October 2003 Weekly Firesides

October 2003 Weekly Firesides

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye

"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending October 05, 2003

NOTE: If you do not wish to receive the Weekly Fireside, PLEASE send email to HOST FMLY Jayne AND HOST FMLY Bill saying "UNSUBSCRIBE" and we 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 us email with subscribe in the subject line.

NOTE FROM Jayne:
This is our long awaited FIRST Weekly Fireside since our transition to the Parenting/Genealogy Community!!!! We hope you're as glad to receive it as we are sending it. They have provided us with a wonderful place to have our weekly Civil War History chats. Please join us. This week is our special Songs, Letters and Poems. If you have any letters from your ancestor you'd like to share, please send it to to me or HOST FMLY Bill and we'll "read" it for you.

Last week we did a little bit of everything last week... questions, a poem (below) and some trivia questions from HOST FMLY Bill's stash. ;)

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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 US... 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 something on Thurs night, you can catch it on FRIDAY nights!!

You can visit the other Genealogy chats scheduled by going to KEYWORD: Parenting Chats > scroll down to Genealogy and click. Be sure to read the Genealogy and History (scroll down to War Between the States) message boards at Genealogy Community

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"THE BOOK SHELF"
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If you have read a great Civil War book you think others should read, send the title, author and a Review of it to either HOST FMLY Jayne and/or HOST FMLY Bill.

Lincoln, Religion, and Romantic Cultural Politics
by Winger, Stewart

Publisher: Northern Illinois University Press

The book tells of Lincoln's concern for the moral tone of the United States. It tells of his beliefs regarding raising standards of living, social mobility and humanitarian causes. Mr. Winger tells of Lincoln's political vision. There are references to Lincoln's fondness of Shakespeare and historian George Bancroft.

For the Review by Bishop, Michael F. go to http://www.cwbr.com/

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--------OUR WEEKLY READING--------
(these items are from our Letters, Songs,
and Poems nights)
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The following was shared with us by DASHJUST:
This is a letter from our ancestor, Capt Harbert King, Jr. of Crab Orchard KY to his neighbor Capt Singleton. Please note that a year later Harb and his two young sons and Singelton's boy were hanged by the retreating Confederate Army after the Battle of Perryville KY

Camp Dick Robinson Kentucky Oct 16, 1861

Capt Isaac Singelton

My Dear Sir

I received yours of yesterday. Glad to hear all was well. I would say to you I am well but my men have a good deal of measles yet. but are on the mend generally. John Minks and Jas Gentry died in Lexington and Jesse Lawman very sick. I got back from Lexington Monday night and have just started Isaac Holmes over to attend our sick.

I am sorry to say I have no need to spare you as I have so many sick but hope and trust the spirit of our Fathers is not so degenerated as not to leave the love of liberty in our bosoms. Yes, enough come to the rescue of our country.

I am at my post and will there remain until the day of our liberty (shall) crush out all traitors God being my helper.

Please send this to dear Parie (note: Harbert's wife)
My regards to all. H King Capt 1st KY Volunteers

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DID YOU KNOW?
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The following was information received on the PA-Civil-War mail list re Libby Prison

