Case Shot & Canister

1BA Publication of the Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table Partners with Manor College and the Civil War Institute Our 24th Year

October 2016

4BVolume 26

5BNumber 10

Editor Patricia Caldwell

Contributors Hugh Boyle, Book Nook Editor Rose Boyle Nancy Caldwell, Artistic Advisor Jerry Carrier The Assault of Meade's Pennsylvania Reserves Jack DeLong fusiliers.wordpress.com. Judy Folan Paula Gidjunis Ed Greenawald John Jastrzebski Bernice Kaplan Our October Meeting Herb Kaufman Topic: “Meade’s Breakthrough at Fredericksburg” Walt Lafty, “Snapshots” Editor Presenter: Author Don Ernsberger Jane Peters Estes Book Signing after Program Larry Vogel Andy Waskie Tuesday, October 18, 2016 Original Photos Patricia Caldwell (unless 7:30 pm otherwise noted) 6:15 pm for dinner

Officers (all welcome – but reservation needed!) President Radisson Hotel Hugh Boyle Vice President Route 1 @ Old Lincoln Highway Jerry Carrier Treasurer Trevose, PA Herb Kaufman Secretary Dinner Menu – Rosemary Roasted Pork Tenderloin, served with Patricia Caldwell Artichokes and Roasted Tomatoes.

e-mail:[email protected] U Served with soup, rolls/butter, iced tea, diet soda, and dessert. phone: (215)638-4244 Substitute: Pasta (chef’s selection).

website: HUwww.dvcwrt.orgU

Umailing address: for membership: Contact Rose Boyle at [email protected] or 215-638-4244 for 2601 Bonnie Lane Huntingdon Valley PA 19006 dinner reservations by October 13. Dinner Price $25.00

for newsletter items: You are responsible for dinners not cancelled 3201 Longshore Avenue Philadelphia PA 19149-2025 by Monday morning October 17.

A long time re-enactor with the 69th PA “Irish In This Issue Volunteers” Don has authored several books on this storied regiment, along with numerous other books,  This month’s Member Snapshot provided by including Meade’s Breakthrough at Fredericksburg, Judy Folan the subject of this presentation. Don’s most recent  Lots of Upcoming Events for the fall season book is Stars and Bars over Philadelphia, a work of  Paula Gidjunis shares preservation news alternative historical fiction which he co-edited.

 Some fun comments in our September Prior to publication of Meade’s Breakthrough at meeting recap by Larry Vogel – and your editor’s Fredericksburg, most of the attention in the study of reaction  this critical 1862 battle focused on the repeated  Matt Borowick’s presentation sparked a new assaults by the Union troops on Marye’s Heights. Civil War Vignette from Larry Vogel Don asserts that the key to the battle and the real  Paula Gidjunis and John Shivo share an chance for Union success was downstream from the excellent adventure city, where the ultimate Federal strategy of breaking  Our Book Nook tackles the importance of the right flank of the Confederate position and researching new titles, along with a review of a throwing Lee’s defensive lines off balance collapsed new volume on “Bleeding Kansas” due to miscommunication and lack of leadership. To date, Meade’s Breakthrough is the only focused  Walt Lafty completes his trilogy on the story study of this aspect of the battle, a detailed review of of the USS Red Rover the tactics, strategy and participants, and full muster  We have some great classes and seminars of Union and Confederate forces involved in this coming up at Manor’s Civil War Institute “what might have been” fight.  Our newest contributor Jim Gallagher with a local story – with a seasonal twist  Once again Bernice finds the unusual – check out the photo she discovered  A fabulous book sale – you won’t want to miss this!!

The “Other” Fredericksburg

In October we welcome back author Don Ernsberger, who is no stranger to our Membership Round Table, having spoken numerous times at So many times people have asked me what it our meetings and at our takes to have a successful Round Table. It all Manor College events. starts with the membership and their passion, Although he was born in desire and eagerness to know more about the war Fremont, Ohio, Don spent most of his life in and their willingness to discuss it with others. It Philadelphia and its is also a desire to preserve and protect the history suburbs. His education of the Civil War. Membership includes you in includes a degree in US History from Penn State, and the mission of the Round Table and enjoys the Masters and PhD Programs at Temple. He devoted fellowship of your fellow members. That is what over 30 years to teaching at the high school and makes your membership so important. Your college levels, and following retirement in 2001 membership is the life blood of the Round Table. served as a Deputy Chief of Staff in the US Congress. Don and his wife Louise live in Lansdale, and have two children and two grandchildren. There are two main activities of a round table, one is the presentations, and membership helps 2 support that, the other is a newsletter. The Delaware Valley CWRT does not produce a newsletter with a few upcoming projects. No, our Newsletter is a journal, a journal of activities, articles, book reviews, interviews and FIRST LADIES a list of upcoming activities and events. Case

Shot & Canister is much more than just a Match the First Ladies with their husbands. newsletter. All this is prepared by the editor Pat Caldwell. Our presentations are always top 1 – _____U.S. Grant a. Louisa notch, interesting and educational, and offered 2 – _____Rutherford B. Hayes b. Edith by some of the best presenters around. Thanks to 3 – _____James Madison c. Rachel Herb Kaufman and Carol Ingald for their work 4 – _____Abraham Lincoln d. Julia in procuring our speakers. Your membership 5 – _____Andrew Jackson e. Lucy keeps it all going. Our doors are always open to 6 – _____Andrew Johnson f. Mary new members, so invite as many to come as you 7 – _____Teddy Roosevelt g. Eliza 8 – _____John Quincy Adams h. Dolley want. It is not just the more the merrier. It is more so we can do more. (Answers in next month’s newsletter!)

