CIVIL WAR HERITAGE TRAILS℠ Alabama April 2017 NEWSLETTER Issue No.57 Southgeorgia Carolina
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CIVIL WAR HERITAGE TRAILS℠ Alabama April 2017 NEWSLETTER Issue No.57 www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org SouthGeorgia Carolina Samuel McGowan Along the Trails April Events Forever Faithful… Samuel McGowan Samuel McGowan was born on October 9, 1819 in Laurens, South Carolina to Irish- immigrant Presbyterian parents. After graduating from South Carolina College (University of South Carolina) in 1841 he studied law at Abbeville, South Carolina and was licensed to practice law in 1842. Continued on Page 2 Along the Trails… Samuel McGowan: Forever Faithful to South Carolina Now nearly 700 Civil War Heritage “trailblazer” signs are installed throughout Georgia along the historic driving routes of the Atlanta Campaign, March to the Sea and Jefferson Davis Heritage Trails. Continued on Page 3 Civil Events in “Along the Trails…” April Events Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina AL – Park Day Atlanta Campaign GA – Leading From the Front and March to the SC – Firing on Fort Sumter: Sea Brochures “The Opening Ball” Continued on Page 4 Follow the Civil War Heritage Trails * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * Facebook * Twitter * YouTube * Pinterest CIVILCIVIL WARWAR HERITAGEHERITAGE TRAILSTRAILS PAGE PAGE 2 2 Samuel McGowan Forever Faithful to South Carolina Copyrighted, All Rights Reserved Samuel McGowan was born on October 9, 1819 in Laurens, South Carolina to Irish-immigrant Presbyterian parents. After graduating from South Carolina College (University of South Carolina) in 1841 he studied law at Abbeville, South Carolina and was licensed to practice law in 1842. Between 1842 and 1861 McGowan spent 13 years in the South Carolina General Assembly. He also served in the U.S. Army during the War with Mexico. McGowan was decorated for bravery and rose to the rank of captain. After South Carolina’s secession from the Union in December 1860 Samuel McGowan served as a major general of state militia. He commanded a brigade during the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Along with fellow South Carolina militia officers Johnson Hagood and States Rights Gist, McGowan fought capably in the Battle of First Manassas (in Virginia) on July 21, 1861. Samuel McGowan / Federal Attack on Gregg’s Brigade / Brigadier General McGowan Subsequently commissioned colonel of the 14th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment, by early 1862 Colonel McGowan’s new command was made a portion of Brigadier General Maxey Gregg’s brigade. Fighting in almost every engagement during the history of the Army of Northern Virginia, McGowan was wounded no less than four times. On December 13, 1862 near Fredericksburg, Virginia, the 14th South Carolina Regiment along with the entire “Gregg’s Brigade” was resting comfortably in a forested area with stacked arms. General Gregg was under the mistaken belief his brigade was in the second line of Confederate defense. When Federal infantry suddenly attacked wild confusion reigned. Gregg was mortally wounded. Colonel McGowan was subsequently promoted to command of the brigade with a new rank of brigadier general on January 17, 1863. To be continued next month….. Follow the Civil War Heritage Trails ** www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.orgwww.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org ** FacebookFacebook ** TwitterTwitter ** YouTubeYouTube ** PinterestPinterest CIVILCIVIL WARWAR HERITAGEHERITAGE TRAILSTRAILS PAGE PAGE 3 3 “Along the Trails…” A few of the newest installations! Nearly 700 Civil War Heritage “trailblazer” signs now installed in Georgia! Newton County Courthouse & Covington (GA) Square Morgan County Courthouse near sunset, Madison GA A blossoming dogwood signifies Spring has arrived along the “Right Wing” historic driving route of the March to the Sea Heritage Trail® in Monticello GA FollowFollow the Civil the Civil War War Heritage Heritage Trails Trails * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * Facebook * Facebook * Twitter * Twitter * YouTube * YouTube * Pinterest * Pinterest CIVILCIVIL WARWAR HERITAGEHERITAGE TRAILSTRAILS PAGE PAGE 4 4 Upcoming Events Details about these and more Civil War era events can be found at www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org Alabama: Park Day - Saturday, April 1, at Civil War sites throughout Alabama. Annual volunteer work day sponsored by the Civil War Trust. This is a hands-on preservation event to help Civil War battlefields and historic sites take on maintenance projects large and small. Activities are chosen by each participating site to meet their own particular needs and can range from raking leaves and hauling trash to painting signs and trail building. Contact the following (or other) Civil War era sites in Alabama for specific information about Park Day at their location: ---Fort Gaines Historic Site, Dauphin Island, 251-861-6992, www.dauphinisland.org/ ---Fort Morgan State Historic Site, Gulf Shores, 251-540-7127, www.fort-morgan.org/ ---Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, Orrville, 334-872-8058, www.cahawba.com/ ---Pond Spring, The General Joe Wheeler Home, Hillsboro, 256-637-8513, www.wheelerplantation.org/ ---Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, McCalla, 205-477-5711, www.tannehill.org/ Georgia: Leading From the Front - Monday, April 17, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Snelling Center, 3165 Washington Road, Augusta GA. Vince Dooley, former University of Georgia Head Football Coach & Athletic Director, and a current member of the Board of Trustees for Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails®, will speak during the monthly meeting of the Augusta Civil War Round Table on the topic of "Leading From the Front." Free admission for first time visitors. 706-736-2909, [email protected] South Carolina: Firing on Fort Sumter: “The Opening Ball” - Saturday, April 22, 5:00 to 8:00 pm, American Legion Hall, Duncan Park, Spartanburg SC. You are invited to our 11th annual Victorian ball featuring period dancing to traditional live music of the Blue Ridge Rounders and a seated, catered dinner. Practiced dance masters will instruct guests in the mystery of 19th century etiquette and the mastery of the Victorian ballroom. Period military or civilian attire is welcomed. This family event is appropriate for reenactors, historians, dance enthusiasts, lovers of old-time music and anyone who enjoys a good party. Tickets (sold in advance only): Adults $25.00, Children (ages 12 & under) $10.00. 864-599-1947, www.sumterball.com/ Vaughan-Smitherman Museum The Ringgold Depot Battle of Boykin’s Mill Selma, AL Ringgold, GA Camden, SC FollowFollow the Civil the Civil War War Heritage Heritage Trails Trails * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * Facebook * Facebook * Twitter * Twitter * YouTube * YouTube * Pinterest * Pinterest.