THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

VOLUME 14 NUMBER 1 SEPTEMBER, 1964

The Fall Campaign is about to get under way with two important changes being tried for our first meeting, Members should note that starting with September 8, meetings will be conducted on the second Tuesday of each month. Also the place for dinner has been shifted from the National Press Club to the Army-Navy Club.

The second Tuesday was set to resolve a monthly conflict whLch pre­ vented several distinguished members who belong to the Columbia Historical Society from attending the Round Table on the same night. Likewise many mem­ bers of long standing asked that the meeting be tried again at the Army-Navy Club.

So note the changes. Here is the lineup for the first meeting:

6:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M.

Friendship Hour An excellent dinner Program Speaker: Subj ect:

Col. Gay J. Seabourne Gettysburg in Review

DATE :

PLACE:

PRICE:

Tuesday, September 8, 1964

Army-Navy Club

$5.00 per person

COL. SEABOURNE ON GETTYSBURG

Our Round Table is fortunate in Having Col. Seabourne as a recognized authority on the great battle. Since the fall field trip will take place Octo­ ber 17, and cover Gettysburg -- the Third Day, your program committee decided to devote our first dinner program to this subject by way of helping members prepare for the trip.

Col. Seabourne plans to discuss the first two days of Gettysburg briefly and then concentrate his guns on some of the lesser known aspects of the third day's fighting. Particular attention will be paid to the cavalry actions, especially on the Federal side. The activity of the Federal Cavalry will be presented from their departure from Frederick, Maryland, on June 29, to the engagements at Cavalry Field east of the main battlefield on the Third Day. With Col. Seabourne's fine knowledge of the Gettysburg campaign, we are certain to have an interesting and informative discussion.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW PRESIDENT, BILL INGLES

Newly elected President Bill Ingles has asked for space in the News Letter to express some ideas about the course followed by our Round Table. Be­ lieving, as he does, that it is the democratic way to discuss our problems and procedures, we herewith turn the pages of the Letter over to him. He has some interesting ideas. Here they are:

"During our discussions at the last meeting of the Executive Committee, some members of the Committee saw our reduced attendance during the past year as a distressing sympton. I am not sure of that. It has its good side, too. A large attendance as a measure of the breadth of interest is encouraging to those who plan the programs, and it is good to see our old messmates. But numbers alone are not the most important consideration. If those who come enjoy them­ selves, it is a good meeting; that's what counts.

"The Round Table exists only for the enjoyment of its members. It was founded by Bert Sheldon and twenty-five others who had an abiding interest in the War and everything concerning it. The War was their excuse to get together and the Round Table was a pleasant and companionable arrangement for doing so. We enjoyed those early small dinners with personal participation a dominant part of the spirit of the Round Table. Anybody present who felt like it got into the act, and many of those present felt like it and had something pertinent to con­ tribute. We all had a good time.

"We brought our friends and our friends' friends who "ere interested in the War, and our numbers grew astonishingly. Then we kept on growing, and growth itself became an object of some of our most active and loyal members, though we might know fewer than ten per cent of those at a given meeting, and the meetings necessarily took on more the aspect of pedagogic lectures than roundtable discussions. All of us were impressed by our expansion, but some of us wondered whether it signified genuine interest in the endless subject of our War, or whether a hell of a- lot of men were just hard up for an excuse to get out of the house at night.

"We have no quarrel w i th numbers. A packed room inspires a speaker and warmp the heart of a program chairman. But we are more concerned with the solid enjoyment of- those who come to the meeting, however few or many they may be, than w i t h how many come. We do not care that it may not be said of us that we have had the biggest meetings or the most famous speakers; we hope that it may be said that we have had the most enjoyable.

"To that end, and we trust we are right in this, we intend to use more home-grown talent as our speakers, and we have talent that would be re-

garded as professional in any other league. We are going to encourage more participation, in the Round Table spirit, by those present who have something more to contribute than what his grandpappy was doing behind the tree when the order came to move forward. To the extent that it is possible in a group as big as we are, we want to return to something more nearly resembling the spirit of a genuine roundtable discussion group. We earnestly hope the members concur with this policy and act accordingly.

"The key to a good meeting is the program. The program chairman, no matter how capable and imaginative, cannot know your particular interests and tastes unless you tell him. If you have some good ideas, help him and the Round Table by telling him. Telephone or write Meredith Daubin at his office, (National Press Building, NAtional 8-7949) and let him know what you would like as a subject for a program, and how and by whom it should be presented."

QUOTE OF THE YEAR

Here is the lament of one of Longstreet's stragglers reported by the CWRT of Colorado: "My shoes are gone; my clothes are almost gone. I'm weary. I'm sick. I'm hungry. My family have been killed or scattered, and may now be wandering helpless and unprotected in a strange country. And I have suffered all this for my country. I love my country. I would die -­ yes, I would die willingly because I love my country. But if this war is ever over, I'll be damned if I ever love another country."

DID THE WAR START HER CAREER?

Several instances have been reported of women and girls sneaking into the army during the War disguised as boys. Seldom is anything ever said about what happened to these characters after they left the r anks . The Chicago Tribune, in its column, "100 Years Ago" recently supplied one answer. Here it is:

"July 7, 1864: bizarre event:

In its items of local news, The Tribune reports a

'Ten men and women in Police court yesterday were fined various sums as keepers and inmates of a house of ill fame. Among those thus arraigned was Julia Winslow. For two years she served as a drummer boy in the 58th regiment and became the idol of the entire command. She participated in several fierce engagements and bore her part bravely and well. About a year ago her sex was discovered and she was sent home. '

Editor's Note: Must have been a tearful farewell for the troops.

GRAPESHOT

When General Logan's troops mined and blew up a Vicksburg fort, a "man and his brother" came sailing through the air to land inside the Union lines. Not too badly battered, one original aviator announced to his sur­ prised captors, "I's wanted to come to you dis long time, but didn't want to

come over dis yere way" Another shot was fired in the l'Jar not too long ago in Suitland, Maryland. According to Prince George's police, a spirited discussion of the Har - was going on at 5 :00 A. M. in a home. A blank pistol in the hands of one of the participants discharged, inflicting powd er burns on his w i.f e . An assault war r ant; 'vas swo r n , but in true C~..J raider tradition, the marksman disappeared The 23rd Ohio regiment boasted two future Presidents of the U.S. on its muster roll -- Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley . . . . . Quotable Quotes Department: Lenin: "You must not raise the level of the poor because they wi.l I rise up and bite the hand that feeds them." Lincoln: "God must have loved the common man; he made so many of them." The uniform J. E. B. Stuart was w ear i.ng wh en he wa s mortally wounded at Yellow Tavern is on display at the Centennial Center in Richmond Gov. Mathe", E. Helsh of Indiana recently returned to Columbia, S. C. a Confederate battle flag captured by Indiana troops at the South Carolina state house in February, 1865 ... . . . . . Arlington National Cemetery is 100 years old this year. First soldier buried there Has vlilliam Christman, Co. G, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.

THE DUES ARE DUE AGAIN

Membership dues are due. Send your $6.00 to Secretary George Schroebel at the Army-Navy Club and relax w i t.h that nice paid-up feeling. It Hill give our treasury a nice feeling too.

THE TERRIBLE SULTANA DISASTER

Our alert Program Chairman, Meredith M. Daubin, recently spotted an interesting newspaper article in the Little Rock Arkansas Gazette. In this great catastrophe, luckless Union prisoners who had survived the horrors of Andersonville perished in the number of 1,Lf50. The sinking of the vessel is classed as the worst river boat disaster on record. As Chairman Daubin says, the sinking is still well-known along the Mississippi, but less better known to eastern Buffs. The Gazette story is enclosed with this letter as an item of more than usual interest.

Halton Onslow Editor Room 701 lL}ll Pennsylvania Avenue, N. H.

THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

VOLUME 14 Number 2 October, 1964

Don't forget our rendezvous along the fields and autumn-splashed wood­ lands of Gettysburg on October 17, a Saturday. Here is an opportunity to visit the hallowed ground in the pleasantest season of year, and to meet and mingle with our accustomed enjoyment. Capable Capt. John M. Sanderson is in charge of the trip. Col. J. Gay Seabourne, last season's Gold Medal Award winner, will be the speaker. He will concentrate on the decisive third day of the battle, placing emphasis on Federal employment of cavalry.

