Call to arms May 2014 Volume V, Issue 9

Transcription

1 Call to arms May 2014 Volume V, Issue 9 The Newsletter of the Brunswick Civil War Round Table The President s Corner our speaker last month was our friend and charter member, Professor Chris Fonvielle, spoke about reconstruction in North Carolina and the Wilmington Race Riots of This is the third time he has spoken to our Round Table and each time he has done an outstanding job of educating us on some of the lesser known aspects of the war. Yet, these were clearly important in broadening our understanding of the War. He captivates us with his friendly style laced with humor and facts. Even in the face of a short glitch early in the program, he engaged the audience by answering questions and continued the program without losing a beat. Thanks Chris, wonderful job. You have friends for life in the Brunswick Civil War Round Table. On April 15th, Director Charen Fink led another BCWRT Ladies' Forum. Both Charen and Musette Steck, another member of our Round Table and President of the Southport Historical Society, were featured speakers. Wally Rueckel Once again the program was well received with 86 attendees of which 40 were visitors. Charen's special guest, Carol Codori, President of the Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table, came all the way from Alabama just to hear the program. Great job, Charen. At our April meeting we had approximately 15 new members and 29 guests attend with just under 300 in attendance. We welcome all of the new members and guests and thank all of our members for their continuing support. Our May 6th program will feature Patrick Falsi who will talk about Confederate Lt. General A.P. Hill. Patrick, an actor and performing historian, portrayed A.P. Hill in the movie, Gettysburg and has been a guest speaker at the White House. He comes from upstate New York. I am sure you will find his presentation a little different from our typical programs. Inside this Issue President s Message Last Meeting Synopsis Co-Editors Charen Fink Jim McKee ,5 Ladies Dept 4 3rd Ladies Forum Civil War on Ice Membership Notice Next Program Membership/ Renewal Form 150 Years Ago

2 MAY 2014 Next Speaker PAGE 2 Gen. A.P. Hill attends Fourth Anniversary meeting If you enjoyed watching, or heard about the celebrated film, Gettysburg, you are in for one of the most interesting and entertaining Brunswick Civil War Round Table presentations of the season. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 6th. Actor and performing historian Patrick Falci, who portrayed one of the noteworthy characters, Confederate General Ambrose Powell Hill, Jr., will be the Round Table s guest speaker. The title of his presentation is The Man in the Red Battle Shirt: The Life of General A.P. Hill. Here s what a few of his critics had to say: Pat Falci s talks are just like a Broadway show, opines Dan Jacobs of the Civil War Round Table of New York. He makes you feel as though you were there, explains George Hatcher, Jr., Executive Producer at WEMD Radio. Patrick s speaking style is more about story-telling the enjoyment of hearing him as a speaker is that he brings the people he is talking about to life, claims The Rochester, MN newsletter. And, renowned Civil War historian, Ed Bearss states, Pat Falci keeps history alive through his interpretation of A.P. Hill. Attendees at the May 6 th meeting will learn how Gen. A.P. Hill gained early fame as the commander of the Light Division in the Seven Days Battles and became one of Stonewall Jackson s ablest subordinates, distinguishing himself in the 1862 battle of Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. Later, after Jackson s death in May 1863, Hill was promoted to Lt. Gen., and commanded the Third Corps of Robert E. Lee s Army of Northern Virginia, which led to the Gettysburg Campaign and the fall campaigns of His command of the corps in was interrupted by his various illnesses which kept him out of the war. Upon his return he was killed during the Union Army offensive at the Third Battle of Petersburg.

3 MAY 2014 Speaker Synopsis By Dan Fink PAGE 3 The Contingency of Reconstruction & Race in Wilmington Chris is much more than a noted and knowledgeable historian. He is a native son of Wilmington. If anyone grew where he was planted, Chris qualifies. He speaks with great insight and feeling. His pragmatism helps us understand this design for disaster called post Civil War reconstruction. The same stars we tried to steer in the 1865 Galaxy are still shining. Chris says those missed opportunities are still blinking at us today. Chris would agree with economist Pieter Emmet: The words emancipation and abolition must be regarded with utmost suspicion. The reconstruction era focus Chris shares with us is that of the Southern States from The goal was always a smooth re-entry and transformation ending in one mighty United States of America as directed by Congress. The War ended and thousands of blacks and some whites descended on Wilmington giving it a black majority from The infrastructure was in shambles as was the transportation system. Add to this mess a very bitter and racist Wilmington citizenry. Sherman s Army has about 20-25,000 freedmen following him in He could not provide for them and sent about 8000 to Wilmington. The population swelled to somewhere above 35,000. These 14 years, two months and 30 days of radical reconstruction scared Wilmington and by Dan Fink left wounds still seeping today. This great city suffered! Andrew Johnston aimed for a moderate policy and came one vote short of impeachment. Radical Republicans imposed harsh terms and gave power to the likes of the KKK. Carpetbaggers took as much and as often as they could. A nasty nationwide depression occurred called the panic of U.S. Grant tried to suppress the KKK and protect African Americans. Scalawags (native whites of the South) escalated tensions. Intense controversy erupted surrounding the best way to incorporate eleven seceding states into a republican form of government. Jim Crow Laws and The Black Code (ya just had to be there) successfully subordinated African Americans. These ultimately led to the politically motivated attack by whites against the city s leading African Americans. It will variously be called The Wilmington Coup d'état, Massacre or Race Riot of This illegal overthrow of a legitimately elected local government, Chris summarizes, is the basis of the seeping wounds we still face today. We attempted100 years later to give some closure to victims. Reparations were suggested for descendants of the up to 100 who lost a life. Chris closes by saying that those stars still blink and the race for justice goes on and on.

