Island, New York. Today, based on the seasons, Dick spends his time between Lancaster and Lake Willoughby, Vermont, an area which has been his family’s ancestral home for six generations and where his ancestors fought and died for our Country, representing Vermont’s 3rd and 15th Civil War Regiments.

Dick enjoys telling how, after their long ride to Vermont each year, his beloved dog, Teddy, anxiously pounces from the car, makes a mad dash across the property and jumps into the lake. Dick says it takes him a lot longer (if at all) to get into the ice cold glacier lake!

During his time in Long Island, where he lived for 37 years, Dick was Past President and Trustee of the Northport Historical Society, where in 1974 he founded the Northport Historical Museum. For many years he also acted as an advisor and gave financial support to the local Boy Scouts, Explorer Post 1863. During this time Dick was employed as Vice President of Graphic Designs for Intercontinental Hotels. He retired after 30 years and thereafter has devoted himself to the Civil War community with both education and preservation services, with special efforts towards saving the Battlefield in Franklin, Tennessee.

From 2004 to 2016, Dick provided over 150 lectures and slide presentations, and along with donations and Civil War book raffles, raised over $10,000 for battlefield preservation. In 2016 he was given the Grand Army of the Republic Award for these very impressive and outstanding services.

In Vermont, Dick serves an unofficial president and historian for the town of Westmore, where he lectures on local history. Here in Pennsylvania Dick belongs to, and attends, many local roundtables including, of course, our Delaware Valley group, where he was honored in 2006, with the Award of Merit. He has also provided support to the Lancaster County Historical Society and Roundtable. He’s a member of the G.A.R. Museum and Library in Philadelphia and the General Meade Society. Dick is a member of Save the Franklin Battlefield Inc. in Tennessee, The Gettysburg Foundation and The Civil War Preservation Trust. In his spare time (as if he has any), he reenacts as Vermont’s Civil War time Governor, Frederick Hollbrook (pictured), where he’s often seen participating at historic events and in parades. And, of course, he still enjoys traveling to our nation’s battlefields and historic sites.

This fall Dick and his sister have a great adventure planned: a trip to England and Scotland. Who knows, maybe Dick can track down some of his Scottish ancestors. One way or another, they should have a great time.

Dick, we all thank you for the phenomenal amount of time expended, the effort spent, and the financial support you’ve provided to promote Civil War education and Battlefield Preservation. We consider it an honor that you choose to commute from Lancaster, as often as you do, to join us as a member of our Roundtable.

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June 9 to August 12, 2018 – Gettysburg Summer Ranger Program Schedule – Check www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/interpretation.htm AUGUST 21, 2018 for the full schedule of NPS programs, including the Historian Martin Mosho anniversary battlewalks.

“Unsung Heroines – Role of Women July 14, 2018 – Saturday – 11:00 am to noon in the American Civil War” – Genealogy Program – Beginning Your Genealogy Research on the Right Foot – Aston Public Library – 3270 Concord Road, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 Aston, PA - Barbara Selletti, Librarian and Genealogical Researcher. Have you ever wanted to Author/historian David Walter research your family history, but don’t know where to “History of Camp Elder” start? Free program, but seating is limited. Register at 610-494-5877 or [email protected] https://astonlibrary.org/events/

OCTOBER 16, 2018 July 21, 2018 – Saturday – 11:00 am to noon Historian Mike Jesberger – Genealogy Program – Intermediate “The Loss and Restoration of the Program – Aston Public Library – 3270 Concord Road, Aston, PA - Barbara Selletti, Librarian Confederate Sub H.L. Hunley” and Genealogical Researcher. Follow-up to the July 14 program (Subject to be announced). Free program, but seating is limited. Register at 610-494- NOVEMBER 20, 2018 5877 or [email protected] - https://astonlibrary.org/events/ Annual Awards Evening Historian/Author Scott Mingus August 4, 2018 – Saturday – 11:00 am to “Flames Beyond Gettysburg: noon – Genealogy Program – Basics of Genetic Genealogy – Aston Public Library – The Confederate Expedition to the 3270 Concord Road, Aston, PA - Barbara Selletti, Susquehanna River” Librarian and Genealogical Researcher. Free program, but seating is limited. Register at 610-494- 5877 or [email protected] https://astonlibrary.org/events/ DECEMBER 11, 2018 Annual Holiday Dinner August 4, 2018 – Saturday – 6:00 pm – Special Program – “An Evening with the Austrian Village Painting” – Gettysburg NMP – Special tour of the Gettysburg Cyclorama, $20/adult. Register: gettysburgfoundation.org

August 5, 2018 – Sunday – 1:30 pm – GAR Museum & Library Open House Program – 4278 Griscom Street. Speaker Researcher Walt Lafty – “Researching Civil War Ancestors”. This presentation will focus on various methods in researching ancestors who served in the Civil War. Attention will be given to on line services available as well as known repositories of military records, and other types of records which can prove useful in researching ancestors.FREE & Open to the public! For info (215) 289-6484 www.garmuslib.org