A list of names of escapees from Libby Prison

Adams, Wesley R., Captain, 89th Ohio Infantry, Company K
Bassett, Mark M. 1st Lieutenant 53rd Illinois Infantry, Company E.
Beadle, Marcus, 1st Lieutenant, 123rd New York Infantry, Company I
Bennett, Frank T., 2nd Lieutenant 18th U.S. Regulars, Company F
Boyd, Joseph Fulton, Lieutenant Colonel, 20th Army Corps
Boyd, Matthew, Captain 73rd Indiana Infantry, Company B
Bradford, Robert Y., 1st Lieutenant, 2nd West Tennessee Cavalry, Company B
Brown, James P., 2nd Lieutenant 15th US Infantry, Company F
Caldwell, David S., Captain, 123 Ohio Infantry, Company H
Chamberlain, Henry B. Captain, 97th New York Infantry, Company I
Clark, Terrence, Captain, 79th Illinois Infantry, Company A
Collins, Joseph P. Major, 29th Indiana Infantry
Crawford, Henry B, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Illinois Cavalry, Company M
Cummings, Thomas, Captain, 19th US Infantry, Company A
Daily, William A. 1st Lieutenant, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company H
Davis, George C. Captain 4th Maine Infantry, Company F
Day, Robert H., Captain, 56th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company D
Earle, Charles W. 2nd Lieutenant, 96th Illinois Infantry, Company C
Edmonds, Charles L., 1st Lieutenant, 67th Pennsylvania, Company D
Ely, William Grosvenor, Colonel, 18th Connecticut Infantry
Fales, James M., 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, Company D
Fisher, Benjamin Franklin, Major, US Signal Corps
Fislar, John C., 1st Lieutenant, Indiana Light Artillery, 7th Battery
Fitzsimmons, George W., Major, 30th Indiana Infantry
Flansburg, David S., Captain, 4th Indiana Independent Battery, Light artillery
Foster, Eli, 2nd Lieutenant, 30th Indiana Infantry, Company G
Gageby, James H., 2nd Lieutenant 19th US infantry, Company A
Gallagher, John, Captain, 2nd Ohio Infantry, Company B
Gallagher, Michael, Captain, 2nd New Jersey Cavalry, Company H
Gamble, Samuel, 1st Lieutenant, 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company D
Garbet, David, 2nd Lieutenant, 77 Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G.
Gates, Junius, Captain, 33rd Ohio Infantry, Company K
Gay, Freeman C., 2nd Lieutenant, 11th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K
Good, George S, 1st Lieutenant 84th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I
Greble, Charles E, 1st Lieutenant 8th Michigan Cavalry, Company E
Hagler, Jacob S., Captain 5th Tennessee Infantry, Company F
Hamilton, Andrew G., Captain 12th Kentucky Cavalry, Company A
Handy, Thomas, Captain, 79th Illinois Infantry, Company F
Harris, David H. 2nd Lieutenent, 3rd Ohio Infantry, Company E
Hatfield, John D, 1st Lieutenant, 53rd Illinois Infantry, Company H
Hauf, Adam, 1st Lieutenant 45th New York Infantry, Company H
Hayes, Edwin L., Lieutenant Coloney, 100th Ohio Infantry
Henry, John, Major 5th Ohio Cavalry
Higby, Edgar J., 2nd Lieutenenat, 33rd Ohio Infantry, Company C
Hinds, Henry H., 1st Lieutenant, 57th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A
Hobart, Harrison C., Lieutenant Colonel, 21st Wisconsin Infantry
Hooper, J. Harris, Major, 15th Massachusetts Infantry
Irsch, Francis, Captain 45th New York Infantry, Company D
Johnson, Isaac, Engineer, USS Satellite
Johnston, I.N. Captain, 6th Kentucky Infantry, Company H
Jones, David, Captain, 1st Kentucky Infantry, Company D
Kendrick, W.P., Colonel, 3rd West Tennessee Cavalry
Lucas, John, Captain 5th Kentucky Infantry, company F
McCreery, Willilam B., Colonel, 21st Michigan Infantry
McDonald, Bedan, G, Major, 101st Ohio Infantry
McKean, Nineoch, 1st Lieutenant, 21st Illinois Infantry, Company H
Miles, David, Lieutenant Colonel, 79th Pennsylvania Infantry
Moore, McCaslin, Captain 29th Indiana Infantry, Company D
Moores, Archibald, 1st Lieutenant, 4th Kentucky Mounted Infantry, Company E
Moran, Frank, 2nd Lieutenant, 73rd New York Infantry, Company H
Morgan, Charles H, 1st Lieutenant Colonel, 84th Illinois Infantry
Mull, Daniel H., Captain, 73rd Indiana Infantry, Company A
Phelps, Ithamer D, Captain 73rd Indiana Infantry, Company K
Pierce, William P., Captain, 11th Kentucky Cavalry, Company A
Randall, Willima S.B., Captain 2nd Ohio Infantry, Company C
Randolph, Wallace, F., 1st Lieutenant, 5th US Artillery, Battery L
Ray, Thomas J, 1st Lieutenant, 49th Ohio Infantry, Company K
Reynolds, William, 1st Lieutenant, 73rd Indiana Infantry, Company K
Rogers, Andrew F., Lieutenant Colonel, 80th Illinois Infantry
Rose, Gottlieb C., Captain, 4th Missouri Cavalry, Company C
Rose, Thomas Ellwood, Colonel, 77th Pennsylvania Infantry
Rossman, William C., Captain, 3rd Ohio Infantry, Company F
Rowan, Charles E., Captain, 96th Illinois Infantry, Company F
Scearce, William W., Captain, 51st Indiana Infantry, Company K
Schroeders, Edgar, 2nd Lieutenant, 74th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company E
Schroedter, Hugo, 2nd Lieutenant, 82nd Illinois Infantry, Company F
Scott, Edward S., 2nd Lieutenant, 89th Ohio Infantry, Company G
Scudmore, Godwin, 1st Lieutenant, 80th Illinois Infantry, Company A
Seely, Horace B., 2nd Lieutenant, 86th New Youk Infantry, Company K
Simpson, John D, 1st Lieutenant, 10th Indiana Infantry, Company H
Small, Melville R., 1st Lieutenant, 6th Maryland Infantry, Company H
Smith, Edmond L, Captain 19th US Infantry, Company G
Spofford, John P., Lieutenant Colonel, 97th New Youk Infantry
Starr, George H., Captain, 104th New York Infantry, Company D
Sterling, John, 1st Lieutenant, 30th Indiana Infantry, Company A.
Streight, Abel D., Colonel, 51st Indiana Infantry
Southerland, Lewis, 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant, 126th Ohio Infantry
Thomas, John W., 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant, 2nd Ohio Infantry
Tilden, Charles W., Colonel, 16th Main Infantry
Tower, Morton, 1st Lieutenant, 13th Massachusetts Infantry, Company B
Urquhart, Samuel A, Captain, C.S, 6th Corps
Von Mitzel, Alexander T. Major, 74th Pennsylvania Infantry
Walker, Ivan, T., Major, 73rd Indiana Infantry
Wallace, Robert P., 2nd Ldieutenant, 120th Ohio Infantry, Company E
Wallber, Albert, 1st Lieutenant, 26th Wisconsin Infantry, Company !
Wallick, William, Captain, 51st Indiana Infantry, Company G
Wasson, John, 2nd Lieutenant, 40th Ohio Infantry, Company G
Watson, William L, 1st Lieutenant, 21st Wisconsin Infantry, Company G.
Wells, James M, 2nd Lieutenant, 8th Michigan Cavalry, Company F
West, Theodore S., Lieutenant Colonel, 24th Wisconsin Infantry
White, Albert Benton, 1st Lieutenant, 4th Pennsylvania Cvalry, Company F
White, Plympton, 2nd Lieutenant, 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company D
Wilcos, W.H.H, 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant, 10th New York Infantry
Wilkins, James E., Captain 112th Illinois Infantry, Company I
Williams, Leander, 2nd Leiutenant, 73rd Indiana Infantry, Company K
Williams, William A, 2nd Lieutenant, 123rd Ohio Infantry, Company H

