THE CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE Founded December 3, 1940 Volume LXXIII, Number 5 Chicago, Illinois January 2013

David Powell on Confederate Cavalry in the Chickamauga Campaign

by Bruce Allardice 717th REGULAR David Powell MEETING A 19th Century army’s primary means of gathering information on legendary . David Powell its opponent was through the use of on mounted troops. While the increase The relationship between Bragg, For- “Confederate Cavalry in combat power provided by mod- rest and Wheeler was complex, and full of conflict. The mounted men in the ern weaponry meant that cavalry played a less prominent role on the serving in gray that fall were numer- Chickamauga Campaign” civil war battlefield, their role off the ous, but not always well trained or H H H H H battlefield was as important as ever. led. All of these factors would affect the campaign, and Bragg’s decisions Friday, January 11 Any developing plan or campaign needed that critical flow of accurate about when and where to meet the H H H H H information in order to ensure that Federals in battle. Holiday Inn Mart Plaza an army commander made the right David A. Powell graduated in 1983 decisions. 350 North Orleans Street from Military Institute with a B. A. in history. Mr. Powell Cocktails at 5:30 p.m. In September of 1863, the of the Cum- has written articles Dinner at 6:30 p.m. berland and the for various maga- zines. In 2009 he $47 - Members/Non-members Confederate Army of col- Call by published his first Entrée: Chicken Napoleon, lided in battle along Wednesday book, the well re- Baked Tilapia, the banks of West Jan. 9 ceived The Maps of Chickamauga, An Vegetarian Plate or Chickamauga Creek, Atlas of the Chick- Fruit Plate fighting that raged amauga Campaign. for three bloody David Powell has earned a reputa- days before the issue was decided. Please Note: tion as an excellent field guide for Prior to that collision of arms, how- Make your reservations by Wednesday, Jan. 9, by the Chickamauga Battlefield. Mr. emailing [email protected], or ever for nearly three weeks the two calling 630 460-1865 with the names of your party Powell’s latest book, Failure in the and choice of entrée. armies played cat and mouse in the Saddle: Nathan B. Forrest, Joe If a cancellation becomes necessary after dinner mountains of North Georgia, each Wheeler and the Confederate Cav- reservations have been made, please email us at grappling for advantage over the [email protected] and/or call us at alry in the Chickamauga Campaign 630-460-1865. other. , commanding is the first book length study to ex- We are offering the option of choosing not to have the Confederate force, relied heav- dinner and coming only for the address at 7:15 p.m., amine the Confederate Cavalry op- for a charge of $10 per person. ily on his mounted arm during this erations during the Chickamauga Parking at the Holiday Inn is $12 with a validated confusing time. The Rebel cavalry Campaign. parking sticker. at this time was a large force, more than 14,000 riders strong, and com- Mr. Powell is a former president of manded by and the the CWRT of Northern Illinois. 2 The Civil War Round Table

Battlefield Preservation THE CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE By Brian Seiter

