April 2002 Weekly Firesides

April 2002 Weekly Firesides

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye
"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending 07 April 2002

Our Mission: To serve all genealogists by providing an enjoyable online environment with as many helpful and reliable resources as possible.

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Thursday night was The James Dunwoody Bulloch Story by [email protected] (Ted Fisher). - Part I. Oh that was good. Ted, our sincere thanks and we can't wait to hear Part II. When that is done we'll get this posted on the Website and in the Library.

I'll be off on my paying job next week, but I'll still be dialing in when Harry Sproehnle is our guest and HOST GFS Amy will be doing the honors that night. :-)

This coming Thursday is our "2nd Thursday Special" - Letters, Songs and Poems of the Civil War. Come on out and join us.

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Chuck's Civil War Calendar!!
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HOST GFS Chuck has been providing us with some excellent Civil War Events around the country so as long as he keeps sending them we'll keep this "Town Crier" up.......

21-23 June 2002 - Women and the Civil War, Frederick, MD

The Sixth Conference on Women and the Civil War will be 21-23 June 2002 at Hood College, Frederick, MD. The event focuses on the service of women to their country during the War Between the States. QUESTIONS: E-mail: [email protected] or call (301) 293-2820 or WWW: http://www.womenandthecivilwar.org.

24 Aug. 2002 - Museum Field Trip, Pittsburgh, PA

The Allegheny City Society and Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table will have a Field Trip by bus to The Civil War Museum in Harrisburg on 24 Aug. 2002. Cost is: $50 per person, lunch included. We will need a deposit of $25 per person by April 22, with the balance of $25 due by July 22.

For additional information contact: (412) 321-4502 or: http://www.grpghcwrt.org or write:
Allegheny City Society and Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table
P.O.Box 100255
Pittsburgh, PA. 15233

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Civil War History & Genealogy Forum Related Activities and Sites
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Available for your Enjoyment and Research

War Between the States (Tracing your Civil War Ancestors)
With HOST GFS Amy and HOST GFS Wolford on
Friday evenings at 9:00 PM EDT in the Golden Gates Chat Room
of the Genealogy Forum (ONLY ON AOL) at KEYWORD: ROOTS

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"Genealogy Forum's Military Resources" Website
devoted to Civil War History and the material presented in
the American Civil War History Special Interest Group
in the Genealogy Forum of America On-Line.
The address is:
http://www.genealogyforum.rootsweb.com/gfaol/resource/Military/

The Weekly Fireside Archives
http://www.genealogyforum.rootsweb.com/gfaol/resource/Military/Fireside.htm

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The Genealogy Forum Mailing List Signup
You may subscribe by sending an email to:
[email protected]
Title the subject of the email SUBSCRIPTION and type "Subscribe"
in the body of the email message.

Editor's Note: I sincerely encourage you to feel entirely free to post any Civil War Letters, Stories or articles that you have in our Civil War History Files through the new Military Resources Website. We are trying "beef up" our Library and now those of you who have patiently stuck with us who aren't AOL Members can now participate. There is also an area for you to upload photos, if you would desire to share those with the Civil War History community. On the Web Site, there are links to our Civil War Library (Files, Firesides, and Photo's).

FOR ALL YOU 1ST TIMERS ON THURSDAY - "WE REALLY WELCOME YOU TO OUR MERRY BAND" WE ENJOYED HAVING YOU, TRADING QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS AND ESPECIALLY YOUR CAMARADERIE!!! :-)... COME AGAIN OFTEN, WE DO INDEED "RELISH" YOUR COMPANY..

Every first-timer to the American Civil War History SIG gets put on the newsletter distribution automatically, because we like to send you a "Thank You Card" for coming to visit and this is our way of doing so. We hope to give you an opportunity to jump right in with us. If you desire NOT to receive the newsletter, then just drop us an email saying UNSUBSCRIBE and we will quickly remove your screen name from distribution. We certainly don't want to clog your mailbox with unwanted material. Also many of you pass on the newsletter to others that don't subscribe to AOL. We really want to thank you for spreading the word. I would also like to let you know that we would be happy to add them to our list if they have email of any sort. We distribute everywhere to those that have requested it. AOL membership is not a requirement although we'd love to see you in the Chat Room :D

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DID YOU KNOW......
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Jackson's wing of the army was left about Winchester after the battle of Sharpsburg (Sept. 17th, 1862), to remove the sick and wounded and army supplies, while Longstreet's wing was thrown in front of McClellan to Culpeper Courthouse. When the object was effected, Jackson began one of his rapid marches to rejoin Longstreet before McClellan would attack him alone. Now General Early had the famous Louisiana brigade in his division, and a good many other troops, who would not have voted for the Maine liquor law. The Massanutten mountains were full of old peach and honey, and the men thought it would be a pity, almost a sin, to leave so much spoil to the enemy. Besides, they needed, or they thought they needed, something to support their strength on the forced march. General Jackson happened to ride in rear of this division that day, and he found the men scattered for miles along the road in every possible attitude, from dancing the polka to sprawling on the ground; in every possible mood, from "grave to gay, from lively to severe"; some fighting over their battles again, others of a more sentimental turn, weeping about the wives and children far away. General Jubal had expended his eloquence and his emphatic Saxon in vain. He had even spread the report that the mountain huts were full of small pox, but this had only stimulated the curiosity of his prying followers. Conquered at last, he had gone to camp and was toasting his shins that frosty night by a bright fire, when an orderly rode up with a note. "Dispatch from General Jackson, General." He rose from his seat and fumbled for his spectacles. But let the correspondence tell its own tale:

Headquarters Left Wing

General: General Jackson desires to know why he saw so many of your stragglers in rear of your division today?

(signed) A. S. Pendleton,
A.A.G

* * * * *

To Major General Early

Headquarters Early's Division

Captain: In answer to your note I would state that I think it probable that the reason why General Jackson saw so many of my stragglers on the march today is that he rode in rear of my division

Respectfully
J. A. Early
Major General

To Camptain A.S. Pendleton
A.A.G.

............. and there you have it!

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THE HELP DESK
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This segment is to address specific questions that hit our plate on Thursday night that we didn't have a chance to answer or needed a bit of time to check it out. Hope these answer the mail :D

Editor's Note: The new Military Resouces Website (Website is listed above in the Fireside) has a myriad of options for you. Here are some the choices: US Military Records, Conscription/Draft Records, Civil War Battle Names, Secession of the Confederate States, Your Civil War Ancestors - Where to Begin, Military Resources on the Internet, links to the Stories, Files and Talks of the American Civil War History Chat on AOL, message boards and many, many others. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Additional Note from the Webmaster: Although we are thrilled to provide this area for you now, we want you to know that we are still building it and MORE files, Regimental Histories, etc., will be available in the near future. Stay Tuned!