See you at the meeting. ANSWERS TO SEPTEMBER’S BRAIN TEASERS

“CAN YOU COME UP WITH THE PERCENTAGE Hugh Boyle OF VICTORY FOR THESE PRESIDENTS?” President 1 – James Buchanan in 1856 – 45.3% 2 – Abraham Lincoln in 1860 – 39.9% 3 – Abraham Lincoln in 1864 – 55.0% 4 – U.S. Grant in 1868 – 52.7%

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Member contributions to this newsletter

are always welcome and encouraged.

Please submit book reviews, short

articles, informative pieces, Congratulations to our monthly raffle winners for newsy items and opinion pieces September – Alan Ash (dinner raffle), Ed to the Editor. Greenawald, Matt Bruce, Larry Vogel and John Hartner. Short articles of 600-800 words are especially desired. John Jastrzebski attended Shepherd University’s annual Civil War conference October 7-9, where the program on the battle of Antietam consisted First-time authors encouraged!!! of talks and battlefield excursions. On hand for the program were Tom Clemens, Scott Hartwig Please send as a Word document to and Dennis Frye. [email protected] Ed Greenawald and John Jastrzebski will Thank you! participate in the annual Brose Lecture Series at the Penn State University Park Campus on

3 October 27-29. The three free related lectures will feature Dr. Gregory Downs, University of California Davis on The Second American Revolution: Cuba, Mexico, Spain, and the U.S. Civil War. NOVEMBER 15, 2016 John Shivo and Paula Gidjunis were on hand for **NOTE PROGRAM CHANGE** the anniversary activities at Antietam in Author/Professor James Scythes September. “This will make a man of me: The

For all you genealogists out there, Jack DeLong Life and Letters of a Teenage recounts an unusual experience he and Dor had Officer in the Civil War” while driving home from Bowling Green, Kentucky recently. As he gave his name at check-in at the DECEMBER 13, 2016 Best Western Hotel in Barboursville, WV, a woman *Note 2nd Tuesday of month* awaiting her turn to register remarked that her name also was DeLong. Realizing that DeLong is not Annual Holiday Dinner such a common surname, Jack questioned their Austrian Village Restaurant possible Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. In Rockledge, PA conversation with the woman’s husband Jack learned that both men were descended from the JANUARY 19, 2017 same Peter DeLong who settled in America in the early 1700's, making them distant cousins! As Round Table Discussion Jack says, “What are the odds – same little hotel “Your Family Military History” in a small West Virginia town, travelling in different directions, I am travelling to eastern FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Pennsylvania, he is from Indiana but born in the Author & Historian Steve Wright Pennsylvania Dutch area of eastern Pennsylvania, “The Story of Louis Weichmann and we check in at exactly the same time and are from a common ancestor, Peter Delong born in and the Lincoln Conspiracy” Germany arriving in America about 1717 as best as we can derive from historical records. Now we are MARCH 21, 2017 sharing records, he descends from Peter's son Author & Historian Ken Milano Jacob and I am from Peter's son Henry. Just “The Kensington Riots” thought this was something very unusual, what are the odds of such a meeting?” APRIL 18, 2017 On October 13, Jack Lieberman will share his Historian John Zinn first-person impression of Captain Percival “Civil War Baseball” Drayton, USN to the Old Baldy CWRT.

Congratulations to Hugh (Reds) and Rose Boyle MAY 16, 2017 who celebrated their Golden Anniversary on Member Bob Russo October 8. Geez, Rose surely was a “child bride”! “The History of Arlington National Cemetery”

Lance Lacey – Oakford, PA

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MEMBERS' SNAPSHOTS by Judy Folan

(Photo by Nancy Caldwell)

We have a surprise this month as we highlight a member known to and admired by all. It’s that pleasant person who sits smiling in the back of our meeting rooms, and who sometimes sends us emails asking: What’s everyone been doing? Well, you know her: it’s Pat (Patricia) Caldwell, the talented woman who serves as Secretary of our Round Table organization and who is also the Editor and Producer of our monthly newsletter: The “Case Shot & Canister”.

We see Pat and her sister Nancy faithfully at all our meetings but how many of us really know Pat? Well this Philly born and raised woman very interestingly started her writing and editing career while still in High School; she was a page editor for Hallahan High School’s newspaper. After graduating from Chestnut Hill College, one of Pat’s first jobs was as a school teacher; this didn’t last long as Pat specialized in the Classical languages: Greek and Latin, for which there was little call at that time. She then obtained her Master’s in Classical Studies from Villanova U. With all the special skills she had developed, she ended up in an entirely different field of work: Information Services.

She started with the company BIOSIS, a Life and Biological Sciences Information company and eventually migrated to Thomson ISI (later Thomson Reuters as in Reuters News Services), which had taken over BIOSIS and expanded their service. Pat had started her career in this organization as a Proofreader but she soon moved into management positions, eventually holding the title of Product Generation Manager. We’re lucky to have someone with Pat’s background and experience working for our Round Table and handling our monthly newsletters!

Pat, who had always been interested in history, joined our Civil War group in 1997. She also spent time at the original Pine Street Civil War Library & Museum where she functioned as a volunteer and greeter. Although she was not the first producer and editor of our Round Table’s newsletter, she credits the original editor, the late Mr. Frank Avato, with helping and encouraging her when she inherited this task. In addition to the monthly production of this newsletter, this busy woman also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Manor College’s Civil War institute. If you have not attended one of her remarkable programs, then you must!

Pat also enjoys travel, having visited Italy a number of years ago. Being the Civil War buff that she is, she’s also visited most of the East Coast battlefields. Like the rest of us she also enjoys the New Jersey shore, especially the Wildwood area. And not to be forgotten, she and Nancy have visited the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada.

