BRCWRT — Vol. XX, Issue 6, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 1

The Newsletter of the Bull Run Civil War Round Table — Vol. XX, Issue 6, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 NPS HISTORIAN/RANGER ANGELA MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS ATKINSON TO SPEAK ON THE "BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA, GA - THURSDAY, August 8, 2013 SEPTEMBER 1863” on AUGUST 8th 7:00 P.M. Centreville Library GUEST SPEAKER:

By Mark Trbovich NPS Historian/Ranger

It is a first for the BRCWRT to have a hus- ANGELA ATKINSON band and wife speak back-to-back at our month- TOPIC: ly lectures. We will next be hearing from Angela "BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA, Atkinson, wife (and fellow Gettysburg NPS GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 1863” Ranger) of last month’s speaker, Matt Atkinson. Angela will talk about another one of the great THURSDAY, September 12th battles of the western theater, the Battle of Historian/Author

Chickamauga, which took place Sept. 19-20, RONNIE A. NICHOLS 1863. This presentation is another one of our TOPIC: 150th Civil War Sesquicentennial events series. “THE BATTLE OF FT. WAGNER, SC The battle was the most significant Union de- AND THE 54th MASSACHUSETTS” feat in the western theater, and involved the sec- ond highest number of casualties in the war, fol- lowing the at 34,624 HISTORIAN/AUTHOR RONNIE A. NICHOLS (16,170 Union and 18,454 Confederate). TO SPEAK ON “THE BATTLE OF FT. Angela has been a National Park Service WAGNER, SC AND THE 54TH MASS.” AT ranger/historian at Gettysburg National Military OUR SEPTEMBER 12th MEETING Park since 2008. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and recently completed requirements Our speaker for the following meeting will be for a master’s degree in history from Shippens- Ronnie A. Nichols, an author, artist, historian, burg University. She has worked as a park rang- genealogist and Civil War re-enactor. His topic er/historian at several national parks, including will be “The Battle of Ft. Wagner, SC and the Independence National Historical Park in Penn- 54th Massachusetts.” The action at Ft. Wagner, sylvania; Vicksburg National Military Park in Mis- also known as Battery Wagner, began with a sissippi; and Natchez National Historical Park, Federal attack on July 18, 1863, led by the 54th also in Mississippi. Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which was She has been a frequent guest speaker and one of the first major American military units lecturer at various Civil War seminars and made up of black soldiers. Colonel Robert roundtables in the region. Angela currently re- Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts sides in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with her hus- charged the fort on foot; Col. Shaw and many band Matt and son Benjamin Lee. This is a fellow 54th Mass. soldiers were killed in the as- western theater battle discussion you won’t want sault. to miss. As always, see you at the Copper Can- Ronnie, who hails from Arkansas, has a B.A. yon Grill prior to every meeting this year at 5:00 from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. p.m. or at the Library, prior to the calling of the His Master of Fine Arts degree is from Otis/ meeting at 7:00 p.m. (con’t on page 5)

BRCWRT — Vol. XX, Issue 6, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 2 BULL RUN CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE BRCWRT BOOK Executive Committee DONATIONS

President: Mark Trbovich, [email protected], Please remember to bring your 703.361.1396 unwanted Civil War books to our meet- Past President: Nancy Anwyll, [email protected] ings to aid in our ongoing book event. Vice-President: Rob Orrison, [email protected], Besides raising money for the BRCWRT, these books in- 703.431.2869 crease our members’ understanding of the Civil War. Treasurer: Mark Knowles, 703.787.9811 Thank you. Secretary: John Pearson, [email protected], 703.475.1943 At Large: Charlie Balch, John De Pue, Brian McEnany UPCOMING Communications/Media: Jim Lewis, [email protected] Membership: Rob Orrison, [email protected], MEETINGS

703.431.2869 Preservation: John McAnaw, 703.978.3371 Sesquicentennial Fairfax: Ed Wenzel, [email protected] September 12, 2013: Ronald Nichols, Author Sesquicentennial Prince William: Rob Orrison, and Historian "Battle of Ft. Wagner, SC and [email protected] the 54th Massachusetts " Field Trips: Kevin Anastas, [email protected] Webmaster: Alan Day, [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Nadine Mironchuk, October 10, 2013: Bradley Gottfried, Author [email protected] and Historian "Battle of Bristoe Station, VA - Newsletter Team: Saundra Cox , Eric Fowler, Janet Green- tree, Jill Hilliard, Andy Kapfer and Ed Wenzel Oct 14, 1863" The Bull Run Civil War Round Table publishes the Stone Wall.

General Membership meetings are held at 7:00 P.M. November 14, 2013: Gregory Mertz, Author on the second Thursday of each month at the and NPS Historian "Battle of Mine Run, VA - Centreville Regional Library 14200 St. Germain Drive Nov. 1863" Centreville, VA 20121-2255 703.830.2223 December 12, 2013: Dr. Robert Neyland, For specific meeting dates and information, please visit Author and Historian "CSS Hunley - CW Sub- the Web site: http://bullruncwrt.org. marine 1863/1864 "

NEWLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE For the October 2013 issue, e-mail articles by 9:00 In This Issue a.m., Thursday, September 27, to - Nadine Mironchuk at: [email protected]. The President’s Column Page 3

NEWSLETTER ADVERTISEMENT The Book Corner Page 4 SUBMISSION DEADLINE For the October 2013 issue, advertisers should please Ms. Rebelle Page 6 click on “Instructions for Advertisers” at http://bullruncwrt.org and e-mail ads by noon, Septem- BRCWRT Gettysburg 150th Page 10 ber 17, to Charlie Balch at [email protected]. More 150th Gettysburg Events Page 13 Support the BRCWRT in its important mission to educate and commemorate the battles and events of the Civil War Bristoe Station 150th Events Page 15

