October 2002 Weekly Firesides

October 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 Oct 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.

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What a fine time we had Thursday with our OPEN CHAT.

Please remember to send in your Letters, Songs and Poems for Jayne, Tom, and Amy. I will be on the road again this week but Jayne has graciously agreed to take care of the newsletter. "Thanks Jane!"

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"Uncle Chuck's" 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.......

From the PA-CIVIL-WAR list:

Many Civil War reenactment groups do living history presentations of selected battles, meetings, social events and other activities in the 1860s. The 97th Reg't. Pa. Vol. Inf., a modern reenactment group, has chosen to rededicate the monument to the original 97th, which stands in Marshall Square Park, West Chester, PA. The event will occur on October 27th, 2002, at 2:00 pm, the 115th anniversary of the original event. The public is invited to attend this historic event.

The program follows the original one, which included music written for the occasion by Miss Nettie H. Livengood. According to Florence Williams, the event organizer, "the order of exercises" was found in the Chester County Historical Society files as recorded by the Daily Local News, October 19, 1887. Dennis Wales, the captain of the modern 97th Reg't. PVI will represent General Henry R. Guss, the founder of the regiment. Morris Farnum, Chaplin of the reenactment group will represent Rev. David W. Moore, the original Chaplin. William C. Kashatus, director of Public Programs, Chester County Historical Society will give the oration as Andrew G. Curtin, the "War Governor of Pennsylvania". Band music by Sousa of the 1887 era will be provided by the Coatesville High School Band lead by Victor Holloday. Permission has been granted to fire a salute as was done by the Griffin Battery, however, rifles rather than cannon, will be used.

An attempt has been made to represent the original figures of the time and their 21st century counterparts. These include military and political figures as well as service and civic organizations.

The public is invited to join us in this historic event at 2:00 pm at Marshall Square Park, West Chester, PA. Handicap parking will be available for a few cars in a nearby parking lot. Please contact Florence K. Williams (610-444-2972) for a parking card.

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Civil War History & Genealogy Forum Related Activities and Sites
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

"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

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: 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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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?

"HI, YANK! Is the Sixth Corps picket-line over there?" inquired a Confederate on the Rappahannock, one day, after we had fallen back from in front of the city [of Fredericksburg] after the battle in December of 1862.

"Yes," answered the boy in blue, grumblingly, for he hadn't forgotten the thrashing yet. "Yes, of course it is; what of it?"

"Why, nothing particular, only I know somebody in it. What regiment is that on picket?"

"The ____st Pennsylvania."

"You don't say so; is Company H on post?"

"Yes, I belong to Company H."

"Well, won't you tell Harry B________, if he is alive, to come down to the edge of the river, his brother wants to see him?"

"Certainly; what regiment?"

"Eighth Alabama."

So Harry went down and through, contrary to orders, to the rebel side of the river and had a talk with his brother. Returning, after a while, to his own side, he went "on Post" opposite to him and watched him as closely as if he were some stranger rebel. Truly, queer events grew out of this wary.

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

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THE HELP DESK
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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Websites we've received:
From: HOST GFS [email protected]

2003 Gettysburg Ghost Conference, "Learning from the Past"
March 29 and 30th, 2003
http://www.ghostweb.com/2003conf.html

Canadians Who Served with Massachusetts Regiments During the Civil War
http://www.geocities.com/cancivwar/Massachusetts.html

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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....

From: [email protected]

After many years of searching I have now found the grave of my husbands great grandfather and would like a picture of it if any one lives near the cemetery or visits it.
He was a Confederate Soldier from Franklin County Virginia
Paschal McGuire
Enlised 7/23/1861 at Camp Hicks,Va as a Private
On 7/23/1861 he mustered into "D" Va 58th Inf
He died of Diptheria 1/15/1862 at Monterey, Va. Hospital
Buried Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton, VA
Gravesite: 679

I would be grateful for a picture of his grave.
[email protected]

"onale" We'll see what we can get from the membership

From: [email protected]

Jayne has passed this on from a posting on her website.

Email: [email protected]
Subject: Meetings
Time: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 04:48:16 UTC
Hi,
I'm researching occasions where Union and Confederate soldiers came across each other and instead of blasting each other they sat down and traded, swapped newspapers, and generally fraternized a little behind their officers' backs. Does anyone know where I can find good reliable resources for this sort of information? Thanks, Crowley

From: [email protected]

Does anyone know if any of the wartime papers of Capt. W. T. Havens exists? Capt. Havens was a Captain of the 3rd Battalion, Mounted Rifles. CSA. (Kentucky)
Linda

"Linda" We'll put it in the newsletter and see if anyone is working this group...

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OUR WEEKLY READING
(these items are extracts from our Letters, Songs, and Poems evenings)
We have recieved many letters, poems and songs over the years from a faithful member and friend Deanne (Holm Hogs). They have been truly awesome to read. Her ancestor Col. Alonzo Slayback - CSA - from Missouri was quit prolific in his "letters home".

TO MY DAUGHTER SUSIE.
(Written in Mexico in 1865)

To-day thy chronicle of life counts five!
And he who should be near thee is away;
Thoughts leave my heart, as bees fly from a hive,
To seek their favorite flower, its charms survey,
And burdened with its sweets retrace their way.

Alas! poor child! God grant you ne'er may know
The kindling fierceness of your father's heart,
Which makes him scorn to fear or brook a foe,
Yet weep in secret from his child to part,
And die of torture, ere confess its smart.

Thou dost not know me, pretty little one;
You'd pass me by unknown upon the street;
Thy father's features, form, appearance, tone,
Thy fancy doubtless paints, thy friends repeat---
Yet ah! how sad the thought, we ne'er may meet!

Unknown to thee my yearning for thy weal,
Unkinown to thee my sorrow for thy woe;
Unknown to thee what pangs intense I feel,
To think my only child----a girl----should go
Upon life's path exposed to every blow.

Cruel the fate that severs me from thee,
Susie, my darling; and more cruel still
That vain were my aims to make thee free
From the despotic sway, and unjust will,
Of foeman pledged to do thee every ill.

I fought to save thee! think of that, when blame
Is muttered in thy presence 'gainst thy Sire!
Perhaps thy proud heart chafes in childish shame
To hear the invader curse my vengeance dire;
I hope again to make them feel my ire.

But all such thoughts are foreign to my theme,
For every pulse beats gently at thy name;
I see thee nightly in my brightest dream,
And wonder if thy nature will be tame,
Or, like thy father's, glow with ardor's flame.

Ah! the rebuffs thy soul must meet on earth,
If you inherit but one-tenth my fire;
Perhaps you'll curse the hour that gave you birth,
And long for that which bids thy life expire;
I have oft done so in my phrensied ire.

