Hear Ye

January 2004 Weekly Firesides

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye

"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending 04 January 2004

NOTE: If you do not wish to receive the Weekly Fireside, PLEASE send email to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com saying "UNSUBSCRIBE" and they will remove you from the distribution. On the other hand, if you know someone who would like to receive the newsletter, please have them send Jayne or Bill email with subscribe in the subject line.

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NOTES FROM THE HOSTS OF THE CIVIL WAR HISTORY CHATS
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We hope you've had a great holiday and we both want to wish you a Very Happy New Year... We hope you'll find those soldiers you're looking for. Join us Thursday nights and Friday nights and see if we can help you. This Thursday and Friday are our special Songs, letters and poems nights. If you have something you'd like to share, you may "read" it yourself or you can send it to HOST FMLY Bill or HOST FMLY Jayne.

Be sure to check out the Members helping Members section of the newsletter and also the Help Desk. Maybe you can help someone or maybe you have a question of your own you need help with, just send the info to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com and we'll be sure to get your question in.

We're looking for reviews of the Civil War Books you've read and if you have any Civil War URL's you would like to share with the other readers, please send them to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com

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WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
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OUR FOCUS: the "History of the American (United States) Civil War," with by-products of laughter, and camaraderie!

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).

JOIN HOST FMLY Jayne and HOST FMLY Bill... Thursday 11 PM ET AND Friday 10 PM ET in the Ancestral Digs Room We will have the same schedule for each night, so if you miss the stories or songs letters and poems on Thurs. night, you can catch then on FRIDAY night!!

Also on Thursday 8-9PM ET: Trace Your Civil War Ancestors in Ancestral Digs. Join HOST FMLY Wolfrd and HOST FMLY Heathr to discuss ancestral searches from the Civil War period

You can visit the other Genealogy chats by going to KEYWORD: Parenting Chats > scroll down to Genealogy, Genealogy 101 or Genealogy, Mugs & Hugs and click. Be sure to read the Genealogy and History message boards at Genealogy Community > Genealogy:Boards > Historial People, Places & Times (scroll down to War Between the States) (post your questions on them too!!!)

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"THE BOOK SHELF"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

If you have read a great Civil War book you think others should read, I invite all of you (you don't have to be an AOL member to share here in the Weekly Fireside) to send the title, author and a Review of it to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com.

http://www.roberteleecwrt.org/reviews.html

Check out some book reviews at the above website.

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--------OUR WEEKLY READING--------
(these items are extracts from our Letters, Songs,
and Poems evenings)
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AN ODE TO FORGOTTEN MEN
by Frank Benway

They rushed to enlist
To fight their War
But some with great agony
Were assigned the Medical Corps
No Valiant fights
No Gallant charges
But Blood and Gore aplenty

Surgeons assistant was avoided
But most were Volunteers
Someday doctors they would be
As the Battle began they prepared
For the carnage soon to come
Doors and boards were the stretchers

Stomach wounds were wrapped
Then left, there was no help for them
The screams began as arms and legs
Were sawed and cut away
Quickly thrown outside
The pile grew, as they sloshed in blood
A sinking odor every where

There was no wards nor hospital tents
They used what was at hand
For medicine, just Morphine or Laudenum
They dressed the festered wounds
Gangrene was their bain
Those green pussy wounds

Now came the women to the fore
To ease the woundeds pain
The male nurses were relieved
To join the fighting ranks
The Surgeons assistance still was male
Great strength was needed there
They went unsung for many years
But not by the men they saved
This simple Ode is meant to Thank
Those men of long ago

Ben

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Note from Jayne: For those of you who don't remember Frank Benway, Ben as everyone called him, he and his wife, Flo, both use to attend the Civil War History chats. He loved writing poems and shared many of them with us. He passed away a couple of years ago and is still missed by us all.

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DID YOU KNOW?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

He was relieved of command after the deadly Crater explosion at Petersburg. After the war he served as governor of Rhode Island from 1866-1869 and then U.S. Senator from 1875-1881. Who is he?

For the answer, scroll down to just above "The Town Crier"

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

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THE HELP DESK
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Do you have a question that you didn't get to ask in the chatroom??
Send us and email and we'll post it here to see if
some of our readers can help you. If you get an answer to your
quesiton, please let us know.

Folks, this is YOUR place to ask questions...
please feel free to use it... send them to
CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com

Since we are still in the Holidays and folks have been busy, I'm going to leave both of the queries for another week.

I received the following from Phreyor@aol.com If you can help, please do so. You can send your reply to Phreyor@aol.com, and if you would copy us on it so we can put the answer here in the newsletter.

