BRCWRT — Vol. XXVII, Issue 5, JUNE-JULY 2020 Page 1 The Newsletter of the Bull Run Civil War Round Table — Vol. XXVII, Issue 5, JUNE-JULY 2020 The July 11 BRCWRT Tour of the Kernstown Battlefield has been POSTPONED HISTORIAN RICHARD QUEST SPEAKS ON "I HELD LINCOLN - A MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS UNION SAILOR’S JOURNEY HOME” 7 p.m. LIVE via AT THE JUNE 11 MEETING ~ Zoom and Facebook ~ Lt. Benjamin Loring (1824–1902) lived the life THURSDAY, June 11, 2020 of an ‘everyman’ Civil War sailor. Loring was a GUEST SPEAKER: sailor who wanted to ensure that his men sur- Historian Richard Quest vived their ordeal and that he could again report for duty, where the biggest story of his life await- TOPIC: ed him. Covering almost a year of Loring’s “I Held Lincoln - A Union service, “I Held Lincoln: A Union Sailor’s Journey Sailor's Journey Home” Home” (Potomac Books, May 2018) describes the lieutenant’s command of the gunboat USS THURSDAY, July 9, 2020 Wave, at the Battle of Calcasieu Pass; the surrender of his ship; and his capture by the GUEST SPEAKER: Confederates. Loring was incarcerated in Camp Author and NPS Historian Groce, a deadly Confederate prison in Texas, Emeritus Ed Bearss where he endured horrific conditions and abuse. Loring escaped twice. Scrambling for 10 days ~ Subject to Change ~ behind enemy lines, he was recaptured just a few miles from freedom. After an arduous second escape, he finally reached Union lines. June 11th/July 9th Meetings There is so much more to his story – he later Going Forward -- Virtually! found himself a player at Ford’s Theater during The Round Table’s June 11 and July one of the most crucial events in American histo- 9 regular meetings will take place… in ry. your house! The meetings will telecast Presenting this fascinating talk is Dr. Richard live via Zoom and Facebook our E. Quest, a former dean and vice president of scheduled speakers Richard Quest and several colleges in New York State. Quest has the great Ed Bearss. Viewers will be appeared on the Author’s Voice in Chicago and able to submit questions via a “chat- was featured as a guest on Civil War Talk Radio. box.” He has been a member of the Loudoun County The meeting will still take place Civil War Round Table; served as a Civil War at 7 p.m. - find Battlefield Guide at the Ball’s Bluff Regional the instructions for Battlefield Park, and served on the Board of connecting to the Directors of the Mosby Heritage Area Associa- meeting posted on tion. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s the BRCWRT Face- degree in Anthropology and Social Sciences book and Web site from the State University Center at Binghamton, pages. NY, and completed his Doctorate in Educational “See” you at Organization and Leadership from the University the next meeting! Con’t on page 14) BRCWRT — Vol. XXVII, Issue 5, JUNE-JULY 2020 Page 2 BULL RUN CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE UPCOMING 2020 MEETINGS (Virtual - until further notice) Executive Committee President: Mark Whitenton, [email protected], 703- June 11: Author and Historian Richard Quest - "I 795-8759 Held Lincoln; A Union Sailor's Journey Home" Past President: Mark Trbovich, [email protected], 703-361-1396 July 9: Author and NPS Historian Emeritus Ed Vice-President: Greg Wilson, [email protected], 202-494-0652 Bearss - Subject to Change Treasurer: Joe Young, [email protected], 703.281.7935 August 13: Author Historian Chris Mackowski - Secretary: John Pearson, [email protected], 703.475.1943 "Grant’s Last Battle - Personal Memoirs of U. S. At Large: Jim Lewis, John De Pue, Drew Pallo Grant" Marketing: Stephanie Vale, [email protected] Membership: Greg Wilson, [email protected], September 10: Historian Kristen Pawlak - "Battle of 202-494-0652 Wilson Creek, MO - Aug 1861" Preservation: Blake Myers, [email protected] Student Scholarship: Nancy Anwyll ([email protected]), Brian McEnany and Charlie Balch October 8: Professor of History Noah Cincinnati - Education: Brian McEnany, [email protected]; Nancy Anwyll, “Capitalism: 1830-1860" [email protected] Field Trips: Doug Horhota, [email protected] November 12: Historian David Dixon - "The Lost Webmaster: Alan Day, [email protected] Graphic Design: Drew Pallo, [email protected] Gettysburg Address" Fundraising Chair: Charlie Balch, [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Nadine Mironchuk, December 10: Historian Ron Beavers - "Arlington [email protected] House - The Last Battle of the Civil War" Newsletter Team: Saundra Cox, Mark Whitenton, Eric Fowler, Janet Greentree and Andy Kapfer. The Bull Run Civil War Round Table publishes the Stone Wall. Have You Paid Your BRCWRT Dues Yet? Don’t ‘pull a McClellan’ and stall around sending in General Membership meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at: your membership support to the Bull Run Civil War Centreville Regional Library Round Table!! Do it right now!! - A. Lincoln 14200 St. Germain Drive Centreville, VA 20121-2255 703.830.2223 In This Issue For specific meeting dates and information, please visit the Web site: http://bullruncwrt.org President’s Column Page 3 NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE New Members Page 3 For the August-September 2020 issue, e-mail articles by 9 a.m., Monday, July 20, to Nadine Mironchuk at: Scholarship Winner Named Page 4 [email protected] NEWSLETTER ADVERTISEMENT BRCWRT Events Calendar Page 5 SUBMISSION DEADLINE For the August-September 2020 issue, advertisers - Ms. Rebelle Page 6 please click on “Instructions for Advertisers” at: http://bullruncwrt.org and e-mail ads by noon on July BRCWRT Does Virtual Class Page 9 10, to Charlie Balch at: [email protected] Preservation Corner Page 10 Support the BRCWRT in its mission to educate and to commemorate the battles and events of the Civil War New Book on Phil Kearny Page 14 JOIN US AT CARRABBA’S The Book Corner Page 15 Do you come directly to the monthly meeting from work and look for a place to eat, or would Ox Hill Battle App Launching Page 16 you just like to come early to dinner? Join BRCWRT members and their monthly guest speakers for good food and camaraderie. Currently, we gather Edward C. Trexler Passes Page 17 prior to each meeting around 5 p.m. at Carraba’s Italian Grill, located just across Lee Highway from the Centreville Regional Library. New Civil War Books Page 17 BRCWRT — Vol. XXVII, Issue 5, JUNE-JULY 2020 Page 3 The President’s Column protest. The chapter's president, Debby Mullins, by Mark Whitenton said the decision to remove the statue was the hardest thing she has had to do as president of Fellow BRCWRT members - the chapter. The UDC has secured the statue in In looking ahead, we are not sure when an undisclosed location, while the chapter plans Northern Virginia will move into the appropriate for an appropriate -- and safe -- venue. ‘Phase’ to enable us to again have library This month's virtual meeting, taking place at meetings and in-person field trips. Even when 7 p.m. on June 11, will be held on Zoom, to see the Centerville Regional Public Library opens for if it is preferable to use, rather than Webex, us, which does not appear will be before which was used last meeting. After last month's September, we will be taking an e-mail survey of meeting, our Webex director, Kim Brace, asked the membership to see how many will actually members whether they had trouble joining the come to the library. In the meantime, we will be virtual meeting -- 70 responded, with only 2 exploring the options for continuing to have live saying they were unable to get into the meeting. presentations of the monthly meetings available Kim will be sending out another survey after the by your phone or computer, as well as recorded June 11 meeting to see if Zoom is preferred over on our Web site and Facebook page. We will Webex. Our appreciation to Kim and his not be offering in-person meetings and tours committee for their service and expertise in until it is prudent to do so, based on governmen- making these virtual meetings as flawless as tal mandates and medical advice. possible. Also, our thanks to Mark Trbovich for In addition to our concerns for the public working with the speakers to assure their health during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are willingness to present their talks and slides in a all aware that our country is in social turmoil. virtual format. Once again, anger and frustration over racial Please remember to check our website injustice have reminded all of us that there is (www.brcwrt.org) and our Facebook (Bull Run much need for healing and change. Our own Civil War Round Table) page often for new interests in the Civil War have given us all a items. Specifically, we hope you will check out better understanding of the causes of today's the 2-5-minute historical videos that have been serious racial issues. However, the current recorded by several of our members. We think atmosphere has been a challenge to the preser- you will enjoy watching these presentations. On vation of local history. these sites we are also including links to other In that connection, we have just seen the Civil War-related material. removal of the iconic statue of Appomattox, As noted on the front page of this issue, which stood at intersection of S. Washington and here’s reminding all members that the July 11 Prince Streets since 1889. The statue is owned tour of the Kernstown Battlefield will be post- by the Alexandria Chapter of the United Daugh- poned to later date.