CIVIL WAR HERITAGE TRAILS℠ Alabama March 2017 NEWSLETTER Issue No.56 www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org SouthGeorgia Carolina Patrick R. Cleburne Along the Trails March Events “Stonewall of the West” Patrick R. Cleburne How could an Irishman have a U.S. city and two counties named for him? Born in 1828 on St. Patrick’s Day (Ireland’s patron saint) near Cork, Ireland’s second largest city, Patrick Ronayne Cleburne (pronounced CLAY-burn) was honored by men he led in battle with the naming of a city in Texas and counties in both Alabama and Arkansas (although all three are pronounced CLEE-burn). Cleburne’s life of leadership, triumph and tragedy earned him a nickname comparable to one of the Confederacy’s best- known generals: “Stonewall of the West.” Continued on Page 2 Stonewall of the West: Patrick R. Cleburne Along the Trails… As of now nearly 600 Civil War Heritage “trailblazer” signs are installed throughout Georgia along the historic driving routes of the Atlanta Campaign, March to the Sea and Jefferson Davis Heritage Trails. Continued on Page 4 “Along the Trails…” March Events Civil Events in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina Atlanta Campaign AL – The General Joe Wheeler Home and March to the GA – Shoupade Park Sea Brochures SC – The Skirmish at Gamble’s Hotel Continued on Page 5 Follow the Civil War Heritage Trails * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * Facebook * Twitter * YouTube * Pinterest CIVILCIVIL WARWAR HERITAGEHERITAGE TRAILSTRAILS PAGE PAGE 2 2 Stonewall of the West: Patrick R. Cleburne Copyrighted, All Rights Reserved How could an Irishman have a U.S. city and two counties named for him? Born in 1828 on St. Patrick’s Day (Ireland’s patron saint) near Cork, Ireland’s second largest city, Patrick Ronayne Cleburne (pronounced CLAY-burn) was honored by men he led in battle with the naming of a city in Texas and counties in both Alabama and Arkansas (although all three are pronounced CLEE-burn). Cleburne’s life of leadership, triumph and tragedy earned him a nickname comparable to one of the Confederacy’s best-known generals: “Stonewall of the West.” After receiving an Episcopalian education Patrick Cleburne failed in his attempt to join his father as a Cork physician. In shame he joined Her Majesty’s 41st Regiment of Foot, serving three years before immigrating to the United States in 1849. Cleburne eventually settled in Helena, Arkansas, where he operated a drugstore, then became a lawyer. In 1861 Cleburne enlisted as a private in the 15th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was subsequently elected captain. His military training and leadership abilities quickly led to his promotion to colonel of the 15th, then to brigadier general on March 4, 1862. Confederate Major General Statue honoring General Cleburne Patrick R. Cleburne in Ringgold Gap, Georgia The following month during the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, General Cleburne proved his skills in combat by performing brilliantly. Commanders lavished praise on Cleburne and increased his responsibilities. In August, while leading two brigades during the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, Cleburne was shot in the left cheek, losing several teeth. He left the field only because he was unable to utter needed commands. The Confederate Congress rewarded Cleburne with a “vote of appreciation” and a promotion to major general (“two stars”) on December 13, 1862. He seemed destined to become one of the South’s higher ranking officers. General Cleburne continued to distinguish himself during the battles of Perryville KY, Murfreesboro TN, Chickamauga GA, Chattanooga TN and the entire Atlanta (GA) Campaign. His leadership was Continued on Page 3 Follow the Civil War Heritage Trails ** www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.orgwww.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org ** FacebookFacebook ** TwitterTwitter ** YouTubeYouTube ** PinterestPinterest CIVILCIVIL WARWAR HERITAGEHERITAGE TRAILSTRAILS PAGE PAGE 3 3 particularly valuable in the aftermath of the Confederate defeat at Chattanooga in November 1863. Cleburne’s division defeated a determined and much larger Federal force at Ringgold Gap, Georgia. His division’s actions saved the Confederate Army of Tennessee’s artillery and supplies trains, perhaps this entire retreating army from annihilation. Once again the Confederate Congress praised Cleburne with a “vote of thanks.” Another promotion seemed assured. Never owning any slaves himself, during the winter of 1863-64 General Cleburne and thirteen fellow officers hatched the