4 MAY 2014 Ladies Department By Charen Fink PAGE 4 Courtship An advice manual of the day stated, Love is the universal passion, courtship is the interesting avocation of human life, and marriage one of the great ends of existence. In the nineteenth century women had little influence in politics, economics, or education. They were legally and financially dependent on a husband. Facts of Courtship +Women were regarded as morally superior and granted increasing authority concerning household duties and child rearing. + Men had authority outside the home. +Courtship became very formal. +Rings were exchanged. +The median age for a bride was 20 and grooms, 25. +Most men began to court seriously by 23 and women by Men were usually eight years older. +If a girl remained unmarried much past the age of 23 she was considered to be an old maid. +A spinster was a marginal and often ignored member of the community and bachelors were considered at loose ends, fickle or unstable. +Courting and dating was not the same thing. +The express purpose of courtship was mar riage while dating is at least, in the beginning, for fun and amusement. +To court, a man was expected to ask permis sion of the girl s father. It was also expected that his intentions were honorable marriage minded. Bundling Bundling sometimes took place in the North. It was a Dutch custom involving putting a man and a woman into the same bed either partially or fully dressed with perhaps a board between them. Spooning +Spooning and sparking in days gone by were favorite front porch activities. +This included holding hands, gazing into each other s eyes, blushing, saying no, and giggling. + However, strict parents were always inside the house ready to bring out a light. + In the South, the principal occupation of women had been courtship but war decreased social activities and available men for participation. + The new trend was women marrying a man younger than her, one she did not love, recuperating soldiers or amputees. + The cause that glorifies such wounds. Up North +Things were not much better; there was still a shortage of men. Mary Livermore stated that Wisconsin and Iowa were run by women. They were in the fields, behind store counters and manning factories. +The problem was that the young soldiers were far away. +To reduce frustration they often would slip in racy and ribald notes to unidentified soldiers receiving packages. References George, Alain. Courting Customs in America Chaltas, David. The Renewal of Love During a Time of War. The Citizens Companion. January/ February, 2010, pg. 15.

5 MAY 2014 Ladies Forum PAGE 5 Third Ladies Forum Tuesday evening, , over 86 women gathered at Trinity United Methodist Church for the third Ladies' Forum. Twelveyear-old Kelsey Kumnick, visiting volunteer Betsy Kumnick, assisted at the registration table. A special guest was the president of the Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table in Huntsville, Alabama, Carol Codori, descentent of the Gettysburg Codori family. Local historian and BCWRT member, Musette Steck, discussed the slavery issue comparing the differences between North Carolina slaves and those from the deep South. She led the group on a historical journey from Northern slavery to Southern slavery touching on the plight of female slaves. Charen Fink, living history interpreter and BCWRT director, addressed the issue of education beginning with early childrearing to the progression of education for women and children in the North and South. North Carolina appeared to have been ahead of its time in the promotion of education for women and children. She will travel to Huntsville to speak to the TVCWRT in July. At the break five kinds of period cookies, grapes, and beverages were served. Ten Civil War books, mostly related to slavery, were given to holders of the winning tickets. The Forums are sponsored by the Brunswick Civil War Round Table to foster knowledge and interest in the history of the lives of Civil War women.