August 11, 2018 – Saturday – 10:00 am to breakfasts, 1 dinner). Visit Harpers Ferry Nat’l Park, 4:00 pm (rain date August 18) – Annual Antietam Nat’l Battlefield, National Museum of Civil Revolutionary War Re-enactment at War Medicine, Gettysburg Nat’l Military Park, Washington’s HQ at Moland House – 1641 Old Gettysburg Visitors Center including Film & York Rd, Hartsville, PA. Family-oriented event. The Cyclorama. Two overnights at Frederick, MD hotel. Warwick Township Historical Society will honor Additional information at http://www.starrtours.com/ Washington and all the men and women of the or call 609-587-0626. American Revolution who fought for our independence. Revolutionary War re-enactors will September 29-30, 2018 – Saturday-Sunday – engage in drills, skirmishes and representations of Reenactment at the Colonial Plantation at colonial camp life. Stroll the grounds and enjoy 18th Ridley Creek – Includes: 3900 N Sandy Flash century music, blacksmithing, woodworking, barrel Drive, Newtown Square. Camps and demonstrations making, 18th century children’s toys and games, with battles at noon and 4 pm Saturday, 2 pm puppet shows, folk painting, quilting, 18th century Sunday. $12/adult. colonialplantation.org distilling, and other activities. Guided tour of the restored stone house! Refreshments & mementos October 19-20, 2018 – Friday to Sunday – available for purchase. Admission benefits The Starr Tours – Women’s History (New York Moland Property that is managed and maintained by State) – with Jane Peters Estes – Includes: the all-volunteer Warwick Township Historical Susan B. Anthony Home & Museum, Mount Hope Society. Cash or Check only: Adults $5, Seniors Cemetery, National Women's Hall of Fame, Women's (62+) $4, Youth (5-12) $2, Families (parents & kids) Rights National Historic Park, Elizabeth Cady Stanton $10. Please see our website: www.moland.org for House, Mackenzie-Childs, Corning Museum of Glass. updated information. A 501c3 non-profit Accommodations in Auburn, NY; includes 4 meals. organization, entirely staffed by volunteers. $549pp/dbl – Additional information at http://www.starrtours.com/ or call 609-587-0626. August 28, 2018 – Tuesday – 7:05 pm – General Meade Society Night at the Phillies – October 20, 2018 – Saturday – Civil War Navy Citizens Bank Park vs. the Washington Symposium – Blue Water Navy / Brown Nationals – Seats are in Section 106 in the lower Water Navy – Presented by Old Baldy CWRT. right field bleachers. Society member Tom Kearney Symposium to be held on board the Battleship New has chosen a game that will allow fans to attend one Jersey in her berth at Camden. Lectures will be of the Phillies BOGO games. Buy One Get One supplemented with performances of Maritime and means if you buy a ticket at the game price of $38.00 Nautical Music of the Civil War by Charlie Zahm. Also you will get another ticket at no charge. Basically present will be numerous members of the Navy & paying $19.00 for each ticket. Tom has ordered 60 Marine Living History Association. For information tickets and he can be reached at 267-446-2935 or e- and updates see www.oldbaldycwrt.org mail him at [email protected]. December 7-9, 2018 – Friday to Sunday – September 16, 2018 – Sunday – 1:00- 6:00 pm Starr Tours – Maryland Christmas th – 19 Annual Jenkintown Festival of the Arts Experience – with Jane Peters Estes – – Jenkintown Town Square – 301 Leedom Includes: Antietam Battlefield Memorial Street - Join us for Art, Music, Crafts, Food, Drink Illumination, Creche Exhibit at Hood College, and FUN! Del Val CWRT Preservation Committee will Motown Christmas Show, guided tour of Frederick, have a presence at the festival. Stop by to visit or to MD, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, help volunteer at our table. For information on the Jonathan Hager House, Museum of Frederick County festival http://www.jenkintown.net/events/jenkintown- History, South Mountain Heritage Society, and festival-of-the-arts-2/.... For information or to Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Exhibit (hundreds of volunteer at the Del Val table – even for an hour or themed trees!). Accommodations in Frederick, MD, two – see any member of the preservation committee includes 4 meals. $529pp/dbl – Note: The Antietam or contact Paula Gidjunis at [email protected]. Illumination is subject to cancellation if it rains.But Please put “Jenkintown Arts Festival” in the subject there is a lot of history in the rest of the tour! line.

September 21-23, 2018 – Friday to Sunday – Starr Tours – Civil War Trails: Causes & Conflicts - NEW – with Jane Peters Estes – Tour includes transportation, lodging, 3 meals (2

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website: https://www.battlefields.org/support- preserving-americas-battlefields-act

By Paula Gidjunis, You can also contact your Congressional Preservation Committee Chair Representative on line or call them. You can

find who that person is here:

https://www.house.gov/representatives/find- FUND-RAISING HELP NEEDED your-representative