- place your advertisement in the Stone Wall - Cedar Mountain Tour Page 15

BRCWRT — Vol. XX, Issue 6, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 3 The President’s Column tacks at the Confederate By Mark Trbovich strong points

on the lines Bull Run Civil War Round Table Members, were dis- Summer is still heating up and the Civil War cussed in de- Sesquicentennial Anniversary activities at Get- tail, with ac- tysburg are still a warm and a beautiful memory tion from for us. We are so blessed to have taken the member par- BRCWRT on a tour of the ticipation on June 22, 2013 and feel the battlefield as we serving as walked that hallowed ground. props was a My final stop that day, led by our excellent first for me to tour master Kevin Anastas, was the “Pickett- see at a meet- Pettigrew” walk to the stone ing/lecture. NPS Ranger Matt Atkinson was August wall angle. I tell you, I felt a strong sense of sor- What great speaker at the BRCWRT meeting. row on the last 200 yards of the killing field, nights, and walking towards the stone wall. The slightly- thank you Photo by Janet Greentree inclined march haunted by over 700 Confederate again for your efforts. deaths made the ground feel like I was walking The next two months will be August 8th “The in a cemetery, and total reverence abounded for Battle of Chickamauga, GA – Sept. 1863” with them. The image of Gen. Armistead running NPS Ranger Angela Atkinson (wife of Matt) and with his hat on his sword has a new meaning for September 12th “The Battle of Ft. Wagner, SC, me today. and the 54th Massachusetts” with historian Ron- nie Nichols. You won’t want to miss these Ses- quicentennial Anniversary battles for 1863. Again, we are still in recruiting mode for new members for 2013; we have risen to over 225 members so far this year. Please continue to spread the word to your family and friends, stu- dents you know and potential members, that the BRCWRT is the place to join and be welcomed Historian Mike to a tremendous organization. Block, June speaker At our June 13th meeting, we hosted our first at the BRCWRT BRCWRT meeting. Scholarship Photo by Janet Committee win- Greentree ner and his A huge thank you is in order for our June and family, after tak- July presentations and speakers. In June, ing them out to “” historian Mike Block dinner at the led us on a complete and fact-filled journey Copper Canyon through the entire battle, enriched with many Grill. battlefield quotes, highlighting the largest It was a battle this country has ever seen. pleasure to in- NPS Ranger Matt Atkinson led us through a troduce Taylor Recipient Taylor McConnell, right, accepts July “Battle of Vicksburg” presentation, with an Hayes the congratulations of BRCWRT President McConnell as Mark Trbovich (left) and Scholarship Com- extremely enlightening look at the Vicksburg mittee Chair Nancy Anwyll (middle). campaign and siege of the city. The Federal at- (Con’t on page 8) Photo by Janet Greentree

BRCWRT — Vol. XX, Issue 6, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 4 THE BOOK the Civil War” articles and in his book- length memoir “From Manassas to Appo- CORNER mattox.” It was all apparently to no avail. Longstreet, having become a Republican By Ralph G. Swanson and a minor official in the Grant admin- istration, lost credibility in the South and people were too eager to believe his de- You want to talk about it? So OK - tractors. let’s talk about it! Tucker devotes the first portion of “Lee The allegation that Longstreet failed to and Longstreet” to a thorough analysis of obey a “sunrise attack order” on July 2, the military situation at Gettysburg, as 1863, and thereby lost the Battle of Get- well as the personalities and motivations tysburg and, perhaps, the last fleeting op- of the main characters. In our view, portunity for Southern independence has Tucker commands the superior position. been hotly debated for well over 100 He has given us one of the most im- years. In his book “Lee and Longstreet at portant ancillary studies of the Battle of Gettysburg” (Morningside Bookshop, Gettysburg. 1982), Glen Tucker provides the most au- Jubal A. Early is mainly credited with thoritative evaluation of the events and the first allegations of disobedience of or- personalities surrounding this disputed is- ders on the part of Longstreet on the sue. In this “summer of Gettysburg,” it is morning of July 2, 1863. In speeches and appropriate that we, as amateur histori- writings as president of the Southern His- ans, exercise our right to analyze and in- torical Society, Early, curiously, did not terpret this event in our past. make reference to a Lee dawn attack or- This whole issue of a purported der until 1872, two years after Lee’s “sunrise attack order” is not trivial. It was death. In 1874, a published article by an not the surmise of some closet researcher Early collaborator, former chief pouring over obscure battlefield reports or William N. Pendleton, first criticized Long- dusty old letters. In fact, it arose many street in print. Prior to this time, any years after the war from the post-war number of subordinates, notably JEB Stu- speeches and writings of key participants art and A.P. Hill, had been prominently themselves. It gained immediate currency blamed for the Southern defeat at Gettys- due to its authoritative primary sources. burg. The vitriol would flow, however, for Withal it managed to discolor the reputa- decades, sweeping in many former Con- tions of some of the finest battlefield lead- federate commanders. ers of the Confederacy and speaks directly (Con’t on page 12) to the failure of that late violent rebellion. Any number of authors have comment- ed on the matter. The best discussion of the origins and subsequent backbiting among former Confederate comrades that spawned the controversy is found in Thomas L. Connelly’s “The Marble Man: Robert E. Lee and His Image in American Society.” Longstreet ably and vigorously defend- ed himself in his “Battles and Leaders of