Hello friends: Does anyone here know anything about a Pre-Civil War Regiment (2nd Missouri Regiment Cavalry Volunteers)? My relative was in this regiment from 1858-1860. He then quit and moved to Illinois were he later join another unit after the war started. Was the 2nd Missouri a Rebel unit? Thanks for any history and help with my mystery.

* * * * *

This was received from Shirley, Me in AZ@aol.com If you can help, please do!!!

I'm compiling the biography of Captain Sally L. Tompkins and am interested in locating any and all information about her, her brothers &sisters, and other family members. My FamilyTree chart on the families is about 5 feet long. I have queried the Library of Virginia, Museum of the Confederacy, university library archives, etc. Some places may be tired of my e-mails since I have queried them so many times. I have found many interesting items by or about Sally. Recently received a copy of a letter written in 1837 by her mother. She had not been to visit a family member because the children had measles. The other day received 3 letter written by Sally and am in the process of reading them. They are negatives (black background with white writing) and therefore difficult to read. I'll get it done though.

If anyone has anything pertaining to Captain Sally and is willing to share with me, they can contact me at my address or by e-mail address (meinaz@aol.com)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Weekly Web Sites we've received -
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you have a favorite Civil War site, please send them to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com

From:   Bitsobluengray@aol.com
http://www.bitsofblueandgray.com/january2004.htm
Reunion An unusual "incident" of the Civil War involving family
members fighting on opposite sides.

This came thru one of the email lists I belong to.
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2004/012004/01042004/1204749
"Fighting for piece of History" Area battlefields brace for encroaching growth and development.

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From:  OhioSoldiers@aol.com
Confederate Pension Records - NARA
http://www.archives.gov/research_room/genealogy/military/confederate_pension_records

Civil War Records at NARA
http://www.archives.gov/research_room/genealogy/military/civil_war_records.html

How to order Confederate Pension Records
http://www.searchforancestors.com/genhelp/military/confederate.html

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From: IllinoisCW@aol.com

Click here: The Civil War Message Board Portal
http://www.history-sites.com/

The Illinois in the Civil War Message Board - Message Index
http://history-sites.net/cgi-bin/boards/ilcwmb/

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From: An Madra Rua
http://www.cr.nps.gov/seac/Shiloh-2001/shiloh-2001.htm
SEAC archeologists in the field!

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From: Cyndislist of new websites

URL:     http://pacivilwar.com/bios/
TITLE:     Pennsylvania Volunteers of the Civil War - Biographies
DESCRIPTION:     Each Pennsylvania soldier biography contains regiment,
battles fought, injuries and POW details, if any, as well as birthplace,
birthdate, parents, spouse, children, residence and occupation before and
after the War.
=~=~=~=
URL:     http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation
TITLE:     Robert E. Lee Historical Site
DESCRIPTION:     This site contains extensive Robert E. Lee research
material including photos, paintings, Lee's letters to his family and other
essential Lee material.

=~=~=~=
URL:     http://www.sonofthesouth.net
TITLE:     Civil War Art Collector
DESCRIPTION:     This site has extensive, original illustrations from the
Civil War, as they appeared in the pages of Harper's Weekly. Extensive
Slavery material is included.

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From:   DASHMOM@aol.com The following was in one of the maillists she belongs to PHILLY-ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com:

As posted to the list by Gene Stackhouse:
The Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library, 4278 Griscom St., Philadelphia, PA 19124-3954 (215-289-6484, http://www.garmuslib.org ) has 720 original applications for membership for the Ellis Post #6 of the GAR, Germantown, Philadelphia, PA, dating from 1869 to 1940.
I have recently transcribed these applications. Copies of the transcriptions are available from me, from the GAR Museum and Library, and from the Germantown Historical Society, 5501 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144, (215-844-0514),
http://www.germantownhistory.org
I will be posting the names from these applications, a few at a time, over the next few weeks. Anyone interested in receiving copies of any of these transcriptions can contact me at genestackhouse@msn.com or may contact either of the above two institutions.

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A BIT OF COMMUNITY... MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS!!
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GandMS@aol.com Has a book Annals of Alexander Hamilton Post, No 182, Department of New York, Grand Army of the Republic, during the years 1184 to 1900, Compiled and Aranged by Past Commanders F. S. Bartram and T. W. Smith, New York, Bartram Press, 126 William Street --- 1900

The list of Names from the book has been in the Newsletter the past two weeks, There are many pictures in the book. If you think your ancestor was a member of Hamilton Post No. 182 Please email GandMS@aol.com

MOM611@aol.com said she has a book on the men of the 9th OHIO if anyone needs information.

Nanatnt2@aol.com has a book on the 85th NY Infantry which spent most of their time in Andersonville.