Our second dinner meeting, as is announced below! holds every promise of being one of the season's best. Note it in your engagements book.

DATE: PLACE: PRICE:

Tuesday, October 13, 1964. Army-Navy Club $5.00 per person

6:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M.

Friendship Hour An excellent dinner Program

Speaker: Henry J. Brylawski

Subject: General Early's Valley Campaign of 1864. Fort Stevens, July 12, 1864, involving the campaign, troops, de­ fense and attack on Washington.

ELABORATION ON THE FIELD TRIP

Most of the time will be spent on Cavalry Field, three miles east of Gettysburg--scene of the affray between horsemen of JEB Stuart and those of Gregg and Custer. However, the tour will begin on lower Seminary Ridge near the Spangler Farm where Pickett's brigades formed for action. Then from a vantage point near the High Water Mark the charge and repulse will be

described in detail. Then on to Cavalry Field by Culp's Hill and Spangler's Spring for picnic lunch at the edge of the woods from which Stuart made his headlong charge against Custer's galloping regiments. Homeward bound, a stop will be made overlooking lower Plum Run Valley, where, after the battle of Cemetery Ridge had ended, Farnsworth made his gallant but foolhardy charges against Lee's left flank. This final engagement is a detail all too little known to most students.

A NIGH T TO REMEMBER

General Horace Porter, personal aide to General Grant, wrote: "A little before noon on April 7, 1865, General Grant with his staff rode into the little village of Farmville ••• where he opened the correspondence with Lee which two days later led to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. He drew up in front of the village hotel, a comfortable brick building, and established headquarters on its broad piazza ••• "

At nightfall, Wright's Corps swung past the hotel in pursuit of the retreating Confederates, and spied their commander on the porch. "Then was witnessed one of the most inspiring scenes of the campaign," Porter said. "Bonfires were lighted on the sides of the street; the men seized straw and pine-knots and improvised torches; cheers arose from their throats already hoarse with shouts of victory; bands played; banners waved, and muskets were swung in the air. A regiment (sang) 'John Brown's Body,' and soon a whole division was shouting the swelling chorus. The night march had become a grand review, with Grant as the reviewing officer."

Grant was moved to write the famous "Effusion of Blood" letter, which Lee acted upon. The "village hotel" Porter recalled in his memoirs remained in existence until a few months ago. Mr. Joseph Wood, a local contractor, purchased the building, which had remained essentially unchanged, and was re­ storing it for the sake of history lovers when without warning the structure collapsed into a pile of rubble.

But Mr. Wood has commissioned a Washington artist to do a painting of the night review Porter so vividly described. He intends to frame copies of the painting with the original wood of the historic dwelling. These will be sold for nominal price.

* * * * SOMEONE WAS OUT OF TUNE

Our friends of the Indianapolis Round Table have recounted this delightful tale: "Septimus Winner, contemporary of Stephen Foster, was arrested as a 'traitor' for writing a popular song. It was 'Give us Back Our Old Commander, Little Mac, The People's Pride. '" Little Mac, of course, was General McClellan, and the song protested his ouster by the War Department after the general's failure to pursue Lee vigorously after Antietam.

"But the public, ignorant of the fine points of military strategy, bought 100,000 copies of the song within a few days. The tune was in the air, but Secretary of War Stanton was up in the air about it. Enraged, he ordered that any soldier heard singing the song be court-martialed and that Septimus

Winner be tried for treason. Military court proceedings against him were halt­ ed only with the understanding that he cease publication of the song and destroy all unsold copies.

"But the melody of this tribute to Little Mac lingered on; in fact it eventually became a campaign song when General McClellan unsuccessfuly ran for President against Lincoln in 1864.

"As for songwriter Septimus Winner, he returned to plain old sentimental love songs that were best-sellers--such as Whispering Hope, Little Brown Jug, Listen to the Mocking Bird, and Where, Oh where has my little dog gone."

As a footnote of our own, the written word seemed a ready target for quarrels during the war. You will recall Sherman's uproars with the press correspondents.

* * * * POSSIBLE PROGRAM TOPICS

Our president has asked members to suggest topics for speakers at our future meetings. Here are a few:

Judah P. Benjamin. There is an entrancing, utterly mystifying person­ ality. What happened to him at Yale? How much influence did he actually exert on the Confederate government? What of his rather lovely romances? How did he leave the country after the war--and why? Why, again, did he destroy his per­ sonal papers? How does responsible opinion hold him now?

The Retreat From Petersburq to Appomattox. Lee was a great and a daring man but why, within every sensible rationalization, did he try to carryon after the lines broke at Petersburg? The chances for uniting with Joe Johns­ ton were narrower than a slot machine offers in Las Vegas. This is not Monday morning quarterbacking. The officers and men knew it at the time. What on earth moved him? Was it pride, or that mysterious thing called the death wish, so apparent in Greek drama?

The Confederate Congress. There, indeed, is a generally unknown quan­ tity. Lee's opinion of this august body appears to have been very poor. How did it compare with the United States Congress? But, vitally, did it have a helpful or hurtful affect on the conduct of the war?

John Pelham. As Shakespeare said of another, Nature might cry out that this was a man. A dashing speech could be made of Pelham's gallant and origi­ nal exploits. What did he contribute to artillery tactics? It scarcely matters. The story of his life and death could be enthralling.

The r.ause of the War. The American Civil War was not a conflict that suddenly erupted like a barroom brawl. It's origin lay in the rootspring of America's beginning and constitutional structure, and it came at its appointed time in the flow of American time. Some have given easy answers: slavery, tariffs, agrarian versus industrial society, hot tempers on both sides, notably in press and pUlpits. All true, in part. But what comes up most sharply from a steady, scholarly evaluation?

The Meaninq of Appomattox. Two things were definitely settled in the little court house village. Slavery went out of existence. Secession, un­ settled in the Constitution, became outlawed by force of arms. But what about State's Rights, a clanging issue today? Intelligent Southern soldiers believed it to be the issue, just as Northern troops sternly fought to preserve the Union. What rights--if any--did the states lose because of the war? And what did the South actually mean by the term State Sovereignty. If carried to ex­ treme, it certainly would not have worked.

Mrs. Lindoln and Mrs. Jefferson Davis. There were two strong-minded ladies who might become entertaining topics of discussion when our ladies are present at one of the Gold Medal Award dinners.

* * * * LONG REMEMBER

Barring the subject of religion--which flames a few battles of its own-­ the Civil War has amassed the vastest literature, librarians say. What do buffs actually want from the books? Most would say "Information," we suspect. But thousands would say "Entertainment." Mulling the thought, we came up with a few utterly unforgettable volumes. These are, "John Brown's Body," (Benet); "Meet General Grant," (Woodward); "Jeb Stuart" (Thomason); "Myths After Lin­ coln," (Lewis); "Ranger Mosby," (Jones); "God's Angry man, ,,( Ehrlich); "John Dooley, Confederate Soldier," (Dooley) "Bugles Blow No More," (Dowdey); "I Rode With Stonewall," (Douglas); "Rustics in Rebellion," (Townsend); and "A Stillness at Appomattox," (Catton).

* * * * RANDOM SHOTS

The restored northwest face of Fort Ward in the western suburbs of Alexandria ranks as the newest and most popular ~~ attraction hereabouts. Bearing the name of the first naval officer killed in the conflict, the fort bristled among the largest of the 68 encircling the capital. Its primary function was to protect the strategic Alexandria-Leesburg Pike .•• We hear that a solemn whing-ding using the sound-and-light-effect technique is in prepara­ tion for the surrender anniversary at restored Appomattox Court House next April 9. The restoration itself is a quiet masterpiece, capturing the spell of history, the spell of tragedy ••• Meanwhile, the National Commission has re­ cruited able orator Senator A. Willis Robertson to speak at next year's final National Assembly in Springfield, Ill. His topic: "Lee the American." Resi­ dent of Lexington, Va., and a searching student of Lee and Jackson, the popu­ lar legislator drew this praise from Dr. James Robertson, national commission director: "The Senator was the first and a unanimous choice of the program committee ••• I personally am proud that Senator Robertson is to take time out from a heavy schedule on our behalf •.• " Help wanted--Data is being sought for a comprehensive history of the Grand Army of the Republic. Anyone with in­ formation on this powerful post-war organization should address Mr. Ernest G. Wells, chairman, Centennial Committee, Sons of Union Veterans, 12-t Tufts Street, Cambridge, Mass.

