THE GILMOR BLADE Those who allow the surrender of their history, also surrender their future! Official Newsletter of HE COL. H.W.GILMOR CAMP, No. 1388, SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS

Aug -Sep , 201 7 September 13 meeting features Richter on Chesapeake Artillery

The Col. Harry W. Gilmor Camp The Charge #1388 will hold its next meeting September 13th, at 7:30 PM at the County Historical Society, "To you, Sons of 9811 Van Buren Lane, Cockeysville, Confederate Veterans, we MD 21030. I look forward to seeing submit the vindication of everyone back safe and sound after our summer break. the Cause for which we fought; to your strength

Our guest speaker this month, Rick will be given the defense of Richter, was born in Washington, Schiffer Publishing describes Mr. the Confederate soldier's DC, and grew up in nearby Silver Richter’s book in this way: good name, the Spring, MD. He received both his Illustrated with previously unpub- BA and MA degrees from the Uni- guardianship of his history, lished photos, letters, documents, and versity of Notre Dame. Rick has diary entries, the untold story of the the emulation of his been an avid Civil War collector and Chesapeake Artillery comes to light. virtues, the perpetuation of researcher ever since his father gave Comprised chiefly of men who lived those principles he loved him a bullet from Gettysburg when near the shores of its namesake bay, and which made him he was six years old. He has since the Chesapeake Artillery was the last had items from his collection dis- glorious and which you Confederate battery organized from played at the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- the state of . It was also by also cherish. Remember, it road Museum in Baltimore as well as far the smallest, with barely more is your duty to see that the special events at the Daniel Lady than half the average enrollment of Farm in Gettysburg. other Maryland batteries in the Con- true history of the South is federate army. Despite its size, the presented to future Three Cheers for the Chesapeake: unit was frequently cited for its generations." History of the 4th Maryland Artillery bravery and efficiency, including by represents the culmination of 25 Stonewall Jackson. Inside this issue: ye ars of researching the unit. Rick has lectured on the Chesapeake Ar- This is the history of the unit, from tillery before both Battlefield Preser- its formation through all its battles June Camp 2 vation and Living History groups, meeting minutes with the Army of Northern Virginia and appeared as the consulting his- until the surrender at Appomattox, DUES DUE NOW! 3 torian on an episode on Benner’s Hill where only thirteen men remained. at Gettysburg for The Travel Chan- A unique statistical analysis of nel’s “Mysteries of the National Confederate 3 census and military records data spies, Part II Parks” series. highlights its characteristics. In- Greensboro, NC 4 cluded is a complete roster of all the After a career as an executive in sales men who served in the unit. exhibit closes and marketing in the Consumer In memoriam: 5 Goods industry, Rick is now a part- This is sure to be a terrific presenta- Ralph Vincent ner in a large executive recruiting tion on this famous and revered Donations help 6 firm. He has six grown children and Maryland-related military unit. lives in Toronto. His interest and Antietam research into Maryland Civil War Please join us on September 13! units continues. 1

Aug-Sep, 2017

June 14, 2017 Camp meeting minutes The meeting was opened at 7:27 November 4. 2017 - Annual Col. p.m. by Commander Dan Pyle. Harry W. Gilmor Camp Candlelight Chaplain Bob Wagster offered the Dinner at the Maryland Country Invocation. Commander Pyle led us Club, 6:30 p.m. in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag and the Salute to the November 18, 2017 - Remembrance Confederate Flag. Commander Day Parade, Gettysburg. Pyle read The Charge of General Stephen Dill Lee. December 13. 2017 - Col. Harry W. Gilmor Camp Christmas Party and Commander Pyle introduced our Gilmor Camp Historian Jeremy elections, 7:30 p. m. guest speaker, Frank Armiger. Mr. Cook presents wreath for the Col. Armiger gave an excellent talk and Harry W. Camp, Confederate Color Sergeant Jim Jones reported Power Point presentation on the Memorial Day at Loudon Park that new covers are needed for the “Battle of Sharpsburg, Phase II." Cemetery June 3, 2017 Camp flags and that some of the flags and polls are in need of BREAK Announcements: cleaning and repair. June 17, 2017 - Confederate Cross Adjutant Elliott Cummings sum- dedication at the grave of Sergeant The meeting was adjourned with a marized the Minutes of the May 10, Tucker, Loudon Park Cemetery, prayer 9:05 p. m. 2017 Gilmor Camp meeting. 11:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, G. Elliott Cummings MOTION: To approve the Minutes June 24-25, 2017 - Corbit's Charge, Adjutant as summarized. PASSED Westminster, Md. 10:00 a. m.