OhioSoldiers@aol.com Has a book with the Rosters of the 1st through the 20th Ohio Soldiers.

Bitsobluengray@aol.com has Delaware Civil War Union Rosters from two different sources and a book "They Died at Fort Delaware"

If anyone is doing Illinois Civil War research, you may email IllinoisCW@aol.com   Tell him HOST FMLY Jayne sent you. He will give it priority and see what he can find for you.

If YOU have a Civil War Ancestor, Kevin/frye@gnat.net does Volunteer reseach at Andersonville Civil War Prison in Andersonville, GA. Any research he does is absolutely at NO cost and he is willing to do all he can. There are more than 32,000 prisoners on record from the Union, and quite a few who were held prisoner there as Union regiments from Confederate states. There are also nearly 13000 marked graves of those who died there. Kevin's focus is dedicated to ALL of those held prisoner during the war, on both sides, as well as all Americans who gave their freedoms for those that we enjoy today.. He just happens to be near Andersonville, so that is where he does his work.
Visit Kevin's site at:
http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/Andersonvilleprison/index.html

If YOU have a question regarding Confederate researching, visit Steve Teeft's website at http://www.dixieresearch.com Tell him you saw his address in the Weekly Fireside. Steve@dixieresearch.com

Answer to Did you know....    Ambrose Everett Burnside

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"THE TOWN CRIER"
Civil War Calendar!!
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If your group is sponsoring any events or you know of a great event,
please send it to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com and we will be glad to include it here in our calendar.

January 12-13 Reconstruction: The Second Civil War airing on PBS's American Experience. This two-part documentary that tells the little-known story of the post-Civil War years will air on public television stations nationwide; check local listings! For press inquiries only, contact Daphne B. Noyes at 617-300-5344.

January 17    10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Witness Civil War Encampment at the Mansfield State Historic Site in Mansfield, LA. Authentically uniformed volunteers will portray a typical Civil War encampment in the field. Learn about the daily life of a Civil War soldier including diet, uniforms, equipment and weapons used. For more information, call 1-888-677-6267 toll free or 318-872-1474 locally.

January 17    10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Come to enjoy Living History Day at Fort DeRussy at the Fort Derussy State Historic Site in Marksville, LA. The Marksville State Historic Site staff invites visitors to Fort DeRussy, off La. Hwys. 1 and 1192, north of Marksville, to observe reenactors demonstrating various aspects of Civil War life. Activities will include cannon firing demonstrations, small arms displays, tours of Fort DeRussy and a game of Civil War baseball. For more information, call 1-888-253-8954 toll free or 318-253-8954 locally.

January 17-18 “Defending the Bay,” 20th Annual “Surrender of Fort Gaines,” Dauphin Island, AL. 9 a.m. re-creation of 1861 surrender of Federals to Alabama Volunteer Corps, living history activities, guided candlelight tour 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Sloppy Beagle Mess.
For more information, contact:
Fort Gaines Historic Site, 51 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL 36528, (251) 861-6992; www.dauphinisland.org

January 24   11 AM - 2 PM Come to learn more about Civil War Surgery and Medicine at the Mansfield State Historic Site in Mansfield, LA. A site historian will explain the medical treatment of soldiers during the Civil War. A reproduction amputation field kit will be on display. For more information, call 1-888-677-6267 toll free or 318-872-1474 locally.

January 31 - Feb 1    Florida, Mt. Dora Battle of Townsend’s Plantation & Civil War Festival, Renninger’s Antique Center, Mt. Dora, 10-5. Battles Saturday at 3, Sunday at 2. Living history exhibits, ladies’ tea, dress ball with 97th Regimental String Band, chapel service, folk music, pre-battle concerts. All branches welcome, bounty for cavalry & artillery, cash prizes. Sutlers must pre-register. Admission $5, children under 12 $2. Sponsored by the Offices of Clay Townsend Esq.
For more information, contact:
Stacy or Clay, (407) 422-2956, Claytownsend@Bellsouth.net. Reenactors: Mike Hardy, 37th Alabama, (407) 880-4575, mhardy@jag.net. Sutlers: Dennis Grenier, (407) 240-6754

February 7 11 AM - 3 PM   Frederick, MD - Living History
Confederate Surgeon presentation by Jason Grabill, 11-3, National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Frederick. Demonstration, discussion of Civil War era surgical practices, techniques, challenges.
For more information, contact:
(301) 695-1864

February 7   Elizabeth City, North Carolina - Living History
Civil War Naval Living History, Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City. Encampment, demonstrations, lectures & displays including artillery, shipbuilding, navigation, medical.
For more information, contact:
Museum of the Albemarle, (252) 335-1453, howard.draper@ncmail.net