* * * *

THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

VOLUME 14 Number 3 NOVEMBER 1964

AND IT'S BLOW THE MAN DOWN -- THE WAR AT SEA 1861-65

Naval warfare in the Conflict takes over the Round Table program for the season's third meeting November 10 at the Army-Navy Club. Rear Admiral E.M. ("Judge") Eller, Director of Naval History and last year's RT president, will put on the program.

Two interesting films covering Civil War naval activity on both sides will give our Buffs a chance to get a comprehensive picture of the War at sea. Comparative strengths, the evolution of strategy, the blockade, the emergence of the ironclads, battles, raiders, mines, torpedo boats and other features of the naval side of the War will be presented. Admiral Eller and his doughty fellow-historians in the U.S. Navy have produced a visual program which should be a fine change of pace from the presentation of thoughtfut papers or the carnage of panel discussions.

Here's the rundown. Don't miss it:

6: 00 P .M~ 7 :00 P.M. 8:00 P.M.

Corn squeezin's and juice hour Mess call Program

DATE: PLACE: PRICE:

Tuesday, November 10, 1964 Army-Navy Club $5~Ocr pe~ person

In Charge: Admiral Eller and ship's company

Subject: The Naval War 1861-65 Film Presentation

RING dat BELL -- ON THE CASH REGISTER

Wars can't be fought without the where-withall, and our vivid, pul­ sating, hell-for-leather Round Table can't function without payment of dues.

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The bills have been sent out. If you haven't returned your $6.00 for 1964- 65 dues, send it in now. Your check, specie or greenbacks can be sent to The Civil War Round Table, Army-Navy Club, Farragut Square, Washington, D.C. Make our Treasurer happy!

A SPLENDID GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP SET UP ON THE WAR

The highly imaginative, ever alert Chicago Round Table has established one of the finest Civil War fellowships yet to go on the record. It is a $3,000 annual stipend to qualified graduate students for the completion of Ph.D. theses in Civil War history.

Initially, the award is made possible through the generosity of Lloyd D. Miller, a past president of the Chicago Table. It was established, ac­ cording to the Chicago group, "in the tradition of cooperative inquiry be­ tween professional and non-professional CW historians". One or more fellow­ ships will be awarded annually.

Chicago's RT has set a splendid example for worthwhile CW investigation of an enduring nature. Would not this kind of a project be a worthy under­ taking for our own DCRT? Lasting contributions of knowledge are bound to result.

The terms of the competition note that "the closing in 1965 of the formal centennial observances still leaves open fundamental questions on the causes, conduct and results of the conflict". The handsome fellowships were set up to encourage significant research into these matters.

To be eligible for a Chicago fellowship, a graduate student must: (1) Intend to follow a career of teaching and scholarship; (2) Have passed all preliminary and foreign language examinations for the Ph.D. degree and be a candidate for the degree in a recognized graduate school in the U.S.; and (3) Have received approval from his committee of a dissertation topic within the broad area of the CW. Students 'who expect to meet these qualifications by June 1 may apply, with the grant contingent on meeting all qualifications by that date.

Our own Round Table would do well if it could work out some kind of a grant along these lines. It would be a great contribution to learning in the CW field, one of permanent value. Let's hear some DC reaction on this one.

Anyone interested in applying for one of the Chicago fellowships should get in touch with the Civil War Round Table Fellowship Award Com­ mittee, 18 East Chestnut Street, Chicago (60611) for a copy of the announce­ ment and application form.

NOT QUITE BRILLAT-SAVARIN, BUT AT LEAST SOMETHING TO EAT

Anyone having an odd regiment or two of 1,000 men looking for some­ thing to eat, might well study an advertisement for the Stoyer new stove used by the Union army. It also gives a pretty good insight into menues prepared for the troops in the big conflict.

Here's what it says, as reported by the Waco CWRT;

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"Place 30 stoves in a row, in the open air and under cover. Put 20 quarts of water in each boiler, 50 pounds of ration meat, 4 squares of dried vegetables from a cake, or if fresh mixed vegetables are issued, 12 pounds weight. Add 10 small tablespoons of salt, the same of pepper. Light the fire, simmer gently from two hours to two hours and a half. Skim the fat from the top and serve. It will re­ quire only four cooks per regiment, the provisions and water being carried by fatigue parties; the kitchen being central instead of the kitchen going into the field to each company. The company sends two men with a pole to carry the meat."

MATTHEW BRADY AND HIS PHOTOGRAPHS

Every Buff owes a huge debt to Matthew A. Brady, that genius pioneer photographer who left imperishable pictures of what the War was really like. All know his tremendously moving photographs. Yet what many do not know is that Brady went bankrupt making his immortal record of the conflict and died in virtual obscurity.

Brady used the cumbersom "wet plate" process, necessitating immediate development of his plates in a dark tent or covered wag?n which had to ac­ company him. He first photographed Lincoln in Brooklyn in 1860, marking a turning point in his career. He covered the entire War, sending his men to the armies of the Potomac, Tennessee, Cumberland, Red River and the Gulf. He lived in camp and battle.

By the spring of 1864, Brady was overwhelmed by the debts he incurred in recording the War. He followed Hooker to Chancellorsville; Lee and Meade to Gettysburg. He photographed the dead sniper at Devil's Den, the fighting around McPherson's Wood and the Wheatfield. In November, 1863, he made the only existing picture of Lincoln when he dedicated the Gettysburg cemetery.

When the war ended, Brady was bankrupt. In accomplishing his historic work he lost his fortune. Things got so bad that in 1874, a warehouse where he had stored his plates notified him that unless he paid $2,840 overdue, a large portion of his now-priceless record would be sold at auction. Fortun­ ately for everyone, the nation bought the claim charges and the plates were saved for the world.

Brady died in 1896, having spent the last years of his life in a small studio near the U.S. Treasury bUilding in Washington. Generally, the man who preserved the sadness and horrors of the War, its moments of great historic importance, and an unmatched record for posterity, had been virtually forgot­ ten by his contemporaries.

For all of the primitive conditions under which Brady had to work in the War, few photographers of today have ever exceeded the graphic images Matthew A. Brady preserved for mankind.

THE REAL BIRTH OF THE ASTRONAUGHTS

The War developed many "firsts" that subsequently found their way into development of military science. Among these firsts was aeronautics -- tried out, and then abandoned.

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The Hagerstown "Bugle Call" recently reported on the strange story of aerial reporting and mapping in the War. Although balloonists had many narrow escapes, no craft was ever brought down by gunfire. The only casualty was a man who unfortunately stepped on a Confederate mine.

Balloons were used by both Union and Rebel forces. The Confederates took to the air in April, 1862 with a hot air balloon on the Penninsula. The Confederate pilot once had a free flight when he was accidentally cut loose at night, but as he blew along to Williamsburg, he observed as he sailed. At Richmond, the Southerners also launched their famous "Silk Dress" aerostat, which was falsely attributed to Southern belles, but was actually made of especially imported new silk.

Efforts in the air collapsed by July, 1863. In the Union army, it was lack of status that ended the military aeronautics. As the Bugle Call put it, the South had plenty of red tape, but no materials, techniques, field gener­ ators or silk. T.S.C. Lowe, the famed Union aeronaught, resigned. All bal~ loonists were civiliam technicians; no rank, no standing, no authority. No service branches wanted the bother of the balloon servicing, transport and operation. While no balloon was ever shot down, they usually drew a rain of shells on soldiers in otherwise quiet areas.

This alone would have been strong reason for unpopularity.

The magnificent opportunity for development of an air arm for the mili­ tary a hundred years ago went by the boards. But today, the followers of Billy Mitchel, and Astronaughts John Glenn, Shorty Powers and their comrades can look back to "our War" as the beginning, clumsy and unappreciated as those pioneer flights were.

OUR OWN I.Q. TEST

Who were the "Galvanized Yankees"? How did they happen, and what did they do? (By the way of a hint, they originated at Fort Larned, Kansas.)