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WEB SITES WE'VE RECEIVED
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From: [email protected]

Burial & Memorial Benefits, Veterans Benefits & Services
http://www.cem.va.gov/lvburloc.htm

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MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS!!
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Here's how it works... If you are trying to get photographs of a gravesite or battlefield, to collect for your Civil War ancestor research and records, then send us a request and we will post it here... Other members see your request, some being in the near vicinity, are willing to assist, and can email you directly (This protects your privacy) to work out the details. We HIGHLY recommend the "Requester" pay for all film costs and any postage involved for a helping member. This is intended to be a "Free" assistance between members (with the exception of defraying film and postage costs). Do unto others as.... you know
:-) Keep us posted on how this is working, so we can share them in the "Fireside"!!
HOST GFS Jim

IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED ANSWER(S) TO YOUR QUESTIONS, PLEASE BE SURE TO LET US KNOW!!!!!
Thanks!! - The Editors

We have had some gracious members offer their assistance in this area. Their screen names and areas they have offered to help in are listed.... Please honor their "goodness" and don't abuse them :-)....
We ask that you do follow the guidelines indicated above....

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OUR WEEKLY READING
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(these items are extracts from our Letters, Songs, and Poems evenings)

A Poem by JOHN KAYLOR, Co.H, 4th IN Cavalry, from Andersonville Prison, whose brother WILLIAM KAYLOR (in the same Indiana regiment) died in Andersonville Prison.
Submitted by [email protected] (Mary Ann Kaylor)

Dear Wife,
The smoke of the battel lies thick all around
as I write.
But I know you are anxiously waiting
To hear the results of the fight
It was long and intense, and our comrades
Went down thick and fast
But the stars in our banner show brighter
For victory crowned us at last

We have buried our dead in the trenches
Our wounded are sent to the rear
God will comfort and help us,
To win the good cause never fear
We could face whatsoever might ____?
And the struggle would end all the sooner
If it were not for the traitors at home.
You may tell them for me that their hisses
May give strength for a time to the foe,
But seccession is doomed and the Union,
They can not destroy or overthrow
For the government we are defending
Is the best that the sun shines upon

Now May God bless you always, dear wife
Yours most loveingly, John

And again my dear wife, I can write you
But a very few lines at the best
For a prisenor cannot wast paper
To say what you all must have guessed
We heldout till the last hope had vanished
To surrender was all we could do
We are prisoners now - but our prayer
Still go up for the country and you.

Once again how I long for a letter
Some news from our dear ones at home
I have waited and yearned for some message
But no token(?) or word has come
We are crowded in prison by thousands
And the list of our dear comrades tell
How slow torture and steady starvation
Kill more than bullet and shell

I have written you over and over
How our boys one by one met their fate
Until now ten thousand are round us
I seem almost alone -- yet I wait
For the tread of the conquering army
To burst open thoes strong prison bars
And release what are left of our army
To still fight for the stripes and the stars

Still another at last it is over
And I write you dear wife to say
You may look for us home now
A parole has been granted today
It was almost to late for me,
A few more days at the best,
And I to should have died with the rest.
But, Thank God all is over;
The release we longed for has come
With an army I marched to battle
All alone I am loitering home.

On the boat were a lot of exchanged men
Starved so low they scarcely could drop?
Their poor feet, but thoes heroes
Staggered up and saluted the flag.

Shall I read of these letters still other?
They are sacred to me and to you
But I fold them and tenderly tie them
With ribbons of red, white and blue
And I lay them away in their casket
With tears for the boys we have lost,
And pray God for the cause which they died for
May be worth all the price it has cost.

---(signed)-- John Kaylor

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A BIT OF COMMUNITY...
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Check out the following member inputs for comments and requests for information, Feedback's, Items of Interest and Plea's for HELP...

From: [email protected]
A Civil War Symposium is to be held in Steubenville, OH on Saturday, April 13, 2002. Sponsored by the Jefferson Co. Historical Association in conjunction with Jefferson Community College, it will concentrate on the role of, and events in, the Upper Ohio River Valley during the Civil War.

Scheduled to appear:
John Mattox, Local Historian- Underground Railroad
Don Markle, Author- "Spies and Spymasters of the Civil War"- David Homer Bates, Steubenville native and chief telegrapher for the Union- Telegraphic Espionage
Troy Harmon, Author and National Park Ranger- Gettysburg
Roger Pickenpaugh, Author- "Rescue by Rail"- Railroads in the Civil War
Gary Casteel, Author and Historic Sculptor- (Works include the new Longstreet Monument in Gettysburg)- Civil War Memorialization
Lyle Zurla, Historian- Morgan's Raid
Gerry Reilly, Historian- West Virginia Independence Hall, Wheeling, and WV Independence
Rhea Redd, Historian- The Children's Civil War- Day long demonstrations

There will be day long displays and demonstrations by collectors, re-enactors, and vendors, and additional historians and educators will be available for informal discussions. (Any genealogical or historical groups wishing to set up a display are invited to contact J. C. H. A.)
A teacher's workshop is planned for Fri. April 12.

All proceeds to benefit J. C. H. A. educational programs.
Donation: $20 in advance, $25 at door. Seniors and Students $15. Group rates available.

For more information or to register, contact:
Jeff Evans
Jefferson County Historical Association
P. O. Box 4268
Steubenville, OH, 43952
(740) 283-1133
e-mail: [email protected]

NOTE: We'll leave this up to remind you until the session is history!

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From: [email protected]
Hi Everybody:
I don't know if this counts, but my great-grandfather, Capt. Pike M. Thomson, was in the MO 6th. Here's an account:
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bianco/Resources/MO_6th.html

He was a 1st Lt. & Q. M. in Sterling Price's Div.

~Virginia

{{{Virginia}}} Of course it counts! Also Virginia tells us that the CWSS (Civil War Soldiers and Sailors) Website is back and operating....

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From: [email protected]
It's been a long time since I've been able to be part of the Thursday night chat group and I miss it. I do love reading your newsletters, however, and pass them on to my friends. I have one particular friend who has an interest and since she is not on AOL cannot be a part of the Thursday night Civil War buffs. Do you think you could email her a copy of the Fireside whenever you send it out?

I know she will appreciate it. She is also looking for reenactors who may be researching the US Co. B, 16 PA Infantry. Maybe Tegs can help her with that one. She is trying to find information on an elusive ancestor by the name of William Williard who lived in Lykens Twp. Dauphin Co., PA, served in the Civil war and was assumed captured by rebels in Atlanta, GA about August 1864. I appreciate any help you can give her. Someday I hope to be able to resume the Thursday night chat.

Regards to all,
Peggy

{{{Peggy}}} it's great hearing from you. We have your friend on distribution now and I removed her email address for privacy :-) Might be Tom can point her in the right direction on the PA Infantry unit. Amy might also be able help out on this one. By the way; have your friend checkout the Genealogy Forum Website (listed above in the newsletter), which she does have access to over regular Internet.

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From: [email protected]
Thanks! Yes, by all means put me on the list for the newsletter. And as far as the 57th is concerned, I do have the Regimental history here. I also do a little work with lookups in the Confederate rosters and pension files for Virginia, which is available online. I am also a member of Richmond Light Infantry Blues camp#1967n of SCV.

