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Gettysburg Expands During the winter visiting hours, park- of the North and South. approved special events such as the “The stains in your front room are of Virtual Museum, annual Remembrance Illumination, great significance not only historically, Sets Winter Hours youth group campground operations, but also forensically, reported and park sponsored public meetings Detective Lt. Nicholas Paonessa of Starting Nov. 1 would continue to be permitted. the Niagara Falls (N.Y.) Police Oct. 15 2006--The National Park Certain park avenues will continue to Department, who volunteered to Service has expanded its virtual be accessible 24 hours/day for conduct the study on his own time. museum exhibit, “: Camp vehicular through-travel only: Buford Paonessa’s interest was forensic in Life: Civil War Collection”, according Avenue, Doubleday Avenue, Granite addition to historic. to Gettysburg Schoolhouse Road, Howard Avenue, Superintendent John Latschar. Millerstown Road, Reynolds Avenue, Working together with the Museum Wadsworth Avenue, West Management Program of the National Confederate Avenue, and Wheatfield Park Service’s Washington headquarters, Gettysburg NMP’s Road. museum specialists have collected Fines for Closed Area Violations are and added new images and $75. For more information contact information from the park’s collections Gettysburg National Military Park at related to the life of the soldier and (717) 334-1124, or visit the park web the . site at www.nps.gov/gett Looking at the website gives the Restoration Revealing public a better understanding of Civil War soldiers’ life in camp, their day- Carnage at Gettysburg's Photo courtesy Preservation Association to-day existence, and how they Lady Farm battled boredom with games, writing, Oct. 5, 2006- Courtesy CWi Paonessa’s department was seeking drinking, smoking, whittling, playing The Daniel Lady Farm is making to determine how far back a new music, and praying. Seldom seen history again. detection fluid, Bluestar Forensics images include a soldier’s toothbrush, Kathi Schue, president of the Latent Blood Reagent, could go in his underwear, a bullet-torn diary, and Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation finding blood at a death scene. While many more. Association, the farm owner, today the Niagara Falls area is rich in “Gettysburg: Camp Life: Civil War revealed details of an initial history, Paonessa said he could not Collection” continues to be one of the investigation into the blood stains that locate a death site nearly as old as ’s most popular mark the floors of three rooms of the the Lady farmhouse to investigate. virtual exhibits, attracting more than farmhouse. “Unfortunately, we have no 800,000 people per year. The website Schue said the distinction of being organization like the GBPA,” is the oldest known death scene ever Paonessa said. http://www.cr.nps.gov/museum/exhibi successfully investigated with the use “The capability of luminol to react with ts/gettex/index.htm . of luminescent agents is now shared blood stains over 200 years old has Beginning November 1, 2006, by the farm with the Shriver House in already been demonstrated, however, Gettysburg National Military Park will downtown Gettysburg. the use of this method outside of the change to its winter visiting hours, The house and barn on the Lady lab and in an actual death scene had staying open to the public from 6 a.m. Farm were Confederate field not been explored.” said Paonessa, until 7 p.m. daily, the National Park hospitals during the three-day battle. “Our intention was to determine the Service has announced. The winter Stains in the attic of the Shriver feasibility of utilizing this luminol visiting hours will continue through House support accounts that a analogue (Bluestar) for use in March 31, 2007. Confederate sniper died there. Stains visualizing historical blood evidence From April 1 through October 31, the in the Lady farmhouse offer even and at the same time demonstrate park will remain open from 6 a.m. more vivid evidence of the pain and how useful it would be on old crime until 10 p.m. daily. suffering endured by the combatants

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THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER scenes which may still be Civil War. Five Congressional Medals member Randy Burbage. "In the prosecuted.” of Honor for valor were awarded for event that Clemson didn't get the job Paonessa said he was excited by actions taken there that day. done, we wanted assurance that we what the Lady farmhouse revealed. But recent history hasn't been kind to could." “Unlike the Shriver House, the finish the 208-acre property, located along Clemson officials have a 30-year plan on the floor in the Daniel Lady Farm historical Tidewater Trail in a to build a $35 million campus - a price actually gave off fluorescence when booming commercial region. The tag that reflects the value of the subjected to Rofin Polilight Forensic property is near a major rail line and Hunley lab, the land around it and Alternate Light Source,” reported is zoned for industrial use--which $10 million in new construction. Paonessa. “This created a strong preservationists say is tempting for Eventually, university officials say, the contrast between the glow of the commercial developers. Restoration Institute could employ up finish and the absorption of the stains With loan help, the group was able to to 5,000 people and have a $500 (the Shriver house attic had an purchase the property after it went to million economic impact on the untreated floor and a dark wood).” market in December. Group leaders Lowcountry. Feds give $2 million to have since embarked on a major In exchange for the lab and land fundraising campaign and what has surrounding it, Clemson would take help preserve historic been called the most expensive over conservation of the sub. Most of private battlefield preservation effort the campus would be developed after Fredericksburg Civil War in American history. the sub is finished and gone on to a farm "The effort to preserve the Slaughter museum. Pen Farm is a model for conservation The snag in the deal, which has been Associated Press, October 16, 2006 partnerships throughout the nation," in the works more than a year, was RICHMOND, Va. -- Federal officials Kempthorne said. discovered in July. State officials, will give $2 million toward efforts to The Civil War Preservation Trust has including members of the Joint Bond preserve historic Slaughter Pen Farm 70,000 members, and has saved Review Committee and State Budget in Fredericksburg, helping protect