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THE HELP DESK
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Do you have a question that didn't get answered in the chatroom??
Send us and email and we'll post it here to see if
some of our readers can help you.
On the other hand, if you can answer any of the questions below, please do so. You may send the person asking the question an email, but please CC me, HOST FMLY Jayne and HOST FMLY Bill the answer also, so we can post it here for

JudyKCski asked "Does anyone have any idea how long it took for pension payments to begin after an application was approved?"

Kitchenboy1 asked "A lot from MO were executed after the war, why?"

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Weekly Web Sites we've received
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from Bitsobluengray
Civil War Prisoners-Libby Prison
(http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/9362/prison.html)

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
(http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/)

Civil War Site Collection
(http://www.genealogyforum.rootsweb.com/gfaol/resource/Military/cwsites.htm)

National Cemetery Administration Records Verification Project
(http://www.interment.net/column/records/nca/index.htm)

* * * * *

from Cyndislist of new websites
URL:     http://www.civilwarsearch.com/
TITLE:     Civil War Search.
DESCRIPTION:     A Civil War search directory currently including around
1,400 indexed links.

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A BIT OF COMMUNITY... MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS!!
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The following people have, very generously offered to do look-ups for folks. Please don't ask them to do all your work for you, but they are willing to give you information with which you will be able to proceed on with your research.