And with all of Pat’s remarkable accomplishments and lifetime experiences, what do you suppose brings her the most joy? It’s HOCKEY! - Yes, Hockey -- as in the Philadelphia Flyers Hockey team! She, along with her sister Nancy, have finally reached their goal of having season tickets as well as great seats! The sisters are such avid and crazy fans of our Flyers, that they have a dedicated hockey room in their home! With such passion, we sometimes worry that Pat will turn an issue of our Case Shot and Canister into a Slap Shot or Face Off edition, but in spite of her having home ice advantage with our newsletter, this hasn’t happened - as yet!

Seriously, Pat, we all enjoy and share in your love for our great Philly team. Even more, we appreciate everything you do and have done over the years to keep our Civil War Round Table running, and for the time and effort you take in producing this great newsletter each month. We all owe you a great big Thank You!

GO FLYERS!!!!

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November 10, 2016 – Thursday – 10:00 am – US Marine Corps Birthday Observance – At Laurel Hill Cemetery at grave of General Jacob th Zeilin, 7 Commandant. A Veterans’ Day Tour October 20, 2016 – Thursday – 6:30 pm – follows “Servicemen Killed in Action”.

Documentary Film: Remarkable Tales of the November 10, 2016 – Thursday – 7:00 pm – Civil War – Civic Hall, Camden County College, Glen Foerd- Holy Family University Speaker Blackwood, NJ – FREE. Features seldom-told and At Laurel Hill Holy Family University, ETC fascinating stories of the soldiers whose tales have Series – been relegated to the dustbin of history. Heroes and Auditorium, 9801 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia. heartache come alive in this documentary produced Free Lecture – “Philadelphia: The Industrial by the same team that collaborated on the 2015 Metropolis” – When Philadelphia was the Workshop documentary “Civil War Prisons – An American to the World, the Sellers family numbered among the Tragedy”. Come hear the tale of an escaped city’s leading industrial families, developing canals prisoner, a runaway slave, an unlikely railroad and railroads and manufacturing goods ranging from tragedy, and a disaster at sea. Written and produced textiles to steel frames for bridges and skyscrapers. by Joseph F. Wilson. Music by Mike Wilson. Edited But as Philadelphia deindustrialized in the twentieth by Rich Mendoza. Narrated by Scott R. Pollak. century, the Sellers firm’s fortunes also declined. Dr. Documentary runs for 53 minutes. Domenic Vitiello, an urban historian at the University of Pennsylvania, will examine the rise and fall of October 22, 2016 – Saturday – 9:00 am-4:00 Philadelphia as an industrial metropolis through a focus on the Sellers family and their network of pm – Civil War Symposium hosted by Old associates. Free Lecture. No Reservations Required. Baldy CWRT – Civic Hall at Camden County For more information contact Mary Carroll Johansen College in Blackwood, NJ. Sessions on Civil War [email protected] 267-341-3365 Ballooning, New Jersey’s role in supporting the War, a Naval program, Civil War exhibits, and a musical November 12, 2016 – Saturday – 2:00 pm – performance. Co-sponsored with The GAR Civil War Museum and Library. For more information, please Christ Church Hosts Civil War Historian / Publishing Event – Sanctuary of Christ Church, see http://www.oldbaldycwrt.org/obwp/wp- nd content/uploads/2016/05/Symposium-Flyer.pdf 2 Street above Market, Philadelphia – Discussion by author William F. Quigley, Jr, of his soon-to-be October 29, 2016 – Saturday – 8:30 am published book Pure Heart, the Faith of a Father and (promptly) to 5:30 pm (approx.) – Del Val Day Son in the War for a More Perfect Union (Kent State University Press). This Civil War biography narrates Trip to Three Historic Philadelphia Museums the paths and relationship of Reverend Benjamin – Bus leaves from and will return to Whitman Square Dorr, storied rector of Christ Church, and his son, an Shopping Center, Route 1, Roosevelt Blvd. All fees, officer in the Union Army. As Captain William White bus, tips included. Cost $60 pp. Lunch on your own Dorr fought with the 121st PA Volunteers, his father at Historic Reading Terminal area. Guided tours of worked to prevent division among his warring Union League, Mütter Museum, and Philadelphia parishioners. “Quigley’s grasp of Philadelphia in this History Museum. See page 8 for details and to era is masterful,” says Neil Ronk, Senior Historian reserve your seat on the bus. and Tour Guide at Christ Church. “The book reminds us that this was a war of ideas, and that Philadelphia October 29, 2016 – Saturday – 6:00-10:00 pm was as conflicted as anywhere else in the United – 20th Anniversary Gala of the General Meade States.” Books, available at the event, can be pre- Society (1996 – 2016) – Cannstatter Volksfest ordered by contacting Mark Karcher, bookstore Verein, 9130 Academy Road, Philadelphia. manager, at [email protected]. For COST- $30.00 per person, $55.00 per couple info on the event contact Carrie Hagen – Menu includes: roast beef sandwiches, baked ziti, [email protected] German potato salad, garden salad with dressings, etc. and beverages. Special recognition, awards, November 18, 2016 – Friday – 6:30 to 9:30 pm Testimonials, prizes! Feel free to bring photos and – “Gettysburg: The Second Day; Excelling memorabilia! To reserve, contact Jerry McCormick Under Fire – Reflections of an Engineer, [email protected] or (215) 848-7753. Educator and Lawyer” – The Gettysburg Make checks payable to the ‘Gen. Meade Society’ Heritage Center (Old Wax Museum), 297 Steinwehr send to: P.O. Box 45556, Phila., PA 19149. Avenue. Cost $25/pp (incl. admission to Heritage Reservations should be made by Oct. 24th. Center). General Andrew A. Humphreys, Col. Joshua Chamberlain, and Lt. Col. William B. Wooster reflect on their personal histories and what led them to play

