Case Shot & Canister

1BA Publication of the Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table Partners with Manor College and the Civil War Institute Our 21st Year

May 2013 Special Chancellorsville and 4BVolume 23

5BNumber 5 Memorial Day Issue

Editor Patricia Caldwell

Contributors Hugh Boyle, Book Nook Editor Rose Boyle Mike Burkhimer Nancy Caldwell, Artistic Adviser Jack DeLong Jim Dover Paula Gidjunis Walt Lafty Carol Lieberman Courtney Lee Malpass Tom Stewart Larry Vogel Andy Waskie Our May Meeting

Original Photos An Evening with General Meade Patricia Caldwell (unless otherwise noted) Presenter: Historian Dr. Andy Waskie Tuesday, May 21, 2013

3BUOfficers President 7:30 pm Hugh Boyle 6:15 pm for dinner Vice President Jerry Carrier Radisson Hotel Treasurer Route 1 @ Old Lincoln Highway Herb Kaufman Secretary Trevose, PA Patricia Caldwell

e-mail:[email protected] U Dinner Menu – Roast Sirloin, served with Caesar Salad, rolls, phone: (215)638-4244 butter, iced tea, diet soda and dessert.

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

Umailing addresses: for membership: Call Rose Boyle at 215-638-4244 for reservations 2601 Bonnie Lane Huntingdon Valley PA 19006 by May 16. Dinner Price $24.00 [Note new dinner price!] for newsletter items: You are responsible for dinners not cancelled 3201 Longshore Avenue Philadelphia PA 19149-2025 by Monday morning May 20.

serves on the board of the GAR Museum & Library In This Issue in Frankford.

 Events for the 1863 sesquicentennial year  Preservation news from Paula Gidjunis  Larry Vogel summarizes our April meeting

 Murder or Retribution? – a “Civil War Vignette”  Current schedule for the Civil War Institute  Hugh Boyle laments the possible demise of a staple, and Mike Burkhimer reviews a classic by Gordon Rhea in the Book Nook  Chancellorsville & Robert E. Lee – the subject of Mike Burkhimer’s “What I Think About That”  Larry Vogel comments on the whereabouts of Stonewall Jackson’s arm It’s another year and another Bensalem  Walt Lafty marks Memorial Day with a piece reenactment; those years now add up to 20. Yes, on a local cemetery it has been 20 years since we have been a sponsor  Our commemoration of the Sesquicentennial and a working force at this reenactment. A continues with events of May 1863 working force that has brought many years of  Photos of Del Val at Neshaminy success. I am not going to say that it seems like yesterday because it seems and feels like 20 years. Our involvement in this reenactment started

back then with Bob Kane’s suggestion that we do An Evening with General Meade so. We and the reenactment have come a long way in those 20 years, but it is amazing that so many of the same faces still walk the grounds of Dr. Anthony Waskie, in the guise of General George Neshaminy State Park. There are many of the G. Meade, will make a return appearance to our Round Table at our May meeting. I’m sure that most same sponsors and many of the same reenactors, of us know Andy and are well acquainted with the yet many were not even born when this depth of his knowledge on Civil War topics and, in reenactment started 24 years ago. The particular, the life and career of General Meade. reenactment still has the same excitement as it had in the beginning. It has raised many Andy was born and raised in Bloomsburg, Columbia thousands of dollars for battlefield preservation County, , and did his undergrad work as with both on-field donations and money raised in a German/Russian major, History minor at Bloomsburg University, and has received M.A. and sales and sponsor dollars. I must say again this Ph.D. degrees from New York University. Andy had year that we as a round table were a major factor experience with the U.S. State Department as a in the success of the event. Speaking for the Foreign Service officer, and saw duty with the U.S. reenactment committee, the members of this Army Reserves, specializing in language round table deserve a most profound thank you. interrogation and interpretation. He spent 31 years as Speaking for myself – “You’re the best”. an educator at the Pennsbury School District in Bucks County. Retiring in 1999 from public education, Andy is now a professor at Temple Thank you for another year of being great!! University and at one time was an instructor for the Del Val Civil War Institute at Holy Family Hugh Boyle University. He is very active in the Civil War history, research and preservation communities, seeking to President promote the Civil War History of the city. Andy also 2

annual Compuserve Civil War Reunion which met in Charleston and its environs from April 11-14.

a Jim and Linda Dover recently cruised the Caribbean, with stops in San Juan, St. Thomas, St. MAY BRAIN TEASERS Maartens, and the Dominican Republic.

1 – On what battlefield were the East and West Carol and Jack Lieberman vacationed in Eastern Woods? Europe with stops in Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. They also visited 2 – What was John Hunt Morgan’s raid behind two Concentration Camps as well as the Warsaw Federal lines in Kentucky in December 1862 called? Ghetto.

3 – Name the Secretary of the Navy during the The May 5 First Sunday Open House at the GAR Civil War. Museum featured Andy Waskie speaking on GAR Decoration Day Traditions and Customs. (Answers in next month’s newsletter!)

Herb Kaufman spoke on ‘Military Conscription and ANSWERS TO THE APRIL BRAIN TEASERS the Civil War Draft Riots” at the Mercer Museum on May 5. 1 – Who presided over Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial? – Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase Hugh Boyle is scheduled to speak on “Presidential 2 – Who was McClellan’s running mate in the Assassins” to the residents of Ann’s Choice in 1864 presidential election? – George Hunt Warminster on May 9. Pendleton of Ohio 3 – Name Lincoln’s personal secretary, who later Many of us know that Courtney Lee Malpass has served as Secretary of State for three Presidents. – John Milton Hay been working on a novel for the past year. Courtney will be presenting the novel at her thesis presentation at the Castle at Arcadia University on May 9 at 7:00 it is free to the public, and all are welcome to attend.

