Historian Dr. Chris Mackowski Speaks on "Grant’S Last Membership Meetings Battle

BRCWRT — Vol. XXVII, Issue 6, AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 1

The Newsletter of the Bull Run Civil War Round Table — Vol. XXVII, Issue 6, AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN DR. CHRIS MACKOWSKI SPEAKS ON "GRANT’S LAST MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS BATTLE – PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF U.S. 7 p.m. LIVE via GRANT” AT THE AUGUST 13th MEETING ~ Zoom and Facebook ~

Our online August presentation will be about THURSDAY, August 13, 2020 Union Gen. U.S. Grant's memoirs, which have GUEST SPEAKER: become one of the most frequently quoted sources for many Civil War historians. They are Historian Dr. Chris Mackowski very well-written and have stood the test of time. TOPIC: They provide a unique insight into the workings “Grant’s Last Battle - Personal of his mind, particularly interesting when he was so often under enormous stress. Grant was a Memoirs of U. S. Grant” dying man in great pain, racing the clock in order THURSDAY, September 10, 2020 to bequeath to his family something other than a legacy of poverty. We are so happy to have our GUEST SPEAKER: old friend Chris return to present this memoir to Author/Historian us at this evening’s meeting. Kristen Pawlak Dr. Chris Mackowski, Ph.D., is co-founder and editor-in-chief of the online forum “Emerging TOPIC: Civil War;” historian-in-residence at Stevenson "Battle of Wilson Creek, MO - Ridge, the historic property on the Spotsylvania Battlefield and professor of journalism and mass Aug 1861" communication at St. Bonaventure University in Alleghany, New York. He has authored (or ~ Subject to Change ~ co-authored) more than a dozen books on the Civil War, and has penned articles for Civil War BRCWRT Meetings Times, America's Civil War, Hallowed Ground Going Forward -- Virtually! and Blue and Gray. Chris has also worked as a historian for the National Park Service at Freder- The Round Table’s regular meetings icksburg and Spotsylvania National Military will take place… in your house! The Parks, where he gives tours at four major Civil meetings will telecast live via Zoom War battlefields (Fredericksburg, Chancellors- and Facebook. Viewers will be able ville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania), as well as to submit questions via a “chat-box.” at the home where “Stonewall” Jackson died – The meeting will still take place at 7 Ellwood Manor. Chris also serves on the nation- p.m. - find the in- al advisory board for the Civil War Chaplains structions for con-

Museum in Lynchburg, Virginia. necting to the meet-

AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN KRISTEN PAWLAK ing posted on the SPEAKS ON "THE BATTLE OF WILSON CREEK, MO - BRCWRT Facebook and AUGUST 1861” AT THE SEPTEMBER 10th MEETING Web site pages. “See” you at the Our online September presentation, the next meeting! Battle of Wilson’s Creek in Missouri, was the first

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BULL RUN CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE UPCOMING 2020 MEETINGS (Virtual - until further notice) Executive Committee

President: Mark Whitenton, [email protected], August 13: Author Historian Chris Mackowski - 703-795-8759 Past President: Mark Trbovich, [email protected], "Grant’s Last Battle - Personal Memoirs of U. S. 703-361-1396 Grant" Vice-President: Greg Wilson, [email protected], 202-494-0652 Treasurer: Joe Young, [email protected], September 10: Historian Kristen Pawlak - "Battle of 703-281-7935 Wilson Creek, MO - Aug 1861" Secretary: John Pearson, [email protected], 703-475- 1943 At Large: Jim Lewis, John De Pue, Drew Pallo October 8: Professor of History Noah Cincinnati - Marketing: Stephanie Vale, [email protected] “Capitalism: 1830-1860" Membership: Greg Wilson, [email protected], 202-494-0652 Preservation: Blake Myers, [email protected] November 12: Historian David Dixon - "The Lost Education: Brian McEnany, [email protected]; Charlie Balch, [email protected] (Scholarship) Gettysburg Address" Field Trips: Open Webmaster: Alan Day, [email protected] December 10: Historian Ron Beavers - "Arlington Graphic Design: Drew Pallo, [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Nadine Mironchuk, House - The Last Battle of the Civil War" [email protected] Newsletter Team: Saundra Cox, Mark Whitenton, Eric Fowler, Janet Greentree and Andy Kapfer.