February 7 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Day Annual Lincoln Day Parade and Honor Ceremony, Union League of Philadelphia. Participants meet by 11 a.m. in General Meade Room. Free luncheon, honor ceremony, parade through the city to Lincoln Monument, reception. No charge. Bring wreaths, music, colors. Military, civilians welcome.
For more information, contact:
registration, (215) 587-5592, (215) 204-5452, mundyj@unionleague.org, andy.waskie@temple.edu

February 13 - 15   8 am - 4 pm Olustee Battle Historic State Park near Lake City, FL
140th Anniversary Battle of Olustee Reenactment at Olustee Battle Historic State Park near Lake City. 8-4 daily. Battles Saturday & Sunday, overnight cavalry campaign. Full-scale artillery, infantry, cavalry. Recruiting for 8th & 35th USCT, 54th Massachusetts. Ladies’ tea, civilian activities, medical demonstration, storytelling, Friday Education Day, period music, church services, evening ball for reenactors. No reenactor fee.
For more information, contact:
(386) 397-7009 or (386) 758-0400, Martha.J.Nelson@dep.state.fl.us; http://extlab7.entnem.ufl.edu/Olustee/

February 13 - 15 Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo, NC
4th annual living history weekend commemorating 142nd anniversary of the Battle of Roanoke Island at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. After February 1862 victory the Union established camps and a freedmen’s colony. Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-3. Soldiers, sailors, artillery demonstrations, period crafts, presentations, lectures, children’s activities. Admission free for park ticketholders, $5 donation per family suggested for others.
For more information, contact:
(252) 475-1500.

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Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events
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Time:
Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Ancestral Digs Room
Every Friday Night at 10 PM ET in the Ancestral Digs Room
with hosts HOST FMLY Jayne, HOST FMLY Bill and their many faithful friends :)

January 8 & 9, 2004 - The Special Songs, letters and poems night. If you have any one of the three things you'd like to share with the room, feel free to send them to HOST FMLY Bill@aol.com or HOST FMLY Jayne@aol.com

January 15 & 16, 2004 - OPEN CHAT with some Civil War Trivia questions added

January 22 & 23, 2004 - Vicksburg and Chattanooga by James L. Walker

January 29 & 30, 2004 - OPEN CHAT with more Civil War Trivia :D

We'll See You Thursday and/or Friday Night.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT

Bill and Jayne :-)

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye

"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending 11 January 2004

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTES FROM THE HOSTS OF THE CIVIL WAR HISTORY CHATS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This week in the American Civil War History Chats we will have OPEN CHAT... and there might just be a few trivia questions thrown in. :)

I talked to former HOST GFS Jim and he is doing well. There was sadness for the Walker family during the holidays as Jim's 91 year old mother suffered a stroke and passed away. Jim is back working hard as usual and he promises me he will try to stop in to see us.

Be sure to check out the Members helping Members section of the newsletter and also the Help Desk. Maybe you can help someone or maybe you have a question of your own you need help with, just send the info to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com and we'll be sure to get your question in.

We're looking for reviews of the Civil War Books you've read and if you have any Civil War URL's you would like to share with the other readers, please send them to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com

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

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).

JOIN HOST FMLY Jayne and HOST FMLY Bill... Thursday 11 PM ET AND Friday 10 PM ET in the Ancestral Digs Room The "program" will not necessarily be the same both nights. We will still have our Songs, Letters and poems nights the 2nd Thursday of the month and the Friday following. Watch the schedule below to see what we're up to.

Also on Thursday 8-9PM ET: Trace Your Civil War Ancestors in Ancestral Digs. Join HOST FMLY Wolfrd and HOST FMLY Heathr to discuss ancestral searches from the Civil War period

You can visit the other Genealogy chats by going to KEYWORD: Parenting Chats > scroll down to Genealogy, Genealogy 101 or Genealogy and click. Be sure to read the Genealogy and History message boards at Genealogy Community > Genealogy:Boards > Historial People, Places & Times (scroll down to War Between the States) (post your questions on them too!!!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"THE BOOK SHELF"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

If you have read a great Civil War book you think others should read, I invite all of you (you don't have to be an AOL member to share here in the Weekly Fireside) to send the title, author and a Review of it to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com

http://www.roberteleecwrt.org/reviews.html

Check out some book reviews at the above website.

