May 2018 Vol XXXIII, No 9

Thurs May 10

Elizabeth Hallett: Civil War Mourning Customs

Mourning the loss of loved ones has always been a part of the human experience. During the early Victorian Era, the act of mourning became ever more refined and yet magnified by the hundreds of thousands of deaths experienced during the . Americans had not been confronted with death on a scale such as this before, and the rituals and customs of mourning became a way of dealing with such loss in a prescribed and predictable – and therefore comforting – manner. From the varied stages of mourning to the length of each type, customs and etiquette, dress, jewelry, photography, and the ‘business’ of death, come and learn how our Civil War ancestors dealt with this very prevalent issue.

A native and 11th generation descendant of the first settlers of eastern Long Island, NY, Elizabeth Hallett is a charter member and current president of the Civil War Round Table of the Merrimack in Salisbury, Massachusetts and the current vice‐president of the Civil War Round Table of New Hampshire in Epping. She’s been a living historian/reenactor for nearly 25 years, and holds memberships in a variety of living history, reenacting, and descendants groups. As a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Liz, along with her husband Bill, travel to Gettysburg each November for Remembrance Day Weekend where they flag the graves of the New England boys in the National Cemetery. Liz and Bill reside in Newburyport, MA where Liz operates Threadneedle Alley, a home sewing business specializing in historical clothing.

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JLC CWRT meetings are the second Thursday of each month:

7:00 pm Morrell Room Curtis Memorial Library 23 Pleasant St, Brunswick ME

Weather Cancellations: Channels 6, 8, 13

If the Library closes due to a storm, the meeting will be cancelled. Members will receive an email notification of cancellation from the CWRT Secretary.

News from Headquarters

From the President – Dan Cunningham

We’ll have two special events at our May meeting to go along with our speaker presentation. The first will be a brief reading by one of our members, 10‐year‐old William Bickford, who wrote a report on Joshua Chamberlain. It’s wonderful to have one of our younger members write a report and present it, as they are the future for keeping history and

2 organizations like ours alive. In addition, it’s nice to see one of our members sharing a project they’ve done with the Civil War Round Table. Although it appears we have a set format each meeting please feel free to bring any news you may want to share about any trips, readings or projects you have heard about or done relating to the Civil War. We would all love to hear about them.

The second event will be the presentation of the Warren Randall award. Warren Randall was the founder of the Joshua L. Chamberlain Civil War Round Table. The award is given to a person who has promoted and helped people learn about Maine’s Civil War heritage either through their actions, writings or by being part of an organization that educates people about the Civil War.

As I mentioned at our April meeting this year’s winner is Bill Attick. Bill has been contacting and scheduling speakers for the Round Table for the last 10 years. Bill has done a wonderful job in lining up speakers even in those years in which we were financially challenged. Without Bill our meetings would not be very interesting and there’s a good chance we would cease to exist. Congratulations and thank you to Bill for doing an excellent job!

At our April meeting I also mentioned we would have light refreshments for our June meeting. We hope to have everything set up so that you can come between 6:00 and 6:15 to have some refreshments and get a chance to talk to other Round Table members along with the Board of Trustees. The refreshments will be provided by board and committee members at no cost to the organization. If you would like to show your appreciation and help the Civil War Round Table, we will have the donation jar at the back table. The bigger our bank balance the more flexibility we have in bringing a greater variety of speakers from Maine and other states.

At the beginning of the June meeting we will vote for the 2018/2019 Board of Trustees. A list of these candidates is included below. If any of you would like to be considered for any of these positions, please let me know.

Our May speaker will be Elizabeth Hallett who will speak about mourning customs during the Civil War era. I hope to see all of you there.