Commander Pyle thanked the Camp August, 26, 2017 - White’s Ford for support of the June 3, 2017 Potomac River Crossing sponsored Confederate Memorial Day at Lou- by the Col. William Norris Camp. don Park Cemetery. Command-er 10:00 a.m. Pyle reported on the very suc- cessful ceremony at Gettysburg for September 16, 2017 - Clean up at the 100 th anniversary of the dedi- Benner's Hill, Gettysburg, 8:30 a.m. cation of the Virginia Monument. A number of Gilmor Camp mem- September 23, 2017 - Howard bers attended. County Confederate Monument Col. Camp Color Ceremony, Howard County Court Guard at Confederate Memorial Commander Pyle announced that House sponsored by the General Day June 3, 2017 Loudon Park the next meeting of Col. Harry W. Isaac Ridgeway Camp, 11:00 a.m. Cemetery Gilmor Camp will held on Wed- L to R: Hobert Halsey, Bruce Null, nesday, September 13, 2017. October 14, 2017 - Point Lookout Bob Wagster, Bob Lyons Ceremony sponsored by the Captain Commander Pyle announced the Vincent Camalier Camp, 11: 00 a.m. Don’t forget to send in following Gilmor Camp members years of service: October 21, 2017 - Maryland Divis- your dues by Gene Leasure 10 years ion UDC 120 th Anniversary present- August 25 !! Steve Smith 20 years ation of the Colors, BWI Marriot.

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Aug-Sep, 2017 Dues payment deadline: NOW!

If you have not paid your dues Make out a check for $45 already, DUES ARE DUE NOW. payable to Pursuant to changes made by SCV The Harry Gilmor Camp and National leadership, anyone who has not paid dues by September 1 send it to: will be dropped from SCV Bruce Null, Treasurer membership. In order to meet this deadline, we need 2600 Masseth Avenue your dues by August 25 . Baltimore, MD 21219

The Confederacy’s Secret Service Part II This is the conclusion of an article records of Major William Norris, left there for Norfolk on Saturday. begun in the June issue. the Signal Corps chief, who men- Four thousand wheelbarrows were By Joan Wenner, J.D. tioned Camalier’s importance in the landed at Fort Monroe on last From the June 2017 issue of Civil espionage service to the Confed- Friday; their destination as yet War News erate cause. Norris was an 1840 unknown. It is reported and be- Yale graduate who, in the winter of lieved that active operations are One of the South’s early recruiters 1860, volunteered as a civilian aide being made for an early advance for skilled and courageous men for to Brig. Gen. John Magruder who on Richmond by the three ways the Secret Service Bureau of the taksed him with establishing a mentioned before in my last Signal Coups, the communications system of signals on the Virginia report.” network lodged within the War De- Peninsula and across the James partment, was the Governor of River. A Confederate naval officer, Just a month earlier, a citizen Virginia. Recorded instances of the John A. Curtis, according to his ‘spy’ had written Confederate Confederacy’s Canadian operations reminiscences, was assigned to an Secretary of War James Seddon and foreign agent activity elsewhere expedition to free prisoners from that, “The enemy have con- are plentiful. Also under the um- the Union prison camp at Point structed at Point Lookout a num- brella term Confederate ‘secret ser-- Lookout, Md. Curtis also served as ber of large boats with sixteen vice’ were the Torpedo Bureau, acting master of the CSS Talla- oars for some secret expedition.” Submarine Battery Service, Navy hassee in 1864 and, “by war’s end He further advised a neighbor of Battery Bureau and others. Even a was part of the Confederate secret his had been captured crossing the special commando-type unit was service working around Fortress Potomac and put to work as a organized in 1864, but by then time Monroe.” prisoner “with a great number of was running out. hands in muffling oars for these One rather interesting official report boars, but none seems to know the Library of Virginia archived papers was sent to Major Norris in April destination of the boats.” of one Confederate soldier and 1864 by a Confederate torpedo boat Maryland secessionist, Vincent commander who reported that, Dr. Charles Elisha Taylor was a Camalier, note his joining the Secret “General Grant was at Fort Monroe Richmond native who joined the Service Bureau and serving on last Friday reviewing the troops Confederate army in 1861 and throughout the war. There are also and inspecting the fortifications. He See “Confederate spies,” p.4

