Annual River Crossing a Huge Success

Transcription

1 Army of Northern Virginia Maryland Division Camp #1398 Colonel William Norris September 2012 Annual River Crossing a Huge Success The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. The 14 th anniversary of our annual River Crossing was under way around 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 25. The event commemorated the 150 th Anniversary of the Army of Northern Virginia crossing the Potomac River, which started the 1862 Maryland Campaign (Sept. 4-6, 1862). Norris Camp member Greg Clemmer brought in his Smithsonian tour group and treated them to a presentation on what happened in the area. During his presentation, he shared a story about Gen. Stonewall Jackson, Continued on page 6 See Inside Adjutant Activities 2 Participating in the day s events were (from left to right) Ray Parker, Commander Frank Brown Jr., Don Beck, John Howerton, Bruce Funk, Maryland Division Commander Jay Barringer and Harold Ford. Not pictured was Dan Blevin and Dave King, Jr. Guest Speaker 2 Letter from Thomas P. Newton 3 In Memoriam 6 Compatriot Dave Clemmer (yellow shirt) speaks to a group of Smithsonian participants.

2 Page 2 Adjutant Activities Minutes Aug. 7, 2012, Camp Meeting at VFW Bingo Entrance There were eight members attending including compatriots Pete Griffin, Jim Stargel, Ray Parker, David King Jr., Don Beck, H. Bruce Funk, Adjutant/Treasurer Harold Ford and 1 st Lt. Commander Dave Redden. 1 st Lt. Commander Dave Redden, in the absence of Commander Frank Brown Jr., opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, the Salute to the Confederate Flag and followed by the Charge. Guest Speaker William S. Connery graced us with another visit and this time he talked about the war in Northern Virginia. Guest Speaker Chuck V. Mauro is the director and co-producer of the multiple award-winning documentary Mosby's Combat Operations in Fairfax County, Va. This documentary covers 42 locations in Fairfax County where Confederate Colonel John S. Mosby conducted military operations during the Civil War. He is also the writer and co-producer for the movie The Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill). Mauro is also the author of five books. His latest is A Southern Spy in Northern Virginia: The Civil War Album of Laura Ratcliffe. It is the story of an album that Confederate General JEB Stuart gave to Laura Ratcliffe, a spy who lived in Frying Pan, now Floris, Va., during the Civil War. He is also the author of The Civil War in Fairfax County: Civilians and Soldiers, in which he has given voice to the heretofore silent majority of the participants in the Civil War: the civilians. Mauro is also the author and photographer of Herndon: A Town and Its History and Herndon: A History in Images. Mauro received the coveted Nan Netherton Heritage Award in 1999 for his historical research, writing, and photography of The Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill), A Monumental Storm. He also wrote a chapter for Fairfax County Stories: Mauro is a member and past President of the Historical Society of Herndon. He is a member of the Historic Centreville Society, Ltd., the Bull Run and Capitol Hill Civil War Round Tables, the Stuart Mosby Society, Historic Fairfax City Inc., the Historical Society of Fairfax County, Va., and the Friends of Fort Ward. He is a member of the Louisiana Historical Association Memorial Hall Foundation, Inc., and the National Center for Civil War Photography. He is also a member and past president of the Manassas Warrenton Camera Club.