George Pearson
"Duke"

"Duke" - thanks a bunch for offering your expertise on the "Richmond Light Infantry Blues". We've been collecting Regimental History experts. :D

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WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
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OUR FOCUS: the "History of the American (United States) Civil War", with byproducts of laughter, and comraderie!

OUR GOAL: to enhance your Genealogy activity, knowledge, and "wisdom" by talking about the history surrounding their lives and actions; specifically the "Civil War" that our ancestors lived through and died because of.

Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes of the 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, said it so well.

"I think it is a noble and pious thing
To do whatever we may by written
Word or molded bronze and sculpted
Stone to keep our memories, our
Reverence and our love alive and
To hand them on to new generations
All too ready to forget."

OUR PROMISE: to provide an "online" environment that is NOT judgmental and to address ALL aspects of this "Pivotal Period" in our History, with honesty and truth (as we know it).

We do "Fireside Stories" about the battles, the people and the social happenings. In addition we dedicate one Thursday a month to the sharing of Songs, Poems and Letters from that era. So come back and visit; we'll save you a seat at the Fireside, and keep the Cider warm..... For a full listing of upcoming events, either look on the Schedule at the end of this Notice or in the Upcoming Events of the Genealogy Forum.

As we review the logs, and we find new visitors who show an interest or have entered into discussions on this topic in our Thursday sessions, we automatically add you to the distribution for this "Weekly Fireside."

AND Hey! TO YOU "FIRST-TIMERS" THIS WEEK, "Welcome"... :)

We heartily enjoyed your visit and participation. We really "fire up" with what members bring to the discussions, and we hope to see more of you.... Note that for any reason, should you desire to be removed from distribution of this "Weekly Missif," just drop us a line and we will comply with your wishes "post-haste".

Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events*****

Time: Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Golden Gates Chat Room (On AOL Only) with hosts HOST GFS Amy, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Jim and our many faithful friends :)

4-11-02 - Letters, Songs and Poems Night.

4/18/02 - The Exploits of General John Frederick Hartranft as compiled by Harry Sproehnle, who will be joining us as our guest for this special evening.

4/25/02 - The James Dunwoody Bulloch Story (Part II) by [email protected] (Ted Fisher).

5/02/02 - We have a special Guest - Don Gallagher who will be talking to us about "Reading the Civil War". This promises to be a great evening.... Don't miss this one. We are now firm on the date.

We'll See You Thursday Night..!
Your Joyful, Intelligent and Fun-lovin' Host's & Hostess's :-)
HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Amy

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye
"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending 14 April 2002

Our Mission: To serve all genealogists by providing an enjoyable online environment with as many helpful and reliable resources as possible.

* * * * *

Thursday night we had our special Songs, letters and poems night. We read some good stuff. You should join us on one of those nights sometime. Be sure to bring some tissues with you, though, we almost always have a "tear-jerker" or two.

This coming Thursday is SPECIAL GUEST Harry Sproehnle. He will be telling us about his "alter-ego" General John Frederick Hartranft. Come on out and join us, you won't want to miss it!!!

Jim in VA on his paying job, but he's still going to try to dial in to hear Harry. HOST GFS Amy will be doing the honors Thurdsay night. :-)

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Chuck's Civil War Calendar!!
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HOST GFS Chuck has been providing us with some excellent Civil War Events around the country so as long as he keeps sending them we'll keep this "Town Crier" up.......

10-11 May 2002 - Annual Dinner & Seminar, Goshen, NY
From: [email protected]

The Orange County, NY Genealogical Society will have it annual Dinner and All-Day Seminar on Friday May 10 and Saturday May 11, 2002 at the Goshen United Methodist Church, Main Street, Goshen, NY

There will be several seminars regarding Historic Documents and Military Records.

For further details, contact
Orange County Genealogical Society
101 Main St.
Goshen, NY 10924.
Information or questions call Marilyn Terry 845-562-2749 or by e-mail
[email protected]

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24 Aug. 2002 - Museum Field Trip, Pittsburgh, PA

The Allegheny City Society and Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table will have a Field Trip by bus to The Civil War Museum in Harrisburg on 24 Aug. 2002. Cost is: $50 per person, lunch included. We will need a deposit of $25 per person by April 22, with the balance of $25 due by July 22.

For additional information contact: (412) 321-4502 or: http://www.grpghcwrt.org or write:
Allegheny City Society and Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table
P.O.Box 100255
Pittsburgh, PA. 15233

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CIVIL WAR HISTORY & GENEALOGY FORUM RELATED ACTIVITIES AND SITES
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Available for your Enjoyment and Research

War Between the States (Tracing your Civil War Ancestors)
With HOST GFS Amy and HOST GFS Wolford on
Friday evenings at 9:00 PM EDT in the Golden Gates Chat Room
of the Genealogy Forum (ONLY ON AOL) at KEYWORD: ROOTS

* * * * *

The Genealogy Forum Mailing List Signup
You may subscribe by sending an email to:
[email protected]
Title the subject of the email SUBSCRIPTION and type "Subscribe"
in the body of the email message.

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EDITOR'S NOTE
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I sincerely encourage you to feel entirely free to post any Civil War Letters, Stories or articles that you have in our Civil War History Files through the new Military Resources Website. We are trying "beef up" our Library and now those of you who have patiently stuck with us who aren't AOL Members can now participate. There is also an area for you to upload photos, if you would desire to share those with the Civil War History community. On the Web Site, there are links to our Civil War Library (Files, Firesides, and Photo's).

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DID YOU KNOW......
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From [email protected] / Ted

Stubborn Ambrose E Burnside continued to launch futile assaults over open ground against the Confederates protected behind a stone wall at Marye's Heights. After his first 2 suicidal waves crumpled, Burnside proposed another charge that he would personally lead. When his aides vehemently objected to the plan, "he gave it up, and with tears running down his cheeks ordered the evacuation of Fredericksburg.

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Known as the General / Bishop, Polk was Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana for 20 years prior to the Civil War, having turned to religion after his graduation from West Point in 1827. General Polk, who was accused of having the "slows" in a number of battles, practiced both his professions during the war until his death by a cannon ball in 1864. Among his pastoral accomplishments during the war was the baptisms of Confederate Generals Joseph E Johnston and John Bell Hood.

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Gen. James Longstreet and his wife lost 3 children in a scarlet fever epidemic that raged through Richmond in 1862. Both were too grief stricken to attend the funeral and Gen George Pickett made all arrangements for the burial in a Richmond cemetery.

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During the Civil War, the financial misdeeds of many officers were known to their immediate subordinates, but few were caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Col. Frederick D'Utassy, who claimed to be a count, was at the top of the list of thieves in blue. Court martialed on 19 specifications, D'Utassy of the 39th NY, or Garibaldi Guard was convicted of forging vouchers valued at $3,265.40.

............. and there you have it!