The Bull Run Civil War Round Table publishes the Stone Wall.

General Membership meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at: Centreville Regional Library 14200 St. Germain Drive Centreville, VA 20121-2255 Have You Paid Your 703.830.2223 BRCWRT Dues Yet?

For specific meeting dates and information, please visit the Web site: http://bullruncwrt.org Don’t be known around camp

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE as a straggler! For the October 2020 issue, e-mail articles by 9 a.m., Monday, September 21, to Nadine Mironchuk at: [email protected] In This Issue

NEWSLETTER ADVERTISEMENT SUBMISSION DEADLINE President’s Column Page 3 For the October 2020 issue, advertisers - please click “Instructions for Advertisers” at: http://bullruncwrt.org By-Laws Amendments Page 4 and e-mail ads by noon on September 11, to Charlie Balch at: [email protected] Ed Bearss Recognition Page 5

Support the BRCWRT in its mission to Ms. Rebelle Page 6 educate and to commemorate the battles and events of the Civil War New Members Page 12

JOIN US AT CARRABBA’S Letter to Cong. Connolly Page 13

Do you come directly to the monthly meeting from work and look for a place to eat, or would Preservation Corner Page 16 you just like to come early to dinner? Join BRCWRT members and their monthly guest speakers for good food and camaraderie. Current- Ox Hill Commemoration Info Page 17 ly, we gather prior to each meeting around 5 p.m. at Carraba’s Italian Grill, located just across Lee Highway from the Centreville Regional Library. BRCWRT Event Schedule Page 17

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The President’s Column consequence of our lack of personal interac- by Mark Whitenton tions, including virtual monthly meetings and canceled tours, a significant percentage of our Fellow BRCWRT members - members have not renewed their dues this year. This month’s column focuses on a few The Executive Committee realized that we did initiatives that have either been addressed by not have a clear policy for terminating members your round table leadership, or that will be for non-payment of dues. Executive Committee offered here for your information and/or consid- member John De Pue volunteered to draft a eration. Please take a moment to catch up on policy which, after amendments and approval by some of the matters that have “come across our the full Executive Committee, is offered to the desks” in the past several weeks. membership for your approval. These amendments, which would take effect January 1, 2021, Letter to Connelly: On July 31, the U.S. would set March 31 as the deadline for paying House of Representatives passed the FY 2021 annual dues and permit new members who join Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies after September 30 to be credited with the next Appropriation bill, H.R. 7612. This Act contains year's dues. John will read the changes at the two provisions relating to removing Confederate members virtual meeting on August 13 and a commemorative works from National Park vote on the proposed changes will be held at the Service and other Interior Department lands. members’ meeting on September 10. Please Preservation Chairman Blake Myers drafted a peruse the proposed Bylaws amendments on letter to Congressman Gerry Connelly urging page 4. him to oppose this provision. On behalf of the BRCWRT, I sent the letter to Cong. Connelly on Appreciation letter sent to Ed Bearss: July 22. Please see page 13 to view a copy of Although National Park Service Historian Emeri- the letter. Additional letters were sent to Sen. tus Ed Bearss was unable to speak to us in July, Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chairwoman of the his decade (at least) of giving talks to the nterior Appropriations Subcommittee; Senator BRCWRT is not forgotten. Vice Pres. Greg Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) Subcommittee mem- Wilson initiated and drafted a first-ever ber; and Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), Chair- BRCWRT Civil War History Lifetime Achieve- man of the full Senate Appropriations Commit- ment Award to Mr. Bearss. With full support tee. from the Executive Committee, Greg framed the certificate (printed on page 5), which was then Fairfax County Activities: The Fairfax County personally delivered to Mr. Bearss by his long- Board of Supervisors has scheduled a hearing time friend, Ed Wenzel. on September 15 on options regarding the monument to Capt. John Quincy Marr and the More film clips: The BRCWRT is continuing two cannons located on the grounds of the old to provide content for our Web page (brcwrt.org) Fairfax Court House. In addition, the Board of and our Facebook page. Please check out the Supervisors has tasked the Fairfax History Benson & Rice shorts by Fred Eckstein and Commission to compile a list of all “Confederate” John Myers on our Facebook page, as well as named places in the county. This list is due to Kim Brace's remarks as a featured speaker at the Board of Supervisors by October 1. Preser- the Second Summit meeting of the CWRT last vation Chair Blake Myers is actively monitoring month. Also, stay tuned to the upcoming series both county actions. of seven shorts on the Battle of Ox Hill, filmed by Kim Brace and directed by Blake Myers, due to Bylaws amendment. This strange year has be completed in September. reduced the ability of us all to get together. As a