GRAPESHOT

The lively news letter of the Fort Monroe Casemate Museum maintains that the great interest in the Civil War did not begin with the Centennial. In fact, it says, the present interest started about 20 years ago and reached its greatest height five years before the centennial. The Casemate Museum expects interest to continue unabated, "for the American people, have 'dis­ covered I the War, are not going to forget it" ..... Our fellow RT at Hagerstown reports that the C & 0 canal made a substantial contribution to the CW effort by transporting "such prime supplies as coal, flour and whiskey -- s t ap l e s of canal boat haulage". Rugged people, our old timers ..... Members of the Prison Civil War Round Table at Richmond made a penetrating comment recently on Round Table speakers. Of one speech-maker, their news letter commented: "Unlike most of our outside guest speakers, he was relaxed and as much at ease on his first appearance as any member of the group." This speaker must have remem­ bered that "stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage' especially at a RT meeting.

Walton Onslow, Editor Room 701 411 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W

THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

VOLUME 14 Number 4 DECEMBER 1964

Perhaps because it was fought in a somewhat remote theatre of Our War, the Red River campaign has not received the attention from the average Buff as have some of the more conspicuous operations. Yet it was important.

Some of our deficiencies in regard to the Red River fighting will be re­ paired in the upcoming program of Tuesday, December 8. An analysis of the operations will be presented in a panel discussion under "Texas wrastling" rules -- no holds barred and with plenty of opportunity for the audience to get into the act. Slides, maps and a detailed explanation are planned, with questions and answers allowed.

Participants will be: Director, Col. Sidney Morgan; Confederate panel team, Capt. Orner A. Kneeland and George E. Schroebel; Union panel team, Lt. Col. Joseph H. Mitchell and B.F. Cooling; Engineer and map officer, Col. Harry Campbell; Area technical advisor, Adm. Malcom Sylvester; Producer, Rear Adm. John B. Heffernan; Program committee, Meredith M. Daubin, Chairman, Adm. Beverly M. Coleman and Col. J. Gay Seabourne.

Here's the rundown:

6: 00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. 8 :00 P.M.

Comrades and corn juice Chow lime Program - The Red River Campaign.

Panel Discussion

DATE: PLACE: PRICE:

Tuesday, December 8, 1964 Army-Navy Club $5.00 per person

D.C. CENTENNIAL COMMISSION PLANS IMPRESSIVE WIND-UP

D.C. Centennial Commission Paul Sedgwick, our former,RT President, has announced an impressive program for the first six months of 1965 to bring its activities to a close. Scheduled is a commemoration of the second Lincoln inauguration; a memorial service observing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and a re-enactment of the Grand Review.

In cooperation with the Congressional Committee and local groups, the Commission will stage an observance of Lincoln's second inauguration on March 4 at the east front of the Capitol. President Lyndon Johnson's inaugural stand will be left in place for the event. Dore Schary, Hollywood producer, is to present a program including Raymond Massey or Henry Fonda to play the part of Lincoln.

The memorial service for Lincoln's assassination will take place April 16 in the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. The church, attended by Lincoln on Palm Sunday, 1865, has offered its facilities for the service on Good Friday, 100 years after the tragedy. Plans contemplate attendance by President Johnson, and participation by the Marine Band, the U.S. Army Chorus and the Combined Color Guard.

Final event ending the Commission's five years' work will take the form of a re-enactment of the famed Grand Review that followed the end of the War. Plans call for a march along Pennsylvania Avenue, the original Review route, with units from the Naval Academy, West Point, and ~ll branches of the services, plus military colleges and other groups. The Commission hopes that President Johnson will be able to review the parade.

Chairman Sedgwick points out the odd coincidence that a President Johnson again occupies the White House 100 years after the original Grand Review. Special invitations will be sent to members of the Round Table to attend these events.

ANOTHER CIVIL WAR IIFIRSTII -- ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE

One of our members, Col. Willard L. Jones,Sr., has contributed an inter­ esting item to the NEWS LETTER regarding the origin of American anti-aircraft artillery. Inspired by the brief account of the use of balloons in the War in last month's Letter, Col. Jones wro t e us the following:

IIWhen I was assigned to the Army's Office of the Chief of Military History I was given the task of writing a history of the anti-air­ craft artillery for the Army Linease Series. We credited the fir­ ing by a battery of the Washington Artillery at Lowe's balloon at Bailey's Cross Roads in Arlington in November 1861 as the start of American anti-aircraft artillery.

IIThey did not hit the balloon but Lowe was frightened so much that he pulled the rip cord and the balloon crash-landed with him in it and he and his crew had to walk the remains back to Washington to fill it up again from the city's gas lines. He later developed a gas generator and used it all of the rest of the time he was with the Union Army, about two years."

Col. Jones also distinguished himself by being the first to supply the answer to last month's I.Q. Lt em , (See Our Own I.Q. Test in this Letter.)

ONE WAY TO GET A HAT

Hood's Brigade from Tex~s apparently was one of the champion outfits of the War when it came to foraging. Not only did they win hands down when it

came to chicken stealing -- they developed a finely-honed technique for the hen-house -- but they were pretty self-sufficient when it came to other things, including hats.

The Round Table at Hill Junior College, Hillsboro, Texas, is a lively source of information about the fine art of foraging as used by Hood's men. They report, in a series on the subject by Col. Harold B. Simpson, that in March, 1863, Hood's Brigade was camped just south of Richmond, along the rail­ road between Petersburg and the Confederate capital. But their headgear, such as was left to them, was in deplorable condition.

Because of a grade, the trains passing Hood's encampment en route to Richmond slowed to a crawl. The Hatless Hoods took note that passengers on these trains seemed to be well equipped with chapeaux. It was bad news for the train riders when the foraging techniques of Hood's men rose to the occasion .

. "-The wiley Texans so'Lv ed their own problems by cutting pine branches and boughs which they laid beside the track. When a train came puffing up the grade, the chicken stealers fired rifles and let go with their own version of the rebel yell. Startled passengers invariably stuck their heads out the car windows, hats in place. Whereupon the Hoodwinkers grabbed their boughs and branches and knocked hats off right and left. As the Hillsboro account puts it: "Seizing the grounded headgear, the soldiers then skedaddled through the woods back to camp as the train of irate passengers proceeded over the bridge and disappeared down the tracks toward Richmond."

The scheme worked nicely until a trainload of high ranking officers came along. Shortly thereafter, orders were quickly sent to move Hood's Brigade away from the railroad. But the ingenious scheme had worked sufficiently to equip the troops with headgear, even if of startling variety. Comments the Hillsboro report:

"However, it must have been a ludicrous sight indeed to see the Texas regiments on dress parade in the spring of 1863 with gold braided fedoras, luxuriant beavers, stately top hats, coonskin tassels, . and practically every other kind of civilian and military head covering in vogue perched on their heads."

. ,. ~ OUR OWN I. Q. TEST

Col. Willard L. Jones wins the mashed minnie ball this month for his answer to the question about the "Galvanized Yankees". He correctly reported that the Galvanized Yankees were Confederate prisoners who were willing to enter the Union army and were sent west to fight the Injuns during the War. Some of them served at Fort Larned, Kansas. It was said of them that they were "dipped in rebels and came out Yankees".

Here's this month's poser: Hho was the last Confederate general to surrender? Winner will receive the mashed minnie ball if we ever find it.

