BRCWRT — Vol. XXIV, Issue 9, DECEMBER/JANUARY 2017/18 Page 1 (con’t on page 9) The Newsletter of the Bull Run Civil War Round Table — Vol. XXIV, Issue 9, DECEMBER/JANUARY 2017/18 AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN JOHN QUARSTEIN SPEAKS ON THE "CSS ALBEMARLE” AT DECEMBER 14 TH MEETING The aŵaziŶg stoƌLJ of the CSS Alďeŵarle is ǁell ĐhƌoŶiĐled aŶd ŵuĐh disĐussed aŵoŶg Ciǀil Waƌ histoƌiaŶs; hoǁeǀeƌ, heƌ fasĐiŶatŶg tale ƌeŵaiŶs ŵostlLJ uŶkŶoǁŶ stll to a ǁideƌ ďodLJ of Ciǀil Waƌ eŶthusiasts. The ĐiƌĐuŵstaŶĐes uŶdeƌ ǁhiĐh she ǁas ďuilt ǁeƌe edžtƌeŵelLJ adǀeƌse, aŶd heƌ fate ǁas to eŶgage agaiŶst laƌgeƌ Fedeƌal ships featuƌiŶg ŵuĐh laƌgeƌ Đƌeǁs aŶd supeƌioƌ fƌepoǁeƌ. Stll, the uŶdeƌdog Alďeŵarle tallied so ŵaŶLJ eŶeŵLJ ships suŶk oƌ daŵaged, that ŵaŶLJ haǀe giǀeŶ heƌ the distŶĐtoŶ of ďeiŶg the ŵost suĐĐessful iƌoŶĐlad ship of the Ciǀil Waƌ. We aƌe so happLJ to haǀe JohŶ QuaƌsteiŶ Đoŵe up to speak to us aďout the CSS Alďeŵarle at the DeĐeŵďeƌ ϭϰ th ŵeetŶg. JohŶ is aŶ aǁaƌd-ǁiŶŶiŶg authoƌ, histoƌiaŶ aŶd pƌeseƌǀatoŶist. He has ǀisited ouƌ ƌouŶd taďle a Ŷuŵďeƌ of tŵes iŶ the past feǁ LJeaƌs, giǀiŶg outstaŶdiŶg aŶd edžĐitŶg Ŷaǀal leĐtuƌes to ouƌ gƌoup. Afeƌ seƌǀiŶg ϯϬ LJeaƌs as diƌeĐtoƌ of the ViƌgiŶia Waƌ Museuŵ, he is pƌeseŶtlLJ the diƌeĐtoƌ of the USS MoŶitor CeŶteƌ at The MaƌiŶeƌs’ Museuŵ aŶd Paƌk iŶ Neǁpoƌt Neǁs, ViƌgiŶia. His ĐuƌƌeŶt pƌeseƌǀatoŶ eŶdeaǀoƌs iŶĐlude the ReďeĐĐa VaughaŶ House, Lee Hall Depot, CauseLJ’s Mill, Big Bethel Batlefeld aŶd Foƌt MoŶƌoe. JohŶ also seƌǀes oŶ seǀeƌal ďoaƌds aŶd ĐoŵŵissioŶs, iŶĐludiŶg the ViƌgiŶia Ciǀil Waƌ Tƌails, ViƌgiŶia Waƌ of ϭϴϭϮ BiĐeŶteŶŶial CoŵŵissioŶ AdǀisoƌLJ CouŶĐil aŶd the Neǁpoƌt Neǁs SesƋuiĐeŶteŶŶial CoŵŵissioŶ. He is the authoƌ of ϭϱ ďooks aŶd sidž PBS doĐuŵeŶtaƌies. IŶĐluded, iŶ paƌt, aƌe: Big Bethel: The First Trails, ViƌgiŶia Waƌ of ϭϴϭϮ BiĐeŶteŶŶial CoŵŵissioŶ AdǀisoƌLJ CouŶĐil aŶd the Neǁpoƌt Neǁs SesƋuiĐeŶteŶŶial CoŵŵissioŶ Batle ;ϮϬϭϭͿ, aŶd the HeŶƌLJ Adaŵs pƌize-ǁiŶŶiŶg ǀoluŵe: The MoŶitor MEMBERSHIP MEETING 7 p.m. Centreville Library THURSDAY, December 14, 2017 GUEST SPEAKER: HISTORIAN JOHN QUARSTEIN TOPIC: “CSS ALBERMARLE” THURSDAY, January 11, 2018 GUEST SPEAKER: HISTORIAN RALPH PETERS TOPIC: “LEADERSHIP LESSONS OF THE CIVIL WAR” BoLJs: The Creǁ of the UŶioŶ’s First IroŶĐlad ;ϮϬϭϬͿ; also: Fort MoŶroe: The KeLJ to the South; CSS VirgiŶia: Mistress of HaŵptoŶ Roads; The Ciǀil War oŶ the VirgiŶia PeŶiŶsula; aŶd: A HistorLJ of IroŶĐlads: The Poǁer of IroŶ Oǀer Wood. JohŶ ƌesides at Old PoiŶt Coŵfoƌt iŶ HaŵptoŶ, ViƌgiŶia aŶd oŶ his faŵilLJ’s faƌŵ Ŷeaƌ ChesteƌtoǁŶ, MaƌLJlaŶd. AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN RALPH PETERS SPEAKS ON "LEADERSHIP LESSONS OF THE CIVIL WAR” AT THE JANUARY 11 th MEETING Leadeƌship duƌiŶg the Ciǀil Waƌ eǀolǀed thƌoughout the ďloodLJ ĐoŶfiĐt, aŶd its ǀaƌious leǀels of stƌeŶgth haǀe ďeeŶ deďated foƌ the past ϭϱϬ LJeaƌs
The Newsletter of the Bull Run Civil War Round Table — Vol. XXIV, Issue 9, DECEMBER/JANUARY 2017/18
AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN
JOHN QUARSTEIN SPEAKS ON
THE "CSS ALBEMARLE”
AT DECEMBER 14TH MEETING
The a azi g sto of the CSS Al e arle is ell h o i led a d u h dis ussed a o g Ci il Wa
histo ia s; ho e e , he fas i ati g tale e ai s ostl u k o still to a ide od of Ci il Wa