Jim--Lonnie truly thought he'd never return to
Mo. that he'd spend the rest of his life in Mexico.
He did return to Mo. and his law practice and
Suzanne became the first (in 1878) Queen of
the Veiled Prophets Ball in St. Louis

...................fini

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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]
I am forwarding this message to you in hopes you can somehow help this person. I igured somone on your list may also be interested in their books.
Dd

In a message dated 8/30/02 8:40:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time, [email protected]

Hi. I was wondering if you know of someone who might be interested in buying 2 books I have that collects Civil War items in Pa.? I had heard former Sen. John Heinz had a library or something like that with the W.Pa. Roundtable. One book is called Thrice in the Rebel Dungeons and talks about Andersonville and other camps. The other was written in 1868 about U.S. Grant and has his picture inside. It is signed on the book. I'll give someone a decent deal pricewise but also would like to see that someone gets them so people could use these as a research resource. I had relatives in the War also and am originally from Pa.
Don Kirkwood
[email protected]

Dd - We'll certainly see if anyone is interested. If you are email [email protected]

From: [email protected]
Friends: Can anyone here tell me more about the 118th infantry of Illinois? How and where in Illinois did they form, where did they train, and any personal stuff would be very helpful. I had a German immigrant relative in the out fit. Thanks. Phreyor...
P.S. I love reading your stuff! Keep up the good work!

"Phreyor" we'll see what the readers say!

From: [email protected]
I tried to help but did not have any luck. Thought I would pass this onto your readers.
Take care Dd

From: [email protected]
Hi my name is Kristin. I was wondering if you could answer a question for me by any chance. Here it is, Was there anyone in the 8th Tennessee Cavalry by the name of James A. Beckett? I tried going into the 8th Tennessee Cavalry page but it said that the page was not found. I've been searching for along to time see where he came from. This is the only information I have about him.
BECKETT, JAMES A. PVT 13 JAN 1865 I 8 CAV CONFED. CAV. 22 29 782

I got this from a website about Camp Chase.
Thanks!
Kristin

Don - We'll put this in and see what returns.

From: HOST GFS [email protected]
From the Ancestry Daily newsletter

Databases of the Day
War of the Rebellion (Images online)
This database is comprised of a work called A Compendium of the War of Rebellion. It is divided into essentially three parts. The first provides statistical and organizational information of the Armies and other branches of the War. Information found in this first part includes a list of enlistments and losses, the names of all the national cemeteries and where they are located, a mostly completed list of regiments, battalions, batteries, and independent companies arranged by state, a list of the regiments that lost over 50 men in battle, and an alphabetical list of heads of brigades and other large organizations.

The second part tells of the involvement of the Union in several battles and other important events. Most of these events are listed chronologically by state.

The last part gives a history of each Regiment, Battalion, Battery, and organization that served in the War for the Union. This section is arranged alphabetically by state then by the following order: Calvary, Artillery, Heavy and Light, Engineers, Sharpshooters, and Infantry.

This work has proven to be a highly valuable source for researchers of the Civil War and of this era as it is "the most monumental war record ever undertaken and successfully completed by a single individual" (A Compendium of the War of Rebellion, Introduction).

Source Information: Ancestry.com. War of the Rebellion, Volume I, [database online]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2002. Original data: Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Volume I. New York: Thomas Yoseloff, 1959.

Ancestry.com subscribers can search this database at:
http://www.ancestry.com/rd/prodredir.asp?sourceid=831&key=D6617

{{{{Jayne}}}} Good material :D

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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.

"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 :)

10/10/02 - Our Monthly sessions of Letters, Songs and Poems of the Civil War

10/17/02 - OPEN CHAT

10/24/02 - Battle of Spotsylvania Court House May 12, 1864 by HOST GFS TEG

10/31/02 - OPEN CHAT

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 13 Oct 2002

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What a fine time we had Thursday. If you weren't with us, you missed some very poignant poems by our very own IllinoisCW, and several of those wonderful letters written by our Civil War soldiers. We had some toe tappin' and singin' around the fireside also.

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From the PA-CIVIL-WAR list:

Many Civil War reenactment groups do living history presentations of selected battles, meetings, social events and other activities in the 1860s. The 97th Reg't. Pa. Vol. Inf., a modern reenactment group, has chosen to rededicate the monument to the original 97th, which stands in Marshall Square Park, West Chester, PA. The event will occur on October 27th, 2002, at 2:00 pm, the 115th anniversary of the original event. The public is invited to attend this historic event.

The program follows the original one, which included music written for the occasion by Miss Nettie H. Livengood. According to Florence Williams, the event organizer, "the order of exercises" was found in the Chester County Historical Society files as recorded by the Daily Local News, October 19, 1887. Dennis Wales, the captain of the modern 97th Reg't. PVI will represent General Henry R. Guss, the founder of the regiment. Morris Farnum, Chaplin of the reenactment group will represent Rev. David W. Moore, the original Chaplin. William C. Kashatus, director of Public Programs, Chester County Historical Society will give the oration as Andrew G. Curtin, the "War Governor of Pennsylvania". Band music by Sousa of the 1887 era will be provided by the Coatesville High School Band lead by Victor Holloday. Permission has been granted to fire a salute as was done by the Griffin Battery, however, rifles rather than cannon, will be used.

An attempt has been made to represent the original figures of the time and their 21st century counterparts. These include military and political figures as well as service and civic organizations.

The public is invited to join us in this historic event at 2:00 pm at Marshall Square Park, West Chester, PA. Handicap parking will be available for a few cars in a nearby parking lot. Please contact Florence K. Williams (610-444-2972) for a parking card.

From: [email protected]

Civil War Along Cape Fear Waters
Date: Friday, October 25, 2002
Time: All Day

The North Carolina Civil War Tourism Council sponsors a conference entitled "The Civil War Along Cape Fear Waters" at the Coastline Convention Center in Wilmington NC. The cost of the conference is $135.

The conference begins on Friday, 25 October, with presentations by Beverly Tetterton of the New Hanover County Library, Steve Wise of the U.S. Marine Corps Museum, and Richard Lawrence of the NC Underwater Archaeology Unit. A reception and social will be held at the 1852 Latimer House with entertainment by the Carteret Grays.

Saturday, 26 October, includes a guided tour of Fort Fisher including small arms and artillery demonstrations by site staff. Dinner will include keynote address by Dr. Peter S. Carmichael, “Robert E. Lee’s Search for the Battle of Annihilation.”

Sunday, 27 October, features a guided tour of Fort Anderson with Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.

The convention center is located at 503 Nutt Street in Wilmington, NC. For further details or directions, please call (800) 617-7732

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Did you know?

The following came from Ann K. on the CIVIL WAR rootsweb maillist.. I thought you might find it as interesting as I did.