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THE HELP DESK
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This segment is to address specific questions that hit our plate on Thursday night that we didn't have a chance to answer or needed a bit of time to check it out. Hope these answer the mail :D

Editor's Note: The new Military Resouces Website (Website is listed above in the Fireside) has a myriad of options for you. Here are some the choices: US Military Records, Conscription/Draft Records, Civil War Battle Names, Secession of the Confederate States, Your Civil War Ancestors - Where to Begin, Military Resources on the Internet, links to the Stories, Files and Talks of the American Civil War History Chat on AOL, message boards and many, many others. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Additional Note from the Webmaster: Although we are thrilled to provide this area for you now, we want you to know that we are still building it and MORE files, Regimental Histories, etc., will be available in the near future. Stay Tuned!

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WEB SITES WE'VE RECEIVED
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from Cyndi's list of New sites via [email protected]

URL: http://www.monumentalbattlefields.com
TITLE: Monuments and Markers at Gettysburg
DESCRIPTION: See, read and study the monuments and markers on the Battlefield at Gettysburg. Find your ancestors on the Pennsylvania monument and others.

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ATTENTION!!!!!
If you know someone who receives the VFW magazine, you might want to check out the April 2002 issue. There is a nice article about "How to Get Your Ancestor's Military Records" It tries to explain which records you want to order, what you may and may not find in them and how to order them.

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OUR WEEKLY READING
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(these items are extracts from our Letters, Songs, and Poems evenings)

His Death
by H. Pleasants McDaniel
(from "War Poems")

O, bury me in a soldier's grave,
With a proud old oak above me,
It is an emblem for the brave,
And the brave alone can love me;
Bury me where the waters gush
In freedom from their fountain,
Amid sweet nature's hush,
Upon my native mountain!
And tell my mother that I died
With Freedom's children by my side,
And Freedom's banner o'er me.
And bid my sister dry the tear
Which woman's weakness suffers,
And walk erect beside the bier
With these -- my warrior brothers!
And tell her -- my lovely bride --
The dearest of the dear --
To plant red roses o'er the grave
Of her faithful mountaineer!
Send her my steed, with his broken reign,
And hoofs all red with gore,
For I will gallop ne'er again
From the vale of Shenandoah!

Farewell! Farewell! night gathers o'er,
Life's crimson tide is flowing;
When next I cross the Shenandoah
'Twill be without my knowing.

Last week Jim included a poem submitted by [email protected] (Mary Ann Kaylor), written by John Kaylor, Co H, 4th IN Cavalry from Andersonville Prison, whose brother William Kaylor died in Andersonville Prison.
Kevin Frye ([email protected]) sent us the following information on William.

Code No: 15149
Grave No: 5149
Last Name: KAYLOR
First Name: WILLIAM J.
Rank: SERGEANT
Company: H
Regiment: 4
State: IN
Branch of Service: CAVALRY
Date of Death: 8/9/1864
Cause of Death: DYSENTERY
Remarks: W. J. KAYLOR [2]; W. J. KEILER [3]
Reference*: p 10 [3]
Place Captured:
Date Captured:
Alternate Names: KEILER
Status: DIED AT ANDERSONVILLE
More Information
Available: NO

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A BIT OF COMMUNITY
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Check out the following member inputs for comments and requests for information, Feedback's, Items of Interest and Plea's for HELP...

From: [email protected]

For anyone who subscribes to FAMILY CHRONICLE, there is an interesting article in the March/April 2002 issue entitled "Researching Civil War Confederate Records." Some good research assist. tips and web sites.

((((((Kasha))))))) Thanks for the tip!!!

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Via [email protected]
Subj:[PA] The Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania at Shiloh
From: [email protected]

Could somebody please give me a couple of ideas about someplace to donate the above mentioned book? I just returned from a trip to California and while there I bought this book at a flea market. It contains the entire history of the unit, including the names of all personnel in all companies, where they were enlisted from, all the battles they fought in, who was wounded or killed, just about everything someone who had a ancestor in the unit would want to know. There are also some pictures of men in the book along with very well done ink drawings of certain officers, maps of battlefields, pictures of spots on the battlefields, etc. It contains much more information than just the Shiloh battle and I would like to see that other researchers have the opportunity to access the information. I am very willing to donate it free of charge to an appropriate respository as long as it is in Pennsylvania, I think that is where it belongs. Please respond answers to this list, and thank you.
Stephen Kellogg
Researching Kellogg Family in Pennsylvania

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WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

OUR FOCUS: the "History of the American (United States) Civil War", with byproducts of laughter, and comraderie!

OUR GOAL: to enhance your Genealogy activity, knowledge, and "wisdom" by talking about the history surrounding their lives and actions; specifically the "Civil War" that our ancestors lived through and died because of.

Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes of the 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, said it so well.

OUR PROMISE: to provide an "online" environment that is NOT judgmental and to address ALL aspects of this "Pivotal Period" in our History, with honesty and truth (as we know it).

We do "Fireside Stories" about the battles, the people and the social happenings. In addition we dedicate one Thursday a month to the sharing of Songs, Poems and Letters from that era. So come back and visit; we'll save you a seat at the Fireside, and keep the Cider warm..... For a full listing of upcoming events, either look on the Schedule at the end of this Notice or in the Upcoming Events of the Genealogy Forum.

As we review the logs, and we find new visitors who show an interest or have entered into discussions on this topic in our Thursday sessions, we automatically add you to the distribution for this "Weekly Fireside."

AND Hey! TO YOU "FIRST-TIMERS" THIS WEEK, "Welcome"... :)

We heartily enjoyed your visit and participation. We really "fire up" with what members bring to the discussions, and we hope to see more of you.... Note that for any reason, should you desire to be removed from distribution of this "Weekly Missif," just drop us a line and we will comply with your wishes "post-haste".

Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events*****

Time: Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Golden Gates Chat Room (On AOL Only) with hosts HOST GFS Amy, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Jim and our many faithful friends :)

4/18/02 - The Exploits of General John Frederick Hartranft as compiled by Harry Sproehnle, who will be joining us as our guest for this special evening.

4/25/02 - The James Dunwoody Bulloch Story (Part II) by [email protected] (Ted Fisher).

5/02/02 - We have a special Guest - Don Gallagher who will be talking to us about "Reading the Civil War". This promises to be a great evening.... Don't miss this one. We are now firm on the date.

We'll See You Thursday Night..!
Your Joyful, Intelligent and Fun-lovin' Host's & Hostess's :-)
HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Amy

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye
"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending 21 April 2002

Our Mission: To serve all genealogists by providing an enjoyable online environment with as many helpful and reliable resources as possible.

* * * * *

Ohhh what a grand evening we had with Harry Sproehnie. Harry has made it his life's work mimicing General John Frederick Hartranft and did we ever have a great time with him. We'll get the "talk" posted in the near future and let you know where to find it. "Thank you Harry for giving us such a treat!"

This coming Thursday is The James Dunwoody Bulloch Story (Part II) by [email protected] (Ted Fisher). This will completes Ted's story.