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Upcoming Speakers - (Con’t from page 1) Parsons Art Institute in Los Angeles, and he is a hibits. W. K. Kellogg National Fellow Recipient. He In 1988, Ronnie helped recruit students to has more than 30 years’ experience in the mu- portray black soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts seum field. Ronnie Infantry was also the direc- for the movie tor of the Delta Cul- “Glory.” In March of tural Center in Hel- 1989, Nichols trav- ena, Arkansas. eled with six young After serving as men from Arkansas the director of Au- to Jekyll Island for dience Develop- the filming of the ment for the Old movie, in which State House Muse- Nichols portrayed um in Little Rock, the First Sergeant of Arkansas’ largest Company E of the historical museum, Ronnie A. Nichols consults on histori- 54th Massachu- cal technical advice for all manner of he was made the media, and, as shown at left, was setts. The movie head of the Old privileged to be a re-enactor in the went on to win State House Muse- movie “Glory,” which was a fictional awards and has um. He is a former telling of the 54th’s significant mili- been ranked by tary contributions to the Civil War, to member of the African-American history, and to the many critics as one board of directors of moral progress of the nation as a of the best movies the Little Rock/ whole. made about the Civ- Central High Visitor il War. Center and Museum as well as the board of This looks to be an excellent opportunity trustees of the Arkansas Arts Center. Ronnie for all to hear of this action and the brave ex- currently is the owner of Nichols Consulting in ploits of the 54th Mass., so don’t miss the Sep- North Potomac, Maryland, where he lives with tember 12th lecture. As always, come meet his family. His business provides planning, re- Ronnie at the Copper Canyon Grill at 5:00 p.m. search and also technical advice for prior to the 7:00 p.m. lecture. documentaries, publications, programs, and ex-

The Bull Run Civil War Round Table’s Newest Recruits! Here’s a grateful “Huzzah!” for these folks who

Steven Jaren Frank Kelly

James Tanner David Kinsella

Dan Deyo Ron Holt

BRCWRT — Vol. XX, Issue 6, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 6 retained possession of the Union flag that flew over the fort when he left. It is now displayed in the CIVIL WAR TRAVELS museum on the premises. The Union soldiers evacuated on April 13th and boarded the Star of WITH MS. REBELLE the West for New York City. It took the Union four years to take the fort back. Charleston – Part Two The fort was built following the War of 1812. Construction started in 1829 and was still unfin- ished in 1861 when the shelling began. New Eng- By Janet Greentree land exported 70,000 tons of granite to build up a sand bar at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. As promised, Ms. Rebelle is continuing with the The brick structure is five-sided with walls five feet descriptions of the visit my sister Kathe, Gwen thick. Wyttenbach and I made to Charleston, South Car- Unfortunately, the National Park Service olina at the end of March. doesn’t allow a lot of time to look at everything in the fort. Only an hour was allotted to see the in- side, the small museum, and walk the grounds. Park Rangers give talks on the aspects of the fort and answer questions. There is a small muse- um on the premises and a gift shop. Then and Now in Charleston Touring around Charleston we came across several really old and beautiful buildings. The first one is the City Market and Hall. The market was first established in 1692, encompassing four city blocks, from Meeting Street to Church Street. It was original called the Beef Market Building and was redesigned by Edward B. White in the early 1840s after burning down in 1796. If anyone has Ft. Sumter — all contemporary photographs by read Gone With Janet Greentree. the Wind, Scarlett O’Hara liked to go Our first big outing was by car to Fort Sumter to the market to from the Point Pleasant side of Charleston. It is a socialize and find much shorter trip than the boat that leaves from out the gossip of the downtown Charleston area. The first view of the day. The the fort is of all the flags blowing in the wind. building is all What a spectacular sight. The fort is sadly in ruins open-sided, with from all the shelling in the Civil War. Our trip was many stalls in- pretty close to the April 12, 1861 anniversary date of 152 years. On April 11, 1861, General P.G.T. Beauregard sent three aides, Colonel James Chest- side. The mer- nut, Jr., Captain Stephen D. Lee, and Lieutenant chandise is tak- A.R. Chisolm to demand the surrender of the fort. en in and out Negotiations failed, and Union Major Robert Ander- every day. son held the fort for 34 hours before surrendering There is just to the Confederates. Captain , about anything who was second in command to Anderson, fired you might want the first shot in defense of the fort. to buy sold in Edmund Ruffin took credit for the first Confed- the building, in- erate shot, but Lieutenant Henry S. Farley actually cluding food. fired the first shot from Morris Island at 4:30 a.m. The most famous item is the Gullah baskets woven Since the Union was ill-equipped to return the fire, by local African-American Charleston women using firing wasn’t begun for two hours. The fort was a modified spoon to weave the designs. Bring your surrendered on April 13, 1861. General Anderson (Con’t on page 7)

