May 11, 2017 The Civil War: April 12, 1861 - May 9, 1865 Bruce W. Tucker portrays “Admiral David G. Farragut, USN” Join us at 7:15 PM on the USS LEHIGH/USS Monitor Naval Living History group Thursday, May 11th, and Corresponding Secretary of the Navy Marine Living at Camden County History Association. College in the Connector Building, Room 101. This month’s topic is Bruce W. Notes from the President... Tucker portrays “Admiral With May upon us, the weather warms and we travel David G. Farragut, USN” around; be sure to pick up our updated flyers to distribute David Farragut began his and spread the Old Baldy message. Take advantage of life as a sailor early; he activities happening near and far. Share reports of your commanded a prize ship captured in the War of 1812 when adventures or an interesting article you read with the mem- he was just twelve years old. bership by submitting an item to Don Wiles. Thank you to those who have sent in material for the newsletter. He was born July 5, 1801, and was commissioned Mid- Last month Herb Kaufman entertained us with stories shipman in the US Navy December 17, 1810, at age 9. By of interesting people and events during the War. Check the time of the Civil War, Farragut had proven his ability out Kathy Clark’s write up on the presentation for more repeatedly. Despite the fact that he was born and raised in details. This month Bruce Tucker will portray Admiral the South, Farragut chose to side with the Union. David G. Farragut, USN. Bring a friend to enjoy some good Farragut’s greatest fame came from the August 5, 1864, nautical tales about the important role the Navy play in the Battle of Mobile Bay. The Confederates had placed a large Union victory. number of “torpedoes” in the waters. The monitor USS On the first ballpark trip of the year I had lunch withDon Tecumseh struck a torpedo and began to sink, causing the Wiles and met with our first president,Bill Hayes. Both rest of the fleet to back away from the mine-infested waters. send their greetings and good wishes for our continued suc- At the time, Farragut was watching the battle while lashed cess. See their pictures in this newsletter. Let us know if to the rigging of his flagship (USS Hartford). Alarmed, you want to work on the next segment of our history as we Farragut shouted, “What’s the trouble?” The USS Brooklyn compile it. Congratulations to the Delaware Valley CWRT answered, “Torpedoes!” Farragut shouted back, “Damn the on their 25th anniversary. Bob Russo will be presenting torpedoes! Four Bells! Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, his Arlington National Cemetery program at their May full speed!” In the end, Farragut’s fleet defeated Confederate meeting on the 16th. Let anyone interested know about Admiral Franklin Buchanan and the last open seaport on this event. the Gulf of Mexico fell to the Union. We are planning our Fort Delaware trip; details should be Bruce Tucker holds a BA degree in Political Science & His- available at the meeting. Soon we will be forming the tory from Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University committee to review books for the next Michael Cavana- of New York and a MS degree in Information Technology & ugh Award. Let us know of your interest in serving. Dave Project Management from the Stevens Institute of Technol- Gilson has organized a great Lecture Series on Tuesday ogy in Hoboken New Jersey. Bruce spent 25 years working nights in September and October. We will need members in advancing positions of Systems Support/Project Manage- to staff our display and welcome our guests. Ellen Pres- ment, Process Design/Management, and Learning Develop- ton is working on getting our Round Table more involved ment/Content Management. As a second career, Bruce now in Mullica Hill, let her know if you would like to assist. The teaches history at Rutgers University in New Brunswick for Memorial Day ceremony at the Hancock Tomb is at 11 AM the Osher Life Long Learning Program (OLLI-RU). on May 27 in Norristown, ask about car pools heading over Since 2009, Bruce has presented living history as both Rear to the event. Admiral David Glasgow Farragut and Captain Uriah Phillips Join us at the Lamp Post Diner around 5:30 and spend Levy, USN, to churches, synagogues, schools, libraries, some time with our speaker. Travel safe. museums, senior centers, and Civil War roundtable groups in NY, NJ, CT, DE, and PA. He is currently the President of Rich Jankowski, President 1 Fitzhugh Lee, the “Cavalier of Dixie” is taken to the rear to Today in Civil War History die. The Confederacy has lost one of its most skillful and courageous officers. 