COST OF FOOD

1861
Bacon: 12.5 cents per pound
butter: 20 " " "
Coffee: 35 " " "
Flour: $ 6 per barrel
Potatoes: 75 cents per pound

1862
Bacon: 75 cents per pound
Beef: 12.5 " " "
Butter: 75 cents to $ 2.00 per pound
Coffee: $1.50 to $ 4.00 per pound
Cornmeal: $3.50 per bushed
Flour: $16.00 to $40.00 per barrel
Tea: $10.00 to $20.00 per pound

1863
Bacon: $1.25 to $6.00 per pound
Beef: $ 1.00 to 3.33 " "
Butter: $2.00 to $ 4.00 per pound
Coffee: $5.00 to $30.00 " "
Cornmeal: $16.00 to $300.00 per bushel
Flour: $30.00 to $75.00 " "
Potatoes: $ 12.00 to $15.00 " "
Tea: $7.00 to $32.00 per pound

1864 Bacon: $8.00 to $9.00 per pound
Beef: $2.00 " "
Butter: $15.00 to $25.00 " "
Coffee: $ 12.00 to $ 60.00 " "
Cornmeal: $ 20.00 to 104.00 per bushel
Flour: $ 125.00 to $500.00 per barrel
Potatoes: $25.00 per bushel
Tea: $22.00 to $ 40.00 per pound

1865
Beacon $11.00 to $13.00 per pound
Beef: $8.00 per pound
Butter $15.00 to $ 20.00 per pound
Cornmeal: $400.00 per bushel
Flour: $325 to $1,000 per barrel

OTHER INTERESTING PRICES

1861 Beeswax: 21 cents to 26 cents per pound
Cotton Fabic, bleach: 12.5 cents per yard
Dresses: $ 9 to $ 30 each
firewood: $ 2.20 per cord
Handkerchiefs" 50 cent each
Soap, common: 3.5 cent to 10 cent per pound
Tallow: 4 cent to 33 cent per pound
Wool: 23 cent to 33 cent " "

1862
Boots: $30 per pair
Calico 75 cents to$ 2 per yard
Firewood: $ 20 per cord
Homespun, plain: $1 per yard
Laundry: $3 per dozen pieces
Muslin dress fabric: $ 6 to $88 per yard
Quinine: $60 per ounce
Soap $1.25 per cake
Shoes, men's: $18 per pair
Shoes, women's $ 15 per pair

1863
Boots: $50 per pair
Bonnets: $25 to $60 each
Calico: $2..50 to $4 per yard
Cotton fabic: bleach $3.50 per yard
Dental service: gold filling, $120 each: upper set of dentures on a gold or vulcanite base, $ 1,800 to $4,000 per set
Dresses:$50 to $195 each
Shoes: $25 to $50 per pair
Resole Shores: $10 per pair
Toothbrush: $2.50 each

1864
Boots, women's Morocco: $110 per pair
Cloth: $15 to $ 45 per yard
Coal:$ 1.75 per bushel
hats Men's: $75 each
Linen: $22 per yard
Sewing pins: $ 5 per packet
Resoled Shores: $50 per pair
Shoes : $125 to $800 per pair
Uniforms, officers: $2,000 each

1865
bonnet, new: $200 each
Boots, Balmoral: $250 per pair
Calico: $25 to $35 per yard
Cloaks: $1,000 to $1,500 each
Cloth , Cotton: $15 to $50 per yard
Wool dresses: $800
Firewood:$100 to $150 per cord
Gloves, French Kid: $125 to $175 per pair
Hats, women's: $600 to $1,500 each
Irish Linen: $50 to $100 per yard
Ribbon: $25 per yard

Information from "Everyday Life During the Civil War" by Micheal J Varhola

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

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THE HELP DESK
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 Resources 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!

=========================================

Websites we've received:
From: HOST GFS [email protected]

Canadian-born Men Who Served With Minnesota Regiments Between 1861 and 1866
http://www.geocities.com/cancivwar/minnesota.html

Canadians Who Served with Massachusetts Regiments During the Civil War
http://www.geocities.com/cancivwar/Massachusetts.html

Civil War history related to the Western Counties of Virginia, now West Virginia. This website is from our own SteveCSA. It is heavily under construction, so you will definitely want to visit it often to see the additions.
http://www.dixieresearch.com/

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After many years of searching I have now found the grave of my husbands great grandfather and would like a picture of it if any one lives near the cemetery or visits it.
He was a Confederate Soldier from Franklin County Virginia
Paschal McGuire
Enlised 7/23/1861 at Camp Hicks,VA as a Private
On 7/23/1861 he mustered into "D" Va 58th Inf
He died of Diptheria 1/15/1862 at Monterey, Va. Hospital
Buried Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton, VA
Gravesite: 679

I would be grateful for a picture of his grave.
[email protected]

"onale" We'll see what we can get from the membership

From: [email protected]

Jayne has passed this on from a posting on her website.

Email: [email protected]
Subject: Meetings
Time: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 04:48:16 UTC
*****************Hi,
I'm researching occasions where Union and Confederate soldiers came across each other and instead of blasting each other they sat down and traded, swapped newspapers, and generally fraternized a little behind their officers' backs. Does anyone know where I can find good reliable resources for this sort of information? Thanks, Crowley

From: [email protected]

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

For another person, the Triangular Field would provide a memory in her mind she would never forget. Most encounters with the ghost are of a nonphysical nature, usually just hearing or perhaps even seeing a phantom. However, occasionally people have been known to be touched by a ghost. Such was the case of a young woman, Kelly, as she ventured onto the battlefield. It was not the first time she was on the battlefield, but for Kelly, it was the first time she ever encountered any abnormal experience.

It was just another typical day at Gettysburg and a group of people, including Kelly, chose to walk the battlefield at night. What began as an entertaining filled trip onto the field was to take a bizarre turn for the unsuspecting Kelly. The small group of people walked onto the Triangular Field in the dark of the night, allured by the unknown. As they walked along, they told jokes about the ghosts and sarcastically dared them to show their faces. They chuckled and giggled, half-serious about the ghost appearing, still taunting. Kelly and the others were close enough to hear and see each other, but not close enough to touch.

Walking deeper into the Triangular Field, Kelly could see the others several yards away. She was listening to one of her group tell stories about the dead found on the field, when suddenly and without warning, someone grabbed her by the hair, jerking her head back. She let out a frightful scream, quickly turning to see the culprit, however, much to her surprise, no one was there. Her head ached after the pull, bringing tears to her eyes. The others ran over to her, none saw anything in the area. For Kelly, the Triangular Field will forever hold a haunting memory and reminder that there are powerful and unexplainable forces lingering on that bloodstained ground.

...................fini

=========================================

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...

Recently, our friend, Ted Fisher took a trip and he has shared this part of it with all of us.

A Visit to Glorieta Pass New Mexico Battlefield- Oct 3, 2002

Background

In order to finance a civil war, the confederacy embarked in July 1861 on a campaign from Texas northward up the Rio Grande valley to capture the Colorado gold and silver mines. Among the several factors enabling the 3000 invading confederates under General Henry Hopkins Sibley to meet with early success were the withdrawal and movement East of most of the U.S. troops staffing New Mexico forts. Also, many of the confederate officers including Sibley, Loring and Baylor had served the old flag at the New Mexico forts along the Santa Fe Trail and El Camino Real ( todays NM I-25) prior to resigning their commissions and "going South". Opposing the confederates was Col. E Canby who commanded a rag-tail force composed of remaining U.S. regulars and militia from New Mexico ( some under the command of Kit Carson)

The initial clash was at Valverde Crossing and while the Federals lost, they managed to hold Fort Craig ( also visited and the subject of a future article) and destroy half of the confederate supply wagons. Too weak to assault Fort Craig, the confederates continued North, taking Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

With the arrival of the 1st Colorado regiment and Colorado cavalry under the command of the fighting parson John Chivington (of later indian massacre fame) at Fort Union, 40 miles North of Santa Fe, Canby's forces numbered 4000 men and he moved Southwest to confront the confederates at what came to be called Glorieta Pass but which also was known as the Battle of Apache Canyon and the Battle of Pigeon's ranch. The confederates bested the federal forces in the battle, however lost their remaining lightly guarded supply wagons when Chivington's Coloradians rapelled down a 500 foot cliff and destroyed them. Thus ended all confederate chances of victory and they retreated down the valley to Mesilla ( South of Las Cruces) where they abandoned their New Mexico campaign.