* * * * *

10-11 May 2002 - Annual Dinner & Seminar, Goshen, NY
From: [email protected]

The Orange County, NY Genealogical Society will have it annual Dinner and All-Day Seminar on Friday May 10 and Saturday May 11, 2002 at the Goshen United Methodist Church, Main Street, Goshen, NY

There will be several seminars regarding Historic Documents and Military Records.

For further details, contact
Orange County Genealogical Society
101 Main St.
Goshen, NY 10924.
Information or questions call Marilyn Terry 845-562-2749 or by e-mail
[email protected]

* * * * *

The Genealogy Forum Mailing List Signup
You may subscribe by sending an email to:
[email protected]
Title the subject of the email SUBSCRIPTION and type "Subscribe"
in the body of the email message.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
EDITOR'S NOTE
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DID YOU KNOW......
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Civil War genealogy was an experience to behold, when you dug deep enough. Leading Union commander, General George McClellan, was married to the former love of a leading Rebel officer, Ambrose Powell (A.P.) Hill. Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson was married to Daniel Harvey ("D.H") Hill's sister. Both men were generals, but at least they fought together as Confederates.

For that matter, Confederate General A.P. Hill was married to the South's cavalry raider John Hunt Morgan's sister Kitty, more fondly known (to Hill, at any rate) as Dolly.

National division was seen in the family connections of "Jeb" Stuart, who died at the home of his brother-in-law Charles Brewer, future surgeon general of the Confederacy. Stuart's wife, the former Flora Cooke, counted a brother as a brigadier in the Confederate Army and a brother-in-law (married to her sister Julia) as a general in the Union Army. Still another close connection was "Mudwall" Jackson, second cousin to "Stonewall."

Again on the southern side, Robert E. Lee was the son of the Revolutionary War hero Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee. Robert E. Lee's wife, Mary Custis Lee, was the daughter of George Washington Parke Custis, adopted son of George Washington -- grandson actually, of Washington's wife, the Widow Martha Custis.

Not only did Robert E. Lee's eldest son Custis serve as an aide to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, but so did the president's nephew Joseph Robert Davis, like Custis also a Confederate brigader.

Ulysses S. Grant, commander of the Union armies late in the war, enjoyed the services of his brother-in-law (and West Point roommate) Frederick T. Dent on his staff. Indeed, Officer Dent later served President Grant in the White House as Grant's military secretary. Grant's father-in-law, former Mississippi slaveowner Frederick Dent and father to Julia Grant and her brother, young Fred, was a White House occupant until his death.

A son of a former U.S. president fought on the Rebel side: Louisiana's Dick Taylor, son of the late Zachary Taylor (once father-in-law to Jefferson Davis during Davis' first marriage to Taylor's daughter Knox, who died of a fever shortly after their wedding).

Robert E. and George Washington Custis Lee, father and son, were not the only members of the Lee family to take part in the Civil War. Robert E. Lee's other son in Confederate service was cavalry officer William Henry Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee, while General Fitzhugh Lee was a nephew of Robert. Confederate General Stephen Dill Lee was not a relative, but the Confederacy's Admiral Sydney Smith Lee was Robert's brother. Still another distant relative was Samuel Phillips Lee -- a Union naval officer.

More examples of the "less exalted" are Kentucky's two army generals named Crittenden, Thomas and George, one Union and one Confederate.

Friends split along similar lines, expecially among the many West Point graduates who served on both sides of the battlefield. Confederate General James Longstreet, had attended future General Grant's wedding to Julia in 1848. The Jefferson Davises had kept lingering Northern friendships from their antebellum days in Washington and other ties. Mrs. Davis, Varina Howell by birth, was the grandchild of a New Jersey governor.

It was the Lincoln's though, -- Mary Todd Lincoln especially -- who may have endured the most painful and complex genealogy chart of any principal player in the Civil War. With both Lincolns born in Kentucky, itself a state of competing loyalties, it was inescapable that relatives would land on opposite sides of the conflict. Consider the complications implicit in the number of Mary Todd Lincoln's Southern-leaning siblings. Born of Robert Smith Todd's first wife, Eliza, she counted five siblings from that marriage, while another eight siblings (half brothers and sisters) were the result of her widowed father's second marriage, to Elizabeth Humphreys.

Not only did Mary Todd, as first lady of the land, have a half sister, Elodie, living in Selma, Alabama, and married to a Confederate officer during the war, but her half sister Emilie was married to a Rebel brigadier general, Benjamin Helm, whom Lincoln had appointed as a paymaster in the Union Army shortly after Fort Sumter. Helm turned down the proffered commission, however, and joined the Confederate Army. A graduate of West Point himself, he advanced to the rank of brigadier general and was killed in the Battle of Chickamauga in September of 1863. At the time, Emilie was living in Selma also, probably with sister Elodie.

Not only did the White House mourn the likable Helm, but President Lincoln was left in a delicate spot. Just as George McClellan had once allowed Robert E. Lee's wife safe passage through Unoin lines, now Lincoln was asked to allow Confederate General Helm's widow to pass through Federal-held territory after attending her husband's funeral in Atlanta. She wished to go home with her children to her mother in Lexington, Kentucky.

Even more sensitive to Lincoln, she was apparently halted by Federal officers who wanted her to take the Union oath of allegiance. Lincoln had to intervene and order her forwarded to Washington. In Washington the Rebel widow, together with daughter Katherine, stayed for a period of time in the White House with the Lincolns.

Emilie also wanted the president's help in safeguarding her investment in supplies of cotton stranded down South. Lincoln, no doubt with misgivings, wrote a note giving her amnesty (based on her taking the oath) and said, "Mrs. Helm claims to own some cotton at Jackson, Mississippi, and also some in Georgia; and I shall be glad upon either place being brought within our lines, for her to be afforded the proper facilities to show her ownership, and take her property."

Safely home, Emilie kept asking for favors. Now she wanted to provide clothing for Rebels held prisoner at Camp Douglas. She returned to the White House for another visit in the fall of 1864, still desirous of protecting her cotton. Shortly after that visit, upon learning of the death of her half brother Levi, she turned on Lincoln, calling Levi "another sad victim to the powers of more favored relations." She also charged in a letter to Lincoln, "Your minnie bullets have made us what we are." She said that fact gave her "additional claim" in seeking Lincoln's favors and called herself "a woman almost crazy with misfortune."

Lincoln tried to help her with the cotton, but was frustrated when it accidentally burned up. After the Civil War and the assassination of her in-law in the White House, Emilie Todd Helm had to eke out a living as a musician until another Lincoln, Abraham's oldest son, Robert, came to the rescue. He used his influence to obtain her an appointment as postmistress in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Meanwhile, Mary Todd Lincoln's half brothers David, Alexander, and Sam and her brother George all served in the Southern armies. Still another half sister, Martha, allegedly took advantage of a Lincoln pass to smuggle medicines to her favorite side in the war -- the Confederacy.

............. and there you have it!