Sandy Kaufman is scheduled to speak on “Women

in the Civil War” on May 19 as part of the Turning

Point Lecture Series at the Mercer Museum.

Congratulations to our April raffle winners! Dr. Details are in the Upcoming Events column. Leslie Rose was the winner of the dinner raffle. Alan Ash, Alan Shaw, Marshall Sterling and Walt Millicent Sparks will present a first-person Lafty won books following our presentation. portrayal of Harriet Tubman at the Upper Moreland Historical Association in Willow Grove on Tom Stewart’s trivia question – “Who successfully May 28. ran his 12-ship fleet past Vicksburg?” – was correctly answered as Admiral David Porter by Jim Dover. Maybe Jim read that in the April issue of Case Shot & Canister – that fact was an entry in the Sesquicentennial Events for April 1863. Just sayin’ Eleanor White – Philadelphia … it pays to read your newsletter!!!

Paula Gidjunis, John Shivo, Carol Ingald and Pete Romeika were among those who gathered for the 3 museum admission. And…On selected dates throughout the spring and summer, watch for special appearances by soldiers, civilians, politicians and other “people from the past” in conjunction with the museum’s exhibit, Turning Points: Civil War, 1863- JUNE 18 1864. Check the museum website for details. Roger Arthur http://www.mercermuseum.org/exhibits/current-and- upcoming/ John Brown’s Raid May 18, 2013 – Sunday – 10:00 am – JULY 16 Gravesite Placement of Veterans’ Flags at Laurel Hill Cemetery – Meet at the gatehouse of Book Discussion Night Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Avenue (215-228- Gettysburg, Day 1 8200) at 10:00 am. The group assembled will place Edited by Gary Gallagher US flags on the graves of veterans’ of all wars. As time and manpower permit, the cemeteries to be covered include Laurel Hill, Mt. Peace & St. James AUGUST 20 the Less. Refreshments. All welcome! Local Historian Jim Heenahan May 19, 2013 – Sunday – 2:00 pm – Turning Colonel Ira Grover Points Lecture Series: Women in the Civil 7th Indiana at Gettysburg War – Mercer Museum, Doylestown – Sandy Kaufman discusses the varied and sometime little-known roles played by women in the Civil War. SEPTEMBER 17 Will feature women in the literary world as well as Author Dr. Judith Giesberg those in medicine, politics, nursing and military Women on the Homefront service. Presented in collaboration with the Civil War Institute at Manor College. Supported in part by the Friends of the Bucks County Historical Society. OCTOBER 15 $12/Free to members. Call 215-348-9461 to register. Local Historian Dan Cashin May 26, 2013 – Sunday – 12:00 Noon – The 71st PA at Annual Memorial Day Observed at Historic Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA – NOVEMBER 19 Recreating Original G.A.R. Decoration Day Service of 1868: The traditional Decoration Day service of the Author Greg Urwin Grand Army Meade Post #1 will be recreated at Gettysburg – History & Hype Historic Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave. All are welcome to attend and participate. Refreshments

served after the ceremony. Tours of the historic cemetery available. For info: 215-228-8200.

May 27, 2013 – Monday – 12:00 noon – Special Memorial Day Observance – Christ Church Burial Ground at 5th& Arch St. The final resting place of five signers of the Declaration of Through August 25, 2013 – Ongoing – Independence, including Benjamin Franklin! The Exhibit – Turning Points: Civil War: 1863- Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post #405 of the 1864. Mercer Museum, Doylestown, PA – After Union League will place a wreath representing the two years of war, Bucks County residents confront American Legion Post, all commemorating the the critical political, social and military issues of the services of all veterans! ALL are welcome! era, make choices, and weigh the costs of continuing the conflict. Visitors experience the war through the June 1-2, 20132 – Saturday & Sunday –10:00 eyes of local citizens and soldiers, and through the am until 5:00 pm (Saturday), 10:00 until 4:00 images, artifacts and narratives they left behind. pm (Sunday) – Civil War Reunion at Exhibit commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Pennypacker Mills – 5 Haldeman Road, Civil War, and is based on the rich period collections Schwenksville, PA. Free event. Activities for kids and of the Mercer Museum and Library. Included with adults. Music, medical demos, tours, speakers. 4

DelVal Preservation Committee will be there! For There is also a living history at the battlefield: more info: see the flyer on page 15, call (610)287- http://www.nps.gov/gett 9349 or http://www.civilwarreunion.org/. 2) Pennypacker Mills will hold their reenactment on June 8, 2013 – Saturday – 10:00 am to 3:00 June 1-2. This is a great site where, in addition to the pm – Gettysburg Day at Manor College – 700 reenactment, you can tour the Pennypacker Mansion. Fox Chase Road, Jenkintown. Sponsored by Del Val This is a free event. http://www.civilwarreunion.org CWRT and the Civil War Institute. Free exhibits and If you missed the first-person Octavius Catto demonstrations. Book sale. Historical Societies. Featured presentations ($8 adults, $5 students, performance by Robert Branch at our January Round children (12 and under) free) – Herb Kaufman, Mike Table meeting, you can catch an encore. Robert will Riley, Jim Hessler & Hugh Boyle. For full details and be reprising the role at Pennypacker Mills on Sunday, times please see the flyer on page 17 and June 2. http://www.manor.edu/coned/civil/Civil%20War%20E vent%202013%20Save%20the%20Date.pdf 3) Manor Day, June 8, enjoy the grounds at Manor College and speakers at this event. See all the details on page 17.