3 Page 3 Letter from Private Thomas D. Newton Message from the letter's owner: This letter was written by my Great-Great-Great-Great-Uncle Thomas D. Newton, who was a Private in Co. H., 8th Regiment of Louisiana Infantry. He was Sumter Co., Ala., but had been travelling in Louisiana when the war broke out. He enlisted June 8, He was present from the Battle of Secessionville, through the Mine Run Campaign. He was wounded at Antietam. He was evidently wounded around the time of the Mine Run Campaign, because he later died while on wounded furlough. The letter is to his sister Mary, my Great-Great- Great-Great-Grandmother. Madison County, Va. May 28th, 1862 Sister Mary, This evening, the 20th of May, affords me the delightful pleasure of writing to you all at home. Home. Home. How much pleasure there is in that word home? There is more than tongue can express. How oft have I thought of home. That place that I formerly so little appreciated. And to think of those that are there. The kind Father, the indulgent Mother to which I have been so disrespectful in days gone by. The fond sisters that I have so oft mistreated. Oh, that I could have my time over again how different I would live. One may imagine something as to the ties that home has. Though, it is nothing compared to realizing the true state of things. I will tell you how much I think of home. That delightful home I have so often thought of the greater portion of my day in quietude enjoying the pleasures and comforts of life, and those that are dear to me. I think just enough of home to spend the remnant of my days, though they may be long, or short, in difference. There is of home a delightful place where one can have peace, and just rights with it. But, without those two items death is far preferable. I will stay in the field forever before I will have my country invaded. I will submit to the toils and hardships of camp. I will be found traversing the snowclad cliffs of the Thoroughfare and the Blue Ridge Mountains first. I will endure the toil, forbear the pain produced thereby, before thinking of submitting to such tyrannical vandals as those negro-thieving, undermining, careless, unprincipled band of demons, which are really beneath the notice of the Devil himself.. I say and speak from my heart that life is sweet, though give me death before submitting to any such. Never has history, even in the days of uncivilization, not even the heathen when committing their brutal acts regardless of care, or Gospel, had to disgrace her pages with such detestable, disgraceful, disdainful, unprincipled stuff as the present in stating the whys and wherefores of this war, if it is truly accounted for. If it doesn't prove a disgrace to the Federals in the estimation of all nations, I can't see why. In short, to this end give me liberty, or give me death. I have no message of much importance to communicate to you. I have not heard from Gen. Beauregard for several days. The last account from Richmond, they were sick of fighting, as Continued on page 4

4 Page 4 Letter from Private Thomas D. Newton Continued from page 3 few expected a general engagement shortly. Gen. Jackson had a skirmish with the Feds the other day. He took 2000 prisoners, saying nothing of killed and wounded. Our loss was 100 killed and wounded. The enemy totally routed, we captured five car loads of coffee, all of their commissary stores, and also their artillery. What I have stated as to this fight is true, for the man I am staying with saw them with his own eyes, as they came with them from Richmond. Since that time, they have captured 4000, including 1000 cavalrymen, horses and all. If this be true, I say glory to God for it. I have great faith in Jackson and Beauregard, but not so much in Johnson as the others. I can't think of anything else that will interest you. My health is fairly good at this time. You will right to me immediately to tell all you know of about Joseph and Isaac. I have not heard much from home in three months. Direct your letters to Oak Park, Oak Park, Madison County, Va. They will be forwarded from there to me. Write immediately. Nothing more remains, Your warrior brother, until death, Thomas D. Newton Obituary Life is a span, a fleeting hour, How soon the vapor flies! Man is a tender, transient flower, That even in blooming dies, That once loved form, now cold and dead, Each mournful thought employs: We weep our earthly comforts fled, And withered all our joys. Died at the Wayside Home, Augusta, Georgia, on the 6th of April, 1864, Thomas D. Newton, of Co. H., 8th Louisiana Regiment, in the 24th year of his age. He had remained nearly two months in a hospital at Lynchburg, Va., and it is supposed, having partly recovered, had obtained a furlough, and was on his way home, when he had a relapse and died; yes, died away from home and friends, doubtless for want of attention. No brother near to cheer and comfort him, while enduring the pain that has laid him low; no mother to administer the cordials that are so necessary and refreshing in the hours of affliction; no sister to smooth his pillow, and wipe the dews of death from his noble brow, whilst that Monster was performing his mighty task; and no friend or acquaintance to follow him to his last resting place a cold, Continued on page 5

