The Camp Olden Gazette News from the Camp Olden Civil War Round Table Winter, 2010

President’s Gavel.

First and foremost I would like to wish everyone a For those who like to plan ahead. This is a listing joyous holiday season. I get the opportunity every of some Civil War Sesquicentennial (150th) year to write a little note of good wishes to the events going on at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie membership and I then I realize how many times I in Charleston, SC, this coming April. have done so. It’s been eleven years since I was Fort Sumter National Monument elected. Wow! It’s been an exciting road. We have grown into one of the strongest Round Tables in Fort Sumter - Charleston Harbor. New Jersey. I am proud of everyone for helping us April 9-14, 2011 (Saturday-Thursday) do so. Union reenactors will portray Companies E & H, 1st US Artillery Regiment. This also includes At our last meeting, Camp Olden began celebrating members of the regimental band. Living history the holiday season with Kevin Rawling’s return as programs will be offered to visitors arriving on 1860s Santa Claus. I think all who attended, each tour boat. especially our new members, enjoyed his talk on April 14-17, 2011 (Thursday-Sunday) the history of Christmas during the Civil War. On the afternoon of April 14, 1861, the US garrison surrendered and left the fort. Then

Company B, South Carolina Artillery Battalion and the Palmetto Guard, an infantry company moved into the fort. CS reenactors representing these units will garrison the fort offering living history programs to visitors on each tour boat.

Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center

340 Concord Street, Charleston, SC. April 9-17, 2011 (Saturday-Sunday)

Confederate, and civilian, reenactors will be on site providing living history programs for visitors. We have some exciting speakers scheduled for our next meetings. On Dec. 2nd our speaker will be: Fort Moultrie - Charleston Harbor Stuart Lutz discussing his book; "The Last Leaf: 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, SC Voices of History's Last-Known Survivors" and on April 9-17, 2011 (Saturday-Sunday) th Jan. 6 for Anthony J Rosati Sr. portraying Maj. Confederate reenactors representing units General William T. Sherman. stationed at the fort and on Sullivan’s Island at Future Round Table plans include discussions with this time in April 1861, will be camped on site Dr. David Martin and the Sons of Union Veterans presenting living history programs to visitors. about a possible event to recognize the opening of Happy Holidays! Camp Olden training camp. If you have any ideas let us know ([email protected]). Your Obedient Servant! Bruce

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Civil War Visits. threatened almost every day for teaching the Some of our members did some traveling over children to read and write. the past few months Following are some “field We went to Jefferson's Rock which was a touring

reports”. spot for many years after our third president saw the view from the rock and proclaimed it one of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. the nicest views he had ever seen. We walked the Submitted by John Maleski town where there are many book shops, and a museum that was a quite interesting. The town, of course, was one of two Federal arsenals along with Springfield, Massachusetts, in the states before the Civil War. It was located there because George Washington had surveyed the land and the two rivers running into it (Potomac and Shenandoah) and determined that it made a good spot to house the guns for the new nation. Dateline Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, August th th, This, along with some land that our first 5 through 7 2010. Time for our annual trip to president had purchased there before he was a Civil War battlefield with my buddies from President, is how it became to be an arsenal. High School (Joe, Jeff and Bill) and to get some There are some great restaurants nearby along well needed away time from the "swamps of with a new casino which can be fun for the Jersey". We decided to return to the place where gamblers who come for a weekend getaway. we took our first overnight trip in 1999 instead of our 2nd choice, Washington, DC. The four of Also, some of the best whitewater rafting can be us will never forget that first trip to Harpers found there on the two rivers. However, our ride because it was the same night that John Kennedy was less then fun due to the shallowness of the Jr. died in that tragic plane crash east of river. Our guide said they had not had a good Massachusetts. We could only think what might rain in a month and the river trip almost had to have been for the young Kennedy as he was be canceled due to lack of water. Something we politically coming into his own at the time. This did not squeeze in was the hiking / biking of the trip, we arrived at a hotel the center of town that Appalachian Trail for which Harpers Ferry is the was in keeping with the time period called the halfway point. However, it was quite hot and Towns Inn. There was free parking at the train may have been a bit much for us. Instead we station, a short walk to the hotel. The room was toured Shepherdstown, WV, where there were had bunk beds, a fridge, coffee and a common also some great restaurants, museums and shops. room next to us where we could read, have a A monument that stands above the town drink or just people watch from the window. overlooking the Shenandoah is another great view from this mountain river town. We took a Ranger tour of the town which included a tour of the Heights where the union Overall it was well worth the time getting away surrendered over 9000 men to Gen. Stonewall for a weekend and I would highly recommend Jackson, the most ever by an American Army till going to Harpers Ferry for anyone who likes WW2, when we surrendered to Japan in the Civil War History. Next up for our gang of four? Philippines early in the war. The Heights above Memphis Tenn.? ♦ the city had some great vistas and the Ranger did a fair job of explaining the battle plans for both sides. The tour continued down to the city where we toured a graveyard and a school. The school was the first of its kind after the war to house young black students just freed by emancipation. On there walk to school, teachers were

The Camp Olden Gazette 2 I Stood Where General Buford Stood. climb a 20 foot ladder to reach the cupola. Contributed by Tony Travaglione

In October, 2010 I attended a three day seminar in Gettysburg conducted by the Center for Civil War Photography. In addition to battlefield tours and lectures, we were given a tour of the

Lutheran Theological Seminary building in Gettysburg, located on the first day’s battlefield of July 1, 1863. The tour included a special trip to the cupola at the top of the building, used by Trap Door in Cupola Union Brigadier General as an At the top of a narrow section of stairs we observation post the morning of the first day. emerged through a trap door into the cupola, This cupola is usually only open to the public above the Seminary roof. The original cupola twice a year, at a cost of $125 per visit. The burned in 1913, but was replaced with the replica following are some photos of my tour. now in place.

Fields and Woods from the Cupola

This is General Buford’s view looking west

Brick Seminary Building toward the advancing Confederate Army (I stood here). The trees in the foreground were much This is the Lutheran Theological Seminary shorter and did not block the view, and the building, which on July 1st was directly in the building and road on the right did not exist. paths of the attack of Confederate General A. P. Buford could see McPherson’s Woods in the Hill’s Corps and the retreat of the Union 1st distance (the first tree line) and the Emmitsburg Corps. Union Generals Buford and Reynolds Road (on the far right behind the trees). Based on conferred here early in the battle. Heavy fighting these observations, Buford positioned his occurred in front of the west side of the building dismounted cavalry troops to delay the enemy shown here, along the Federal line temporarily until the 1st Corps infantry could arrive. established that morning. The white cupola used by General Buford as an observation post can be seen at the top of the building.

Town of Gettysburg This is the view looking east, in the opposite

Wooden Stairway direction. Most of this area was empty in 1863, th The tour guide took us to the 4 floor of the but has since been filled with the developing building and into the attic. In the center of the town of Gettysburg. Robert E. Lee may have attic is a sturdy wooden stairway that leads to the made observations from the cupola later in the cupola. However in 1863, General Buford had to battle, and he could probably see all the way

The Camp Olden Gazette 3 across to Union positions on Cemetery Hill. (A below John Brown’s; and his other son Watson thought: Was Robert E. Lee able to climb four Brown’s, which is on the back, below that of his flights of stairs and a 20 foot ladder?) brother Fredrick. After the battle the Seminary building was used as a large hospital for both Union and Confederate wounded until September, 1863. The seminary resumed its normal activities and continues to the present, with many other buildings added to the campus. Today the seminary building is occupied by the Adams County Historical Society, who owns a huge collection of books, documents, photographs and artifacts of the . John Brown’s Grave It was truly a special feeling to be in this historic building and to see the from There are also two graves next to John Brown’s. a high vantage point. ♦ Watson, killed during the fighting at Harpers Ferry is buried in the center grave. The remains of Oliver Brown, killed at Harpers Ferry, and what are John Brown's Final Resting Place. believed to be those of nine other men who took Contributed by Mike Mazzocchi part in the raid are in the third grave. On a September visit to the Adirondacks I visited John Brown's Farm in North Elba, New York, near Lake Placid. He had purchased the farm in the late 1840s but spent very little time there. After his execution for his raid at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859, Brown's wife returned his body to the farm for burial on December 8, 1859.

Three Graves Located Near the Farmhouse In addition there is a statue of Brown walking with his arm around the shoulders of a young African- American boy. The State of New York has restored the house to its condition circa 1859. Some of the original furnishings remain, as well as other period pieces that provide a reasonable sense of the John Brown’s Farmhouse accommodations at the time it was occupied by The headstone over his grave has five names Brown's family. ♦ inscribed on it. It was originally carved with the name of his grandfather, Captain John Brown, who died in 1776 while serving in the Continental Army, and it was moved here from Connecticut at John Brown’s request around 1858. (Captain Brown is buried in New York City.) John Brown later had added an inscription in memory of his son, Fredrick, who was killed and buried in in 1856. On December 2, 1859, the morning of his execution, he directed that three more names be added to the stone: his own, which appears below John Brown Memorial Sculpture Captain Brown’s; his son Oliver Brown’s, which is

The Camp Olden Gazette 4 Civil Reunion. 50, the organization’s ranks were losing an By David Schwartz increasing amount of members each year. Even (Casino Connection, September 2010) so, the arrival of the GAR was viewed as a coup In 1910, scores of veterans of the Civil War for the city. Hotels competed to host the veterans gathered for a national encampment in Atlantic and the city rolled out a patriotic welcome for the City war heroes. On Sunday, September 18, 85-year-old General , the last surviving corps commander from the conflict, welcomed the soldiers from the stage of Steeplechase Pier. Sickles, who lost his leg at Gettysburg, declared that the reunions were “the breath of life” to him, and spoke about the continuing reconciliation between North and South. By Monday, more Today, Atlantic City is working to re-invent than 10,000 former soldiers had filled the city’s itself as a convention destination. In September, hotels, which echoed with reminiscences of long- one of the most interesting conventions the city’s ago battles. That evening, the Morris Guards, ever seen celebrated its 100th anniversary: the glittering in blue and gold uniforms, stood watch National Encampment of the Grand Army of the as Commander in Chief Samuel R. Van Sant of Republic. Minnesota was feted in an elaborate reception in Steel Pier’s Music Hall. In September 1910, Atlantic City was site of the 44th meeting of the GAR, an organization of The National Encampment officially opened on Civil War veterans who fought for the Union Tuesday night at Million Dollar Pier. New Jersey from 1861 to 1865. In the aftermath of that Governor John Franklin Fort, Atlantic City struggle, returning servicemen sought the Mayor Franklin Stoy and others looked on as company of their former brothers-in-arms for F. M. Sterrett officially called the group both social and political reasons. Organized into to order under a canopy of glowing lights and state-level departments and local posts, the GAR American flags. Van Sant, a former Minnesota met for the first time in Indianapolis in governor, was given a diamond-studded badge to November 1866. The massive assemblies honor his commitment to the organization and became an annual tradition. the . To cheers, General Sickles was carried to the stage on the shoulders of his The GAR moved around the country, avoiding former soldiers. the South (though Washington, D.C. hosted several conventions). By 1910, it was Atlantic The following day brought the greatest spectacle City’s turn. In Reconstruction years, interest in of the week, as 10,000-plus veterans, dressed in the group was keen, and the GAR was influential Union blue and carrying frayed regimental flags, in both electing Republican candidates and paraded through the streets of the city, joined by promoting civil rights for black Americans, the Women’s Relief Corp (nurses who supported particularly veterans. In the 1880s, the group the Union effort), Ladies of the GAR (wives of began advocating for federal veteran’s pensions, the soldiers), and the Sons and Daughters of and membership soared. In 1890, the GAR Veterans. Seventy-five Atlantic City veterans boasted more than 409,000 members. By the took part in the parade and received particularly time the group got to Atlantic City, it had less enthusiastic applause. According to GAR than 214,000 members. It had been 45 years Adjutant General George O. Eddy, it was the since the end of hostilities, and most veterans group’s most successful parade ever, due in large were in their 60s or older. In an age when the part to the hospitality of Atlantic City’s average life expectancy for men was less than residents. President William Howard Taft did not come to the Encampment, causing some ill will

The Camp Olden Gazette 5 among the veterans. It was customary for Alfred Mordecai: His presidents, particularly Republican ones, to Ordnance is Well-Known, His Name attend, at least briefly. But Vice President John Not So Much. Sherman did attend, as did perpetual Democratic Contributed by Robert Silverman presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. Alfred Mordecai was an army officer from the On Friday, the Encampment adjourned, and the South. He was born in Warrenton, NC on veterans began to head back home. When the January 3, 1804 and lived there until he entered Lincoln Post of Newark, New Jersey, left on the the US Military Academy in 1819. He was 6 p.m. train, the meeting was officially in the graduated from West Point in 1823, first in his record books. The city had acquitted itself well class, and was commissioned in the Corps of over the week’s festivities. Though the GAR Engineers. After nine years in the corps, he was didn’t return, the message was clear: Atlantic promoted to Captain of Ordnance. City could handle any meeting, no matter how large. The following decade saw the city’s During the next 29 years, Alfred Mordecai built convention business soar. The GAR continued to a successful career in the Ordnance Department. meet for another 39 years. At its final meeting in He commanded the Washington Arsenal twice, Indianapolis, only 16 members remained. The once in 1833 and again during 1844-1847; the last Union veteran, a former drummer boy, died Frankfort Arsenal in Philadelphia 1835-1838; in 1956, closing a sad chapter in American and the Watervliet Arsenal in Troy, NY 1857- history in which Atlantic City played a role. ♦ 1861. In 1839, Mordecai was appointed to the Ordnance Board, a position he held for 22 years, Article submitted by Mario Florio and he was a member of the 1840 and 1855

military commissions sent to Europe to observe A Quiz on Union Corps Commanders ordnance there. He was promoted to - at Gettysburg. Major in 1848, for his contributions to the Contributed by Dr. David Martin Mexican War, and to Major in 1854. His (Answers must include corps he commanded; names can technological accomplishments included: be used more than once) 1. America’s first single trail artillery carriage and a new limber to tow it, replacing the bulky double trail carriage and limber that predated the War of 1812,

contributing to the mobility and 1. Which corps commander was killed? effectiveness of artillery batteries during 2. Which corps commanders were wounded? the Mexican War and Civil War. 3. Which corps commander lived the longest after the war? 2. Caisson, battery wagon, and portable 4. Which corps commander died soonest after forge designs that allowed Gettysburg? interchangeable connection with the new 5. Which corps commander led an army after limber, completing the system of artillery Gettysburg? vehicles of the Mexican and Civil Wars. 6. Who had the least experience as corps 3. The System of 1841, a coherent system commander before Gettysburg? of standardized artillery designs reflected 7. Who was the oldest corps commander? in the Pattern 1841 field artillery pieces 8. Who was the youngest corps commander? that saw service during the Mexican and 9. Who was the only corps commander not to Civil Wars. attend West Point? 10. Which corps commander had a twin brother? 4. The army’s first ordnance manual in Answers on page 8 Major Alfred Mordecai continued on page 8.

The Camp Olden Gazette 6 It’s Membership Renewal Time! Below is your renewal form for 2011 membership in the Camp Olden Civil War Round Table. These rates reflect a $5.00 discount for payment by the February meeting. For payment after that date, please add $5.00. New members can use this form also with, of course, the same discounts.

Send the completed form and your check to: Camp Olden Civil War Round Table, P.O. Box 10565, Hamilton, NJ 08690 For meeting and other information visit us on the Web: www.campolden.org. Membership Activity. Just in time for Halloween, Jane Estes made an an interesting slide show of symbolism on head appearance at the Belmar Public Library with her stones from various cemeteries she has visited. ♦ presentation of “Victorian Mourning Customs”. Jane, a noted Civil War and Victorian re-enactor Be a Gazette Contributor! brought her lively “tongue in cheek” talk about Victorian opinions, dress and social mores to a Explore a battlefield? See an interesting museum delighted audience at the library. Dressed in exhibit? Read a new Civil War book or reread a traditional mourning black complete with hoop favorite one? Share your experiences with round skirt, Jane led the audience though a few table members. Victorian final thoughts on death, demonstrated Jot down a couple of lines and send your photos well-to-do ladies mourning clothes from the and your thoughts to the Gazette email address: outside in [they wore a lot of clothing!], [email protected]. The mailing th presented a display of mourning cards, ladies address is C&M Mazzocchi, 1430 18 Ave. fans and jewelry from the 1860’s and closed with Wall, NJ 07719.

The Camp Olden Gazette 7 Major Alfred Mordecai continued from page6. Alfred quietly pursued his civilian career, he faded from national attention and memory. He 1841 and first artillery manual in 1849, setting the pattern for future ordnance died in Philadelphia on October 23, 1887. ♦ and artillery manuals, including those of the Civil War. 5. Scientific methods and equipment for testing gunpowder, artillery, and small arms based on principles of physics, replacing traditional military practices.

6. Scientific tests of various types of gunpowder, the results of which helped Alfred and Sara Mordecai lie side by side in the Mikve define American military gunpowder Israel Cemetery on Federal Street in Philadelphia. Their specifications. daughters’ graves are near them. (© 2010, R. Silverman)

7. The Pattern 1857 light 12-pounder gun, the Napoleon, the most versatile and Answers to Gettysburg Quiz (Page 6): common field artillery piece of the Civil War. 1. John F. Reynolds, As the Secession Crisis and possible war loomed 2. Dan Sickles, II Corps (leg); Winfield S. large in late 1860 and early 1861, Major Hancock, II Corps (groin) Mordecai faced a dilemma. Although he agreed 3. Dan Sickles, III Corps (died in 1914) with southern political and social viewpoints, he 4. , VI Corps (killed at did not condone an armed rebellion. He kept his Spotsylvania) opinions private, not wanting to encourage 5. Oliver O. Howard, XI Corps (Army of northern or southern extremists. the Tennessee) 6. George Sykes, , 3 days With the fall of Fort Sumter in April 1861, 7. John Sedgwick, VI Corps (49) Alfred had to choose: his southern family and 8. Oliver O. Howard, XI Corps (32) roots or his wife (Sara) and children who were 9. Dan Sickles, III Corps lifelong northerners. His son, Alfred Jr., was a 10. Winfield S. Hancock, II Corps (Hilary West Point cadet due to be commissioned in Hancock) July. How could he side against his southern relatives? How could he oppose his own son? Scoring: 0-3 correct. Go read another Gettysburg book. 4-6 correct. Good job, you pay attention at meetings. 7-8 correct. You should be a Camp Olden officer. 9-10 correct. Treat yourself to another trip to Gettysburg!

1855 Military Commission to Europe in Russia (left to right): Capt. McClellan, Major Delafield, Russian Lt. Col. Obrescoff, and Major Mordecai. (Library of Congress) In May of 1861, Major Mordecai resigned his commission and moved his family to Philadelphia. His resignation drew strong public condemnations in both the North and South. As

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