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP WITH GO! THE BULL RUN CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE!

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Upcoming Speakers – (con’t from page 1) major Civil War battle west of the Mississippi ership from Webster University in 2018. River. On August 10, 1861, Union Brig. Gen. Throughout her career, she has worked with Nathaniel Lyon attacked Confederate forces Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the commanded by Gen. Sterling Price and Gen. Gettysburg Foundation, the Civil War Institute, Benjamin McCulloch. The battle raged on for and the American Battlefield Trust. Kristen is more than five hours, resulting in approximately also involved with the Marine Corps Scholarship 2,300 total casualties, including Gen. Lyon. We Foundation and “Emerging Civil War,” as well as are so happy to have a native Missourian managing Missouri's Civil War Blog. Currently, present this major battle to us at the September she is working on a biography of Missouri Sen. 10th meeting. John Brooks Henderson - co-author of the Kristen M. Pawlak is on staff at the Missouri Thirteenth Amendment - to support the MCWM's Civil War Museum in St. Louis, MO. In 2014, efforts to restore his home in Louisiana, MO, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in that was catastrophically damaged in an arson History and Civil War Era Studies from Gettys- fire in 2016. In addition, Kristen is writing a book burg College. Kristen then pursued and on the Battle of Wilson's Creek for the received her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Lead- “Emerging Civil War Series.” Proposed Amendments to the BRCWRT Bylaws Governing Membership and Dues

Article II - OFFICERS AND DUTIES, SECTION 2. DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS., subsec- tion D. Treasurer: Add a new item 8 to read: “Collecting membership dues.” Renumber the present item 8 to “9.” Article VII - MEMBERSHIP AND DUES, SECTION 4. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: Delete the following phrase and sentence “if submitted prior to the close of the July meeting. A member will pay one half the annual dues if submitted thereafter.” Substitute the following for the deleted phrase and sentence: “If a new membership application is submitted on October 1 or thereafter, the payment will be credited in full to the following calendar year.” SECTION 5. REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP: Delete the first sentence (“An individual’s membership may be revoked for nonpayment of dues.”) SECTION 6. MEMBERSHIP DUES. After the first sentence ["The Executive Committee will determine the amount of membership dues."] add the following: “Commencing at the October membership meeting, the Treasurer will solicit the payment of membership dues for the following calendar year. Any member who fails to pay his or her dues by March 31 of that year will be delinquent and be subject to termination of membership. The Executive Committee is authorized to issue procedures for the timely collection of dues and for terminating the membership privileges of delinquent members. Such procedures will be published for the information of the membership.” The foregoing amendments to the BRCWRT Bylaws shall take effect on January 1, 2021.