5 Page 5 Letter from Private Thomas D. Newton Continued from page 4 cold grave. But being a good and devoted Christian, a member of the Baptist Church from his early youth, he was not alone when; They laid thee in thy quiet grave, Few mourners 'round thy tomb, And few the pitying friends that near Disturbed with faltering sigh or tear The graveyard's silent gloom. It is thus that another heroic spirit has taken its flight to a new and untried existence, another sacrifice has been offered on the altar of our country. Among the brave, he was the bravest; fearing nothing in defense of his country, in whose service he lost his own life with hope that she might one day be free. From his early youth he was deeply impressed with a love of freedom, his country, and his home. When war was proclaimed he was traveling in Louisiana for his health, which was very bad; although his constitution was greatly debilitated by previous sickness, yet the first sound of the drum, calling our men to arms, aroused him, and he went with the motto, Conquer or die. With his immortal leader Stonewall, he often, cold, hungry, and fatigued, traversed the mountains and valleys of Virginia; invaded Maryland and Pennsylvania, and participated in every battle fought by that army except the first Manassas, Richmond, and Fredericksburg, being absent then on account of sickness. While fighting he displayed that coolness and intrepidity which in times of battle are the handmaids of success; and Rome or Greece cannot boast a braver or more daring soldier. His military career has been a bright, glorious one, and reflects high honors upon his friends and country. While the first battle of Winchester was raging, the ball and grapeshot as thick as hail, the regiment to which he belonged was ordered to charge a battery. He being in front, with all the intrepidity of Col. Cilley of the Revolutionary struggle, and at imminent risk of his life, mounted a cannon. With his bowie knife alone, he maintained his position, killing one of the enemy, and wounding another before he received any assistance. He was once taken prisoner and gave up arms. About that time a shower of shot flew over him, when he, ever ready to take advantage of the enemy, fell as if he had been killed. In that position he remained perfectly motionless, until a proper opportunity opened a way for his escape. He then rose and returned to camps as fast as his feet could carry him, and was the only one of his company that escaped either death, or captivity. As a soldier he was gallant and intrepid, never swerving in the least from the paths of duty and honor. He evinced a high regard of truth, justice, and mercy, and an utter contempt for all that is low and degrading. In him were united those high characteristics which make the fond, obedient son; thee tender, loving brother, the kind, generous friend, and the brave undaunted soldier. But oh! He is gone, gone forever! Wail, Alabama, wail! You have lost one of your firmest defenders. But you can never call him back. We can say to his weeping parents, brothers, sisters, and friends, Grieve not for your dear Thomas: Our Heavenly Father has taken him from this cold, cruel world, for a good and wise Continued on page 6