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Ms. Rebelle - (con’t from page 6) wallets, though, as they are quite expensive. The Church Street in Charleston. Calhoun is one of six Confederate Museum is located on the Meeting or more famous people buried there including Street side at 188 Meeting Street. Charles Gadsen, James Gadsen, Daniel Huger, City Hall is another beautiful building, located Charles Pinckney (signer of the Declaration of In- at the corner of Meeting and Broad Streets. This dependence), Thomas Pinckney, and Edward intersection is called the Four Corners of Law, as Rutledge (signer of the Declaration of Independ- the four build- ence). Even though John C. Calhoun accomplished ings represent quite a bit in his life, he was not eligible to be bur- state, federal, ied in the church side of the cemetery. Only peo- municipal, and ple born in Charleston were eligible to be buried on ecclesiastical the church side. Calhoun was born in Clemson, so law. Almost he is across the street from the church. The Cal- everything in- houn Mansion was used in the TV mini-series North teresting is on and South as the home of George Hazard, por- Meeting Street trayed by James Read. The movie The Notebook in Charleston. was also filmed there. The second St. Michael’s Episcopal Church is located at 17 Broad Street at the intersection of Meeting Street. The steeple of the church is 186 feet floor of the above the street and is grand build- visible in many of the old ing is still uti- photos of Charleston dur- lized as city ing the Civil War. The government weather vane atop the o f f i c e s . steeple is 7 ½ feet tall. Also on the The clock in the tower has second floor kept the time for Charles- is a huge oil ton since 1764. George painting of G e n e r a l Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard. The general’s sword is on display, as well as some other items belonging to him. The building was designed be- tween 1800-1804 by Gabriel Manigault in the Adamesque style. The round basement windows are unique to his style Washington worshipped of design. there in May, 1791 in The Cal- pew No. 43 (the Gover- houn Man- nor’s Pew), a large dou- sion is also ble pew in the center of l o c a t e d the church. General Rob- “ g u e s s ert E. Lee worshipped w h e r e ? ” there in the same pew in the 1860s. The eight fa- You’ve got mous bells made in 1794 in England were sent to it – 16 Columbia during the Civil War but were cracked in M e e t i n g a fire there in 1865. Remnants of the bells were Street. The salvaged from the fire and sent to England to be 35- r o o m recast. The bells still ring in Charleston. The pul- m a n s i o n pit is original, and there are several beautiful was owned stained glass windows in the sanctuary. The chan- by Vice President John C. Calhoun, who is buried cel stained glass window was crafted by Louis at St. Philips Episcopal Church Cemetery at 142 (con’t on Page 9)

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The President’s Column (Con’t from Page 3) our deserving recipient, a West Springfield High senior. A huge thank you goes to Nancy Anwyll and fellow BRCWRT Scholarship Committee members for making this happen. We are looking forward to next year’s ex- panded area-wide competition and, as stated before, this is Civil War education at its finest, reaching out to help worthy students achieve their goals! Enjoy your summer months, and keep in mind the local Battle of Bristoe Station in Octo- Scholarship Committee member Charlie Balch (left) and Committee ber, which will be our next big Sesquicentennial Chair Nancy Anwyll (second from left) with BRCWRT Scholarship re- event. Along with participating in that event, I’d cipient Taylor McConnell (second from right), joined by BRCWRT Pres- like to point out that our members have spent ident Mark Trbovich (right). countless hours working for the preservation, betterment and improvement of that hallowed ground. The BRCWRT is working on dedicating a sign at McLean's Ford and Auburn (Coffee Hill) to honor the October 1863 action of the Bristoe campaign. As always, see you at the Copper Canyon Grill prior to our every meeting this year at 5:00 p.m., and at the library prior to the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Come enjoy the fellowship at the li- brary, buys some books and get ready for anoth- er excellent lecture. The 2013 Civil War Sesqui- centennial season is in full swing this summer. BRCWRT Scholarship recipient Taylor McConnell with his proud Come be a part of it! parents. Let us never forget them and what they did Photos by Janet Greentree for us. God Bless all of you. UPDATE ON THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION IN GETTYSBURG JOIN US AT THE By Tim Duskin COPPER CANYON GRILL When the activities of the United States Christian Do you come directly to the Commission in Gettysburg were last reported in the Stone monthly meeting from work Wall, they were holding services on the grounds of the and look for a place to eat, or Wax Museum. They are now no would you just like to come longer doing so. Chaplain John Wega, who heads the early for dinner? organization, has since opened a coffee shop called John- Join the BRCWRT board, other members, ny Como’s Cupcakes and Coffee. It is located at 62 and our monthly guest speaker for good food and Chambersburg Street, which is on the corner of Cham- camaraderie. bersburg Street and Washington Street in Gettysburg. We are currently meeting around 5:00 p.m. at The United States Christian Commission Museum, the Copper Canyon Grill located just across Lee High- formerly located in the house where Jennie Wade’s was way from the library. born, documents the organization’s history during the 5815 Trinity Parkway, Centreville, VA Civil War, and is now housed in the coffee shop. Wor- ship services are also conducted there on Sunday morn- 703-830-6600 ings.

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Ms. Rebelle - (con’t from page 8)