GRAPESHOT

Member Howard Westwood recently was invited by the St. Louis Round Table to deliver his splendid paper on the Peace Convention, thus representing

our own RT ably before the St. Louis Buffs ••.••• Navy members of the RT should be intrigued by the fuel used by the Confederate ram Albemarle after it had its smokestack destroyed during a mixup with seven federal vessels in an at- tr. n.p t; to wrest Albemarle and Pamlico sounds from Yankee control in 1865, Since the stack would not draw, the Confederates stoked the ram with bacon and lard, which drew without the stack. Rather expensive fuel The Antitam RT at the Maryland Institution for Men near Hagerstown has published a lively news letter. This prison Round Table featured an article, "Prisons of the Civil War" along with many other interesting items. The prisoners pay tribute to the activities of their Round Table in giving them new and better points of view ..•.•• If you want a commission in the Confederate Navy, you can get it by writing the Lenoir County Confederate Centennial Committee at Box 824, Kingston, North Carolina. For $25 or more you can become a Flag Officer. Other commissions are priced at $16 to $24 for Captain; $11 to $15 for Com­ mander; or Lieutenant, $6 to $10. A Boatswains Mate rating goes for $5. The receipts are being used in the restoration of the Confederate ram "Neuse", which ran aground in the Neuse river and has been recovered and moved to the Richard Caswell Memorial site in Kingston ...••. The "Neuse" sponsors are also selling souvenier coins for 50 cents to help defray expenses. You can get one from NEUSE COIN, Box 1881, Raleigh, N.C. (the N.C. Confederate Centennial Commission) .•.•.. The navy-minded Tar Heels also recently sent a 1,700 pound anchor recovered from the sunken blockade runner "Modern Greece" to Wilmington for treatment in a drying oven at the Babcock and Wilcox plant. The State Department of Archives and History will display it at the Fort Fisher Historic Site when the anchor is restored.

JUST A BUNCH OF MIXED-UP PEOPLE

Clifford Dowdey in his Experiment in Rebellion high-lighted graphically how the War cut across sectional and family lines. He points out that Winfield Scott, first Union commander-in-chief was a Virginian (held to be a Benedict Arnold in Richmond where he had been a social light); Farragut's executive officer was an Ashley from South Carolina and fought his own kin. The Adjutant­ General of the Confederacy hailed from the Hudson River country; Gorgas, South­ ern ordnance genius, was a Pennsylvanian; three of the Confederacy's best representatives abroad included a former New Yorker, a Connecticut Yankee and a Swiss. Virtually every nationality in Europe was enrolled in Confederate armies.

Walton Onslow, Editor Room 701 1411 Pennsylvania Avenue,N.W.

THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

VOLUME 14 Number 5 JA.NUARY 1965

JANUARY MEETING TO FEATURE THE BEGINNING OF THE END

The Battle of Five Forks, often termed "The South's Waterloo", will be the subject of our January meeting at the Army-Navy Club Tuesday evening, January 12. ,I

It was this battle, largely one of maneuver, which breached Lee's right flank defenses southwest of Petersburg and directly led to his retreat and to Appomattox. It was also this battle that brought dissention between Sheridan and Warren and the relieving of l.Jarren by Little Phil. When the Federal troops turned Lee's right flank, there was nowhere for the Confederates to go except out of Petersburg.

Another assembly of panel talent drawn from our own membership will en­ lighten our Buffs as to how it all happened. The panel troops will be under command of Admiral Beverly M. Coleman. Frederick D. Hunt will deal with the actions of General Philip and General Sheridan; George E. Schroebel with General Pickett, and Elden "Josh" Billings with General Warren. They will be assisted by Col. Henry Morgan as Producer; Capt. Orner A. Kneeland; Director; Col. Henry L. Campbell, Engineer Officer; Garnet W. Jex, Map Officer, and Meredith M. Daubin, Chairman of the Program Committee.

Here's the rundown:

6:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M.

Vintage and visiting Mess Call Program - "The South's Waterloo:" The Battle of Five Forks

DATE: PLACE: PRICE:

Tuesday, January 12, 1965 Army-Navy Club $5.00 per person

FIELD AND BATTLE COMMUNICATIONS IN THE WAR

Communications, especially during a battle, formed a real handicap to the troops during the War. In a typical regiment, eight companies were drawn up in a line and two were used for skirmishing. If the colonel was able to see what was happening, he directed movements with verbal orders. These in turn were conveyed to the men by other officers or via drum beats and bugle calls. There were many of these for the troops to remember.

In the confusion of battle, orders for one regiment frequently were heard and obeyed by men in another, which hardly contributed to efficient fighting. Dispersed troops presented a real communications problem, not solved until modern development of field radio. In our War, it was a matter of officers galloping around and about, personal shouting and the cumbersome medley of bugle calls and drum beats. Small wonder that fighting men fre­ quently got mixed up or into wrong positions.

European tactics simply didn't work in our War. In these tactics, the enemy had to be seen, usually in full array. Contemplation of Shiloh, the Wilderness or Chancellorsville shows how the European style would not fit the fighting of the Civil War.

A RIVER AND A CENTURY TAKE THEIR TOLL

Many Buffs have been intrigued by the efforts to raise the Federal gunboat "Cairo" from the Yazoo river north of Vicksburg, where it sank on December 12, 1862. Professional salvagers, equipped with barges and winches, managed to get liftin~ cables around the sunken hull, which had badly silted up in the muddy river.

On November 8, when a raise was attempted, the heavy cables cut through the hull. The Chicago RT reports that the gunboat broke in two. (Indianapolis claims it was into three pieces.) Capt. W.A. Bisso, Jr., of New Orleans, the salvager, decided to get the hull sections onto underwater barges, later to be lifted.

The back-breaking job to recover the Cairo has already claimed one life. Dr. Walter Johnston, a leading spirit in the operations, was swept to his death in the river one night when the Yazoo was at high stage. Edwin C. Bearss, who with two other Vicksburg men discovered the Cairo in 1956, reports that the silt deposited by the Yazoo raised the weight of the gun­ boat many hundreds of tons despite the many tons of silt that were suctioned out.

The center section of the Cairo was finally raised to a surface barge, and the other sections may be up and at Vicksburg by the time this NEWS LETTER reaches you.

OUR OWN "I. Q. II TEST

Last month's question, "Who was the last Confederate General to sur­ render?" brought a quick response, and some interesting information not generally known.

Kirby Smith, of Trans-Mississippi fame, is usually credited with being the last Confederate to yield. The date, May 26, 1865. Members Trevor W. Swett and Major General Roland H. del Mar both identified him correctly. Gen­ eral del Mar added that Kirby Smith's daughter, Mrs. Buck, is still living at Winetka, Ill. Trevor Swett also named General Canby as the man Smith sur­ rendered to.

But Member Kenneth Foy furnished the real whizzer, which may be a surprise to some historians. He identified the last Confederate General to give up as Brig. Gen. Stand Watie, CSA. In a worthwhile footnote, he said:

"Watie was a three-quarter Cherokee Indian and commanded the 2nd Regi­ ment of Cherokees, mostly half-breeds. A stout fighter and a real die-hard, General Watie kept up resistance until June 23, 1865, when he surrendered his command at Do aksv i.Ll e , in the Cho c t aw Nation in southeastern Oklahoma, after all ether Confe.derate Army commands had yielded."

And then HARDTACK, the news letter of the Indianapolis RT told us that the last land engagement of the War occurred May 13, 1865,at Palmetto Ranch near Brownsville, Texas, where 500 Confederates under Brig. Gen. James Slaughter won over 250 Federals of the 34th Indiana Volunteers after a three­ hour fracas. These rebels learned of the surrender of the South only after the battle, and then from their prisoners. The Indianapolis RT claims that the last man to be killed in the War fell in this battle. He was 25-year­ old recruit John Jefferson Williams of Company B, whose portrait hangs in the Soldiers and Sailors monument in Indianapolis.

Now, who says that we know everything to be known about the War? Under the circumstances, maybe we'd better keep the mashed Minnie ball until there aren't quite so many well qualified claimants.

THIS MONTH'S SKULL-CRACKER: Who was the officer who said -- "War means fightin and fightin means killin - so I quit! "? (The author is famous for another often-used quotation.) Let's see how our scholars do with that mouthfull.

SPENCERS AT GETTYSBURG •••• WHAT DID THEY USE?

Writing in a recent issue of the splendid Bugle Call published by the Hagerstown CWRT, W.G. Adams, Jr., casts considerable doubt on one of the favorite beliefs of Gettysburg -- that Buford's cavalry held off Heth's divi­ sion of Confederates on the Cashtown road at the opening of the battle by the use of repeating Spencer carbines.

"Almost certainly," says Mr. Adams, "the Spencer repeating carbine did not inflict any casualties."

The writer bases his claim on Ordnance Records. These show that the first Spencer carbines were not delivered until October, 1863. The carbine did not appear in ordnance returns until the last quarter of 1863, and then it was not mentioned in the regiments of Buford's Division.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that there were two "Spencers" one a rifle and one a carbine. Both were seven-shot repeaters loaded

through the butt plate, with lever action. It is possible that the .

repeating rifle was in use by the time of Gettysburg and loosely termed a carbine.