If anyone is doing Illinois Civil War research, you may email [email protected] and make sure that he knows 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/[email protected] 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 32000 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. [email protected]

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"THE TOWN CRIER"
Civil War Calendar!!
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USCWC - Index of Civil War Information available on the Internet
http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/cwc/events.htm

The Civil War Reenactor's Headquarters for Civil War Reenactment Battle Schedules, Sutlers, and Information
http://www.sutler.net/eventlist.asp

If you know of a reenactment or living history in your area, please send it to us for the Civil War Calendar

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Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Time:
Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Genealogy Room
Every Friday Night at 10 PM ET in the Genealogy Room
with hosts HOST FMLY Jayne, HOST FMLY Bill and our many faithful friends :)

October 9 & 10, 2003 - Our special songs, letters and poems nights where we share letters written by ancestors of all of you during the war. We ,/' ,/' sing songs ,/' ,/' of the times and we read poems written during that time also.

October 16 & 17, 2003 - OPEN CHAT - bring all those questions you have and I'm sure someone will be able to answer them for you. If there isn't an immediate answer, someone will find it.

October 23 & 24, 2003 - To be announced

October 30 & 31, 2003 - To be announced

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye

"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending October 19, 2003

NOTE: If you do not wish to receive the Weekly Fireside, PLEASE send email to HOST FMLY Jayne AND HOST FMLY Bill saying "UNSUBSCRIBE" and we 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 us email with subscribe in the subject line.

We want to thank those who have been joining us Thurday and Friday nights. We've seen some new faces which is always nice, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you again. Friday night we had some trivia questions, which is always fun. This week we'll be telling you all the story of The 20 Days from the Wilderness to Petersburg 1864 by our old friend Jimmy Walker.

If there is something you would like to see us do in our Civil War History rooms, please let us know.

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

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 US... 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 something on Thurs night, you can catch it on FRIDAY nights!!

You can visit the other Genealogy chats by going to KEYWORD: Parenting Chats > scroll down and click on one of the Genealogy Chat folders . During the week, be sure to visit and post on our War Between the States Message board.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< NEW !!!!! NEW !!!!! NEW >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Trace Your Civil War Ancestors chat
8-9 PM ET Thursday night, in the Ancestral Digs room,
you might want to Join HOST FMLY Wolfrd for his

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

If you have read a great Civil War book you think others should read, send the title, author and a Review of it to either HOST FMLY Jayne and/or HOST FMLY Bill.

CHARLESTON
written by
John Jakes

       John Jakes, author of NORTH AND SOUTH, is considered by many to be America's greatest writer of historical fiction.   His novel, CHARLESTON, spans an era that begins with the American Revolution and ends with the rise and fall of the Confederacy after the Civil War. As Publisher's Weekly notes in the Preface, "A dark tapestry of betrayal, revenge, and murder. . . .   Fans of Jakes's earlier hits should find plenty of drama and antebellum flavor in this lusty epic."
     Charleston was originally called Charles Town, after King Charles of England, and its residents to this day quite seriously claim that the Cooper and Ashley Rivers emptied into Charleston Harbor and formed the Atlantic Ocean.
     The reader will soon find him/herself part of the Charleston scene, living among the loyalists and the patriots, observing the life and manners of high society (with their status dependent upon their pedigree), as well as the appalling treatment of the slaves and lower classes--black as well as white. The characters seem real, and for anyone who has visited this charming City, the description of the areas along the Battery will be quite familiar: the three-story homes (deep rather than wide) with their Widow Walks, and the front doors placed in a side verandah to catch the breezes off of Charleston Harbor--each home with its carefully tended garden.
     Jakes describes the lives, loves, and fortunes of the Bell family through the turbulent antebellum years to the savage defeat of the Confederacy, and in doing so, he paints a powerful portrait of Charleston's aristocracy who so zealously guarded their wealth and privilege while harboring dark family secrets that threatened to destroy them all.
     To his credit, Jakes takes no sides in this fascinating tale, but presents historical facts in a way that allows the reader to make personal conclusions as to how and why the Civil War started in South Carolina, in the harbor of Charleston Bay. And, I might add as a personal observation, why the hatred of northerners and the bitterness at losing the war still remains 140 years later.
     I recommend this novel most enthusiastically.

Barbara Paris

* * * * *

Thanks Barb!!! Your review is very much appreciated.

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

This is an obituary from the Philadelphia Inquirer dated Tuesday, 7 February 1865.

"0TTEY-killed at the storming of Ft Fisher, 15 Jan., Corporal Richard Ottey of Co. K. 203 PV, in the 49th yr. of his age.