more than 23,000 acres. and Control Board, said they could what has been called one of the most not approve the original deal because historically significant properties in Hunley Commission of a provision to give the Warren the nation, officials said Monday. says Dispute with Lasch Conservation Center back to The gift will come in the form of a Clemson Settled the commission if Clemson didn't matching grant, U.S. Secretary of finish the sub. Interior Dirk Kempthorne said at a BY BRIAN HICKS, Charleston Post But for Clemson to leverage bonds on press conference that marked the first and Courier, November 3, 2006 the value of the lab and its land, it public event held at the site. Plans for an 82-acre Clemson needed a clear title. However, the The cash will go toward a $12 million research campus on the former Hunley Commission refused to give fundraising effort by the Civil War Charleston Naval Base could be away a lab it had built into a state-of- Preservation Trust to buy the under way by the end of the year the-art facility without a safety net, property, recently threatened by following a compromise approved by particularly after internal Clemson e- burgeoning development. the Hunley Commission on Tuesday. mails were publicized with some "This federal grant is a crucial Members of the executive committee members of the university's staff component in our campaign," said of the Hunley Commission, which calling members of the commission James Lighthizer, president of the manages the state's interest in the "fanatics" and the sub "that damn nonprofit group. "Without it, we would Civil War submarine, said they have thing" and bragging that they could simply be unable to meet our $12 found a way around a provision in the walk away and dump the sub back on million goal." original agreement with Clemson the commission if they didn't get More than 5,000 casualties were University that threatened to kill the finished. inflicted at the farm during the Battle whole deal. Hunley committee members, who of Fredericksburg on Dec. 13, 1862, "We just wanted to make sure the ironed out its compromise in one of the most intense battles of the sub is conserved," said commission executive session, would not discuss

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THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER details of the new deal, but sources before reaching the Confederate He served on the CSS Chicora and close to commission say the reverter stronghold of Vicksburg. the CSS Indian Chief, before being clause issue is resolved this way: If New research and a Confederate recruited by Lt. George Dixon, Clemson fails to conserve the surgeon's journal have helped fill in commander of the Hunley, to serve submarine by 2013 - the date the life of Becker, one of eight on the sub. approved by the Navy in the Hunley crewmen who died when the Hunley, Becker was third in command of the conservation plan - the university the first sub in history to sink an vessel and operated the bellows and would have to lease the lab back to enemy warship, sank off Charleston snorkel tubes that enabled the crew the commission for $1 a year until the in 1864. to breathe. He managed the forward sub is finished. Clemson would also The Hunley sank after sending the pump and occasionally manually have to pay the Hunley Commission Union blockade ship Housatonic to worked a handle of the hand-cranked up to $300,000 a year toward the bottom. It was raised in 2000 and submarine. conservation to get the job done. thousands turned out in April 2004 It is unlikely that Dixon and Becker Late Tuesday, Clemson officials said when the crew was buried in what met in the military before Charleston. they could not comment on the has been called the last Confederate Dixon was from Alabama while most compromise yet. Sen. Glenn funeral. of the crewmen aboard the Arkansas McConnell, chairman of the Hunley Forensic genealogist Linda Abrams were from Missouri, Abrams said. Commission, would only say that he has searched for evidence about the "They certainly could have (met) on believed the compromise would be Hunley crew and one of the key clues the Mississippi," before the war, she acceptable to everyone. came from the journal of Dr. Robert said. "But when you look at the "We just want to stay in compliance Freeman Jr., who was the surgeon number of commercial steamboats on with the federal agreement to finish aboard the Polk. the Mississippi before the war, there the sub and do it without undue cost It describes Becker as an 18-year-old were hundreds." to the state," McConnell said. seaman from Germany who was Headstone to mark grave If Clemson agrees to this treated for chills and fever as the compromise, the plan could go before result of a bout with malaria. of one of first black the Joint Bond Review Committee It is still not clear where in Germany Army officers and Budget and Control Board this Becker was born. BRUCE SMITH, Associated Press, month or next. "I'm still after that," Abrams said October 20, 2006 New research fills in life Tuesday, adding she is scouring the CHARLESTON, S.C. - In an writings of the officers who were unmarked grave in a grassy corner of of Hunley crewman aboard the Arkansas. small cemetery lie the remains of Lt. By BRUCE SMITH, Associated "As I acquire those writings, I'm Stephen Swails, one of the first black Press, October 18, 2006 looking for a mention of Becker commissioned officers in the U.S. CHARLESTON, S.C. | When Arnold beyond what's in the surgeon's Army. Becker was buried more than two journals," she said. Although almost a forgotten footnote years ago, little was known about him When the Arkansas was in dock in in history, Swails served with the 54th except that he was the smallest and Vicksburg, the Union vessel Queen of Massachusetts in the black youngest crewman aboard the the West attacked, injuring several regiment's desperate attack on Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley. Confederates, including Becker. Confederate Battery Wagner in 1863 Now researchers have learned he That explains a wound found on - an attack recalled in the movie was born in Germany, emigrated to Becker's remains. "The "Glory." the and worked on the anthropologists recognized the Swails would survive the Civil War to Mississippi River before the Civil War wound on Becker as not being an old become a state senator, a lawyer, broke out. wound," Abrams said. University of South Carolina trustee Later he served on the CSS General When the Arkansas was scuttled to and mayor of Kingstree. Polk and was aboard the famed prevent it from falling into Union And on Oct. 28, re-enactors Confederate ironclad Arkansas, hands, Becker was transferred to portraying members of the 54th which in 1862 ran a gauntlet of 39 Charleston. Massachusetts joined historians and union vessels on the Mississippi

