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 9, No. 1 September, 2012 Ed Bearss Comes to Bloomington! The Second Annual David Wiley Lecture got the roundtable s season off to an exciting start with the most successful event in its relatively brief history. Ed Bearss, legendary battlefield guide and Civil War speaker, former Chief Historian of the National Park Service, and currently its Historian Emeritus, came to Bloomington to tell the group about the Indiana Boys That Fought at Antietam, since his visit was only six days from the 150th anniversary of that fateful clash. This was an event that was long in the planning and would not have been possible without the partnership of our friends, especially Christine Friesel, at the Monroe County Public Library. Their spacious auditorium was Ed Bearss in the MCPL lobby before his talk put close to its limit with over 140 people attending, some from as far away as Muncie, Indianapolis and Evansville. The talk itself featured Ed in his unique style, speaking without notes or technical assistance on the infantry units that fought at Antietam, the bloodiest single day in American history.. Even though there were actually four infantry and one cavalry unit, his focus was specifically on the infantry units and only those that saw action. The 3rd IN Cavalry was lightly engaged and the 7th IN Infantry was in reserve for the entire fight. The 19th was the first to see action on the morning of September 17, 1863, when it was in the vanguard of the troops that were sent across the cornfield of a farmer named Miller to face CSA forces entrenched in the West Woods, just beyond the Hagerstown Pike. The 19th would become known forever as members of the Black Hats of the Iron Brigade, and would see further action in the critical area of Herbst Woods (now more commonly referred to as McPherson s Woods) near Willoughby Run at Gettysburg only a few months later. This fall morning, they would take heavy casualties until relieved by reserve troops from the 12th Corps which included the Ed chats with Secretary Steve Rolfe and Anna Wiley, wife of our lecture honoree, at the reception before his talk. 1 27th IN and its famous local Co. F, the Monroe Grenadiers. The 27th also took heavy casualties as it advanced and sometimes had to step over...or even on...their comrades from the 19th and other units, lying like the rows of corn they advanced through earlier, as they tried to quell the rebel fire. Eventually the fighting here subsided and moved south to the area of Bloody Lane, giving the Hoosier boys a chance to rest and regroup. They, too, would see action at Gettysburg, but in the area of Spangler s Spring at the foot of Culp s Hill. In mid-day, as the action at Bloody Lane heated up, the 14th IN, a part of the Gibraltar Brigade, would see action on the north side of this now famous farm road. At first they were picked off by CSA troops hidden in the depression. Then Union numbers began to overwhelm the Confederates, and were easily able to shoot into the pit and inflict horrendous casualties. The carnage was documented in photos taken by Civil War photographer Alexander Gardner, photos that brought the war home to the American people on both sides in a way they had never conceived of before. To get the details of Ed's talk, and to fully appreciate his inimitable style, we recommend you check the local Community Access Television Service (CATS) channel on your local cable supplier or, if you can t do that, give us some time and we will have copies of the event that can be checked out and taken home to view. Secretary Steve Rolfe shows Ed the home of Big Dave van Buskirk while president Kevin Shiflet and Program Chair Scott Schroeder look on. The roundtable was thrilled to bring Mr. Bearss to Bloomington, not only for his talk, but also to take some time Tuesday during the day and give him the opportunity to tour the IU campus where he received his Master s Degree in History in He reminisced about Herman Wells, Dr. Robert Ferrell, a fellow student at the time, and Professor O.O. Winther. And, true to form, when he was taken to lunch at Nick s, he said Looks just like it did when I was here in 54!