The Site Today

There is little to identify this battlesite where more than 100 were killed. A Glorieta battlefield historic marker is located on N.M. 50 (take Glorieta- Pecos interchange 299 amd go East on N.M. 50. The marker is .4 miles on the South . Additionally we located 2 memorial stones approximately 1 mile further East next to a large adobe structure on the North side of N.M.50. Their inscriptions are as follows:

Stone 1-appears to be rose marble and is marred by what appears to be 6 or 7 bullet holes " In loyal memory of the Texan Mounted Volunteers Sibley's Brigade CSA who died in service Glorieta Pass March 28, 1862. Erected by the Texas Division United Daughter's of the Confederacy October 1, 1939".

Stone2- Appears to be sandstone and the text is weathering rapidly
"Colorado Volunteers at the Battles of Glorieta Pass March 26- 28, 1862
On this site and several miles to the Weat along the Santa Fe Trail, Colorado Volunteers and regular U.S. troops fought a confederate force from Texas in the battles of Glorieta Pass. Although no clear victor emerged after 2 days of fierce and bloody combat, a successful flank attack by the Coloradans against the enemy's supply wagons hidden in Apache Canyon destroyed the confederate ability to continue the campaign. The Texans retreated thus ending their threat to New Mexico and to the Union controlled gold fields. Erected by the people of Colorado in memory of the brave men who fought here."

There may be some additional information on this battlesite at the nearby Pecos National Historical Park which contains ruins of Pecos Pueblo and protects Pigeons and Kozlowski's ranches. This park is located a short distance (2 to 3 miles) further East from the above monuments on N.M. 50. Additionally there currently is an attempt to start a museum on Glorieta Pass.

Thanks (((Ted)))!!!

From: [email protected]
Friends: Can anyone here tell me more about the 118th infantry of Illinois? How and where in Illinois did they form, where did they train, and any personal stuff would be very helpful. I had a German immigrant relative in the out fit. Thanks. Phreyor...
P.S. I love reading your stuff! Keep up the good work!

"Phreyor" we'll see what the readers say!

From: [email protected]
I went to my favorite ghost web site and found out they were having a ghost conference on the Civil War. I thought I would share. <G> I wish I could go but that's the east coast and I am west coast.
http://www.ghostweb.com/2003conf.html
2003 Gettysburg Ghost Conference
Learning from the Past"

The Sixth Annual International Ghost Hunters Society Gettysburg Ghost Conference, hosted by Cofounders, Dr. Dave Oester & Dr. Sharon Gill, is scheduled for March 29 and 30th, 2003. This is the largest Civil War ghost conference held annually in the United States.

Visit the website for events, prices, etc.

=========================================

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 :)

10/10/02 - Our Monthly sessions of Letters, Songs and Poems of the Civil War

10/17/02 - OPEN CHAT

10/24/02 - Battle of Spotsylvania Court House May 12, 1864 by HOST GFS TEG

10/31/02 - OPEN CHAT

11/07/02 - OPEN CHAT

11/14/02 - Our Special Monthly session of Letters, Songs and Poems of the Civil War

11/21/02 - OPEN CHAT

11/28/02 - THANKSGIVING - This is a holiday for your Hosts so they can spend the day with their families, just as you will be doing. If after all the day's activities, you want to drop in, you might just find one or more of us there

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 20 Oct 2002

=========================================

What a fine time we had Thursday. We had OPEN CHAT, where folks asked all those unanswered questions they have re the Civil War, amd discussed their "favorite" aspects of the war.

Be sure to join us this week for HOST GFS TEG's story about "Spotsylvania" You won't want to miss it!!

=========================================

"Coming Events"

"Uncle Chuck's" 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.......

From the PA-CIVIL-WAR list:

Many Civil War reenactment groups do living history presentations of selected battles, meetings, social events and other activities in the 1860s. The 97th Reg't. Pa. Vol. Inf., a modern reenactment group, has chosen to rededicate the monument to the original 97th, which stands in Marshall Square Park, West Chester, PA. The event will occur on October 27th, 2002, at 2:00 pm, the 115th anniversary of the original event. The public is invited to attend this historic event.

The program follows the original one, which included music written for the occasion by Miss Nettie H. Livengood. According to Florence Williams, the event organizer, "the order of exercises" was found in the Chester County Historical Society files as recorded by the Daily Local News, October 19, 1887. Dennis Wales, the captain of the modern 97th Reg't. PVI will represent General Henry R. Guss, the founder of the regiment. Morris Farnum, Chaplin of the reenactment group will represent Rev. David W. Moore, the original Chaplin. William C. Kashatus, director of Public Programs, Chester County Historical Society will give the oration as Andrew G. Curtin, the "War Governor of Pennsylvania". Band music by Sousa of the 1887 era will be provided by the Coatesville High School Band lead by Victor Holloday. Permission has been granted to fire a salute as was done by the Griffin Battery, however, rifles rather than cannon, will be used.

An attempt has been made to represent the original figures of the time and their 21st century counterparts. These include military and political figures as well as service and civic organizations.

The public is invited to join us in this historic event at 2:00 pm at Marshall Square Park, West Chester, PA. Handicap parking will be available for a few cars in a nearby parking lot. Please contact Florence K. Williams (610-444-2972) for a parking card.

From: [email protected]

Civil War Along Cape Fear Waters
Date: Friday, October 25, 2002
Time: All Day

The North Carolina Civil War Tourism Council sponsors a conference entitled "The Civil War Along Cape Fear Waters" at the Coastline Convention Center in Wilmington NC. The cost of the conference is $135.

The conference begins on Friday, 25 October, with presentations by Beverly Tetterton of the New Hanover County Library, Steve Wise of the U.S. Marine Corps Museum, and Richard Lawrence of the NC Underwater Archaeology Unit. A reception and social will be held at the 1852 Latimer House with entertainment by the Carteret Grays.

Saturday, 26 October, includes a guided tour of Fort Fisher including small arms and artillery demonstrations by site staff. Dinner will include keynote address by Dr. Peter S. Carmichael, “Robert E. Lee’s Search for the Battle of Annihilation.”

Sunday, 27 October, features a guided tour of Fort Anderson with Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.

The convention center is located at 503 Nutt Street in Wilmington, NC. For further details or directions, please call (800) 617-7732

From: [email protected]
I went to my favorite ghost web site and found out they were having a ghost conference on the Civil War. I thought I would share. <G> I wish I could go but that's the east coast and I am west coast.

http://www.ghostweb.com/2003conf.html

2003 Gettysburg Ghost Conference
Learning from the Past"

The Sixth Annual International Ghost Hunters Society Gettysburg Ghost Conference, hosted by Cofounders, Dr. Dave Oester & Dr. Sharon Gill, is scheduled for March 29 and 30th, 2003. This is the largest Civil War ghost conference held annually in the United States.