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BRCWRT — Vol. XXVII, Issue 6, AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 6 CIVIL WAR TRAVELS in Ireland, as his parents were. Sheridan claimed he was born in Albany. His WITH MS. REBELLE parents were John Sheridan, born in ‘Little Phil,’ Gen. Philip Killinkere, Cavan, Ireland, and Mary Meen- Henry Sheridan, USA agh, also born in Cavan. The Sheridans immigrated from the north of Ireland, By Janet Greentree which also was the home of the parents of

presidents Andrew Jackson and Andrew Pres. Abraham Lincoln is famous for his Johnson. The Sheridans were on the folksy stories and funny quotes. He had a same ship with the parents of Pres. Ches- famous quote about Gen. Sheridan: ter A. Arthur. They ended their journey in “Little Phil – A brown, chunky little chap, Boston. “Little Phil” was the third born of with a long body, short legs, not enough five children for the Sheridans. He had an neck to hang him, and such long older brother, Patrick; an older, arms that if his ankles itch he can sister Rosa, and two younger scratch them without stooping.” brothers - John J. and Michael A little harsh at the end there. Vincent. His youngest brother Wonder what Gen. Sheridan would become his aide-de-camp thought of the during the Civil War and is also quote. Sheridan buried in Arlington National was only 5’5” or Cemetery. The Sheridan par- some report he ents are buried in Holy Trinity was 5’4”. Lincoln Cemetery in Somerset, Ohio. also said: “Gen. The Sheridans moved to Sheridan, when Somerset, Ohio, into a Gothic this peculiar war style house on New Lexington began, I thought Road. Phil and his brother slept a cavalryman At left, a younger Phil in the garret. Due to necessity, should be at Sheridan; above, Gen. the children worked to help the least six feet, Sheridan during the Civil family. Phil, at 12 years old, four inches high, War. drove a water cart to sprinkle but I have changed my mind. Five-feet the dusty streets of Zanesville, Ohio. He four will do in a pinch.” In researching also worked in the general store in Somer- Sheridan, Ms. Rebelle found he was not set as head clerk, and as a bookkeeper for generally well-liked, which surprised me. a dry goods store. Present-day Somerset Having been to many Cedar Creek reen- actments, the point when Gen. Sheridan rides in on his horse Rienzi from his Winchester, VA HQ (now Kimberly’s at 135 N. Braddock Street) to spur on the troops is always momentous. His troops there loved him and went on to fight in the battle rather than retreat. He certainly had many nice sentiments in the newspapers when he died in 1888. There is a dispute about exactly where Sheridan was born. Most say he was born on March 6, 1831, in Albany, New York. However, it’s been said that his immigrant The Sheridan House in Somerset, OH, where “Little Phil” and his parents from Ireland showed up in Albany siblings grew up. with a two-week old infant, so perhaps he Photo by Janet Greentree was born at sea on the trip over, or born (con’t on page 7)