Ordnance returns show that the three cavalry divisions in the Army of the Potomac reported seven different weapons in service by June, 1863. Six were breech-loading carbines; the seventh, the Spencer rifle. Says Mr. Adams:

"The eight regiments of the two brigades involved in the initial action at Gettysburg report a majority of Sharps 52. calibre carbines. There are also Smiths, Burnsides, Gallaghers, Merrils and a few Ballards. There are no rifles of any type reported.

"At least one commander would have taken note of such a weapon in their after-action report. Officers of the calibre of Buford, Devin or Gamble would hardly have passed over the increase of fire power that a repeating rifle would contribute without at least one of them mentioning this. All three, at some point in the day's action, make note of the effectiveness of the carbine fire of their troopers, but do not refer to a rifle or repeating carbine."

The repeating Spencer carbine story attained wide circulation and belief, and it is still given credit as providing Buford's men with the ability to hold off Heth's Division for some two hours. There is no doubt that Buford's troops developed intense fire on the Confederates. Perhaps the Confederate infantry­ man helped things along with his version of the fire delivered on him. Or did th~ story get started because the colorful and publicity-wise Custer had men equipped with Spencer rifles?

But, says Mr. Adams, it warn't no Spencer repeating carbines that Buford had. Hhat do our expert riflemen have to say to that?

GRAPESHOT

Our War has reached West Germany. West German Television is pro­ ducing a three-part television series on the Civil War for their viewers. Says a German Television s.t a t Lo n : "Ou r decision to present a comp r e ; hensive series on the American Civil War to the German public is based on the proposition that there is no better approach to a deeper understanding of what America is all about, than this tragic struggle." ..... Wisconsin regi­ ments kept pretty good human interest records. Some of them detail how rebel prisoners in New Orleans wer e permitted to marry and spend a honeymoon in style in their quarters, receiving their friends. Church ceremonies were per­ mitted with a Union guard standing by the groom, and then accompanying the happy couple back to prison ..... Food supplies to the troops often were delayed in shipment, sometimes in hot and damp weather, which did the food no good. Hardtack arriving in maggotty condition frequently was dubbed "worm sandwiches" . ..... The official manual for use and care of the .58 Springfield muzzle-loader had a practical comment: "In the inspection of arms, officers should attend qualities essential to service, rather than to a bright polish on the exterior of the arms" ..... wonder how many officers followed the admonition? .... Member Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant III was guest of honor at a meeting of the Ulysses S. Grant Association at South_ern Illinois Urri.ver sd t y , Carbondale, Ill. Publication of "The Collected Works of U. S. Grant (probably 15 volumes) is in process of publi­ cation by the group. The Association is also preparing a new edition of Grant's Memoirs and a comprehensive bibliography .••.• and a Happy New Year for learning more about Our War is extended to all Buffs.

Walton Onslow, Editor Room 701 1411 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

VOLUME 14 NUMBER 5 FEBRUARY, 1965

FEBRUARY MEETING: POLITICS THAT FOLLOWED THE WAR

Our February meeting program will return to treatment of the broader aspects of the War -- or more accurately, the broad aspects of something that followed the War. In brief, the political repercussions.

Speaker will be one of our own distinguished students 01" the con1"llct, Howard Westwood. His formal topic will be "Hampton Roads Peace Conference: The Politics of Disengagement," Focal point of his discussion will be the Hampton Roads "Peace Conference," a subject not often recognized nor dealt vith by most writers. Members will remember Mr. Westwood's scholarly presentation of the Peace Convention of 1861 that occurred just before the War in our own Willard Hotel (or at least its predecessor on the same site).

Disengagement in any war is a many-faceted thing. As Mr. Westwood notes, disengagement from the Civil War has taken 100 years. So mark your calendar for a significant discussion of a far-reaching and important topic one which has probably affected our way of life more than any single battle or campaign.

Here is the rundown:

Speaker: Howard C. Westwood

DATE: PLACE: PRICE:

Tuesday, February 9, 1965 Army-Navy Club $5.00 per person

6:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M.

Juice Hour Chow Line Program - "Hampton Roads Peace Conference: The Politics of Disengagement"

RE-ENACTr~NT OF SECOND LINCOLN INAUGURAL NEXT MONTH

What should prove to be one of the outstanding events in the entire Civil War Centennial will take place here in Washington next month with many famous names participating. This \-lill be the re-enactment of Lincoln's Second Inaugural on the site of the original ceremony. It is sponsored by the D.C. Centennial Commission, under chairmanship of our own Paul Sedgwick, in coopera­ tion with the Congressional Committee and other groups.

The date will be March 4, exactly 100 years to the day from the date of Lincoln's second swearing in and his delivery of the immortal "Second In­ augural." The narration alone should be worth hearing, for it will be de­ livered by one of America's most capable speakers, Adlai Stevenson, himself a candidate for the presidency and now U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

The event is being given "full treatment." Dore Schary, noted Hollywood producer, will arrange and present the program with Henry Fonda or another star to play the part of Lincoln. The inauguration platform used by President Lyndon B. Johnson is being left in place for this purpose, and many notables are expected to attend. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey has been invited to be present, and it is hoped that it will be possible for President Johnson to participate.

Robert Ward, composer, is writing special music for the occasion, and a motion picture will be made of the re-enactment for use in public schools.

Color, music and story in the dramatic setting of the nation's Capi­ tol sho~ld make this something no D.C. Buff would want to miss. Watch your newspaper for details.

D.C. COMMISSION SPONSORING TWO NEW BOOKLETS

The D.C. Commission also is announcing two new booklets of consider­ able local interest. Paul Sedgwick is putting finishing touches on a companion piece to "The Symbol and the Sword" to be called "The Shield."

The new booklet deals with the defenses of Washington in the War. It will present the situation which prevailed in Washington following the election of Lincoln and the steps taken to protect the city from within and without, and what the Navy did in its guardian role. With maps and photo­ graphs, it is expected that the booklet will be ready next month. Compliment­ ary copies will be made available to members of the RT.

The second booklet also is being put together by three of our mem­ bers, Garnet Jex, Col. Gay Seabourne and Mr. Sedgwick. This one will be tiThe Upper Potomac in the Civil vJar" and will feature drawings by Garnet Jex show­ ing the historic events which concerned the Potomac River, including the fords and bridges which existed 100 years ago and played a part in the War. The Commission hopes to publish several thousand copies for distribution to the libraries of cities, towns and schools along and adjacent to the Potomac.

Mr. Jex also plans to make slides and a film strip, and according to the grapevine, it is reasonable to expect that its first presentation may be given by the authors to the RT.

THOSE HOOD'S BRIGADE FORAGERS AGAIN

The RT of Hill Junior College, Hillsboro, Texas, with probably- the

youngest membership of any RT in the nation, continues to publish the rollick­ ing account of the deprivations inflicted by Hood's (Hungry) Texas Brigade wherever they were. The series is by Col. Harold D. Simpson, history instruct­ or and advisor to the group.

The Texas characters making up the Brigade were full of more re­ sourcefulness and antics than a barrel-full of Keystone Komedy Kops. In fact, if Mack Sennett had known about them, his comedies might have featured these wiley Texans instead of the Kops.

They were probably the only soldiers on either side who marched into battle at Gettysburg stuffed with food. The night of June 30, the Texans prac­ tically cleaned out the lush farms of the Cumberland Valley, and one eye-witness wrote that he awakened the morning of the battle to see "every standing soldier covered with choice food for the hungry. Chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese squawked, gobbled, cackled, quacked and hissed. Feathers flew in all direc­ tions. Scattered in bewildering confusion appeared immense loaves of bread, chunks of corned beef, hams, bacon, cheeses, crocks of apple butter, jelly~ jam, pickles and preserves, bowls of yellow butter, demijohns of buttermilk."

The troops stuffed themselves with the Pennsylvania goodies until 3 p.m., and then contentedly ambled into line and marched for Cashtown and Gettysburg. Quite an introduction for what followed!