Plans are underway for a day trip to 4) Camp William Penn, LaMott, Cheltenham, Baltimore on October 26. Watch this September 21, this event will celebrate the 150th publication for details as they become anniversary of the opening of Camp William Penn, available. the largest training facility for African Americans during the Civil War. Details to follow. Free event.

GETTYSBURG AT THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER (NCC)

On Monday June 17th at 6:30, the NCC will have a

special event, the Eve of Gettysburg, a panel discussion with Ted Widmer, Sean Wilentz, Carla Petersen, and Adam Goodheart (author of the book By Paula Gidjunis, 1861). Admission $10, members $7. Preservation Committee Chair http://constitutioncenter.org/calendar/the-eve-of- gettysburg

PRESERVATION HELP NO MORE CYCLORAMA If you still would like to come out and help with the fun – there are several more events when you can After a 14-year battle the Cyclorama building in help out. If you have some extra time, an hour or Gettysburg is no more. It was finally demolished in two, please consider helping out at one, or two, or March. http://articles.philly.com/2013-03- more activities. Please see any of the committee 13/news/37654240_1_cyclorama-battlefield-katie- members to volunteer. While looking at the months lawhon . For more history on the Cyclorama painting ahead, please keep these dates and events in mind: and the building, check it out here http://www.nps.gov/gett/historyculture/gettysbur 1) Spring Gettysburg Cleanup on Saturday, May 11, g-cyclorama.htm 2013, we meet at 10 AM on East . Enjoy a spring day in Gettysburg. We usually are finished by lunchtime and you will have the rest of the day to CIVIL WAR AT THE MERCER MUSEUM enjoy the Burg. On that weekend the Barnyard Flea Market is taking place in Cashtown, just 8 miles west I had the opportunity to attend the opening of the of Gettysburg www.barnyard-fleamarket.com. Also Turning Points exhibit on the Civil War at the Mercer that weekend are two farmer’s markets, Museum in Doylestown. The exhibit covers http://www.acfarmersmarkets.org/index.html and recruitment, the battlefront, the homefront, politics, http://www.gettysburgfarmmarket.com/home/ slavery, the role of Black soldiers during the war, the 5 draft, and the aftermath. It highlights Bucks County of Gettysburg. During visits to the Army's winter regiments and soldiers, including many photos and quarters, he interviewed the commanders of every artifacts from these soldiers. The exhibit follows regiment and battery in the Army of the Potomac. several Bucks County residents through the war, and He later organized reunions on the field and at the end of the exhibit tells you what happened to accompanied veterans over the terrain and placed them. It is very well presented, comprehensive and wooden stakes into the ground to identify important worth a visit. There is also a hands-on exhibit for the points of the battle. From 1883 to 1887, he served in younger visitor. This exhibit will appeal to a variety the position as Superintendent of Tablets and of ages. There will also be presentations throughout Legends for the Memorial the summer on a variety of Civil War related topics, some by members of the round table. Check out the Association, and is probably responsible more than website below, and our Upcoming Events column in any man for the placement of monuments and each issue of Case Shot & Canister. battlefield markers, both Union and Confederate. www.mercermuseum.org/exhibits/current-and- upcoming/

The Hallowed Ground By Larry Vogel

Once again a full house gathered for the monthly meeting of the Delaware Valley Civil War Round

Table on a cool spring night in April. The crowd was A full house studies Don Wiles’ monument slides so large, supplemented by a couple of new members and visitors, that additional chairs had to be brought Don’s Powerpoint presentation then went on to in. The main presentation was slightly delayed, describe the many different types of monuments, because although we may be “Civil War” Enthusiasts, and he highlighted examples of each. IT experts we are not. So after much wrangling with the computer equipment the show was on. The various types of monuments include: Large State

Monuments, Equestrian Monuments, Portrait Statues, The speaker Don Wiles presented a fine Powerpoint Regimental Monuments and miscellaneous monuments, look at the Gettysburg Monuments. Don claimed to such as the Peace Light memorial which was have photographed them all, numbering over 1300. th dedicated for the 75 anniversary of the battle. Don gave us a brief history on how the battlefield There are even three Flagpole Memorials. Many of “park” was created and preserved. Initially the land the regiments and even some companies had smaller was bought up by local business men, and was run by Flank Markers, Advanced Position Markers, and several privately held groups until the National Park Skirmish Markers placed on the field. Service took over running the battlefield in 1933.

Placement of the Monuments started in 1867 when In the early years main control of placing the veterans of the 1st Minnesota Infantry placed a moments fell to John Bachelder. Bachelder was a memorial urn in the National Cemetery. Twelve years 19th century historian of the . later the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry placed a tablet He was a dominant factor in the preservation and on the battlefield. memorialization of the Gettysburg Battlefield. He studied the battlefield area via horseback and drew The 25th anniversary of the battle in 1888 spurred on maps of the battlefield. He visited field hospitals, the monumentation of Gettysburg. I could literally interviewed wounded soldiers of both armies, and spend the remaining pages of the newsletter determined the position on his map of every unit describing each memorial discussed, but instead here engaged in the battle. He published a panoramic view are some highlights: 6

