The Camp Griffin Gazette News and Information from the Green Mountain Civil War Round Table

Vol. XXV, No. 9– November 2018

Publicity/Founding Member: Jack Anderson Treasurer: Gail Blake - [email protected] [email protected]

Program Committee: Peter Sinclair – [email protected] ; Gail Blake – [email protected] ; John Mudge: [email protected]; Alice Evans – [email protected]; Ruth Perrinez - [email protected]

Newsletter Editor: Ginny Gage - [email protected]

Our Web Site: http://www.vermontcivilwar.org/gmcwrt/index.html

AND DON’T FORGET: WE’RE ON FACEBOOK!

HISTORY OF MUZZLE LOADING CANNON Neal Boucher

UP TO THE CIVIL WAR This talk will cover the discovery of Black Powder and the evolution of muzzle loading cannon from the 13th century to NEAL BOUCHER the American Civil War. In addition to the mechanics of TUESDAY, NOV. 13, 2018 shooting black powder cannon, we will cover the various developments to field, naval, coastal and siege artillery over BUGBEE SENIOR CENTER the past five centuries. We will discuss nomenclature, design, casting methods and the role of well-known pieces WHITE RIVER JCT., VT in American history. The role of safety and consequences of accidents will be covered. Many local pieces on display will 6:00 Social Hour be discussed. 6:15 Buffet Dinner Neal Boucher of Newport, NH has experience as a re- 6:45 Business Meeting enactor in cavalry and artillery units and has been studying 7:00 Program, followed by discussion and book raffle military history for 30 years. Mr. Boucher’s experience with Adjournment muzzle loading artillery started by training with the Mass 5th Battery on 3” ordnance rifles. He holds current certification for public displays of cannon and mortars with GUARANTEED DINNER RESERVATIONS MUST BE the Mass. State Fire Marshall’s Office. He built a full scale MADE BY 12 NOON, Nov. 8. Cost per person for the 1841 bronze 12 pdr mountain howitzer still in use today by meal is $13.00. For reservations please contact the NH National Guard for special ceremonies. Boucher has Gail Blake at [email protected] or 802-296-2919. served as corporal with the 1st NH Cavalry and Chief of the Cost for the meeting only for members is $2.00, and for Gun with training responsibilities. He has been a member of non-members $5.00. the Civil War Round Table of New Hampshire, the 1st NH Cavalry Regt and the Governor’s Horse Guard. In his travels PLEASE NOTE THAT THE COST OF THE as a Re-enactor, Boucher has participated in the 135th MEALS PER PERSON IS NOW $13.00. anniversaries of Antietam and Gettysburg where the largest assemblies of re-enactors in history have taken place, Menu: 15,000 plus participants on the field. He has participated in made for TV re-enactments for the History and Discovery Sliced Brisket Channels. He has been a frequent speaker at local historical Homemade Macaroni and Cheese societies, living history events and ILEAD/OSHER on NH Cavalry history, life of the cavalryman, Technical Mixed Greens Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Innovations in the Civil War and some of his re-enacting Dessert experiences.

