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The Camp Griffin Gazette News and Information from the Green Mountain Civil War Round Table
Vol. XX, No. 4 April 2013
Publicity/Founding Member: Jack Anderson Treasurer: Gail Blake -
[email protected] [email protected]
Program Committee: Peter Sinclair – [email protected] ; Gail Blake – [email protected] ; David Walden: [email protected]; John Mudge: [email protected]; Whitney Maxfield: [email protected]
Newsletter Editor:: Ginny Gage - Membership Coordinator: - Nancy Miville Video Maven : Alan Cheever
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Our Web Site: http://www.vermontcivilwar.org/gmcwrt/index.html
AND DON’T FORGET: WE’RE ON FACEBOOK!
April 2013 Camp Griffin Gazette Page 1
STEVEN FLOYD
“MEMORIALS AT GETTYSBURG”
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013
HOTEL COOLIDGE
WHITE RIVER JCT., VT
12:00 P.M. Social Hour
12:30 Buffet Dinner 1:00-1:15 Business Meeting
1:30 Program, followed by discussion Adjournment
Guaranteed dinner reservations MUST BE MADE by 12 Noon, April 12. Cost per person for the buffet lunch is $18.00. For the meeting and program only, there is a donation of $2.00 for members and $4.00 for non-members. For reservations please contact Gail Blake at [email protected] or 802-296-2919.
MENU
ASSORTED SANDWICHES HOT DISH/SOUP TOSSED SALAD
COFFEE/TEA COOKIES
STEVEN FLOYD
Steven Floyd gained an interest in Civil War history when reading National Geographic Magazine centennial articles as a boy. A retired chiropractor, Dr. Floyd researches state archives and historical societies for information on Gettysburg monuments and state monument commissions, and spends upwards of two weeks yearly on the battlefield. His first book, an expanded order of battle showing all casualties, percentages and command changes will be available soon from Gettysburg Publishing. This power point program will include a short history on monumentation on the Gettysburg battlefield, will review Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association rules, as well as monument symbolism and details of various unique monument designs. All Vermont and New Hampshire monuments will be featured.
The Camp Griffin Gazette is the monthly newsletter of the Green Mountain Civil War Round Table. Editor: Ginny Gage. We encourage and welcome all contributions and suggestions. Send news and information to:
Ginny Gage 365 East Road Cornish, NH 03745 or E-mail: [email protected]
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2013 Program Schedule
May 14 Robert Sullivan – “Copperheads – The Opposition to the War in the Northern States” – (This was previously scheduled for Jan. 2013.) June 11 Howard Coffin – “New book on Vermont towns related to the Civil War.” Sept. 10 Patrick Falci returns!
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April 12 Wayne Motts, CEO, Harrisburg, PA, Civil War Museum
Other Round Table Meetings and Happenings
Sons of Union Veterans Ripley Camp would like to invite all men to any of their monthly meetings at the Rutland American Legion on Washington Street on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. They are also looking for speakers for their winter/spring programs and would love anyone with a program they’d like to present to contact Jim Proctor at [email protected] Check out The Ripley Camp #4 web site at: www.ripleycamp.netfirms.com/
To June 1, Vermont, Norwich Alumni – “Norwich University & the Civil War: Towards a Higher Moral Purpose” on contributions of Norwich alumni in war’s early years, especially in training volunteer troops & Union naval blockade. Also development of participants’ beliefs about slavery & emancipation. Free. Summer Mon.-Fri. 8-4. For information (802) 485-2183; www.norwich.edu/museum (From the Civil War News.)
April 9 — Book Discussion: America's War: Talking About the Civil War and Emancipation on Their 150th Anniversaries anthology edited by Edward L. Ayers. Part of the Making Sense of the American Civil War series. Developed by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, this Civil War sesquicentennial commemorative series uses works of historical fiction and interpretation, speeches, diaries, memoirs, biographies, and short stories to examine a broad range of perspectives in an exploration of the American Civil War. Led by Suzanne H Brown. Hosted by the Norwich Public Library. Norwich Public Library, 7:00 pm. Mary McKenna, (802) 296-2191.