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

This poem came from someone in
the TreeHouse a while back, her
grandmother had copied it out of a
Philadelphia paper. It was believed to
have been written around 1864
.
DON'T TELL ME THE NEWS
by unknown
.
Don't tell me the news!
The sad news any more.
Falling from lips like a knell;
It is the very same story o're and o're;
How they fought, and bled, and fell--
How our brothers fought, till the death angel came.
And ended the bloody strife
How our brothers fell, breathing low a loved ones name
Or a struggling prayer for life.
How they moaned and died on the cold, cold sod
Without one token of love,
Not even a drop of cold water--O God!
And the rain-clouds just above.
A letter! thank god, he is spared still to me
But- look again - what is this?
The writing is strange - he was hurired
No, no, this never was his,
Filled! how we start! our hearts stand still in their place
Ah! - twas a ball struck us there;
We grow faint - try to pray, but a white dead face
Comes betwee God and our prayer.
Killed! shot through the heart! yes, tis his heart
They shot through. these arms will fold
His form to this heart nevermore. O the smell
How dark it has grown, and cold -
So cold and dark! the world is so cold and dark
A dark, cold world, at the best.
My heart, like a lone dove lost from the ark
Can find for itself no rest -
Can find no rest, no warmth, no love any more
O darling come back again,
Come and take me home to the beautiful shore
Beyond this sorrow and pain.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DID YOU KNOW?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What distinction did the 69th North Carolina (C.S.A.) have?

For the answer, scroll down to just above "The Town Crier"

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

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

Do you have a question that you didn't get to ask in the chatroom??
Send us and email and we'll post it here to see if
some of our readers can help you. If you get an answer to your
quesiton, please let us know.

Folks, this is YOUR place to ask questions...
please feel free to use it... send them to
CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com

If you get an answer to your
quesiton, please let us know.

This was received from Gay GLea472968@aol.com

My GT GF's name was Henry F ( Frelinguysen ) Woodmansee, born 2 Aug 1844, Exeter, RI, died 9 Jan 1930 Wyoming, RI, married Lavina James 2 Oct 1867.

He initially served under a William H Hamners Company A 3rd Regmt RI Artillery. discharged 4 Aug 1865. He enlisted 24 March 1864. According to his Military Records, it shows him mustering in, on 11 April 1862. On April 10 1864 his records show him in Morris Island , SC serving as a Nurse for the Battalion and Regmt Hospital. His Battles included, Fort Sumpter, Seccessionville,Hilton Head, SC, Battery A, Shermans Expedition Corp . Under an Article, " A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion " by Frederick Dyer Pg's 1630, 234, 237, 239,
His duties following the war, included, House of Representatives 1906-1909, from 1919-1922 Postmaster of Wyoming, RI, Town Councilman of Richmond, RI. He was one of 3 last members of the Lincoln Post Grand Army of the Replublic, Hope Valley, RI. I only wish I could have met our fathers, GF

If anyone might have any further information, it will be appreciated. I hope I didn't give you to much here and thank you.

Gay

* * * * *

This was received from Jean , JeanAjca@aol.com
Look for information on SAMUEL CALDWELL, AMOS P. CALDWELL, half Brothers who served under CAPTAIN HENRY DICKERSON CALDWELL, Company L, 5th Calvary Unit, Illinois, entered at Effingham, Illinois.

Anything you can find on them, I would appreciate it a lot!

Jean... we'll put these in here this week and see if anyone can help out. I might tell you though that IllinoisCW@aol.com is our resident "Illinois expert" You might want to drop him a line.

* * * * *

I received the following from Phreyor@aol.com If you can help, please do so. You can send your reply to Phreyor@aol.com, and if you would copy us on it so we can put the answer here in the newsletter.

Hello friends: Does anyone here know anything about a Pre-Civil War Regiment (2nd Missouri Regiment Cavalry Volunteers)? My relative was in this regiment from 1858-1860. He then quit and moved to Illinois were he later join another unit after the war started. Was the 2nd Missouri a Rebel unit? Thanks for any history and help with my mystery.

Phreyor.... Here's an answer from our ol' friend Jimmy Walker..

The two Federal regiments indicated don't seem to fit the dates being mentioned, but they were the only "2nd" Missouri Cav Regiments formed for the Union. One of my ancestors was in "Merrill's Horse" as was recruited in Macon, Missouri. I don't think any of the Confederate Cav Regiments (and there was a 2nd Confederate Missouri Cav Reg) were organized any sooner. (Will have to check Sifikas Confederate HIstories) There may have been some state militia organized earlier because of all the travail going on in Missouri before the Civil War actually started and Lincoln called for troops. That will take a little more digging on Missouri State history.

* * * * *

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Weekly Web Sites we've received -
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you have a favorite Civil War site, please send them to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com

From:   Bitsobluengray@aol.com

"Who Was Robert E. Lee"
submitted by Calvin Johnson
http://www.bitsofblueandgray.com/who_was_robert_e_lee.htm

* * * * *

From: Cyndislist of new websites

URL:   http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/news/articles/4025.asp?rc=locale%7E&us=0
TITLE:     Getting the Most Out of the Civil War Pension Index, Part I
DESCRIPTION:     .

