THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER

Notes from the President interpretation of becoming a soldier in afterwards James Ryder Randall the 54th Massachusett- from penned the Poem Maryland My 6/2017 “Plantation to Battlefield”. Our Maryland which became the Official December 12 meeting (note our usual State Song in 1939. In February BCWRT Community: date change for December) will 1861 secretly We have received many positive feature author and Frederick County passed through the Station as comments on the presentations of a Civil War Roundtable member Gary President Elect to avoid number of our recent speakers. Our Dyson discussing his work “The assassination. Frederick Douglass Annual Banquet speaker, Chief Ambush of the Isaac P. Smith, Family and Henry Box Brown and others Historian Emeritus of the National Ties and the Battle on the Stono, Escaped to Freedom on this Park Service Edwin Cole Bearss and January 30, 1863”. We are still Railroad The Station became the May’s talk by Col. (Ret) Kevin J. waiting for a confirmation for our Baltimore Civil War Museum in 1997 Weddle on Admiral Samuel Francis October meeting. and the Friends have continually Du Pont, "Lincoln's Tragic Admiral: IMPORTANT REMINDER: been involved with its development the Life of Samuel Francis Du Pont Remember, we are always looking for including adding a Pennsylvania seem to garner high praise from new members. Invite a friend to our Railroad Caboose. Today the many of you. meetings. The BCWRT has many Museum is Open to the Public You are urged to share your good things happening. Please greeting visitors to Baltimore from all enjoyment by inviting your relatives, spread the word. over the world... friends, neighbors, etc., to attend our Robert L. Ford, meetings and possibly become President members. Dues are $20.00 for individuals and $30.00 for families. How about a membership gift for that Ralph Brooks Vincent recent grad in your family? Please (March 20, 1939-June 18, make checks payable to: BCWRT 2017) and mail to: Ray Atkins, 1204 It is with great sadness that we share Fordham Ct., Belair, MD 21014. the news of the passing of Ralph (410-879-8828). Vincent. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, Ralph was born in Cumberland, MD June 27, at the Parkville Senior and raised in Baltimore. He was a Center. Since June is the traditional lifelong Railroad Buff and Civil War time for love leading to marriage, Preservationist. He passed away author Gene Barr will have a from heart disease suddenly on presentation based on his book; "A Sunday June 18th. Ralph was Civil War Captain and His Lady -Love, employed by Dictaphone after Courtship, and Combat from Fort Service in the U.S. Navy Yorktown, Donelson through the Vicksburg VA. He eventually was employed by Campaign". Westinghouse/ Northrup Grumman Frank Armiger will return to us on July Corp near BWI Airport where he 25 to present the third part of his look retired in 2004 at the age of 65. In at the Battle of Gettysburg. Former 1987 Ralph founded the Friends of BCWRT President Bob Mullauer will President Street Station Inc. a 501c3 Ralph Vincent – Photo courtesy Robert Reyes speak on August 22. His topic will be organization. announced soon. Author Gene In 1995 the Friends successfully Everyone who ever knew Ralph or Schmiel will discuss his book saved the Historic Station, the Site of came and contact with him knew he “Citizen-General: Jacob Dolson Cox the First Bloodshed of the Civil was a gentle soul and a very kind and the Civil War Era”. November 28 War. Currier Ives referred to it as the man. He is survived by His Brother will feature retired NPS employee and Lexington of Baltimore 1861 and Doyle Edward Vincent, Sr., Step- re-enactor Mel Reid in a living history

BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER siblings Roy Vincent and Cheryl Ann against which we simply can not the park on April 6, said Nancy Boggs, Nephews Doyle “Ed” Vincent, compete. The staff at Blue & Gray DiPaolo, the department's director of Jr., Russell Vincent, Paul Vincent, headquarters for most of the last internal affairs. nieces Trina Vincent and Dawna decade has consisted of just two The investigation remains open, so Bowen. people — my son Jason and me. DiPaolo could not provide details or Friends and Family can call on While there will be no more issues of comment as to whether Clark's the Kirkley-Ruddick Funeral Home for Blue & Gray, we will continue to reassignment is related. Information Viewing on Sunday June 25th from 3- maintain the website. We are also will be made available to the public at 5 PM & 7-9 PM located at 421 Crain exploring ways to convert unfulfilled an "appropriate time," she said. Hwy SE Glen Burnie, MD subscriptions into credits that can be Clark became the superintendent of 21061. Funeral Services will be held used for back issues and our book the Gettysburg National Military Park on Monday June 26th at 10:00 AM at titles, while supplies last. So, continue and the Eisenhower National Historic the Kirkley-Ruddick Funeral Home. to visit the website for updates. Site in February 2014, Waldbuesser He will be laid to Rest at the Crest This has been a very difficult letter for said. His new assignment is acting Lawn Cemetery in Sykesville, me to write. Since you’ve gotten used chief for the northeast regional MD. Ralph's Brother Doyle to me signing myself “” at office's park planning and special has instructed in lieu of flowers the end of every driving tour, I’ll quote studies division, "where he will work donations should be sent on Ralph's a real general, one who faced a far on region-wide planning efforts" for behalf to the Baltimore Civil War more difficult decision, and bid you all the Harper's Ferry Center. Museum. an affectionate farewell. Bill Justice, the superintendent of Vicksburg National Military Park in Blue & Gray Magazine Gettysburg National Mississippi, will serve as acting superintendent, Waldbuesser said. Ceases Publication Military Park Justice has more than 30 