The most photographed monument on the field is the Don also gave us scores of interesting factoids on Pennsylvania State Memorial which commemorates the monuments, including: the 34,530 Pennsylvania soldiers "who fought at  John Reynolds is the most “memorialized” Gettysburg". They are all listed on the 100-foot- person on the field with at least 6 square pedestal's bronze tablets. The monument was monuments to him. built for $182,000.  Even though Kentucky had no troops at Gettysburg, they found it necessary to get The Virginia Monument was the first Confederate into the act by placing a Monument to State memorial constructed at Gettysburg. It is a Lincoln’s in the National bronze statue of Robert E. Lee on his horse Traveller Cemetery. and a "bronze group of figures representing the  Old Baldy was not used as a model for Artillery, Infantry, and Cavalry of the Confederate Meade’s equestrian statue. Army". The equestrian statue is atop a granite  A replica Father Corby Statue is at the pedestal and the group of six standing figures is on a University of Notre Dame, where he served sculptured bronze base. as President after the war.  General Meade and General Lee’s equestrian One of the newer monuments and personally one of monuments face each other as the men may my favorites is the Masonic monument, which is in have done on July 3, 1863. the National Cemetery. It is called the “The Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial”. It depicts the "Armistead-Bingham incident" after Pickett's Charge in which Union Army Captain Henry H. Bingham assisted mortally-wounded Confederate Brigadier General Lewis Armistead, both of whom were Freemasons. It was said that, as Armistead went down, he gave a Masonic sign asking for assistance. Armistead then entrusted his personal effects (i.e., spurs, watch chain, seal and pocketbook) with Bingham. He also asked Bingham to pass along the items with a message to General Winfield Scott Hancock, as they were friends before the war. Don accepts the “esteemed drinking vessel” Also a rather recent memorial is the “The from Hugh Boyle Gettysburg Women's Memorial”. The monument was dedicated in 2002. It is a tribute to the women of To supplement writing this article I went to my book Gettysburg who served and suffered because of the case and pulled out Gettysburg: Stories of Men and battle. The statue depicts Elizabeth Thorn, wife of Monuments by Licensed Battlefield Guide Frederick the caretaker of Evergreen Cemetery. Her story is W. Hawthorne, copyright 1988. This is a paperback an interesting one. At the time of the battle she was book of 140 pages which gives brief description and six months pregnant and caring for three sons and photos of about 100 or so monuments of varying her elderly parents as her husband was away serving types. Each description includes the cost of the with the 138th Pennsylvania Infantry, which was memorial, the designer and contractor among the serving in Virginia during the . information provided. In addition I viewed the website After the battle, as caretaker of the cemetery, she www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/index.php was ordered to begin burying casualties, Men were detailed to help but one by one they slipped away, All and all it was another enjoyable evening learning unable to bear the work. The statue depicts a weary more about the Civil War with others who share the Thorn leaning on a shovel as she rests from burying obsession. I am already looking forward to next 91 casualties from the battle. month’s meeting with General Meade.

7 On May 7 Dr. Peters rode to the Cheairs house, tied up his horse and walked through the HQ staff in the yard. He entered Van Dorn’s room, and put a bullet in his head. He then calmly “Terror of Ugly Husbands” mounted his horse and left. Suspiciously the By Pat Caldwell, Editor staff officers do not appear to have heard the shot! They were only alerted when the So dubbed by a housemaid came running into the yard. contemporary journalist, Peters was not actively pursued, possibly Confederate General because even Van Dorn’s staff officers were Earl Van Dorn met embarrassed or offended by his behavior and his demise on May 7, figured he got what he deserved. He did 1863, but not as a surrender to authorities, claiming that Van combat victim. Van Dorn had “"violated the sanctity of his home”, Dorn, a pre-war poet but they took no action against him. and artist, seemed the epitome of But what happened to Jessie? She gave birth to Victorian chivalry, a daughter named Madora in January 1864 – but in reality was a less than nine months after Van Dorn’s death. serial womanizer and adulterer. At the age of Peters filed for divorce in 1866, citing desertion, 23, following graduation from West Point he but they reconciled in 1868 – possibly to keep married Caroline Godbold in 1843 and fathered the money and property in the family? – and two children, a son and daughter, with her. Van Madora was placed in an orphanage. Dorn’s military career was storied – he served in the Mexican War, in Florida and the Indian Madora was eventually brought back into the Territory, and joined the Confederacy with his family. Ironically, when the doctor was in failing native Mississippi. He fought at Pea Ridge and health in 1889, it was Madora who cared for Corinth, and in March 1863 was given him. At his funeral, Jessie in a black veil was command of the cavalry corps of the Army of reported to have said, “Well, I never cared for Tennessee, setting up his HQ in the Spring Hill George, but I guess I owe him this much.” area in the home of Dr. Aaron White. Van Dorn soon joined in the social circle that included Jessie died in 1921 in Memphis. Mrs. Jessie McKissack Peters. Van Dorn was rumored to have fathered three Jessie was the much younger third wife – and illegitimate children with Martha Goodbread cousin – of Dr. George Bodie Peters. Peters had while in Texas prior to the war, while married, given up his medical practice for politics and and reportedly Madora’s descendants believe was elected to the Tennessee legislature in Van Dorn’s paternity. 1859, requiring him often to be away from his home. Peters was often described as greedy and In researching this story I found a lot of little a “cold fish”, and there was speculation that his discrepancies in the details, but the ultimate marriage to his young cousin was an attempt to outcome is the same. keep his money in the family. While her husband was away on his many political trips, Jessie began to entertain Van Dorn and his staff at her home. One day, against all rules of propriety, Jessie went to visit Van Dorn at the White’s home. To Mrs. White’s shock, Jessie proceeded directly to Van Dorn’s room, rather The Civil War Institute than waiting in the parlor as convention would expect. About an hour later she left. When Manor College’s Continuing Education Jessie showed up again several days later, the Department has released a new video publicizing embarrassed Mrs. White demanded that her husband send Van Dorn packing. The general our Civil War Institute, and a number of our set up new HQ in the home of Martin Cheairs, members are featured. Please visit now known as Ferguson Hall. Dr. Peters soon http://www.manor.edu/coned/civilwar.html returned to Spring Hill and began to hear the and let us know what you think! You can also rumors about his wife and the general. 8 access it through YouTube – just type in Civil War recently appointed commander of the superb at Manor! Army of the Potomac and its overwhelming 130,000 troops, faced Gen. Robert E. Lee and his The upcoming Summer classes may be taken as beleaguered Army of Northern Virginia, reduced part of the certificate program or individually. All to a mere 60,000 men. The campaign was played courses are Act 48 approved. Class hours are 6:30 out in the Fredericksburg, VA area and the tangled till 8:30 pm, unless otherwise noted. Call (215) 884- wilderness near the crossroads at the 2218 to register or for an application for the Chancellorsville mansion. certificate program. Manor College is located at DATE: Wednesdays, July 17, 24, 31 700 Fox Chase Road in Jenkintown, PA. TIME: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