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THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER public officials to dedicate a stone After the war, Swails was employed Eastern National marker at Swails' grave more than a for the Freedman's Bureau in century after his death. Charleston and worked in Kingstree. dropped at Gettysburg The Oct. 28 ceremony capped a two- He also married a woman from the park day commemoration of Swails' life Charleston area and had four By MEG BERNHARDT, Hanover sponsored by the new African- children. It's not known what Evening Sun, October 16, 2006 American Historical Alliance, a group happened to his first wife, said Billy For more than 50 years, Eastern working to increase the awareness of Jenkinson, a Kingstree attorney who National has been running the the involvement of blacks in the Civil has extensively studied Swails' life. bookstore, electronic map program War and Reconstruction in South Swails was a delegate to the South and Cyclorama Center at the Carolina. Carolina constitutional convention Gettysburg National Military Park. "The African-Americans that were and became a state senator. He also The non-profit association employs part of the new South Carolina after served as a delegate to three more than 70 people at Gettysburg the war were very extraordinary Republican national conventions and and donates profits back to the folks," he said. was one of the first blacks elected to National Park Service. Researchers determined where the Electoral College. But when the Gettysburg Foundation Swails' grave was in the black But when whites came back into decided who to run the retail shops at cemetery by using old records from power at the end of Reconstruction, the new Museum and Visitor Center the Avery Institute for African- Swails resigned from the Senate. when it opens in 2008, the American History at the College of "He was politically active in foundation, with National Park Charleston, said Krista Robertson, a Williamsburg County and was told to Service approval, chose to go with a spokeswoman for the alliance. leave under the threat of death," different organization – for-profit Across the street is Magnolia Jenkinson said. retailer Event Network. Cemetery, which has a section where As whites took back power Swails The foundation, the group more than 1,70 0 Confederates are simply "was black and he didn't responsible for raising funds and buried. In another section of Magnolia belong," Jenkinson said. "He was overseeing the operations of the new are the remains of crews of the H.L. never accused through all of $95-million visitor center chose Event Hunley, the Confederate submarine Reconstruction of doing anything Network because it offered the "best which was the first in history to sink wrong." possible financial benefit for the an enemy warship. Later, Swails worked in Washington Gettysburg Foundation and also best Swails was born in Columbia, Penn., for the Postal Service and Treasury possible level of service," in 1832, the son of a black father and Department. He took ill in 1899 and spokeswomen from the foundation white mother. By 1860, he was returned home to Kingstree where he and the park said. working at a hotel in Cooperstown, died the next year. That left preservationists and N.Y., and he married. He was probably buried in Charleston employees wondering what would In 1863, he enlisted in the 54th because that's where his wife's happened to Eastern National. The Massachusetts and became a first family's burial plot was, Jenkinson association operates in 150 locations sergeant. He survived the attack on said. in 30 different states, but generates Wagner but in February 1864 was "Turn-of-the-century Charleston was about half its profit from the wounded at the Battle of Olustee in not a prosperous place. A lot of Gettysburg store and programs. northern Florida where the 54th cemeteries used wooden Chesley Moroz, president and CEO Massachusetts also fought. headstones," said Jenkinson, adding of Eastern National said the Swails was then promoted to second it was unlikely there was ever a stone association started looking into lieutenant by Massachusetts' marking Swails' grave. alternatives when it found out it governor John Andrews although the "By this time next week there will be," wasn't awarded the bid. Army did not recognize the promotion he said. And recently, the new development until the following year. Gateway Gettysburg announced that a subsidiary of Eastern National will be setting up at Gateway – a hotel,

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THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER convention center and movie theater and other national leaders who are document gives unprecedented complex on Route 30 – to run an closely tied to its radical faction. power to the national commander. expanded reservation service and At its August convention in New As a result of the latest vote, two retail outlets. Orleans, SCV delegates selected as discouraged moderates continued to The newly formed subsidiary, Park their national commander Chris trickle out of the SCV, as they have Trek, now owns Eastern National's Sullivan, a longtime ally of outgoing for several years. "Our convention reservation system, which currently commander Denne Sweeney and a committee presided over the funeral manages the reservations for fellow South Carolinian. Sullivan is of what we all once thought of as the Gettysburg Battlefield Tours, the editor of Southern Partisan, a SCV," lamented the commander of Eisenhower Farm, and electric Map controversial neo-Confederate the New Orleans SCV "camp," or Tickets and licensed Battlefield Guide magazine that has depicted chapter, that hosted the convention. Tours. antebellum slaves as happy and "The SCV that we knew was dumped Moroz, also Park Trek's CEO and slave traders as benevolent. Other as a rotting carcass in a dung heap." president, said the for-profit Sweeney allies were elected to top Confederate White subsidiary was formed because an posts in the SCV's three "armies," or existing agreement with the Park major geographical subdivisions. House to stay put; Service wouldn't let them sign an For four years, the SCV has been collections must agreement to provide service at split by an internal civil war between Gateway Gettysburg. moderates and radicals with hard-line relocate But all of Park Trek's profits will go to racial views. The radicals