key roles on the second day of the battle of Gettysburg, July 2, the Peach Orchard, Little Round Top, and Culp’s Hill. Uniformed living historians Jerry McCormick, Ted Chamberlain, and Jim Connery will By Paula Gidjunis, give first person accounts and reflections portraying Preservation Committee Chair these three officers who were instrumental in the outcome of the second day’s battle, which ultimately led to the Union victory. Register at: http://www.gettysburgmuseum.com GETTYSBURG CLEANUP Contact Person: Stephanie Lightner 717-334-6245 [email protected] Our Adopt a Position cleanup in Gettysburg will be held on Saturday, Nov 5th. November 19, 2016 – Saturday – starts 10:00 am – Remembrance Day in Gettysburg – We meet at 10:00 on East Cemetery Hill at the 27th General Meade & his Generals and the veterans of and 73rd Pa regiments on Baltimore Street. We the Battle of Gettysburg Honor/Dedication work in the morning, and then go to lunch. After Ceremonies during the Remembrance Day Observance. Honoring all commanders and veterans lunch we plan on heading out to Hanover to visit of the Battle. Please meet at the Regulars’ Monument the old electric map that once was displayed in the along Hancock Ave. at 10:00am; then proceed to the Old Gettysburg Visitors Center. If you want to Meade Equestrian Monument at 10:30am for have a fun filled day and get an opportunity to traditional honor ceremonies and wreath layings. help spruce up the park at the same time, come Contact Jerry McCormick at (215) 848- join us on November 5th. The fee for the electric 7753 or [email protected] for info. map is $8 (about 45 minutes). A combo electric

map and tour of Hanover (2 hours) is available for December 9-10, 2016 – Friday & Saturday – $15. Starr Tours – Gettysburg – with Jane Peters

Estes – ONE DATE ONLY - Includes two meals (breakfast, dinner), accommodations, deluxe motor A signup sheet will be passed around at the next coach transportation. Sightseeing incudes "A meeting. If you are interested in either or both of Christmas Carol" at the Majestic Theater, Tuba Carol these tours, please indicate that on the sign-up Fest, Eisenhower Farm Christmas, Jennie Wade sheet. House, Shriver House Civil War Christmas, Farnsworth House dinner and Gettysburg Outlet Shoppes. This is a great weekend getaway and a GREAT NEWS VIA THE SAVE HISTORIC wonderful time of the year to spend in ANTIETAM FOUNDATION (SHAF) Gettysburg! $319.95 pp/double.

December 31, 2016 – Saturday – 11:30 am – If you keep up with the Civil War Trust’s Annual General Meade Birthday Celebration campaigns you know recently there have been – Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Avenue, some major purchases of private property at the Philadelphia – Parade and ceremony to mark the Antietam Battlefield. Obtaining these properties anniversary of his birth will begin at 12 noon at allows visitors to traipse on land that has been off General Meade’s gravesite. All are asked to gather at limits to the public (see “Paula and John’s the Gatehouse at 11:30AM. A champagne toast and Excellent Antietam Adventure” on pages 11-12) reception will follow the program. A tour of the historic and enables a view-shed of the battle not seen in cemetery will be offered (weather permitting). This year marks the 26th anniversary of the Meade modern times. From the SHAF newsletter: birthday celebration by the General Meade Society. For directions, call: 215-228-8200 Laurel Hill “SHAF is proud to announce another purchase at Cemetery. For info contact Dr. Andy Waskie at 215- Antietam! The house directly across the road from 204-5452. the Antietam Visitor’s Center, a late 19th Century house and several outbuildings on 10 acres was purchased by Civil War Trust earlier this year. SHAF cooperated in this purchase and we are committed to razing the non-historic structures

and returning this land to its war-time appearance. This too will be expensive as the house is covered with asbestos shingles. Your contribution to SHAF PHILADELPHIA HISTORY TRIP for these expenses would be very much By Herb Kaufman appreciated. We also are looking at other demolitions this fall. The house located in the East On October 29, 2016 we are Woods, which we helped CWT purchase last year, will be vacant soon and we hope to take it down sponsoring a super trip to this fall. The house and outbuildings of the Wilson three outstanding Farm, where we took down the barn last fall, may Philadelphia history also be ready for demolition this fall, which will locations. All are invited for also be expensive. These demolitions are critical to this super experience. Bring restoring the north end of the battlefield to the your friends, kids or 1862 appearance. The work we did last year has grandchildren for a onetime special experience. been tremendously beneficial, and we’re committed to continuing this effort. Again, your The cost is only $60.00 pp. This is actually less contribution will make that possible.” than you would pay singly just for parking and admissions, and you don’t have to fight the city For more information and to contribute to SHAF traffic. check out their website at www.shaf.org THE UNION LEAGUE COLLECTIONS: Mr. Jim Mundy will lead a tour of the fabulous LEE’S HQ IN GETTYSBURG collection of the Union League. You will have the opportunity that few receive to see the th On October 28 at 11:30 am, the Civil War Trust sculpture, paintings and other historic artifacts (CWT) will hold a ceremony to unveil the restored of the Union League collection. Mary Thompson House aka Gen. Robert E. Lee’s headquarters at the Gettysburg battlefield. It is THE MÜTTER MUSEUM: Dr. Robert Hicks will open to the public. This project involved some of next give us a private tour of the singular the Trust’s most ambitious work to date. www.Civilwar.org collection of the historic Mütter Museum. Not only will you see the marvelous Civil War exhibit, but Dr. Hicks will provide those insights into the history of the collection that few have the opportunity to hear.

THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORY MUSEUM: A Historian with the Philadelphia History Museum will then give us a fascinating tour of the great collection of this nationally known museum.

Photo of Lee’s HQ courtesy of Paula Gidjunis Lunch will be on your own at the Reading Terminal Market.