idea of enlisting Southern blacks in the Confederate Army. In return for their service to Battle of Ringgold Gap, Southern armies sorely in need of additional manpower November 27, 1863 enlisting slaves would be freed at the war’s end. The proposal created a political firestorm and probably prevented Cleburne’s further promotion. Only in the waning weeks of the war, too late to prove effective, did the Confederacy adopt the idea Cleburne had proposed more than a year earlier. Killed while personally leading his troops in combat during an almost-suicidal charge at Franklin, Tennessee on November 30, 1864, General Cleburne’s remains were later re-buried in Helena. Confederate President ® Jefferson Davis mourned his loss by saying “a vacancy Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails interpretive marker: “The Ringgold Depot” was created which will never be filled.” In theNews! “Heritage Trail project, Battle of Atlanta, moves into area cities” Dunwoody Crier, Dunwoody GA New roadway “trailblazer” signage on Ashford- Dunwoody Road@ I-285 along the historic driving route of the Atlanta Campaign Heritage Trail® Follow the Civil War Heritage Trails * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * Facebook * Twitter * YouTube * Pinterest Follow the Civil War Heritage Trails * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * Facebook * Twitter * YouTube * Pinterest CIVILCIVIL WARWAR HERITAGEHERITAGE TRAILSTRAILS PAGE PAGE 4 4 “Along the Trails…” Nearly 600 Civil War Heritage “trailblazer” signs now installed in Georgia! Atlanta Campaign March to the Sea Jefferson Davis New roadway “trailblazer” signs lead motorists along each trail’s historic driving route “Peach Tree Creek Crossing” on Peachtree Road, Atlanta GA New roadway trailblazer “red star” signs help locate each interpretive marker FollowFollow the Civil the Civil War War Heritage Heritage Trails Trails * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * Facebook * Facebook * Twitter * Twitter * YouTube * YouTube * Pinterest * Pinterest CIVILCIVIL WARWAR HERITAGEHERITAGE TRAILSTRAILS PAGE PAGE 5 5 Upcoming Events Details about these and more Civil War era events can be found at www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org Alabama: Miss Annie Wheeler’s Heirloom Plant Sale - Saturday, March 25, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Pond Spring, 12280 AL Hwy. 20, Hillsboro AL. Visit Pond Spring, The General Joe Wheeler Home, and take home a piece of his daughter’s historic garden. Special to the sale are boxwood propagated from the English Dwarf variety that Miss Annie planted on site nearly 100 years ago. Other plants available for sale include English ivy, vinca, daffodils, irises, daylilies, spider lilies and more – all harvested from the historic gardens. Proceeds help fund future restoration efforts on the Wheeler home and 50-acre site. Admission: Adults $8.00, Students, Seniors (65+) and Military $5.00, Children (ages 6 to 18) $3.00. 256-637-8513, http://ahc.alabama.gov/ properties/pondspring/pondspring.aspx Georgia: Shoupade Park and the Unfinished Silver Comet Trail - Saturdays, March 11 & 18, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, 4770 Oakdale Road, Smyrna GA. Explore Cobb County’s Civil War Shoupade Park with historian Michael Shaffer and the adjacent unfinished Silver Comet Trail. Learn about the River Line Historic Area’s six-mile Master Plan embracing historic and natural resources along the Chattahoochee River uniting Vinings, Smryna and Mableton. FREE admission. www.riverline.org South Carolina: The Skirmish at Gamble’s Hotel Reenactment - Saturday & Sunday, March 11 & 12, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, Rankin Plantation, 4789 East Old Marion Hwy., Florence SC. The Skirmish at Gamble’s Hotel depicts an encounter that occurred on March 5, 1865 when 500 Federal soldiers marched into the Florence area to destroy the railroad depot. They were met by Confederate soldiers and 400 area home guards. The Rankin Plantation includes a beautiful antebellum home, with 22 Greek-style, Doric columns on three sides. Events include “battles” on both days, a Saturday night dance, Sunday morning church service and more. Admission: Adults $10.00, Students (ages 12 to 18) $5.00. www.23rdsc.com/event/index.htm Battle of Munford Robert Toombs House Fort Lamar Heritage Preserve Munford, AL Historic Site James Island (Charleston), SC FollowFollow the Civil the Civil War War Heritage Heritage Trails Trails * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org * Facebook * Facebook * Twitter * Twitter * YouTube * YouTube * Pinterest * Pinterest.