Sons of Confederate Veterans Army of Northern Virginia Maryland Division Camp #1398

Colonel William Norris Sons of Confederate Veterans July 2012 The Ram Arkansas

Compatriot Robert Jones gave a wonderful talk on the history of the CSS Arkansas. It took months to build, and lasted one There will not be day in combat…and what an exciting day that was! a meeting on Tuesday, July3. Soon after the secession of Tennessee, efforts were made to con- The next regular struct vessels for war purposes, and at Memphis were commenced meeting is two ironclad rams, the Arkansas and the Tennessee. Upon the fall scheduled of Memphis the latter vessel was burned, but the Arkansas was for Tuesday carried by her commander, Capt. Charles H. McBlair, to the Yazoo Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. River. Captain McBlair was relieved of command by Lieut. Isaac N. Brown, who by extraordinary and unparalleled exertions got her ready for service by July 1862. She was indifferently armored, but had a formidable battery, viz., two 8-inch columbiads, two 9-inch Dahlgren guns, four 6-inch rifles and two smoothbore 32-pounders. She drew 14 feet of water and had a maximum speed of six knots. She was admirably officered with Lieuts. H. K. Stevens, J. Grimball, See Inside A.D. Wharton, C. W. Read, A. Barbot and George W. Gift; Surg. H. Washington, Asst. Surg. C. M. Morfit, Asst. Paymaster Richard Tay- 150th Anniversary lor; Engineers City, Covert, Jackson, Brown, Doland, Dupuy and of the Battle of Gettis; Acting Masters Phillips and Milliken; Midshipmen Bacot, Fredericksburg 4 Scales and Tyler; Gunner Travers and Master's Ma- Guest Speaker 7 te Wilson, with Messrs. Shacklette, Gilmore, Brady and Hodges as pi- Adjutant lots, and a crew of 200 Activities 7 men, principally soldiers and river men. Upon con- sultation with General Honoring Maryland’s Real Van Dorn, commanding Son 8 Yazoo River: July 15, 1862 CSS Arkansas, USS Carondelet, USS Tyler and USS Queen of the West Continued on page 2 Page 2 Sons of Confederate Veterans

The Ram Arkansas Continued from page 1 at Vicksburg in the summer of 1862, Captain Brown deter- mined to proceed in the Arkansas to that city, distant by water about 50 miles. To do this he had to pass the vessels of Admi- ral Farragut and Flag-Officer Davis, and the rams of Colonel Ellet. These vessels were at anchor in the Mississippi, three miles below the mouth of the Yazoo, and among them were six ironclads, seven rams and 10 large ships of war. On the morn- ing of July 15, 1862, Captain Brown started in the Arkansas for Vicksburg. About six miles from the mouth of the Yazoo River he was met by the ironclad Carondelet, Captain Walker; the gunboat Tyler, Lieutenant Commanding Gwinn, and the ram Queen of the West. All three of these ves- sels turned, and a running fight ensued. The ram made a straight wake, but the other two fought well. The Tyler was too weak to encounter the Arkansas, though her commander, Gwinn, did all that could be expected of him. The Arkansas Lieutenant bestowed most of her attention to the ironclad Carondelet, kill- Isaac N. Brown ing and wounding many of her men, and finally driving her into shoal water. Captain Brown asserted that she lowered her colors; this Captain Walker denied, but there is no doubt that the Arkansas would have made a prize of her could she have spared the time to stop, which she could not. In the encounter with the Carondelet, Captain Brown was badly wounded and two of his pilots were killed. One was the Yazoo River pilot who, as they were carrying him below, had the courage and devotion to exclaim with his dying breath, "Keep in the middle of the river!" The Arkansas' smokestack was so riddled that she could hardly make more than one knot per hour when she entered the Mississippi; but this, with the current of the river, enabled her to run the gauntlet of Farragut's fleet.

Capt. A. T. Mahan says: Captain The ram [Arkansas] now followed the Tyler, which had kept up her fire and remained within range, losing many of her peo- A.T. Mahan ple, killed and wounded. The enemy was seen to be pumping a heavy stream of water both in the Yazoo and the Mississippi, and her smokestack had been so pierced by shot as to reduce her speed to a little over a knot an hour, at which rate, aided by a favoring current, she passed through the two fleets. Having Continued on page 3 PageSons 3of Confederate Veterans Page 3