Please send your payment payable to “Delaware Valley CWRT” to: Herb Kaufman, Treasurer 2601 Bonnie Lane Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006

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“You Decide – Fitz John Porter – Matt redeemed himself with a fine discussion and power point presentation on the Trial of Scapegoat or Hero” Fitz John Porter. The sub-title of the By Larry Vogel presentation was “Scapegoat or Hero”. So Matt started his presentation with a few examples of perceived ”Scapegoats”, including Captain As a prelude of things to come, the September Charles B. McVay who was the Captain of the ill- meeting of the DVCWRT was busy. A great fated U.S.S. Indianapolis and Bill Buckner of speaker along with the usual raffles and the Boston Red Sox (see 1986 World Series). discussions of future and present Round Table Since he is a Flyers fan, I was surprised that business. The next couple of meetings will be Matt forgot to mention Leon Stickle, who many busy as well. The October Meeting features a fans blame for the Flyers not winning the book sale and the November Meeting is the Stanley Cup in 1980. Annual Awards night and the last official meeting of the calendar year. As usual our December “meeting” is a no-reservation- required holiday get-together for dinner at the Austrian Village Restaurant in Rockledge.

President Hugh Boyle started the meeting by yielding the floor to Alan Ash. Alan offered heartfelt thanks to the Round Table for our concern and donations related to his recent troubles including a fire at his place. Hugh followed by reminding us that he and Alan were present at the creation of the Round Table Matt Borowick with his excellent presentation almost twenty five years ago. to the Del Val CWRT

Hugh continued the business portion of the By the way, the Oxford English Dictionary meeting with discussions on preservation; the defines a Scapegoat as a person who is blamed Fall Trip; and other upcoming events that you for wrong doings or mistakes or faults of can surely read about in this newsletter. others.

Hugh then introduced Jerry Carrier who in turn Matt told us introduced the night’s speaker, Matt Borowick, that the Trial mentioning many of his accomplishments both of Fitz John Civil War and non-Civil War related. Porter basically took I was prepared to like Matt as I enjoy his up one Volume column in the Civil War News, especially when he of the Official profiled our Round Table on a couple of Records, occasions, including our involvement with Manor meaning he College and the Civil War Institute. But I was could talk on the subject for hours, but immediately disappointed and disheartened thankfully he boiled it down to a 45 minute or so when Matt mentioned he was a Philadelphia summary. Flyers Fan (LOL).

Before talking about the trial, Matt gave us a during the Second Battle of Bull Run – quick discussion on many of those involved in the disobeying a lawful order, and misbehavior in trial including the General who was responsible front of the enemy. for it, John Pope, and the cantankerous relationship he had with most people but Fitz John Porter was convicted, as the odds especially Fitz John Porter, who himself made were stacked against him, as the judges named no secret of his dislike for Pope, saying so in to hear the court martial and the prosecutors many letters that surfaced during the trial as had prior negative histories with him. evidence. After the conviction Porter spent most of the Matt also discussed the Union disaster that was remainder of his life fighting against the the battle of Second Bull Run. It seems on injustice of his court-martial. several occasions General Pope, who was unaware of the field conditions, gave Finally in 1878, a special commission exonerated contradicting orders to Porter and General Porter but it took another eight years for McDowell, that could not feasibly be acted on President Cleveland to fully pardon him. And without considerable loss of life. Matt told us NOW YOU KNOW THE REST…..oops I forgot I that Porter sent written responses as such, but was writing the Meeting Summary and not they ended up in the pocket of General another Installment of Civil War, The Rest of McDowell while not being forwarded on to the Story. General Pope. [Editor’s Note – as editor of Case Shot & Canister I must remark on Larry’s tongue-in- cheek comment on disappointment and disheartenment with Matt Borowick’s choice of a sports team to support (what???, or yeah, Larry is a Penguins fan!), and as a fellow Philadelphia Flyers fan and ticket holder I must commend Matt on his superb choice of an ice hockey team to support! ]

Matt poses with his “coveted esteemed drinking vessel” following his presentation

After the loss, Pope was relieved of command and sent to Minnesota to quell an Indian uprising. Pope’s corps were merged with McClellan’s. Fitz John Porter continued with the army until McClellan was relieved of command in November. A couple of weeks later Porter was arrested and relieved of command. He was charged with two violations for his actions

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year from selling event guides and sponsorships which makes up over 90% of the city's annual revenue. Sturgis – the General and the City By Larry Vogel

While listening to last month’s presentation on the Trial of Fitz John Porter, the name John Pope came up. That brought to mind one of my favorite Civil War quotations, though I could not remember who said it. So after the presentation, I asked the speaker Matt Borowick, and he immediately reminded John and Paula’s Excellent me that General Samuel Sturgis (pictured Antietam Adventure below left) once said, "I don't care for John Text and Photos by Paula Gidjunis Pope one pinch of owl dung", in response to being told On September 17, John Shivo and I attended that he must wait his turn the 154th battle anniversary of Antietam. The as other troops and park held real time walks. Having a special supplies were going forward affinity for the early part of the battle due to to support Pope. my interest and research of the 128th Pennsylvania, we were on the field at 6:45 So driving home I was AM. Our ranger guides reminded us that thinking of other famous there was no daylight savings time in 1862, Sturgis’s, such as Caleb so at 6:45 AM in 2016, we found the sky was Sturgis, the Philadelphia similar to 5:45 AM at the battle of Antietam. Eagles kicker, and Sturgis, South Dakota, yes Several rangers described the fighting in the my mind tends to wander when driving alone. cornfield by using the actual words of the soldiers who survived that blood bath. It was Why is Sturgis, South Dakota, which was a solemn way to start the day and bring us named after the General, famous? Because it back to the bloodiest day in United States is in Meade County? (Also named for General history. You can check it out at the George G. Meade). No, Sturgis (population battlefield’s Facebook page, look for “Sunrise 6,627) is home to the world’s largest at Antietam”: motorcycle rally. https://www.facebook.com/antietamnps/?fre f=ts For a week in August some 400,000-700,000 motorcyclists descend on Sturgis. It was begun in 1938 by a group of motorcycle riders who favored the “Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company”. The rally was originally held for stunts and races, but it has evolved into being a meeting for motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world.