=~=~=~=
URL:     http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/news/articles/4056.asp
TITLE:     Getting the Most Out of the Civil War Pension Index, Part II
DESCRIPTION:     .

=~=~=~=
URL:     http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/news/articles/4005.asp
TITLE:     Getting the Most Out of the Civil War Pension Index, Part III
DESCRIPTION:     .

=~=~=~=
URL:     http://pacivilwar.com/bios/
TITLE:     Pennsylvania Volunteers of the Civil War - Biographies
DESCRIPTION:     Each Pennsylvania soldier biography contains regiment,
battles fought, injuries and POW details, if any, as well as birthplace,
birthdate, parents, spouse, children, residence, and occupation before and
after the War.

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A BIT OF COMMUNITY... MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS!!
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"THE TOWN CRIER"
Civil War Calendar!!
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If your group is sponsoring any events or you know of a great event,
please send it to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com and we will be glad to include it here in our calendar.

January 17    10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Witness Civil War Encampment at the Mansfield State Historic Site in Mansfield, LA. Authentically uniformed volunteers will portray a typical Civil War encampment in the field. Learn about the daily life of a Civil War soldier including diet, uniforms, equipment and weapons used. For more information, call 1-888-677-6267 toll free or 318-872-1474 locally.

January 17    10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Come to enjoy Living History Day at Fort DeRussy at the Fort Derussy State Historic Site in Marksville, LA. The Marksville State Historic Site staff invites visitors to Fort DeRussy, off La. Hwys. 1 and 1192, north of Marksville, to observe reenactors demonstrating various aspects of Civil War life. Activities will include cannon firing demonstrations, small arms displays, tours of Fort DeRussy and a game of Civil War baseball. For more information, call 1-888-253-8954 toll free or 318-253-8954 locally.

January 17-18 “Defending the Bay,” 20th Annual “Surrender of Fort Gaines,” Dauphin Island, AL. 9 a.m. re-creation of 1861 surrender of Federals to Alabama Volunteer Corps, living history activities, guided candlelight tour 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Sloppy Beagle Mess.
For more information, contact:
Fort Gaines Historic Site, 51 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL 36528, (251) 861-6992; www.dauphinisland.org

January 24   11 AM - 2 PM Come to learn more about Civil War Surgery and Medicine at the Mansfield State Historic Site in Mansfield, LA. A site historian will explain the medical treatment of soldiers during the Civil War. A reproduction amputation field kit will be on display. For more information, call 1-888-677-6267 toll free or 318-872-1474 locally.

January 31 - Feb 1    Florida, Mt. Dora Battle of Townsend’s Plantation & Civil War Festival, Renninger’s Antique Center, Mt. Dora, 10-5. Battles Saturday at 3, Sunday at 2. Living history exhibits, ladies’ tea, dress ball with 97th Regimental String Band, chapel service, folk music, pre-battle concerts. All branches welcome, bounty for cavalry & artillery, cash prizes. Sutlers must pre-register. Admission $5, children under 12 $2. Sponsored by the Offices of Clay Townsend Esq.
For more information, contact:
Stacy or Clay, (407) 422-2956, Claytownsend@Bellsouth.net. Reenactors: Mike Hardy, 37th Alabama, (407) 880-4575, mhardy@jag.net. Sutlers: Dennis Grenier, (407) 240-6754

February 7 11 AM - 3 PM   Frederick, MD - Living History
Confederate Surgeon presentation by Jason Grabill, 11-3, National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Frederick. Demonstration, discussion of Civil War era surgical practices, techniques, challenges.
For more information, contact:
(301) 695-1864

February 7   Elizabeth City, North Carolina - Living History
Civil War Naval Living History, Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City. Encampment, demonstrations, lectures & displays including artillery, shipbuilding, navigation, medical.
For more information, contact:
Museum of the Albemarle, (252) 335-1453, howard.draper@ncmail.net

February 7 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Day Annual Lincoln Day Parade and Honor Ceremony, Union League of Philadelphia. Participants meet by 11 a.m. in General Meade Room. Free luncheon, honor ceremony, parade through the city to Lincoln Monument, reception. No charge. Bring wreaths, music, colors. Military, civilians welcome.
For more information, contact:
registration, (215) 587-5592, (215) 204-5452, mundyj@unionleague.org, andy.waskie@temple.edu