The Preservation Committee can use some help at our next event at the Jenkintown Arts Festival on Sunday, September 16th from noon to 6 pm. NEW AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST Even if you can just volunteer for a couple of CAMPAIGN hours, it would be most appreciated. See any member of the preservation committee at a You can now save two battlefields for the price meeting or email me at [email protected]. of one. Yorktown, Va. is both a Revolutionary Please put “Jenkintown Arts Festival” in the and Civil War battlefield. You can save 50 subject line. Thank you. important acres at Yorktown with an incredible $76 to $1 donated. Yes, for every dollar you contribute to this campaign, it will be matched FALL CLEANUP (SAVE THE DATE) with an additional $76.00. https://www.battlefields.org/give/save- Our Gettysburg fall cleanup is scheduled for battlefields/save-yorktown November 3, 2018. Consider spending a fun day in Gettysburg with your fellow round table EAST WOODS IN NPS CONTROL members. Signup sheets will be passed around at the meetings in the fall. Save Historic Antietam Foundation (SHAF) President Tom Clemens announced that as of FEDERAL BATTLEFIELD LAND June 27th the East Woods has been officially ACQUISITION GRANTS PROGRAM transferred to the National Park Service. This 5- acre property was purchased in 2016. In The federal Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants additional to funds provided by SHAF, they Program remains one of the most successful spent an additional $23,000 to demolish the historic land preservation tools in American buildings there and to restore the land to its history. It is a major resource used by the war-time appearance. http://shaf.org/ American Battlefield Trust (formerly known as the Civil War Trust). The matching grants program has been used to preserve more than THIS IS A BLAST! 30,000 acres of battlefield. The bipartisan Preserving America’s Battlefields Act (H.R. There was a recent firing of an Experimental 6108) which was introduced by U.S. 1839 10" Seacoast Howitzer. This is the first fire Congressperson Jody Hice of Georgia on 6-14- of this experimental 10" Seacoast Howitzer since 18, funds this program up to $20 million a year its initial testing in 1840. It was shot with 6 and includes provisions to enable nonprofit pounds of black powder (max load 25 pounds). groups like the American Battlefield Trust (ABT) Check it out here: to restore and interpret battlefield sites. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pYykIjI The ABT is asking for your help in contacting Wzc&feature=share your House Representative to support passage of this bill. They have made it easy to do at this

“Collateral Damage”? What an plan was not only to kill Lincoln but his co- conspirators were supposed to kill, at a Unfortunate and Inadequate minimum, Vice President Andrew Johnson and Phrase!! Secretary of State William Seward. By Larry Vogel, Senior Contributor The person who suffered the most as the The best part of the June meeting of the result of Lincoln’s assassination, of course, Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table was was his wife Mary Todd Lincoln. She was seeing Vice President Jerry Carrier there, as sitting next to the President, literally holding he has been out of commission for a while due on to him as he was gunned down. Up to this to health issues. Jerry sent along his thanks point she had already endured the deaths of to all in attendance who sent him well wishes two of hers sons, Eddie in 1850 and Willie in while he was convalescing, and he also gave 1862. Her son Tad died in 1871. In 1876 her kudos to the U. S. Postal Service who son Robert had her committed to a mental managed to get all the cards to him even institution. She managed to leave the mental though he was at his daughter’s house and institution, but she died a lonely death in many of the cards were mis-addressed. 1882, in her sister’s house, ironically the same house in which she and Abraham got married Jerry then introduced the main speaker who in 1841. also happens to be the Round Table President Hugh Boyle who was speaking on “what else”, The second person or rather family that Abraham Lincoln. Actually though the real arguably suffered the most due to the events subject was not Abraham Lincoln, but the of April 14, 1865, was the Seward Family. shattered lives of others due to the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. John Wilkes Booth had assigned Lewis Powell the task of killing Seward, who was already bed-ridden after suffering a carriage accident earlier in the week. Powell gained entry into the house under the guise of delivering medicine to Seward. Before getting into Seward’s room, Powell was confronted by Seward’s son Frederick, whom he pistol whipped after his gun misfired. Powell then manhandled Seward’s daughter, and stabbed Seward many times in the face and neck. Ironically Seward was saved by the straps and leather he was confined with due to his injury. Hugh Boyle, Lincoln Scholar Extraordinaire Although everybody injured at the Seward Before getting into the details of the home eventually got better, Seward’s wife collateral damage that the assassination Frances and his daughter died shortly caused, Hugh gave us the plan of John Wilkes thereafter, partly due to the stress involved Booth to “decapitate the government”. His by that night. 8

Also in the theater box with the Lincolns that From Under Lincoln’s Hat fateful night were Henry Rathbone and his fiancé Clara Harris, who were not the first By Hugh Boyle choice to join the Lincolns. The Grants (Ulysses and Julia) were amongst others who The Forgotten Man, had declined the Lincolns' invitation. Charles Forbes

On the night that Abraham Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theater, Charles Forbes, a White House messenger, was sitting outside of the box where Lincoln was watching the show. John Wilkes Booth came up to him and presented him with a card. Forbes read the card, and then let Booth into the box. The rest is history. Historians have asked for years what was on that card and why Forbes let Booth pass. Much attention went Jerry Carrier with High Boyle to John F. Parker, the Washington police officer assigned to the theater that night. Parker spent During the assassination attempt Henry’s much of the night drinking at Taltavul’s Star Saloon next door. right arm was slashed by a dagger. Although this wound healed, Henry’s mental health deteriorated over the years, due to his inability to save the president. This all came to a head when in December 1883 in Germany, where the Rathbones had re-located with their children, Henry attacked his children and killed his wife in the fit of madness. As well as trying to kill himself.