The City of Sturgis has calculated that the The monument to the 90th PA at Antietam motorcycle rally brings over $800 million to which the Delaware Valley CWRT donated South Dakota annually. The City of Sturgis money to restore earns about a quarter of a million dollars a

At 8:30 AM (7:30 1862 time), we followed the Another treat for the day was a visit to the battle of the cornfield as it unfolded that Ferry Hill Plantation. Owned by the National September morning. I was reminded that Park Service, it is only open on special this was also the time that the 128th Pa. were occasions. We have tried twice before and marching toward the battlefield where upon were unsuccessful to get in, but for the immediately reaching there, their Colonel was anniversary the house was open. killed. I got goose bumps. We took other real time tours that day, but this one hit home. Located at 16500 Shepherdstown Pike, Though Antietam does not get the crowds Sharpsburg MD, if you have route 34 from that Gettysburg does during a battle Sharpsburg to Shepherdstown, you have anniversary, the pristine battlefield is much passed it. It is most renowned for being the closer to its 1862 appearance and the family home of Henry Kyd Douglas of “I Rode experience was profound. with Stonewall” fame. The house provides a look into life along the Potomac River in the The Civil War Trust has had several recent 1800’s. campaigns that purchased private properties https://www.nps.gov/choh/learn/historycult that interrupted some of the view sheds of the ure/ferryhillplantation.htm battle. During the tour of the cornfield, we stood on land that recently was purchased, the Wilson Farm. This was the first time the rangers could give a tour from that site, providing us a sightline of the battle unseen by modern visitors.

The Ferry Hill Plantation

Also worth a visit while in the area is Shepherdstown, W. V. We spent some time walking around the area and enjoying the unique shops and restaurants in this small college town (Shepherd University). We plan on returning again. http://shepherdstown.info/

Several views of the recently purchased Wilson Farm

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The (This is for the Dallas Cowboy fans)

Book …that the city of Dallas in Texas was named for a Philadelphian? Not just a Philadelphian but a former mayor of the city. His name was George M. Dallas;

UNook George was an attorney and the 80th mayor of Philadelphia. He also served as the Minister to the Court of St. James By Hugh Boyle, Book Editor and the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of PA. There are several counties in the US named for him in “I wish I hadn’t bought that” Iowa, Arkansas, and Texas and of course the City of Dallas. How often have you said that line? I am sure all of us have regretted a book that we started and had to So there Cowboy fans, your city is put down. It could be as early as the first chapter. named after a Philadelphian, remember There have been books by authors that I have liked, that on October 30th when the Eagles and then bought their next book with an eagerness play the Cowboys. only to say to myself, “I can’t read this”. I try to set a page limit on my enthusiasm, and that is around 100 pages, but there have been some that just could not make the cut, and they were dumped long before 100 pages. Then I wonder, “am I tainted The Civil War in Kansas – Ten against that author’s next book?” Years of Turmoil Reading a history can be difficult, because when By Debra Goodrich Bisel you come up against errors or mis-statements or exclusions, those seem to go quickly to the out Reviewed by Hugh Boyle, pile, and then I reach for another book from that Book Nook Editor pile by my bed. What makes this all the more burdensome today is the price of books. To spend “Bleeding Kansas” is a $40.00 for a book then have to put it aside term used to describe the frustrates and angers one. So now we must be events of the border war careful when we choose a book. Unfortunately, between Kansas and suggestions from friends can be difficult also. You really have to trust a friend’s judgment when they Missouri. Debra suggest a book. So read book reviews in Goodrich Bisel tells the magazines, newspapers, and the best place is here full story of why this in our newsletter to get an idea of what to read. I state was plagued by so leave you with good fortune in your book choices much bloodshed and and hope the “I wish I hadn’t bought that” is not in murder. This situation your future. began long before the Civil War had started, and long before Kansas became a state. The Kansas

Good Reading! Territory was the center of the fight between abolitionists and proslavers. The battles and bloodshed here played a major impact on the

entire country; some even think that “Bleeding Kansas” even started the Civil War. “The Catholic Nuns of the Hospital Ship U.S.S. Red The author gives a look at the problems, the events and the people at that time. Her research Rover” is extensive and complete. There were atrocities by Walt Lafty on both sides, and none more brutal than that John Brown perpetrated with his massacre of proslavers at Pottawatomie. That massacre led to This article is Part 3 of three interrelated stories retaliations and even more murders. which covered 1) the deadliest single shot in the War involving the gunboat U.S.S. Mound City; In this book Bisel examines the personalities of 2) the hospital ship U.S.S. Red Rover sent to her such men as John Richie, James Montgomery aid; and 3) the Catholic Nuns who later served and the legendary James Lane, whose exploits on the Red Rover and who would be the first make him one of the most outrageous people of nurses in U.S. Naval history to serve on a navy the era. hospital ship.

The bloodletting in Kansas started as early as During the early years of the Civil War, many 1854 and continued during the Civil War with ships were used to transport wounded soldiers. the same brutality. All of the events are On many of those ships, women helped to care examined, with Quantrill’s raid on Lawrence, Kansas in 1863 being one of the most bloody for the sick and wounded. Some of the women and brutal of all. Kansas was a state born of war, were assigned to ships as part of the U.S. but when the war broke out, the events here took Sanitary Commission as well as other a back seat to the fighting back East. The Civil organizations. However, it was not until War in Kansas gives us a good look at those ten December of 1862 that nurses would serve on years of turmoil, with the burning and killing in board the first U.S. Naval Hospital Ship, which the heartland. Debbie Goodrich Bisel’s book is a was the Red Rover. Those nurses were the good one to spend a weekend reading. You will Catholic Nuns of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. come away with a better knowledge of what “Bleeding Kansas” was all about.