6 Page 66 Compatriot Robert Jones gave a wonderful talk on the history of the CSS Arkansas. It took months to build, and lasted one day in combat and what an exciting day that was! In Memoriam Soon after the secession of Tennessee, efforts were made to construct vessels for war purposes, and at Memphis were commenced two ironclad rams, the Arkansas and the Tennessee. Upon the fall Dave Redden s mom passed away on Aug. 18. Our hearts and prayers are with Dave and his family during this time of grief. of Memphis the latter vessel was burned, but the Arkansas was carried by her commander, Capt. Charles H. McBlair, to the Yazoo River. Captain McBlair was relieved of command by Lieut. Isaac N. Brown, who by extraordinary and unparalleled exertions got her ready for service by July She was indifferently armored, but had a formidable Letter battery, viz., from two 8-inch Private columbiads, Thomas two 9-inch Dahlgren D. Newton guns, four 6-inch rifles and two smoothbore 32-pounders. She drew 14 feet of water and had a maximum speed of six knots. She was admirably officered with Lieuts. H. K. Stevens, J. Grimball, A.D. Wharton, Continued C. W. Read, from A. page Barbot 5 and George W. Gift; Surg. H. Washington, Asst. Surg. C. M. Morfit, Asst. Paymaster Richard Taylor; Engineers City, Covert, Jackson, Brown, Doland, purpose; and to his will we must submit. So farewell dear Thomas, farewell! We will think of Dupuy them and and Gettis; love thee, Acting though Masters the portals Phillips of the and tomb Milliken; open wide, Midshipmen received thy Bacot, loving Scales form, and and Tyler; enveloped Gunner Travers it in its dark and bosom. Master's But, Mate Wilson, with Messrs. Shacklette, Gilmore, Brady and Hodges as pilots, and a crew of 200 men, principally soldiers and river men. Upon consultation While with the dreams General of love Van still Dorn, thrill commanding the soul, at Vicksburg in the summer of 1862, Captain With Brown mingled dtermined bliss and to proceed pain, in the Arkansas to that city, distant by water about 50 miles. Or To summers do this dying he had leaves to pass can bring the vessels of Admiral Farragut and Flag-Officer Davis, and the rams Regrets of o'er Colonel life s fast Ellet. fading These spring vessels were at anchor in the Mississippi, three miles below Thy the mouth memory of must the remain. Yazoo, and among them were six ironclads, seven rams and 10 large ships One of That war. Knew On the And morning Loved Him of July 15, 1862, Captain Brown started in the Arkansas for Abraham Lincoln of the South Vicksburg. About six miles from the mouth of the Yazoo River he was met by the United States ironclad Carondelet, Captain Walker; the gunboat Tyler, Lieutenant Commanding The South had its own Abraham Lincoln, but he didn't stick around with his fellow soldiers Gwinn, in Company and the F, ram 1st Virginia Queen of Cavalry, the West. to see All it three through of to these the end vessels of the turned, war. Private and a Abraham running fight Lincoln ensued. was The listed ram as a made deserter a straight in wake, but the other two fought well. The Tyler was too weak Read more: to encounter the Arkansas, though her commander, Gwinn, did all that could be expected of him. The Arkansas bestowed most of her attention to the ironclad Carondelet, killing and wounding many of her men, and finally driving her into shoal water. Captain Brown asserted that Annual she lowered River her Crossing colors; this Captain a Huge Walker Success denied, but there is no doubt that the Arkansas would have made a prize of her could she have spared the time to Continued from page 1 stop, which she could not. In the encounter with the Carondelet, Captain Brown was badly wounded who when and he two crossed of his the pilots river, were noticed killed. there One was was a load the of Yazoo watermelons River pilot on a who, barge as on they were C&O Canal. He purchased the whole barge of melons with Confederate money and everyone carrying him below, had the courage and devotion to exclaim with his dying breath, "Keep feasted on watermelon. In commemoration of this event, we also feasted on watermelon, as in the middle of the river!" The Arkansas' smokestack was so riddled that she could hardly well as our usual fare of fried chicken, cole slaw and potato salad. make A special more than thanks one to knot Dave per King hour Jr. when for supplying she entered the tent the and Mississippi; the Montgomery but this, County with Fire the current Department of the river, for enabled the safety her boat to and run it the ambulance gauntlet service. of Farragut's Also thanks fleet. to Dave McGowan, Ray Parker, John Howerton, Dan Belvin and others who pitched in setting up and collecting Capt. the camp A. T. flags. Mahan says: The Additional ram [Arkansas] thanks goes now to followed Elaine Beck the who Tyler, also which helped had serve kept food up and her who fire handled remained the 50- within 50. range, losing many of her people, killed and wounded. The enemy was seen to be pumping We were a heavy honored stream once of again water to have both the in the Maryland Yazoo Line and & the Camiliar Mississippi, Camp and set up her their smokestack mobile been camp so stores pierced and by for shot making as to a reduce variety her of items speed available to a little for over sale. a knot an hour, at which had rate, aided by a favoring current, she passed through the two fleets. Having

7 Sons of Confederate Veterans Army of Northern Virginia Maryland Division Camp #1398 Page 7 The newsletter of the Colonel William Norris Camp #1398 is published 12 times a year by the camp as a service to its membership and to the public. Officers Heritage Violations Notify the Camp Heritage Officer compatriot Jim Stargel (jim.stargel@ffa.gov) of any heritage violations. Harold E. Ford Adjutant/Treasurer Colonel William Norris Camp #1398 Frank Brown Jr., Commander 5008 Tothill Drive Phone: Olney, MD fbrwnmcbrwn@aol.com David Redden, 1st Lt. Commander Dowden Circle Phone: Poolesville, MD daveredden@hotmail.com Major David King Jr., 2nd Lt. Commander 5611 Oak Place Phone: Bethesda, MD Dejota.King@verizon.net Dan Buckingham, 3rd Lt. Commander Front Field Lane Phone: Potomac, MD danbuckingham@hurrisafe.com Harold Ford, Adjutant/Treasurer Jacobs Road Phone: Mt. Airy, MD dept911@gmail.com Thomas Keefer, Chaplain Cross Bridge Way Phone: Germantown, MD tskeef@yahoo.com Mitch Mroczka, Recruiting Officer 7333 Brenish Drive Phone: Gaithersburg, MD mroczka1@verizon.net Jim Stargel, Heritage Office/Quartermaster Phyllis Brown, Editor jim,stargel@ffa.gov phyllisbrow20832@aol.com