Charles Forbes Hugh then mentioned many other names of people who were affected by the The answer to the question is the police did not assassination, including but not limited to ask Forbes and he did not testify at the trial later. James Lane, Preston King, Edwin Booth, Laura He was just forgotten. Forbes did later press Keene, the Surratt Family (John, Anna, and charges against Parker for not doing his duty that night, but nothing happened to Parker. Mary), Adelle Douglas, Andrew Johnson and the Peterson Family, in whose house Abraham Forbes was involved in another incident with the Lincoln died. Lincolns. He was the coach driver on July 3, 1863 when Mary Lincoln had a carriage A lively question and answer session was held accident. before the enjoyable evening came to an end.

storm came up. They did not know what to do or The how big the storm would be because the weather reports from Pearl were inconclusive. So, without knowing it the Admiral sailed his fleet into the teeth of a Typhoon. It had winds of 142 miles per Book hour, and would soon have waves up to 100 feet. Even those large ships were no match for this Nook gigantic storm. They could not get out of the storm and the aircraft carriers listed so badly that they had 146 planes wash overboard. Three ships were By Hugh Boyle, Book Editor just washed under by the storm. Men on many ships were washed overboard – more than 900 men went into the sea, and only 96 were saved, despite Why?? the heroic effort by Captain Henry Lee Plage of the USS Tabberer. Halsey had a fear that with his The question is, “Why do we read so much?” There ships so vulnerable, the Japanese would attack with are so many things today that we can do to occupy kamikazes, but they did not. out time – movies, television, computers and much, much more, but we curl up with a good book and eat The authors Bob Drury and Tom Clavin describe up all the words. Is it that we are that curious or that the event fully, along with the plight of the men. starved for information? I have to say it is a desire to Some would drown and, yes, some were eaten by know, because I realize that there is so much I don’t sharks. The book is interesting and compelling know and so much I will never know. When I am reading and one you cannot put down. It is a great reading, and I come across something that I find story of courage, heroinism, dedication and loyalty. interesting and informative, I find myself rereading that part again, and then I stop and think about what I Published by Atlantic Monthly Press, 2006; 322 just read. My reading will never end because there is pages; available from Amazon new & used from so much I want to know. My night table will attest to $1.10,in hardback, paperback, Kindle, audio CD that because the stack gets higher and higher. But and audiobook that’s me. So, why do you read? [Editor’s Note – if you find this topic of interest,

and want to hear more about Admiral Halsey, you Halsey's Typhoon: The True Story might want to consider attending Matt Bruce’s of a Fighting Admiral, an Epic class at the Military History Institute on August 1 entitled Expensive Victory in Leyte Gulf, or Storm, and an Untold Rescue “Bull’s Run”. A combined Army-Navy operation By Bob Drury and Tom Clavin in October 1944 culminated in perhaps the most important Allied victory in the Pacific Theater, Reviewed by Hugh Boyle, despite an ill-advised wild-goose chase by U.S. Book Nook Editor Admiral “Bull” Halsey. The triumph enabled General Douglas MacArthur to declare on Dec. 25: “I have returned.” - details on the class can be In December 1944 General found on page 17 of this newsletter.] McArthur landed in The Philippines and honored his famous words “I shall return”. To do so he needed the fleet of Admiral Halsey to support him. Halsey was moving his fleet into position and planning to refuel all ships when a 10

somewhere there is a point that three states come together (Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland) and I wanted to stand on that point, but alas, the park ranger told me I Civil War Trails would have to stand in the river to do that. by Larry Vogel, Senior Contributor Photos courtesy of Judy Folan

On one of the few dry weekends in the spring of 2018, I headed out on a Friday morning with my sister and dad to Civil War sites, courtesy of Starr Tours hosted by Jane Peters Estes.

Jane created the “Civil War Trails” series of tours back in 2010, and I have been on almost all of them. The first tour of the series in 2010 was a three day trip to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, Sharpsburg, Maryland (the site of the Battle of Antietam), and Gettysburg. The Confluence

This tour was brought back for the 2018 It turned out to be a very warm day, and touring season. Also on the trip were DelVal Harpers Ferry is very hilly, so as it turns out members Judy Folan and Carol Ingald. Also the couple of hours we were there was just travelling with us were two former co-workers about right. Afterwards we headed to of mine and their families and at least a Frederick, Maryland, our hotel home for the dozen other acquaintances I have made on trip. Dinner was on our own, but the choices other of Jane’s tours. She has quite a were ample. My family went to a sports bar, following which guarantees Starr Tours and I got a “Philly” Cheese Steak in Maryland, repeat customers. which was funny, because the week before I got a “Philly” Cheese Steak in Cooperstown, The first day was mostly a travel day, though NY, and I very rarely get one at home. after lunch we managed to squeeze a couple of hours touring Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Harpers Ferry was the site of a United States Armory made famous by John Brown’s raid in 1859. The actual site of the Armory was chosen by George Washington in 1792.

Cavalry Re-enactor

Saturday morning, bright and early we headed out to the Antietam Visitors Center, Harpers Ferry where waiting to greet us (and everybody else) was a Cavalry re-enactor. Harpers Ferry is at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. I knew that

We watched the thirty minute video on the were not exactly her idea of good “after lunch” battle at the visitor’s center and then headed entertainment. out with a very knowledgeable tour guide. We made stops at the Sunken Road and the That night we had dinner at Brewers Alley Burnside Bridge. and Jane showed up dressed to the hilt in her Civil War attire, petticoats and all.