The History Press; 2012; 192 pp; $17.99 (retail), paperback available through Amazon from $4.55, also available in kindle edition

[Editor’s Note – Addition information on this topic and on other events that precipitated the Civil War is available in three upcoming courses/seminars at The Civil War Institute at Manor College. Look for The Fire Eaters, Bleeding Kansas, and the Causes of the Civil Photo courtesy of the Sisters of the Holy Cross War. See the Civil War Institute information on pages 16-17 of this newsletter.] Congress did not create the U.S. Navy Nursing Corps until May 13, 1908 with what are known as the “Sacred Twenty”, the first “official” nurses of the Navy. However, the nuns of the Red Rover during the Civil War were the very 14

first nurses to serve aboard a U.S. Navy Hospital It was in December of 1862 when Mother Ship. Those nuns represented an important first Angela offered her sisters to assist on the new and according to the navy’s own official history, hospital ship Red Rover. The initial four nuns “They may truly be said to be the pioneers or who served were: Sr. Mary Adela (Catherine forerunners of the United States Navy Nurse Moran); Sr. Mary John of the Cross (Catherine Corps as they were the first female nurses McLaughlin); Sr. Mary Callista (Esther Pointan); carried on board a United States Navy Hospital and Sr. Mary Veronica (Regina School). They Ship.” were assisted by five black women who also served as nurses. They were: Alice Kennedy, Sarah Kinno, Ellen Campbell, Betsy Young, and Denise Downs.

During the war, Mother Angela helped to set up many hospitals, both in the field and in various cities. That was in addition to supervising so many of the 65 Sisters of the Holy Cross who served as nurses between 1861 and 1865. She also performed many of the same nursing duties as her sisters. General Sherman credited her administrative skills as well as her nursing and

Photo courtesy of the Sisters of the Holy Cross ministry abilities.

The Sisters of the Holy Cross were from Notre After the war, the Sisters received various Dame, Indiana and had no nursing training in testimonials of recognition by various people 1861. However, when Fr. Edward Sorin, the such as Generals Grant, Sherman, Wallace and leader of the religious community at Notre many others. Father William Corby, the chaplain Dame, asked them (at the Indiana governor's of the famed Irish Brigade, wrote a tribute to request) to care for wounded Civil War soldiers both the Sisters of the Holy Cross, as well as the in Kentucky, there was no hesitation. On Oct. Sisters of Charity. 22, 1861 Mother Angela Gillespie and five other Sisters of the Holy Cross of Notre Dame departed for Cairo, Illinois. There, they met with Ulysses S. Grant, who assigned them to a hospital in Paducah, Kentucky. After establishing and working at that hospital, Mother Angela left Paducah to organize hospitals in Cairo and Mound City, Illinois.

When first arriving at the hospital in Cairo, Sr. Mary Paula Casey recorded that, "Every room on Mother Angela Gillespie, Sister the first floor was strewn with human legs and M. Adela, and Sister M. arms. As the wounded were brought in from the Callista are buried in Our Lady battlefield, they were laid anywhere, and of Peace Cemetery at St. amputations took place. Some of the wards Mary's College Notre Dame resembled a slaughter house, the walls were so where the U.S. Navy honored splattered with blood." them with headstones.

Records show that the nuns who served on the Union sick and wounded made a critical impact Red Rover received a pay by the Navy. In upon nineteenth-century America. addition, according to the 1906 records of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), “Twenty In April 2016, St. Mary’s College announced that three are still living and in receipt of pensions”. ground was broken for the new Angela Athletic That came about in 1892 when Congress passed & Wellness Complex. When complete in the fall a pension bill which included nurses for the first of 2017, the complex will be more than twice time. The nuns who did receive pensions the size of the current Angela. The existing donated their money to help pay for Bertrand Angela was dedicated in September 1977 and is Hall, now the congregation’s administration named for Mother Angela Gillespie. building at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame. Also during 1906, the G.A.R. presented medals to the surviving Sisters of the Holy Cross for their service as nurses. The first Mother Superior of the Sisters of the Holy Cross In 1924, the “Nuns of the Battlefield Monument” was erected in Washington D.C. by Born in 1824, Eliza Gillespie the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of graduated from Visitation Hibernians to honor the more than 600 Catholic Academy in Washington, D.C., nuns and sisters who during the Civil War, before teaching school. In 1853 nursed soldiers on both sides. she joined the Sisters of the Holy Cross, a community founded in France. In 1855 she was assigned charge of St. Mary’s Academy in Notre Dame, Indiana (now St. Mary’s College). She died in 1887.

Inscription reads: Civil War Institute

“THEY COMFORTED THE DYING, NURSED THE WOUNDED, CARRIED HOPE TO THE IMPRISONED, GAVE Our updated Civil War Institute at Manor IN HIS NAME A DRINK OF WATER TO THE THIRSTY” College class format allows a greater variety of “TO THE MEMORY AND IN HONOR OF THE VARIOUS choices for students who find it difficult to ORDERS OF SISTERS WHO GAVE THEIR SERVICES AS attend 3-week or 6-week courses. Semesters NURSES ON BATTLEFIELDS AND IN HOSPITALS DURING now include multiple-week courses, 2-week THE CIVIL WAR” courses and 1-night seminars. Classes may be

taken as part of the certificate program or Between 1861 and 1865, approximately 640 individually. Completion of your choice of four women from 12 religious orders, the most core courses, and any four elective courses is famous being the Daughters of Charity, the required to receive the certificate. Non-core, Sisters of Mercy, and the Sisters of the Holy elective courses require a minimum of 6 credit Cross, volunteered their nursing services. Their hours. Any combination of 2-night and 1-night contributions to the care of Confederate and programs may fulfill that requirement. 16