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has a statue of Sheridan in a traffic circle on Route 22. In 1848, he applied to West Point when another nominee from his district failed the en- trance exam. He was appointed by A 1937 Oregonian Magazine article published this illustration of Cong. Thom- Sidnayoh, shown here going through items in a trunk, including a as Ritchey. typical Victorian dress, while dressed in native garb, perhaps intro- He was to ducing a concept of making her (as Sheridan’s lover) a woman striving to be more “acceptable” in the larger white world. Inset, is Gen. Sheridan hails his fellow Ohioans graduate in from his perch in downtown Somerset. the artist’s depiction of her with Sheridan and her father, Chief Photo by Janet Greentree 1852 but had Harney. She is described as having the English name of Frances. to spend another year at survey in the Willamette Valley in Oregon the Point for fighting with his classmate, and was wounded when a bullet grazed William R. Terrill, on the parade field and his nose on March 28, 1857, at Middle threatening to run him through with a Cascade, Oregon Territory. He negotiated bayonet. He needed help with his algebra with the Indian tribes in the area and lived and geometry classes and studied so hard with a mistress, an Indian woman, at night that he covered his windows with Sidnayoh, daughter of the chief of the blankets when he was supposed to be in Klickitat Tribe. Little Phil did not mention bed. His mother was opposed to him en- this fact in his memoirs. He was promot- tering West Point, but after his successes ed to 1st lieutenant in March 1861, and to as a general, she was willing to captain in May 1861. acknowledge that he understood himself We think travel is not easy today but better than she did. He graduated 34th look at the route Sheridan took to get out of 52 graduates in 1853. His room- back to St. Louis at Jefferson Barracks: he mate was Henry Slocum (class of 1852). left Fort Yamhill, Oregon, by way of San Future Union generals in his class include Francisco; crossed the Isthmus of Pana- James McPherson, John Schofield, William ma; went to New York City; visited his Terrill, Robert Tyler, Alexander Chambers, home in Somerset, Ohio, and then went to Joshua Sill, and James A. Smith. Future St. Louis to serve under Gen. Henry Confederate generals included: John Halleck. His first assignment was to Chambliss, William R. Bogg, John S. investigate his predecessor, Gen. John C. Bowen, Henry B. Davidson, Rueben Ross, Fremont’s, financial records. Halleck was John Bell Hood, and Henry Walker. impressed with Sheridan’s work, but was After graduation in 1853, he was in the only interested in having Sheridan as a infantry and was sent to Fort Duncan on staff officer. Halleck later appointed him the western boundary of Texas. Following as chief commissary officer in the Army of that, he was sent to the 4th U.S. Infantry Southwest Missouri and later appointed at Fort Reading, California. Most of his him quartermaster general. He was time until the late 1850s was spent in the assigned to Gen. Samuel Curtis at Pea Pacific Northwest. He did a topographical (con’t on page 8)

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Ridge. Sheridan discovered that Curtis’ officers were engaged in profiteering by stealing horses from civilians and then de- manding payment from Sheridan. Curtis had Sheridan arrested for insubordination, but Gen. Halleck stepped in and stopped the proceedings. In May 1862, he was appointed colonel of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry, even though he had no experi- ence as a cavalryman. He fought against Gen. James Illustration of Sheridan’s troops destroying the Shenandoah Valley. Chalmers at the battle of Booneville, MS, the enemy no rest….Do all the damage to on July 1, 1862. His impressive actions railroads and crops you can. Carry off earned him a brigadier general rank. Gen. stock of all descriptions, and negroes, so William Rosecrans wrote to Gen. Halleck as to prevent further planting. If the war about Sheridan’s promotion: “Brigadiers is to last another year, we want the Shen- scarce; good ones scarce… The under- andoah Valley to remain a barren waste.” signed respectfully beg that you will obtain the promotion of Sheridan. He is Sheridan fought in the battles of worth his weight in gold.” Just after the Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, Booneville battle one of his officers gave Chattanooga Campaign, Yellow Tavern him his really famous horse, Rienzi, which (where Custer’s men under Sheridan he named after the battle of Rienzi, MS. mortally wounded Gen. J.E.B. Stuart), He would ride Rienzi through the rest of the war but renamed him Winchester after the battle of Cedar Creek. Rienzi/ Winchester was stuffed after he died and now resides in the Smithsonian Museum. Little Phil met Gen. Ulysses S. Grant on July 9, 1864, at the Thomas Farm at Monocacy, for a This illustration depicts Sheridan at Yellow Tavern, where his council of war, troops clashed with and killed J.E.B. Stuart. instructing Sheri- dan to secure and destroy the Con- federates in the Shenandoah Val- ley for a scorched earth campaign. Sheridan’s horse Rienzi is on dis- Grant’s words to play at the Smithsonian Museum Sheridan were of American History. frank: ”The peo- ple should be informed that so long as an army can sub- Illustration of Sheridan urging his men on to victory at Cedar Creek, sist among them recurrences of these near Strasburg, VA, on October 19, 1864. raids must be expected, and we are deter- mined to stop them at all hazards….Give (con’t on page 9)

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1864 – Sheridan and staff – left to right - Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson, Gen. David McMurtrie Gregg, Sheridan, Maj. Gen. Wes- ley Merritt, Gen. Harry E. Davies, and Brev. Maj Gen. Alfred Torbert .