years of Announcement from the Publisher superintendent experience with the National Parks Service. I had just turned 30 when my late wife reassigned Robin and I launched the premiere By Dustin B Levy, eveningsun.com, issue of Blue & Gray. That was more May 30, 2017 LeVan cancels Third than a third of a century ago. Then, a Ed Clark, the three-year Gettysburg-area casino few years ago, as I entered my 60s, superintendent of the Gettysburg folks started asking about an exit National Military Park, has been project By Lillian Reed, eveningsun.com, strategy. Did I have one? My answer reassigned, according to a National June 14, 2017 was no, I don’t. I will continue Park Service official. Local businessman David LeVan has publishing Blue & Gray until someone Clark was stationed at the Harper's canceled his third attempt to bring a tells me to stop. Well, that time has Ferry Center in West Virginia as of casino to the Gettysburg area, come. May 26, said Cinda Waldbuesser, the according to a news release. The handwriting is on the wall. After chief of staff for the northeast regional LeVan made the announcement that the Civil War Sesquicentennial the office of the National Parks Service. he will not submit an application for subscriber base has declined to the "Regional directors can use their Pennsylvania's last available casino point we can no longer afford to pay discretion to move staff as needed to and horse racing permit hours before the printer and the post office, the ensure needs it was due June 14. costs of preparing the driving tour — are best met." Waldbuesser said in LeVan said the uncertainty which is the hallmark of the an email. "The acting regional surrounding the gaming expansion publication — and rising health care director for the northeast region felt legislation in Harrisburg was the costs. Furthermore, our book this move was in the best interest of reason for canceling his project. business, which helped support our regional and park needs." "I continue to believe that a gaming publishing efforts through the years, The Office of the Inspector General of project would be tremendous for the has all but disappeared with the the U.S. Department of the local Adams County economy, create advent of online discount booksellers, Interior launched an investigation into

BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER thousands of jobs, and provide the Northern Central Railroad, the desperately needed funding for The Gettysburg main north-south thoroughfare countless municipal and community through the state, trains loaded with projects,” LeVan said in the release. Campaign’s Forgotten passengers seeking a reprieve from Representatives for the project Railroad Disaster the threat still chugged north towards declined to comment further Wynninghistory.com, June 19, 2017 Sunbury, in the perceived safety of Wednesday. During the Confederate invasion in Northumberland County. This was LeVan's third attempt to June 1863, thousands of That was still true at 1 o’clock in the bring a casino to Adams County. Pennsylvanians fled their homes afternoon of the 19th, when the north- Previous attempts in 2005-06 and seeking shelter from the storm of bound mail train from Baltimore again in 2010 spurred enormous battle. These refugees fled utilizing arrived at the depot in Bridgeport debate between residents — some the Keystone State’s hub of railroads, (now Lemoyne), directly across the supported the proposal because creating harrowing scenes of Susquehanna River from Harrisburg. of potential economic benefits, and confusion in train stations across Those on the platform at the depot others condemned the project for Central Pennsylvania. Amid the could likely here the sounds from the encroaching on Gettysburg National turmoil, a train filled with refugees bluffs overlooking the river and the Military Park and hallowed ground. jumped the tracks along the state capital. Hundreds of volunteers, LeVan announced in January that he Susquehanna River in Northern many of them free black refugees was applying for Pennsylvania's only Dauphin County. This is the story of a from southern Pennsylvania, scraped available casino license reserved forgotten railroad disaster. and dug into the hillsides, specifically for harness racing tracks. With Confederate cavalry roaming the constructing several forts in a He planned to build both a track and southern Pennsylvania countryside in desperate attempt to defend the hills casino, which would have been called the days of mid-June, 1863, average and the capital below. That morning, Mason-Dixon Downs, on a property in Pennsylvanians took flight from the the Daily Patriot & Union ominously Freedom Township bordering the threat. From June 15-17, an immense warned, “We would not deceive our Maryland line off of Route 15. wave of refugees funneled through readers in regard to the real condition LeVan had a purchase agreement for Harrisburg looking to remove property, of affairs. We warn them that this city about 700 acres, which are zoned in livestock, and their families from the is in greater peril than ever before.” part as a mixed-use district that Rebel “horde.” At 1:15 PM, the mail train departed does not specifically allow for The railroad depots in the state the station at Bridgeport, destined for a casino and harness racetrack. The capital became a focal point in this the depot at Sunbury. Between five purchase was hinged on LeVan's human drama, and trains leaving for and six hundred people were aboard ability to secure the proper licensing New York, Philadelphia, and other as the train picked up speed along for his project from the state. points east and west, were filled with the western shore of the mile-wide LeVan thanked the Adams County passengers loaded down with their Susquehanna River, which looked a Economic Development Corporation most cherished belongings. One muddy brown from late spring rains. and the Gettysburg-Adams Chamber newspaper correspondent At the “Dauphin Narrows,” the train of Commerce for