6 MAY 2014 The Civil War on Ice PAGE 6 The Civil War and the N HL It s the most wonderful time of the year! The Stanley Cup Playoffs! I know, y all are already asking how McKee is going to tie in the Civil War with full contact figure skating but here it is. The Columbus Blue Jackets are the Civil War connection with the NHL. Columbus nickname Blue Jackets pays homage to Ohio s rich Civil War history. Ohio furnished nearly 320,000 men to the Union army. The name blue jackets refers to the uniform tunic worn by Union soldiers during the war, many of which were manufactured in Columbus. Prior to the start of 2007 season, the team received a replica 12-pdr Napoleon which they fire before the team takes the ice at home, score a goal, and win a game. To honor the gun, the team unveiled a new alternate jersey prior to the 2010 season: The crest features the cannon. The team s secondary logo is a blue Union army kepi that features two crossed hockey sticks. Unfortunately, Columbus was eliminated from the playoffs by Pittsburgh 4 games to 2. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO THE MEMBERSHIP The Brunswick Civil War Round Table has a Board of nine members, including five officers, plus several advisors and committee chairs. The membership should be made aware of certain recent policies. 1. Basic membership fees for individuals and couples are $ Students will be welcomed free of charge. 3. A $5.00 admission fee will be charged all guests. 4. Occasionally it may be necessary to charge guests a higher fee when there is an especially renown speaker or when travel arrangements become more expensive. The RT has the following stated objectives: 1. To promote knowledge and understanding of the complex Civil War Era through programs, travel, and the Newsletter. 2. To support the development and preservation of Civil War sites. Pursued in various ways, some obvious and some less so, as to the monthly cost of speakers, venues, programs, and publicity. With this in mind, we propose to establish two categories of elective, tax-free giving which would secure our finances in light of unknown future changes. The proposed categories reflect our purposes. One category will be for programs and the other for Historic Site preservation. The membership may be assured that due diligence is given to all RT finances and other affairs.

7 MAY 2014 Membership Information PAGE 7 BRUNSWICK CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE Membership Application and Renewal The Brunswick Civil War Round Table usually meets on the first Tuesday of each month, except during July and August. Most meetings will be held in the Southport area. Specific locations will be announced in advance, either at meetings, in the newsletter, via , or on our web site. (brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com) Annual dues are $25.00 for individuals and couples, students are free of charge. Nonmembers pay $5.00 per visit, which can be applied to membership. Please make checks payable to: B. C. W. R. T. Payments for renewal memberships should be made on the anniversary of your initial membership. Forms and checks for membership or renewal can be given to those at the registration desk, at the meetings, or send to: BCWRT, P. O. Box 10161, Southport, NC NAME(S): ADDRESS: CITY/STATE/ZIP: PHONE: CELL: If you would like to make a donation to help BCWRT in its historical preservation work or to assure that we continue to get the best speakers possible please complete boxes below. Speakers and programs: Amount $ Battlefield preservation: Amount $ Recognition may be acknowledged in our communications should you wish. 150 YEARS AG O may 1864 May Overland Campaign begins. May 5-7 Battle of the Wilderness (1st Overland maneuver) May 5 Army of the James (Ben Butler), lands at Bermuda Hundred & City Point, VA May 5 Battle of Albemarle Sound: CSS Albemarle engages Union navy at mouth of Roanoke River. May 6 Battle of Tunnel Hill, GA (1st battle of the Atlanta Campaign) May 6 CSS Raleigh sorties out New Inlet to engage Union blockade fleet May 8 Battle of Spotsylvania begins (2nd Overland maneuver) May 11 Battle of Yellow Tavern. JEB Stuart mortally wounded. May 12 Battle of the Mule Shoe Salient: aka The Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania May 13 1st soldier interred at Arlington National Cemetery. May 15 Battle of New Market, VA (The Charge of the VMI Cadets). May 21- Army of the Potomac disengages from battle at Spotsylvania May 23- Battle of North Anna (3rd Overland maneuver) May 31- Lee & Meade meet at Cold Harbor begins (4th Overland maneuver)

8 APRIL 2014 PAGE Call To Arms 8 THE NEXT MEETING IS Tuesday, May 6, 2014 The Brunswick Civil War Round Table meets on the first Tuesday of each month, except July and August. Unless otherwise noted, meetings will be held at: Trinity United Methodist Church 209 E. Nash St. Southport, NC Registration is open at 6:30 pm and the program starts at 7:00pm BCWRT Officers, Directors and Advisors Wally Rueckel: President & Director Rob Clarke: Vice President & Director Marv Hamer: Vice President & Director Tom Kehoe: Treasurer & Director Norm Praet: Secretary & Director Tom O Donnell: Director & Advisor Jack Carpenter: Director Charen Fink: Director Chuck Roedema: Director Max Williams: Advisor Chris Fonvielle: Advisor Jim McKee: Advisor Connie Hendrix: Advisor Roy Pender: Advisor Check Us Out on the Web The Brunswick Civil War Round Table's website is now up and running. The BCWRT website can be found under brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com or brunswickcivilwarroundtable.org. All of the information on the website is available to everyone, no user name or password is required. Be sure to check out the list of presenters already lined up for our 2013/2014 year. There is also information on current Round Table sponsored trips and write -ups on trips already taken. Also check out the Links page for other organizations involved in the Civil War. The website is updated frequently so please keep checking in on us.