e thusiasts. The i u sta es u de hi h she as uilt e e e t e el ad e se, a d he fate as
to e gage agai st la ge Fede al ships featu i g u h la ge e s a d supe io fi epo e . Still, the
u de dog Al e arle tallied so a e e ships su k o da aged, that a ha e gi e he the
disti tio of ei g the ost su essful i o lad ship of the Ci il Wa . We a e so happ to ha e Joh Qua stei o e up to speak to us a out the CSS
Al e arle at the De e e th eeti g. Joh is a a a d- i i g autho , histo ia a d
p ese atio ist. He has isited ou ou d ta le a u e of ti es i the past fe ea s, gi i g
outsta di g a d e iti g a al le tu es to ou g oup. Afte se i g ea s as di e to of the Vi gi ia Wa Museu , he is p ese tl the di e to of the USS Mo itor Ce te at The Ma i e s’ Museu a d Pa k i Ne po t Ne s, Vi gi ia.
His u e t p ese atio e dea o s i lude the Re e a Vaugha House, Lee Hall Depot, Cause ’s Mill, Big Bethel Battlefield a d Fo t Mo oe. Joh also se es o se e al oa ds a d o issio s, i ludi g the Vi gi ia Ci il Wa T ails, Vi gi ia Wa of
Bi e te ial Co issio Ad iso Cou il a d the Ne po t Ne s Ses ui e te ial Co issio . He is the autho of ooks a d si PBS
do u e ta ies. I luded, i pa t, a e: Big Bethel: The First Trails, Vi gi ia Wa of Bi e te ial Co issio Ad iso Cou il a d the Ne po t Ne s Ses ui e te ial Co issio Battle , a d the He Ada s p ize- i i g olu e: The Mo itor
MEMBERSHIP MEETING
7 p.m. Centreville Library
THURSDAY, December 14, 2017
GUEST SPEAKER:
HISTORIAN
JOHN QUARSTEIN
TOPIC:
“CSS ALBERMARLE”
THURSDAY, January 11, 2018
GUEST SPEAKER:
HISTORIAN
RALPH PETERS
TOPIC:
“LEADERSHIP LESSONS
OF THE CIVIL WAR”
Bo s: The Cre of the U io ’s First Iro lad ; also: Fort Mo roe: The Ke to the South; CSS Virgi ia: Mistress of Ha pto Roads; The Ci il War o the
Virgi ia Pe i sula; a d: A Histor of Iro lads: The Po er of Iro O er Wood. Joh esides at Old Poi t Co fo t i Ha pto , Vi gi ia a d o his fa il ’s fa ea Cheste to , Ma la d.
AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN RALPH PETERS SPEAKS ON "LEADERSHIP LESSONS OF THE CIVIL
WAR” AT THE JANUARY 11th MEETING
Leade ship du i g the Ci il Wa e ol ed
th oughout the lood o fli t, a d its a ious le els of st e gth ha e ee de ated fo the past ea s
Newsletter Team: Saundra Cox, Ed Wenzel, Eric Fowler, Janet Greentree and Andy Kapfer.
The Bull Run Civil War Round Table publishes the Stone Wall.
General Membership meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at: Centreville Regional Library 14200 St. Germain Drive Centreville, VA 20121-2255 703.830.2223 For specific meeting dates and information, please visit the Web site: http://bullruncwrt.org
NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE
For the February 2018 issue, e-mail articles by 9 a.m.,
t aditio s he e i Ce t e ille, VA. Ou No e e eeti g sa a t e e dous
p ese tatio f o Wa e Motts of the Ha is u g, PA, Natio al Ci il Wa Museu . Wa e’s le tu e i ludi g p ese ti g
useu pie es a d sto ies elated to lo al No the VA
attles a d the folks ho fought he e. I as i p essed ith
e e pie e of the olle tio , as the efle ted the fou lood ea s of o fli t i ou a ea.
We dis ussed a Rou d Ta le t ip to
isit the useu e t ea , a d o e details ill follo as e get
the . Tha ks agai , Wa e - e’ll see ou soo i .