Saving Fredericksburg’s ers on the Trust’s behalf, placing the Slaughter Pen Farm property under contract in an agree- In March 2006, The Civil War Trust ment that turned the land over the announced the most ambitious pri- preservationists with no strings at- vate battlefield acquisition project tached. … Founded December 3, 1940 in American history—a $ 12 million Once the property was off the mar- 1039 Hinswood fundraising campaign to purchase the ket, no longer destined to be sold for Darien, Illinois 60561 208–acre Slaughter Pen Farm on the commercial development, the Trust Phone: 630-460-1865 southern end of the Fredericksburg began working with Sun Trust Bank, www.chicagocwrt.org Battlefield. … which provided a loan package that The only requirement for membership in The struggle for the Slaughter Pen enabled the organization to embark The Civil War Round Table is a genuine Farm was among the most intense in on a lengthy fundraising campaign. interest in the Civil War and its era. For Civil War history. More than 5,000 The first big break for the effort came information, address Membership Com- casualties were inflicted on the farm when the Central Virginia Battlefields mittee, 1039 Hinswood, Darien, Illinois during the Trust (CVBT), one of the most effec- 60561, or [email protected]. on December 13, 1862. Five Congres- tive local battlefield preservation orga- sional Medals of Honor for valor were nizations in the nation, committed $1 awarded for actions taken on the site million toward the project—a monu- that day. According to Ed Bearss, chief Since the Slaughter Pen Farm is lo- mental sum for a group of its size. historian emeritus of the National cated outside the currently authorized According to CVBT President Mike Park Service, the farm was “without a boundary of Fredericksburg and Spot- Stevens, “Standing on the last unblem- doubt the most significant part of the sylvania National Military Park, the ished landscape, where so many men battlefield at Fredericksburg that is not gave their lives, it is clear that such Trust will not be able to immediately protected. Its acquisition will provide sacrifice and valor must be preserved transfer it to the an opportunity to permit visitors to to inspire future generations.” At the once the full cost is paid. However, the walk in the footsteps of history.” true reason to preserve a historic prop- For years, the fate of the Slaughter 2012 Civil War Trust Annual Confer- Pen Farm, located along historic Tide- ence, CVBT representatives honored erty like this is to open it for public water Trail (U.S. Route 2) in an area their commitment, presenting the fi- education and appreciation. Knowing that witnessed tremendous industrial nal installment of their payment and this, the Trust opened a 13-stop inter- and commercial growth in recent de- received a standing ovation from the pretive trail at the site in 2008. More- cades, had hung in the balance. The grateful attendees. over, the Slaughter Pen Farm is one of In October 2006, the Trust held property was zoned for industrial the four tours included in the Trust’s the first public event at the Slaugh- use, and sat immediately adjacent to Fredericksburg Battle App, which de- a major north-south rail line, making ter Pen Farm, a news conference in buted in 2011. This GPS–enabled mo- it extremely attractive to developers. which then-Secretary of the Interior When the property was put on the Dirk Kempthorne announced that bile battlefield tour utilizes the latest market in December 2005, the listing the project would receive a $2 mil- technology, including historian video agent described it as “one of the best lion federal matching grant from the and maps, to help visitors interpret the industrial sites in the Commonwealth American Battlefield Protection Pro- land under their feet. of Virginia.” Under the circumstances, gram—a sum that remains among the To date, the Trust has raised more preservation of the farm seemed a long largest awards in that program’s his- than 60 percent of the purchase price tory. The Commonwealth of Virginia shot at best. for the Slaughter Pen Farm; however, Once the Slaughter Pen Farm was also contributed $300,000 toward the work remains to be done before this placed on the market, preservation- project through its Civil War Sites incredible part of our nation’s history ists were in a race against time. Fortu- Preservation Fund, the only state-level nately, the Trust was able to secure the matching grant program for battlefield is fully set aside for posterity. assistance of Tricord, Inc., a local fam- preservation. Efforts to purchase and Learn more about the work that re- ily-owned development company that protect the Slaughter Pen Farm were mains and how you can help at www. had previously cooperated with pres- among the driving forces behind cre- civilwar.org/fredericksburg ervationists to save the 140–acre First ation of the program. The Trust’s gen- Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield. ... erous members also responded to the From Hallowed Ground, Civil War Tricord negotiated with the land own- call for donations with enthusiasm. Trust, Winter 2012 3 The Civil War Round Table