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WEB SITES WE'VE RECEIVED
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From [email protected]

This is the article on William Barker Cushing and The North Carolina Sounds that was recently presented in your chat.
http://www.genealogyforum.rootsweb.com/gfaol/resource/Military/Cushing.htm I have linked it to this page, which is the collection of Civil War articles on the website so far. Some of these are regimental histories and such that I copied from our library. http://www.genealogyforum.rootsweb.com/gfaol/resource/Military/Articles.htm

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS!!....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Here's how it works... If you are trying to get photographs of a gravesite or battlefield, to collect for your Civil War ancestor research and records, then send us a request and we will post it here... Other members see your request, some being in the near vicinity, are willing to assist, and can email you directly (This protects your privacy) to work out the details. We HIGHLY recommend the "Requester" pay for all film costs and any postage involved for a helping member. This is intended to be a "Free" assistance between members (with the exception of defraying film and postage costs). Do unto others as.... you know :-)
Keep us posted on how this is working, so we can share them in the "Fireside"!!
HOST GFS Jim

IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED ANSWER(S) TO YOUR QUESTIONS, PLEASE BE SURE TO LET US KNOW!!!!!
Thanks!! - The Editors

We have had some gracious members offer their assistance in this area. Their screen names and areas they have offered to help in are listed.... Please honor their "goodness" and don't abuse them :-)....
We ask that you do follow the guidelines indicated above....

* * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
OUR WEEKLY READING
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
(these items are extracts from our Letters, Songs, and Poems evenings)

From: [email protected]

Lee
By: Stephen Vincent Benet

The night had fallen on the narrow tent.
--Deep night of Virginia summer when the stars
Are burning wax in the near, languid sky
And the soft flowers hardly close all night
But bathe in darkness, as a woman bathes
In a warm, fragrant water and distill
Their perfume still, without the fire of the sun.

The army was asleep as armies sleep.
War lying on a casual sheaf peace
For a brief moment, and yet with armor on,
And yet in the cild's deep sleep, and yet so still.
Even the sentries seemed to walk their posts
With a ghost footfall that could match that night.

The aide-de-camp knew certain lines of Greek
And other such unneccessary things
As birds and music, that are good for peace
But are not deemed so servicable for war.
He was a youth with an inquisitive mind
And doubtless had a failing for romance,
But then he was not twenty, and such faults
May sometimes be excused in younger men
Even when such creatures die, as they have done.
At one time or another for some cause
Which we are careful to point out to them
Much later, was no cause worth dying for,
But cannot reach them with our arguments
Because they're uneconomic dust.

So when the aide-de-camp came toward the tent,
He knew that he was a sleepy dog,
And yet the starlight and the gathered scents
Moved in his heart--like the unnecessary
Themes of music fallen from a cloud
In light ,upon a dark water.

And though he had
Some bitterness of mind to chew upon
As well as messages he must give
Before he slept, he halted in his tracks.
He saw, imprinted on the yellow light
That made the tent a hooow jack-o'-lantern,
The sharp, black shadow of a seated man,
The profile like the profile in a bust.
Lee in his tent, alone.
He had some shadow-papers in his hand,
But you could see he was not reading them,
And, if he thought, you could not read his thoughts,
Even as shadows, by any light that shines.

"You'd know that face amon a millon faces,"
Thought the still watcher, "and yet, his hair and beard
Have quite turnd white, white as the dogwood bloom
That blossomed on the way to Chancellorsville
When Jackson was alive and we were young
And we were winning and the end was near.
And now, I guess, the end is near enough
In spite of everything that we can do,
Andhe's alone tonight and Jackson's dead.

"I saw him in the Wilderness that day
When he began to lead the charge himself
And the men wouldn't let him.

Gordon spoke
And then the men themselves began to yell
'Lee to the rear--General Lee to the rear!'
I'll hear that all my life. I'll see those paws
Grabbing at Traveler and the bridle rein
And forcing the calm image back from death.

"Reckon that's what we think of you, Marse Robert,
Reckon that's what we think, what's left of us,
The poor old devils that are left of us.
I wonder what he thinks about it all.
He isn't staring, he's just sitting there.
I never knew a man could look so still
And yet look so alive in his repose.

"It doesn't seem as if a cause could lose
When it's believed in by a man like that.
And yer we're losing. And he knows it all.
No, he won't ever say it. But he knows.

"I'd feel more comfortable if he'd move.
"We had a chance at Spotsylvania,
We had some chances in the Wilderness,
We always hurt them more than we were hurt
And yet we're here--and they keep coming on.

"What keeps us going on? I wish I knew.
Perhaps you see a man like that go on
And then you have to follow. There can't be
So many men that men have followed so.

"And yet, what is it for? What is it for?
What does he think?

His hands are lying there
Quiet as stones or shadows in his lap.
His beard is whitter than dogwood bloom,
But there is nothing ruined in his face,
And nothing beaten in those steady eyes.
If he's grown old, it isn't like a man,
It's more the way a river might grow old.

"My mother knew him at old dances once.
She said he liked to joke and he was dark then,
Dark and as straight as he could stand today.
If he would only move, I could go forward.

"You see the faces of spear-handling kings
In the old books they taught us from at school;
Big Agamemnon with his curly beard,
Achilles in the cruelty of his youth,
And Oedipus before he tore his eyes.

"I'd like to see him in that chariot-rank,
With Traveler pulling at the leader pole.
I don't think when the winged claws come down
They'll get a groan from him. So we go on.
Under the claws. And he goes on ahead."

The sharp-cut profile moved a fraction now.
The aide-de-camp went forward on his errand.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A BIT OF COMMUNITY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Check out the following member inputs for comments and requests for information, Feedback's, Items of Interest and Plea's for HELP...

From: [email protected] (Ted Fisher).

Does Chuck have any events in California and Missouri? Have loads of relatives, friends, shipmates who have become interested in the Civil War and I weekly send them the Fireside as well as other goodies- Armistead, Border Wars, Cushing and the Sounds, etc. So all four of you Hosts should take heart and put feathers in your caps- even if membership on Thursday nights at 11pm appears limited at times, I forward on all the above to at least 15 other people including several classroom teachers who use the material in class. Most of them do not have AOL and never realized that the CW could be so interesting!.

{{Ted}} You've made my day with that statement. Oddly enough that is not a rareity with those on distribution. I would hazard a guess that our actual distribution is 30 - 40% more than actual due to that very "passing on". We'll certainly take a peek. Especially in Missouri, I know for a fact that reenactments occur yearly at Lexington, MO (Battle of Lexington) and Springfield MO (Battle of Wilson's Creek) as well as Bentonville Ark (just south of Joplin) (Battle of Pea Ridge or Elkhorn Tavern) occur yearly.

* * * * *

OUR PROMISE: to provide an "online" environment that is NOT judgmental and to address ALL aspects of this "Pivotal Period" in our History, with honesty and truth (as we know it).