2 Civil War Travel Thomas Espy GAR Post #153, Carnegie, PA If you ever go to Pittsburgh, one thing not to miss is this little known CW gem tucked away in the old Carnegie Library in Carnegie, PA, a Pittsburgh suburb. One of our members submitted this after visiting the site in August. Thomas Espy was a Union volunteer, enlisting at the age of 50 on July 4th, 1861, to join Co. H, 62nd PA. Clearly older than most volunteers, he was committed to preserving the Union and served in the Peninsula campaign. He was mortally wounded at Gaines Mill and was buried in an unmarked grave in Virginia. This GAR post was established in his honor and eventually found a permanent home on the second floor of the then new library in Carnegie in The last member died in 1937 and, for odd and unknown reasons, the room was simply locked and forgotten about for over 50 years until the curator of the Pittsburgh Soldiers and Sailors Memorial discovered it and worked to have it restored and reopened just a few years ago. It is a true Civil War time capsule that is now available for tours each Saturday afternoon or by special arrangement. There are artifacts, photos, and all kinds of CW paraphernalia that show how an early 20th century GAR post was run much like a masonic lodge. If you are ever in the Pittsburgh area, just contact the Carnegie Library in Carnegie, PA, and ask about seeing this gem. It will be more than worth the effort. For details and more, go to This is one wall of the room. Everything in the photo has been there since The chair in the archway was for one of the four post officers to use during meetings. This stand sits, altar-like, in the middle of the room and holds the post roster. A photo of the post membership taken in front of the Carnegie Library in the early 1900s. A Reminder That We Need Your Support Speakers of the renown of Ed Bearss, that you read about on the preceding page, are not only fascinating to hear but also increase the prestige and reach of our roundtable. We want to continue to bring such noted guests to town and share them with the community. But they don t come for free. We must at least cover expenses. And running your roundtable incurs the usual expenses of refreshments, mailing costs, postage, etc. Each September we ask you to re-enlist so we can continue to bring you the kinds of things you have come to know over the past eight years. Our dues are nominal, only $15 annually, and we think it s a great bargain. Last year we also instituted a voluntary donation to our new Speakers Fund. While we still hope all our local members will contribute to our program schedule, we want to bring in regionally or nationally known speakers once or twice a year to give us the perspective of the true Civil War scholar. Ed Bearss was a perfect example. Please consider an extra donation, over and above your basic membership, to help us offset these expenses. We will be accepting memberships and donations by mail, at any meeting, or at the History Center if you want to drop them off. Just use the form below to make your donation/membership payment. And, as always, thank you for supporting your roundtable! We hope to see you all at our next meeting! Monroe County Civil War Roundtable Annual Dues/Donation Form Name Date Address Mail to: Monroe County Civil War Roundtable c/o Monroe County History Center 202 E. 6th St. Membership $15 Bloomington, IN Speakers Fund $ [NOTE: unspecified donations over $15 will be considered as membership first with the balance toward the Speakers Fund.] Thank you!!! 2

3 Special Order 191 Returns!! General Robert E. Lee s famous Special Order 191, a critical component of the 1862 Maryland Campaign, has returned to the place where it was written, lost and found! The order was written, lost and found on what is now the Monocacy National Battlefield. In remembrance of the 150 th anniversary of the 1862 campaign and the role the orders played, the Monocacy Visitor Center is hosting a special exhibit featuring the orders themselves. Special Order 191 is available for viewing courtesy of the Library of Congress. Special Order 191 was drafted by Lee on September 9, 1862, and detailed the movements of the Army of Northern Virginia during the early days of its invasion of Maryland. On the morning of September 13, 1862, Corporal Barton W. Mitchell (of Monroe County s very own Company F, 27 th Indiana Volunteers) found an unsealed envelope in a wheat field under a locust tree near where a Confederate camp had recently been. Inside the envelope were two cigars wrapped in a single sheet of paper. Upon examining the writing on the paper, Mitchell realized its importance [see note at right] and passed it along to his first sergeant, John M. Bloss. The paper was passed up the chain of command and eventually reached Union General George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac. McClellan, overjoyed at having insight into Lee s plans, told a subordinate, Now I know what to do! Here is a paper with which, if I cannot whip Bobby Lee, I will be willing to go home. As it turned out, McClellan s military response to finding the orders led to the September 17, 1862, Battle of Antietam, the single bloodiest day in American history. The battle itself turned out to be a tactical draw, but it was a strategic victory for the Union. It was enough to allow President Lincoln to issue his initial Emancipation Proclamation. Many believe the strategic Union victory at Antietam was a critical turning point in the war (read, e.g., McPherson s Crossroads of Freedom). The exhibit at the Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center near