have By ZINIE CHEN SAMPSON Eastern National, which will then sought to turn the SCV into an Associated Press, October 18, 2006 continue to distribute them to national explicitly political group that pushes RICHMOND, Va. - Despite parks around the country. racist neo-Confederate ideas and encroaching development and Last year, for instance, Eastern issues. The latest election was a dwindling attendance, the White National donated $2.8 million to the clear victory for the radical faction. House of the Confederacy will stay at Park Service, and about half of that "We should all [now] resolve to work its downtown site, but the adjoining came from Gettysburg, Moroz said. to defeat the Marxist Socialists that museum's collections will be moved "Eastern has a revenue sharing are waging war on Southern culture," so they can be properly maintained, philosophy: It doesn't matter who Ed Butler, a newly elected leader of officials said Tuesday. The former generated the profit, all the parks the Army of Tennessee, exulted after mansion of Confederate President benefit," Moroz said. his victory. The League of South, a Jefferson Davis and his family during Since the association was founded in neo-Confederate hate group the Civil War has fallen on tough 1947, it has donated more than $77 sympathetic to the radicals, was times, as annual visitation has fallen million to the Park Service, according pleased, too, enthusing on its website precipitously from 91,000 in the early to a press release. that "The Sons of Confederate 1990s to 51,500 in the last fiscal year. She hopes Park Trek will be able to Veterans have endorsed a radical The White House and museum have hire as many Eastern National direction." operated under an estimated employees as possible so no one will The election also solidified the hold $500,000 annual deficit. lose their jobs. on the SCV of Kirk Lyons, a white An independent review team hired by the museum's Board of Trustees SCV Once Again Elects supremacist North Carolina lawyer, and his Southern Legal Resource recommended that above all, the Civil Radical National Leaders Center, which specializes in War weapons, flags, uniforms and Southern Poverty Law Center, defending Confederate symbols. Two other artifacts should remain Octobe r20, 2006 SLRC board members -- Roy Burl together. Because of its significance The Sons of Confederate Veterans McCoy and Bragdon Bowling -- won as the former Confederate capital, (SCV), a Southern heritage group posts on the SCV's executive board. Richmond would be the collection's that has been largely dominated by In addition, a new constitution, largely best location, "but if it comes to a racial extremists since 2002, has written by Lyons with Sweeney's choice between Richmond and again elected a commander in chief approval, was adopted. The keeping it together, keep it together,"

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THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER said museum executive director S. A National Historic Landmark, the have grown up to shade the graves of Waite Rawls. gray-stucco mansion was built in our fallen,” said park Superintendent "We cannot achieve a sustainable 1818 and was the South's social, John Latschar. “Thanks to this enough number of visitors to keep the political and military center during the generous donation and the hard work proper care of the collections," Rawls war. After the war, it became a of said. "We're hoping for a possible Richmond city school. When the Historic Gettysburg Adams County solution in Richmond." home faced demolition in 1890, a our visitors can now satisfy their Museum officials are looking into Confederate preservation group curiosity about the names of the trees partnerships with other historic sites renovated it as a shrine to the South. growing there.” in the city, including the American In 1976, a separate museum opened, Historic Gettysburg Adams County Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, and in 1988, a decade-long worked with John Zaremba of the to which the museum has loaned restoration of the White House was Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable and some of its artifacts. completed. Roy Thomas, an Adams County The study recommended that the The mansion once overlooked Master Gardener, to complete the Confederate White House remain in Shockoe Valley and was within sight project. its current, original location that is of the state Capitol, but the view is now dwarfed by Virginia now largely obscured by VCU NC State archives to Commonwealth University's buildings. expanding medical complex. Museum "All this stuff happens gradually; no display Lincoln's slavery officials say the building is tough to one fast-forwards in their mind to amendment find among the high-rise buildings what it eventually would become," by The Associated Press, October and ongoing construction, but moving Rawls said. "In 1975, if they had a 24, 2006 it would cost an estimated $5 million concept of what could happen they'd RALEIGH – An amendment to the and the option sparked opposition be more careful. I can't conceive of U.S. Constitution that was signed by from preservation groups and this happening to Mount Vernon or President but never citizens. Monticello." ratified went on display at the North The study advised against selling New Plaques Installed to Carolina State Archives on core collections to raise operating Wednesday, October 25th. money for the museum, saying that Identify Trees The amendment, sometimes called "will certainly call down widespread in Gettysburg National the "Ghost Amendment," would have professional and public criticism." Cemetery prohibited Congress from passing The review recommended that the future amendments that would museum seek compensation for the Nov. 6 2006 -CWi- Volunteers from Historic Gettysburg Adams County abolish slavery or interfere with state harm caused by VCU's expansion by laws related to slavery. The asking the General Assembly for have replaced and refurbished tree markers throughout the Soldiers’ amendment passed through money to help preserve and operate Congress and was signed by Lincoln the landmark. The museum National Cemetery at Gettysburg National Military Park. in March 1861, before the Civil War requested $700,000 in the 2006 started. legislative session; it got only $50,000 Donating supplies and services, the organization purchased and replaced The document was found among and as a result cut its hours and staff, papers owned by North Carolina's postponed new exhibits and began 82 signs and fabricated 37 new sign posts and holders. The signs identify then-Gov. John W. Ellis, said Fay trying to raise emergency funds. Mitchell Henderson of the State The review panel pointed out that the more than 50 different species of trees and shrubs in the historic Archives. until Rawls came on board in 2004, "It's kind of the evil twin of the one the Museum of Confederacy failed to cemetery, a popular location with the National Military Park, and the site of that actually did pass," she said. aggressively build constituents, State Archives officials believe the membership and a donor base, and Abraham Lincoln’s in 1863. document has never been displayed until last year resisted seeking public publicly. funding. “Visitors to the National Cemetery always appreciate the old trees that