November 2018 Camp Griffin Gazette Page 1

Neal has a full time job at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical downtown White River Junction, Vt. Center as a Medical Physicist and Radiation and Laser Repeat Performance Safety Officer. He and his wife Kathleen reside in Newport, Many thanks to Don Wickman who conducted a very NH. interesting program about the Vermont Brigade at the battle 2019 Program Schedule of the Wilderness for our October meeting. Don also spoke on the preservation efforts of this "at risk" battlefield. Jan. 19 – Sarah Batterson – “African Squadron.” Anyone who missed Don's presentation the first time (Please note the change!) around may be interested in attending his repeat performance Wednesday, November 10th, at the Rutland Feb. 9 – Steve Sodergren – “How Union Soldiers Library. The program is scheduled to begin at 7:00 P.M. Felt About Emancipation.” News Bill and Lois Eagan attended a Company of Military March 9 – Chris Army – Brandy Station Historians Fellows' meeting in Annapolis, MD October 1-4. The highlight of their trip was a tour of the U.S. Naval April 13 – Rob Grandchamp – “7 from the 7th R.I. Academy Museum which houses a small collection of Civil Volunteers.” War artifacts. They report that the numerous models of ships are superb. May 14 - Steve Hier – Civil War Games (Please note On October 7th, Lois was privileged to attend a buffet the change from January.) reception and lecture on the Reserve Civil War Records to mark the opening of the newest exhibit "Lincoln and His June 11 – Wayne Motts, Director of Harrisburg, PA, Contemporaries" by Matthew Brady at the Massachusetts Civil War Museum – Archives and Commonwealth Museum, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125. This is a Smithsonian Sept. 10 – Peggy Pearl – Director of the St. Travelling Exhibit which will be available for public viewing Johnsbury History Center until November 14, 1993. Future Programs Oct. 8 – Joe Mieczkowski – LBG at Gettysburg – On January 11, 1994 our own Jack Anderson will return to “Gettysburg in Sight and Sound” – 100 pieces of give a presentation on historical preservation, a topic which artwork with sound effects and music telling the is very important to all who enjoy visiting Civil War story of the battle in a PowerPoint presentation.” battlefields and wish to preserve them for future generations. Nov. 12 – Keith Wooster – Teaches Army Junior ROTC at North Country Union High School in SAVE THE DATES! Newport, VT – “Union and Confederate GMCWRT BATTLEFIELD JOURNEY Mobilization During the Civil War.” May 16th – May 20th Chris Army will be us once again as we take a more in depth Other Round Table Meetings and Happening look at Brandy Station, tackle the Battle of Cedar Mountain, and visit all things fun, funky, and fascinating in Culpeper Nov. 9– CWRT OF NH - (note: this is 2nd VA and the surrounding area. Stay tuned for updates! Friday) ~ Clay Feeter - "Mowed Down at Manassas: the Life and Tragic Death of Col. Fletcher Webster & the Christian Messenger 12th Massachusetts Infantry." 7:15 P.M., Epping Town November 30, 1865 Hall, 157 Main St, Epping, NH) www.cwrt-nh.org