A “chart” of those present in the McLean parlor in Appomattox Court- house, VA, where the surrender of the Army of Virginia, under Gen. Robert E. Lee, was signed on April 9. 1865.

those guns for that!” While moving An interesting illustration of Sheridan at Dinwiddie Court- towards Petersburg and Appomattox he house, in the final weeks of the war, seemingly being given said: “Feeling that the war was nearing its directions by a black individual. end, I desired my cavalry to be in at the Trevilian Station, Third Winchester, Fish- death.” At Saylor’s Creek, Sheridan said: er’s Hill, Cedar Creek, and the Appomat- “If the thing is pressed I think that Lee tox Campaign. During the battle of Five will surrender. Let the thing be pressed.” Forks, he essentially ruined the career of Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren by removing him from command of the V Corps, which a later court of inquiry deemed was unjus- tified. Gen. Sheridan was present in the room at Appomattox during the Army of Virginia’s surrender. Gen. Sheridan made lots of interesting comments about things. When he was on Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863, and fighting with Gen. George Thomas, Sheridan told his men “Remember Chicka- mauga.” He then spotted a group of Confederate officers near the top of the The BRCWRT’s 2004 visit to the Thomas House on the Monocacy ridge and shouted: “Here’s at you!” One battlefield, where Sheridan and Grant held a council of war in of the Confederate shells exploding near August of 1864. him covering him with dirt. He shouted: Photo courtesy of Janet Greentree “That’s damn ungenerous! I shall take (con’t on page 10)

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After the war, while stationed in Texas Sheridan was appointed as lieutenant in 1866, a white mob broke up the state general on March 4, 1869. He was sent to constitutional convention in New Orleans. observe and report on the Franco-Prussian Thirty-four black residents were killed. War as a guest of the King of Prussia. Sheridan wired Grant: “The more infor- After touring around Europe, he reported mation I obtain of the affair of the 30th in back to Pres. Grant “that, although the this city, the more revolting it becomes. Prussians were very good brave fellows It was no riot; it was an absolute massa- [who] had gone into each battle with cre.” (Kind of sounds like what is going determination to win…there is nothing to on in our country right now.) Sheridan be learned here professionally.” A British was not a fan of Texas and made the nobleman commented about Gen. Sheri- quote: “If I owned Texas and Hell, I would dan: “A delightful man with the one pecu- rent Texas and live in Hell.” In later years liarity of using the most astounding swear he would repeat this statement, adding words quite calmly and dispassionately in and subtracting verbiage. ordinary conversation.” In August 1867, Sheridan was made In 1871 Sheridan was present during head of the Department of the Missouri to the Great Chicago Fire and coordinated help the Plains administration deal with military relief efforts. The mayor put Indian uprisings. In the years 1868-69, Sheridan in charge, and since there were he attacked the Cheyenne, Kiowa and no widespread disturbances, martial law Comanche tribes at their winter headquar- was lifted in a few days. Sheridan lost all ters, taking their supplies and livestock, of his professional and personal papers in killing all who resisted, and sending them the fire, but his residence was spared. back to their reservations. In his Chicago was so grateful to him that they comment after the Texas Legislature appointed him the first president of the banned bison poaching on tribal lands, he Washington Park Race Track in 1883. In suggested: “the legislature should 1882, Sheridan was involved with the give each of the hunters Department of the Interior at the a medal, engraved with future Yellowstone National Park. A a dead buffalo on one railroad was proposed to go through side and a discouraged- the park and Sheridan personally looking Indian on the lobbied Congress for protection of other.” Perhaps his the park. It was on November 1, most vicious quote was 1883, that Lt. Gen. Sheridan suc- made to Comanche ceeded Gen. William T. Sherman as Chief Tosawi/Silver Knife Commanding General of the U.S. in 1869 after Silver Knife Army. He held this rank until his said to him: “Me, To- death. His rank was officially called sawi. Me Good Indian.” “General of the Army of the United Sheridan retorted: “The States by an act of Congress on only good Indians I ever June 1, 1888.” saw were dead.” He Gen. Sheridan did not marry until was constantly misquot- Chief Tosawi. he was 44 years old. He married ed with: “The only good the 22-year-old daughter, Irene, of Indian is a dead Indi- Gen. Daniel Rucker, on June 3, an.” Gen. George Armstrong Custer was 1875, in Chicago. After the wedding, they under Sheridan’s command when he was moved to Washington, D.C., to a house at killed at the Little Big Horn. In 1880, 2211 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., given Sheridan was promoted to serve as the commanding general of the U.S. Army. (con’t on page 11)