Comfort Tiffany in 1905 in the design of a blue sky with gold stars and a starburst. Boone Hall Plantation is located in Mount Pleasant, SC at 1235 Long Point Road, a short dis- tance from Charleston. The original house was from a land grant to Major John Boone in 1681. The current house was built in 1936 and was pat- terned after the original house, which burned down many years ago. One of the most interesting things about Boone Hall is the long driveway with live oak t r e e s bending towards e a c h o t h e r and the board inlaid on the courtyard of the building. I hanging asked permission to walk inside, but in true South- Spanish ern tradition, a cadet must escort females into the moss on diamond, as they call it. So a nice young cadet t h e m . took my arm and escorted me inside. Pretty im- pressive I must say. The photograph above shows Those of the checkerboard pattern underneath the class ring you who for 2013. Four Confederate Civil War generals l o v e graduated from the Citadel – Ellison Capers, Micah N o r t h Jenkins, Evander Law, and John Bordenave Ville- a n d pigue. The Federal army took possession of the S o u t h Citadel in 1865 and held possession until 1879. can just The Citadel reopened in January, 1882. One hun- visualize dred eighty-nine Cadets reported to the newly reo- the late pened Citadel on October 2, 1882. a c t o r , The places listed above are just a few of the P a t r i c k many things to see and do in Charleston. The Swayze, three of us did pretty well seeing all we could in riding down the lane at a full gallop as Orry Main. two days, with two travel days down and back. If Gwen, my sister Kathe and I spend most of the you go, you have to have some of the wonderful day there, just enjoying this most beautiful place. low country food – shrimp & grits come fast to my The Battery on East Bay Street is one of the mind. We ate at the Hominy Grill which was won- most beautiful parts of the city. The mansions derful. We had the best motel in Point Pleasant – overlook Charleston harbor and have a view of Fort the Quality Inn. The chef made such a spread Sumter as well. Following the Civil War, Union every morning for breakfast, including a large pan General John Porter Hatch assumed military com- of grits and fresh biscuits or scones with every- mand of the city of Charleston and had his head- thing else in between. It was wonderful. Ms. Re- quarters on South Battery Street from February- belle had grits every day in Charleston. The motel August, 1865. I am proud to say that he is “one” prices are a little more reasonable across the Rav- of my 385 graves visited and decorated; he is bur- enel Bridge, and there are no parking fees, with ied in Arlington National Cemetery. quick access back into the city. It is definitely One of our last visits in Charleston was to The worth the trip. Citadel, incorporated in 1842. The campus is lo- NOTE: Ms. Rebelle’s hobby is travelling the country cated at 171 Moultrie Street, along the Ashley Riv- finding and honoring the graves of our 1,008 Civil War er. It reminded us a lot of the Military In- generals. So far she has located and photographed stitute in Lexington, VA. The building that resem- 385….169 Confederate and 216 Union. You may contact bles VMI the most has a red and white checker- her at [email protected].

BRCWRT — Vol. XX, Issue 6, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 10 The Gettysburg 150th Tour

By Brian McEnany (Photographs by Gwen Wyttenbach and Janet Greentree)

Dawn came early on Saturday, June 22, as 47 members of the Round Table traveled the roughly 80 miles to the Visitors Center at Gettysburg to meet Kevin Anastas, Maureen Quinn, myself, and Bill Car- ritte – our expert map bearer - for a guided tour of that three-day battle. The weather was perfect – very similar to that actually recorded 150 years ago. I made two trips from my car to the Visitor’s Center to bring our gear – no backpacks were allowed. A bright yellow school bus and a couple of extra cars took us through the town. Maureen provided com- mentary about the routes taken by various units and also about some of Gettysburg’s historic buildings as we headed for McPherson’s Ridge. After braving the traffic on Chambersburg Pike Left to right - Brian McEnany, Kevin Anastas, Maureen (Route 30), the tour gathered at the Reynolds and Quinn and Bill Carrite “take charge” of the BRCWRT tour of Gettysburg. Buford statues on McPherson’s Ridge to discuss the First Day battle – (there is no phear in McPherson It was now after 11:00 a.m. and Maureen led us as Kevin reminded us). Kevin introduced the tour, down to stop at a unique cannon and I then began outlining ’s cavalry en- and at the North Carolina monument, as part of the gagement against , adding a couple of Second Day fight. This position was also important stories about West Point Class of 1862 2nd Lt. John during the Third Day, as we could easily see the ter- Calef, commanding A Battery, 2nd US Horse Artillery, rain over which Pettigrew and Trimble led divisions Buford’s support that day. toward Cemetery Ridge. Back on the bus, we were I covered the significance of terrain and Buford’s off to visit Hood’s battle position near the Bushman plans to delay any threat from the west. Loading and farm, traveling past the Peach Orchard, the Wheat- re-loading the bus took time, but we never lost any- field, and across the de-forested Devil’s Den to ride one during the tour. Kevin then took over, and at the up the steep grade past many tourists, bicyclists, and next stop, at Reynolds’s monument, we learned visitors to . about the 1st Corps and the ’s fight, Standing at a perfect spot on the heights of Little Reynolds’s death and the path to his burial in his Round Top, the entire southern portion of the battle home town three days later. He also began a dis- area could be seen, and we could observe the entire cussion over the significance of the location of lead- length of the Union line to Cemetery Hill. The de- ers on the field. After crossing the road, he dis- forestation effort allowed Maureen to easily explain cussed the fight at the unfinished railroad cut. Janet how and where the Confederate troops moved to- Greentree positioned us for the official picture before ward the Union positions that day. we left. By 1:00 p.m., we were at our lunch site at the Ap- Next stop was Oak Hill and the entry of Ewell’s palachian Brewing Company on Seminary Ridge, Second Corps and the Union’s 11th Corps part of the where a good buffet was ready and waiting. We battle. It was amazing to see the battlefield from that chowed down and soaked up the air conditioning un- high ground and see how much terrain that was de- til 2:00 p.m., then braved the Chambersburg Pike forested put back into1863 condition. With assis- again for our next leg of our trip, to the Virginia Mon- tance from Maureen, current day landmarks easily ument, beginning the Third Day battle and the path allowed us to envision where both sides occupied Pickett’s Division took to the Angle. Sheltered under key terrain on the left of the Union line. Attendees the trees in the shade, Kevin explained how the units requested tales about “Sallie” (4 legged mascot of were arrayed and expressed a military view of dis- the 11th PA) and “Iverson’s failures,” which were eas- crepancies in alignment, artillery placement and ef- ily handled by Kevin. (con’t on page 11)