February 13 - 15   8 am - 4 pm Olustee Battle Historic State Park near Lake City, FL
140th Anniversary Battle of Olustee Reenactment at Olustee Battle Historic State Park near Lake City. 8-4 daily. Battles Saturday & Sunday, overnight cavalry campaign. Full-scale artillery, infantry, cavalry. Recruiting for 8th & 35th USCT, 54th Massachusetts. Ladies’ tea, civilian activities, medical demonstration, storytelling, Friday Education Day, period music, church services, evening ball for reenactors. No reenactor fee.
For more information, contact:
(386) 397-7009 or (386) 758-0400, Martha.J.Nelson@dep.state.fl.us; http://extlab7.entnem.ufl.edu/Olustee/

February 13 - 15 Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo, NC
4th annual living history weekend commemorating 142nd anniversary of the Battle of Roanoke Island at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. After February 1862 victory the Union established camps and a freedmen’s colony. Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-3. Soldiers, sailors, artillery demonstrations, period crafts, presentations, lectures, children’s activities. Admission free for park ticketholders, $5 donation per family suggested for others.
For more information, contact:
(252) 475-1500.

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Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events
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Time:
Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Ancestral Digs Room
Every Friday Night at 10 PM ET in the Ancestral Digs Room
with hosts HOST FMLY Jayne, HOST FMLY Bill and their many faithful friends :)

January 8 & 9, 2004 - The Special Songs, letters and poems nights. If you have any one of the three things you'd like to share with the room, feel free to send them to HOST FMLY Bill@aol.com or HOST FMLY Jayne@aol.com

January 15 & 16, 2004 - OPEN CHAT with some Civil War Trivia questions added

January 22, 2004 - Vicksburg and Chattanooga by James L. Walker
January 23, 2004 - Vicksburg and Chattanooga if enough interested...

January 29 & 30, 2004 - OPEN CHAT with more Civil War Trivia :D

We'll See You Thursday and/or Friday Night.

Bill and Jayne :-)

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye

"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending 18 January 2004

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NOTES FROM THE HOSTS OF THE CIVIL WAR HISTORY CHATS
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This week in the American Civil War History Chats we have scheduled a story about Vicksburg and Chattanooga which has been done in the past by our ol' friend Jim Walker. However........ I have been summoned for a Capital Murder Trial jury and won't know till Wed whether I'm chosen to serve. If I am chosen, I'm going to have to go to bed early so probably won't be able to host the Thursday night room. I'm going to make Thursday night an OPEN CHAT and then Friday we'll do the Vicksburg and Chattanooga story. Bill has been suffering with a terrible case of shingles, so I don't know if he'll be in the room Friday night or not. I'll no doubt be able to be in the Friday night chat.

Be sure to check out the Members helping Members section of the newsletter and also the Help Desk. Maybe you can help someone or maybe you have a question of your own you need help with, just send the info to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com and we'll be sure to get your question in.

We're still looking for reviews of the Civil War Books you've read and if you have any Civil War URL's you would like to share with the other readers, please send them to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com

I've got a special project going on for the Bits of Blue and Gray website. I'm going to put back issues of the Weekly Fireside newsletter on the site. I need to get more of them programmed before I upload them. I'll let you know here when I've added them. I think you'll enjoy them.

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WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
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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).

JOIN HOST FMLY Jayne and HOST FMLY Bill... Thursday 11 PM ET AND Friday 10 PM ET in the Ancestral Digs Room The "program" will not necessarily be the same both nights. We will still have our Songs, Letters and poems nights the 2nd Thursday of the month and the Friday following. Watch the schedule below to see what we're up to.

Also on Thursday 8-9PM ET: Trace Your Civil War Ancestors in Ancestral Digs. Join HOST FMLY Wolfrd and HOST FMLY Heathr to discuss ancestral searches from the Civil War period

You can visit the other Genealogy chats by going to KEYWORD: Parenting Chats > scroll down to Genealogy, Genealogy 101 or Genealogy and click. Be sure to read the Genealogy and History message boards at Genealogy Community > Genealogy:Boards > Historial People, Places & Times (scroll down to War Between the States) (post your questions on them too!!!)

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"THE BOOK SHELF"
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--------OUR WEEKLY READING--------
(these items are extracts from our Letters, Songs,
and Poems evenings)
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This was sent to us way back in August 1998 by Ike and Nancy Watrous, I'm sure they won't mind if I share this once again.