Ou up o i g De e e a d Ja ua le tu es ill su el egi ou ea o a high ote, so ou ill ot a t to iss the ! Do ’t fo get ou a also tu e i to all of ou le tu es at ou We site audio
a hi es, lo ated at the add ess: http://ull u t.o g/BRCWRT/AudioA hi es/
Audio_ e u.ht l. Ou S hola ship Co ittee, led Na
A ll, has egu o k o ou sea h fo ou e t s hola ship i e . Please o ti ue to
pu li ize this oppo tu it to ou fa il a d f ie ds, i iti g the to see the S hola ship page o ou We site. Also, e ou age high s hool se io s i the a ea to pa ti ipate. Ou P ese atio Leads, Blake M e s a d Joh Depue, ha e o ti ued to o k o se e al p oje ts, i ludi g the Rte. e ha e e t p oje t that ide s Rte. at the Bla k u Fo d
attlefield. This p oje t e da ge s this attlefield. The a e also ad iso s at Geo ge Maso U i e sit fo the p ese atio of the e l -dis o e ed
edou t i thei pa ki g lot. Agai , this is a
e elle t oppo tu it fo i te fa i g ith ou g
The President’s Column
By Mark A. Trbovich
Bull Run Civil War Round Table Members, It’s the / holida seaso , he good
f ie ds a d fa ilies gathe to i g i the Ch ist as a d Ne Yea ’s holida s ith a fi e-pla e hats a out all that has ee a o plished i , a d to o te plate hoped-fo lessi gs i .
This ea as a t e e dous o e fo the Bull Ru Ci il Wa Rou d Ta le, as e o ti ued to i g g eat le tu es a d e e ts to the e e ship. I told
E e uti e Co ittee that I did ’t k o ho e ould e e top ou th a i e sa o , ut e a e goi g to t to do just that i - a d
i futu e ea s. We ha e a o plished a thi gs at ou ou d ta le ut, as al a s, ou o k is e e do e.
It has ee pleasu e to ha e se ed as ou p eside t fo the past eight ea s, a d I look fo a d to i th ea ith all of ou. The BRCWRT is o itted to o ti ue i gi g ou outsta di g Ci il
Wa speake s, tou s a d p ese tatio s th oughout . I ould like to tha k all of the BRCWRT
Offi e s a d E e uti e Co ittee e e s fo thei alua le o t i utio s; I eage l look fo a d to
agai o ki g ell togethe i . Tha ks to all the olu tee s ho o ked at ou e e ts a d to ou, the e e ship; ithout ou, e ould ot e the
e o ed ou d ta le e a e toda . I , e ill e u eili g ou Co ittee olu tee p og a ; e a e e ou agi g all e e s to pa ti ipate i ou
o ga izatio . I ill e gi i g details o this i itiati e at up o i g eeti gs a d i the e slette .
De e e is the fi al o th of ou p o ess fo the BCWRT ele tio of offi e s, a o di g to ou -la s. Voti g o the oste of offi e s ill take pla e at the De e e th eeti g. Tha k ou so
u h, Joh De Pue, fo headi g up ou o i ati g o ittee this ea . Ou e e ship d i e ill egi agai at the De e e /Ja ua eeti gs,
a d ill e o ludi g at the e d of Ap il. I e ou age e e o e to i g e folks to joi the Rou d Ta le, eithe at ou We site o at the e t
eeti g. I a al a s e ou agi g a outh
o e e t fo the BRCWRT, p o idi g a futu e
Wayne Motts, accomplished historian and museum chief, spoke at the November meeting of the Bull Run Civil War Round Table.
REGARDING CIVIL WAR MONUMENTS, MEMORIALS AND STATUES The status and treatment of Confederate statues emerged as an issue in many states and localities after the Charleston, SC shooting. More recently the August violence in Charlottesville brought the issue closer to home and generated significant media coverage, discussion and opinion pieces. This information paper is intended to provide Bull Run Civil War Round Table members information on the history, context, statutory provisions and other relevant considerations in order to better understand issues surrounding the status and treatment of Civil War monuments, memorials and statues in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Background According to Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources DHR , there are war memorials recorded in the Virginia Cultural Resources information System VCRIS maintained by DHR. Of those, pertain to Confederate participants in the Civil War. In his book An Illustrated Guide to
Virginia’s Confederate Monuments, author Timothy S. Sedore documented Confederate monuments, memorials, statues and markers in Virginia. The majority of these monuments, memorials and statues were erected during the period from to . Many were erected by local communities to honor that community’s veterans and their sacrifices, and some were erected to honor specific individuals e.g., Richmond’s Monument Avenue statues . Many were publicly funded, and many were privately funded by groups including the Ladies Memorial Associations, the United Daughters of the Confederacy UDC and the United Confederate Veterans UCV . Some are considered exceptional sculptures with intrinsic value as works of art, and are recorded as such in the Virginia Landmarks Register VLR . Historians note that many of these monuments and statues were erected during a time when racial segregation laws were in force. The United States Supreme Court decision Plessey versus Ferguson upheld state racial segregation laws for public facilities under the doctrine of "separate but equal", which remained standard doctrine in U.S. law until its repudiation in the Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education. In this context, some historians are of the opinion that the monuments and statues erected on public spaces were likely intended to intimidate African-Americans in the community. In Virginia, two statutes govern the erection of monuments or memorials for any war or conflict – Code of Virginia Sec. and § . - - Memorials for war veterans , with several amendments see Enclosure . During their session Virginia’s General Assembly passed HB , which amended § . - to apply to all such memorials and monuments regardless of when erected the intent of this amendment was to clarify the statute ensuring the amendment making it unlawful for the authorities of the locality, or any other person or persons, to disturb or interfere with any monuments or memorials so erected applied equally to such monuments or memorials erected prior to . Governor McAuliffe vetoed HB . Subsequent to his veto, Governor McAuliffe directed the Virginia Director of Natural Resources to convene a diverse work group to consider the issues that arose during the debate over HB , and to pull together resources and best practices to help willing localities foster a constructive dialogue about their monuments. The Monuments Work Group completed its work and submitted its report and
Preservation Report – (con’t from page 4) recommendations for community engagement in November . For associated information go to: https://naturalresources.virginia.gov/media/ /report-of-governor-mcauliffes-monuments-work-group-final.pdf
Monuments Work Group Recommendations: Civic Engagement Breakout Group Start from the same page; include an educational component Ensure that all stakeholder groups are represented Ensure the process is conducive to conversation Reach out to other communities, professional facilitators, and other resources Qualifications and Options Breakout Group Monuments should be preserved – at least somewhere Signage can provide context and reveal previously untold stories Reflect the diversity of Virginia through monuments Take advantage of existing resources and expertise Consensus Work Group Opinion – Decisions regarding the appropriate treatment of monuments rest within the communities that house them.