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BRCWRT Gettysburg Tour - (con’t from page 10) fectiveness, the choice of the center of the Union line stayed for an extra hour to listen and learn. What we to attack, and Longstreet’s role. Each drew com- presented that day about the battle did not really get ments from the attendees. Kevin then led us across across the terrible conditions left behind when the the hot shallow valley toward Cemetery Ridge, stop- left. ping three times to explain the changes in formation, The verdant fields we walked across were littered the impact of the fence lines along the Emmitsburg with the debris of combat and piles of dead so thick Pike and arrival at the Angle, where he conducted a one couldn’t walk between the Pike and the wall final discussion and the end of the tour. without stepping on them. Burial details worked Kevin provided more stories about what hap- quickly in the rain on July 4th and 5th. Most of the pened at the stone wall, including his great-grand dead were rolled into long trenches with signs above father’s part in the action in Armistead’s brigade. them stating such descriptions as “75 Rebels Buried Commentary about various aspects of the Union line Here.” There were efforts to identify the Union sol- was added by Maureen and myself. By 4:30 p.m., diers, but not many met adequate condition. The we were back on the bus for the final trip to the Visi- thousands of small arms, ammunition and other tor Center and departure. A good time was had by equipment left behind was collected by Ordnance all. We received a wealth of information about the personnel over the next few weeks. Soon, the curi- three days of the bloodiest battle in the Civil War. It ous wandered over the battlefield. would take a while to absorb all that was heard, and I Left behind when Meade took his army south am sure many of us will be back. were the seriously wounded on both sides (5,000 I wandered through the excellent book store at Confederate, 14,500 Union); thousands of dead ani- the Visitor Center and decided to grab dinner at a mals that littered the battlefield and the town. Virtu- local restaurant, then caught the sunset along Ceme- ally every barn, house, and church was filled with tery Ridge before departing for Virginia and home. wounded. Each corps left its hospital and the Con- Near Zeigler’s Grove, where another of my Class of federate division aid stations remained. Piles of 1862 members fought that day, I found a ranger con- arms and legs were evident near almost all of them. ducting a tour about the aftermath of the battle. I (con’t on page 12)

BRCWRT members braved the heat and crowds to be on the battlefield at Gettysburg’s 150th—a not-to-be-missed opportunity to commemo- rate the heroic action that took place July 1, 2 & 3 of 1863. And, as Brian McEnany notes, the days of grief and hardship that followed the battle.

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BRCWRT Gettysburg Tour - (con’t from page 11) The hot July sun soon created conditions never aid stations. With most lying still on the field of battle, before seen in this country. The stench was horrible. the heavy rain took its toll before anyone found them. Townspeople and the ladies who arrived to assist Unable to move, some drowned as pools of water wore kerchiefs soaked in camphor or pepper oil to gathered where they lay. ward off the smells. The dead and wounded littered The U.S. Christian Commission and another the streets in the town. The townspeople cared for group provided much initial support. Pennsylvania those left in their homes. They had limited money, was not welcoming to Catholics, but the Sisters of almost no bandages - and most were thrown into Charity soon arrived and the nuns were quickly wel- changing dressings for horribly injured from both comed into the makeshift hospitals. Volunteers ar- sides. The sights and sounds could not have been rived from afar to help care for the wounded. They conceived by anyone in their right minds, until after were appalled at the scene facing them, exasperated the battle. The population of the town was only by the overwhelming stench of death. Smoke from 2,400. The dead on the field were about three times burning piles of animals lay in the valley for weeks. that, and the thousands of wounded tripled and There is much more to the battle of Gettysburg quadrupled the numbers of those townspeople. than just the tactics and heroics. My rush to leave At first, the Union medical organization was lim- Gettysburg almost caused me to miss an important ited. It took time for the field hospital – Camp Letter- lesson. Every battle leaves its mark upon the terrain man - to arrive and for tents to be erected along the forever and that is why we call it hallowed ground. It York Road east of town. Meade’s logistics and sup- is why Abe Lincoln took time to eulogize those that ply wagons were not allowed forward during the bat- fell there. Even now, we cannot fully understand tle, and they never made it to Gettysburg. There what transpired at Gettysburg unless we take time to was no rail line in operation for two weeks. It took understand its aftermath as well. Perhaps it is worth days in some cases, before the wounded reached a lecture by itself in the future.

THE BOOK CORNER—(con’t from page 4) In Tucker’s view, the overwhelming There is some evidence that the public was weight of the evidence is clear: there was like- aware of the issue of Longstreet’s general re- ly never a dawn assault planned for July 2. calcitrant behavior at Gettysburg. Lee himself The circumstances in the field simply did not had occasion to dispute the “offensive strate- support the military expediency of such a tac- gy but defensive tactics” scenario being tic. On the evening of July 1, the bulk of the shopped about by Longstreet after the war. It 1st Corps was at Greenwood, 16 miles west of is possible that this negative atmosphere pro- Gettysburg on the Cashtown Road. McLaws’ vided Early the opportunity to proffer a “dawn Brigade (1st Corps) was no closer than Cash- attack order” canard to discredit Longstreet. town, 4 miles west of the battlefield. Moreo- The remainder of Tucker’s book contains ver, on July 1, Lee wished to avoid a general other interesting episodes of Gettysburg and engagement, being completely unfamiliar with post-war reminiscences by prominent histori- the terrain and unsure of enemy dispositions. cal figures. In a particularly fascinating aside, As late as 10 a.m. on July 2, Lee was still former President Dwight D. Eisenhower and conferring (arguing) with Ewell regarding 2nd former British Field Marshal Sir Bernard Mont- Corps’ actions far to the northeast of Gettys- gomery review the overall tactics at Gettys- burg. These facts are well documented and burg. The views of the two most notable stra- suggest command indecision, not a dawn at- tegic commanders of the 20th century regard- tack. ing America’s bloodiest 19th century encoun- Finally, Early and Pendleton were never ter are a rich historical treasury in them- privy to councils where such decisions would selves. have been taken; those who were in attend- Until next time, keep reading. ance, or otherwise in position to know, all Note: The Book Corner welcomes your comments and, especial- have denied the veracity of reports of any ex- ly, your recommendations for outstanding books on the Civil plicit dawn attack order. War. Send your comments to [email protected].