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* Candidates for Board of Trustees * These members have volunteered to be elected to the Board of Trustees for 2018/19 at the June 14 meeting:

Steve Garrett, President Gardner Shaw, Vice President Carol Manchester, Secretary Mark Mahnke, Treasurer Bill Attick, Program Director Dan Cunningham, Ex‐President Lucy Cunningham Ken McAfee Linda Schlegel Bill St. Louis

JLC CWRT Board of Trustees – 2017/18 President: Dan Cunningham (729‐9520) Vice President: Gardner Shaw (703‐472‐8618) Treasurer: Paul Lariviere (724‐2414) Secretary: Steve Garrett (956‐8729, cell 607‐9713) [email protected] Program Director: Bill Attick (726‐4685) Members: Steve Bunker, Lucy Cunningham, Carol Manchester, Ken McAfee

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Treasurer’s Update – Paul Lariviere Quick Stats – April: Meeting: April 12, 2018 Speaker: Steve Bunker: Civil War in the West Attendance: 68 Book Raffle tickets sold: 77 In‐Kind Donations: none Book prizes distributed: 11

INCOME: NET Income for April: $100.00 Memberships $245.00 $ 71.00 Book Raffle revenue NET Income this Fiscal Year: $ 39.00 Cash Donations $1,100.05 $ 5.00 Book Sales YEAR‐TO‐DATE $ 30.00 Adopt‐a‐Speaker Bank Balance, April 22, 2018: $5,195.44 $245.00 TOTAL Cash Income for Apr (to date)

EXPENSES: $100.15 Speaker Dinner $ 83.00 P.O. Box $151.52 Miscellaneous $334.67 TOTAL Expenses for Apr (to date)

Adopt‐A‐Speaker – Dinner Host Program In conjunction with its Adopt‐A‐Speaker setup, the JLC CWRT maintains a Dinner Host program. With this arrangement, members who donate to the Adopt‐A‐Speaker program at the “General” level have the opportunity to have dinner with a visiting speaker at Richard’s Restaurant in Brunswick. Under this program, the CWRT pays for dinner for the speaker, and the host pays for his/her own dinner.

See the last page of the newsletter to enroll in the Adopt‐A‐Speaker program. Please contact Paul Lariviere (Treasurer) to make arrangements to host a specific speaker, at least one week before the program.

May 10 Elizabeth Hallett Mourning Customs during the Civil War Era Jun 14 Will Greene , Petersburg

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Around the Campfire News about our Members

Portrait of Elizabeth Van Lew in Her Richmond Garden By Noma Petroff

After church on Easter Sunday, some friends gathered for brunch at the home of Brunswick artist, Pam Smith, who had shared her family’s story of helping to care for the abolitionist, philanthropist, and master spy, Elizabeth Van Lew.

As we were conversing over casseroles and sweets, I noticed a large painting on the wall. I asked Pam if she had painted it. She said that in fact, it was painted by her brother, Ben Burr back in the 1970s. When I asked who the women in the picture was, she explained that it was Elizabeth Van Lew, who was partially cared for by their ancestor, a member of the family of Colonel Paul Revere of the 20th Massachusetts, who A portrait of Elizabeth Van Lew, sometimes called the had been a soldier in the (as Union’s “Queen of Espionage” in her garden in Richmond mentioned in the last issue of the after the War. Portrait was painted in the 1970s by Ben newsletter). Burr, whose great uncle, Paul Revere, helped care for Ms. Van Lew after the Civil War.

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Bill Attick to be Honored with Joshua L. Chamberlain CWRT’s Warren Randall Award By Lucy Cunningham

Bill Attick, Program Director for the Joshua L. Chamberlain Civil War Round Table, will be honored with the Warren Randall Award at the May meeting. Bill, a member of the JLC CWRT for 20 years, has played an indispensable role in making possible all our wonderful programs for the past 10 years.

A native of Pennsylvania, Bill grew up about 1 hour’s drive from Gettysburg. His parents took their kids to visit the battlefield twice a year, and on the 100th anniversary of the Civil War Bill’s dad bought him his first Civil War book. From then on, he just kept learning about the Civil War. He loves history in general, and of the Civil War in particular; his primary research interest is the . Bill goes to Gettysburg two to four times a year, visiting the battlefield as well as family that still live in the area. For 34 years Bill has attended the week‐long Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. From his research he’s put together two presentations: one on the battlefield, and one on the monuments. He has given these presentations at local historical societies and schools.