Visit the website for events, prices, etc.

=========================================

=========================================

Did you know?

Recently, our friend, Ted Fisher took a trip and he has shared some of it with all of us. This is the second "installment" :-)

Fort Craig was one of the largest forts constructed in the West and it played a crucial part in Indian campaigns and the Civil War. Established in 1854, the primary function of the fort was to control Apache and Navajo raiding and to protect the central portion of the Camino Real (King's Highway), that stretched from northern Mexico to Taos, 70 miles north of Santa Fe. Military excursions from the fort pursued such notable Apache leaders as Gerinimo, Victorio, and Nana.

Extending 1050 feet east to west, and 600 feet north to south, Fort Craig consisted of 22 buildings of adobe and rock construction around four sides of a large parade ground. Major structures included the commanding officer's quarters, enlisted barracks, officer's quarters, warehouses, commissary, ordnance sheds, stables, hospital and sutler's store. An adobe wall enclosed the post, and a sally port, or gate, in the west wall provided the only entrance. Surrounding the fort outside wall was a defensive ditch, a feature unique in Southwestern frontier military posts. Fort Craig was designed for two companies, about 120 men, but it often was garrisoned by four.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Fort Craig remained a Union Army post manned by regular army troops. In 1862, Texan Cavalry troops under the command of Confederate General H.H. Sibley continued up the Rio Grande after capturing military installations to the south. Sibley, previously stationed at Fort Union (subject of my next article), near Las Vagas, New Mexico, had previously resigned his federal commission to follow his native state of Louisiana into the Confederate ranks.

Twelve hundred federal troops under Col. E.S. Canby had been concentrated at Fort Craig to await the Confederates behind new earthern fortifications bolstered by cannons. To augment this force, the U.S. Territorial Governor Henry Connelly had also raised a militia force, saying " Citizens of New Mexico, your Territory has been invaded, and the integrity of your soil has been attacked...and the enemy is already at your doors". When the militia forces, which included Col. Kit Carson's 1st New Mexico Cavalry arrived, Canby had nearly 4000 men. In fact, the fort was so crowded that many of the soldiers were forced to pitch tents outside the walls.

On the morning of February 21, 1862, Colonel Canby watched as Sibley's troops marched north on the opposite banks of the river. Sibley tried to lure the garrison into a battle, but Canby refused. This placed the Confederates in a quandary. They were not strong enough to assault Fort Craig, but the success of Sibley's campaign was dependent on the capture of Union supplies before continuing their march north. Eventually, the Confederates crossed the river at Valverde Crossing north of the fort in hopes of cutting off supply lines and luring Union troops into battle. On Feb 20, Canby sent troops to attack the enemy flank, but his militia panicked under fire. The next day Union forces again collided with the Confederates and the Battle of Valverde took place in the shadow of a long volcanic escarpment of Mesa de la Contadera, also known as Black Mesa.

The Confederate troops won the battle in a last ditch effort by taking Captain Alexander McCrae's battery and the poorly trained volunteers broke and ran. The militia did however destroy part of the Confederate supply train. Canby, having more to lose than Sibley, withdrew to the fort. Unable to take Ft Craig, the Confederates continued north, capturing Albuquerque and Santa Fe before their defeat at Glorieta Pass.

After the Civil War, troops stationed at the fort resumed their attempts to control Indian raiding. By the late 1870's, these efforts began to succeed and the surrounding valley prospered under military protection. The fort was temporarily closed from 1878 to 1880 and, because the fort's military function was no longer necessary, the fort was permanently abandoned in 1885. The fort passed into private hands before it was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management in 1981 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fort Craig Today

Fort Craig is located about 5 miles north and 5 miles east of Exit 115 on I-25 in New Mexico, about 125 miles north of Las Cruces or 35 miles south of Socorro. To reach the fort, you must also traverse about 5 miles of a gravel road. Unlike Fort Union which has a full National Park staff, Fort Craig has only a caretaker. Work at the site appears to have been stopped due to a lack of funds. There is a modern bathroom and paths to tour the heavily erroded adobe ruins are in place, as is a parking lot. You must self- tour and at the start you can obtain an 11x17 sheet repleat with map of the fort showing the building remnants. The earthen fortifications to repulse Sibley's army are still visable. There are metal sign holders strategically scattered along the paths, but none of them contain signs. An incomplete structure adjacent to the parking lot appears to be for a snack bar? The only signs warned you to stay on the paths to avoid rattlesnakes. The self tour takes 1-2 hours in duration and no other tourists showed up while we were there. A sign in book at a metal desk where we obtained the map of the fort indicated no sign- ins over the 2 days prior to our visit. Regarding fauna- we saw A rattlesnake, numerous Horney Toads and other lizards, so touring is not for the squemish. Fort Craig is in the middle of no- where and except for some electronic towers and the caretakers trailer and water truck there is no dwelling within the surrounding 20 miles. Bring your own water when visiting! Sure hope that work to save this site starts soon before it disappears, though due to it's remoteness other endangered sites must take priority.

Another note from [email protected]

Cemeteries at Forts Abandoned at the end of the Indian Wars

On my recent tours of Forts Craig and Union New Mexico, I was struck by the apparent lack of cemeteries at the sites. Was unable to find anyone to ask concerning Fort Craig, however did ask a National Park Ranger at Fort Union about Fort Union dead. Per my contact, the dead at Fort Union were moved to Fort Levenworth, Kansas when Fort Union was abandoned. Does anyone know if this was standard operating procedure by the Army at that time? Certainly a significant number of Civil War veterans who stayed in service after the Civil War could fall into this category, since so many forts were involved. There is a National cemetery in Santa Fe, 40 miles from Fort Union and it seems strange that the dead were moved to Fort Levenworth when a National cemetary was so close, unless it was not yet in existence. Perhaps Fort Bliss still in existence fell into the same category as Fort Levenworth regarding burials for those Forts along the Camino Real. Did find out that 30 Confederate dead buried at Glorieta were reintered at the National Cemetery at Santa Fe noted above. Perhaps this information will help someone persueing Civil War ancestors.

Ted Fisher

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

=========================================

THE HELP DESK
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 Resources 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!

=========================================

Websites we've received:
From: HOST GFS [email protected]

Making of America - a digital library
http://moa.umdl.umich.edu/moa_search.html

From: HOST GFS [email protected]

U. S. Newspaper Program
http://www.neh.gov/projects/usnp.html#NEW$20JERSEY

From: HOST GFS [email protected]

http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts/

Introduction reads:
My research interests fall into two main categories: mid-19th century U.S. history, particularly Southern women during the Civil War; and the history of Smith County, Texas, also focusing on the Civil War, particularly the Camp Ford POW facility near Tyler.