We do "Fireside Stories" about the battles, the people and the social happenings. In addition we dedicate one Thursday a month to the sharing of Songs, Poems and Letters from that era. So come back and visit; we'll save you a seat at the Fireside, and keep the Cider warm..... For a full listing of upcoming events, either look on the Schedule at the end of this Notice or in the Upcoming Events of the Genealogy Forum.

As we review the logs, and we find new visitors who show an interest or have entered into discussions on this topic in our Thursday sessions, we automatically add you to the distribution for this "Weekly Fireside."

AND Hey! TO YOU "FIRST-TIMERS" THIS WEEK, "Welcome"... :)

We heartily enjoyed your visit and participation. We really "fire up" with what members bring to the discussions, and we hope to see more of you.... Note that for any reason, should you desire to be removed from distribution of this "Weekly Missif," just drop us a line and we will comply with your wishes "post-haste".

Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events*****

Time: Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Golden Gates Chat Room (On AOL Only) with hosts HOST GFS Amy, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Jim and our many faithful friends :)

4/25/02 - The James Dunwoody Bulloch Story (Part II) by [email protected] (Ted Fisher).

5/02/02 - We have a special Guest - Don Gallagher who will be talking to us about "Reading the Civil War". This promises to be a great evening.... Don't miss this one. We are now firm on the date.

5/9/02 - Our special Letters, Songs and Poems of the Civil War!

5/16/02 - OPEN CHAT

5/23/02 - OPEN CHAT again. We've plugged the schedule up for almost a month, so here's a chance to catch up on research and stuff.

5/29/02 - OPEN CHAT again. That should let us catch up good.....

We'll See You Thursday Night..!
Your Joyful, Intelligent and Fun-lovin' Host's & Hostess's :-)
HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Amy

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye
"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending 28 April 2002

Our Mission: To serve all genealogists by providing an enjoyable online environment with as many helpful and reliable resources as possible.

If you know someone who would like to receive the newsletter by email, please have them send an email to HOST GFS Jim and HOST GFS Jayne with subscribe in the subject line.

* * * * *

Thursday night Jim read part two of The James Dunwoody Bulloch Story by our very own [email protected] (Ted Fisher) What a great story it was too.

This Thurs, May 2, we'll have another guest speaker, Don Gallagher who will be talking to us about "Reading the Civil War". This promises to be a great evening.... Don't miss it!!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CIVIL WAR CALENDAR!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HOST GFS Chuck has been providing us with some excellent Civil War Events around the country so as long as he keeps sending them we'll keep this "Town Crier" up.......

* * * * *

24 Aug. 2002 - Museum Field Trip, Pittsburgh, PA

The Allegheny City Society and Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table will have a Field Trip by bus to The Civil War Museum in Harrisburg on 24 Aug. 2002. Cost is: $50 per person, lunch included. We will need a deposit of $25 per person by April 22, with the balance of $25 due by July 22.

For additional information contact: (412) 321-4502 or: http://www.grpghcwrt.org or write:
Allegheny City Society and Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table
P.O.Box 100255
Pittsburgh, PA. 15233

* * * * *

A Calendar addition from our friend [email protected]

Civil War Seminar at Barton College

Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Time: 6:00PM - 9:00PM EDT (GMT-04:00)

Barton College in Wilson NC welcomes military historian Mark Bradley to the campus for an evening of dinner with selected readings and remarks.

Bradley is the author of “This Astounding Close: The Road to Bennett Place” and “Last Stand in the Carolinas: The Battle of Bentonville.” He serves as a tour leader and speaker for the Blue and Gray Education Society and Civil War Education Association, the North Carolina Museum of History and numerous other Civil War historical organizations. Bradley is the past president and current chairman of the North Carolina Civil War Round Table and serves on the Board of Advisors for the North Carolina Civil War Tourism Council, the Averasboro Battlefield Commission, and the Bentonville Battleground Historical Association.

The annual spring literary event will begin with a reception and book signing at 6PM in Hardy Alumni Hall. The dinner and program will follow at 7PM. Tickets for this event are $25 per person with reservations accepted through Friday, 26 April, while space permits. Please contact Shirley Gregory at (252) 399-6501 for reservations or additional information. To located Hardy Alumni Hall on a campus map, go to http://www.barton.edu/campustour/defaultmap.htm

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CIVIL WAR HISTORY & GENEALOGY FORUM RELATED
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Civil War History & Genealogy Forum Related Activities and Sites
Available for your Enjoyment and Researc

* * * * *

War Between the States (Tracing your Civil War Ancestors)
With HOST GFS Amy and HOST GFS Wolford on
Friday evenings at 9:00 PM EDT in the Golden Gates Chat Room
of the Genealogy Forum (ONLY ON AOL) at KEYWORD: ROOTS

* * * * *

The Genealogy Forum Mailing List Signup
You may subscribe by sending an email to:
[email protected]
Title the subject of the email SUBSCRIPTION and type "Subscribe"
in the body of the email message.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
EDITOR'S NOTE
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DID YOU KNOW......
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Did you know...............

My thanks to [email protected] (Ted Fisher) for all these tidbits he sends me to share with you all.

As the Civil War progressed, bounties for enlisting in the armed service increased. So did Bounty Jumping. The foremost bounty jumper was John O'Conner who when caught and tried by court marshal in Albany, NY confessed to having deserted and reenlisting 32 times for bounties of up to $1,000 each time before being caught. His hitches in service lasted hours instead of days.

The national debt in 1860 was just under $65 million or $2.06 for every man, woman and child in the 34 states comprising the Union. By 1865, individual indebtedness for the central government's expenditures had multiplied 36 times and was $75.01- a total of more than $2 billion for the reunited nation.

Numerous Northern officers resigned from the US Army to accept commissions in the newly formed Confederate armed forces in 1861. In every case, a woman was behind the turncoat- all were married to Southern women.

* * * * *

A key component of gunpowder at the time of the Civil War was salt-peter. The Confederacy had no mines within it's bounds and had to rely on human urine from the earth mined under outhouses throughout the south. Salt-peter occurs naturally as a bi-product of human urine.

* * * * *

In 1888, the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association fought with survivors of the 72nd Pa in a case tried before the PA Supreme Court in which members of the 72nd were formally accused of cowardice. This Zouave unit claimed to have been in the thick of the action at the Bloody Angle and that is where it's monument should be placed. Not so, said the Memorial Association, which made formal charges of cowardice based on evidence that the regiment faltered when it should have advanced.