In light of recent controversies concerning attempts to modify or remove statues from public grounds, some jurisdictions and some nationally recognized historians have recommended adding signage to existing monuments, memorials and statues to provide appropriate context and foster better understanding. In August the National Park Service NPS issued its guidance regarding the Civil War monuments, markers and plaques maintained by the NPS. This guidance Enclosure provides, in part, that …Unless directed by legislation, it is the policy of the National Park Service that these works and their inscriptions will not be altered, relocated, obscured, or removed, even when they are deemed inaccurate or incompatible with prevailing present-day values. The Director of the National Park Service may make an exception to this policy…..
Conclusions American and Civil War history is complex, multi-faceted and sometimes messy – Civil War monuments, memorials and statues are a part of that history. They represent a significant period in United States history - a period and history that should continue to be studied and remembered. Civil War monuments, memorials and statues should be maintained, protected and preserved, and readily accessible to the general public. One should not attempt to judge actions taken more than a century ago by current societal norms and values. Judgments and decisions concerning any Civil War monument, memorial or statue, should be made based on original accounts and documentation, and facts. Each Civil War monument, memorial and statue has its own unique history – each should be considered in light of that history. Decisions regarding the monuments, memorials and statues should rest with the communities in which they are located, subject to applicable law s , procedures and processes, and without unsolicited involvement of external groups or individuals. Relevant legal considerations in Virginia include: Application of Sec and § . - of the Code of Virginia Enclosure
Some monuments, memorials and statues are subject to individual acts of the General Assembly
Some monuments, memorials and statues are subject to terms and conditions contained in
instruments transferring ownership of the monument to the locality or local governmental (con’t on page 16)
Here are a few questions for you. Have you ever eaten Cheerios, Lucky Charms, or Wheaties? Have you ever enjoyed Haagen Dazs ice cream? Have you ever eaten a Nature Valley bar or Yoplait yoghurt? Have your children ever played with Play Doh, a Nerf ball, or played Monopoly? If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, you have Civil War General Cadwallader Colden Washburn to thank for that privilege. General Washburn had quite a life before the Civil War and quite a life afterwards. He started the company that is now known as General Mills in Minnesota. Cadwallader C. Washburn, a/k/a C.C., was born on April , , in Livermore, Maine. Livermore was originally part of Massachusetts. The Washburn family is so well connected and famous that when you search the internet for the Washburn Family, information comes up on this particular family. C.C.’s great grandfather Israel was in the Massachusetts legislature, as was his son Israel II. Israel III was a Massachusetts state representative and father of Cadwallader. Ten children were born to Israel III and his wife Martha Benjamin Washburn – seven boys and three girls. All seven boys served politically in state government, U.S. Congress, industry, U.S. Navy, or in a diplomatic capacity. The oldest son, Israel IV, was governor of Maine during the Civil War, as well as a member of Congress. Algernon was a banker and opened the Bank of Hallowell. Elihu was a Congressman from Illinois, Secretary of State under President U.S. Grant, and minister to France. Charles was a Commissioner to Paraguay. Samuel was the Acting Master of the U.S. Navy during the Civil War and fought in the battle of Drewy’s Bluff on the U.S.S. Galena. William was a representative and senator from Minnesota. That is quite a family.
This family did not lack in unusual names either. C.C. and his brothers and sisters were also fourth cousins, once removed, to Charles Sumner. All seven brothers witnessed Lincoln’s inauguration in . When President Lincoln was assassinated on April , , C.C.’s brother Elihu accompanied the body during the long train ride to his graveside in Springfield, Illinois. He served as a pallbearer at the ceremony in Springfield. Elihu was also the only civilian to be present when arms were stacked at Appomattox, and stood with General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. General Grant had provided a cavalry escort so Elihu could witness the surren-der. Then there is Cadwallader. C.C. attended school in Wiscasset, Maine. He would later teach there from - . In the year , he moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he taught school, worked in a store and did surveying. His brother Elihu set up a legal practice in Galena, IL, which influenced C.C. to read the law and become an attorney in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. He set up the Wisconsin Mining Company in with Cyrus Woodman. In , they started Washburn’s and Woodman’s Mineral Point Bank. In Washburn built a mill on the Chippewa River in Waubeck, WI. In , C.C. ran for Congress as a
Ms. Rebelle – (con’t from page 6) Republican, winning three terms in the th- th Congresses, representing the nd Congressional District of Wisconsin from - .