A light is from our household gone
The voice we loved is still
A place is vacant at our hearth
Which never can be filled.

They fought like brave men, long and well
They plied that ground with Rebel slain
They conquered, but our father fell
Bleeding at every vein.

The tumult of war will wake him no more
He is deaf to the cannon's loud rattle;
Emblazon his name on the banner of fame
For the hero has fought his last battle.

For the Union he fought, for the Union he fell
With the foe of his country before him.
Let the nation remember his valor with pride
And the Star Spangled Banner wave o'er him.

Should the body be recovered, due notice of funeral will be given."

Just an aside, his body was recovered and the funeral took place a month later. Richard Ottey was my great-great grandfather.

Jan Dyer

NOTE from Jayne. Richard Ottey was my 5th Great Grand Uncle.

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DID YOU KNOW?
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Note from Jayne: I'm going to leave this in this week again as we still have almost two weeks to vote!!!! HINT!! HINT!!!

Fort Delaware is one of THREE finalists for this year's prestigious Smithsonian Magazine/Tourism Conservation Foundation SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD!

The three nominees in the historic and cultural preservation category were chosen from entries around the world. The winning organization receives a $20,000 Award from Smithsonia Magazine and the Tourism Conservation Foundation. Now it is up to the PEOPLE to decide who will be the WINNER.

Voting ends October 31st, 2003 and you can cast your vote NOW on the web at:
www.sustainabletourismawards.com

VOTE FOR FORT DELAWARE!!!!!!

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

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

from HOST FMLY Jayne
PA State Archives - The Archives Records Information Access System
(http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive.asp)

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from Bitsobluengray
The Salisbury NC Confederate Civil War Prison & National Cemetery
(http://www.http://www.gorowan.com/salisburyprison/)

Zazzle.com - Civil War Poster Gallery
(http://www.zazzle.com/collections/products/gallery/browse_results.asp?cid=238185983184672008&general_product_type=228)

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from the CW-POW maillist
A Melancholy Affair at the Weldon Railroad - David Faris Cross
(http://www.weldonrailroad.com/)

Vermont in the Civil War - Lest We Forget
(http://vermontcivilwar.org/index.shtml)

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from SearchInOhio
Morgan’s travels not over: Monument to move to new home
(http://www.morningjournalnews.com/story.asp?ID=17144)

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from An Madra Rua
American Soldier Timeline
(http://www.americansoldiertimeline.org/)

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

* * * * *

If YOU have a Civil War Ancestor, Kevin/[email protected] 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 32000 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. [email protected]

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"THE TOWN CRIER"
Civil War Calendar!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
(http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/cwc/events.htm)

October 23 - 25      Siege of Charleston James and Morris Islands: a Military Staff Ride will take place in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information, contact the Blue and Gray Education Society at 1-888-741-2437 or email
[email protected]

October 23-26      Stonewall Jackson and VMI in Shenandoah Valley. This extended weekend will take place in Mclean, VA For more infomation, call 703-356-8339 or email [email protected]

October 25 7:30-10 p.m     Ghosts of the Civil War at the Mansfield State Historic Site in Mansfield, LA. For more information, call 1-888-677-6267 toll free or 318-872-1474 locally

November 2 1-3 pm    Firepower! Will take place at the Port Hudson State Historic Site in Zachary, LA. From cannon blast to small arms fire, visitors will see demonstrations of weapons used during the Civil War. Call 1-888-677-3400 toll free or 225-654-3775 locally.

November 2 3:30 pm      Come Bite the Bullet at the Centenary State Historic Site in Jackson, LA. Visitors can enjoy a demonstration of the surgical methods and instruments used during the Civil War. Call 1-888-677-2364 toll free or 225-634-7925 locally.

November 6,13,20 11am-2pm      Come watch Historic Cooking Demonstrations at the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site in St. Francisville, LA. Visitors are invited to a demonstration of 19th century open hearth cooking using appropriate 19th century recipes and reproduction equipment. For more information, call 1-888-376-1867 toll free or 225-635-3332 locally.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Time:
Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Genealogy Room
Every Friday Night at 10 PM ET in the Genealogy Room
with hosts HOST FMLY Jayne, HOST FMLY Bill and our many faithful friends :)

October 23 & 24, 2003 - The 20 Days from the Wilderness to Petersburg 1864

October 30 & 31, 2003 - TRiVIA - bring your trivia questions too... I won't say to stump the HOSTS because that would be too easy to do ;)

November 6 & 7, 2003 - OPEN CHAT

November 13 & 14, 2003 - Our Special Songs, letters and poems night. If you have any one of the three things you'd like to share with the room, please feel free to send them to HOST FMLY Bill or HOST FMLY Jayne.