endorsing the observed: “The scene at noon at the crossed over the river to the eastern project as well as friends, supporters depots was indescribable. A shore on a wooden bridge which had and volunteers for their efforts, he sweltering mass of humanity only recently picked up a squad of said in the release. thronged the platform, all furious to Union soldiers to patrol its covered "I regret not being able to help my escape from the doomed city.” span. hometown achieve the unquestioned By June 19, the panic subsided as The river bluffs near Harrisburg turn economic benefits gaming would residents heard that no immediate to steep mountains north of the city provide at a time when jobs are threat to Harrisburg and Central and the Northern Central wound its scarce," LeVan said. Pennsylvania from the Confederate way between them on its path further raiders existed at that moment. Yet, a up the line. The afternoon mail train steady stream of those leaving from glided alongside the Pennsylvania the region still existed. On the line of and Wiconisco canals, which both

BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER hugged the rocky shores of the the passenger cars and subjected to Train engine chugs out Susquehanna. Stops at Dauphin and terrible deaths when disaster struck. Halifax to deliver postage and Their horrific fate would be blamed on of Civil War history for occasional passengers slowed the their own risk-taking behavior, even its new role in progress, but the timetable kept a though it was likely that the train was By Bo Emerson, The Journal- tight 4:05 arrival time at Sunbury. overflowing with people. Constitution, May 9, 2017 Stops would be mercifully short. The injured were rushed to ATLANTA | The 26-ton Texas, the Millersburg, which sat two miles up famed engine that took part in the the track around a bend in the river. 1862 Great Locomotive Chase, has The engine, which had not left the made its way back to Georgia. track, could pull the remaining cars to It was recently carried ceremoniously the Millersburg depot and send the on the back of a lowboy truck to the call for further assistance. By evening, semicircular driveway in front of the the track was cleared and the bodies . brought to the depot for identification Then, saluted by applause from a and temporary storage. They were Dauphin Bridge and Cove Mountain rain-soaked but hardy audience, it placed in coffins and prepared for was lifted by a 110-ton crane to a removal to friends and family. In pulling out from the Halifax perch on the History Center campus, Remembrance of this tragedy has all platform, the next stop scheduled was where it will be displayed inside a but disappeared. Save for the meager the Millersburg station of the Northern glass-fronted building. Central at the intersection with the descriptions provided by several local , and its 19-foot tender, will Lykens Valley Railroad. This newspapers and the grave markers of go on exhibit in September and will the deceased, little is known about particular section of track wound its be visible from West Paces Ferry this unintended consequence of the way along the shores of the river Road — even at night. invasion of Pennsylvania. Without the directly between the Wiconisco Canal Since late 2015, the two have been in impetus of an enemy army, there is and the Halifax-Millersburg road. The the North Carolina Transportation several mile journey would normally little likelihood that this train would Museum, in Spencer, North Carolina, have been quickly completed, as the have been overloaded with people. getting a $500,000 overhaul. The The increased weight on the train, track here kept a consistent grade Texas received a new cow-catcher, including the baggage car, may have and relatively straight path. boiler jacket, smokestack and paint lead to the catastrophic failure that However, along this straight section job, and the tender was also spruced threw the train from the tracks. of track, disaster struck. The axle up, with the replacement of rotted beneath the mail and baggage car However, without further evidence, it beams in its wooden frame. failed, sending the remaining cars is merely hearsay as to what factors “We are thrilled,” said Jackson may have led to the disaster. Even its behind the failure from the track. McQuigg, vice president of properties legacy has disappeared, despite Wooden passenger cars were thrust at the History Center and their being the deadliest accident along onto the ground beside the track, “resident train guy.” (In the past, this stretch of the Northern Central rolling and splintering as a result, McQuigg has also worked at leaving the train as “a complete Railroad. It is apparent that events renovating historic locomotives at the wreck.” occurring in Adams, Franklin, and same North Carolina facility.) York counties overtook the recovery Dozens of people were left bloodied McQuigg said Atlanta, originally the and cleanup effort along the railroad and severely injured as they emerged Southern terminus of the Western & tracks in upper Dauphin County. The from the devastated wreckage. Many Atlantic Railroad, exists because of body count at Gettysburg far of the passengers “made some very the railroad. It is therefore appropriate miraculous escapes,” according to outweighed the comparatively to use the Texas as a focal point, to reports from the scene.6 The bodies meager disaster along the banks of tell the story of Atlanta. the Susquehanna River midway of six men lay strewn around and “It’s terrific,” he said. “This is Atlanta’s between Halifax and Millersburg. underneath the debris. All were creation story. The first city seal apparently riding on the platform of

BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER featured a locomotive that was the locomotive’s gaudy red, yellow and lye collected about their premises for same type as the Texas.” gold Civil War-era color scheme. the purpose of making nitre. A barrel The Texas was displayed for almost a (The tender dates from the late 1800s, will be sent around daily to collect it." century in the basement of the or the end of the era of wood-frame Poems were soon to be written by the Cyclorama building in Atlanta’s Grant train cars. Replacing its wooden soldiers and civilians on both sides: Park. In 2014, its owners, the city of beams required finding a homeowner "An appeal to John Harrelson" Atlanta, decided to the put the train in Lexington, North Carolina, who had and its accompanying 365-foot a 150-year-old oak come down in his John Harrelson, John Harrelson, you cycloramic painting, “The Battle of front yard, and fashioning 24-by-24 are a wretched creature, Atlanta,” into the care of the History beams from the ancient trunk.) You’ve added to this war a new and Center. During the Great Locomotive Chase, awful feature. The Buckhead facility raised $32 the Texas was commandeered by You’d have us think while every man million to build a new home for the Confederate soldiers who raced it is bound to be a fighter, painting and for the locomotive, and backward from Big Shanty (now The ladies, bless their pretty dears, set about preparing both for the big Kennesaw, Georgia) toward should save their p** for nitre. move. Chattanooga, , to try to John Harrelson, John Harrelson, While conservation on the painting catch Union spies who had stolen the where did you get this notion, won’t be completed until the fall of General. Because of that fame, To send your barrel around the town 2018, the work on the Texas was also neither one of the two steam engines to gather up this lotion? extensive. was turned into scrap metal — the We thought the girls had work fate of every other locomotive on the enough in making shirts and kissing, Western & Atlantic line. But you have put the pretty dears to The Texas was kept in use until 1907, patriotic p*ssing. and many of its parts had been John Harrelson, John Harrelson, do replaced by then, making it difficult to pray invent a neater describe the actual vintage of the And somewhat less immodest mode train. “A locomotive is a collection of of making your saltpeter. parts,” said McQuigg, adding that For "tis an awful idea, John, date stamps on the wheels include gunpowdery and cranky, In a May 4, 2017 photo, the 26 ton Texas, the one from 1888 and one from 1903. That when a lady lifts her skirt, she’s famed engine from the 1862 Great Locomotive The General is on display at the killing off a Yankee. chase during the Civil War, arrives at the Southern Museum of Civil War & Atlanta History Center. Locomotive History in Kennesaw. Sullivan Ballou: The Many parts were rusted. There was Macabre Fate of an debris left inside the smoke-box from Night Soil Needed 1927, when some puckish parks Discovered by Professor E. B. Smith department employee thought it in the Francis Blair papers in the Major would be amusing to build a fire so Library of Congress By Evan C. Jones, Historynet.com that the Texas could be puffing Governor William smoke as it was rolled into the Desperate for saltpeter necessary for Sprague stared into the empty grave Cyclorama building. the making of gunpowder, the with a mixture of shock and horror. McQuigg said the steam engine was Confederacy sent out agents around Where was the body? The governor blasted with baking soda (instead of the South to collect deposits of it. and his accompanying party had the more-abrasive sand), removing John Harrelson, an agent in Selma, departed Washington City that March rust and old paint. Historians Alabama of the Confederate Nitre 19, 1862, morning for the old Bull researched such details as the proper and Mining Bureau, advertised the Run battlefield, with the intent of paint colors. They decided to stick following in the local paper: "The retrieving the bodies of several 2nd with basic black — its appearance ladies of Selma are respectfully Rhode Island officers left behind the during the 1880s — instead of the requested to preserve the chamber

BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER previous summer after the Civil War’s acquainted with Governor Sprague, a The march was onerous for the first major fight. wealthy mill owner who became Yankees. The Confederates had When they arrived, however, the Rhode Island’s governor in 1860 at felled trees to block the road, which in remains of Major Sullivan Ballou of the tender age of 29, the youngest many places was just a simple woods the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteer state executive in the . path that became chock-full of tired, Infantry were nowhere to be found. After Civil War hostilities opened with sweating bluecoats. ‘What a toilsome Upon further investigation, Sprague the April 1861 bombardment of Fort march it was through the wood!’ discovered that Ballou’s remains had Sumter, Rhode Island began to raise recalled the 2nd’s chaplain, Augustus been exhumed and desecrated by regiments for Federal service. On Woodbury. Confederate soldiers that winter. The June 5, the 2nd Rhode Island was Finally, around 9 a.m., well behind morbid incident launched a mustered into service in Providence schedule, Burnside’s regiments congressional investigation and and John Slocum was appointed its splashed across both streams and remains a controversy shrouded in colonel, formerly having served as headed south on the Manassas- mystery. the major of the 1st Rhode Island. Sudley Road — but not before the Sullivan Ballou has become famous Due to his close ties to Governor men took up even more time as they in Civil War lore for the poignant letter Sprague, Ballou received a slaked their thirst in the muddy waters he reportedly wrote to his wife, Sarah, commission as major of the regiment. of the fords. Five companies of the a few days before he was mortally The unit was soon sent to 2nd heralded the advance, spread wounded. The missive was Washington, arriving in the capital on out as skirmishers on both sides of celebrated in ’ watershed June 22. The 2nd was incorporated the road. To the left of the PBS Civil War series and is the focal