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THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER

The "Ghost Amendment" will be trust, said the contract price was 1862. Braehead is Scottish for "house available for viewing in the State $995,000. Closing was delayed for 18 on the hill." Archives Search Room, along with months to allow the organization time As a result, locals, seeking to enter or other old documents related to North to find a suitable purchaser. leave the city without drawing Carolina history. Nelson said the owners, Dr. Graham attention to themselves, such as Stephens, and his wife, Thelma, soldiers visiting their families, could Battlefield trust buying decided it was time to sell the do so there. property. Robert E. Lee ate breakfast in the Fredericksburg "None of their kids have an interest in home the morning of Dec. 13, 1862, Braehead mansion living there--and it's an enormous as Confederates and Union troops By RUSTY DENNEN, Fredericksburg building--and they agreed it was time were preparing to do battle. Two of Free Lance-Star, October 17, 2006 to pass it on," Nelson said. Howison's sons were members of the Looking for a big, historic house in The Stephenses held a family reunion Fredericksburg Artillery, a local town with lots of room and acreage? at the house in 2004, giving distant Confederate unit. Neither son How about one where Confederate relatives a chance to reconnect with survived the war. John Howison Jr. Gen. Robert E. Lee himself had the property. (known as Jack) was killed at breakfast before the Battle of Stephens' youngest son and Gettysburg. Edward Howison died the Fredericksburg? daughter-in-law, Bruce and Sandi, following year at Ream's Station near The Central Virginia Battlefields Trust ran Braehead as a bed and breakfast Petersburg. Union soldiers occupied has just the place. from 1997 to 2002 before moving to the house in 1864. The trust, which has a long record of Hawaii. Then Graham Stephens, a The house has some impressive Civil protecting Civil War battlefield land retired emergency-room physician War credentials: There's a bullet hole here, has signed a contract to from Roanoke, and his wife moved next to the front door, a blood-stained purchase Braehead, an antebellum back in. floor and soldier graffiti on a plaster mansion on Lee Drive off Lafayette Braehead is within the Fredericksburg wall. Boulevard. and Spotsylvania National Military After the war, the house remained in "We do not usually consider houses," Park boundary, but the park service the family, and most of the land was says Dr. Mike Stevens, CVBT couldn't acquire it because of a lack sold off. president, "but Braehead is an of funds. Founded 10 years ago, CVBT has important part of the Fredericksburg "We're delighted that CVBT stepped acquired land on each of the area's battlefield." up and is going to preserve four battlefields--Fredericksburg, When the family that has owned the Braehead," said Russ Smith, the Spotsylvania Court House, house since it was built in the mid- parks' superintendent. Chancellorsville and Wilderness. 19th century decided to put it on the The brick mansion was built by John After each purchase, the trust has market a few weeks ago, "We Howison, a dairy farmer, in 1859 for sold the acreage to the park service thought it important to get it off the his extensive family. It was the core or continued to hold it in trust. market, at least temporarily, so we of a 600-acre estate, run with one CVBT has made several of its most could ensure its protection," Stevens slave and 13 other workers. The important acquisitions along the said. house sits on the east slope of Jackson Flank Attack area on the The trust plans to place easements Telegraph Hill, now known as Lee western end of Chancellorsville on the land to prevent anyone from Hill. Battlefield. That's where Confederate subdividing the more than 18-acre According to Nelson, Braehead also Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson site and to avoid inappropriate served as a way station for people led 26,000 men on a daring 12-mile changes to the historic building. traveling to and from Fredericksburg march to attack the Union's right line. CVBT would then resell Braehead to during the war. Screened by Several months ago, CVBT pledged a preservation-minded buyer who topography and thick vegetation, the $1 million toward the Washington- would take care of the property. Howison House could not be seen based Civil War Preservation Trust's Erik Nelson, a senior planner in from the Union lines in December $12 million purchase of Slaughter Fredericksburg and secretary of the Pen Farm. The farm, adjacent to

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THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER

Shannon Airport in Spotsylvania a radical racist element that was As part of the lawsuit, Murphree County, was a key component of the controlling the national chapter. contended the influence had trickled Battle of Fredericksburg. Robert Murphree, an attorney and into Mississippi. SCV member who acted as counsel The national SCV named Denne Beauvoir Board Control for the defense, fired a litany of Sweeney of Texas commander-in- charges against the local SCV. He chief about two years ago, and some Wrested from Moderates lost the case and has since left the members of the Mississippi Division by “Radical” SCV Beauvoir board. He also renounced were removed. Sweeney, who has his SCV membership. since been replaced, was Faction "As much as I love the Confederate characterized by some as a new By Michael Newsom, McClatchy history, and as proud as I am of my radical, and said his organization Newspapers, October 23, 2006 Confederate history, I am not going to stands fast against "political BILOXI, Miss. - A judge's decision in be a part of any group that supports correctness." July became the last stand for some racism," Murphree said. Some view the SCV's