In , even before the city of Minneapolis was incorporated in , he saw the -foot St. Anthony’s Falls in that area and knew the power it could generate for industry. He bought acres to start his mills. Washburn bought into the Minneapolis Mill Company and his brother William managed the company. Several of his cotton mills, sawmills, grist and flour mills, and woolen mills operated along the Mississippi River. When talk about a Civil War began, Washburn had just moved to LaCrosse, WI. His family were ardent abolitionists and had always been strongly opposed to slavery. He went to Washington, D.C., as a delegate for the peace conference held there. He entered the Union Army as a colonel of the nd Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry on February , . He advanced quickly, being made a brigadier general on July , , and then major general on November , . His appointment was signed by none other than President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln and the Washburn family had been friends for a long time. Washburn commanded the XIII Corps, beginning with the Vicksburg Campaign. General Grant said of him: Washburn was one of the best
administrative officers we have. Washburn also commanded three divisions of the XVI Corps during the siege of Vicksburg. He commanded the st Division of the XIII Corps in Texas, along with General Nathanial P. Banks, and led the fight against Fort Esperanza in November . C.C. served in administrative functions in Mississippi and Tennessee. While he was in Memphis, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest unsuccessfully tried to capture him and other Union Generals. He resigned from the Army on May , . After the war, he returned to LaCrosse, WI. He was elected for two terms, representing Wisconsin’s th Congressional District from -. He worked as the chairman of the Commit-tee on Expenditures for Public Buildings. In , his fellow Wisconsiners urged him to run for governor. Washburn was elected, and served from - . As Governor, he brought in reforms for government control of telegraphs, railroads, and libraries. Unfortunately well … maybe , he didn’t win re-election in . There were still things he needed to accomplish in his life. Earlier in this busy life, on January , , he married Jeannette Garr. Both were years of age at the time. Jeannette gave birth in to their first daughter, Nettie, but their happiness was short-lived, as Jeannette began to show signs of a mental illness after Nettie’s birth. Their second daughter, Fanny, was born in . Jeannette continued to sink deeper into mental illness, and had to be hospitalized in the Bloomingdale Asylum in Brookline, MA. She remained there until her death in at age . Their children were raised by their grandparents on the East Coast. While still in Congress in , Washburn built the Washburn B Mill. The mill was so large, naysayers said it would never make a profit. In , he built an even larger mill Washburn A Mill seven stories high. This mill was destroyed in a fire and huge explosion in , but was later
rebuilt. The explosion occurred at night, saving daytime workers. Only workers were killed in this catastrophe. He facilitated new safety technologies, including better ventilation to make his mills safer. Feeling devastated about the loss of men and his mill, he started an orphanage for children without question or distinction to age, sex, race, color, or religion. In , the Washburn Crosby Company entered several grades of its flour into a contest held in Cincinnati, OH, called the International Millers’ Exhibition. Their flours won the gold medal. Some of you may have used his flour - which is called Gold Medal Flour. On May , , at age , Civil War general, miller, entrepreneur, politician, and philanthropist Cadwallader Colden Washburn died while seeking medical treatment in the springs of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. His body was brought back to LaCrosse, WI, and buried in Oak Grove Cemetery with a very, very large obelisk as
his marker. His net worth at his death was estimated to be between $ - mil-lion. He left money to his daughters, other members of his family, and a large bequest to the city of LaCrosse. The city built a large public library with his kind bequest. His money also funded the orphan-age he started for the children who lost parents in the mill explosion. The orphanage today is known as the Wash-burn Center for Children. His Madison, WI, residence, Edge-wood, was endowed as a Catholic Girls school. The largest sum went to take care of his mentally ill wife, Jeannette, residing in Massa-chusetts. Oak Grove Cemetery has a Civil War Veterans section with a large monument of a soldier. Graves hold not only Wisconsin soldiers, but also soldiers from Ohio, Massachusetts, Iowa, and other states. The city of LaCrosse also has a marker for General Washburn in a rest area at Lakeshore Drive.
NOTE: Ms. Rebelle’s hobby is traveling the country finding and honoring the graves of our , Civil War
generals. So far, she has located and photographed - Confederate and Union. You may contact her at [email protected].
An illustration of what the 1878 mill explosion looked like — the event was undoubtedly a catastrophe for Washburn. Above, Washburn’s monument in
Oak Grove Cemetery. Photo by Janet Greentree. Below, the marker put up in honor of Gen. Washburn in the city of LaCrosse, WI.
histo ia s a d uffs alike. Ea h o a de o oth sides had thei o st le of a agi g the
t oops u de the , ut e e the e lesso s of leade ship that futu e ge e atio s ight lea f o those ho o a le e ? At ou fi st eeti g of the
e ea , o Ja ua th, e ill e ho o ed to ha e Ralph Pete s o e a k to g a e us ith
a othe le tu e, spe ifi all o this su je t. Ralph as o i Potts ille, PA, a d g e up i
ea S hu lkill Ha e , PA. He e listed i the U.S. A i , afte atte di g Pe State U i e sit . Assig ed to Ge a , he atte ded Offi e s
Ca didate S hool a d e ei ed a o issio i . He as the A 's lead st ategi s out i the s, i estigati g ises i the Cau asus, the
A dea Ridge, Pakista , Bu a a d the Balka s. As a jou alist a d esea he post- eti e e t, he
o e ed o fli ts i Is ael, i I a a d i su -Saha a Af i a. Ralph has o t i uted to a ide a ge of
atio al e spape s a d jou als, as ell as to
p ofessio al ilita pu li atio s, a d has se ed as Fo Ne s' fi st St ategi A al st.
With a deep i te est i the Ci il Wa si e
hildhood, Ralph al a s a ted to ite a out Gett s u g a d the a 's li a ti a paig s, ut felt he had to ait u til he had full ho ed his skills as a autho i o de to pa full t i ute to the
soldie s o oth sides of the st uggle hose a tio s de ided the fate of ou atio . He is the autho of the iti all a lai ed estselle Cai at Gett s urg a d o el o the O e la d Ca paig , Hell or Ri h o d. Ralph is also the autho of u e ous
ooks o ilita st ateg , as ell as of a se ies of p ize- i i g Ci il Wa ste ies.
