Monroe County Civil War Roundtable Exploring, preserving and sharing the history of the American Civil War. The Sentinel

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1 Monroe County Civil War Roundtable Exploring, preserving and sharing the history of the American Civil War The Sentinel Volume 8, No. 7 March, 2012 I Don t Believe We Can Have an Army Without Music The quote above is not from the Civil War era, but was coined about it by Geoffrey C. Ward in The Civil War: An Illustrated History. This 1990 book was a companion to filmmaker Ken Burns groundbreaking PBS documentary that kindled a latent interest in the history of the war, an interest that has abated little in the ensuing years. If you think about the series, the most evocative moments were invariably accompanied by haunting strains of either authentic mid-nineteenth century music or twentieth century songs faithful to the war era. This new music was led, of course, by the now almost standard for Civil War tunes, Jay Unger and Molly Mason s Ashokan Farewell, which some people still insist just had to be from the 1860s. We know it was not, but our hearts and minds refuse to accept the fact. For our February meeting, we reprised the talents of local re-enactor and musician Mark LaPointe, pictured above. While Mark does all kinds of music (ask him about his evocative and very personal Somewhere in Germany or his much lighter Bob Dylan number!), he has found a passion for telling the story of the Civil War through song. This evening s performance had a new theme, that of the Irish soldier in the war. While there were other cultural/ethnic groups of volunteers, perhaps most notably the Germans who wanted to fight mit Sigel, the Irish units, both North and South, stand out as the groups most recognized for their élan, their devotion to their homeland and their ever-present green jacket piping, hats and flags...and now, their music. The Irish were a social class in 1860 someplace near the level of the slaves in the South. Looked down on by most real Americans, they could not find work. When the war began, both those already here and new immigrants arriving in the country were told by unscrupulous recruiters there were jobs available when, in reality, they were being virtually shanghaied into military service. In some cases it was of their own choosing because the army was at least a meal and a paycheck. The song No Irish Need Apply opened the evening with this stark fact of Irish existence in America at the time. Another song Mark shared was the recruiting tune We ll Fight for Uncle Sam. While it sounds boldly patriotic, most Irish, in fact, had little allegiance to the red, white and blue directly. In most cases they did not take up arms to further the cause of freedom in any abstract sense, nor was it as a crusade to liberate the slaves from bondage. In reality, more often than not, the Irish fought simply to prove that they were equal to other Americans, new and old. Once in the service and far from home, wherever it might be, the Irish soldier was just as human as any other young man. He missed the comforts of the simple life, the home cooked meals no matter how meager and, most of all, the companionship of friends, family and the sweetheart he left behind. When duty was done at the end of the day, men would sit around the campfire and reminisce about their loved ones far away. Mark s poignant acapella rendition of Red is the Rose showcased these strong and deep-seated emotions. The Irish were not all soldiers. Coming from a small island country, there were also many Irish sailors. And the feelings that washed over them as they stood watch on deck or manned the rigging of the dying breed of ships with sails were very similar to their comrades ashore. The Leavin of Liverpool spoke not only of the port that many of these men left from when they embarked to the new land that would become home, but also, in many cases, to the girl they had left behind. And, when the song Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still was played, you could almost see a sailor lying on the deck under the nighttime canopy of stars remembering the life he might well never know again. But the Irish enjoyed music that was not always theirs, music that belonged to any man caught up in the confusing, harrowing, frightening experience that was the Civil War. Mark shared many other standards that spread across all the levels, ranks, ethnicities and beliefs of the common soldier, both