The Ram Arkansas Continued from page 2 no faith in her coming down, the vessels were found wholly unprepared to attack; only one, the ram General Bragg, had steam, and her commander unfortunately waited for orders to act in such an emergency.... She [the Arkansas] fought her way boldly through, passing between the vessels of war and the transports, firing and receiving the fire of each as she went by, most of the projectiles bounding harmlessly from her sides; but two 11-inch shells came [went] through, killing many and setting on fire the cotton backing. On the other hand the Lancaster, of the ram fleet, which made a move toward her, got a shot in the mud receiver which disabled her, scalding many of her people, two of them fatally. The whole affair with the fleets lasted but a few minutes, and the Arkansas, having passed out of range, found refuge under the Vicksburg bat- teries. The two flag-officers [Farragut and Davis] were much mortified at the success of this daring act, due as it was to the unprepared state of the fleets; and Farragut in- stantly determined to follow her down and attempt to destroy her as he ran by.

Colonel Scharf says in his history: “The Federal line was now forced, and the Ar- kansas emerged from the volcano of flame and smoke, from an hour's horizontal iron hail of every description, from 32 to 200 pounders, hurled by a fleet of about 40 for- midable war vessels—shattered, bleeding, triumphant!... They were welcomed by the patriotic shouts of the army at Vicksburg, and the siege of that city was virtually raised.” This last assertion may be disputed. The loss in the Federal fleet on this occasion was, according to Captain Mahan, 13 killed, 34 wounded and 10 missing. Captain Brown reported his loss as 10 killed and 15 badly wounded. The New York Herald made the loss in the Federal fleet 42 killed and 69 wounded. On July 22nd the United States ironclad Essex and ram Queen of the West made an attack on the Arkansas as she lay at the wharf at Vicksburg. They were driven off with loss. The Arkansas at the time had but 41 men on board. On the 3d of August the Arkansas, under the command of Lieut. H. K. Stevens, Captain Brown being on shore sick, left Vicksburg to co-operate with General Breckinridge in an attack upon Baton Rouge. On the way her ma- chinery occasioned trouble, and finally broke down altogether. Lieutenant Ste- vens then burned her to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy, the officers and crew escaping, And so end- ed the Arkansas.

Source: The Confederate Military History, Volume 12, Chapter VIII CSS Arkansas by R.G. Sherrett Page 4 Sons of Confederate Veterans

2012 Field Trip & Tour In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Fredericksburg, Va. Aug. 11, 2012

You are invited to our fourth summer field trip to the Fredericksburg, Va., area and to the Fredericksburg National Military Park. Four major Civil War engagements (the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Chancellorsville Cam- paign, the Battle of the Wilderness and the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House) occurred in the area between 1862 and 1864 during the ’s campaigns to take the Confed- eracy’s capital in Richmond. Our tour this year features the first of these engagements— the Battle of Fredericksburg, which took place Monument to Richard Kirkland, 1865, between Dec. 11-15, 1862 (the Civil War’s only Fredericksburg. This sculpture depicts major engagement during the winter months). the well-known incident in Fredericks- This battle, in which General Lee valiantly burg where a Confederate soldier, Sar- defended the Confederate Capitol at Rich- gent Richard R. Kirkland, risked enemy mond against Northern incursion, included fire to bring water to the injured Union some of the most intense hand-to-hand and soldiers in front of Marye’s Heights. urban combat of the entire war. Join us on this exciting and informative guided field trip and tour with both on and off the field presentations and other events. The first head-to-head confrontation between Gen. Robert E. Lee and Maj. Gen. Am- brose Burnside, as army commander, occurred in the outskirts and within the city limits of Fredericksburg. The Union’s river crossing and futile frontal assaults on the fortified ridge, known as Mayre’s Heights behind and south of the city, is remembered as one of the most one-sided battles of the , with casualties more than twice as heavy and those suffered by the Confeder- ates. The southern flank produced roughly equal casualties (and five Metal of Honor re- cipients) but the northern flank was com- pletely lopsided. The Union suffered 12,653 casualties and the Confederates sustained 5,

Continued on page 5 Sons of Confederate Veterans Page 5

150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg Continued from page 4

377 casualties. Testament to the extent of the carnage and suffering during the battle was the story of a Confederate soldier, Richard Rowland Kirkland (later known as “The Angel of Marye’s Heights”) was noted for his bravery and the story of his humanitarian actions. Ap- palled by the suffering and cries for help, Kirkland gathered canteens and in broad daylight, without the benefit of a cease fire or flag of truce, provided water to numerous wounded lying on the battlefield. Our field trip will take place on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, using the following timetable:

Morning Travel. The morning is set aside for travel. Leaving Interstate I-95 (on the west side of Fredericksburg), turn east onto Plank Road/William Street/Blue and Gray Parkway (Exit 130A) onto Virginia Route #3 for less than +/-1.8 miles to the exit ramp to Lafayette Blvd. Turn north on Lafayette Blvd. and proceed +/-1.5 miles to the Fredericksburg Battle- field Visitor’s Center at 1013 Lafayette Blvd. Turn into the parking lot and look for the friend- ly faces of your compatriots. Car pool information and travel coordination arrangements from the Washington, D.C., area will be available through the contact listed below and may be sent to each registrant upon request.