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TH from the Civil War and the reunions after the war. THE 150 ANNIVERSARY OF THE The opening day of the anniversary of the battle BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG itself was July 1. The first activity I attended was the By Tim Duskin opening shots of the battle, which were delivered by Union artillery living historians, and the opening of the During the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettys- burg, I attended quite a few activities. There were many going on and often more than one at a given time. I tried to pick the ones which I thought were the most interesting at the time, and I tried to pick a variety of them. My first activity was an excellent lecture on Pickett’s Charge that was given June 11 at the National Archives by Robert Tringali, a former Bull Run Civil War Round Table member. I also attended the tour which Kevin Anastas and Maureen Quinn gave at Get- tysburg for the BRCWRT on June 22. On June 27, I attended the world premiere of Ron The Peace Porch at the Seminary Ridge Museum. The porch was Maxwell’s third Civil War movie, , at the originally built in 1913 for the 50th anniversary veterans’ reunion. It Majestic Theater in Gettysburg. It is a story which was restored this year for the 150th anniversary. takes place on the home front in Upstate New York. Maxwell and the production staff and stars had discus- new Seminary Ridge Museum at the Lutheran Theolog- sion with the audience after the showing. Earlier in the ical Seminary. The three floors of the museum have day, I took the guided tour Citizens of Gettysburg, exhibits relating to the role of religion, of African- which went through the town and told what life was like Americans in the war, the care of the wounded during the battle, and the first day’s battle re- spectively. It was quite im- p r e s s i v e and in- c l u d e d some very interesting exhibits. I also at- tended a The production crew of the movie Copperhead, by Ron Maxwell. The premiere was a benefit for Journey Through Hallowed Ground, of which Ron Maxwell is a supporter. l e c t u r e Photos by Tim Duskin there by a u t h o r for the citizens during the battle. Jocelyn Green on the role of religion in the Civil War. On June 29, I attended Prelude to Gettysburg: The There were lectures for several days on various Civil Cashtown Road in nearby Cashtown. This is the town War related topics. in which Lee’s army was based at the time the Battle of That evening, I attended a program at Christ Luther- Gettysburg began. There were living historians portray- an Church on Chambersburg Street called Candlelight ing Generals Lee and Longstreet, and a Confederate at Christ Church. It was about the use of the church surgeon. There were also some homes dating from the building as a hospital during the battle and related ac- period which are now private residences that were open counts of those who were there both as wounded and as for special tours. They included some remarkable relics (con’t on page 14)

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Duskin at Gettysburg - (con’t from page 13) nurses. It also included the singing of Civil War songs. Cooper (David Pallo). They were both very knowledge- On July 2, I visited the Memorial Church of the able about the personage they were portraying. I also Prince of Peace in Gettysburg, where special tours were encountered General “Extra Billy” Smith (Dave being conducted. The church was built for the 25th an- Meisky) and General Richard Ewell (Chris Godart), niversary of the battle and has memorials in it to many both BRCWRT members. who fought in the war on both sides. I also attended a My final day was July 6. I spent most of the day at the Gettysburg Perspective Lecture Series at the Muse- um and Visitor’s Center. I heard Thomas Huntington speak on “George Gordon Meade’s Road to Gettys- burg,” Thomas Flagel speak on “The Great Gettysburg Reunion of 1913,” Wayne Motts speak on “Gettysburg Treasures in the National Civil War Museum,” James Swanson speak on “Lincoln, Booth and Davis in Memory and Myth,” Carol Reardon speak on “The Families of Gettysburg’s Union Dead vs. the U.S. Pen- sion Bureau,” and Ron Maxwell speak on “Civil War Film Making.” Some of the memorials in the Memorial Church of the Prince of At the end of the afternoon, I witnessed The Confed- Peace. erates Take the Shriver House, in which living histori- re-enactment of the Battle of Hanover, which took place ans depicted Confederate soldiers using the house as a the day before the Battle of Gettysburg. It was a caval- sniper’s den. ry battle, so the re-enactment was mostly cavalry action The final event in which I participated in was the with some artillery as well. dedication of the Culp Brothers Memorial, a monument On July 3, I started the day with an early morning to Gettysburg brothers William and Wesley Culp, who tour of Culp’s Hill by NPS rangers. They covered the fought on opposite sides during the war. The monu- events of the morning of July 3. In the afternoon, I at- ment was jointly sponsored by the Gettysburg Camps of tended a play at the Gettysburg Community Theatre the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Sons of Union called Children of Gettysburg: A Civil War Era Musical Drama. The cast consisted almost completely of chil- dren, and it featured accounts of children in the town during the battle and period songs. The author is Kate Pellegrino, a high school student. She based it on re- search in period diaries. In the evening, I attended a showing of the film “The Gettysburg Story” at the Ma- jestic Theater. It is a film made by Jake Boritt, which gives an account of the battle and was filmed entirely on location where the actual events occurred. It will air on National Public Television in November. On the morning of July 4, I visited the Daniel Lady The crowd gathers just before the unveiling of the Culp Brothers Farm, which was used as a Confederate field hospital Memorial. and is owned by the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Veterans of the Civil War. The ceremony impressed me Association. Living historians there depicting the field as being reminiscent of the reunions of the blue and hospital and explained Civil War medicine. I spent the gray in Gettysburg in past years. remainder of the day at the Gettysburg Anniversary The Citizens of Gettysburg tour and Candlelight at Committee’s re-enactment of the first day’s battle. I Christ Church take place regularly in Gettysburg. The found the living history tents to be most interesting. Gettysburg Anniversary Committee re-enactment, the Living historians there depicting many aspects of both Gettysburg Perspective Lecture Series, and The Confed- military and civilian life of the war. I visited the Lee’s erates Take the Shriver House take place annually. All Lieutenants tent and had a conversation with President of the other events were especially for the 150th com- (David Walker) and General Samuel memoration.