1861 Saturday, May 11 1865 Thursday, May 11 Trans-Mississippi Trans-Mississippi Unrest continues at St Louis. Seven more people are killed General Jeff M. Thomp- Brigadier General Meriwether Jeff Thompson in clashes between rioters and the 5th Missouri Reserve son, renowned Confed- Regiment of the United States Army. erate commander in Missouri and Far West Arkansas, surrenders his brigade at Large pro-Union demonstrations take place in San Francis- Chalk Bluff, Arkansas. co, California. Naval Operations The CSS Stonewall puts in at Hava- 1862 Sunday, May 11 na, Cuba. The Confederates finally have a warship in American waters powerful enough Eastern Theater CSS Merrimac to mount a serious The CSS Virginia, the attack on the US former USS Merrimac, blockading draws a great deal squadrons. But she is of water due to the too late. weight of armor she carries. Because of CSS Stonewall her draft she is unable to navigate the shoals of the James River to get to Rich- mond. She is destroyed by the Confederates to prevent her from falling into Federal hands. Trans-Mississippi David Glasgow Farragut A minor skirmish is reported at Bloomfield, Missouri. in Stamps and Currency 1863 Monday, May 11 A leader of the Union forces during the Civil War, naval officer Western Theater David G. Farragut first appeared The North Clement Vallandigham on a United States stamp in applies for a writ of habeas corpus 1903 as part of the 1902-03 Sec- while languishing in a military prison ond Bureau Issue of engraved at Cincinnati, Ohio. Mobs supporting definitives. him burn the premises of a Republi- Farragut, who was born July can paper in Dayton. 5, 1801, in Campbell’s Station, Tenn., is featured on the $1 Clement Vallandigham black stamp in that series (Scott 311). In 1937, a 3¢ commemorative 1864 Wednesday, May 11 stamp hon- oring him Eastern Theater along with There is little action at Spotsylvania as Grant maneuvers another 60,000 men from four army corps into position for a Civil War concerted attack tomorrow. Unfortunately, Lee withdraws naval lead- the 30 cannon which dominate the Mule Shoe, planning er, David D. to withdraw from the Spotsylva- Porter, was issued as part of the 1936-37 Navy set nia lines soon. Six miles north J.E.B. Stuart of Richmond at Yellow Tavern, (Scott 792). j.E.B. Stuart's cavalry hold off superior The 1995 stamp set commemorating in- numbers of Union cavalry. Sitting on dividuals and events of the Civil War in- his horse behind a line of dismounted cluded a 32¢ stamp for Farragut (Scott troopers, Stuart fires his pistol at the 2975g). The back of that stamp bears advancing Federals, crying, “Steady, an inscription that reads: “Union Vice men, steady. Give it to them!” Then he Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, 1801- reels in the saddle, mortally 1870. A midshipman at age 9. Electri- wounded. Handing command to fied the North with daring naval assault Continued on page 3 2 Continued from page 2 - "Stamps" to capture New Orleans. of returning men to be personally greeted by Lincoln in Yelled ‘Damn the torpedoes! Washington, with Heath gratefully shaking the president's Full speed ahead!' during hand. Two weeks after his seventeenth birthday, Heath was the attack at Mobile Bay.” given a medical discharge. He was not expected to survive the year. Text inscribed on the stamp panes containing the 2012 Nevertheless, Heath slowly regained his health and attend- stamp commemorating ed Claverack College in the scenic Hudson Valley. The the Battle of New Orle- wounded veteran prospered. He married well and acquired ans (Scott 4664) and the numerous business interests, as well as his own idyllic 2014 Battle of Mobile Bay retreat in upstate New York's stamp (4911) both de- Thousand Islands, the sum- scribe Farragut’s key role mer playground of millionaires in those decisive battles. during America's Gilded Age. He also formed and ran the The $100 1890 treasury note is one of the most popular Cranford Realty Company, one notes in all of United States currency. It has been nick- of the largest landholders and named a “Watermelon” note because of the design on the developers in the expanding back of the bill. New Jersey town. The two zeros look like Water- Through the years, Heath never forgot his former melons. These Henry R. Heath notes aren’t pro- army comrades, nor the hibitively rare, but man to whom he owed they are valuable. his life and prosperity. So he was especially receptive when About 40 are told a touching story by his old college friend, Wallace known to exist Bruce, then U.S. consul at Ed- and it will cost inburgh, who vacationed in Sep- low five figures to tember 1892 on Heath's Nobby obtain a circulat- Island in New York.