ROLL-CALL
by Nathaniel Graham Shepherd

The spirit of Shepherd's somber poem, "Roll Call" lives in images of the burial parties of countless brigades, but is especially reflected in the Old Vermont Brigade. Many occasions arose in the Old Vermont Brigade for forming burial parties; for these soldiers belonged to the brigade that suffered the greatest loss of life of any one brigade during th war. 1,172 of its men were either killed in battle or died of wounds. The same five regiments that lay in Camp Griffin, near Washington, D.C., in 1861 marched together in the Grand Review on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington in 1865. When their term of enlistment expired in 1864, they had all re-enlisted and preserved the existence of the brigade. It was famous also for being composed entirely of troops from one State. It contained the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Vermont Infantry, and later the First Vermont Heavy Artillery. It was in this respect conspicuous in the Union Army, which did not adopt the Confederate policy of grouping regiments from the same State in brigades. The gallant record of the Vermont Brigade was nowhere more conspicuous than in the Wilderness Campaign. The first five regiments lost in the battle of the Wilderness, May 5-6, 1864: 195 killed, 1,017 wounded, and 57 missing, making a total of 1, 269. Within a week its loss had amounted to 58 percent of the number engaged. The words of the poet are therefore no merely fanciful pciture of frightful loss in battle. There were a dozen battles in which the federal armies alone lost more than 10,000 men, enough to populate a city, and it has been estimated that the totals on both sides amounted to more than 700,000 killed and wounded. When it is recalled that most of these were young men who in the natural course of events had many years of usefulness yet to live for their
country, the cost to the American nation is simply appalling. This is entirely aside from the many sorrowing mourners for the heroes of the Old Vermont Brigade and for many others who failed on the battlefield to answer "here" at roll-call.

"Corporal Green!" the Orderly cried;
"Here!" was the answer loud and clean,
From the lips of a soldier who stood near, -
And "Here" was the word the next replied.

"Cyrus Drew!" - then a silence fell;
This time no answer followed the call;
Only his rear-man had seen him fall:
Killed or wounded - he could not tell.

There they stood in the failing light,
These men of battle, with grave, dark looks,
As plain to be read as open books,
While slowly gathered the shades of night.

The fern on the hilsides was spashed with blood
And down in the corn where the poppies grew
Were redder stains than the poppies knew,
And crimson-dyed was the river's flood.

For the foe had crossed from the other side,
That day in the face of murderous fire
That swept them down in its terrible ire;
And their life-blood went to color the tide.

"Herbert Cline!" - At the call there came
Two stalwart soldiers into the line
Bearing between them this Herbert Cline,
Wounded and bleeding to answer his name.

"Ezra Kerr!" - and a voice answered "Here!"
"Hiram Kerr!" - but no man replied.
They were brothers, these two; the sad wind sighed,
And a shudder crept through the cornfield near.

"Ephraim Deane!" - then a soldier spoke:
"Deane carried our regiments colors," he said,
"When our ensign was shot: I left him dead
Just after the enemy wavered and broke.

"Close to the roadside his body lies;
I paused a moment and gave him to drink;
He murmured his mother's name, I think,
And Death came with it and closed his eyes.

'Twas a victory, yes; but it cost us dear:
For that company's roll, when called at night
Of a hundred men who went into the fight
Numbered but twenty that answered "Here!"

Published in PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR,
Vol 9, pub 1911

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DID YOU KNOW?
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Another family..... In 1810, a father imprisoned for owing money, released in the spring of the year. Mother and father consider their situation and decide they cannot afford to remain at the grand family estate in Westmoreland County, Virginia. They travel north by carriage to take up residence in a small house in Alexandria, across the Potomac from the newly established Federal capital.
Young Robert was three years old as his parents passed into "genteel poverty." But not into a gently life. Two years later, his military-hero father, Henry "Lighthouse Harry" Lee, once governor of Virginia and a congressman, was beaten and mutilated by a mob in Baltimore. Recovering with difficulty, left disfigured, broken in spirit, he made his farewells in 1813 to family, commonwealth, and contry ... all for a new life in Barbados. he meant to return soon, and after a few years, he indeed was on his way back. But he fell ill aboard ship, went ashore at Cumberland Island, Georgia, and died there March 25, 1818. Son Robert I. by then was just eleven years old.

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

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Weekly Web Sites we've received -
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If you have a favorite Civil War site, please send them to CWWeeklyFireside@aol.com

From: Bitsobluengray@aol.com

http://pacivilwar.com/pow/
Confederate and Union Prisoners of the War - POWs - Genealogy
Type in a name and it will do a search for you or if you scroll down you will see the various prisons listed where various types of searches can be done.

http://www.cyndislist.com/cw.htm#Mailing
Mailing Lists, Newsgroups and Chat

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From one of the maillists I belong to.

In Celebration of General Robert E. Lees Birthday - January 19.
One of Americas Greatest Heroes!
http://www.dixierising.com/eCard/DixieDay.php?view=1&id=185990

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A BIT OF COMMUNITY... MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS!!
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