HUhttp://www.manor.edu/coned/civilwar.htm U SESSIONS: 3 FEE: $69 * Indicates Core Course INSTRUCTOR: Paula Gidjunis ** Indicates Elective Course **No Peace in the Valley: Legends of the **Medicine in the Civil War- .6 CEUs – 6 hrs – Shenandoah - .6 CEUs – 6 hrs – In Virginia’s This course will explore the work of doctors and tranquil Shenandoah Valley, most residents nurses who ministered to the sick and wounded wanted no part of war. But the Valley’s fertility before antibiotics and the science of bacteriology made it a granary, and its topography made it an existed, when crude sanitation and ignorance of avenue of invasion, making war inevitable in the the dangers of polluted water were deadly. In the Valley. Two generals – the South’s Stonewall Civil War, more soldiers died of disease than of Jackson in 1862 and the North’s Philip Sheridan in battle wounds. The course will explain how 1864 – became legendary for the masterful military doctors became medical explorers in campaigns they fought here. This three-session treating disease, and why there were so many course concentrates on these campaigns and their amputations. You will see how the medicine of the impact on the Valley’s residents and the outcome day met the horror of the battlefield. of the Civil War. DATE: Mondays, June 10, 17, 24 DATE: Mondays, Aug. 5, 12, 19 TIME: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm TIME: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm SESSIONS: 3 SESSIONS: 3 FEE: $69 FEE: $69 INSTRUCTOR: Herb Kaufman, M.Ed. INSTRUCTOR: Jerry Carrier

**Causes of the Civil War - .6 CEUs – 6 hrs – This course will help you to understand the factors Be sure to visit the webpage of that led up to America being at war with itself. In Manor College for Civil War trivia, the first session, you will learn about the seeds of book reviews, testimonials, faculty independence and slavery. The second session will spotlight, and much more. Become cover topics about the “nullification crises” and a fan of The Civil War Institute at the “manifest destiny”. The third and final session Manor College on Facebook. will examine “popular sovereignty” and end with “the gathering storm.” DATE: Wednesdays, June 12, 19, 26 TIME: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Member contributions to the newsletter SESSIONS: 3 are always welcome and encouraged. FEE: $69 INSTRUCTOR: Roger Arthur Please submit short articles, informative pieces, newsy items and **The Chancellorsville Campaign– .6 CEUs – 6 opinion pieces to the Editor. hrs – Commonly known as Lee’s greatest victory, First-time authors encouraged!!! the Battle of Chancellorsville and its attendant campaign was one of the most critical actions in the course of the war. Gen. “Fighting” Joe Hooker, 9

The

… that Abraham Lincoln, after being Book elected as a United States Congressman in 1846, while living in Washington, used to spend his spare time at a bowling alley?

UNook

The NY Times is running a feature entitled Disunion on its Opinion Pages. It’s a daily By Hugh Boyle, Book Editor chronicle of the events of 150 years ago today.

HUhttp://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/categor

A Lost Treasure? y/disunion/U

It was July 1989 when the first issue of the Gettysburg magazine hit the stands in Gettysburg. I am happy to say The Battle of the Wilderness: I was able to pick one up. It was impressive. It was full of May 5-6, 1864 great articles written by By Gordon C. Rhea knowledgeable people, such as Ed Bearss, Scott Hartwig, Allan Nolan, Harry Pfanz, Reviewed by Mike Burkhimer John Heiser and many more. The most surprising thing is that it had no Grant’s Overland advertising, just 128 pages of pure information, and Campaign has certainly had its writers and now after 47 issues it apparently has closed its doors students. However, it and is no more. No, there has not been any official never had one as word, no announcement, no email blast, and no thorough and as good as phone calls. It has just stopped coming. Those of us Gordon C. Rhea. Over a who were subscribers have received no word, just no period of 11 years, Rhea magazine. Publishing can be a difficult task. Of that I created a four part series can speak first hand because of the death of the Civil covering the time that War Brigadier newspaper that Frank Avato and I had Grant crossed the some years back. The Gettysburg magazine was an Rapidan River on May icon, it stood by itself, and there was nothing like it 4, 1864 until the final and most likely there will be nothing like it in the battle of Cold Harbor on future. Now I consider those 47 issues a treasure and June 3, 1864. This will hold a special place in my library. Perhaps this is month was one of the most bloody in Civil War history, all just a pause, a hiccup if you will and it will return and ever since William Swinton’s 1866 book on the stronger and alive with new content. We all can hope, Army of Potomac it has been seen as just a blind but if this is the end and you see volumes in used battering of Union troops on Confederate troops with book stores, don’t pass them up. Add them to your little maneuvering and simple attrition taking over. collection. Rhea’s research and analysis presents a different and more nuanced take on the campaign.

Happy Reading!! Rhea’s first volume in the series is The Battle of the Wilderness: May 5-6, 1864. What is perhaps most amazing about this battle is that it occurred at all. There

10 was no plan to fight in the Wilderness itself. Just as I delaying force would have probably worked much feel the rifle-musket is overrated in its effects on Civil better. War interpretation, the importance of terrain in Civil War battles is often under-rated. The second growth As it was the Federal armies were never able to mount trees in the Wilderness greatly affected the battle as it concerted attacks in the thick forest. General Hancock had at Chancellorsville fought a year earlier on almost did the best with his 2nd Corps and when he and General the same ground, including inducing the accidental Wadsworth were able to start driving A.P. Hill’s shooting of a Confederate Corps commander by his own command apart, but a counter-attack by General men in the middle of a very successful flank attack. Longstreet put an end to that. Longstreet then used an abandoned railroad cut to shield a surprise flank attack Because second growth forests are very thick and on the Federals’ southern flank. General Gordon was visibility is limited and artillery is all but worthless, the able to make a flank attack against the northern flank as Union high command wished to fight south of the well. The battle petered out into a stalemate after two Wilderness. The plan drawn up by the highly days and more than 17,000 Federal and 11,000 competent A.A. Humphreys called for a very quick Confederate casualties. march around Lee’s right flank to get below him into open ground in order to use the Army of the Potomac’s Rhea ends the book with Grant deciding to travel south numbers and firepower to great advantage. to Spotsylvania Court House where the second volume Unfortunately for the Federal cause, that was not to of his book picks up. Rhea has written the definitive happen. account of this confusing battle and does a good job of rehabilitating Grant from the “butcher” image. His One big mistake occurred right away. General Wilson writing style also makes this book a must have for those was supposed to guard the army’s right flank as it interested in the war in the East. passed through the Wilderness. He was new to the job as cavalry commander, and didn’t do it very well. Two Louisiana State University Press, Westholme Confederate corps were coming east on two parallel Publishing, 2004; 512 pages; $24.95, or on Amazon roads trying to hold the Union forces in the Wilderness. from $2.31 Had Wilson’s forces been in place to guard the roads they could have slowed the Confederate advance long enough for the Union to get out of the Wilderness.

If there is one thing that Rhea sees as a major problem for the Federal Army it is the divided command structure. Lieutenant General U.S. Grant was travelling with the Army of the Potomac, which was still under the command of Major General Meade. The 9th Corps under General Burnside was attached as an independent Chancellorsville, Second Bull command. This led to numerous instances of “whisper down the lane.” At first Grant seemed content to let Run, Statistics and the Genius Meade fight his battle, but what he saw was not impressive. of Robert E. Lee By Michael Burkhimer Despite his popularity in the Philadelphia area, General Meade seems to have made a bit of a hash out of the On the 150th anniversary of the battle of battle. Rhea does not look kindly on his performance. Chancellorsville, I would like to take this opportunity to It no doubt had something to do with his recent share what the battle represents about war in the testimony in front of Congress for his supposed timidity Eastern Theatre and perhaps make a “philosophical” during the Gettysburg campaign. The eyes of Grant were on Meade, and he was probably afraid of being point about Lee and the judgment of his generalship. labeled weak. Meade had been a careful tactician in battles like Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, and Many writers regard Chancellorsville as the greatest Mine Run. In the Wilderness he gave the order for battle ever fought by Lee and the Army of Northern General Warren to stop his 5th Corps and attack General Virginia. While it was in many ways an excellent Ewell. Grant did not interfere. In so doing Meade had performance, it was in my opinion not the tactical his army stop in the Wilderness and fight the battle that masterpiece Second Bull Run was. However, if we look was not supposed to happen in Federal plans. The at both battles a pattern emerges: Lee broke the rules whole idea was to skirt the Wilderness. Leaving a to go after the big win. 11 In both battles Lee was greatly outnumbered. Classic he was a weak general for not doing so. Even Lee’s military tactics say one should never split one’s forces masterpiece, Second Bull Run, had only an equal in face of a superior force. Yet Lee at Chancellorsville percentage of loss at 14% each, again due to the was outnumbered more than two to one and split his smaller Army of Northern Virginia. forces three ways. Lee was playing a “bold game” as he liked to say to his generals, because he had no There is also a larger point to these victories. Wars in choice. His only other option was to retreat to the democracies are not just decided on the battlefield. In North Anna River and call up Longstreet’s divisions 1968, the U.S. Army won a great tactical triumph at the from the Suffolk area. The problem with that is that it Tet Offensive and all but annihilated the Vietcong. The would have moved him closer to Richmond and war in Vietnam had to be waged from that point on by allowed the Army of the Potomac to supply itself by the North Vietnamese Regular Army. However, it was water and eventually push his Army of Northern a strategic loss by the USA because it showed the war Virginia into the Richmond defenses for the inevitable was not close to being over. Both Second Bull Run and siege, which would have been a death sentence for Chancellorsville had that big political effect on the Lee’s Army. North. Lee was able to invade the North after both, and got close to diplomatic recognition for the Lee also did his trademark slashing flank attack in Confederacy after the battle. which he excelled at Chancellorsville, as he did at Second Bull Run. By sending Stonewall Jackson on his Perhaps it is best to leave the last word to President flank march and attack at both battles, he took a Union Lincoln on this point, a man who certainly understood strong position and turned it into a liability. The flank politics. When newspaperman Noah Brooks informed attack is one of the most effective tools in a general’s him of Hooker’s retreat after the battle of arsenal. Lee knew this, and it is clear from studying Chancellorsville, he had to sit down and asked out loud, even his lesser-known victories such as the one on the “My God!!! What will the country say?! What will the Jerusalem Plank Road in 1864. Remember even country say?!” Gettysburg was an attempt to run up the Emmitsburg Road for a flank attack into the Union left flank. The failure has more to do with the horrendous Confederate reconnaissance and staff-work rather than Lee’s tactical ideas.

There is one final point that needs to be made. Mark Twain once famously said, “There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.” There has been, I think, a faulty use of statistics to denigrate Lee’s generalship. The idea is that Lee lost a greater percentage of his forces at Stonewall Jackson’s Arm Chancellorsville than the Union army, so it was a quasi- by Larry Vogel defeat for him. This is absurd. The total Union army strength at the battle was 133,868 of all arms. The In June of 2010, I embarked on a six day tour of total casualties of the Army of the Potomac were Civil War battle sites with people from all over 17,197 according to the Official Records. This yields a the country. The trip was based in Manassas, casualty rate of roughly 12.8%. The Army of Northern Virginia. I really did not know what I was in for, Virginia had 60,892 of all arms. The army suffered but it was a great experience. 13,303 total casualties for a percentage of roughly 21.8% casualties. Each day a bus load of civil war nuts …er… enthusiasts would get on the bus before 8:00 One who is eager to denigrate Lee can jump on that, AM, not to return to the hotel until sometimes 10:00 PM at night. We visited Chancellorsville, but it is merely a question of numerator and Gettysburg, Antietam, Richmond, and denominator. For Lee’s Army to suffer the same 12.8% Spotsylvania among other sites. The tour casualties, Lee’s Army would have had to suffer only guides, included, Jeff Wert, Ed Bearss and for 7,794 casualties. Is this realistic in Civil War combat, Chancellorsville Robert Krick, who has written for Lee to suffer only that with his smaller army as several books on the exploits of Stonewall opposed to Hooker’s 17,197 casualties? The Lee critics Jackson. are asking him to do impossibilities, and then claiming 12

On one of the days the group was eating lunch marker and actually found the arm. The story at historic Ellwood Manor at the Fredericksburg comes from an oral tradition passed down and Spotsylvania National Military Park in among the family who owned Ellwood at the Virginia. Little did I know, but I was eating time, but there is no written evidence. lunch a few hundred feet away from the “final” resting place of the arm of Stonewall Jackson. In the 1990’s the US park service did an Or was I? excavation down to sterile soil and there was no indication of the arm in the immediate area of As the story goes, Stonewall was shot by the marker. The archaeologists found that “friendly fire” while scouting for Union lines on there was no evidence of any digging, at least no May 2, 1863 during the Battle of deep digging in the area of the monument. Chancellorsville. Jackson was wounded in three places in his left arm. His arm was amputated Does this mean that Jackson’s arm isn’t there? at a field hospital about a half-a mile east of Not really. It is not known exactly what Smith, Ellwood Manor. the man who put the monument up, knew and what his intentions were at the time. Maybe he The day after the amputation the chaplain of was trying to mark precisely the location of the the Second Corps of the Army of Northern arm or maybe just that the arm was in the Virginia, Beverly Tucker Lacy, came to see cemetery. So, there’s Jackson. During the visit, he spotted Jackson’s no reason to believe wrapped up arm at the entrance of the tent. He that Jackson’s arm decided that it deserved an honorable and isn’t there. Or is there? Christian burial so he picked it up and went to Maybe an ambitious his brother’s home, which is “Ellwood,” and dog dug it up, maybe it buried the arm in the family cemetery. On a disintegrated into dust. side note, just as the arm was being whisked away, General Lee, learning of Jackson's fate One thing is for sure, said “He has lost his left arm, but I have lost my the site where the right." marker is, is one of the most visited sites in In 1903, James Power Smith, who had been the National Park, and Stonewall Jackson’s aide-de-camp, had a ultimately the reaction monument erected in the family cemetery at by the tourist is “Well, Ellwood where the general’s arm was buried. is that all there is?’ Over the years however, sparked by the internet, some say that the arm is not really As stated by a Park Ranger, “ I’m not sure what there. But it has had an interesting history and their expectations are when they come out a lot of legend and stories surrounding it over there, whether they’d like to see the arm the years. hanging off the marker or something of that sort, but yeah, that’s all there is, the marker.” One of the stories is that in 1864 the Federal forces found the limb. The Union army appeared {Photo by Larry Vogel} on the Wilderness Battlefield which encompasses Lacy’s house, plantation, and the family burial ground where the arm was buried. There are at least two accounts that make reference to the arm being dug up at the time. One of them says that all of Jackson was dug up. But that clearly isn’t true because he wasn’t there. The other one says fairly clearly that Jackson’s arm was dug up. But not much else Editor’s Note: Thanks to all who contributed is known about this incident. articles on Chancellorsville for this issue. We received more than could be included in this Another incident occurred in 1921. The U.S. issue. So, look for more on this campaign in Marine Corps supposedly were conducting the next issue. training maneuvers in the area adjacent to Ellwood. General Smedley Butler didn’t believe that Jackson’s arm was buried there and so he ordered some marines to dig next to the Smith 13 During the war, the Federal Government acquired two parcels of land within the cemetery, one for soldiers who died while at the military hospitals

and another to reinter the remains from the grounds of the U.S. Naval Home located in Gray’s Mount Moriah Cemetery and the Ferry. The former is located on the Philadelphia Civil War – A Memorial Day side of Cobbs Creek and the latter (U.S. Naval Asylum plot) is on the Delaware County side in Remembrance Yeadon Borough. Burials in the Naval section did By Walt Lafty not begin until March 26, 1865.