Reference Corner: Women in the Civil War

Women Soldiers of the Civil War, by DeAnne Blanton
('Prologue: A Quarterly Publication of the National Archives and Records Administration,' Spring 1993, Vol. 25, No. 1)
http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/spring_1993_women_in_the_civil_war_1.html

Civil War Women: Primary Sources on the Internet
(Duke University, Special Collections Library)
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/women/cwdocs.html

Women of the American Civil War
(American Civil War)
http://americancivilwar.com/women/women.html

Hearts at Home: Southern Women in the Civil War
(University of Virginia, Special Collections)
http://www.lib.virginia.edu/speccol/exhibits/hearts/

Illinois Women and the Civil War
(Illinois in the Civil War)
http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/women.html

Women in the Civil War: Five Nurses from St. Lawrence County
(Women of Courage)
http://www.northnet.org/stlawrenceaauw/nurses.htm

Women in the Civil War
(U.S. Civil War Center's Links)
http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/cwc/links/links7.htm#women

Conference on Women and the Civil War
http://womenandthecivilwar.org/

From: HOST GFS [email protected]

Cemeteries of the United States
http://www.interment.net/us/index.htm

=========================================

After many years of searching I have now found the grave of my husbands great grandfather and would like a picture of it if any one lives near the cemetery or visits it.
He was a Confederate Soldier from Franklin County Virginia
Paschal McGuire
Enlised 7/23/1861 at Camp Hicks,VA as a Private
On 7/23/1861 he mustered into "D" Va 58th Inf
He died of Diptheria 1/15/1862 at Monterey, Va. Hospital
Buried Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton, VA
Gravesite: 679

I would be grateful for a picture of his grave.
[email protected]

Onale.... here's one suggestion for you!!

From: Kashathree.. Kasha recommends get in touch with someone from Acts of Genealogical Kindness and goes on to say she got some first-class photos of my family plot in PA from someone from RAOGC. Only charged like $2.00 for cost of photos and mailing.

From: [email protected]

Friends: Can anyone here tell me more about the 118th infantry of Illinois? How and where in Illinois did they form, where did they train, and any personal stuff would be very helpful. I had a German immigrant relative in the out fit. Thanks. Phreyor...
P.S. I love reading your stuff! Keep up the good work!

"Phreyor" we'll see what the readers say!

An answer from IllinoisCW: The 118th Illinois was from Hancock, Adams, Henderson and Gallatin Counties in Illinois. (note from Jayne: He also has the training camp name and location but wasn't sure where it was right now.

NOTE: If anyone is doing Illinois Civil War research, you may email [email protected] and make sure that you tell him HOST GFS Jayne told you to write to him. He will give it priority and see what he can find for you.

From: [email protected]

Does anyone know if any of the wartime papers of Capt. W. T. Havens exists? Capt. Havens was a Captain of the 3rd Battalion, Mounted Rifles. CSA. (Kentucky)
Linda

"Linda" We'll put it in the newsletter and see if anyone is working this group...

=========================================

OUR WEEKLY READING
(these items are extracts from our Letters, Songs, and Poems evenings)
Get your singing voices out this week!!!!!!!

GOOBER PEAS
by A. Pindar

Sittin' by the roadside on a summer's day,
Chattin' with my messmates, passing time away,
Lying in the shadows, underneath the trees --
Goodness, how delicious, eating goober peas!

CHORUS:

Peas! Peas! Peas! Peas! Eating goober peas!
Goodness, how delicious, eating goober peas!

When a horseman passes, the soldiers have a rule
To cry out at their loudest "Mister, here's your mule!"
But still another pleasure enchantinger than these
Is wearing out your grinders, eating goober peas!

CHORUS

Just before the battle, the General hears a row;
He says "The Yanks are coming, I hear their rifles now"!
He turns around in wonder, and what do you think he sees?
The Georgia Militia, eating goober peas!

CHORUS

I think my song had lasted almost long enough!
The subject's interesting, but rhymes are mighty rough!
I wish this war was over, when free from rags and fleas,
We'd kiss our wives and sweethearts and goble goober peas!

CHORUS
=========================================

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]
Found the prices of goods during the civil war to be interesting- am assuming these prices reflect costs in the South, not the North. Am I wrong? Figured the costs were from the South because the increase each year appears to reflect the impact of the blockade on Southern daily life. Then again, if costs were from the North, increases could have been due to increased cost of living due to the large # of men in the armed services and cost of the war to the government.

((((Ted)))) as I wrote to you in email, I'm really not sure, it was listed in the Civil War Maillist and I found it quite interesting. There was a book reference as to where the info came from, but I haven't checked the info out.

From: [email protected]
I was absolutely shocked by the Cost of food and other items in the Weekly Fireside news letter for the years 1861 through 1865. How did these people survive? And we think we have it bad. I found it extremely interesting. Thank you for printing the information.

(((((Eleanor)))))) Yes, I was surprised too!!!!

From: [email protected]
The Capitol Brigade of the North Carolina Division Sons of Confederate Veterans is arranging a private showing of the new feature film "Gods and Generals" in Raleigh. The date for this private screening will be set in January.

"Gods and Generals" has been called the "Southern Braveheart." The hero of the movie is Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Robert E. Lee is portrayed by acclaimed actor Robert Duvall. To view this film in a theater full of fellow Confederates will be akin to the Atlanta opening of "Gone With The Wind."

To reserve a ticket, contact Burgwyn Camp Commander Thomas J. Smith Jr. at 2009 East Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610, by telephone at (919) 772-7786, or by e-mail at [email protected] and let him know how many tickets you want.

=========================================

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 :)

10/24/02 - Battle of Spotslvania Court House May 12, 1864 by HOST GFS TEG

10/31/02 - OPEN CHAT

11/07/02 - OPEN CHAT

11/14/02 - Our Special Monthly session of Letters, Songs and Poems of the Civil War

11/21/02 - OPEN CHAT

11/28/02 - THANKSGIVING - This is a holiday for your Hosts so they can spend the day with their families, just as you will be doing. If after all the day's activities, you want to drop in, you might just find one or more of us there

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 27 Oct 2002

=========================================

What a GREAT story we had Thursday night. Our thanks to HOST GFS TEG!!!

This coming Thursday is OPEN CHAT where you can bring all those unanswered questions about the Civil War. If we can't answer them, we'll find someone who can.

=========================================

"Coming Events"

"Uncle Chuck's" 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.......

From: [email protected]
I went to my favorite ghost web site and found out they were having a ghost conference on the Civil War. I thought I would share. <G> I wish I could go but that's the east coast and I am west coast.

http://www.ghostweb.com/2003conf.html

2003 Gettysburg Ghost Conference
Learning from the Past"

The Sixth Annual International Ghost Hunters Society Gettysburg Ghost Conference, hosted by Cofounders, Dr. Dave Oester & Dr. Sharon Gill, is scheduled for March 29 and 30th, 2003. This is the largest Civil War ghost conference held annually in the United States.

Visit the website for events, prices, etc.

=========================================

=========================================

Did you know?

Recently, our friend, Ted Fisher took a trip and he has shared some of it with all of us. This is the third "installment" :-)

Fort Union National Monument New Mexico- Visited 10/3/02
The following text is from a release of the National Park Service, except where I have expanded same to elaborate a point which the original author has made. My comments will appear in parentheses.