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Last round: Greensboro museum's Confederate firearms exhibit to close Sunday B y Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane protests from Civil War, military Museum Director Carol Ghiorsi From: history and long arms buffs. Hart fielded concerns that political http://www.greensboro.com/townne pressure and a desire to erase the ws/weaponry/last-round- past prompted the decision at a greensboro -museum-s-confederate- time when Confederate symbols firearms -exhibit-to- are being removed across the close/article_c9408525-9f7a-59fa- South. 858f- 4c26fe4a745a.html?utm_medium=s That wasn’t the case, she said. ocial&utm_source=facebook&utm_ campaign=user-share “We need space to do large, temp- Photo ourtesy of Greensboro orary exhibits,” Hart explained. GREENSBORO — Brian Woody History Museum See “Greensboro firearms,” p. 5 long had aimed to visit the Greens- boro History Museum. The Fayet- teville man wanted to see the Confederate spies Continued from p 3 museum’s prized collection of Served in the Signal and Secret entic intelligence” from the field, Confederate long arms before the Service Bureau in that city. His a great many reports being de- exhibition ends its 17-year run on extensive papers reside in the livered to the Richmond Daily Sunday. manuscript collection at the Uni- Dispatch . Included for instance versity of Virginia Library, Char- were reports from Confederate So on Tuesday, Woody took a day lottesville. Taylor related, for Generals, and Virginia governor off from work and drove more than example, that the Yankees were as Henry A. Wise; coincidentally he two hours to the Summit Avenue shrewd as they were at signaling was also Union General George museum. tricks and how native Virginian Meade’s brother-in-law. Maj. Gen. Jubal Early, had “cun- “It’s a marvelous collection,” said ningly availed himself of diver- As the final days of the war ap- Woody, who builds reproductions sion.” A modern day researcher proached, it is said most official of Confederate long arms as a hob- notes Taylor detailed the arduous records relating to the so-called by. “This is just not going to be duties that fell to the lot of the brave ‘secret service’ were burned before duplicated and I feel that it needs to men in the Confederate Signal and the evacuation of Richmond, thus be shown.” Secret Service branches and the use only glimpses remain in various of ciphers in their four-year battle to archives of the Confederacy’s These next three days represent the keep open the line of communi- overall clandestine and destruct- last hurrah for the John M. and ations within the Southern cause in ionist operations and activities. Isabel Murphy Collection. the North and abroad. In one man- uscript Taylor named Thomas A. For further reading: Jones, a Maryland farmer who op- Come Retribution: The Confed- After Sunday, it will close to make erated as a Confederate agent erate Secret Service and the way for an exhibit, opening Nov. writing, “It was Mr. Jones who Assassination of Lincoln 11, on World War I and how it af- helped John Wilkes Booth to cross By William A. Tidwell, James O. fected Greensboro. This year marks the Potomac River five days after Hall and David Winfield Gaddy the centennial of the country’s entr y the assassination of President April ’65: Confederate Covert into the war. Lincoln.” Action in the By William A. Tidwell, University The decision to remove the historic Southern newspaper correspond- Press of Mississippi, firearms exhibition prompted dents frequently received “auth- www.upress.state.ms.us

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Aug-Sep, 2017

Gre ensboro firearms Continued from p. 4

“That’s really what the gallery was Back then, Moore called it “the Museums typic ally don’t have space meant for.” largest collection of this type any- to display entire collections. So ex-

where in the world” with an ap- hibits are changed periodically to

praised value of $2.3 million. tell a variety of stories and keep But in response to protests, Hart and attracting visitors. her staff plan other ways to display parts of the collection. The collection opened on Nov. 7, 1999, in a gallery space designed In late September, the museum Several long arms — essentially, and built for temporary exhibit tions. temporarily took the Murphy col- guns with longer barrels — will go Now it’s the museum’s second - lection off exhibit to make way for on display elsewhere in the muse- oldest display. an exhibition from the Smithsonian. um, most in a new but smaller ex- hibition space. Ralph Vincent , Civil War Preservationist The other 100 or so long arms will 1939 - 2017 be moved into a new $30,000 stor- age system where the public can Ralph was born in Cumberland, MD and raised in Baltimore. He was a view them by appointment. lifelong railroad buff and Civil War preservationist. He passed away from heart disease suddenly on Sunday June 18th. Ralph was employed by Dictaphone after service in the U.S. Navy. He eventually was employed The museum also might lend parts by Westinghouse/ Northrup Grumman Corp near BWI Airport where he of the collection in storage to other retired in 2004 at the age of 65. museums.

In 1987 Ralph founded the Friends of Inc. In “This is of national significance and 1995 the Friends successfully saved the historic station, the site of the there are other museums around the first bloodshed of the Civil War. The Station opened as the Baltimore country that might want to borrow, ” Civil War Museum in 1997 and the Friends have continually been Hart said. involved with its development including recently adding a Pennsylvania Railroad Caboose. Today the Museum is Open to the Public greeting The Murphy collection consists of visitors to Baltimore from all over the world. 148 long arms — including car- bines, rifles and muskets — made in Everyone who ever knew Ralph knew he was a gentle soul and a very the Confederate states. Some came kind man. He is survived by his brother Doyle Vincent. In lieu of flowers from Greensboro and Guilford donations on could be sent on Ralph's behalf to the Baltimore Civil War County. Museum. Rest In Peace Dear Brother and Good Friend.

The collection also includes 21 works of art — including paintings of Civil War scenes by contempo- rary artist Don Troiani — as well as

41 other artifacts.