December Meeting By Mark Matranga

Dale Phillips addressed the 716th General Frederick Steele, attacking turned to “rusty mud” when it final- meeting of The Civil War Round from Arkansas, would converge on ly rained. The 20-mile long column Table of Chicago on “The Red River Shreveport; the combined army was a recipe for disaster. Franklin Campaign.” As General Grant took would then enter Texas. Support- failed to heed warnings, and was over command of all federal forces ing the army was Porter’s flotilla: 21 attacked at Mansfield on April 8th. in spring 1864, he determined to warships and over 100 support ves- Taylor crumbled the union line and bring the full might of the union sels. The campaign began in March military to bear on the Confederacy. 1864 when Smith’s men, moving on caused a rout; Banks avoided com- The campaign in Virginia was about transports from Vicksburg, met re- plete destruction thanks to confed- to begin while Sherman was poised sistance at Fort De Russy near the erate looting. to advance toward Atlanta. But the mouth of the Red. The fleet bom- Banks retreated to Pleasant Hill, high command was divided on how barded the fort while Smith moved to occupy its third largest army, The via Simmesport and stormed the where misalignment hindered Army of the Gulf. An attempt to fort from the rear, with few casual- defense. The confederate attack gain a foothold on the Texas coast ties. But from there the campaign again pushed the federals back but in September 1863 was foiled at began to unravel. Smith’s troops counterattacked the Battle of Sabine Crossroads. A and restored order as well retriev- Banks’ main force met Smith at union force moving directly over- ing a great deal of material lost at Alexandria which the navy and land via Opelousas, was Mansfield. Lyons Wakeman of the also defeated in October 1863. Smith’s men entered on March 15th with little opposition. Upon captur- 153rd wrote home, “I had When the 1864 campaign season ing the town, the navy set about to face the enemy bullets with my began, Grant and Admiral David confiscating , “a business that regiment. I was under fire for about Porter favored moving on Mobile, does not belong to the navy at all,” four hours and laid on the field of but the president desired to move according to General Banks, and battle all night.” Despite the victory, up the Red River. The reasons for talk of prize money created ill will when he learned that a steamer had this were complex: Lincoln wanted a between the services. Banks now been sunk and that Porter could show of force to the French who had commanded a force of 36,000 battle not follow him up the river, Banks installed Maximilian on the throne hardened veterans. But upon receiv- determined to retreat. Taylor’s force of Mexico; he also wanted to bring ing orders from Grant that he must of 5,000 chased the reduced federal Louisiana and perhaps Texas back release Smith’s troops by the end of into the union in time for the fall April, Banks moved with “unusual army past Natchitoches and back to election; the mills of New England speed” according to Phillips. Alexandria following a rear guard were awaiting the cotton available action at Monett’s Ferry. The retreat in quantity up the Red; and major commanded no was marked by wanton destruction arms and munitions manufacturing more than 16,000 ill clothed, fed, of property. and a prisoner of war camp were lo- and equipped confederates. Tay- cated near Tyler, Texas. lor labored with a communication The has been problem after his entire cavalry was described as ‘one damn blunder af- In the end, the administration de- captured early in the campaign and ter another,’ a campaign of waste. cided on the Red. General Nathan- with a commander, Kirby Smith, Perhaps the most poignant example iel P. Banks, who had been regu- who ordered him not to fight and of this was the death from illness larly routed by in to retreat to Arkansas. When Banks Virginia, was in overall command. left the river road and the protection of Pvt. Wakeman, buried in Chal- General Franklin, 13th and 19th of the navy at Natchitoches on April mette Cemetery and later found to Corps, and General A. J. “Whisky” 1st, his men found a “howling wil- be Sarah Wakeman, one of the few Smith, 16th Corps, were Banks’ sub- derness” with pine thickets pressing females who faced combat in the ordinates. It was intended also that in on the narrow clay road which Civil War. 4 The Civil War Round Table Grapeshot Schimmelfennig Boutique