North and South. From The Wild Rover, a joyful clapping song, to the 1864 campaign song Lincoln and Liberty Too, to George F. Root s patriotic Battle Cry of Freedom, introduced at a Chicago rally in 1862 and which became perhaps the first hit song in American history when it sold 350,000 copies of sheet music at two cents each, to Julia Ward Howe s eternal tune, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, written in the Willard Hotel in Washington after she awoke from a dream, Mark s evening of song led his audience down the distinctive path of Civil War music, always proving that, to the average soldier in the war, music meant many things, but most often it simply meant home. As the late Southern historian and raconteur Shelby Foote said, I don t think you could overstress the importance of music in that war. To learn more about Mark LaPointe and his music, visit 1

2 Update From a Former Program Presenter A few years ago we had a great program presented by Sam Passo, an IU alum and a dentist currently still on active duty at Fort Knox, KY. He recently sent this message as an update and a personal addendum. It seemed fitting to pass it on since it presents some interesting information that ties into our upcoming program by Charlie Matson in June on The Lightning Brigade at Hoover s gap. Facial Reconstruction Revealed for Two USS Monitor Crewmen on March 6th Frank White was a Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the 17th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Mounted) under General John T. Wilder's "Lightning" Brigade. Frank White was also the great-great grandfather of my wife, Karen (Williams) Passo. His biography was the inspiration of the Civil War book by myself and Bill Crane, "The First Flag On The Summit: History of the 15th Indiana Civil War Regiment". An interesting book about the heroic exploits of the 17th Indiana is " Yankee Blitzkrieg: Wilson's Raid Through Alabama and Georgia", by James Pickett Jones. It goes into detail about the 17th Indiana battles with and defeat of the (in) famous Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest (C.S.A.)! Of particular interest is the "Battle of Selma and Columbus (Georgia)" in April, Wilder's Lightning Brigade and Wilson's Raider's set in motion the Civil War's largest cavalry force of 13,480 horsemen against the Confederate deep Southern "haven". Lt. Col. Frank White actually accepted the unconditional surrender of Macon, Georgia on April 20th, This may have been one of the last official events of the Civil War, since General Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox Court House earlier. March 6th marked the date, 150 years earlier, that the USS Monitor left the New York navy Yard where it was built to begin its journey to Virginia and its place in the lore of Civil War history. On this date in 2012, with a ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial, the reconstructed faces of two of the crewmen were revealed to the public. Forensic anthropologists from LSU had worked since the remains were removed from the salvaged turret in 2002 to try to provide enough detail to at least honor these two, but also with the hope that they could finally be identified. The sailor on the left above was between 17 and 24 and stood about 5 7. The other man was approximately the same height but was, more likely, between 30 and 40. While this information has narrowed the possible crewmembers down to just a few, no positive identification has yet been made. It is hoped that the release of these images will, perhaps, prompt family members to be able to say this was probably their ancestor. DNA samples could confirm this. Other artifacts were also found, such as the fork, gold ring and large bolt in the photo at right. Eventually, all these things are or will be on display at the Mariners Museum in Newport News Virginia. For more, see [The information in the article above is from the latest Civil War News, a publication devoted to the history and exploration of the seminal event in our nation s past. For a special offer on this publication, see the next column.] April 10 May 8 June 12 Jul/Aug Sept. 11 Oct. 9 Nov Program Schedule The Andrews Raid and the First Congressional Medals of Honor by Member Scott Schroeder The Truth About the Confederate Flag by Member Kevin Shiflet Wilder s Brigade At Hoover s Gap by Member Charles Matson Summer Break take a CW trip! Indiana at Antietam by CW historian and guide Ed Bearss. Hoosiers in the