Frederick, MD, will run until October 31, 2012 so make your plans to visit quickly as time to see it first hand is ticking away. Also, look forward to an upcoming roundtable presentation on Lee s Lost Order. Lee's Lost Order 191 Legacy Above: a digital representation of Special Order #191. Barton Mitchell, finder of the lost order, eventually came to realize his potential place in history and wrote several letters to the government trying to capitalize on his brief encounter with Civil War immortality, but never was successful. He died just a few years after the war ended and is buried in the Baptist Cemetery in Hartsville, IN, just east of Columbus. A historical marker on the town square in Hartsville marks his brief flirtation with fame. Sgt. John Bloss, shown (left) with his family long after the war, lived well into the 20th century. He became an educator and eventually was president of what is today Oregon State University. Due to failing health, he returned to Delaware County, IN, late in life and is buried in Beech Grove Cemetery in Muncie, IN. Oct. 9 Nov. 13 Dec. 11 Jan. 8 Feb. 12 Mar. 12 April 9 May Program Schedule Hoosiers in the Mexican War Who Became Leaders in the Civil War by Matt Hoagland Confederates Raid Newburgh, IN! by Ray Mulesky Annual Holiday Dinner Christmas During the War by Scott Schroeder The Causes of the End of the Civil War by Deborah Cronin Alexander Gardner, Civil War Photographer by Steve Rolfe Nathan Bedford Forrest at Fort Pillow by Cassy Gray OPEN do a program yourself! 150 Years Ago in October 1st Skirmish near Sharpsburg, MD. 3rd Battle of Corinth, MS 4th-5th Battle of Iuka, MS 8th Battle of Perryville, KY 18th Morgan s Raiders defeat US cavalry near Lexington, KY 22nd CSA cavalry capture London, KY 24th Rosecrans replaces Buell as commander of the Army of Ohio 29th Skirmish at Island Mound, MO. First use in the war of USCT as organized unit. 3

4 Sour on Jackson First, if you have never been to Lexington, VA, you need to put it on your bucket list. The final home of Stonewall Jackson, the Virginia Military Institute, Washington & Lee University with the Lee Chapel where Robert E. Lee is entombed, and where his trusted mount, Traveler, is buried just outside the side door (Jackson s horse, Little Sorrel, or at least its hide, is on display at the VMI museum in Lexington)...all are here to see. And Lexington is, in itself, a very pleasant western Virginia community that offers some wonderful shopping, restaurants and, simply, a degree of Southern charm that is becoming harder to find all the time. But there is one more thing that is a must see, and that is the gravesite and monument to Stonewall Jackson in a cemetery just a few blocks from his home. One of our members was just there last month and had an interesting visit just at dusk as a light rain began to fall. He remembered seeing golf balls strewn on the grave of the great golfer and golf course designer Bobby Jones at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, and pennies placed on the base of the monument to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address in that iconic town s National Cemetery. True to form, scattered on the ground around Jackson s monument were...lemons! Jackson s affinity for lemons may only be a legend, but, even if that is so, it is one that sticks. If you do make the journey, be sure to take the time to look around other parts of the cemetery. There are some more notable residents such as John Letcher, Virginia s Civil War governor, and Sandie Pendleton, Lee s Chief of Staff, among others. It will be worth the effort. Tell Us What You Think Do you like an article in the Sentinel? Hate one? Disagree or have a correction? Do you have a Civil War travel moment you would like to share, no matter how long ago it was? We are anxious to hear your comments, suggestions, submissions, etc. to the newsletter. Just them to Editor Steve Rolfe, srolfe@indiana.edu, or see him at a meeting. How Much Did They Earn? So you think you re underpaid, right? Member Bob Willey prompted us to look into these figures from a recent mailing of his. With his numbers and some internet searching, here are the approximate monthly pay scales for most ranks in the Union army during the war. This even includes a couple of non-combatant positions. See how you stack up. Lieutenant General $ Major General $ Brigadier General $ Colonel $ Lieutenant Colonel $ Major $ Captain $ First Lieutenant $ Second Lieutenant $ Sergeant Major $ First Sergeant $ Quartermaster Sergeant $ Sergeant $ Corporal $ Private $ Hospital Steward $ Female Nurse $ 6.00 And, if you have looked at USCT pay rates or have even seen the movie Glory, you will remember that a private in the USCT ranks earned only about half the pay of white troops, meaning they were putting their lives on the line for about what a female nurse made. Special Thanks! The photos of the Ed Bearss event on page one were taken by Martha Smith, a friend of president Kevin Shiflet She is now a friend to the roundtable, too. Thanks for donating your time and effort, Martha! If you would like to see more photos from the evening, just go to our website, where there are many more shots of what was our most successful event ever. We hope and intend to do it again down the road. Special thanks also to Dr. Jeff Allen, a member who put Mr. Bearss up in his guest suite at home and saved the roundtable a significant expense for a hotel. The Jackson grave and monument at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery in Lexington, VA...and some of the ever-present lemons lying in the grass at its base. ***** Quote of the Month #1 One unknown Union general saw his troops disappear into the Sunken Road at Antietam, and was heard to say, "God save my poor boys." ***** Quote of the Month #2 On the eve of the Battle of Antietam, the commander of the First Division of the XII Corps of the Union Army (which included the 27th IN), Alpheus Williams, wrote home to his wife: There was a half dreamy sensation about it all, but with a certain impression that the morrow was to be great with the future of our country. So much responsibility, so much intense, future anxiety. 4