Si e he last spoke to the BRCWRT i Ap il , he has pu lished: Valle of the Shado , The Da ed of Peters urg, a d Judg e t at Appo atto . His hope is to ite the ost authe ti a d a u ate
o els et pu lished a out ou Ci il Wa , a d to
i te est a oade se tio of the A e i a pu li to lea o e a out ou histo .
Co e o out at p. . a d eet Ralph fo di e at Ca a a’s Italia Restau a t, T i it Pk ., Ce t e ille, VA ; - .
people a d e ou agi g thei i ol e e t i histo . BRCWRT Tou Guide lead, S ott K epp, is
p ese tl o ki g o his tou s, hi h ill e outli ed soo fo the e e ship.
I a so p oud to a ou e that the BRCWRT o the Ma Feh i ge A a d fo ou 25th
Year A i ersar Book at the Fai fa Cou t Histo i Co fe e e o No e e th. Co g atulatio s to the tea of folks ho o ked o that p oje t. Fa tasti !
Ea h o th i , e ill o ti ue to offe fo sale Ed We zel’s Chro olog of the Ci il War of
Fairfa Cou t . This ook is the pe fe t gift fo the Ci il Wa e thusiast o ou shoppi g list. The BRCWRT th a i e sa ook ill also e o sale at eeti gs a d o the We site - a othe g eat gift idea! As the ea o es fo a d, e ill e he e
i gi g ou the est Ci il Wa le tu es, tou s, e e ts a d e slette s i the egio , ith
p ese atio a d edu atio as a solid pa t of ou issio !
Let us e e fo get the people ho se ed, a d hat the did fo us. God Bless all of ou.
Join/renew your membership with the Bull Run Civil War Round Table!!
See instructions on how to re-up or join on the back page of this notice!!
BRCWRT 25th Anniversary Book Wins Fairfax County History Award for Chronicling Preservation in NoVa
Members of the committee for production of the Bull Run Civil War Round Table’s 25th Anniversary Book recently received the 2017 Mary Fehringer Award given for a publication that highlights history in Fairfax County; the award was presented at the Fairfax County History Conference on November 11th. The 25th Anniversary Book chronicles many of the preservation efforts conducted by the BRCWRT, and lists the topics of hundreds of historical lectures that have been presented at meetings held over two-and-a-half decades. Shown here, left to right, are members of the Book Committee receiving the award: Co-Chair Brian McEnany, Blake Myers, Cong. Gerry Connolly (who presented a citation to the group), Fairfax County Supervisor Sharon Bulova, Co-Chair Jim Lewis, Mark Knowles, editor Nadine Mironchuk, and Nancy Anwyll. Behind, emceeing the event, is Lynne Garvey Hodge. Book Committee members not shown are: Alan Day, Charlie Balch, E.B. Vandiver, Kim Brace, and Drew Pallo. Also attending but not in the photo were Mark and Debbie Whitenton.
Photo by Janet Greentree
BRCWRT members attending the Fairfax County History Conference are: left to right— Peter Kirby, Tim Duskin, Nadine Mironchuk, Blake Myers, Brian McEnany, Jim Lewis, (receiving commendation from Lynne Garvey Hodge — also a Round Table member), Gwen Wyttenbach, Mark Knowles, Janet Greentree, Nancy Anwyll, and Jon Vrana.
West of Centreville, I-66 passes through historic Thoroughfare Gap. At the Prince William-Fauquier county line, the highway crosses Broad Run. Next to the westbound lanes on right side of the road stand the remains of a six-story building that was known as Chapman’s Mill during the Civil War.
The site was perfect for a mill because Broad Run drops over 80 feet in a very short distance. The fast-moving water provided ample power to operate the mill’s grinding machinery. The building once was an impressive stone structure, probably originally built around 1750 by slaves. When the Manassas Gap railroad was extended past the mill in 1852, business increased. In 1858, the building was
enlarged to six stories. It was the pride and joy of its owner, John Chapman.
Early in the war, the Confederate Subsistence Department established a meat-curing facility at the mill site. The location had a big drawback because it was very close to the front lines. Along with most other people, the officials that selected the location probably believed it was going to be a short war. In those days, federal control barely reached beyond
the defenses of Wash-ington.
By the time Gen. Johnston’s army was camped around Centre-ville and Manassas in late 1861, the meat plant was operating at full capacity. Two mil-lion pounds of meat were in the curing pro-cess and large herds of cattle were on site for slaughter.
When Johnston evacuated his positions in early March 1862, his army had to destroy large amount of supplies that could not be removed. At the meat plant, the troops gave the local residents all they could carry. D.H. Hill’s brigade, withdrawing from Leesburg, crammed their wagons full. Despite the effort, more than one million pounds of meat remained as the army departed. To keep it from
BRCWRT Members Conduct Farr’s Cross Roads Class at George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus
by Brian R. McEnany
As we readied ourselves for the scheduled
October 30, 2017 tour and class of Farr’s Cross Roads and its extant Civil War redoubt, the weather during the preceding weekend turned miserable – windy with lots of rain. Early Monday morning, October 30, 2017, Jim Lewis, Blake Myers and I discussed recommending a cancellation – mud from heavy rains and wind advisories in the area until 10 AM made outdoor presentations potentially
problematic. The Chair of GMU’s History
Department, Dr. Brian Platt, went to the site, assessed it as “walkable” and made the decision to proceed with the scheduled tour and class, which turned out to be a good decision.