The museum acquired the collect- ion in 1998. John Murphy, a Cali- fornia psychiatrist, became imp- ressed with the museum and then- director Bill Moore. Murphy init- ially loaned the collection, then be- queathed it upon his death.

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Aug-Sep, 2017

Trump salary, other donations to support Antietam preservation

By Johnathan M. Pitts end of the first quarter — toward From national battlefield park mainten- http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/ ance. maryland/bs-md-antietam- preservation -announcement- Officials said Wednesday the funds 20170705-story.html would benefit two restoration pro- jects at Antietam: preservation of President Donald J. Trump’s salary the historic Newcomer House near for the first quarter of 2017 will go the battlefield’s Middle Bridge site, Photo courtesy of the Baltimore Sun toward a pair of restoration and and the replacement of 5,000 feet of maintenance projects at Antietam deteriorating rail fencing along what The grants include $316,234 for the National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, is now Dunker Church Road, the purchase of two private properties the site of the bloodiest battle of the site of some of the battle’s fiercest totaling 66.5 acres at South Moun- Civil War and one of its most piv- fighting. tain Battlefield in Frederick and otal, U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Washington counties. They’ll Zinke announced Wednesday. become part of South Mountain The Newcomer House served as a Battlefield State Park. makeshift hospital in the wake of Zinke also announced that the fed- the fighting, and the fence was a eral government will provide $7.2 barrier for passing troops during the Another $45,751 will allow for the million in matching grants toward fighting, particularly early in the purchase of a 3.5-acre property at the preservation of land at 19 other day. The fence also served as a the Williamsport Battlefield just battlefields associated with the backdrop for some of the earliest south of that Washington County American Revolution, the Civil War photographs ever taken of soldiers town. and the War of 1812. killed on Civil War battlefields. “When people think of a historic

Two of those sites are in Maryland Trump’s first-quarter salary will be battlefield, especially at places like

— the battlefield near Boonsboro matched by a donation of more than Gettysburg and Antietam, they where the bloody Battle of South $185,880 from three nonprofits — assume they’re protected by the

Mountain was fought on Sept. 14, the Civil War Trust, the National National Parks Service, but that’s

1862, and the one in Washington Park Foundation and the Save His- not usually the case,” said Jim

County where Gen. George G. toric Antietam Foundation — that Campi, a spokesman for the Civil

Meade’s Army of the Potomac have long been involved in battle- War Trust. “Even the ones that are, faced Confederate Gen. Robert E. field preservation. it’s only part of the battlefield. Our Lee’s forces at the Battle of Wil- purpose is to preserve the land so liamsport between July 6 and July that the entire story of a battle can The federal grants for South Moun- 16, 1863. be told.” tain and Williamsport are part of the American Battlefield Land Acquisi- During last year’s presidential cam- The - the blood- tion Grants program, a National paign, Trump promised to give iest single-day battle in American Parks Service initiative founded in away his full-year presidential sal- history, with a combined total of 1999 that is financed through the ary of $400,000 if he was elected. federal Land and Water Conser- 22,217 dead, wounded or missing — represented a turning point in t he vation Fund. Those grants will go to In April, the president announced states, localities or nonprofits for Civil War, ending Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s invasion of Mary- his intention to donate $78,333 — the purchase of about 1,200 acres of his salary from the date of his in- battlefield land not owned by the land. See “Antietam donations,” p.7 auguration through March 31, the National Parks Service.

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Aug-Sep, 2017

Antietam donations Continued from p. 6

The narrow victory by Union Pike needs to be replaced every 15 “You might not consider each one forces at Antietam proved enough years or so, and it has been 20 critically important in its own to allow President Abraham Lin- years sinc e the fence has received right, but as part of the overall coln to issue the Emancipation such attention, leaving portions of landscape, they’re crucial for con- Proclamation from a position of it rotted, Trail said. veying a larger understanding of strength. what happened here,” she said. Camp called that stretch of fen- “It’s important to have these Susan Trail, the superintendent of cing “one of the most famous in things in place to tell the stories of Antietam National Battlefield, American history,” as it appears in the battles.” said the wooden siding, windows the earliest photographs of men and porches of the Newcomer killed in the Civil War. The donations announced Wed- House at Antietam have long nesday are “really nice, very needed to be restored. To Trail, it’s essential to posterity helpful for us as we work to keep to keep such structures in good up with all of our structures and The type of wood fencing along condition. landscape features,” Trail said. what was then the Hagerstown

THE GILMOR BLADE Bruce and Nancy Null 2600 Masseth Avenue Baltimore, MD 21219

The Gilmor Blade is the monthly publication of the Col. Harry W. Gilmor Camp #1388, Sons of Confederate Veterans.

SAVE THE DATE: September Camp Meeting: 9/13/2017 Speaker: Rick Richter on the History of the 4 th MD Artillery