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to them by the Like Gen. Grant citizens of Chicago in writing his mem- appreciation for the oirs, Little Phil was general’s protection writing his when of the city during the he suffered a Great Chicago Fire. series of massive The house now faces heart attacks, be- Sheridan Circle and ginning on May 22, 1888, just two months after he sent his book to the publishers. He was only 57 years old, but a life of Above, Irene Rucker Sheridan; hard living, hard at right, son Philip, Jr., who campaigning, and also entered the Army and As Sheridan grew older, he grew served at the rank of major, larger, and it may have contribut- a love of good before dying at age 38 of a ed to his own early death at age food and alcohol heart attack. Below, Sher- 57. took their toll on idan’s statue in Sheridan his body. He also reached the weight of Square, Washington, D.C. His house is shown behind the 200 pounds. Thinking his summer cottage statue. would do him good, his family took him to Photo below by Nonquitt, Massachusetts, where he died Janet Greentree on August 18, 1888. His remains were sent back to Washington and buried in Arlington National Cemetery, right in front of Arlington House, the former mansion of Gen. Robert E. Lee. He lies in Section 2, Site S-1. At his request, the inscription on his stone faces Washington, D.C. The Arlington National Cemetery site notes, “No other grave than that of Sheridan is in front of the mansion. As he was alone in the exalted rank in which he died, so fittingly, he lies alone in front of that army of dead heroes who find a resting place at Arlington.” Mrs. Sheridan never remarried stating: “I would rather be the widow of Phil Sheridan than the wife of any man living.” Gen. Sheridan has many monuments an equestrian monument of Sheridan was dedicated to him, in addition to the ones placed there. Phil and Irene had four listed before. Fort Sheridan in Illinois is children: Mary, twin daughters Irene and named for him; the M551 Sheridan tank is Louise, and a son Philip, Jr. Their young named for him; Mt. Sheridan in Yellow- daughters used to look out the windows of stone; several counties in different states; the house and wave to Papa. Young Philip Sheridan Square in NYC; a statue in front would later go into the U.S. Army and at- of the New York State Capitol; Sheridan tain the rank of major. He died very Gate in Arlington National Cemetery; a young, at the age of 38, of a fatal heart attack. (con’t on page 12)