into Colonel Ambrose Burnside’s thoroughfare the land rose to form point of dozens of Web sites, though brigade, and by late July it was one of high ground, locally called Matthews what happened to his body after he the dozens of green regiments Hill, as the Matthews house stood on died is seldom mentioned. moving out of the capital as part of its slopes. While the skirmishers Ballou was the product of a Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell’s army, cautiously moved toward the summit, distinguished Huguenot family from headed for the Confederate lines they received their first hostile shots Smithfield, R.I. He was born on along Bull Run. in the form of a volley delivered by March 28, 1829, the son of Hiram and McDowell’s plan of attack was for a elements of Brig. Gen. Nathan Evans’ Emeline (Bowen) Ballou. He received portion of his army to demonstrate in South Carolina brigade. his formal education at the Phillips the Rebel front, while the main Union Burnside quickly shifted his men to Academy of Andover, Mass., and attack column swung far to the right, the left of the road to meet the threat, in Providence. After using narrow paths through woods forming the balance of the 2nd in a graduating from Brown, Ballou taught and fields, crossed Bull Run and battle line and ordering them up the elocution at the National Law School Catharpin Run at Sudley Ford and hill behind the skirmishers. Sprague’s in Ballston, N.Y. then moved around behind the soldiers shucked off their packs and While there, he also studied law and Southern left flank. Burnside’s blankets and ran forward, rushing was admitted to the bar of his native brigade was combined with that of ‘wildly and impetuously’ and getting state in 1853. He served as clerk of Colonel Andrew Porter to create a ‘rather mixed up,’ admitted Private the Rhode Island House of small division led by Colonel David Eben Gordon. Representatives for three years and Hunter that was selected to be in the The disorganized but enthusiastic in 1857 became a member of the van of the flanking movement. On Rhode Islanders reached the crest of House and was unanimously chosen June 21, Burnside’s soldiers led the the hill recently abandoned by Evans’ speaker. way, with the 2nd first in line followed outnumbered skirmish line. The Ballou, like many Northerners by the 1st Rhode Island. In a Carolinians, however, had not given disaffected with the Whig and reflection of early war naiveté, up the field; they had only fallen back Democratic parties, joined the new Governor Sprague accompanied the down the southern slope of the hill, Republican Party when it was formed regiments, riding on a white horse and they greeted the Rhode Islanders in the late 1850s. Through that beside Burnside and determined not with a blast of hot lead. One private in affiliation, he soon became closely to miss their moment of glory. the 2nd remembered it as a ‘perfect

BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER hail storm of bullets…scattering death area north of the Warrenton Turnpike on the eastern edge of the Bull Run and confusion everywhere.’ by about noon. The morning’s fight battlefield on the afternoon of March With his advance stalled, Burnside had gone to the Federals. That 20. At that location, Captain Samuel ordered up Captain William Reynolds’ afternoon, however, the battle James Smith of the 2nd Rhode Island artillery battery — also composed of resumed with a markedly different had been killed during the retreat. As Rhode Islanders and attached to the complexion. A Confederate the evening grew dark, the party 2nd. The gunners moved to the counterattack put the Union troops to searched in vain along both sides of summit of Matthews Hill and began flight back to Washington, and the the creek without finding any sign of blasting away while Burnside went in fight ended as a Southern victory. Smith’s grave. search of more help. The 2nd Rhode Island took little part Disappointed at the failure to find Colonel Slocum had been very active in the afternoon battle, remaining in Smith’s resting place, the party during the attack, and what he lacked reserve and licking its wounds with pressed on to begin the search for in experience he made up for with Burnside’s brigade. The regiment had other graves. Riding along the courage and conspicuous leadership. suffered heavily: 93 of its men were Warrenton Turnpike during stormy He climbed atop the rail fence that killed, wounded and missing. weather on the morning of March 21, ran across Matthews Hill and began Sprague survived the fight unharmed, the column arrived at Bull Run to waving his sword to encourage his though his horse was killed. discover that the stone bridge had men, but he was quickly felled with a Ballou and Slocum, too badly been blown up by the withdrawing grievous wound to the head. Privates wounded to move during the Federal Confederates. Near its ruins the Elisha Hunt Rhodes and Thomas retreat, were left behind in the care of group examined a skeleton leaning Parker carried him off the field to the army surgeons who amputated against a tree, before they rode north Matthews house, and then the Ballou’s shattered leg. Both men died, and forded Bull Run and Catharpin colonel was evacuated by ambulance Slocum on July 23 and Ballou on the Run. to the field hospital at Sudley Church, 28th. They were buried side by side They continued on to Sudley Church. which was located near Sudley Ford. just yards from Sudley Church. Now abandoned and polluted with the Command of the regiment devolved In early March 1862, word reached remnants of war, the church stood upon Lt. Col. , and he Washington that the Confederates with its door ajar, and several of the helped Ballou to shift their line while were abandoning their lines around troopers stopped to investigate the Burnside worked to get the balance of Manassas to move to protect structure. A few even rode their his brigade — the 1st Rhode Island, Richmond from the Army of the horses inside and up to the pulpit. 