April 10 — The Vermont Civil War Songbook. Dressed in period costume, singer/researcher Linda Radtke shares songs from Vermont during the Civil War period, with engaging commentary and letters from Vermont soldiers. Seldom-heard songs from the Vermont Historical Society include the comic but poignant "Grafted into the Army," "Yankee Robinson at Bull Run," "Neath the Pines of Vermont" (in which a soldier returns home to die), a
satirical song about Jefferson Davis, and sentimental ballads from Vermont during the period. Linda Radtke is joined by pianist Arthur Zorn in this program for all audiences that brings the Civil War period in Vermont to life through music and letters. Hosted by the Sullivan Museum and History Center. Northfield, Sullivan Museum and History Center, 158 Harmon Dr, 12:00 pm.
April 11 – Major McKinley Camp #9 – Sons of Union Veterans Meeting – 7 p.m. – Soldiers Memorial Building, North Park Street, Lebanon, NH. Camp members, junior members, SUVCW Auxiliary members, and guests are welcome! For more information: http://www.geocities.com/suvcwlebanonnh/classic_blue.html
April 19 – NH Civil War Round Table - Bill Hallett (CWRT-NH past pres.) - "Baltimore's Pratt Street Riots" For more information, check out their web site: http://www.cwrt-nh.org/
April 24 – NEK Civil War Round Table – Carrie Brown on Productin of Arms for the Union Army. For more information, please contact Joan Huguenin at [email protected]
April 30 — Book Discussion: America's War and other books from the Part of the Making Sense of the American Civil War series. For more information, see April 9 listing. Led by Suzanne H Brown. Hosted by the Norwich Public Library. Norwich Public Library, 7:00 pm. Mary McKenna, (802) 296-2191.
MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM IN BARRE. The William Scott Camp of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War has erected a new, granite Civil War monument in Barre City Park. The names of the 186 men from Barre City or Barre Town who served in the Union armed forces during the Civil War are engraved on it. A dedication program will be held starting at 11:00 AM on Memorial Day, May 27, 2013. Reenactors, including the Hemlocks, will be there to fire a salute and three school bands will provide music. Before the ceremony the Memorial Day parade will start from the auditorium at 10:30. After the ceremony there will be a free lunch at the American Legion on Main Street.
Vermont Historical Society and Museum, 60 Washington Street, Barre, VT 05641 - [email protected] (802) 479-8519
The Vermont Historical Society announces the opening of the third exhibit at the Vermont Heritage Galleries: Service & Sacrifice: Vermont’s Civil War Generation. Artifacts, documents and photographs throughout the exhibit tell the story of individual Vermonters during and after the war. On display for the first time since its acquisition, will be a scene from the Grand Panorama of the late War, a 6-foot by 150-foot long painting by Charles
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Andrus in the 1890s depicting ten scenes from the Civil War.
Also featured will be a selection of Civil War flags from the State of Vermont’s collection. These iconic, strong symbols for the soldiers will be rotated onto display throughout the course of the exhibit. One of the most notorious stories documented in the exhibit are the exploits of carpetbagger Marshal Harvey Twitchell, a daring Union soldier who served in the Vermont Brigade. Photography, a relatively new technology in 1861, realistically showed for the first time the drudgery and horrors of war to the people at home. George Houghton traveled from Brattleboro to photograph the Vermont troops in Virginia. A selection of Houghton’s photographs on exhibit will include panoramic images of the military encampment as well as close-up shots of individuals around the camp. Call (802) 479-8500 or go online: www.vermonthistory.org. New Hampshire Historical Society Exhibit: Soldiers, Sailors, Slaves and Ships: The Civil War Photographs of Henry P. Moore (on view at the Society's library, 30 Park Street, Concord).
News from the 18th Vermont Regiment The 18th Vermontt Regiment will be sponsoring a mid-sized event July 19-21, 2013, in Burlington, Vermont, welcoming back the heroes of Gettysburg just two weeks after the 13th Vermont Regiment fought with distinction in the critical battle. I'm organizing a full weekend of activities centered on the dedication of a new historical marker in City Park with an evening of Irish music, theater, and talks in the City Hall auditorium. Anyone who would like to get involved in helping to organize, promote, and present this event is encouraged to contact William L. McKone, President of the 18th VT Regiment Box 460 Jeffersonville, VT 05464 (802) 644-2433 [email protected] April 18, 1863 Vermont Journal Vermont Regiments. The Thirteenth Regiment. A correspondent writing from Camp near Occaquan Village, Va., under date of April 7th says: The Thirteenth has moved again; but before speaking of this, let us say a word as to our condition at the old camp near Woof Run Shoals. We encamped there a little more than two months--longer than at any other place. Fortunately it proved a healthy locality. I have never seen the regiment looking better, or in better spirits than to-day. Whilst there, the boys drew all the fresh beef and soft bread that they wanted, and frequently got dried apples and
peaches. It is getting to be a common remark, "Soldiering is not very hard after all." Few are sick--none dangerously. Not twenty-five able-bodied men could be found in the regiment who would not re-enlist rather than see the enemies of our country succeed. THE MOVE.
Toward evening on the 1st inst., the order came that we were to move down the river about ten miles. Between eight and nine the next morning, tents fell all over the camp at the beat of the drum. There is an ancient fable to the effect that a famous city of Egypt was built by the sound of a musical instrument. The reverse is true as to our cotton houses. The order is always sent th[r]ough camp at what time the tents are to be taken down and rolled up for the teams. We started down the river about nine o'clock, and reached this spot, about a mile and a half from Occoquan village, a little afternoon. Soon after, the teams came up with our tents, and before night the boys had them up, and very comfortable places to sleep on. It was a warm, sunny day, and most enjoyed it much. HUNTING HOGS. We had not been here long before it was noised around that the "woods were full of wild hogs." This was too tempting a bait for some. I had often heard of the fleetness of Southern hogs, but had never witnessed it before. Some, after finding themselves outrun, would shoot at them, although strict orders had been given at the old camp against firing guns. This strolling, of course, would not just suit so shrewd and good an officer as Col. Randall, though it might be great fun for the boys. Accordingly, soon after dark, when many of them had rolled themselves in their blankets to sleep, the long-roll is beat--quick, quick--beat as we never heard it before. In an instant the companies are formed for the fight. The hog-hunters came in quickly only to be caught, and put on guard through the night. The colonel's plan for catching them, caused no little fun through the regiment. But more than one, I dare say, had fresh pork for breakfast the next morning. Our camp here is situated in sight of the Potomac, in a pleasant open field. We are still doing picket duty, taking the place of cavalry. The rebel cavalry, or "bushwackers," of late had become a little too strong for them. A few nights before we came here, they captured twenty Pennsylvanian cavalry. We, as yet, have seen nothing of them. Occoquan village before the war was quite a thrifty place. There was a school of fifty scholars, a cotton and a flower mill. Now the school is broken up, (the teacher is in the Union army,) the cotton mill burned, and the flower mill not used. A citizen came to me whilst on picket near the village; he asked the privilege to use the boats to fish, saying that they would "starve if we didn't let them," that he and most of his neighbors were "loyal as any in the North," that "this war had made him an abolitionist," that he "lay in a Richmond prison for his loyalty," &c. Those here, about half-way between loyalty and disloyalty, speak of those in the Southern army as "Confederate soldiers;" but a really Union man here always calls them "rebels." There are but few or no slaves here. The most of them have run away. This war will finally free them all, and what is more, will crush these
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proud oligarchs, who have most desperately attempted to strike down and assassinate Civil Liberty, and with its life-blood glut the insatiable maw of Despotism. May God hasten it. Farmer's Cabinet Amherst, NH April 30, 1863 N.H. TROOPS AT PORT ROYAL.--A Port Royal letter of the 17th to the Boston Herald, makes mention of another Expedition fitting out of which New Hampshire troops will form a part. The correspondent says: "Troops commenced embarking yesterday, and the fitting out of the expedition is going on with commendable activity. Whether the troops will go in detached portions, or altogether, I am not informed, but it now seems probable that every transport will have sailed by two days time. Brigadier General Terry, as before, will have command of the Division. It will consist of two brigades. The first, Gen. Terry's, is composed of the 3d Rhode Island, the 76th Pennsylvanian, the 97th Pennsylvania, and the 8th Maine. Col. Gust of the 97th Pennsylvania will act as Brigadier. The Second Brigade will be composed of regiments that have not been regularly brigaded: 3d N.H., 4th N.H., and the 6th Conn. Col. Bell, of the 4th N.H., will have command of the 2d Brigade, and Lieut. John L. Kelly, the efficient Quartermaster, as in the former expedition. The regiments are all making arrangements for an immediate departure, and the outposts are being called in to-day. It was at first understood that Col. Putnam of the 7th N.H., now at St. Augustine, would command the 2d Brigade, as before, but that plan was changed, probably as it was not deemed advisable to take any portion of the 7th N.H., from St. Augustine. Col. Bell is amply qualified for the position he is to have. It is now well known here that in the attack on Fort Sumter the wall was considerably breached in one place, weakened and cracked in others and two heavy guns dismounted. The result of the expedition shows that Sumter can be taken, and also that capturing Charleston is a big job, which will take much time, cost a good deal of money, and sacrifice many lives. I think Gen. Hunter has taken the job, and means to fulfill his contract. Six monitors were lying in Charleston harbor yesterday, and it is supposed the others have been ordered there. April 2, 1863 Farmer's Cabinet Amherst, NH FIFTH N.H. REGIMENT.--"Perley," of the Journal, thus speaks of the Fifth Regiment: Few regiments can show a more glorious record than the New Hampshire Fifth, which is thus made up to the 1st inst.: This regiment was mustered into service October 26, 1861--arrived at Bladensburg on the 31st.--Was immediately sent to Lower Malborough, Maryland; thence across the Potomac, and placed on Sumner's division. Picketed all
winter--built roads and bridges. Came under first fire at Rappahannock Station, March 26, 1862. At Yorktown was attached to the Engineer Corps--built a large portion of the gabions and seige material. Held in reserve at the battle of Williamsburg. Built the celebrated grape vine bridge over the Chickahominy, seventy rods long, of heavy timers. Fought at Fair Oaks, losing 200 men and four officers. Fought also in all the battles of the seven days retreat--lost 119 men at Malvern Hill. Marched from Alexandria to Centreville in one day. Formed a part of the rear guard on Pope's retreat. Fought the enemy at Boonsboro. Held in reserve at South Mountain. Fought at Antietam, losing 125 officers and men out of 300. Captured the State colors of the 4th North Carolina volunteers. Formed the advance guard at Charlestown. Fought at Snicker's and Ashby's Gaps. At Fredericksburg lost 17 out of 19 commissioned officers, 9 killed dead, and 170 out of 249 men. Total number of battles engaged in, 10; skirmishes, 4. Total loss, killed and wounded, up to March 1, 527. For duty 150 men, 17 officers. Caledonian April 3, 1863 The Battle-Field at Murfreesboro. Where I spent two days in riding through the vast encampments of our troops, and over the late battle ground. I traversed about five miles in extent of the battle ground, first in the fields, and then in the woods among the cedars and timbers where much of the hard fighting was done. No man at a distance, and only receiving the newspaper accounts, can form any idea of the number of dead horses and mules upon the ground. Their names are legion. They are often piled up, one upon another--some shot through the body, some through the neck, others with heads and legs shot off. But all are in a wonderful state of preservation, though lying on the field more than two months. The trees are peppered with bullets for miles, the twigs are cut off and many trees are cut off at points ranging from five to thirty feet from the ground. Large trees of size sufficient to make sawlogs, where the cannon balls struck them fairly, they passed clear through, and daylight can be seen through as one rides along. Cannon balls are to be seen all along the line, and shells that failed to explode. In other instances, pieces of shell are upon the ground, and among the cedars I handled them. The graves of the dead are to be seen everywhere in untold numbers. The headboards of single graves indicate who many of them are, giving names, regiments and residences. Among the rebel graves I found the name of a relative of my wife, a captain of artillery, from Alabama, killed in the fight on the 30th of December. In many instances ditches were dug, and from seventy-five to a hundred men packed into a ditch. The dirt upon many of these is only a few inches deep, and in some instances hands and feet sticking out. The greatest sight to be seen is that in front of where Gen. Rosecrans massed his artillery, say one hundred and twenty guns. Dead horses and mules, and an innumberable quantity of graves, tell the effect of these guns! I could but
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feel sad as I passed over this terrible battle ground, and yet I felt that there thousands of Southern soldiers in rebellion against the government of the United States had villaniously sought, and righteously found, their rights--not in the "territories" but in the cotton fields and cedar thickets of a state they had forced out of the Union at the point of the bayonet, and in opposition to the known wishes of a majority of the real people.--Parson Brownlow. Vermont Journal April 18, 1863 CONSOLIDATION.--General orders for the consolidation of regiments have been issued. Infantry regiments will be consolidated into five companies or less; cavalry and artillery regiments into six companies or less. All the Colonels, Majors, one Assistant Surgeon of each regiment and the superhomery company officers will be mustered out, the division and corps commanders selecting company officers to be retained, from among the best in the respective regiments. The companies and batteries formed will then be organized into regiments as now directed by law and regulation. By this arrangement a large number of experienced men will be available to officer drafted regiments, and this would be a better plan than to fill up the old regiments with drafted men, inasmuch as the time of service of the old regiments will expire before that of the drafted men, and by the present arrangement the Union cause can have a veteran army to the front, while all forts, posts and the like may be garrisoned by recruits.
Newburyport, MA Tour (The following letter and offer is from Bill Hallett who spoke at our RT meeting last October. If anyone is interested in going down for a Tour and would like to chair a Tour, please let me know so that we can let others know. Ginny) Liz and I host “Footsteps of Heroes: Civil War Walking Tour of Newburyport,” periodically throughout the warmer months here in town. A few dates have already been marked. We also wish to offer a special time when members of YOUR Civil War Roundtable can come down for a tour and see some of the sites that connect this seaport city with the mid-nineteenth century conflict. Newburyport is known for its history in general and this week, a new web site program will be unveiled: Clipper Heritage Tours. It’s a new concept with various tours on various subjects. Topics include: maritime, black history, tradesmen, Civil War (I wrote that tour), and others. All of these will be accessible from your handheld smart phones and other devices and can also be viewed from your home PC. However, our walking tour goes a bit deeper on the Civil War subject than the electronic guide.
Liz and I would be happy to give your group a walking tour. They last about 90 minutes. We request no money but would need to plan ahead as some events are already beginning to get scheduled for the coming year. You are about 90 minutes away from Newburyport, MA. The city also offers plenty of shops and restaurants to round out your day. Let us know. Bill & Liz Hallett 978.255.2567 William Hallett author *Newburyport and the Civil War* www.footstepsofheroes.com [email protected]
2013 William E. Colby Award Recipient Congratulations to Tom McKenna on receiving the Vermont 2013 William E. Colby Award for his book “Kontum: The Battle to Save South Vietnam.” He served 12 ½ years overseas in Germany, Italy, Korea, and Vietnam. This book is based on Tom’s second tour in Vietnam as a military advisor to the 23rd Division. He was one of a handful of American advisors in Kontum in 1972. This award recognizes a “first work of fiction or non-fiction that has made a significant contribution to the public’s understanding of intelligence operations, military history or international affairs.” This award and honorarium will be presented to Tom at Norwich University during the 2013 Colby Military Writers’ Symposium at the Meet the Authors Dinner on April 11, 2013.
March Raffle Winners
Jackie Sinclair, Edna Curtin, John Mudge, Ann Mayhew, Bob Coburn, Alice Evans, Brian Smith, Art Stacy, and, of course, Jeanette Cook! Treasurer's Report Beginning Balance: $2005.41 Expenses: Speaker's hotel and mileage: $168.81 Hotel Coolidge: $507.52 (includes speaker and guest meals) Newsletter: $24.85 Deposit: $1010.15 (dues, lunches, raffle) Balance: $2314.38
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TIME TO RENEW YOUR ROUNDTABLE MEMBERSHIP
Nancy Miville, Membership Coordinator
If you have not already done so, it is time to renew your membership for the year. Membership runs from March through February. When completing the membership form, please remember to include your email address. We are striving to send as many newsletters as possible by email, as printing and mailing costs consume a large portion of our treasury. Also, sending by email helps us to be able to get additional information that may come up between meetings to you quickly. If you have any questions about whether or not your dues are paid, please email Nancy [email protected] Thank you for supporting your Roundtable. WELCOME NEW RT MEMBERS DAVID AND ALINE COFFEY FROM NORWICH, VERMONT Green Mountain Civil War Round Table P.O. Box 982 White River Jct., VT 05001
Green Mountain Civil War Round Table March 2013— March 2014 Membership Rates
Name:____________________________ Address: __________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ Home Phone _______________________ Work Phone________________________ E-mail address:______________________ __ Single $20.00 (includes newsletter) __ Student $10.00 (includes newsletter) __ Two Person $35.00 ( includes newsletter) __ Family $50.00 (includes newsletter) __ Newsletter subscription alone – ten issues $10.00 Is this a new membership ___ renewal ___ PLEASE NOTE: UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, PLEASE MAIL CHECKS DIRECTLY TO GAIL BLAKE, 55 ORRIZONTO ROAD, WHITE RIVER JCT., VT 05001.
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