Mexican War Who Became Leaders in the Civil War by member Matt Hoagland Confederates Raid Newburgh, IN! by Ray Mulesky Special offer from Civil War News! Anyone attending our April meeting will get a free issue of Civil War News and will be eligible for a special subscription offer. There will be a flyer inside each copy offering $10 off the subscription price for new subscribers or for gift subscriptions. The offer does not apply to renewals. The publisher will also make a $10 donation to the our roundtable for each new subscription or gift subscription resulting from this offer, but be sure to use the flyer to make this happen. Civil War News is a publication with historical articles, book reviews, re-enacting information, preservation updates and much more. And there are several columns each month, one of which is by Matthew Borowick and is devoted to news and information about Civil War roundtables. Check it out! 2

3 Louis Wiechmann: Indiana s Link to Lincoln s Assassination April Program Alert Don t miss the April program by member Scott Schroeder on The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medals of Honor. Not only is this a great story, even if you have heard it before, but Scott will put a personal spin with his quest for finding every site associated with it in north Georgia and southwest Tennessee last year. And, if you would like to see Walt Disney s 1950s version of the story or Buster Keaton s silent film about it (well sort of), the Monroe County Public Library has DVD copies of both available for check-out free of charge. Pop some popcorn, sit back and enjoy! As some of you may know, Louis J. Wiechmann was one of the chief witnesses for the prosecution of the Lincoln conspirators. What you may not know is that he lived out his life as a teacher and businessman in Anderson, Indiana. Wiechmann was a friend of John Surratt and boarded at Mary Surratt s boarding house in Washington DC in early Wiechmann s testimony impressed some (including Indiana native Lew Wallace, one of the trial s military commissioners) and incensed others. Many people were outraged they believed that he had lied and that his testimony had sent a woman, Mary Surratt, to the gallows. She was the first woman in the United States to receive such a punishment. Following a post-war stint in Philadelphia he followed members of his family (a brother and two sisters) to Indiana. He possessed business and linguistic skills that got him a job at a local school. When that school closed, he started the Anderson Business School, the first of its kind in Anderson. Wiechmann lived a somewhat secluded life while in Anderson and it is said that he remained ever fearful that he would be murdered by John Surratt or one of his friends. Wiechmann died in 1902 in Anderson on his deathbed he wrote a statement swearing that his testimony at the trial had been the truth and nothing but the truth. Wiechmann penned a manuscript for a book that remained in the hands of his niece, unseen, until It was subsequently edited and published in 1975 under the title of A True History of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the Conspiracy of As a favor to Lincoln historian Richard Sloan, MCCWR members Scott Schroeder and Steve Rolfe made a trip to Anderson to photograph the home where he lived and died, the former site of his business school and his grave site. For those interested in learning more about Louis J. Wiechmann, I would suggest a visit to the Anderson Public Library (they have some great information comprising several file folders) as well as the book mentioned above. -submitted by MCCWR member Scott Schroeder Photo (above rt.) of the memorial to the raiders at Chattanooga Nat l Cemetery. Some of the headstones of the raiders that were hung can be seen behind it. [Double Quote of the Month!] Speaking of Music- Dixie! It is marvelous with what wild-fire rapidity this tune of Dixie has spread over the whole South. - CSA commercial agent Henry Hotze in the spring of I have always thought Dixie one of the best tunes I ever heard. Our adversaries over the way attempted to appropriate it, but I insisted yesterday that we fairly captured it...it is now our lawful prize - Lincoln from the White House balcony, April 11, About Our September Speaker If a history book could talk, it would sound like Ed Bearss...but it would have to be a really good history book. One of America's preeminent public historians, Bearss (pronounced BARS) displays an uncommon flair