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statue in Scranton, PA; a statue in Chica- opment that the children were aroused go; and a famous poem “Sheridan’s Ride” barely in time to take a last look at their by Thomas Buchanan Read, for his rousing ride from Winchester to Ce- dar Creek. The pallbearers at his funeral included: Gen. Sherman, Secretaries of the Navy Mordechai En- dicott and William Whit- ney; Speaker John G. Carlisle, Sen. Joseph R. At left, Sheridan’s grave monument at Arlington National Ceme- tery, and above, the Sheridan Gate to that cemetery. Hawley, Gen. Christo- Photo at left by Janet Greentree pher C. Augur, Gen. Rob- ert MacFeely, Gen. Wesley Merritt, Gen. Joseph Fullerton, Mr. George W. Childs, dying father… Mrs. Col. Kellogg, a dear Col. Charles P. Lincoln, and others. friend of the family, arrived just a moment after his last breath was drawn and assist- The Irish Standard of Minneapolis, MN, ed Mrs. Sheridan to her feet, where she reported: “Gen. Philip Henry Sheridan died closed the eyes of the deceased.” The at Nonquitt, Mass., last Sunday night at New York Herald reported: “His death is 10:30. All through the day he had been in an irreparable loss to the soldiers who usually good spirits, laughing and chatting loved him, the nation who honored him, with his brother and members of his fami- the profession of arms who rejoiced in his ly. At 7:30 Dr. Matthews said the general genius and his fame. But the example of was doing so well that there would proba- such a life cannot die. It will live in high bly be no bulletins issued for a week. aims, in the enthusiasm of unborn genera- After dinner at the hotel, Mrs. Sheridan tions, in devotion to the Union he did so carried down to the general a large slice of much to save.” roast beef, which he ate with apparent NOTE: Ms. Rebelle’s hobby is traveling the relish. He dozed off a bit during the after- country finding and honoring the graves of our noon but awoke to eat supper and then 1,008 Civil War generals. So far, she has located went to sleep again. The unfavorable and photographed 426 - 169 Confederate and 257 symptoms made their appearance so Union. You may contact her at [email protected]. unexpectedly and were so rapid in devel-

The Bull Run Civil War Round Table’s Newest Recruits! Here’s a grateful “Huzzah!” for these new (or returning) members of the BRCWRT:

 Jeffrey Joyce  Suzanne Fajer  Kevin O’Keefe  William Johnson

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Letter to NPS – (con’t from page 12)

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Letter to NPS – (con’t from page 13)

BRCWRT — Vol. XXVII, Issue 6, AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 16 Preservation Corner

by Blake Myers

The GREEN MACHINE and the 8th GMU Regiment Band

BRCWRT members who wish make a donation may mail a personal check, made out to Blake Myers, including his or her name and mailing address, to: Blake Myers at 10012 Marshall Pond Road Burke, VA 22015 no later than October 1, 2020. Blake will submit a consolidated BRCWRT donation to The Green Machine, and will subsequently furnish a copy of the donation receipt received from The Green Machine to each donor.

BRCWRT — Vol. XXVII, Issue 6, AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 17 Bull Run Civil War Round Table 2020 Program of Events

ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS

by Greg Wilson

Date Event Comment

August 13 Monthly Meeting Speaker: Chris Mackowski – “Grant’s Last Battle – Confirmed Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant”

September 5 Battle of Ox Hill/Chantilly Commemoration Confirmed

September 10 Monthly Meeting Speaker: Kristen Pawlak – “Battle of Wilson Creek” Confirmed

September 12 Field Trip – “Antietam” – David Welker Full-day tour

September 27 Annual BRCWRT Free Fall Picnic – Confirmed The Winery at Bull Run

October 8 Monthly Meeting Speaker: Noah Cincinnati – “The Political Crisis of Confirmed Slavery”

October 10 Field Trip – “The Civil War from Mount Vernon to Pohick” – Greg Wilson Half-day tour

November 12 Monthly Meeting Speaker: David Dixon – “The Lost Gettysburg Address” Confirmed

November 21 Fall Special Event at Manassas Battlefield National Park – Speaker TBD – TBD Open to the Public

December 10 Monthly Meeting Speaker: Ron Beavers – “Arlington House – The Last Confirmed Battle of the Civil War”

NOTE: All events are sponsored by the Bull Run Civil War Round Table. More logistics, sign-up and contact information will be posted on the BRCWRT Web site and Facebook page as the individual events get closer and are confirmed.

BRCWRT — Vol. XXVII, Issue 6, AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 18 BULL RUN CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE The Stone Wall P.O. Box 2147 Centreville, VA 20122

2020 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. Family—$25. Student (age 21 and under)—FREE. 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: Bull Run Civil War Round Table, P.O. Box 2147, Centreville, VA 20122 You also may join using your credit card by going to our website at BRCWRT.org and clicking on "Membership Application." NAME______ADDRESS______CITY______STATE______ZIP______PHONE______E-MAIL______