We (Jim Lewis, Blake Myers and myself) prepared for this class for several months. Preparation included communications with Dr. Platt to settle on the outline for the class, set the time and date for the tour/class, determine an estimate of student attendees and other potential visitors, and preparing the class material and handouts for students. We spent time the week before the class clearing site undergrowth and briars to provide a clear walking path to the
redoubt, and to provide a clear view of the redoubt for the participating students. We developed a six page handout for the students as well as several ‘blow-up’ charts to augment discussion of the site’s local and civil war history.
After arriving at Parking Lot K on Monday, October 30th, we parked our SUVs so as to screen an area on the parking lot’s western edge from other cars. By 11:30 am, the sun was out, wind was
negligible - except for blowing our charts off the
A-frame one time - and the weather turned out to be perfect. The first to arrive were two ladies from the Dean's office - they had seen the recent article in the GMU magazine about last year’s class. Next came, Dr. Brian Platt. He asked us to shorten the class a bit as the students had 1:30 PM classes elsewhere on the campus. BRCWRT’s own Kim Brace joined us and took a number of photographs. Alex Hughes, the 2017 BRCWRT scholarship winner and now a
student at GMU, also joined the tour/class.
As class time at noon crept nearer, there was a noticeable lack of students. Then, walking along the far side of Parking Lot K, we saw a long line of peo-ple. Dr. Chris Hamner, the history professor, led his students to our site. When they arrived, we had a whole platoon - 30 to 31 students - double the size of last year's class! Minor problem, the 25 handouts we prepared were not enough for everyone.
We began as soon as the students gathered. For
the next 20-30 minutes, I talked about local and civil war history and the Farr family on whose lands the original GMU campus was developed and built. Jim then added the history of Braddock and Ox Roads – the intersection of which constituted Farr’s Cross Roads. Then we led the group up the forested hilltop to the Civil War redoubt – an earthwork that has been left largely undisturbed for more than 150 years.
The redoubt lies in a bad Brer Rabbit briar patch and we have scars to attest to clearing some of it out. We did not spend a great deal of time there. The traffic noise from Braddock and Ox roads made it difficult to hear, even with the use of Jim’s portable PA system. I covered the military aspects of the
A number of students at George Mason University gathered recently to hear Brian McEnany, Jim Lewis and Blake Myers of the BRCWRT talk about the corduroy road ramins recently found on campus, as well as the history of Civil War action that occurred at and around the campus locale.
Enjoying the afternoon at the annual Battle of Cedar Creek reenactment recently were these BRCWRT members: left to right — Janet Greentree, Debbie and Mark Whitenton, Chris Godart, Gwen Wyttenbach, Drew Pallo, and Dave Meisky. The mysterious young lady in front is a member of Lee’s Lieutenants. Photo courtesy of Gwen Wyttenbach
SUPPORT YOUR
LOVE
OF HISTORY
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ANNUAL BRCWRT
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Help the BRCWRT continue awarding
scholarships to deserving students
as it has since 2013.
Make out a check in any amount to BRCWRT
and send it to: BRCWRT, 169 Applegate Dr.,
Sterling, VA 20164. Write Scholarship Fund on
check’s memo line. You also may give your check to Mark Knowles, our Treasurer, at any general
redoubt as well as other earthworks in the area. Jim then pointed out the location of recent (2014 and 2016) discoveries of corduroy road logs before we
retraced our steps to the parking lot. Jim continued his discussion about the corduroy road discoveries and our attempts to date the logs found under the roadway.
Blake and I ended the class with remarks about the BRCWRT, historical site preservation and the Round Table’s interest in this particular site. Dr. Platt and Dr. Hamner both thanked us and told the group that the class was much better than last year’s and provided a great deal more information to the stu-dents. At the end, Jim, Blake and myself were very pleased with their comments and considered it to be a huge success for BRCWRT! We will continue to pursue opportunities for interaction with GMU and other schools.
BRCWRT/GMU – (con’t from page 12)
Jim Lewis spoke to many intrepid GMU students interested in the Civil War history of the area where the university is located.
Historic Blenheim’s Christmas in Camp Civil War Event a Great Success
Heavy Rains Keep Attendance Down at Gettys-
Above, Heavy rains didn’t deter BRCWRT stalwart Gwen Wyttenbach from making her annual visit to Gettysburg for the Remembrance Day Parade and ceremonies. Gwen, at right, is shown with a “Willie Johnston” of the Army of the Potomac, 2nd Corps., Battery A, Fourth US Artillery (who prob-ably fibbed about his age when he signed up!). At right, BRCWRT member Dan Paterson (tallest Yank in mid-picture) marches undaunted past unfurled umbrellas.
Chapman’s Mill – (con’t from page 11)
falling into Union hands, the torch was put to the meat supply. It was said that the smell carried for 20 miles.
In August 1862, Stonewall Jackson’s forces marched by the mill on their way to raid the Union supply depot at Manassas Junction and provoke the beginning of the battle of Second Manassas. On
August 28-29, they were followed by the remainder of Lee’s army which drove a defending Union force out of the gap. Union sharpshooters stationed in the mill are said to have made it tough for the advancing
Confederates. The war and its stress affected John Chapman.