71st New York and 2nd New Potomac’s advance up the peninsula. Sprague instructed Private Hampshire — to come up. In order to Union troops soon occupied the area, Richardson to lead the band of grave better direct his men, Ballou rode his permitting Sprague and a band of 70 hunters to the spot near the horse ‘Jennie’ in front of his regiment others to embark upon their body- churchyard where the Rhode and turned his back to the recovery mission. Islanders were buried. Confederates. At that point, a 6- Privates Josiah W. Richardson, John Richardson did so, pointing out two pounder solid shot, probably fired by Clark and Tristam Burgess of the 2nd mounds that he claimed were where a gun of the Lynchburg Artillery, tore assisted in the effort; they had also Colonel Slocum and Major Ballou had off his right leg, killing his horse. The stayed behind at Sudley Church after been buried. Soldiers began to dig stricken major was then also carried the battle and had witnessed the amid the thickets of huckleberry to Sudley Church, where he joined burial of Major Ballou and Colonel bushes, the still graveyard echoing the unconscious Slocum. Slocum. Troopers from the 1st Rhode with the sound of shovels as the men The 1st Rhode Island was the initial Island Cavalry escorted the mission, went about their morose task. regiment to reach the line, arriving and a surgeon, chaplain and two Under the direction of Walter after the 2nd and Reynolds’ Battery wagons filled with forage, rations and Coleman, Sprague’s secretary, the had held off the Rebels for a half hour. empty coffins rounded out the column. assemblage commenced with the Eventually, the rest of the brigade The entourage made slow progress exhumation of Slocum and Ballou. came up, and Burnside led it in a due to muddy roads and ever-present Just then a young black girl, full of push that cleared the Rebels from the driving rains, and arrived at Cub Run curiosity, made her way from a

BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER nearby cabin to investigate. She that he recognized both shirts as Newman confirmed the boy’s story, approached the diggers and inquired having belonged to Major Ballou — contending that no Virginian would if they were looking for ‘Kunnel not to Slocum. Private Richardson, have done such a thing and that Slogun’? If so, she said, they were who had nursed Ballou in his last those responsible were from a too late and would not find him. moments a week after the battle, Georgia regiment. She went on to recite a chilling tale, concurred. With the identity of the Sprague also talked to a woman who claiming that a number of men from beheaded body now in question, the had nursed the wounded at Sudley the 21st Georgia Regiment had anxious group rushed back to the Church after the battle. She claimed robbed the grave several weeks prior. gravesite. The troopers still had not that she had pleaded with the They had dug up Slocum, severed his found anything in the first grave. To Georgians to leave the dead at peace. head from his body and burned the probe for a solid object, Greeley Unable to persuade them, she had mutilated corpse in an attempt the suggested running a saber blade saved a lock of hair cut from Ballou’s remove the flesh and procure the deeper into the ground. One was head, in the hopes that someday bones and skull as trophies. His coffin handed forward and thrust into the someone might come to claim the had been thrown into the creek, only soft, mud-soaked soil. Driven almost body. Colonel Coleman took the lock to be later used in another burial. to the hilt, it met with no resistance. of hair, promising he would return it to Horrified, Sprague demanded to see The grave was empty. Ballou’s wife. evidence of such an atrocity. The same tactic was applied to the The rationale for such a desecration Followed by most of the anxious but other grave, but with different results, did not come from the battle. The 8th skeptical group, he accompanied the as a hard object was soon struck. Georgia Infantry was the only girl as she led them to a nearby Several cavalrymen began to dig, and regiment from that state that may hollow, where they found a heap of they uncovered a rectangular box have come into contact with the 2nd charred embers along the bank of the buried no more than 3 feet deep. The Rhode Island, and the 21st Georgia creek. The ash was still gray, box was pulled from the grave, and did not arrive at Manassas until after denoting that it was only a few weeks the lid was pried off to reveal the the battle, staying in winter quarters old. There they found what appeared body of 37-year-old John Slocum, in the neighborhood of Sudley Church. to be bones. Upon closer inspection, rolled up in a blanket. Easily Perhaps the men of the 21st saw Surgeon James B. Greeley of the 1st identifiable by his distinctive red, their actions as a misguided attempt Rhode Island Cavalry identified a bushy mustache, Slocum’s remains to revenge the 8th Georgia’s losses human femur, vertebrae and portions were surprisingly intact. It now at the hand of the 2nd. While in of pelvic bones. Nearby they found a appeared that the missing body was search of Slocum they uncovered soiled blanket with large tufts of that of Ballou. both graves — Slocum in a simple human hair folded inside. To gather further evidence, Sprague, box and Ballou in a coffin. Thinking As the troopers carefully collected the in company with his aide and Lt. Col. the commanding officer must be terrible evidence, one noticed a white Willard Sayles of the 1st Rhode buried in the coffin, they inadvertently object in the branches of a tree along Island Cavalry, went to the homes of mutilated the body of Ballou — not the creek bank. A horse soldier nearby residents. In the process they Slocum. waded into the stream and recovered met a 14-year-old boy who claimed to As darkness began to set in, two shirts, one a silk and the other a have witnessed the awful deed, and Governor Sprague suggested they striped calico, both buttoned at the verified that it was soldiers from the continue with the original aim of the collar and unbuttoned at the sleeves. 