Bill’s career was as an educator in northeastern Pennsylvania—eight years in high school and 23.5 years in elementary school counseling. He and his wife Kathy used to visit her cousins in Eastport, Maine, in the summer, and they decided they would eventually retire to that part of the state. Since there was no Civil War Round Table in northeastern Pennsylvania, Bill was happy to learn from a friend in Freeport that there was a Round Table in Brunswick. That was, Bill said, “not too far away” from where they would be living in Dennysville, near Eastport. That’s a four‐hour one‐way commute, but Bill was excited to be that close to a CWRT!

Bill first visited the JLC CWRT at a spring meeting and became a member while still living in Pennsylvania. He used to receive audiotapes of the CWRT meetings. Then in 2001 Bill and Kathy moved to Dennysville, where he spent 9 years as a Selectman, and continues to do school counseling in the area. Despite the four‐hour drive, Bill became a very active member of the JLC CWRT, and served on the Board of Trustees for some years before being asked to take on the role of Program Director from then‐president Sue Bailey around 2008.

Bill said he agreed to take on the job at a Board meeting, then on his drive home he realized he had no idea how to do it! Sue Bailey helped him out in the beginning, and before long Bill was establishing connections within the

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CWRT community and reaching out to potential speakers from near and far. Bill says speakers do like to come to Maine because of the Chamberlain connection, and they are generally “thrilled” to be asked to speak here. He said he learns something new each time he hears another speaker or reads another book. And because of Bill’s enthusiasm and dedication, we all have the chance to share in that learning experience. Thank you, Bill!

Bill Attick (assisted by two beautiful helpers!) has brought dozens of fascinating speakers to the JLC CWRT over the years.

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Civil War & History Book Club – Mon, May 14 The Round Table has sponsored a book club for many years. Anyone and everyone is invited to join and participate in our discussions, debates, and treats. We know you will enjoy the reads and the lively discussion.

We meet the third Monday of each month at 7 PM at People Plus, 35 Union Street in Brunswick – or dates determined by the book club. We have selected the following books and dates:

May 14 – Company Aytch or a Side Show of the Big Show: A Memoir of the Civil War – Sam Watkins

Jun 18 – Fields of Honor: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War – Edwin C. Bearss

All are welcome – please join us! – Steve Garrett

Bookshelf – A Few Good Reads

Elizabeth R. Varon. Southern Lady, YANKEE SPY: The True Story of Elizabeth Van Lew, A Union Agent in the Heart of the Confederacy. Oxford University Press. New York, 2003.

As noted last month in my review of Rosemary Agonito’s Miss Lizzie’s War, I read Elizabeth R. Varon’s biography of Elizabeth Van Lew to verify the story line and facts of Ms. Agonito’s novel and found Ms. Varon’s biography amazingly well written. And as promised here is the review of that biography. Secondly, although I found Rosemary Agonito’s novel well done, the facts of Elizabeth Van Lew and the spy ring she ran and participated in are an amazing story without the addition of characters to enhance it.

Elizabeth Van Lew was born into a transplanted family from Pennsylvania; her grandfather had been mayor of Philadelphia, where she was sent for her education. The family, led by her father, became successful owners of a hardware business and bought the mansion where Elizabeth was raised and where she lived all of her life in the most prestigious part of Richmond.

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Surrounded by the wealthiest and most influential families of Richmond Elizabeth enjoyed all the benefits of position, wealth and personal contacts that her family's business successes provided. Discussion, education, books, periodicals were available and discussed. Early, Elizabeth developed strong opinions on key social and political subjects including the belief in Virginia’s and Richmond’s link to founding of the USA, the national disgrace of human bondage and the obligation that Christian people of wealth had to help those less fortunate. From her mansion on Church Hill, Elizabeth Van Lew directed an Reading her biography closely it is clear her extensive spy ring for the Union army. opinions were not unique within the family. She, however, used her position as a wealthy woman, nearing spinsterhood, to her advantage to pursue her beliefs against human bondage and in support of the Union. Elizabeth Van Lew used this position and the family fortune to support the Union spy ring around Richmond. While she always claimed that she was but one among many in the fight to eliminate slavery and preserve the Union, her position and money made her the de facto leader. And she, like many of the others involved, took risks using the Victorian beliefs on position and women’s roles in society to avoid being suspected or when suspected to avoid legal action.