actions in flag members of the Mississippi Division Researchers at the Southern Poverty controversies as a stray from its of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Law Center, who have been following traditional mission, and they say the and after the smoke cleared in a the SCV, believe the verdict might be group has aligned itself with people bloody war within the group, those left remembered as the Waterloo for the who could be considered white standing are rebuilding Beauvoir. moderates within the group. supremacists. But some worry about the direction "From my perspective, that was a The suit filed this past January asked the organization is headed under new huge defeat for moderates in the that the court define who is now leadership. That direction will affect SCV," said Heidi Beirich, considered a member of the Division Beauvoir, which is owned by the state spokeswoman for the Poverty Law and the defendants "the old guard" chapter. Center. "Murphree's people were say the new, more radical national Last summer, the last home of seriously dedicated to making this a leadership is directing the actions of Jefferson Davis lay in ruin, caught in historical site. The people who are the Mississippi Division. Court an uncivil war between factions running the SCV now are about documents filed by Murphree show involved in a change of the guard politics. I think it is very unfortunate. communication from the Division to within the SCV. The lawsuit was At the end, the people who were the national headquarters asking how settled in July and the Beauvoir board dealing with Beauvoir were good to proceed. of directors lost. people." The affidavits allege members of the Those who are still in the group are The lawsuit against Murphree and the national SCV leadership have ties to moving forward and feel positive Beauvoir board of directors alleged it white-supremacist groups. But the about the group's future. Plans for was trying to strip control of the home court sided with the SCV. rebuilding the home were announced from the Mississippi SCV's general While the suit raged, others spoke out earlier this month. And 13 months membership. But Murphree against funding the repairs. after the storm, the first post-Katrina contended the suit was the first step In April, Derrick Johnson, head of the Fall Muster will be held at the by national leaders who have white- Mississippi NAACP, said the Harrison County Fair, with the supremacist leanings to wrest control government should not spend millions proceeds to benefit the rebuilding. of Beauvoir from his nonprofit group. to fix Beauvoir because it's both But many on the losing end have left Mississippi members of the SCV privately held and offensive to many. the group, and the Beauvoir board have recently seen the group's "To celebrate a time in history that is has about 80 percent new national charter moved from offensive to a substantial population membership to tackle rebuilding the Mississippi to Texas and have seen in the state is something that we battered home with $7 million from many of their members unseated by should not promote or pay for as FEMA for repairs. what they refer to as a new, radical taxpayers," Johnson told the Sun The defendants in the dispute over faction. Herald. "The Confederacy upheld a membership and the power to assess moral principal that believes that one dues also alleged that the Mississippi Division of the SCV was infiltrated by

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THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER human being should be held in The affidavit also included a Beauvoir meetings have been bondage by another." magazine article from Intelligence productive and harmonious and the The SCV has other critics. Report, the SPLC magazine, which new board is enthusiastic. Edward Sebesta, an independent shows a two-page spread from a "I just feel there is a unity there I have researcher of Neo-Confederate Neo-Nazi newsletter of Lyons' not seen in years," he said. issues who is working on a book with wedding at an Aryan compound in some members of the SPLC, said Idaho in 1990. there would likely be no overt Lyons wrote the Biloxi Sun Herald Bed found in evidence of "Neo-Confederate" and denied charges he was a racist shed is the ideologies at work in Biloxi while the after an article on Beauvoir and the group is seeking funding. SCV appeared in the paper in April. one used by Abe Lincoln "I think they will tone down their Funchess, who has met Lyons, By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post- behavior and say `We are just statue- defended him as one who fights for Gazette, November 04, 2006 polishers here guys'," Sebesta said. the protection of Confederate Abraham Lincoln did indeed sleep "As soon as they don't need public symbols, and said he handles legal there. funding, I think they will use Beauvoir matters for the SCV. An ornate bed found last week in the to advocate the full, radical Neo- But Funchess acknowledged that no eaves of a county maintenance shed Confederate agenda," he said. organization is immune to unsavory in South Park has been determined to Sebesta said the content of the characters and others could have be the one Lincoln used while here bookstore at Beauvoir may change acted wrongfully, but he has one stormy night in 1861, officials when the home is rebuilt, and radical personally seen no evidence of racist revealed yesterday. ideas might surface. agendas pushed by the group. "We believe we have found Abraham "I can see them having lectures "If I found something of substance Lincoln's bed from the Monongahela where Lincoln is compared to Stalin, that showed the SCV was actively House," said an elated Andrew pro-slavery theology, attacks on racial, I wouldn't even get home Baechle, Allegheny County director of Martin Luther King," he said. "You will before I would leave the organization. parks. have a polarizing impact on your local I would make a phone call on the It was compared to old Pittsburgh community and a black eye in the way." Post-Gazette photographs and "every national press." Funchess said the SCVs affiliation ding and dent can be matched," he But the Mississippi SCV members with the Confederate battle flag, said. For good measure, blueprints take issue with claims made by which has been seized by the Ku from the Monongahela House, a Murphree, Sebesta, the NAACP and Klux Klan and other racist groups as former grand hotel overlooking the the SPLC. a symbol of hate, has caused the river, were found with it, he said. Ed Funchess, commander of the group to draw fire from the left. He "It's something historians always