11 a.m. Call to Muster. We will congregate at the Visitor’s Center located behind 1013 Lafa- yette Blvd. where we will assemble, visit the exhibits and bookstore, view a film presentation and enjoy our picnic lunch. Additional travel instructions and itinerary for the day’s activities and other information will be available as we assemble. • All participants must bring your own “box lunch,” including any drinks. We will “picnic” at the Visitor’s Center for lunch. Note that after we leave the VC area there will be no facilities to purchase food and incidentals.  Attire should include light, comfortable clothing (appropriate for the weather condi- tions) and sturdy footwear since there will be some moderate walking. Consider bringing extra water.

12:30 p.m. Driving and Walking Tour. We will launch into our guided drive and walking tour under the leadership of National Park Service historian Greg Mertz, who skillfully led our 2003, 2004 and 2008 tours of the area battlefields. During our tour of the Fredericksburg Bat- tlefield we will visit Howison Hill, Prospect Hill, Lee’s Headquarters, Federal breakthrough, Sunken Road and Mayre’s Heights. Gen. Robert E. Lee (aka, Dick Crozier) will present interesting sidelights.

5 p.m. Return to the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor’s Center. Enjoy a before dinner free-time period to rest, tour the VC’s bookstore and shop in historic downtown Fredericksburg.

6:30 p.m. Social/Happy Hour (cash bar) at the 200-year-old, historic landmark the Ristorante Renato (422 William St. in downtown Fredericksburg; 540/371-8228). Beginning at 6 p.m., there will be pre-dinner Civil War music (guitar and song) and interesting entertain- ment (Walt Whitman interpreter) will be provided for our education and enjoyment including

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150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg

Continued from page 5 the appearance of two generations of Stuarts—Col. Jeb Stuart IV and Jeb Stuart VI. There is ample parking both in the restaurant’s private lot and on nearby streets.

7:30 p.m. Dinner. Dinner entrée (Chicken Marsala or Linguini Primavera) with salad, rolls, dessert and beverage. Please contact us regarding any special dietary needs.

8:30 p.m. Featured Speaker: Once again the tireless Gregg Clemmer, noted Civil War histo- rian, author and past president of the MC-CWRT, will entertain and educate us with his new presentation, “Why the Civil War Still Lives,” where he tries to answer the question as to “what…compels us, indeed inspires us, to read the accounts, revisit the field and remember those who bequeathed to all future generations not only there sacrifice and tragedy, but their heritage and valor?”

2012 Fredericksburg Field Trip & Tour Reservation Form

PLEASE register me for the Fredericksburg Experience on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012

My Name:

Guests:

Address:

Contact me @: (o) (h) (c)

Choice of Entree: Total Amount Enclosed: [ ]Chicken Marsala _____persons@ $55 each = $______[ ] Linguini Primavera (vegetarian pasta)

• Make your reservations early. There is a limited number of reservation available on a first-come basis. • Make all checks payable to Fredericksburg 150 Committee and mail with completed Registration Form to: Fredericksburg 150 Committee, c/o Don Beck, 5704 Ridgeway Ave- nue, Rockville, MD 20851. • Registration deadline is Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. The cost for the event is $55 per person, which includes dinner and all Park fees and ex- penses. ALL net profit after expenses will be donated to the Fredericksburg Battlefield preservation fund and to other Civil War preservation groups. For transportation coordina- tion, questions to arrange carpooling, special meals or other questions, call Garry Laskin at 301/774-4496. Sons of Confederate Veterans Page 7

Guest Speaker

Award-winning author William Connery will speak at our August meeting on his book “Civil War Northern Virginia 1861.” He has recently received the prestigious Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medal for the book! Please see details at The History Press blog: http://www.historypressblog.net/2012/06/13/history-press- author-receives-prestigious-jefferson-davis-historical-gold-medal.