Things were not always on the side of these adept foragers, however. The account in the tlLone Star Guardian" relates how after Mechanicsville, a wiley sutler put one over on them and promptly made tracks. Seems he unloaded a large amount of "sausage meat." on the Texans, who hailed it with glee. A couple of days later, while chomping away at the sausage, members of the Fifth Texas mess began to discover cat claws, teeth, fur and other parts of the feline anatomy ground up in their meat course. A member of the Fifth, one Bill Fletcher, wrote that tlsome of the boys tried to vomit, but the cat kept on its downward course."

For once, Hood's men had their "come-uppance. tI (Or should it be their "cat-uppance"?)

PRISONS AND THE WAR

Dr. James Robertson, Director of the Centennial Commission, recently laid an interesting indictment against authors who deal with CW prisons in a talk before the Indianapolis RT. His contention: That the many books and articles on the subject have continued a flood of misinformation. Many in­ accurate accounts have been circulated as fact.

For one thing, while authors continue to point to the death rate at Andersonville (23 per cent), they ignore the 24 per cent rate at the northern prison at Elmira, N.Y., Dr. Robinson noted. Prison deaths apparently accounted for 30,000 men out of a total of 193,743 Federal prisoners, and 26,000 deaths among the 214,865 Confederate prisoners. Privation and death in the northern prisons is directly attributed to Secretary Stanton's orders to reduce food, fuel and medical supplies to the Confederate prisoners. Captain Wirtz of notorious Andersonville was hanged for doing exactly the same thing when he couldn't get supplies.

Dr. Robertson noted that of the 150 prisons north and south, only about 20 were of any importance. All had poor food, inadequate medical care, filth. They were of five types: Converted fortifications; enclosed barracks; converted buildings; clusters of tents, and stockades.

The whole record of Civil War prisons is a sad and shameful story, and certainly reflects indifference to misery. Dr. Robertson's plea for accur- acy instead of sensationalism is certainly reasonable. .

u.s. COMMISSION ANNOUNCES "IMPACTI1 SE.RIES

The U.S. Centennial Commission has announced plans for one of the most significant and impressive projects of the entire Centennial. This will be the publication over a period of years of a series of 14 books dealing with the long-range effects of the War in many areas.

This will be known as the "Impae t Series, 11 and will be published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., who will have responsibility for production. The title stems from the fact that each of the books will deal with the profound impact of the War on all aspects of American, and even European, life. Each will be written by some expert in the field.

The books will deal with the IMPACT OF THE WAR on such things as agriculture; poverty, crime, charities and corrections; literature, scholar­ ship and art; law; business organizations; medicine and surgery; entertainment and recreation; science and technology; women north and south; the Negro; government; development of military ideas and practices throughout the world, and on life and liberalism in Europe.

It would be hard to conceive a finer project growing out of the Com­ mission's work, a truly monumental result of the four-year observance. The Commission asks that any inquiries not be sent to it, but to Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 501 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. The first volume (on agriculture) is tentatively scheduled for this year, with others in preparation.

GRAPESHOT

The Georgia Centennial Commission is taping two-minute daily ·radio programs about the War for broadcasting on 80 Georgia stations. Each tape presents Civil War news of 100-Years-Ago-Today. The programs are enormously popular, one station reporting that it was using its tape nine times daily. Listeners have reported hearing the names of ancestors who I1made the news" 100 years ago ••••• Another "lOO-Years-Ago-Today" item is a splendid newspaper published at Hagerstown as a centennial contribution of the Potomac Edison Company. Showing excellent editorship, the Valley News Echo reports on the century-old happenings as though they were occuring today, thus taking its readers back 100 years. It presents events that actually happened as though they were occuring currently ••••• BOOZE AND THE WAR: Prof. George W. Adams of SIU reports that northeastern states provided a big market for Kentucky bour­ bon. Thus when Kentucky was asked to choose up sides, Prof. Adams says that influential and monied distillers were able to have Kentucky remain neutral in order to save their market ••••• Relic hunters are still turning up liquor flasks at troop encampment sites.

Walton Onslow Editor Room 701 1411 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

VOLUME 14 NUMBER 7 MAY 1965

ANNUAL ELECTION - MEDALLION - SHERMAN IN CAROLINAS

Next week's regular dinner meeting at the Army-Navy Club May 11 will be a triple-barrelled affair. We will have the annual election of the doughty officers who will lead the intrepid troops of the D.C. Round Table through the rigors of 1965-66 campaigning. The national Civil War Centennial Commission will bestow battle honors on our RT in the form of The Centennial Medallion for our contribu­ tions to the centennial observance. And Dr. John G. Barrett, Professor of History at V.M.I. will discuss Sherman's march through the Carolinas.

Here's the rundown:

DATE: PLACE:

May 11, 1965 Army-Navy Club 6:00 P.M. Grog Shop 7:00 P.M. Dinner 8:00 P.M. Program - Sherman's March Through the Carolinas

Speaker - Dr. John G. Barrett, V.M.I. $5.00 per person PRICE:

YOU CAN'T STUFF THE BALLOT BOX - BUT YOU CAN VOTE

Officers to be elected for the 1965-66 season include the President, Vice President, Secretary and the Treasurey also the nine members of the Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee will submit its recommendations, but any mem­ ber is entitled to make nominations from the floor.

Our retiring President, genial Bill Ingles, will pronounce his valedictory in his own inimitable way and lay down the burdens of his high office with nary a whimper. No doubt, he and his fellow officers who served valiently for the past season will exit with cheers and rebel yells.

President Ingles is hoping for a large turnout so the election of the new crew will be a true mandate from the members, if not a consensus. (You won't be able to stuff the ballot box because it will be by voice vote.)

BOOTH ESCAPE FIELD TRIP COMING UP

One of our most interesting (and comfortable) field trips is due Saturday, June 5. It will follow, point-to-point, the Escape Trail of John Wilkes Booth. In charge will be the usual Commandant of Field Trips, Captain John M. Sanderson, Jr., a veteran of the OW trails. Our Buffs will again be fortunate in having Col. J. Gay Seabourne as Chief Narrator, our walking mine of information about the conflict.

Busses will, as usual, leave the Columbia Marina in Virginia at 8:00 A.M., follow Booth's actual route with stops where he stopped, and return about 5:00 P.M. Cars may be left at the Marina. A more detailed announcement will be sent to all members shortly. Tariff: $5.00 round trip.

Col. Seabourne, has planned the itinerary so that the busses will go from the Marina across the 11th Street Bridge which Booth crossed to get out of Washing­ ton (he crossed the old one, not the one the trip will use) and proceed to what used to be Surratsville, but is now Clinton, Maryland. (The old name was hardly popular after the assassination.) Thence to T.B. (initials of a tavern-keeper) and on to the Mudd house. Then to Bryantown and Brice Chapel and to the Cox House, where Booth paused briefly. The busses then will stop at the thicket where Booth and Herrold hid out for five days; to Huckleberry, Dent meadow and to Pope's Creek where the pair crossed the Potomac.

A luncheon stop will be made at Robertson's Crab House, Pope's Creek, or bring your own picnic lunch.

After crossing the Potomac, Dr. Stewart's House will be the next stop, where Booth checked in for help for his leg, thence to Port Conway and the Rappahannock crossing to Port Royal. Final stop will be the Garrett farm.

Because of the distance, and traffic, this field trip will be the easiest yet on Buffs. There will be no alighting from the busses, and narration will be provided in each one. A most interesting day is promised by all concerned. Send in your reservation, and pick up your tickets at the office of former President Paul Sedgwick, Barr Building, Washington.

GUNBOATS ON THE RIVER

Gunboats on the Mississippi and its tributaries played a decisive role in the CWo What many Buffs don't realize was the variety of types of these boats. Re­ cently, THE BUSHWHACKER, sprightly letter of the St. Louis Round Table, printed a rundown on the subject.

It appears that the Union gunboats were classified into six groups: Timber clads, Eads gunboats, Sidewheel gunboats, Rams, Monitors and Tin clads. On the other side, reflecting the difference in industrial resources, the Confederate vessels were Cotton clads and Casemate rams.

THE BUSHWHACKER reports that the biggest goof-up was the Union vessel Indian­ ola. After undergoing modifications at the hands of several designers, she ended

FORAGING THE BOOKS

By Col. J. Gay Seabourne

FROM SAYLER'S CREEK TO APPOMATTOX. By Scott Hart. Published by Randolph House, Inc., P.O. Box 52S, Farmvilles

Virginia. Size,St x 11, Hard-Paper Cover, Price $1.35.