Mississippi Division and a new said groups like the SPLC see the knew was out there someplace," said Beauvoir board member, said the flag and automatically think those Andrew Masich, president and chief group would never be involved in who wave it are racists. executive officer of the Senator John politics and legally endanger its He said many have misconceptions Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History nonprofit status. about the reasons the Civil War was Center, where a news conference Documents filed by Murphree and fought. was held yesterday. other attorneys for the Beauvoir "In their minds, the whole war was "But no one knew exactly where it board said then-commander fought over slavery," Funchess said. was." Sweeney, in an e-mail, referred "They probably think that." He estimated that conservation and Funchess to Kirk Lyons, who is Tariffs levied by the government fumigation will take months. He described by the SPLC as a "white- against the South were a major hoped it would remain at the history supremacist lawyer" about how to contributor to the war, he said. center, and expected it to be part of a proceed with the suit against But despite the allegations raised by major exhibit planned for President Murphree's group. activist groups, Funchess said that Lincoln's 200th birthday in 2009. since the lawsuit was settled

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The bed's fragility prevented the "He called Allegheny County the county health department found not white-gloved museum staff from fully banner county of the Union," Mr. only beetles and mites, but at least assembling it. It was propped on Masich said. six snakeskins in the feathers. Mr. boxes, minus its massive posts and Despite sleet and rain, 15,000 people Baechle said. Everything had to be much of its headboard. Mr. Masich turned out to greet him, cramming moved to the history center in body measured it at reporters' request and into the lobby. Colorful Zouave bags from the medical examiner's found it was exactly as long as the 6- Cadets formed a cordon that allowed office, so that no other antiques foot-4-inch president. him to pass to his room and briefly would be contaminated. Also on display yesterday was an address the crowd from his balcony. Mr. Masich would not estimate the elegant wooden commode -- not He gave a longer speech the next bed's value, and said museums do much higher than a training potty -- day. not appraise such items. containing a porcelain chamber pot. "I repeat, there is no crisis, except "These are treasures for our Two chairs -- a rocker with a torn such a one as turbulent men can get community that are priceless," he leather seat and a four-legged chair up whenever they please," he said. said. whose brocade had weathered to a Pittsburghers immediately recognized musty brown -- also were unveiled. the room's significance, and only the “Car Boot Sale” Item The heavy walnut bed was a mix of most elite guests were allowed to late rococo revival and early stay there afterward, Mr. Masich said. may be valuable Lincoln- renaissance revival styling, The room was lovingly preserved until Grant Document appropriate for 1861. It was typical of 1935, when the hotel was torn down. October 4, 2006, Metro UK good hotel furniture for its day, Mr. The furniture and decor were given to An antiques buff who paid £1 for a Baechle said. a county museum located in South framed scrap of paper at a car boot But there is nothing typical about its Park. sale could have unearthed a lost history. Even before Mr. Lincoln's "Then the story gets kind of murky," treasure worth £500,000. visit, it had been slept in by the Prince Mr. Baechle said. The document is thought to be the of Wales, the future King Edward VII There is no record of when the executive order written by US of England. Subsequently it would be museum closed. Mr. Masich urged president Abraham Lincoln giving slept in by nine more presidents -- those who remember the museum Lieut Gen Ulysses S Grant command though not necessarily when they and who may have pictures of it to of the US army – a move that led to were in office. Three of them -- Mr. contact the Heinz History Center. victory in the . Lincoln, James Garfield and William The last known picture of the bed was Kenneth Anderson-Jones, 75, bought McKinley -- were assassinated. taken in 1959, at a county it without looking at it too closely at a "I don't know whether it's been cursed maintenance shop. County officials sale in Stratford-upon-Avon. or not," Mr. Masich said. made an intensive search for it after He realised its significance when he The 210-bed Monongahela House an historian contacted them in 1998, got home. He said: 'I shouted to my stood on what is now Fort Pitt but a search of that building came up wife: “Hey. Look at this!” Behind the Boulevard at Smithfield Street, site of empty. dirt was a short document signed by the former United Way building. On Oct. 26, a carpenter climbed into Abraham Lincoln.' President Lincoln stayed there Feb. the eaves of the maintenance shed to Auctioneer Sotheby's is investigating 14, 1861, on his way to his repair a leaky roof, and discovered a the authenticity of the document with inauguration. previously unknown alcove, filled with help from US experts. Early The country was teetering on the old furniture wrapped in burlap. He indications are that it is genuine. brink of war, and there were threats remembered a search for historic against his life, Mr. Masich said. furniture, and immediately alerted Mr. "Some rabid secessionists said he'll Baechle. never make it to Washington alive," There were more than 70 pieces of he said. wood, covered with feathers from a But Pittsburgh was friendly. down mattress that had virtually exploded. An entomologist from the