Burnside Bridge

Larry, Jane, Judy and Carol

Finally on Sunday Morning we said goodbye to Frederick and headed to Gettysburg. Once again we had a very knowledgeable tour guide who took us all over, letting us depart the bus at the Peace Light Memorial and Little Round Top. After a short visit to the Gettysburg visitor center we headed home.

Antietam’s Sunken Road

After a great tour we headed back to Frederick for lunch and an afternoon visit to the National Civil War Medicine Museum. I have been there before many times, and knew what to expect. My dad however did not care to go in as he gets a little squeamish over medical stuff, so he decided to do a walk about in Frederick. I was a little concerned, but as we were there just last fall, I figured he could not get lost. As it turns out he found a “Toy Train Museum”, which was right up his alley, so it turned out OK. Peace Light Memorial

So after a half hour or so in the museum I noticed my sister had disappeared. I then got I am already looking forward to next year’s a text that she had to leave, as the displays Civil War Trails Tour with my family.

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Thousands died from disease, cold and starvation. The National Trail of Tears Association estimates that about 2,000 died (one in six) in this forced march, and another My Take on American History 2,000 died within a year of the relocation from By Jack DeLong THEIR homes. In addition, the Government removed four other tribes, the Choctaw, Recently I had the opportunity – or necessity – Chickasaw, Seminole and Creek nation, over to comment on a statement made to me by various routes whose totaled length amounts to someone who stated that Lt. Col. George 5,043 miles across the states of Georgia, Armstong Custer led the 7th Cavalry west to get Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas the “wild Indians” back on the reservations that and Oklahoma. had been given to them in North and South Dakota.

The key phrase for me here was the designation of “wild Indians”. Well, in my opinion, should we look at American history, there are always two sides to every story.

Briefly, let’s look at a horrific chapter in American history. In 1830 Congress passed the

Indian Removal Act which was signed by For the Plains Indians, accustomed to their President Andrew Jackson, and also the Treaty freedom, life on a United States reservation was of New Echota which governed how the Native horrible, everything they cherished was taken Americans would be forcefully removed from away. The Government that administered these their homeland. The Cherokee refused to be reservations stole about – well look at it this relocated from their ancestral home, Georgia, so way, for every two months of support, after the in May of 1838, soldiers began forcing families US Government administrators stole their share, from their homes. only two weeks went to the Indians that were

forced onto the reservations. In addition, in order to completely destroy their way of life – much of which depended on the American Bison, misnamed the buffalo – the bison herds were slaughtered by the millions. By the end of the 1800's, no more than a handful remained, almost completely exterminated as a species.

Essentially, one man came to save those few, but that is another story. He mounted several and displayed them in the Smithsonian to bring In what became to be known as the Trail of attention to the plight of the bison. Tears, in 1838 and 1839, 12,000 Cherokee people, men, women and children were I respect the Indians who fought back to uprooted and traveled by foot, horse and wagon preserve their heritage, against overwhelming for over 800 miles, in 13 detachments to odds, essentially no chance when every force of Oklahoma.

the government is out to destroy you. Incidentally, the Supreme Court overruled WHERE AM I??? Jackson whose response was something like Local? Or Not Really? this: "how big is their army?" So it was done. If it were you who saw your way of life being Numerous prominent statues representing our taken away, living near starvation on a Native American heritage can be found in the city. reservation (was not every treaty signed by the But how many of us are familiar with them? And Government broken?), would you not fight do they really represent the native peoples who back? populated the Delaware Valley?

It is also ironic that history has forgotten that One fairly recent statue is one of the loudest voices for fair treatment of that of Lenni Lenape the Indians and of what was being taken from Chief Tamenend, with them was General Custer. He was so vocal that whom William Penn it almost cost him his army career. reportedly struck a treaty in 1683. For many years Tamenend was revered in this city. The statue contains quite a bit of WE NEED YOUR HELP! symbolism that is worth a thorough study. Are you Case Shot & Canister is 100% written familiar with it? and produced by the members of the Delaware Valley CWRT! A second, perhaps more well-known, statue purports to represent Lenape Chief Tedyuscung th Therefore, member contributions to this who lived in the early 18 century. The problem newsletter are always welcome. with this statue is that the figure portrayed in this statue wears the headdress of a Plains Indian, is First-time authors encouraged!!! located on what is called a “Council Rock” where

reportedly the Lenape We are always in need of book reviews, did not live, and was short articles, informative pieces, intended to honor the newsy items and opinion pieces. Lenape people, not an individual. This Book reviews and short articles of monument can be 600-800 words are especially desired. found on W Valley Green Road in Please send as a Word document to Wissahickon Valley [email protected] Park. While not a true representation of the Thank you! native Lenni Lenape, the intent to memorialize them can be commended.

The statue of Tamenend, an authentic local Lenape, in case you don’t recognize it, can be found at Front & Market Streets in Old City. 14

(pictured right) was OFF THE WALL killed at the Battle of

Point Pleasant, Another Entry From the defending the treaty “We Can Find a Civil War Connection that had promised the land to his people. in Just About Anything”

School of Thought – At the age of 15, our hero "Shooting Star" The Power of a Name was recognized as a fighter among his people and became their chief. During the early 1800s, by Bernice Kaplan he attempted to organize a confederation of tribes to resist white settlement, while also I have always wished I had a distinctive middle striving to avoid warfare. The purpose of the name. For that matter, I wish I had a middle Pan-Indian Confederation, which lasted between name. Because my mom was so ill when she gave 1807 to 1813 was to allow the birth to me, the middle name never became part participating tribes to of my identity. maintain their lands and culture. Our hero and his The thought of writing an article about middle brother Tenskwatawa names occurred to me as I was reading about a (pictured right), who was famous Union Civil War General in a recent a prominent Native edition of Cobblestone Magazine. By the way, I American religious leader, last wrote about this general while he was doing known as "the prophet", well and thriving at the Sequoia National Park in were the leaders of the California.* confederation.