What coins jingled if any, in the pockets of our ancestors as they went off to war in 1860 or as they went into battle over the next 5 years? There were a multitude of civil war tokens issued but I was more interested in those that were officially produced by a government mint between the years 1840 and 1865. The following is a list:

Half Cents- Though unpopular, a coronet head with braided hair was minted between 1840 and 1857- copper alloy
Cents- 3 types
1. Large cent- larger than current quarter coronet head with braided hair- copper alloy, minted til 1857
2. Flying Eagle penny 1856-1858, same size as current penny
3. Indian Head penny 1859- through end of war in two types of alloys, minted til 1909
Two Cent Shield piece- 1864
Three Cent piece- two types
1. 3 cent silver 1851-through end of war- smaller than current dime
2. 3 cent nickle coronet head- 1865 on
Half dime- Seated Liberty- silver
Dime- Seated Liberty Silver
Quarter Dollar- Seated Liberty- silver
Half doller- Seated Liberty- silver
Dollar- two types
1. Seated Liberty silver
2. Indian Head- gold, 3/4 size of current dime
$2.50 Quarter Eagle Coronet Head- gold
$3.00 Indian Head- gold
Half Eagle Coronet Head- gold ($5.00)
Eagle Coronet Head- gold ($10.00)
Double Eagle Coronet Head- gold ($20.00)

Eagle in the above gold coins does not refer to design. All had a woman's head.
As you can see from the above list, our ancestors may have been somewhat confused with what coins they were pulling from their pockets, especially with the poor light available at night. A .20 cent piece also made its appearance shortly after the war. In the Confederacy, only 4 coins were designed but only 2 may have been put into circulation- A one penny, designed in the North in 1861 and a half dollar ( 4 known) minted at the New Orleans mint. In both cases, the obverse side of Federal coins were used and the reverse sides modified to reflect "Confederate States"

............. and there you have it!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THE HELP DESK
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WEB SITES WE'VE RECEIVED!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
From [email protected]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Here's how it works... If you are trying to get photographs of a gravesite or battlefield, to collect for your Civil War ancestor research and records, then send us a request and we will post it here... Other members see your request, some being in the near vicinity, are willing to assist, and can email you directly (This protects your privacy) to work out the details. We HIGHLY recommend the "Requester" pay for all film costs and any postage involved for a helping member. This is intended to be a "Free" assistance between members (with the exception of defraying film and postage costs). Do unto others as.... you know :-)
Keep us posted on how this is working, so we can share them in the "Fireside"!!
HOST GFS Jim

IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED ANSWER(S) TO YOUR QUESTIONS, PLEASE BE SURE TO LET US KNOW!!!!!
Thanks!! - The Editors

We have had some gracious members offer their assistance in this area. Their screen names and areas they have offered to help in are listed.... Please honor their "goodness" and don't abuse them :-)....
We ask that you do follow the guidelines indicated above....

* * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
OUR WEEKLY READING
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
(these items are extracts from our Letters, Songs, and Poems evenings)

The Sword of Robert Lee
by Abram Joseph Ryan (1839-1894)

Father Ryan was a Catholic priest from Maryland, devout
in his love for the Confederacy. His poem calls up the
legends of medieval chivalry, the pure knoight with the
pure sword, in defeat still radiant with honor.

Forth from its scabbard, pure and bright,
Flashed the sword of Lee!
Far in the front of the deadly fight,
High o'er the brave in the cause of Right
Its stainless sheen, like a beacon light,
Led us to Victory!

Out of its scabbard, where, full long,
It slumbered peacefully,
Roused from its rest by the battle's song,
Shielding the feeble, smiting the strong,
Guarding the right, avenging the wrong,
Gleamed the sword of Lee!

Forth from its scabbard, high in air
Beneath Virginia's sky --
And they who saw it gleaming there,
And knew who bore it, knelt to swear
That where that sword led they would dare
To follow -- and to die!

Out of its scabbard! Never hand
Waved sword from stain as free,
Nor purer sword led braver band,
Nor braver bled for a brighter land,
Nor brighter land had a cause so grand,
Nor cause a chief like Lee!

Forth from its scabbard! How we prayed
That sword might victor be;
And when our triumph was delayed,
And many a heart grew sore afraid,
We still hoped on while gleamed the blade
Of noble Robert Lee!

Forth from its scabbard all in vain
Bright flashed the sword of Lee;
'Tis shrouded now in its sheath again,
It sleeps the sleep of our noble slain,
Defeated, yet without stain,
Proudly and peacefully!

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A BIT OF COMMUNITY
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Check out the following member inputs for comments and requests for information, Feedback's, Items of Interest and Plea's for HELP...

From: [email protected] (Ted Fisher).

Does Chuck have any events in California and Missouri? Have loads of relatives, friends, shipmates who have become interested in the Civil War and I weekly send them the Fireside as well as other goodies- Armistead, Border Wars, Cushing and the Sounds, etc. So all four of you Hosts should take heart and put feathers in your caps- even if membership on Thursday nights at 11pm appears limited at times, I forward on all the above to at least 15 other people including several classroom teachers who use the material in class. Most of them do not have AOL and never realized that the CW could be so interesting!.

{{Ted}} You've made my day with that statement. Oddly enough that is not a rareity with those on distribution. I would hazard a guess that our actual distribution is 30 - 40% more than actual due to that very "passing on". We'll certainly take a peek. Especially in Missouri, I know for a fact that reenactments occur yearly at Lexington, MO (Battle of Lexington) and Springfield MO (Battle of Wilson's Creek) as well as Bentonville Ark (just south of Joplin) (Battle of Pea Ridge or Elkhorn Tavern) occur yearly.

* * * * *

OUR PROMISE: to provide an "online" environment that is NOT judgmental and to address ALL aspects of this "Pivotal Period" in our History, with honesty and truth (as we know it).

We do "Fireside Stories" about the battles, the people and the social happenings. In addition we dedicate one Thursday a month to the sharing of Songs, Poems and Letters from that era. So come back and visit; we'll save you a seat at the Fireside, and keep the Cider warm..... For a full listing of upcoming events, either look on the Schedule at the end of this Notice or in the Upcoming Events of the Genealogy Forum.

As we review the logs, and we find new visitors who show an interest or have entered into discussions on this topic in our Thursday sessions, we automatically add you to the distribution for this "Weekly Fireside."

AND Hey! TO YOU "FIRST-TIMERS" THIS WEEK, "Welcome"... :)

We heartily enjoyed your visit and participation. We really "fire up" with what members bring to the discussions, and we hope to see more of you.... Note that for any reason, should you desire to be removed from distribution of this "Weekly Missif," just drop us a line and we will comply with your wishes "post-haste".

Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events*****

Time: Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Golden Gates Chat Room (On AOL Only) with hosts HOST GFS Amy, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Jim and our many faithful friends :)

5/02/02 - We have a special Guest - Don Gallagher who will be talking to us about "Reading the Civil War". This promises to be a great evening.... Don't miss this one. We are now firm on the date.

5/9/02 - Our special Letters, Songs and Poems of the Civil War!

5/16/02 - OPEN CHAT

5/23/02 - OPEN CHAT again. We've plugged the schedule up for almost a month, so here's a chance to catch up on research and stuff.

5/29/02 - OPEN CHAT again. That should let us catch up good.....

We'll See You Thursday Night..!
Your Joyful, Intelligent and Fun-lovin' Host's & Hostess's :-)
HOST GFS Jim, HOST GFS Jayne, HOST GFS TEG and HOST GFS Amy

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