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Extras needed for and space open up and the dead Reward offered for walk among the living. Gettysburg Film Urso, his wife, a priest and the return of replicas of By TIM PRATT, Hanover Evening priest's assistant travel around the cannons Sun, October 23, 2006 world to investigate ghostly sightings, By Mark E. Vogler, Lawrence Eagle- Next summer, ghosts of Civil War miracles and other mystical activities Tribune, October 18, 2006 soldiers will march through the streets as judgment day approaches. LAWRENCE - Police are using the of Gettysburg. "We've got quite a tale here that Internet and getting advice from Civil Abraham Lincoln will rise from the needs to be told," Eble-Keller said. War scholars as they investigate the dead and Jesus Christ will return to Dave Andrews, an actor who has had theft of two bronze replicas of earth as the apocalypse approaches. roles in TV shows such as Desperate cannons from the grave site of a Civil There will be natural disasters and Housewives, CSI: Crime Scene War soldier at Bellevue Cemetery. miracles, paranormal happenings and Investigation and Gilmore Girls, will "It's kind of a unique case," Lawrence mystical beings. play one of the lead characters in the police Chief John Romero said And it is all the doing of Ann Keller. film. Emmy Award winner Roger C. yesterday. The cannons, valued at Keller is the author and screenwriter Ambrose has signed on as about $10,000, were stolen last week of "Vortex of Revelation," a science Production Designer. from the Sumner H. Needham fiction/action movie that will have Eble-Keller said he expects a majority Memorial. portions filmed in Gettysburg on June of the re-enactors to come from the So far, police said they don't have a 14 to 17. The film will be based off Gettysburg, Hanover, Harrisburg and clue how somebody scaled the 7- Keller's novel of the same name. Chambersburg areas. foot-tall monument in the middle of Producers are calling on 75 to 100 But the film will not be filmed strictly the night and removed the cannons, Union and Confederate re-enactors to in downtown Gettysburg. Eble-Keller each weighing 200 to 300 pounds, serve as extras in the full-length said he is still looking for a large field without attracting attention. feature film. in the Gettysburg area to film a But Romero hopes yesterday's "We have a scene where Civil War battlefield scene. announcement of a $1,000 reward by soldiers are marching as ghosts Portions of the movie will be filmed in the Lawrence Civil War Memorial through downtown Gettysburg," said other historic locations as well, Guard will help investigators. casting director Kerry Eble-Keller. including Ford's Theater in The guard has the reward money set "People in shops and homes can also Washington, D.C., and The Alamo in aside but also is opening up an be extras." San Antonio, Texas. account to solicit donations to replace Eble-Keller, husband of the author, Eble-Keller said that a group of extras the cannons that were installed in said he is still casting for a few main has already signed on for the project, 2002 as part of the restoration of the roles in the film as well. but he is always looking for more. monument honoring Needham, the The story is set in the present day The project is seeking male and first Lawrencian to die while serving and begins with a farmer in a female re-enactors of all ages for the in the Civil War and one of the first Gettysburg Pizza Hut witnessing parts. soldiers on both sides to die from flashes of light outside. Then, the Eble-Keller said he hopes the film will combat wounds. mayor of Gettysburg witnesses the be completed in the summer of 2007 "If the contributions don't go to the ghost of a Civil War soldier on with a release date in early 2008. replacement of the cannons, they'll horseback cross the street in front of "Basically, the second coming of go toward replacing the fence that his car. judgment is something all Christians once surrounded the monument," As more and more Civil War ghosts share," Eble-Keller said. "It's sort of a said Elizabeth Charlton, vice march through town, the mayor and wake-up call for folks. If we do this president of the guard. police chief call on para-psychologist movie right, it's going to leave behind Some members of the Civil War Jack Urso to investigate. a legacy and countless millions will Memorial Guard are blitzing the The story is about the second coming be affected by it." Internet and Civil War Web sites with of Jesus Christ, and as the End of bulletins about the thefts. Days approaches, vortices in time

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"We want to make things so hot that it "I hope they are stupid thieves who will burn the hands of the thieves and advertise their thefts and wind up they'll want to drop the cannons - just getting caught," he said. like they were touching an Charlton said she has already overheated cannon barrel back in the embarked on a little Internet sleuthing Civil War," said Robert Poulin of of her own. She said she has Lawrence, a Civil War buff and programmed her computer so it member of the guard. advises her of anything circulating Douglas Knight of Salem, N.H., a over the Internet listing "bronze member of the Military Order of the cannons." Loyal Legion of the United States and Charlton and Knight said cannon a Civil War scholar, said he doesn't thefts - though rare for Lawrence - believe the cannons were stolen to are more common than the public sell to make quick cash from a junk realizes. There's even a Web site on dealer. Nor does he believe a more the Internet for stolen cannons. sophisticated crew would steal the Romero said reaching out to the Civil bronze to sell to a scrap dealer or War community is part of his foundry. department's methodology for this Police said the cannons melted down investigation. He said he appreciates might net $1,000 - the equivalent of the advice his investigators have the cash reward being offered by the received so far from them. guard. Police still intend to check with scrap Knight has a couple of theories of metal dealers and foundries - where the stolen cannons may be including the Royalston company that headed. crafted the cannons. "If the thieves thought that what they "We're going to check to see if were stealing was an original piece, somebody in the region recently the cannons are going to a Civil War received a large quantity of bronze," buff as a souvenir," Knight said. Romero said. "On the other hand, if the thieves "But I don't think somebody woke up knew they were replicas, they're one morning and decided to steal probably going to Civil War re- them for the scrap metal value. enactors," he said. You're talking about items that cost If the cannons are headed to Civil about $10,000 to replace," the chief War re-enactors or sophisticated said. collectors, Knight said it would be Besides Civil War scholars and re- worth perusing future issues of the enactors, police will be talking to popular publications that cater to cemetery officials. Anyone who took a those people. recent interest in the Needham site - The police or the guard might be able particularly the cannons - could be to track the cannons down by considered a suspect, Romero said. scanning such publications or placing notices with the reward money in them, Knight said. Monitoring eBay ads by people trying to move Civil War cannons is another option Knight suggested.

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