Call (215) 884-2218 to register or for an application for the certificate program, or online www.manor.edu/cont-ed/civil-war/courses.php Class hours are 6:30 till 8:30 pm, unless otherwise noted. Manor College is located at A Town, a Mansion, and a 700 Fox Chase Road in Jenkintown, PA. Ghostly Twist * Indicates Core Course By Jim Gallagher ** Indicates Elective Course/Seminar The Town that Never Was ** The “Fire Eaters” – 1 night (2 hrs) – NEW – Discussion of the extremist politicians who led The year is 1957 and the location is the town that the charge for Southern secession, predicting never was… Levittown. that the North was too timid to resist. Wednesday, October 26 Before we can talk about Levittown, we need to Fee: $29 know how William Levitt got the idea of building a suburban dream. While serving in the Navy during Instructor: Herb Kaufman World War II, Bill Levitt took note of all the

veterans who would need homes after the conflict **Bleeding Kansas – 2 nights (4 hrs) – NEW – and sensed the potential for mass-produced Kansas Territory provided a boilerplate for housing and massive planned communities. events that would envelop the entire country. Local events here in the 1850s would lead to He urged his father and younger brothers to start much bloodier things to come. buying up Long Island land, and from 1947 to Thursdays, November 10 and 17 1951, the firm, comprised of Bill’s father, Fee: $55 Abraham, Bill and his brother Alfred, built the first Instructor: Hugh Boyle Levittown, consisting of more than 17,000 homes, in Long Island, New York. **Reconstruction – 4 nights (8 hrs) – NEW – Although hostilities ended in 1865, With lessons learned from that first project, Levitt repercussions would last beyond the soldiers and Sons made Levittown, Pennsylvania a model return home. This class which spans the period of meticulous planning, with land set aside for 1865-1880 looks at the politics and social pools, parks, churches, and schools. ramifications as the country was rebuilt. Mondays, November 21, 28; December 5, 12 Levittown, Pennsylvania is the Town that never Fee: $105 was. If William Levitt had his way, Levittown, PA Instructors: Hugh Boyle & Herb Kaufman would have been incorporated as one municipality at the onset of the project. It would have been ** The Causes of the Civil War – NEW – 1 night Pennsylvania’s tenth largest city. Fear over higher (2 hrs) – An overview of the factors – political tax rates for residents and lower tax revenue for the municipalities was at the root of the debate. If and social – that led to America being at war incorporation occurred, the three townships, the with itself. borough, and the three school districts would Wednesday, November 30 have had a living nightmare trying to regroup and Fee: $29 sort it all out. Instructor: Herb Kaufman The postwar movement of so many families from the city to the suburbs was the largest internal migration in the county history, outstripping many times over the legendary westward migration of man hung himself from the second floor the nineteenth century. stairwell. His body was found by his childhood sweetheart, Mary, a house servant, who shot The community had its share of growing pains. In herself after making the gruesome discovery. Levittown’s early years William Levitt refused to sell to African Americans. In 1957, one family The tragic tale has a happy ending. There have named Myers purchased a home. This caused a been reports of seeing a soldier dressed in a big ruckus. Mobs gathered outside of the house Confederate uniform along with a and threw rocks and bottles, breaking windows woman in a Civil War era dress at and causing fear in our families. One neighbor the top of the stairs. It who had helped the black family had a cross seems that the couple that burned on his lawn. Daisy Myers, the couldn’t lay claim to home homeowner, became the Rosa Parks of Levittown, and happiness in life by refusing to leave Levittown. managed to find

happiness in death. The Mansion

Also in Levittown is the Bolton Mansion. This mansion was built in 1687 and was the home of Phineas Pemberton and his wife Phoebe. SHARED BY BERNICE KAPLAN FROM Phineas was William Penn’s chief administrator in Bucks County. He was also Falls Township’s most THE OCTOBER 2016 ISSUE OF prominent citizen. Over the years the mansion READER’S DIGEST – ONE OF “101 changed hands many times. In 1952 the Mansion FUNNIEST QUOTES EVER” COVER became the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Levitt. STORY

As in many old mansions, there are always stories about sightings. And now, I will tell you the most famous ghost story of this mansion.

The Rebel Soldier and his Girlfriend.

It was said that the owner of the estate at that "No matter how much cats fight, there always time disowned his son for enlisting to fight for seems to be plenty of kittens." the South during the Civil War. When the war President Abraham Lincoln. was over, the son returned home, but the father Photo of Lincoln: Public Domain; refused to forgive him. Distraught, the young Kittens: GalgenTX and Kennymatic via Flickr 18

HAVE WE GOT A BOOK FOR YOU! DELAWARE VALLEY CWRT MAGAZINE & BOOK SALE

JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Here it is! The Preservation Committee is pleased to announce that we will hold a very special Book Sale at our October meeting.

This will not be an ordinary book sale. We have recently received a fantastic donation of over 100 new books.

There are titles in almost every subject including Lincoln, biographies, and many general topics and histories. There is a superb selection of GETTYSBURG books. Also, a beautiful set of the historic Battles and Leaders.

**** Due to the wonderful generosity of our members and friends, we will offer a fantastic selection of like NEW Civil War books. All the books are in first class, new condition!

**** We will also have a special section of gently used and paperback books and a nice collection of magazines.

They are perfect for your library or for gifts. Each book is a special value and priced well below the regular price that you would find on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or other book sellers. There are many different topics represented and we are sure that you will find many books to be of interest and super value!

Remember, all the books we are offering at our sale have been donated!

Every dollar of your purchases is used directly in our preservation efforts to assure that our American history is preserved for all future generations.

Come early for the best selection!!! Bring your friends. There are bargains galore. You will love the superb selection.

Jeff Davis Reaping the Harvest Thomas Nast Harpers Weekly – October 26, 1861

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

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