Defender of the Southwest

"Many ladies greatly dislike Fort Union. It has always been noted for severe dust storms. Situated on a barren plain, the nearest mountains....three miles distant, it has the most exposed position of any military fort in New Mexico....The hope of having any trees, or even a grassy parade ground, had been abandoned long before our residence there...Every eye is said to form its own beauty. Mine was disposed to see much in Fort Union, for I had a home there."
- Mrs Orsemus B. Boyd, 1894, recalling her residence at Fort Union in 1872

When New Mexico became U.S. territory after the Mexican War, the army established garrisons in towns scattered along the Rio Grande (everything in New Mexico occurs in close proximity to water) to protect the area's inhabitants and travel routes. The arrangement proved unsatisfactory for a number of reasons, and in April 1851 Lt. Col. Edwin V. Sumner, (later a well known Civil War General) commanding Military Department No. 9 including New Mexico was ordered to revise the whole system of defense for the entire territory. Among his first acts was to break up the scattered garrisons and relocate them in posts closer to the Indians. He also moved his headquarters and supply depot from Santa Fe, referring to the town as "that sink of vice and extravagance," to a site near the Mountain and Cimarron Branches of the Santa Fe Trail , where he established Fort Union. (The Santa Fe Trail began on the west bank of the Missouri River at Ft Leavenworth/ Independence thence to Ft Larned, Ft Dodge where it split into the 2 branches. The longer Mountain branch was safer, continuing west into Colorado, then turning south at Bent's Fort. The Cimarron branch was shorter but more dangerous because of infrequent waterholes and hostile Kiowas and Commanches. From 1821 until the coming of the railroad, the Santa Fe trail was the principal pathway to the Southwest).

The 1st Fort Union was begun in August 1851 and, for a decade, served as the base for military operations in the area and as a key station on the Santa Fe Trail, affording travelers a place to rest nearby and refit at the Post Sutler's Store before continuing their journey. It was to become the principal quartermaster depot of the southwest. (All supplies to the southwestern forts came by way of the trail and were either routed through Fort Union to the requisitioning fort or stored at Fort Union pending the receipt of future requisitions.)

During the 1850's, dragoons and mounted riflemen from the fort campaigned against several Indian tribes living in or around the southern Rocky Mountains that were disrupting traffic on the Santa Fe Trail. One of the earliest campaigns was directed against the Jicarilla Apaches who, in the spring of 1854, surprised and nearly wiped out a company of dragoons. The Apaches were driven into the mountains west of the Rio Grande and routed. Military operations were also conducted against the Utes of southern Colorado in 1855 and against the Kiowas and Commanches raiding the plains east of the fort in 1860-61.

When the Civil War erupted in April 1861, most of the regular troops were withdrawn from Fort Union and other frontier posts and were replaced by volunteer regiments. (Numerous officers joined the South, including Major Sibley of Fort Union. Sibley would become a Confederate general and lead his Texas Brigade up the Rio Grande valley. Fort Union, with it's supplies was considered a major stepping stone toward capturing the riches of Colorado.) Five regiments of New Mexico volunteers were raised, assembled, organized and trained at Fort Union. Anticipating a Confederate invasion of New Mexico, Col Edward R.S. Canby, charged with the territory's defense, concentrated troops at Fort Craig on the Rio Grande and sent soldiers from Fort Union to patrol the Santa Fe trail, now the main artery of supply for Federal forces. He also ordered construction of the second Fort Union, a star- shaped earthen fortification, to strengthen defenses. (The major reason for building a second fort was that the 1851 fort was too close to high ground which if occupied by enemy artillery could be used for plunging fire into the fort while the forts artillery could not be elevated high enough to return fire. The volunteers were assigned the fort building task and 3 shifts worked 24 hours a day to complete the work before the Texans reached Fort Union. In February, 1862 all 5 N.M. volunteer regiments would be sent to Fort Craig where they participated in the Battle of Valverde.)

The second fort never saw the action for which it was designed. The Confederate invasion was halted and turned back in March 1862 by a force of Colorado and New Mexico Volunteers and US regulars from Fort Union at the Battle of Glorieta Pass. about 20 miles southeast of Santa Fe. The Confederates withdrew to Texas, effectively ending Civil War activity in the southwest, and the second Fort Union was soon thereafter abandoned. (Soon after building, its parapets eroded into the ditch, the unbarked pine-log barracks rotted and became nesting places for insects, and the rooms were damp, unventilated, and consequently unhealthy. Most of the troops refused to live within it's confines and tented outside the fort.)

In 1863, with New Mexico securely in Federal hands, the new departmental commander, Brig. Gen. James H. Carleton, began construction on the third and final Fort Union. This installation which took 6 years to complete, was the most extensive in the territory. It included not only a military post, with all its attendant structures, but a separate quartermaster depot with warehouses, corrals, shops, offices, and quarters. The supply function overshadowed that of the military and employed far more men, mostly civilians. An ordnance depot was erected on the site of the first fort, and a hospital considered the finest in the Southwest erected. Soldiers and dependents received free care. Civilians were charged .50/ day for board.

Throughout the 1860s and the 1870s troops from Fort Union continued to participate in operations against hostile indians who, during the disruptive Civil War years, had stepped up the pace of raiding. Several relentless campaigns against Apaches, Navajos, Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Kiowas, and Commanches finally brought peace to the southern plains in the spring of 1875. Though Fort Union's involvement in the Indian Wars came to an end, the supply depot continued to flourish until 1879, when the Santa Fe Railroad replaced the Santa Fe trail as the principal avenue of commerce. By 1891 the fort had outlived its usefulness and was abandoned until 1954 when the Fort Union National Monument was established.

Fort Union Today

The site is 8 miles north of I- 25, at the end of N. Mex 161. Watrous, N Mex is 1/2 mile south of the intersection of these two highways. The nearest large community is Las Vegas N. Mex, 26 miles south. Access to the fort is via a paved road into a paved parking lot. There is a modern visitors center staffed by what appeared to be a sufficient number of personnel. A self-guided trail leads through the impressive ruins and to the remains of the second fort erected during the Civil War. Across the valley to the west, the ruins of the ordnance depot are visible on the first fort site. The trail is clear and spotted along it are signs which include buttons to hear taped messages about what you are viewing. 2 or 3 tapes were not working. The park service has not restored the buildings but instead tries to keep them as they were when the National Monument was taken over in 1954. Part of their maintenance is a study on Understanding the deterioration of adobe walls. The self tour takes about 2 and 1/2 hours and you are warned to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes. Should you encounter one, retreat slowly and report the sighting to a park ranger. The outlines of the star fort and the ruts of the Santa Fe Trail are clearly visible.