What did she do? She and her mother de facto freed their slaves after her father’s death even though his will specifically forbade freeing them. De facto because formally freeing them would require them to be registered as freed and further would require them to leave Virginia within one year. Hence, they helped those that wanted to go north do so and paid wages to those that stayed or helped them become self‐sufficient. None of this was formalized to avoid the dictates of the will. Elizabeth’s mother, in an unusual move for the time, was the executor of her husband’s will, and an example to her daughter of an educated woman.

During the war Elizabeth provided aid to Union prisoners using her slaves/freed men and women to deliver that aid, supported aid to Confederate hospitals, aid to the poor, helped both Union and Confederate soldiers and slaves escape to the Union lines and developed a system to provide key information to first ‘Beast Butler’ and later to General Grant. The story of how the spy ring gained information and passed it from the inner sanctum of the Confederate government

10 and army would make a great movie. Information from Mary Bowser, maid/spy within the Confederate White House to the baker, to Elizabeth, to be smuggled through the lines and fortifications to the Union would make a great spy novel or movie. Yet, there was much, much more.

One of Van Lew’s most important moves was to get her maid, Mary Bowser, placed in the Confederate White House. Bowser’s dull conduct belied the fact that she was intelligent, well educated, and had a photographic memory.

After the war Elizabeth was rewarded by a grateful President, U. S. Grant, with the appointment to Postmaster of Richmond. There she hired ex‐slave, free blacks and women to positions within the postal service in addition to men, and she modernized the postal service such that it became a service for a much greater part of society. All of this did not come without a cost. Except for a few good friends she was ostracized from society by all ex‐supporters of the Confederacy and those that feared their repercussions.

Shortly before Richmond surrendered, Ulysses S. Grant dispatched Colonel Ely S. Parker of his staff to Richmond Late in life with the family fortune spent she became dependent upon the good to go into the city at once and will and support of those she had helped. Upon her death, September 25, 1900, see that order was preserved and to protect Miss Van Lew. she was buried in an unmarked grave in the family plot in Shockoe Cemetery The house was filled with many next to her mother and father, but with the casket buried standing upright as Union people. (Ely Parker, who there was so little room left in the family plot. I think she would have approved. was also a Seneca Indian chief, Later, friends provided a boulder from Massachusetts, a Union boulder, with a is scheduled to be honored bronze tablet that read: with his image on the silver dollar in 2022.)

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ELIZABETH L. VAN LEW

1818 ‐ 1900

SHE RISKED EVERYTHING THAT IS DEAR TO MAN ‐‐ FRIENDS ‐‐

FORTUNE ‐‐ COMFORT ‐‐ HEALTH ‐‐ LIFE ITSELF ‐‐ ALL FOR THE

ONE ABSORBING DESIRE OF HER HEART ‐‐ THAT SLAVERY

MIGHT BE ABOLISHED AND THE UNION PRESERVED. THIS BOULDER

FROM THE CAPITOL HILL IN BOSTON IS A TRIBUTE

FROM MASSACHUSETTS FRIENDS

She did not wear the uniform of a soldier, or die in battle, but could anyone do more? If you are interested in Civil War history and want more of the story, get this book. It is well worth your time to know this American hero.

– Steven Garrett

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Community Calendar — Upcoming Events and Such

Winslow Homer and the Camera: Photography and the Art of Painting Bowdoin College Museum of Art June 23, 2018 ‐ October 28, 2018

Exhibition explores the question of Homer’s relationship with the medium of photography and its impact on his artistic practice. As one attuned to appearances and how to represent them, Homer understood that photography, as a new technology of sight, had much to reveal. This exhibition thus adds an important new dimension to our appreciation of this pioneering American painter, demonstrating his recognition that photography did not undermine, but instead complemented his larger artistic interests. Includes examples of Homer’s Civil War pictures.