for storytelling and an unmatched energy and enthusiasm as he charges across Civil War battlefields, which he knows probably better than anyone. The chief historian emeritus of the National Park Service, still dynamic at 86, is in great demand, leading tours or giving speeches upwards of 300 days a year, a daunting schedule for someone half his age. "It keeps me young," says the old Marine. He has achieved rock-star status, if there is such a thing in the world of battlefield guides, as fans wear T-shirts bearing his likeness and fill his tours quickly when tickets go on sale. At one of his favorite places, Gettysburg National Military Park, Bearss was leading a tour group of 50 or so. As he talked and walked, like a pied piper he attracted more and more followers, the crowd swelling to maybe 500. "Somebody says, 'It's like Christ on the mountain!'" recalled Bearss, a smile curling beneath his thin, white mustache. "Which is good for your morale." Wiechmann as a young man, perhaps about the time of the trial (l.) and older (r.). The house in Anderson where he lived until his death in He is buried in Anderson Years ago in April 5th 6th 7th 7th-8th 10th-11th 15th 16th 25th 28th Battle of Lee s Mill, VA Battle of Shiloh, TN Fall of Island #10, Mississippi River Fall of Ft. Pulaski, SC Battle of Picacho Pass (AZ) Dist. Of Columbia slaves emancipated Ft. Macon (NC) surrenders New Orleans surrenders

4 MCCWR Roster of Honor Capt. Ephraim Waterman Wiley, Co. H, 8th Maine Inf. Grandfather of former MCCWR President David Wiley. Present or active at Port Royal, Fort Pulaski, Drewery s Bluff, Cold Harbor, Chaffin s Farm, Deep Bottom, Spring Hill, White Oak Road, Fort Gregg, Fort Baldwin, Petersburg and Appomattox. Sgt. Charles Thomas Shanner, Co. A, 63rd Indiana Volunteer Inf.- Great-grandfather to MCCWR board member John Crosby. Chattanooga-Atlanta Campaign, Clay Springs, Battle of Atlanta. Col. James McMannomy, Commander, 63rd Indiana Volunteer Inf.- Ancestor of MCCWR member Matt Hoagland. Second Manassas, fought Morgan s Raiders at Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Pvt. William Nicholas Shiflet, Co. I, 10th Alabama Infantry 2nd Great Grand Uncle to Kevin Shiflet, MCCWR Treasurer. Engaged, to some degree, at Dranesville, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines Mill, Frazier s Farm, Second Manassas, Harpers Ferry, Sharpsburg, Hazel River, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Second Cold Harbor, Petersburg, High Bridge, Farmville and Appomattox. Pvt. Shiflet is only one of a total of seventeen of Kevin s ancestors who served the Confederacy, including thirteen cousins, two third great granduncles and two second great granduncles. Jacob Mann, Co. A, 16th Iowa Inf.- Ancestor of Allan Sather, MCCWR member. Fought at Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and Bald Hill (Atlanta) where he was captured and sent to Andersonville Prison. Sgt. Miles M. Oviatt, US Marine Corps- Great grandfather of Mary Pat Livingston, member MCCWR. Served aboard USS Vanderbilt, USS Brooklyn. Fought in Battles of Mobile Bay and Fort Fisher. Commended for Medal of Honor for his service at Mobile Bay. Voyages included south Atlantic, Indian Ocean chasing blockade runners and capturing those renegades ships. Pvt. Luther Oviatt, Pennsylvania 14th Cavalry, Co. I- Gr-Gr-Gr Uncle of Mary Pat Livingston, member MCCWR. Harper's Ferry, Monocacy Bridge protection of B&O RR. Died at Hammond Hospital, Point Lookout while on duty. Buried Arlington Cemetery. Pvt. Cyrenas A. Young, 85th New York Infantry, Co K.- Oviatt ancestor of Mary Pat Livingston. Plymouth, Kingston, New Bern, Petersburg, Suffolk. Spent time at Andersonville Prison, then sent to Florence Prison where he died days before the war ended. Cpl. James Dickson- 10th Wisconsin Infantry, Co. D; 3rd great grandfather of MCCWR member Scott Schroeder. His only real engagement was at the Battle of Perryville where he was killed in action. Pvt. William Taylor Neville- 8th Iowa Infantry, Co. A; 3rd great grandfather of MCCWR member Scott Schroeder. Engagements: Battle of Shiloh, Siege of Vicksburg, Red River Campaign. Taken prisoner at Shiloh. Exchanged in 1862 and returned to his unit. Reuben Neuman 27th Indiana Infantry, Co. I, Putnam County Grays - Ancestor of Eric Neuman. Wounded at Antietam. Also fought at Gettysburg, Winchester, etc. Served Aug. 61-Nov. 64. Died June 13, Buried in New Providence Cemetery in Putnam County, IN. Contact Information President Secretary, newsletter ed. Treasurer Hospitality Programs Programs Board Rep & tech help Board Rep & tech help Board Rep Kevin Shiflet Steve Rolfe Larry Cady Allan Sather John Crosby Scott Schroeder Rick Watson Randy Stevenson Ray Beeker keshift@aol.com srolfe@indiana.edu pencil66@gmail.com aks0407@yahoo.com marjohn28@comcast.net sts.mccwr@gmail.com rawatson@indiana.edu rks_jfs@yahoo.com marvin.beeker4117@comcast.net Monroe County Civil War Roundtable c/o Monroe County History Center 202 E. 6th St. Bloomington, IN