21st Georgia Infantry who had carried expedition and search for the body of The circumstantial evidence seemed it out. The boy went on to reveal that Captain Levi Tower, another 2nd to concur with what the little girl had the plot was premeditated, and that Rhode Island officer mortally told Sprague, and it seemed even the Georgians had planned it for wounded at the battle. By candlelight, more plausible when Greeley did not several days. He also claimed that Private Clark, who had witnessed locate a human skull or teeth with the the Rebels tried to burn the corpse, Tower’s burial, led the way. In the other remains. but had to prematurely dowse the fire side yard of the bullet-scarred To add to an already confused, because of the horrible stench it Matthews house Clark located the strange situation, Sprague insisted emitted. A farmer by the name of mass grave in which Tower was

BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER buried. The evening had grown too hearses through Manhattan and local Manassas woman, Mrs. Pierce dark, however, to begin digging, and down Broadway to the Astor House, Butler, testified that she had the party elected to continue the next where the coffins lay in state. To witnessed several instances of morning. Seventeen men crowded watch the procession, onlookers unidentified Confederates exhuming into the Matthews’ parlor for the night, crowded windows, balconies and the bodies with the intention of boiling off the same room to which John Slocum rooftop of Barnum’s Museum. the remaining skin and removing the had been carried following his mortal Four days later, on a gray and stormy bones as relics. Butler even claimed wounding. With saddles for pillows, March 31, the remains of the three to have heard one soldier of New the lucky 17 slept by the heat of the soldiers were reburied in Providence. Orleans’ Washington Artillery boast fireplace while the rest of the party Business was suspended, streets as he carried off a dug-up skull that remained outside, suffering through a were draped in mourning and flags he intended to ‘drink a brandy punch drizzly night. flew at half-mast. A grand procession out of it the day he was married.’ On At first light, Sprague and Greeley of some 34 military units made its April 30 the committee officially ventured into a nearby field to way down to . concluded that soldiers of the investigate the skeletal remains of a There, volleys of musketry were Confederate Army had indeed horse, which Sprague supposedly delivered amid the clap of thunder performed such actions after the First recognized as one that had been shot and tolling of bells. The three sons of Battle of Bull Run. out from under him during the battle. Rhode Island had finally been The actual truth in the case may Meanwhile back at the house, the properly laid to rest. never be known, as it is possible that exhumation of Levi Tower was Governor Sprague, outraged by what those interviewed by the government underway. The mass grave revealed had happened to Ballou, addressed simply stated what they thought eight bodies, including Tower’s. the U.S. Congress’ Committee on the would keep them out of trouble. It is Strangely, all of the men were found Conduct of the War on April 1, 1862. indisputable, however, that Ballou’s buried face down and barefooted, He reported, in detail, the horrible body was desecrated, and that together with an unexploded shell, findings of the expedition. The Confederate soldiers likely did the considered a blatant sign of committee launched an official inquiry deed hoping that they were actually disrespect by all present. into the matter, with the chief aim of abusing the corpse of a Union colonel. As the Federals dug away, a growing the investigation being to resolve The 21st Georgia was singled out number of irregularly clad men had ‘whether the Indian savages have and blamed, though other regiments begun to gather on a nearby ridge. been employed by the rebels, in their also camped in the vicinity and could Fearing an ambush by guerrillas, the military service, against the have committed the act. If the officers elected to return to Government of the United States, and Georgians did the deed, it would be a Washington. The corpses were how such warfare has been noticeable blemish on what was loaded into the wagons. Slocum’s conducted by said savages.’ At some otherwise a long and commendable and Tower’s remains had been point, the theory had been introduced war record, as the regiment saw placed in pine coffins, each marked that somehow Indians in the employ action in most of the Eastern theater’s with the appropriate name and date of the Confederacy committed the battles after Bull Run. of disinterment. Ballou’s casket was deeds, reflecting white 19th-century The 2nd Rhode Island honored its filled only with charred ash, bone, the Americans’ view of Indians as much dead commander when it constructed blanket that contained his tufts of hair as anything suggested by concrete one of the forts that protected and the two recovered shirts. After evidence. Nothing came of that Washington and named it Fort collecting souvenirs from the area, accusation, but the story was picked Slocum. Today, the location is known the troopers mounted and the party up and sensationalized by the as Fort Slocum Park, near Kansas departed Bull Run with a greater Northern press, appearing in The Avenue in the northeast section of the sense of the terrible realities of war. New York Times and the Providence District of Columbia. Present-day city On the afternoon of March 28, the Daily Journal. dwellers often make their way to the bodies of Slocum, Ballou and Tower The congressional committee’s former bastion. It is likely that few arrived in New York City. The 71st investigation unearthed further who visit the park know the history New York State Militia escorted the testimony of grave desecration. A behind its name.

BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER

Many more people — or at least engaged, and my courage does not comes over me like a strong wind, those interested in the Civil War — do halt or falter. I know how strongly and bears me irresistibly on with all know about Sullivan Ballou because American Civilization now leans upon those chains, to the battle field. of the famous letter attributed to him the triumph of the Government, and The memories of all the blissful that has been reprinted numerous how great a debt we owe to those moments I have spent with you, come times. That the remains of the man who went before us through the blood creeping over me, and I feel most who supposedly penned the sad and suffering of the Revolution. And I gratified to God and you that I have missive were treated in such a crude am willing — perfectly willing — to lay enjoyed them so long. And how hard manner after his death presents an down all my joys in this life to help it is for me to give them up and burn unbelievable irony and symbolizes maintain this Government and to pay to ashes the hopes of future years, the tragedy and horror of any war. that debt. when, God willing we might still have But, my dear wife, when I know that lived and loved together, and seen The Letter: Sullivan Ballou died at with my own joys, I lay down nearly our boys grow up to honorable age 32, leaving behind a wife, Sarah, all of your’s, and replace them in this manhood around us. I have, I know, two children and a letter written to his life with cares and sorrows, when but few and small claims upon Divine spouse that would make him famous. after having eaten for long years the Providence, but something whispers Interestingly, however, the letter was bitter fruits of orphanage myself, I to me — perhaps it is the wafted never mailed, but was instead must offer it as their only sustenance prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall supposedly discovered in Ballou’s to my dear little children, is it weak or return to my loved ones unharmed. If trunk. Also perplexing is that of the dishonorable, that while the banner of I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget five copies of the missive known to my forefathers floats calmly and how much I love you, and when my exist, none is in handwriting that proudly in the breeze, underneath my last breath escapes me on the battle matches Ballou’s penmanship. Both unbounded love for you, my darling field, it will whisper your name. factors call into question the wife and children should struggle in Forgive my many faults, and the document’s authenticity. Regardless, fierce, though useless contest with many pains I have caused you. How the letter remains as a testament to my love of Country. thoughtless, how foolish I have often the tragedy of the Civil War for I cannot describe to you my feelings times been! How gladly would I wash thousands of soldiers and their on this calm Summer Sabbath night, out with my tears, every little spot families. E.C.J. when two thousand men are sleeping upon your happiness, and struggle ******* around me, many of them enjoying with all the misfortunes of this world perhaps the last sleep before that of to shield you, and my children from July 14, 1861. death while I am suspicious that harm. But I cannot. I must watch you Camp Clark, Washington Death is creeping around me with his from the Spirit-land and hover near My Very Dear Sarah, fatal dart, as I sit communing with you, while you buffit the storm, with The indications are very strong that God, my Country and thee. I have your precious little freight, and wait we shall move in a few days — sought most closely and diligently with sad patience, till we meet to part perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not and often in my heart for a wrong no more. be able to write again, I feel impelled motive in thus hazarding the But, O Sarah! if the dead can come to write a few lines that may fall under happiness of those I love, and I could back to this earth and flit unseen your eye when I shall be no more. find none. A pure love of my Country around those they loved, I shall Our movements may be of a few and of the principles I have so often always be near you; in the gladest days duration and full of pleasure — advocated before the people — ‘the days and the darkest nights, advised and it may be one of severe conflict name of honor, that I love more than I to your happiest scenes and and death to me. Not my will, but fear death,’ has called upon me, and I gloomiest hours, always, always; and thine, O God be done. If it is have obeyed. if there be a soft breeze upon your necessary that I should fall on the Sarah my love for you is deathless, it cheek, it shall be my breath, or the battle field for my Country, I am ready. seems to bind me with mighty cables, cool air cools your throbbing temple, I have no misgivings about, or lack of that nothing but Omnipotence could it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah confidence in the cause in which I am break; and yet my love of Country do not mourn me dead; think I am

BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again. As for my little boys — they will grow up as I have done, and never know a father’s love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long — and my blue eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters, and feel that God will bless you in your holy work. Tell my two Mothers I call God’s blessings upon them new. O! Sarah I wait for you there; come to me, and lead thither my children. Sullivan

BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE