CALL TO ARMS
Brunswick Civil War Round Table
Wally Rueckel, President. or 910-253-7382 December, 2011
Pat Evans, Newsletter Editor. or 910-523-0297 Volume II, Issue 10
Location: Trinity United Methodist Church
209 E. Nash St., Southport, across from the Post Office
First Tuesday of each month (except July and August)
Registration: 6:30pm Program: 7:00pm
BCWRT is a 501 c (3) tax exempt organization with a current membership of 301
NEXT MEETING IS TUES., December 6, 2011
PAGE 2 150 YRS AGO-DEC 1861 – PRESIDENT’S CORNER
PAGE 3 SYNOPSIS OF NOVEMBER SPEAKER
PAGE 4 DECEMBER SPEAKER, BLACK JACK TRAVIS
PAGE 5 ED BEARSS RETURNS
PAGE 6 ED BEARSS TO VISIT FT ANDERSON – WHO SAID THAT?
PAGE 7 LADIES DEPARTMENT
PAGE 9 WHO SAID THAT ANSWERS – THE SUTLERS TABLE
PAGE 10 BOOK REVIEW “ATLANTA 1864:LAST CHANCE OF THE CONFERACY”
PAGE 11 CLEAN UP AT FT ANDERSON-ANNOUNCEMENTS,INFO,OPPORTUNITES
BCWRT WEBSITE
150 YEARS AGO – DECEMBER 1861
The seizure of the Confederate commissioners, Mason and Slidell, the “TRENT Affair”, would dominate the news, as the government and nation considered the implications of that action.
Dec. 2 – The Thirty-seventh Congress of the United States met in Washington, and the frustration of the defeats at 1st Bull Run and Ball’s bluff, hung over the proceedings.
Dec. 4 – By a vote of 36-0, the Senate voted to expel John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky.
Dec. 9 – The disasters at Bull Run and Ball’s Bluff lead to the setting up of the Joint committee on the Conduct of the War. Their actions and hearing, over the next four years would lead to much good material for analysis, but also to controversy and political retribution by many.
Dec. 13 – Engagement at Cheat Mountain, in western Virginia
Dec. 26, -- After Cabinet meetings throughout the month, it was decided to surrender Mason and Slidell to the British. Although it was diplomatically embarrassing for Washington to do so, it removed a reason for the British to act further on behalf of the Confederacy.
At our meeting earlier this month, Bob Mullauer from Baltimore Maryland spoke about John Bell Hood and the battle ofFranklin ,Tennessee. He did a wonderful job talking about the tremendous challenges, both personal and professional that General Hood faced late in the war trying for a breakout in central Tennessee.
We had a surprise visitor at our meeting, Sam Hood a distant relative of General Hood traveled all the way from his home in Huntington, W. V. to hear Bob’s presentation. Sam is a student of his relative and said the Bob did the best job he has ever heard presenting a balanced picture of General Hood.
One of our photo’s captured an interesting reunion at our meeting, Sam Hood relative of General Hood, Roy Pender a relative and of Confederate General Dorsey Pender and Robert Maffit, a relative of the notorious Blockade Runner John Maffit. Roy and Robert are two of our members,a cocktail conversation piece, a bit of history taking place here at our round table.
Our next meeting will be December 6 when our speaker will be Jack Travis one of our charter members, an avid re-enactor and author who will speak about the Confederate’smost famous artillery general E. Porter Alexander. He spoke at our inaugural meeting in May of last year. You will find this program very interesting. I understand he will bring copies of his new book on Porter Alexander to sell and autograph.
I normally don’t speak about our future speakers but in January the renowned civil war historian Ed Bearss will again speak to us. His topic will be “President Lincoln and General McClellan: A Troubled Relationship”. Ed spokeat our January meeting earlier this year and fought a major snow storm to get here. Because of hisheavy speaking schedule our meeting will not be onthe usual date or location. The January meeting will be Wednesday January 11 2012at the Brunswick Senior Center. When Ed spoke last time we had approximately 250 in attendance. That size crowd or larger will easily fit the auditorium we have chosen. Also we have convinced Ed to stay an extra day and tour Ft Anderson led by Dr Chris Fonvielle and Jim Mckee. We once again are planning to have Ed Bearss, in conjunction with Jim McKee and Chris Fonvielle lead a tour of Ft Anderson on Thursday, January 12. See further announcements about this event.
Remember, next month is election of officers for our Round Table. We encourage you to show up and vote. If you have suggestions or comments, please contact our directors or myself.
SOME SUNSHINE ON THE SUNSET OF THE WEST OR THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN
Bob Mallauer was bitten early by the Civil War bug. His first car steered him right to Gettysburg. As a teenager he began diving deeply into the epipelagic zone of Civil War History. The top two miles of the ocean is about as far as sunlight will penetrate = the epipelagic zone. Bob takes us deeply into the Battle of Franklin both to and thru the “Valley of Death” where about 1750 bold/brave Confederate soldiers perished. This makes Franklin, Tennessee not only The Gettysburg of the West but also home of the bloodiest hours of the Civil War. It was small by comparison with a battlefield about one and one half miles wide but had a gulf of over two miles between forces. 20,000 determined Confederate Infantry and 5000 Cavalry made a frontal charge in a battle lasting over five hours. Compare these facts to Gettysburg and ask yourself why is Franklin as much forgotten as Gettysburg is remembered??
Many theories and good sound logic play into this. Although Nov. 30, 1864 was a beautiful Indian Summer Day, the sun still sets around five pm. The battle started at four pm and ended around nine. It is one of the few night time battles. John Bell Hood’s army needs more shoes. About a third of the men are barefoot. Bob did not have time to share the beautiful piece of writing that a young Sam Watkins (First Tenn. Infantry Company H) left for us. Here is enough to give you the “flavour”: “(Franklin)” is the blackest page in the history of The War of the Lost Cause. It was the finishing stroke to the independence of Southern Confederacy. I WAS THERE. I SAW IT!”
Remember John Bell Hood and the Superb Texas Brigade? Hood, with arm mangled at Gettysburg and later a leg amputated at Chickamauga, is strapped into his saddle as he directs that fateful frontal charge. He is determined to destroy the Union Army before it reaches Nashville. Ideally, his original objective was to drive Sherman away from Atlanta and Lee’s forces. But something else is also on his mind. You just had to be there to hear Bob speculate on Sally ‘Buck’ Preston. Oh, how this well to do Southern Lady molded and motivated John Bell Hood.
Despite losses incurred from Nathan Bedford Forrest’s men nipping at their heels, The Army of Tennessee arrives to face a force of 22,000 Northern Infantry and 13,500 Cavalry. The fighting became brutal and filled with atrocities. Somehow the Carter family home and Cotton Gin are in the middle of everything. Twenty-three family members hide in the Carter House basement. Many are children. Imagine the trauma caused by the war raging just above them. One Carter Son (Tod), serving on the battlefield, sees his home for the first time in three years. He is said to have called: “Follow me boys, I’m almost home.” Tod receives a mortal wound one hundred fifty yards from his front porch. THE CONFEDERATE ARMY DIES THAT DAY. There are 7000 casualties and half of all the Confederate Generals perish.
The spot where General Cleburne fell becomes a Pizza Hut in recent times. He was, perhaps, the best division commander of either side. Hark. It was restored along with the Carter House thru the noble efforts of the Civil War Preservation Trust and many civic minded citizens. See, your donations really produce results. In 1866, The McGavock Family of Franklin donated two acres near their home, Carnton, as a final resting place for 1481 of those 1750 honored dead. Do you know how unique it was to have a direct descendent of John Bell Hood in our midst? Even better was to have Bob complimented for an extremely accurate and thorough presentation from Sam Hood? Both Sam and Bob encourage you to visit Franklin in 2014. Much local and Federal preservation is forthcoming for the 150th Anniversary of the Battle. Bob, you are a lifelong Civil War Scholar who had many of us saying “I didn’t know that.” Indubitably, I am humbled. Submitted by Dan
Sam Hood and speaker, Bob Mallauer
Topic: “Gen. E. Porter Alexander: Rebel Gunner Extraordinaire”
Program overview: Among his many lifetime accomplishments, Gen. Alexander is best known as the officer in charge of the massive artillery bombardment preceding Pickett’s Charge on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg. It was considered the largest bombardment in the war, using between 150 and 170 guns during this momentous two hour salvo.
Guest presenter: Col. Black Jack Travis, author, historian, popular lecturer and Civil War re-enactor. He has authored two books, the latest of which is entitled: “Rebel Gunner, Gen. E. Porter Alexander,” the topic of his presentation. He is also the proud recipient of the prestigious “George MacDonald” award from the National Civil War Artillery Association.
.
1) “I can anticipate no greater calamity for the country than the dissolution of the Union. It would be an accumulation of all the evils we complain of, and I am willing to sacrifice everything but honor for its preservation.”
2) “If I owned Texas and hell, I’d rent out Texas and live in hell.”
3) “I was present at the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, the 4th of March, 1865. I felt then that there was murder in the air, and I kept close to his carriage on the way to the Capitol, for I felt I might see him fall that day. It was a vague presentiment.”
4) “I know Mr. Davis thinks he can do many things other men would hesitate to attempt. For instance, he tried to do what God failed to do. He tried to make a soldier of Braxton Bragg.”
5) “A chicken could not live on that field when we open on it.”
6) “My plans are perfect and when I start to carry them out, may God have mercy on Bobby Lee, for I shall have none.”
Ladies Department
Christmas Edition
By Charen Fink
Christmas was originally celebrated in Europe with eating, drinking, and dancing. The Puritans attempted to end this indulgence. They were successful when they came to America but it was the Victorians who have influenced the way we celebrate Christmas today.
Before Queen Victoria’s reign started in 1837 nobody in Britain had heard of Santa Claus. Old traditions were revived, such as caroling and new ones, sending Christmas cards, were invented.
Congress did not make Christmas a federal holiday until 1870. Many of today’s traditions in the U.S. began during the Civil War to overcome loneliness and seek solace by re-establishing familiar European traditions.
Christmas Carols
Carols originated in France and the name means “ring” because carolers danced in a ring as they sang. Early carols had bawdy lyrics until St. Francis of Assisi adapted the melodies and mixed pagan mirth with Christian devotion. The Boar’s Head Carol is the oldest and one of the liveliest carols to come out of the Middle Ages. Some of the popular songs were: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Silent Night, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, and Hark The Herald Angels Sing.
Silent Night was written in 1818.
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow when his wife died after her dress caught fire in 1861. He sustained severe burns of the hands and face trying to put out the fire. Thereafter, he had a white beard which he never shaved because of the severity of the burns. Three years later at age 57 he began I Heard The Bells. When the Civil War was in full swing he ceased writing at the 3rd stanza. J. Baptiste Calkin wrote the musical setting that helped make this a favorite carol.
Christmas Tree
Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s German husband, helped make the Christmas tree as popular in Britain as it was in Germany. He brought one to Windsor Castle in the 1840’s. Trees were put on a table to make them appear taller (European style). They were decorated with tapers, candy, small presents, popcorn balls and angels. Unwrapped presents were placed under the tree.
The first American decorated tree in a church was in Cleveland, OH in 1851. It was denounced as a revival of a pagan custom. The first glass icicles and hand-blown glass globes were called kugels. The most prized ornament was the Nuremberg angel atop the tree. It had wings of spun glass, a crinkled gold skirt, and a wax or bisque face. Angel hair (spun glass) was replaced by tinsel.
Santa Claus
Father Christmas was originally part of an old English midwinter festival, normally dressed in green, a sign of returning spring. Thomas Nast, a German immigrant, in 1861 became the second person to transform Clement Moore’s, Twas The Night Before Christmas depicting Santa Claus as cherubic and bringing gifts to the soldiers.
During the Civil War Southern diaries tell of Santa running blockade ports to fill children’s stockings. In 1866, Nast made the North Pole Santa’s home so no nation could call him their own. Finally in 1931, artist Haddon Sundblom made Santa more rotund and jovial holding a bottle of Coca Cola to advertise the “pause that refreshes”. That changed in 1966.
Christmas Cards
The Christmas card was a British custom begun in 1843 when Henry Cole contracted with John Horsley to design and print a Christmas card to send to his friends. A thousand copies were sold at a shilling each by 1846 which said, “A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year To You”. At first the design showed a Victorian family party drinking to an absent friend but this was thought to encourage drunkenness and alcoholism. In America Richard Pease printed the first Christmas card and Louis Prang, in the mid-1870’s, designed the first fine art card.