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

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Websites we've received:

From: George Contant, Commander, Gen. Alfred T. A. Torbert Camp, Sons of Union Veterans Historic Site Manager - Fort Delaware State Park

Fort Delaware
http://www.destateparks.com/fdsp/fdsp.htm

Delaware in the Civil War
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/33dny/torbert.htm

Delaware's United States Colored Troops
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/33dny/friends.htm

Soldiers in the Attic
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/33dny/soldiersintheattic.htm

Western NY in the Civil War
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/33dny/index.htm

From: HOST GFS [email protected]

http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts/

Reference Corner: Women in the Civil War

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Cannot find your ancestor's military information and you know he was eligible for military duty in the Civil War? Yet you cannot find any information about him on any of the muster rolls and there is no indication of where any records for this ancestor may be. Remember, many men were rejected from Civil War service because of illness or injury. Medical records of drafted and rejected men are at the National Archives, group record #110. They are arranged by Congressional District as of 1863. Data may include residence, occupation, age, place of birth, physical characteristics or reasons for rejection.

NOTE: If anyone is doing Illinois Civil War research, you may email [email protected] and make sure that you tell him HOST GFS Jayne told you to write to him. He will give it priority and see what he can find for you.

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OUR WEEKLY READING
(these items are extracts from our Letters, Songs, and Poems evenings)
In "honor" of Halloween, I thought I'd include one of the many Ghost stories we have read into the room.. I hope you enjoy <grin>

THE BEAT OF A DISTANT DRUMMER
From HOST GFS TEG
The battle of Gettysburg on July 3,1863, became known as The High Water Mark of the Confederacy. At 1:00 in the afternoon, General Lee, in an attempt to crush General Meade's troops, chose to attack dead center into the Union forces, then on Cemetery Ridge. Trying to break the Union battle lines, Lee instructed his massed artillery to open fire on the unsuspecting men, sending a barrage of deadly shells into their foes.

To this, the union soldiers answered with their own lethal volley in a punishing manner. The exchange of artillery fire continued for some time. However, because of the limited vision caused by the powder darkened skies, Lee's attempt to soften the Union lines was mostly inconsequential. When the guns ceased, General Lee instructed General Longstreet to begin the mass assault on the Union position.

The famed General George Pickett was directed to send his 15,000 Confederates into the center of the Union Line in a desperate attempt to break, and ultimately win the three day battle. The men marched a mile across the field, each step of the way being bombarded with shot and shell, and when within range, fired upon by volleys of musketry. With dead and wounded rapidly littering the field, the men desperately fought their way forward. The effort was in vain, for only a few could reach the Union line before being driven back. In about an hour it was all but over, there on the bloodstained field were 10,000 casualties. After Pickett's charged failed, the battle was over and for Meade, a decisive victory.

For many reenactors, walking Pickett's Charge is an honor and done in memory of those who died in that futile attempt more than a hundred and thirty years ago. Each person has his or her own reason, but for Mike and Dan, they wanted to experience what it felt like just to walk that same battlefield. However, they would ' experience' more than just a feeling.

On a cool day, Mike and Dan decided it would be a good time to walk the field, and after an early breakfast, drove to the Virginia monument. The sun had just begun to rise and the battlefield was void of any people, perfect for contemplating on the war dead, as they would walk. As Mike and Dan started their stroll, they tried to imagine what was going through the minds of the thousands of Confederates as they face sure devastation. As hard as they tried, they could not come close to the frightful sight witnessed by the soldiers under Pickett's command.

Slowly continuing across the field, they stopped about a third of the way when both said it seemed as if an energy was all around them. They looked around and still were the only people on the desolate field. Mike and Dan heard of people experiencing a certain unexplainable " feeling", yet until then had never personally had it happen to them. Unsure of what was happening, they continued walking, trying to understand the unknown source of energy. When about half way across Pickett's Charge, Dan stopped again, turned to Mike and said, " Listen do you hear that? " Listening intently, he heard nothing until a few steps later, then he heard it too. They could hear the faint beating of a drum, the same beat heard as troops march. Thinking it strange, they concluded other reenactors must have been some where close by, also visiting the battlefield in the early morning hour.

They again looked around as before, not a soul was within their sight. Not overly concerned, Mike and Dan resumed their walk, only to be stopped again by the sound of drums, this time louder. Now troubled by the unexplained event, they came up with several possibilities trying to ease their minds. Satisfied that the sound was coming from a distance and carried to them, they started walking. Just when they thought they had the logical answer, the drumming started again, louder than before. Thinking other reenactors playing their drums were getting closer, they could not understand why they could not see them yet. The drumbeats continued to get louder, just as if the drummers were approaching Mike and Dan, still, they could see nobody. By now, the mysterious beating of drums baffled the two men. As they stood as still as statues, they heard the drums increase in volume to such an extent, they believed the sound to be coming from a few feet away! They did not speak or move as the phantom drumbeats continued, apparently moving in the direction of the Union side. Mike and Dan stood there, nervous and trembling, hearing the drum beats passby, then the sound continually diminished until finally they could no longer hear it.

After the initial shock of the unexplained event, Mike and Dan are forever convinced that they had witnessed first hand a supernatural event.

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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...

A Note From HOST GFS [email protected]

I know you all know I have a website, (http://www.bitsofblueandgray.com) and on that site, I've been adding the Delaware Roster of Civil War Soldiers. I had asked folks if they have DE CW soldier ancestors, and knew where they are buried, to send me the info and I would put it on my website. A couple of weeks ago an angel was sent.. I received two rolls of film in our snail mail from [email protected]. On those films were pictures of the tombstones for all the Delaware Civil War soldiers buried at Andersonville National Cemetery. Kevin had also sent me a list of the soldiers complete with Rank, Regiment, Company, date of death, cause of death and the grave number.

If YOU have a Civil War Ancestor, Kevin 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 13,000 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.

The sources for the research is:
There are 2 online databases to do lookups.....One by name...one by Company and Regiment. He also has a copy of the Dorence Atwater Death list which has the names and grave numbers of 12,960 graves with only 460 marked as " UNKNOWN " This along with a CD he has that contains 34,000 names of the 45,000 who were imprisoned there which helps him find prisoner records because of misspellings of the names or alternate names. He also has the contined update database which is dated July 19 2002 . Kevin visits the prison site every couple of weeks and has access to the onsite databases as well as the physical files.

Visit Kevin's site at:
http://www.angelfire.com/ga3/ANDERSONVILLE/PRISON.html

From: [email protected]

The Capitol Brigade of the North Carolina Division Sons of Confederate Veterans is arranging a private showing of the new feature film "Gods and Generals" in Raleigh. The date for this private screening will be set in January.

"Gods and Generals" has been called the "Southern Braveheart." The hero of the movie is Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Robert E. Lee is portrayed by acclaimed actor Robert Duvall. To view this film in a theater full of fellow Confederates will be akin to the Atlanta opening of "Gone With The Wind."

To reserve a ticket, contact Burgwyn Camp Commander Thomas J. Smith Jr. at 2009 East Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610, by telephone at (919) 772-7786, or by e-mail at [email protected] and let him know how many tickets you want.

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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).

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 :)

10/31/02 - OPEN CHAT - come sit around the fireside and see if maybe there just might be a ghost story or two.

11/07/02 - OPEN CHAT

11/14/02 - Our Special Monthly session of Letters, Songs and Poems of the Civil War

11/21/02 - OPEN CHAT

11/28/02 - THANKSGIVING - This is a holiday for your Hosts so they can spend the day with their families, just as you will be doing. If after all the day's activities, you want to drop in, you might just find one or more of us there.

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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