In any case, towards the latter part of the When the United States declared war on Great magazine's "tribute" to the general, Dr. Dennis Britain on June 1, 1812 – the beginning of the Denenberg, a historian who loves "real heroes," War of 1812 – it caused a split wrote an article about a Shawnee Leader who in the allegiances among the was Dr. D's Mystery Hero of the month. different tribes. Our hero "Shooting Star" (pictured According to Dr. D. it was very common in the left), who fought with the early history of the United States to name a British, was killed at the child after a famous or popular individual. The Battle of Thames in hero who Dr. D. singled out in this edition was October 1813, and the born on March 9, 1768, shortly after a bright surviving Native Americans meteor appeared in the sky over Ohio. As a withdrew from the result, the child's name in English means confederation. "shooting star." According to Dr. Denenberg, fame and His childhood years in present day Columbus, admiration for this great Shawnee leader Ohio were fraught with frequent turbulence. As continued to grow. “That's why William T. the European settlers were encroaching in their Sherman ended up with this month's mystery lands, the Shawnee people fought them hero's name as his middle name." vigorously. In 1774 his father Puckeshinwa

And, we all can shout it out at the count of Philadelphia Inquirer - July 6, 1865 - three – 1, 2, and 3 – TECUMSEH!!! General Meade’s Residence on the *As for the reference I made above to General 4th of July Sherman doing well and thriving at the Sequoia Shared by Andy Waskie National Park, I was referring to the article GENERAL SEQUOIADENDRON GIGANTEUM At the corner of 19th Street and Delancey Place, which appeared in the May 2017 edition of our Meade’s House was handsomely decorated. From newsletter. The General Sherman tree is the its windows floated large silk flags of various world's largest tree and resides at Sequoia colors, all representing the distinctive flags of the National Park. three branches of the armed forces: Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry. Lest we forget, I did begin this article by lamenting my not having a middle name.

The doors and roof were also tastefully draped with large national flags, the whole presenting a striking appearance. In the evening the house was handsomely illuminated with many-hued candles, and attracted considerable attention.

The street in the vicinity was crowded during the

early part of the evening. In the same way, a Over the decades I have given thought to many handsome display of over 200 pieces of fireworks female writers, actors, politicians, travelers, was made by the youthful portion of the residents activists, but nothing really caught my fancy of the neighborhood, under the leadership of until my contact with the imposing statue of Master William Whitney Lewis. The patriotic Sakakawea (Sacagawea) adjacent to the capitol celebration and all the day in this locality was kept building in Bismarck, North Dakota. Mind you, I up until a late hour. was certainly familiar with the history of this beautiful, strong Shoshone Indian woman. But seeing her close up with her infant son strapped to her back was the answer to all of my middle name quests. This is the first time I am proudly signing my name as Bernice Sakakawea Kaplan.

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Civil War & Military CIVIL WAR INSTITUTE SUMMER SEMESTER CLASSES History Institutes **“Old Fuss and Feathers”: America’s Greatest The Civil War Institute is a personal enrichment General – NEW – 2 hrs – During his 53 program that brings courses in Civil War History to years of service, Virginia native the Delaware Valley in a non-stress, adult Winfield Scott was the hero of the environment at Manor College. All of the courses in War of 1812, the guiding genius the program are taught by instructors who are behind America’s victory over Mexico, members of the DelVal CWRT. and the Army’s general-in-chief for 20 years! By the time of the Civil War, the Classes may be taken individually or as part of a 75-year-old Scott was too frail – and overweight – to certificate program. Completion of four core courses lead troops in the field, but before his retirement in (each 4 weeks/8 hours), plus any 24 hours of 1861, he devised the strategy that ultimately won electives are required to receive the certificate. the war. Instructor: Jerry Carrier For those who haven’t been at the College for a Fee: $30 – Monday, July 23 while, it is worth noting that the Academic Building, also known as the Mother of Perpetual Help Building, is equipped with an elevator. The **Congressman Lincoln – NEW – 2 hrs – Abraham classrooms are air-conditioned, and the old student Lincoln spent two years in the U.S. desks have been replaced with more comfortable House of Representatives from adult chairs, desks and tables. There is also a ramp 1847 to 1849. It was a true learning from the parking lot to the Academic Building. experience for young Abe. His stance against the Mexican War and In addition to classes in our Civil War Institute at President Polk was his outstanding Manor College, we are now offering classes in the moment. His time in the Capitol and Military History Institute. These classes cover all the friends he made were stepping stones for his periods of history, both American and World History, return to Washington in 1861 as President. from ancient to modern times. Instructor: Hugh Boyle Fee: $30 – Thursday, August 16 As students of the Civil War we have long regretted that we will never have the opportunity to hear first- hand accounts of their experiences. Now, we are in a MILITARY HISTORY INSTITUTE similar era where each day we lose more and more SUMMER SEMESTER of the veterans of the “Greatest Generation”. We feel it is our duty and our privilege to keep alive their Expensive Victory in Leyte Gulf, or “Bull’s Run” – deeds and their memories through our Military NEW – 2 hrs – A combined Army- History Institute. We would love to have your Navy operation in October 1944 support. And bring along a friend or colleague! culminated in perhaps the most important Allied victory in the Manor College is located at 700 Fox Chase Road in Pacific Theater, despite an ill- Jenkintown, PA. Call (215) 884-2218 to register or for advised wild-goose chase by U.S. an application for the certificate program, or online Admiral “Bull” Halsey. The http://manor.edu/academics/adult-continuing- triumph enabled General Douglas education/civil-war-institute/ MacArthur to declare on Dec. 25: “I have returned.” Class hours are 6:30 till 8:30 pm. Instructor: Matt Bruce, Ph.D. * Indicates Core Course Fee: $30 – Wednesday, August 1 ** Indicates Elective Course/Seminar