5 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, Drewry 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 member. 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- 10 th Wisconsin Infantry, Co. D; 3 rd 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- 8 th Iowa Infantry, Co. A; 3 rd great grandfather of MCCWR member Scott Schroeder. Engagements: Battle of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Red River Campaign. Captured at Shiloh in the Hornets Nest. Exch. Oct. 62 and returned to his unit. Reuben Newman 27th Indiana Infantry, Co. I, Putnam County Grays - Great-great-grandfather of member Eric Newman. 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 Kevin Shiflet keshift@aol.com Secretary, newsletter ed. Steve Rolfe srolfe@indiana.edu Treasurer Larry Cady pencil66@gmail.com Hospitality Allan Sather aks0407@yahoo.com Programs John Crosby marjohn28@comcast.net Programs Ray Beeker marvin.beeker4117@comcast.net Programs (Chair) Scott Schroeder sts.mccwr@gmail.com Board Rep & tech help Rick Watson rawatson@indiana.edu Board Rep & tech help Randy Stevenson rks_jfs@yahoo.com [Anyone is welcome to attend board meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 11:30 at the History Center.] Monroe County Civil War Roundtable c/o Monroe County History Center 202 E. 6th St. Bloomington, IN

6 150th Anniversary Events Page and More! [It is the 150th anniversary of the war and there are so many special events scheduled in the upcoming months that we have added this page with anything that might be of interest to members and that are not too distant. 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 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 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. Lew Wallace Study and Museum Crawfordsville, IN, is the home of perhaps the state s most famous general of the war. Wallace, and the Civil War controversy arising from his division s tardiness during the first day of the Battle of Shiloh, was the subject of his biographer, Gail Stephens, when she spoke at our roundtable last year. You can read all about it in her excellent new book Shadow of Shiloh: General Lew Wallace in the Civil War which is available in the Monroe County History center gift shop. Missouri Civil War History The Secretary of the State of Missouri herself, Robin Carnahan, has requested that we pass along the website for the new digital history collections for the state on-line at These include Community and Conflict: The Civil War in the Ozarks, St. Louis Daily Republican Newspaper: and St. Louis Area Civil War Digitization Project. Kentucky s Generals- Kentuckians in the Civil War is an ongoing exhibit of portraits of prominent native sons of the state who were US and CS generals at the Battle of Richmond Visitors Center I Richmond, KY. Contact phillip.seyfrit@madisoncountyky.us. Battle of Perryville Reenactment, Oct. 5-7, 2012, Perryville, KY. This should be perhaps the biggest reenactment in the Midwest, done on one of the most pristine and well-preserved CW battlefields for a long time. For details, contact Kurt Holman at Perryville State Battlefield. Battle of Camp Wildcat Reenactment, near London, KY, Oct , Stones River Civil War Symposium - Oct , Murfreesboro, TN. Southern Indiana Civil War Roundtable Evansville- Upcoming meetings and topics: October 18, 2012 Vincent Moran Historic Newburgh Film November 15, 2012 Craig Berkeley Ind. Troops at Gettysburg December 20, 2012 Trivia Contest/Show & Tell [Contact Tom Murray if you have questions or need directions. tmurray50@gmail.com] Civil War Medicine Sponsored by the Lexington History Museum: It will be a double feature starting at 7:00 pm, October 5, 2012 to be held at the Arts Place, N. Mills Ave in downtown Lexington, Ky. It s a fundraiser - tickets $15.00: 7pm - 8pm "Civil War Medicines, Infectious Disease & Immunity 8pm - 9pm "Civil War Feuds: A Family Tradition" [There will also be a Civil War medicine living history program at the Battle of Perryville reenactment on Sunday, October 7.] ***** More Quotes of the Month [All concern the Battle of Antietam] "The smoke, the noise, the artillery is crashing in from all directions, It's just a concentrated terror." - Keith Snyder, a park ranger at Antietam. "The thing about Antietam is it's a very personal battle," Snyder adds. "The vast majority of combat here is done at very close range 100 yards and closer. It's savage and personal. So when you pop out, the enemy is right there." It was a dreadful scene. The dead and dying lay thick on the field like harvest sheaths...prayers were mingled with oaths, and midnight hid all distinction between blue and gray. - Henry Kyd Douglas, one of Jackson s aides, who had grown up near the battlefield. If you have information about an upcoming event that does not appear here, or if you want to share a book review, a Civil War travel experience or even comment on anything you see in this newsletter, just the editor, Steve Rolfe, at srolfe@indiana.edu and we will make every effort to include it in the next issue. 6