The Approaching Thanksgiving. Nov. 21- NEKCWRT – Trivia Night. 6 p.m., Eastside We notice that a large number of the States hold their Restaurant, Newport, VT. annual Thanksgiving the present year upon the day appointed for its national observance. There is an evident GMCWRT BEGINNINGS fitness in this, as we have not only local but national November 1993 blessings that demand our devout thanksgiving and praise to God. One year ago the dark cloud of war was throwing its November Meeting gloomy shadows over the land, and thousands on the day We are very pleased to have Howard Coffin of Woodstock, memorable for cheerful family gatherings, were far from Vt., as our featured speaker for our November event. Mr. home, mingling amid the perils and strife of war, or starving Coffin is an aide to Senator Jeffords and a member of the amid the horrors of Southern prisons. But now the sound of Congressional Civil War Battlefield Sites Commission. He war is hushed, and peace and plenty throw their radiance has recently completed work on a book about Vermonters in upon our home circles, and many war-worn heroes returned the Civil War entitled "Full Duty," and we hope to have to the home they love, honor and protect, will gratefully signed copies of the book available for sale. relish their comforts, and add not a little to their cheerful The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 9th at Than festivities. It is true that the return of peace does not bring Wheeler's Restaurant, next door to the Hotel Coolidge in all to their homes again who nobly went forth to defend the 2 right. The soil of the 'Old Dominion' has become October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight emphatically sacred, since so many of the brave defenders of hundred [L.S.] and sixty-five, and of the independence of the old flag we love have found within it their last resting the United States the ninetieth. place. Peace to the memory of these noble and patriotic (Signed) ANDREW JOHNSON. dead. Surviving friends should be thankful for the precious By the President: record such have left behind them, who, thus honored, have Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State. died for their country. On that day let the survivors be remembered, who have laid their most costly offerings upon Vermont Journal the altar of their country. We are happy to notice that in a December 1, 1866 neighboring town, one man proposes to give a Thanksgiving turkey to all soldiers resident in town who have lost a leg or THANKSGIVING. an arm in the war, and to all widows who have lost their New England's loved holiday comes again. Our other husbands in the war, as well as all widows who have in the great holiday is the anniversary of our country's war lost a son upon whom they were dependent for independence. That is the day for kindling anew the fire support. Let others imitate this worthy example. upon the altar of patriotism. But Thanksgiving is the There should be a heartfelt recognition of God as the festival of the heart, the gala-day of the home affections. giver of our mercies. When pressed with the bloody agonies Scattered families are united. Absent children return to the of that precarious struggle for national life, we called cherished paternal homestead. The tables spread with the earnestly upon God as our only reliable national defense. choicest dishes tell of bountiful harvests. Happy faces are He has heard and answered our prayers, and let us in return more eloquent than words. At such a time of blessing and honor and glorify him by an entire consecration to his joyousness, cold must be that heart which does not overflow service. What joy should thrill our hearts that this broad, with gratitude to the Great Giver of such good gifts. fertile land, with all its teeming millions, is henceforth It was the lamented Lincoln, during the trying ordeal of consecrated to civilization, knowledge, freedom, religion. civil war, who established the precedent of a national No more shall the clank of a slave letter or the crack of a thanksgiving. Although we then had very much to grieve slave-driver's whip be heard in all our borders. God has for, we nevertheless had many causes for thankfulness. heard the prayer of the oppressed, and broken the cruel Since the final triumph of our arms over treason, President power of the oppressor. We may well inquire what we shall Johnson has very properly, in this respect followed the render unto the Lord for all of his benefits towards us? example of our Martyr President. We are now happily enjoying peace at home and abroad. Reconstruction is New Hampshire Sentinel somewhat slow, but severe diseases generally require time November 2, 1865 for their cure commensurate with their severity. Just emerging from dreadful war, we have been spared from the A National Thanksgiving. raging of the pestilence which has been such a terrible By the President of the United States. scourge in some of the trans-Atlantic countries. A PROCLAMATION. Washington, Oct. 28, 1865. October Round Table Meeting Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God during the year, which is now coming to an end, to relieve our beloved What a terrific meeting we had! There were 27 for the country from the fearful scourge of civil war, and to permit meal and 7 for just our speaker. us to secure the blessings of peace, unity and harmony, with Laura Ward spoke about the SUV grave dedication in a great enlargement of civil liberty; and Lebanon, NH, that Fran Hanchart was in charge of. She did Whereas, Our Heavenly Father has also during the year a wonderful job. A few of our membership attended. The graciously averted from us the calamities of foreign war, SUV, Dept. of MA, will be going to Gettysburg in November pestilence and famine, while our granaries are full of the for Remembrance Day weekend. This group will also stop fruits of an abundant season, and at the Civil War Museum in Harrisburg. They will leave Whereas, Righteousness exalteth a nation while sin is a from Sturbridge Village in MA and take a bus down and reproach to any people, now back. Cost is under $400.00. If you are interested in Therefore I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United attending, please let Ginny Gage know, and I will give you States, do hereby recommend to the people thereof that they Laura’s contact information. do set apart and observe the first Thursday of December as Nancy Miville will once again attend the Remembrance a day of National Thanksgiving to the Creator of the Day event and will read off the names of the men killed and universe for these deliverances and blessings; and I do buried in the National Cemetery there from NH, VT, and further recommend that on that occasion the whole people ME. make confession of our national sins against His infinite Phil Whitman gave a wonderful program on James goodness and with one heart and one mind implore the Hope’s “authentic” commemoration of Antietam’s Bloody Divine guidance in the ways of national virtue and holiness. Lane. It was a powerpoint presentation given with LOTS of In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and enthusiasm! Hopefully we will see him again. caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. My apologies for not getting all the raffle winners down. Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-eighth day of I am still looking for someone else to take over the note 3 taking for meetings. Anyone interested, please let me know! glorious victory, and there will be great rejoicing over it in Yankee-doodledom” (Ross, pp.75-76). WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT GETTYSBURG 11th July: “I hope I may never for my sins be again By Ralph Epifanio condemned to travel for thirty hours in an American stage on a used-up plank road. All my fellow travelers were of An amazing paradox of 21st century American culture is that course violent Unionists, and invariably spoke of my late historic illiteracy of the average person suddenly and friends as Rebels or Rebs. They had all gotten into their inexplicitly melts away when the topic of Gettysburg is heads that their Potomac army, not having been thoroughly brought up. Everyone in the room seems to perk up, and thrashed, as it always has been hitherto, had achieved a people cannot resist offering their opinion. great victory; and that its new chief, General Meade, who in Opinions have their value in conversation, but only if based reality was driven into a strong position, which he had sense on factual information. True historians, who are dedicated enough to stick to, is a wonderful strategist” (Page 238). to recording history rather than commenting on it, gather as (Source: The Freemantle Diary; Being the Journal of much as they can from primary sources; from those who Lieutenant Colonel James Arthur Lyon Freemantle, were there. An era’s journals and diaries provide that Coldstream Guards, on his Three Months in the Southern information. But even these are subject to a limited point of States, Andre Deutsch Limited, 1956.) view. In terms of a battle, was the diarist there as an officer, So, who was the victor at Gettysburg? an infantryman, artilleryman or mounted cavalry? Was he in the thick of the action, or set back far enough to take in WORLD WAR 1 GROUP the whole scene? And how long after the conflict did he write it down? This group meets monthly on the 4thThursday of the month We have many diaries and journals that mention the Battle at 1 p.m. in the Veteran’s Administration hospital cafeteria. of Gettysburg. To me, none are more valuable than that of If you want to come or want more information, contact Col. Arthur Freemantle, who in a three-month journey, Peter Sinclair [802-584-3280] or David Curtin [802-633- toured the entire South, witnessed Gettysburg and arrived 2536.] PLEASE NOTE THE MEETING DAY HAS in New York City on the eve of the Draft Riots. CHANGED! While most military diarist’s loyalties leaned one way or another, as do that of contemporaries—are you a northerner VIDEOS! or southerner, for example—Freemantle’s words indicate a different perspective. He was true to his part as a neutral For those who might be interested, the videos/CD’s that observer. Here, representing his perspective, is Alan Cheever had been bringing to our RT meetings over Freemantle’s summary comments: the years have now been left at the Bugbee Center. Please “4th July: “Rather over 7000 Yankees were captured during feel free to borrow any of them. You just need to sign the the three days; 3500 took the parole; the remainder were sheet. now being marched to Richmond, escorted by the remains Thank you, Alan, for taking care of the videos all these of Pickett’s division (Page 219). years! “Wagons horses, mules, and cattle captured in Pennsylvania, the solid advantages of this campaign, have Treasurer’s Report been passing slowly along this road (Fairfield) all day….so interminable was this train that it soon became evident that Starting Balance: $2979.32 we should not be able to start till late at night….The army Expenses: was so incumbered with this enormous wagon train, the Maple Street Catering, $347.70 (food, tax, delivery, and spoils of Pennsylvania, which it is highly desirable to get gratuity) safely over the Potomac” (Page 220). Speaker Expenses: $26 (meal and maple syrup, our speaker That wagon train alone, without artillery, was 42 miles long. graciously declined his fee) Freemantle’s Austrian tent mate, Ross, wrote; “It is obvious Stamps: $6 that the campaign has not been a fruitless one. The war has Deposit: $400 (meals, raffle, donations) not only been carried on in the enemy’s country, but Petty Cash: $142.78 enormous supplies have been obtained, which will maintain Ending Balance: $3,142.40 the army for several months to come. Wagons and horses, which were very necessary, have also been secured in incalculable numbers. The men, whose meat ration for PLEASE DON’T FORGET THAT THIS IS OUR LAST several months had been a quarter of a pound of bacon, now MEETING IN 2018! WE LOOK FORWARD TO get a pound and a half of beef. Fifteen thousand cattle have SEEING EVERYONE SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 AT been driven to the rear for the use of the army, which at NOON. present requires about 300 head a day. Then, the enemy has had to evacuate a large portion of Southern territory, upon HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY TO OUR which they were pressing heavily, and that, too, just in time for the harvest to be secured to the Confederacy. There is no FOUNDER, JACK ANDERSON! doubt, however, that the North will claim Gettysburg as a HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!

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