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Tours, Living History, Music and National symposium on the Bristoe Station Campaign at the Manas- Historians Highlight the Battle of Bristoe sas Four Points Sheraton. This two-day symposium will Station 150th Anniversary. feature a day of talks from historians from across the country and a second day of bus tours covering the Bristoe By Rob Orrison, Historic Site Operations Manager, Prince William Campaign. The cost is only $75 and includes lunch on County – VP BRCWRT both days. This Fall, Prince William County will mark the 150th On October 5th, County staff will lead a detailed, ten- Anniversary of the Battle of Bristoe Station with a season hour bus tour of the Bristoe Station Campaign and battle. of special events. Being that the Bristoe Station battlefield The cost is $80.00 per person and includes lunch. is recently preserved, this will be the first major commem- The Commemorative Weekend will take place on Oc- orative event of the battle to ever take place there. The tober 12-13 at Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. Battle of Bristoe Station was fought on October 14, 1863. This event will kick off with nationally renowned historian After a month-long campaign, Confederate General Rob- Dr. James “Bud” Robertson giving a keynote speech at ert E. Lee had pursued the Union Army under Gen. 10am. A new interpretive trail will also be dedicated at George G. Meade from Culpeper, VA all the way to that time. During both days, there will be host of lectures, Prince William County. Coming on the heels of his loss at music, living history, kids activities, a battle demonstra- Gettysburg that summer, Lee was trying to reverse the tide tion and the Virginia History Mobile will be on hand. that was starting to turn against the South. Finally, on the actual anniversary of the battle, Mon- Here on the fields around modern day Bristow (then day, October 14th, county staff will host a morning a car spelled Bristoe), the lead elements of Lee’s army fought caravan tour of the Bristoe Campaign, a bus tour of battle- the rear guard of the Union army. In a short but desperate field sites outside of the Park and “in-time” tours that af- fight, the Confederate army was badly defeated and suf- ternoon – tours that will take place at the same time of the fered heavy casualties for the men engaged. This little battle events, 150 years later. Parking for the events on known battle would be Robert E. Lee’s last major offen- October 12-14, will be at the Bristow Shopping Center, sive of the Civil War. with shuttle service to the Park. So there are events for the The Historic Preservation Division staff has been most casual fan of history to the hard-core Civil War nut. planning events for this commemoration for over a year We hope our events will not only educate but also com- now. The series of events will start off in August with an memorate the sacrifices of so many in this area 150 years exhibit “There Was a Want of Vigilance..” at the Manassas ago. Museum. This exhibit is co-sponsored by the Historic For more details and updates to the event schedule, Preservation Division and the Manassas Museum. The please visit www.pwcgov.org/bristoe. To sign up for any exhibit will feature artifacts from around the country that of these events, please call the Historic Preservation Divi- will tell the story of the Battle of Bristoe Station. sion office at 703-792-4754 or email rorri- On September 14th and 15th, there will be a two-day [email protected]. We hope to see you this Fall!

The Hidden Battle of Cedar Mountain

All-Day Tour - Saturday, August 10

The Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield will be touring select sites of the Cedar Mountain Battlefield on August 10, 2013. Lon Lacey and Mike Block are tour leaders. The all-day tour costs $25 and will run from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m. Lunch and transportation will be provided. The $25 includes membership into the Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield. This unique tour will take guests to various locations in the Cedar Mountain battlefield area that impacted the battle and its aftermath. All locations are on private property, and we are very grateful for the owners of this land to allow this event to take place. Some of the locations to be visited include the Cedar Mountain Shelf, where Latimer’s Virginia Battery and Terry’s Bedford Artillery rained shells down on Federal positions; the Nalle House, Pope’s Headquarters, and Spring Hill, where R. Snowden Andrews was left to “die”. We will also visit the location of Pegram’s battery po- sition on the evening of August 9 and monuments to the 27th Indiana, 10th Maine, 28th New York and 46th Pennsylvania. Additional stops are in the planning stages. Please visit the Friends of Cedar Mountain website and Face- book page for updates of this unique tour being offered for the first time. Please join us for a day of Cedar Mountain Battle sites rarely seen. Seating is limited. To reserve your seat please contact Karen Quaintance at [email protected] or mail your $25 checks to FOCMB, PO Box 1853, Culpeper, VA 22701.

BRCWRT — Vol. XX, Issue 6, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 16 BULL RUN CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE The Stone Wall P.O. Box 2147 Centreville, VA 20122

2013 Bull Run Civil War Round Table — MEMBERSHIP FORM We are delighted that you are interested in joining our organization and look forward to seeing you at our next meeting and at our upcoming events! Annual dues are: Individual—$20.00. Family—$25.00. Student (age 22 and under)—$10.00. Make checks payable to: BRCWRT (Bull Run Civil War Round Table). This form may be given to the Treasurer at the General Membership meeting, or mail it to: Mark Knowles, BRCWRT Treasurer, 169 Applegate Drive, Sterling, VA 20164 NAME______ADDRESS______CITY______STATE______ZIP______PHONE______EMAIL______