Many readers may have heard of Mount Moriah Cemetery and some may even have ancestors buried there. That is so for at least one of the DelVal Officers (President Hugh Boyle) as well as this author, who both have ancestors (albeit non- Civil War veterans) buried at this historic site. As to the relationship between the Cemetery and the Civil War, hopefully the following information will be of some interest, especially as we commemorate Memorial Day this month.

The first burial of soldiers appears to be August 30, 1862 and there were three on that day. In May of 1863 the President of Mount Moriah Cemetery donated a large lot to the Union Refreshment Saloon for soldiers who died in the small hospital on the second floor. There were some deaths at the Union Refreshment Saloon Hospital but it does not appear any of those were buried at Mount Moriah. However, by the end of the war 404 soldiers were interred there with most in the Cemetery Soldiers'

Lot located in section 200, sometimes referred to as Mount Moriah Cemetery was established in 1855 the Civil War Hospital Plot. All the soldiers buried on the southwestern edge of Philadelphia at what in this lot died in Philadelphia hospitals from today is 62nd & Kingsessing Avenue. The private injuries or disease during the Civil War. cemetery originally consisted of 54 acres. Over time it expanded to 380 acres spanning both sides Of the 404 Civil War soldiers who are buried, 13 of Cobbs Creek, covering Philadelphia and hold the Congressional Medal of Honor (CMOH). Delaware Counties. Notable headstones in the One of those (John Lafferty/aka Laverty) was cemetery include a granite marker constructed in awarded the CMOH twice, being only one of 19 the shape of the Civil War iron-clad ship, the USS people in U.S. history to be awarded such honor Monitor. The headstone memorializes William two times. His first was earned during the Civil Rowland, a sailor on the USS Minnesota, which War and the second in 1881. was protected by the Monitor from the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack) at the Battle of Initially, the soldiers’ lot included the remains of Hampton Roads. Betsy Ross was also buried at many Confederate soldiers, but in 1885 all but two Mount Moriah but at the time of the 1976 were exhumed and re-interred at Philadelphia Bicentennial, her remains were moved to Arch National Cemetery. Those two CSA soldiers who Street near the Betsy Ross house. remain are:

th Pvt. William M.C. Thompson (Co. K, 5 NC Infantry CSA) was wounded and captured at 14

Sharpsburg (Antietam) Maryland on September Although located within the private Mount 17, 1862. He died at the US Army Hospital in West Moriah Cemetery, today the Department of Philadelphia on September 29, 1862 and was Veterans Affairs maintains and manages both the buried at Mount Moriah on October 2, 1862. Soldiers’ Lot and the Naval Plot. While these areas are maintained, the remainder of Mount Moriah Cemetery has suffered from lack of maintenance and neglect. The gatehouse has considerable damage, its windows boarded up and walls and other areas are covered in vegetation. In 2004, Preservation Pennsylvania named the cemetery to its list of the most endangered historic places in the state. Individuals and groups, such as the Friends of Mount Moriah, continue the work by volunteering and raising money to maintain the land. st Pvt. Thomas A. Royal (Co. A, 1 NC Cavalry CSA) is believed to have been captured at Malvern Hill To those who served and are buried – in the words in the summer of 1862. He died at the US Army of the Irish – “chuid eile i síocháin” (rest in peace), Hospital in West Philadelphia on October 24, 1862 “beidh muid ag cuimhneamh” (we will remember). and was buried five days later at Mount Moriah. {Photos provided by Walt Lafty} In 1906 the Office of the Quartermaster General halted re-interments between the two cemeteries and those two soldiers remain there today.

15

On May 1, the "Stainless Banner" becomes the second Confederate Flag, and the two- day battle of Chalk Bluff (AK) begins.

Also on May 1, in the Eastern Theater, Lee and Jackson plan the attack that culminates in the Battle of Chancellorsville.

On May 2, Stonewall Jackson receives several wounds from friendly fire.

On May 3, Nathan Bedford Forrest ends Abel Streight's Raid on Rome (GA) and Frederick Steele returns to Little Rock, marking the end of the Red River Campaign

Copperhead Clement Vallandigham is arrested on May 5 following criticism of Lincoln’s failure to end the war.

On May 7, MG Earl van Dorn is killed by a jealous husband.

Stonewall Jackson dies at a field hospital near Guiney Station, VA on May 10.

From May 12-14, battles are fought at Raymond and Jackson (MS), leaving Union troops in control.

During May 14-18, General Lee, Jefferson Davis, and the Confederate Cabinet meet to discuss the "Summer Strategy" for 1863.

On May 15, a portion of the Tredegar Iron Works and a nearby flour mill burn.

Following the Battle of Champion Hill (MS) on May 16, Pemberton withdraws to Vicksburg.

On May 22, Lincoln offers command of the AoP to Darius Couch, who refuses and recommends George Meade.

On May 25, Vallandigham is banished to the Confederacy for his "pro-Confederate remarks."

MG Richard Ewell returns to the ANV on May 25, following the amputation of his leg.

The siege of Vicksburg begins on May 26.

On May 29, Lincoln refuses to accept Burnside’s resignation over the Vallandigham affair.

On May 30, Lee completes restructuring of the ANV.

Delaware Valley CWRT at Neshaminy State Park

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

18