“I will wash your mouth out with soap ” By Walt Lafty

I wonder how many readers heard that as a child. Or, how many times have you threatened your own kid with those words? Perhaps some readers may have actually had their mouths washed out with soap.

Well, apparently some Civil War soldiers and or civilians during that era may have had their mouths washed with soap, but not as any form of punishment.

One of my stops on a recent trip I took was to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland. While there were many surprises (i.e. information I learned), one of the more surprising had to do with dentistry in that time period. I was quite surprised to see the following display:

Courtesy of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine

One of the items there under “Would you use it today?” involved mouthwash. According to that information, mouthwash during the Civil War was made up of a mixture of ” White castile soap, alcohol, honey, and perfume”. Then it also describes the ingredients of dental powder. That was made of “powdered chalk, powdered myrrh, powdered orris root, and powdered red chalk”. All I could think of was Yuk.

Later while driving home, I wondered if there was any connection between that era’s mouth wash as being the origin of the threatening saying to children.

The next day after getting home from my three day trip, I did a little research to find a connection. It just seemed logical to me that they were related. I was disappointed to not find one. It doesn’t mean there is not a connection but as of now I came up empty. Maybe when I get some time I’ll search again but for now you’ll just have to “hold (or don’t hold) your breath”.

physical fitness program augmented with ten-mile A MILITARY MEMORY runs and countless push-ups. To start you never walk while in Jump School. Everything is double Interesting Tidbits in Military time. Then we have “tower week!” To start you History – First Combat Jump are suspended in a harness for what seems like a least a week. Some recruits refer to this apparatus by Mike Cavanaugh as the “Hanging Agony”. This qualifies you for the thirty-four-foot tower. You stand at the door just like an airplane. You jump and drop about 16 feet until a strap catches you. Riding down the steel cable you hit a trip wire and drop another ten to fifteen feet to the ground. Surviving that, you advance to the famous 250-foot tower. While you This account is a composite of the experiences of are being constantly World War II paratroopers and myself, as a harangued by Jump School member of the 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion, cadre, you’re practicing 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell, KY your Parachute Landing 1956-1959. Falls (PLF), more push-ups

and practicing Paratroopers have heard this remark many maneuvering and control times: Why would you want to jump out of a of your parachute; and, perfectly good airplane? Let’s take this question a yes, more push-ups. step further. Why would you jump from an airplane carrying well over a hundred pounds of 34-foot tower equipment? Better yet, along with your M-1 rifle, you are assigned to jump carrying a .30 caliber To graduate, you must make five jumps to qualify machine gun. And after landing, you have to for your jump wings. If you change your mind, or locate the man carrying the tripod and ammo or can’t take it anymore, you may quit and return to the gun is worthless. Let’s add this scenario; your a “straight leg” unit (Airborne term for a pair of plane is flying through a thick cloud bank. The pants with a crease, as opposed to those “baggy pilot, fearing a mid-air collision, drops out of pants”). If you are listed on a jump manifest and formation. But now he must contend with flak and want to quit, that could be a problem. You could anti-aircraft tracer fire, along with enemy fighters be court-martialed, especially if it’s a scheduled reported to be very active in the area lately. combat mission. Rumor has it that three men quit Climbing to 1,500 feet or more, he banks sharply this morning right before takeoff. Their fate is to the left and then drop down to less than 400 unknown. I would advise them not to make the feet (studies show that it takes a drop of 300 feet military a career choice! before a parachute opens fully). Luckily for us, our pilot is a veteran flyer and has a top-notch crew. Men do different things to while away the hours Despite the bullet holes and shrapnel, he is able to on the trip to the drop zone. Most, like myself, try bring the craft under control leveling off at 600 to get some sleep. Some are reading the same feet. Now the jumpmaster must do his job. This is letters from home over and over again. If you are our first combat jump and despite outward trying to engage in conversation, it is almost appearances, anyone who says they are not impossible with the roar of the C-47’s engines. nervous or down-right scared is a damn liar! When the jumpmaster opens the doors, the noise

level increases two-fold and that gets everyone’s When volunteering for the Airborne you must first attention. Now all eyes are fixed on the red light. complete Jump School. This is a mercilessly Despite the noise, you can still hear the