Sixty plus years of audio recordings of CWRT lectures by distinguished histori- Bulletin ans are available and can be purchased Board in either audio cassette or CD format. For lecture lists, contact Hal Ardell at [email protected] or phone him at (773) 774-6781. Future Meetings Each meeting features a book raffle, with On Saturday, January 26th, the proceeds going to battlefield preserva- Regular meetings are held at the Midway Village Museum in tion. There is also a silent auction for Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, 350 North Rockford will host its annual books donated by Ralph Newman and Orleans Street, the second Friday of symposium, featuring Dr. Doug- others, again with proceeds benefiting each month, unless otherwise indicated. battlefield preservation. las Wilson of Knox College Feb. 8: Mary Abroe, “Charles speaking on “Lincoln’s Sword: Grosvenor, 18th Ohio” The Presidency and the Power Upcoming Civil War Events March 8: Leslie Goddard, “Mary of Words.” David Oberg and Jan. 2nd, 2013, Lake County CWRT: Chesnut” Noah/Michele Neiber will also Open Discussion on Fort Pulaski : John Fitzpatrick, ““There make presentations. The event Jan. 4th, Northern Illinois CWRT: Tom lasts from 10 to 2, and costs $28. DeFranco on “The Pipe Creek Plan is no fail here.” President Lincoln Lunch is included. For more in- and Its Effect on the Battle of Get- at Gettysburg” formation, phone (815) 459-1958 tysburg” May 10: Ethan Rafuse, “Lee and or email lonna.converso@mid- Jan. 10th, Milwaukee CWRT: David Gettysburg” H H H H H wayvillage.com. Powell on “Confederate Cavalry at June 14: Timothy B. Smith, Chickamauga” “Corinth” On Jan. 26th, at the Kenosha Jan. 11th, Kenosha Civil War Museum: H H H H H Tom De Franco talks on “The 36th Civil War Museum: Father Bob Illinois at Stones River” Miller will speak on “Religion Bjorn Skaptasen of the Abraham and the Civil War” starting at 1 Jan. 12th, Club: cocktail Lincoln book store reminds us that reception for author Bruce Levine p.m. the next “Virtual Book Signing” will Jan. 15th, Lincoln-Davis CWRT: Mi- be Jan. 12th at noon, with Bruce chael Peake on “Blood Shed in the Levine talking about his new book, On Feb. 1st, at the Northern Il- War” The Fall of the House of Dixie. On linois CWRT, Bruce Allardice Jan. 15th, Elgin Area Historical Mu- Jan. 19th David von Drehle will talk will present “Chicago in the Civil seum: Brown Bag Discussion Group about his new book Rise to Great- War.” on Lincoln and the Civil War ness. and Amer- Jan. 18th, Salt Creek CWRT: Dan Mc- ica’s Most Perilous Year. Visit www. Carthy on “Comrade August Willich- virtualbooksigning.net for more de- On Feb. 15th, at the Salt Creek -Fighting Marxist” CWRT, Bruce Allardice will tails. present “Civil War Movies.” Jan. 24th, South Suburban CWRT: Dave Van Haften on “Abraham Lin- coln and the Structure of Reason” CWRT Winter Meeting Check the Announcements sec- Jan. 24th, Moraine Valley CC: Josh Ful- tion of the CWRT’s website for ton presents “A Soldier’s Life” The Chicago CWRT Winter Execu- additional coming events. Jan. 26th, Midway Village Museum in tive Committee Meeting will begin Rockford: Civil War Symposium at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2nd, at Know of any upcoming talks, events, or publi- Feb. 1st-3rd, Pheasant Run Resort: the Chicago History Museum, 1601 cations? All members are welcome to contrib- “Military History Fest” N. Clark Street, Chicago. All CWRT ute items to the newsletter. Contact the editor at [email protected] or (630) 297-8046. 2013 Tour — Antietam, May 1–5 members are encouraged to attend. 150 YEARS AGO — JANUARY 1863

1st: (Murfreesboro) in Tennessee is still being fought. On January 2nd the Confederate army launches on unsuccessful attack on the Union army’s left. The next day the Confederate army retreats, ceding much of Middle Tennessee to the Union.