Maine Masonic Civil War Library and Museum – Spring Lecture Series: Local Authors & Portland History Second Thursdays: Noon‐1:00pm Portland Masonic Temple 415 Congress Street

Boxed Lunch* Lecture Series Thurs May 10 ‐ Jim Dufresne: "Maine's Gen. Seth Williams" A man of integrity and for whom Ft. Williams is named.

Thurs June 14 ‐ Paul Ledman: "Filling Portland" The creating of new land on the peninsula.

This series will be held in the Scottish Rite Reading Room at the historic Masonic Temple. The Scottish Rite Reading Room is dedicated to the many Scottish Rite Masons throughout Maine history, including names you might recognize around Portland ‐ like Drummond, Preble, Allen, and Deering. *Bring your own lunch. Light refreshments provided. Donations accepted and appreciated.

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Duty Roster JLC CWRT Membership Committee thanks the following members. Renewals: Dorothy M. Chapman Joe Lisi Matthew Mueller Victor Oboyski Adopt‐a‐Speaker: Victor Oboyski, Major

* Speaker 1 Elizabeth Hallett: Civil War Mourning customs * News from Headquarters 2 President’s Note 5 Treasurer’s Update 5 Adopt‐A‐Speaker dates – Dinner Host Program

* Around the Campfire 6 Portrait of Elizabeth Van Lew 7 Bill Attick to be Honored with Warren Randall Award 9 Bookshelf – A Few Good Reads – Review: Elizabeth R. Varon. Southern Lady, YANKEE SPY: The Story of May 23, 1865. Now a girlish form, robed white Elizabeth Van Lew as her spirit, presses close; modest, yet resolute, 13 Community Calendar eyes fixed on her purpose. She reaches up 14 Duty Roster – Member/Donor List towards me a wreath of rare flowers, close‐ braided, fit for viking's arm‐ring, or victor's crown. How could I take it? Sword at the "carry" and left hand tasked, trying to curb my excited horse...He had been thrice shot down under me; he had seen the great surrender. But this unaccustomed vision‐‐he had never seen a woman coming so near before,‐‐moved him strangely. Was this the soft death‐angel‐‐did he think?‐‐calling us again, as in other days? For as often as she lifted the garland to the level of my hand, he sprang clear from earth: heavenwards, doubtless‐‐but was not heaven nearer just then? I managed to bring down his fore‐feet close beside her, and dropped my sword‐point almost to her feet, with a bow so low I could have touched her cheek. – Joshua Chamberlain (Painting: Don Stivers)

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The Grand Review (May 1865) At the grand review at Washington last May, General Grant, Secretary Stanton and many other dignitaries sat together upon a stage erected for the purpose, When General Meade passed at the head of the Army of the Potomac, General Grant rose from his seat and bowed.

He did not rise again in acknowledgment of salutes till Major General Chamberlain appeared in command of the First Division, Fifth Corps. He then rose, took off his hat and bowed three times. Secretary Stanton turned to Senator Grimes of lowa, his neighbor, and slapping him on the knees exclaimed: "By ———, Grimes I'd rather have that compliment than be President of the ."

‐‐ Roland Crocker

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MEMBERSHIP & ADOPT‐A‐SPEAKER

Name______E‐mail address (required for Newsletter)______Phone______Address______City/State/Zip______Date______Please Print clearly MEMBERSHIP ___ New Member ___ Renewal ___ Individual $25 ___ Family $35 ___ Student $15

___ Additional Donation for JLC CWRT ______TOTAL Membership

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ADOPT‐A‐SPEAKER ___ General $50 (Generals – see page 3 for Speaker Host program) ___ Colonel $40 ___ Major $30 ___ Captain $20 ___ Lieutenant $10 ______TOTAL Adopt‐A‐Speaker

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______GRAND TOTAL: Membership & Adopt‐A‐Speaker. Make payment:

Chamberlain CWRT PO Box 1046 Brunswick ME 04011‐1046 (Or present payment to Treasurer at meeting)

For more information, please contact [email protected]

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