He died in 1866, reportedly insane and leaving no heirs. In the 1870s, Robert Beverley acquired the property, the refurbished building became known as Beverley’s Mill. The facility was in operation until it closed sometime after World War II. The vacant structure was gutted by an arson fire in 1998. The surviving mill walls are a reminder of the poor planning and horrendous supply problems that dogged the region during the early Civil War years.
Several members of the Bull Run C iv i l War Round Tab le participated recently in Historic Blenheim's annual “Christmas in Camp” event in Fairfax City. It was perfect weather for the outdoor event, and Andrea Loewenwarter (in charge of the event) noted that about 85 visitors attended. BRCWRT members who attended the event were: (l to r in the back row) Drew Pallo, Debbie and Mark Whitenton, and Scott
entity, or restrictions imposed as a result of subsequent actions of the locality
Some monuments, memorials and statues are located on private property Enclosures: – Applicable Virginia Statutes – National Park Service Guidance – National Park Service and Civil War Monuments
Enclosure : Applicable Virginia Statutes Code of Virginia Sec. . Circuit court and board of supervisors of any county may authorize and permit the erec-tion of a Confederate monument at the county seat thereof. — The circuit court of any county may, with the concurrence of the board of supervisors of such county entered of record, authorize and permit the erection of a Confederate monument upon the public square of such county at the county seat thereof. And if the same shall be so erected it shall not be lawful thereafter for the authorities of said county, or any other person or persons whatever, to disturb or interfere with any monument so erected, or to pre-vent the citizens of said county from taking all proper measures and exercising all proper means for the protection, preservation and care of same. And if the boards of supervisors may appropriate a sufficient sum or sums of money out or its funds of any such county to complete or aid in the erection of a monument to the Confederate soldiers of such county upon the public square thereof, or elsewhere at the county seat; and they are also author-ized to make a special levy to raise the money necessary for the completion of any such monument, or the erection of a monument to such Confederate soldiers, or to supplement the funds already raised or that may be hereafter raised by private persons, or by Confederate veterans, or other organizations, for the purpose of building such monuments; and they are also authorized and empowered to appropriate from time to time, out of any funds of such county, a sufficient sum or sums of money to permanently care for, protect and preserve the Confederate monument erected upon the public square of any such county, and to expend the same therefor as other county funds are expended. , p. ’ , p. § . - . Memorials for war veterans. A locality may, within the geographical limits of the locality, authorize and permit the erection of monuments or memorials for any war or conflict, or for any engagement of such war or conflict, to in-clude the following monuments or memorials: Algonquin , French and Indian - , Revo-lutionary - , War of - , Mexican - , Confederate or Union monu-ments or memorials of the War Between the States - , Spanish-American , World War I - , World War II - , Korean - , Vietnam - , Operation De-sert Shield-Desert Storm - , Global War on Terrorism - , Operation Enduring Freedom
- , and Operation Iraqi Freedom - . If such are erected, it shall be unlawful for the authori-ties of the locality, or any other person or persons, to disturb or interfere with any monuments or me-morials so erected, or to prevent its citizens from taking proper measures and exercising proper means for the protection, preservation and care of same. For purposes of this section, "disturb or interfere with" includes removal of, damaging or defacing monuments or memorials, or, in the case of the War Between the States, the placement of Union markings or monuments on previously designated Confed-erate memorials or the placement of Confederate markings or monuments on previously designated Un-ion memorials. The governing body may appropriate a sufficient sum of money out of its funds to complete or aid in the erection of monuments or memorials to the veterans of such wars. The governing body may also (con’t on page 17)
Preservation Report – (con’t from page 16) make a special levy to raise the money necessary for the erection or completion of any such monuments or memorials, or to supplement the funds already raised or that may be raised by private persons, Vet-erans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion or other organizations. It may also appropriate, out of any funds of such locality, a sufficient sum of money to permanently care for, protect and preserve such monuments or memorials and may expend the same thereafter as other funds are expended. Code , § - ; , c. , § . - ; , c. ; , c. ; , c. ; , c. ; , c. ; , c. . The chapters of the acts of assembly referenced in the historical citation at the end of this section may not constitute a comprehensive list of such chapters and may exclude chapters whose provisions have expired.
Enclosure : National Park Service Guidance –National Park Service and Civil War Monuments August National Park Service Guidance National Park Service and Civil War Monuments: Across the country, the National Park Service maintains and interprets monuments, markers, and plaques that commemorate and memorialize those who fought during the Civil War. These memorials represent an important, if controversial, chapter in our Nation’s history. The National Park Service is committed to preserving these memorials while simultaneously educating visitors holistically about the actions, motivations, and causes of the soldiers and states they commemorate. A hallmark of American progress is our ability to learn from our history. Many commemorative works including monuments and markers were specifically authorized by Congress. In other cases, a monument may have preceded the establishment of a park, and thus could be considered a protected park resource and value. In either of these situations, legislation could be re-quired to remove the monument, and the NPS may need to comply with Section of the National His-toric Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act before removing a statue/memorial. Still other monuments, while lacking legislative authorization, may have existed in parks long enough to qualify as historic features. A key aspect of their historical interest is that they reflect the knowledge, attitudes, and tastes of the people who designed and placed them. Unless directed by legisla-tion, it is the policy of the National Park Service that these works and their inscriptions will not be al-tered, relocated, obscured, or removed, even when they are deemed inaccurate or incompatible with prevailing present-day values. The Director of the National Park Service may make an exception to this policy. The NPS will continue to provide historical context and interpretation for all of our sites and monu-ments in order to reflect a fuller view of past events and the values under which they occurred. Preservation