5 Special Auxiliary 150th Anniversary Events Page [It is the 150th anniversary of the war and there are so many special events scheduled in the upcoming months that we decided to add this page with anything we could find that might be of interest to members and that are not too distant. Kentucky seems especially active in this regard so most of what follows is from the CW Presidential home state and our neighbor to the south. If you have material to contribute to this we-will-publish-it-as-long-as-we-have-stuff page, send it to Secretary Steve Rolfe at Civil War Relics Show and Logistics of War Battle Cave City, KY May 4-6, 2012: Celebrating the 150th anniversary of John Hunt Morgan s Cave City train raid. For details, go to or call The Civil War in Missouri Exhibit Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Now thru March, Explore the story of the Civil War in Missouri. Through documents, objects, and interactive activities you will get a view of this pivotal conflict in an immersive and engaging way only possible here. Civil War Heritage Days: The second annual Civil War Heritage Days will be held June 23 24, 2012 in Danville, Indiana. Contact Cindy, or Gail, , for details Battle of Corydon Reenactment- July 6-8, 2012 in Corydon, Indiana, just a short drive west of Louisville, KY, off Interstate 64. Hayswood Nature Reserve is the main location of battle reenactment and encampment activities with downtown Corydon hosting a reenactment of Morgan s raid on the downtown and other events. Dr. James Shires presents: General Albert Sidney Johnston- Apr 7, :00pm ; General Johnson was a native of Washington, Kentucky and a key commander in the Confederate Army in the early days of the Civil War. Location: Mason County Library, Maysville. For more information contact Valerie Zempter at or masoncolibrary@bellsouth.net. Portrayal of John G. Fee Apr 8, :00pm ; Humanities Council Chautauqua performance by Obadiah Ewing-Roush portraying John G. Fee.. Location: Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. For more information contact Gwen Heffner at x230 or gwen.heffner@ky.gov. Civil War Trust 150th Events Site The Civil War Trust is an excellent resource for information on both the timeline and upcoming events for the Sesquicentennial of the war. Just go to or Indiana, Living History The 11th Annual Lawrence County History Festival will be held April on the grounds of Bedford North Lawrence High Scholl. NOTE: this event covers all eras from the Revolutionary War to today, but does include CW activities. For details, go to Sassafras Days & Civil War Living History April 28 & 29 Held on the Jennings County courthouse lawn in Vernon, IN, this event will include battles, a blue/gray ball, skits, skirmishes, a bake sale and a tea. For more information, call Great Locomotive Chase 150th Commemoration April Kennesaw, GA April 12th is the anniversary of this bizarre raid and our April speaker s subject. There will be music, meals, re-enactments, and more. It will be held at the Southern Museum Civil War & Locomotive History in Kennesaw. The museum will be free all day on the 12th. For info, go to Corydon Capitol Civil War Education Day and Encampment Friday, April 13: 10 am 5 pm; Sat., April 14: 10 am 4:30 pm Call for Volunteers! Marlin Elementary will hold its annual Education Day on Friday, May 18th, from 1-3pm, for grades K-3. They will have different stations with activities or presentations that the kids will rotate through. Time at each station will be approximately minutes. They would like to have a Civil War Demonstration be a part of this special educational day at Marlin. These are fun and easy things to do and, who knows, we could get a new member or two in a few years. If you are interested in presenting any CW topic at all, contact Jill Storm at (812) , jstorm6@comcast.net. [If you have information to include here, or anywhere in The Sentinel, send it to MCCWR Secretary Steve Rolfe at srolfe@indiana.edu.] * * * * * 5