Adjutant Activities

Minutes June 5, 2012, Camp Meeting at VFW Bingo Entrance There were seven members attending including compatriots Robert Jones, Steve Gill, Bob Brewer, Mitch Mrozka, Bob Jones, H. Bruce Funk, Adjutant/Treasurer Harold Ford and 1st Lt. Commander Dave Redden. 1st Lt. Commander Dave Redden, in the absence of Commander Frank Brown Jr., opened the meeting with a Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, the Salute to the Confederate Flag, followed by the Charge.

Activities:  There is a River Crossing meeting on Wednesday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Hershey’s Restaurant in Gaithersburg.

Adopt-A-Road Cleanup Norris Camp compatriots (left to right) Frank Brown, Dave Redden, Steve Gill and Steve’s dog, Monty, conduct Road Cleanup on June 9. Page 8 Sons of Confederate Veterans

Honoring Maryland’s Real Son Albert Lee Comer

All Camps are reminded that the Maryland Division's only sur- viving “Real Son,” Albert Lee Comer will celebrate his 91st birthday on June 30. Mr. Comer is the son of Confederate Veteran James John Com- er, of the 33 rd Regiment of Virginia Infantry. It would be greatly appreciated if all Camps, as well as any Compatriots so inclined, would send Mr. Comer a birthday card. Please have as many as possible sign the cards. Mr. Comer's address is: Albert Lee Comer 552 Maryland St., LaVale, MD 21502-7017.

Confederate James John Comer was born on May 2, 1847, in Shenan- Veteran James J. doah, Va., and joined the Confederate Army shortly after Comer (1847-1930) his 14th birthday. This made him the youngest man in the 33rd Regiment of Virginia Infantry of the famed Stonewall holding his son, Jackson Brigade. He was in company H, “The Page Grays,” from Page County, Va. Twice wounded during the war, he Albert Lee Comer, was captured near Harpers Ferry in July 1864 and sent to and pictured with the Elmira, N.Y., prisoner of war camp. He was exchanged in March 1865 and returned home to Shenandoah, Va., at second wife, Lucy war’s end. Sly Comer (1881- Following the death of his first wife, James married Lucy Sly, a lady 34 years his junior. Their union produced seven 1977). Photo circa children. Albert Comer, the youngest, was born in 1921 1923 when his father was 74 years old. James John Comer died Oct. 6, 1930, in Page County, Va. Albert Lee Comer is Maryland’s only surviving son of a Confederate veteran. He is a member of the Colonel Wil- liam Norris Camp #1398 of the Sons of Confederate Veter- ans and currently resides in Lavale, Md. Albert, a Mason, is retired from Kelly-Springfield, and spends much of his time golfing. When asked about being the son of a Confed- erate veteran, Albert replied, “I just never gave it much thought. Whenever I would tell people, they thought I was pulling their leg.” Recalling a few tales about his father, he tells of the time his father was carrying a stretcher from the battlefield next to another man who was carrying a cof- fin. His father turned his head and saw a cannonball pass through the casket. Another time he was carrying a rifle when a Minie ball shattered the stock. Sons of Page 9 Confederate Veterans Army of The newsletter of the Colonel William Norris Camp #1398 is pub- Northern Virginia lished 12 times a year by the camp as a service to its membership Maryland Division and to the public. Camp #1398

Officers

Frank Brown Jr., Commander 5008 Tothill Drive Phone: 301-924-0155 Olney, MD 20832 E-mail: [email protected]

Heritage David Redden, 1st Lt. Commander 19109 Dowden Circle Phone: 301-351-7260 Violations Poolesville, MD 20837 E-mail: [email protected] Notify the Camp Heritage Officer com- Major David King Jr., 2nd Lt. Commander patriot Jim Stargel 5611 Oak Place Phone: 301-530-7634 ([email protected]) Bethesda, MD 20817 E-mail: [email protected] of any heritage violations. Dan Buckingham, 3rd Lt. Commander 11521 Front Field Lane Phone: 301-983-9002 Harold E. Ford Potomac, MD 20854 E-mail: [email protected] Adjutant/Treasurer Colonel William Norris Harold Ford, Adjutant/Treasurer Camp #1398 13603 Jacobs Road Phone: 301-831-5510 Mt. Airy, MD 21771 E-mail: [email protected]

Thomas Keefer, Chaplain 12558 Cross Bridge Way Phone: 301-980-9826 Germantown, MD 20874 E-mail: [email protected]

Mitch Mroczka, Recruiting Officer 7333 Brenish Drive Phone: 301-997-2944 Gaithersburg, MD 20879 E-mail: [email protected]

Jim Stargel, Heritage Office/Quartermaster E-mail: jim,[email protected]

Phyllis Brown, Editor E-mail: [email protected]