Here is indeed a splendid memorial to the final, tragic days of the Army of Northern Virginia, one well befitting

the centenary of that grim but memorable event.

Commissioned by a group of public-spirited citizens of Farmville, Mr. Scott Hart recounts the events of those eight April days in prose that is at once 'luminous and cadenced; a prose, moreover, that poignantly conveys the suffering and desperation of the army, relieved only by a towering faith in their commander, Robert E. Lee.

The surrender scenes are especially well portrayed: the considera­ tion and magnanimity of General Grant, the stoic majesty of General Lee; and1

finally, the emotion-charged setting of the surrender of troops.

Aside from the high order of its literary style, the booklet has other equally noteworthy and unusual features. First of these, is a double­ spread map, shorn of all unessential detail, that traces the route of the re­ treat from Amelia Court House to Appomattox Court House. Then, also double­ spread, the hard-paper covers carry reproduction of a painting, specially done for the centenary occasion, by the artist, Arlo Greer; which portrays General Grant standing on the porch of the Randolph House in Farmville on the evening of April 7th, and being serenaded by troops of 'the Federal vi Corps. Repro­ ductions of the painting are obtainable from the publisher at a modest price.

Among the many memorials of the centennial period, this one cer­ tainly will find a high place. In its general good taste and particular appropriateness it will, in fact, find few equals.

THE AMERICAN ENLIGHTENMENT: THE SHAPING OF THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT AND A FREE SOCIETY, selected and edited with introduction and notes by Adrienne Koch, Professor of History at the University of California and Chairman of American Studies. Published by George Braziller, Inc., New York. Price $S.50.

This volume, sixth in "The American Epoch Series," is devoted, broadly speaking, to the revolutionary period. The series as a whole treats of significant turning points in American history, the thoughts and actions of the men and women shaping a particular age being portrayed in generous excerpts from their own letters and other writings. Accordingly, the volume

BOOK REVIEWS - 2 -

under review contains selections from the autobiographies, letters, and other writings, in turn, of Franklin, John Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton, who not only stood foremost in rank among the Founding Fathers, but, by the large, were most representative of the spirit, purposes and accomplishments of the revolutionary age.

Space does not permit discussion of the extended commentary on the stirring events, political concepts, the high hopes and some fears incidental to the revolutionary period to be found in the writings contained in this vol­ ume. Valuable to the scholar and casual reader alike, it is especially recom­ mended to students of the Civil War period, since it is only in a broad under­ standing of the political and juridical exigencies of the revolutionary epoch that the internal stresses leading to the great conflict can be fully ap­ prehended.

REFUGEE LIFE IN THE CONFEDERACY, by Mary Elizabeth Massey, Chairman of the Department of History at Winthrop College in South Carolina. Published by the Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge. Price $8.00.

This is a study of an aspect of the Civil War usually overlooked by even diligent students of that conflict, though it has been a familiar con­ comitant of the wars of our own century. That is the many problems, personal, social and political, occasioned by the refugees. These problems within the Confederacy were such as to add greatly to the woes of individuals, institu­ tions and the government during the war years.

Professor Massey has diligently delved into personal diaries, news­ paper files, official records, and other Sources. The result of her tedious research is a presentation that depicts in its many facets life among the refugees, and the profound social upheaval created by wide-spread displacement of populations. .

The author's work is indeed a broad and exhaustive study. Recounted are many incidents both humorous and tragic, and for that reason makes for en­ tertaining reading. But for the serious reader, its value far transcends mere entertainment; for here is portrayed all the evil impact of war upon civilian populations, especially in the theatre of military operations. The suffering of the Confederacy in this respe~t, as here set forth, is an epitome of the devastating side effects of all war, and as such is eloquent preachment against its incidence anywhere.

up with both screws and paddle-wheels and with no less than seven engines. So crowded were her innards, says THE BUSHWHACKER, that the crew had to sleep on deck.

The famous Union gunboats that reduced Forts Donelson and Henry were built at Eads' shipyards at Carondelet near St. Louis. Strangely enough, when these boats engaged the forts, they were actually still the property of Eads, the Federal Government having not yet paid for them.

G.I. HUMOR IN THE CIVIL WAR

Indianapolis Buffs keep turning up with amusing sidelights on the War in addition to some really substantial reporting on Indiana regiments. Now comes this story, relayed from the Michigan Regimental RT: It appears that a yOU11g lieutenant was assigned to a new company, a very small and helpless-looking individual. When he reported, the company noted his youthfulness, and with a guffaw from the rear ranks, a voice called out, "And a little child shall lead them!"

But the lad was of the stuff of officers. The next day, the company re­ ceived this announcement: "The company will take a 25 mile hike with full equip­ ment, and a little child will lead them -- on a damn big horse."

DR. ROBERTSON LEAVING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION

Dr. James Robertson, Executive Director of the National Civil War Centennial Commission, and a good friend of our RT, has announced that he will leave the Com­ mission next month to become Associate Professor of History at the University of Montana, Missoula. He has been Executive Director since December, 1961.

In a letter to members of the Commission, Dr. Robertson said: "Let me assure you that this resignation is the result solely of my desire to resume full-time academic life. The University of Montana made me an attractive offer to join the faculty. I welcomed the opportunity to return to the classroom where my heart lies."

Our RT will miss him.

SCOTT HART HAS ANOTHER ONE OUT

Member Scott Hart, a gifted writer, has just published another fine memorial on the War, "FROM SAYLER'S CREEK TO APPOMATTOX." (See FORAGING THE BOOKS) The vol­ ume was published by Randolph House, Inc., Farmville, Virginia, an important point on the road to Appomattox. Interestingly enough, the grandfather of our RT Secre­ tary, George Schroebel, played a part in the vicious fighting at Sayler's Creek, described in the book. He was, of course, Confederate General Ewell.

Scott Hart has done it again, and many of our members will want to have a copy of the new book, which the author undoubtedly will be glad to autograph with appropriate blushes.

OUR OWN I.Q. DEPARTMENT

Usually this Department poses a question about the War and asks our Buffs for the answer. (We usually forget to publish it.) Since this is the last NEWS

LETTER until next fall, and members couldn't stand the suspense for four months, we'll give both question and answer this time. Hold your hats:

Q. The "needle gun," which shot a poisoned needle into an unsuspecting oppo­ nent, was a favorite with CIA during World War II and an absolute must for Agent 007. When did this sneaky weapon first appear?

A. One was developed by a Dr. Jermaine in St. Louis during the War. (An­ other ON first.)

Q. Microphotography (the reduction of a message photographically to a small dot) was a favorite method in espionage in WW II. When was it first used?

A. You guessed it. The Confederate spy system used it, concealing the re­ duced messages in metal buttons on coats. The wearer of the coat could easily pass inspection.

GRAPESHOT

The family of Otto Eisenschiml has donated the noted historian's fine collec­ tion of Lincolniana and Civil War material to the DePaul University Library in Chicago ..... the "Case of the Missing Medal" at the Navy Display Center, Washington Navy Yard, has been solved. It was removed from the display case, but instead of being returned, was left on top of the case instead of in its usual place ..... WHISKEY IN THE WAR DEPARTMENT: Drinkin' liquor received a lot of attention in the War. A War-time newspaper ad recently turned up, read as follows: "WANTED TO EX­ CHANGE FOR VffiISKEY -- $10,000 in first mortgage bonds, interest bearing, paying 10 per cent annually." Ten per cent is a pretty good return, but the whiskey obvious­ ly would have brought more, perhaps 100 per cent. People were thirsty ..... the Prison Round Tables at Virginia Penitentiary and the Maryland Institution for Men are continuing their good work, bringing a new interest in life to the inmates. The Virginia institution is now printing its news letter, something only a few RT's in the country do. It recently reported an engagement between the raiders of Nathan Bedford Forrest and a Union naval contingent at Johnsonville, Tennessee. The field artillery of Forrest was too much for two naval vessels and some transports, which were all destroyed. The gunboats fought for more than an hour, but were disabled by the field guns and burned by their crews to prevent capture. An unusual land­ water engagement.

Walton Onslow, Editor Room 701 1411 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D. C.