jumpmaster yell, Stand up! It’s a real struggle sight as your chute fully blossoms. You’re really getting on your feet, but you make it with help happy you paid attention in the parachute packing from your buddies. Hook up! “D” rings are class. (The T-7 was the standard parachute used in attached to the steel cable. Check your equipment World War II. It has a twenty-eight-foot canopy. and count off! This you have done countless times Post- war, the T-10 was developed. It had a slower in jump school and practice flights. 16 OK, 15 OK, decent and a less severe opening shock). 14 OK, and so on. You carefully check the chute of the man in front of you. You make sure his D-ring is fully closed and attached to the cable properly. You will notice in photographs of paratroopers standing in the door, they have a death grip on that “D” ring. (That’s why experienced jumpers are uncomfortable with tail-gate jumps. You must release the “D” ring and run several feet down the ramp and off into space). Next you check his static line to be sure it’s free of any hang-ups? Remember, his life is in your hands, like your life is in his. If everything is OK, you gave him a tap on the right shoulder. Being the last man in the stick, Loading plane you turn around and the man in front of you does your equipment check. Looking down, you remember in the pre-jump

briefing that the Germans flooded the area the day before. Is it a body of water or paved highway? Both not the best for a good PLF! If it’s water, carrying all this equipment, there is no way you are going to stay afloat. And being a night drop just adds to the problem. Now the entire area is ablaze with ground and anti-aircraft fire. The enemy can see you hanging helpless in the sky and there’s not much you can do about it. It’s only seconds, but it feels like you are hanging in the air forever. Finally, you hit the ground with a grunt.

Equipment check

The green light flashes on and almost instantly the jumpmaster yells “GO!” The first man on each side leaps into space as if they are sucked out of the airplane. Being the last man in the stick, you’re literally running when you reach the door. You exit cleanly with the jumpmaster right behind you. Except for the air crew, the plane is now empty. So far, all of these maneuvers were pounded into your head in jump school. You now count, one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, the opening shock hits you like a sucker punch in the st gut. Some say it feels like your skeleton is coming Ike addresses members of the 101 Airborne apart. Recovering, you marvel at the beautiful 20

First thing you check for is broken bones. You did it’s that gold star on my jump wings that I will hear something snap. With a sigh of relief, it’s treasure most. There will probably be more your M-1 rifle broken in two. Not to worry, you’re combat jumps before this war is over, and I confident you will be able to pick one up soon. wouldn’t miss it for the world! You quickly gather your chute and any equipment that didn’t come loose when your chute opened. Mike’s Notes: Reading everything I can get my German fire is increasing and it seems to be hands on over the years pertaining to airborne coming closer. operations, the above account is not a typical combat jump. Airborne jumps are chaotic to say You have no idea where you are or where your the least and very dangerous. High casualties, lost platoon is. You do see figures moving about, but leaders, lost equipment, etc. are the norm. It was are they friend or foe? Should I use the cricket? Is not unusual to be dropped miles from your it two clicks or just one for id? (It is widely intendent drop zone. Even Mother Nature can be believed that the 101st Airborne Division was the your enemy. In a 101st Airborne Division training only unit issued crickets. True, but many 82nd exercise at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in April 1958, troopers had procured their own). I hear a voice. Is five paratroopers were dragged to death and 155 it German or American? It’s coming from the other were injured when unpredicted sudden gusts of side of the hedgerows. It’s our platoon leader! I wind swept the drop zone. “Sure it is sad,” said would know that booming voice anywhere. one of the injured sergeants, “but we are all volunteers.” MG William Westmoreland, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, added, “It’s part of the business we’re in.”

Suggested Reading:  Atkinson, Rick The Day of Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943 - 1944. Henry Holt, 2007. Paratrooper wearing  Blair, Clay Ridgway’s Paratroopers: The cricket, and enlargement American Airborne in World War II. The Dial Press, 1985.  Gavin, James M. On to Berlin. Viking Press, Catching up with the group and, after a few hand- 1978. shakes and pats on the back, we are on the move  Nordhyke, Phil Four Stars of Valor, The Combat to our first objective. We are picking up more and History of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment more troopers along the way. Some are 101st in World War II. Zenith Press, St. Paul, MN, Airborne. I wonder how far off the drop zone they 2006. were dropped? The Germans, realizing they are  Rapport, Leonard and Arthur Norwood, Jr. now outnumbered, ceased fire and begin to pull Rendezvous with Destiny: History of the 101st back. With the help of one of our engineer Airborne Division. explosive experts, we broke through the  Ryan, Cornelius The Longest Day. Simon and hedgerows. On the other side we come across Schuster, 1959. some dead Germans. I realized that this was the  Trez, Michel De The Legendary Cricket of D-Day. first time I had seen a dead person. But I’m sure I D-Day Publishing, 2007. would see many more dead Germans, and, unfortunately, many Americans. While moving I Next Time: Part Two “Captain George B. Wood – have to smile to myself; I just parachuted out of an 4 Star Chaplain airplane, in the dead of night, under intense enemy fire, and lived to tell about it. It’s not only the extra fifty bucks a month, or the jump boots,

Detail of Washington Memorial Fountain, Eakins Oval http://www.thedressat50.com/philly-museums-rodin-fine-art-and-dr-albert-barnes/

Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table 3201 Longshore Avenue Philadelphia PA 19149-2025

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