1st: President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Declaration that abolished slavery throughout America. To many in the Confederacy, this was seen as an open attack on the perceived way of life in the South and any chance of peacefully bringing the to an early end based on diplomacy vanished with the Emancipation Declaration. In the opinion of many historians, this is the single most important measure of the first three years of the war.

10th: The French government made it clear that it was willing to mediate in the war should the government in Washington wish it to do so.

11th: A Union force commanded by General McClernand captured Fort Hindman on the Arkansas River. Nearly 4500 Confederate troops were taken prisoner.

16th: The Confederate commerce raider ‘Florida’ evaded a and slipped out of Mobile Bay. In the next 18 months the ‘Florida’ sank fifteen Union ships, mostly off the waters of the West Indies.

22nd: Union General gave up on trying to cross the Rappahannock River in Virginia as it had become too dangerous, due to mud, freezing rains and floods. Frustrated that he had not been given all the support he believed he should have got from his senior officers, Burnside decided to sack a number of them.

24th: Burnside met with Lincoln and gave him a list of those he wanted dismissed. Burnside told Lincoln if he did not get the support of the President, he would tender his own resignation.

25th: Lincoln removed Burnside from his command of the Army of the Potomac. The post was given to General Joe Hooker, Burnside’s subordinate and fiercest critic.

Grayslake Heritage Center Abraham Lincoln Exhibit The Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum will be one of only 11 museums in the nation to host a nationally traveling exhibit created by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America” features high quality reproductions related to the life of our 16th President, with proceeds aiding in the preservation and restoration of the originals. These precious artifacts range from Lincoln’s surveying instruments to the kid gloves he wore on that fateful night at Ford’s Theater. The show will run March 23 to June 16, with weekly family-friendly programs to support the exhibition. For details, contact Dave Oberg at 8847 543-1745 or email [email protected].

(over) HISTORIANS NAT HUGHES AND RICHARD CURRENT PASS AWAY Two noted historians, who often spoke to our CWRT, passed away this winter.

“Richard N. Current, a Civil War historian whose award-winning scholarship helped demythologize Abraham Lincoln and raise Lincoln studies to a professional level of scholarly inquiry, died on Oct. 26 in Boston. He was 100. The cause was complications of Parkinson’s disease, his wife, Marcia Ewing Current, said. Professor Current had a wide-ranging portfolio as a historian. His first five books, written in the 1940s and early ’50s, included a history of the typewriter and a study of Daniel Webster. But over the next 40 years he wrote or edited a number of volumes about Lincoln and his times that elevated him to eminence in Civil War studies, and by the mid-’60s he had joined David Dr. Current Herbert Donald and Don E. Fehrenbacher as groundbreaking leaders of a new, more scrupulous and objective generation in Lincoln scholarship. “He was a giant in the field from the era that made Lincoln the subject of professional historical study,” said Gerald J. Prokopowicz, a former Lincoln scholar at the Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne, Ind., and now the chairman of the history department at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.” [From NY Times]

“Nathaniel “Nat” Cheairs Hughes, Jr., Phd., former headmaster of Girls Preparatory School (GPS), died early Wednesday morning at the age of 81. A native of Chattanooga and life-long history student, Dr. Hughes received his B.A. in history from in 1953, a master’s degree and his doctorate degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1956. … He began his educational career in 1959, serving for three years at the Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tn., where he coached and taught history and English. He was appointed headmaster of St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis, in 1962, where he served for more than 11 years, helping the school grow and Dr. Hughes prosper. In 1973, Dr. Hughes moved with his wife and three children to Chattanooga and became headmaster of GPS, where he served faithfully for 14 years. In 1986, he was presented the William R. “Old Sawney” Webb Award “in honor of his distinguished career as a headmaster.” Upon retiring in 1987, Dr. Hughes turned to his passion for history and writing. He has authored 35 books, including fiction and non-fiction, and in 2000 was awarded the Charles L. Defour Award for a lifetime of achievement in the historiography of the American Civil War.” [from the Chattanoogan]