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye

"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending October 26, 2003

NOTE: If you do not wish to receive the Weekly Fireside, PLEASE send email to HOST FMLY Jayne AND HOST FMLY Bill saying "UNSUBSCRIBE" and we 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 us email with subscribe in the subject line.

I hope you were able to join us this past week to hear the story of the 20 Days from the Wilderness to Petersburg. It's really good to see so many familiar faces once again in the Civil War History rooms. This coming week we're going to have so Trivia question along with OPEN CHAT, so bring your questions... either Trivia, about the war or about your ancestor. We can't guarantee immediate answers, but most of the time there is someone hanging around that can. Hope to see you there next Thursday, 11 PM ET or Friday 10 PM ET in the Ancestral Digs room.

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

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 US... 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 something on Thurs night, you can catch it on FRIDAY nights!!

You can visit the other Genealogy chats by going to KEYWORD: Parenting Chats > scroll down to Genealogy and click. Be sure to read the Genealogy and History (scroll down to War Between the States) message boards at Genealogy Community

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< NEW !!!!! NEW !!!!! NEW >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Also on Thursday night, you might want to Join HOST FMLY Wolfrd for his Trace Your Civil War Ancestors chat 8-9 PM ET in the Ancestral Digs room,

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

If you have read a great Civil War book you think others should read, send the title, author and a Review of it to either HOST FMLY Jayne and/or HOST FMLY Bill.

In looking for some book reviews, I found a great website with many book reviews. You might want to check it out. They are done by the Robert E. Lee Civil War Round Table members of Central New Jersey
(http://www.roberteleecwrt.org/reviews.html)

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

Pollyann9 sent this is a copy of a letter written by a Confederate soldier to his parents just before his death by hanging as a spy. The letter is long, but may be of interest to all DODDS and descendants of the other men mentioned in the letter.

Knoxville Jail, Jan. 6th, '64
Mr. Travis Dodd
Richmond, Ky

My dear Father,

          Under far different circumstances to those by which I was surrounded when I last wrote, I take my seat to write you this letter. I am under closer guard and laboring under the sentence of DEATH pronounced by the courtmartial held in this city. I was captured in Sevier County, 16 miles southeast of this place, while on my way to rejoin my command with Longstreet. By referring to the map you will notice Loudon, on the Holston River, on the railroad running from Chattanooga to Knoxville. After Longstreet came up from Bragg's army to Knoxville, preceded by our division of cavalry, our wagon trains (cavalry) came up to Loudon. I had not been with the command since Bragg's retreat from Tullahoma to Bridgeport and the line of the Tennessee River.

          I lost my horse on the retreat and it is almost impossible to get them in Ga. After we came to Loudon I bought a horse to trade for a better one, and went with a detail from camp, up the little Tennessee river for the purpose of getting a horse.   While we were out I got a horse, and the Federal troops coming up from Chattanooga to relieve Burnside at Knoxville got possession of the country, our wagon trains going on to the army in my absence. We started to go through Blount and Sevier Counties, along the foot of the mountain to Strawberry Plains, in Jefferson County, to where we understood Longstreet was. There were nine or ten of us together, but we got separated in the dark and but three of went on together. We went on to Marysville, and there our horses were captured. We ran into the Federal pickets, were fired upon, ran across a field; one of the boys with us had his horse to fall with him, my saddle turned, bridle broke and my animal got away from me, the third man jumped off his horse, and thus we lost our horses. We made out on foot; come around the town and some seven miles above to Little River where we laid up the next day in the woods, and at night crossed the river and came to a Mr. Hiram Bayles, to whom I had been referred by Major Pugh, as a good Southern man. We got something to eat and stayed there until the next evening, then got directions to Timothy Chandlers, in Sevier County. We missed the way two or three times and had to stop and inquire.

          We passed near to where the Home Guards were camped, finally found Mr. Chandlers, got something to eat and directions. 'Twas dark and rainy, 10 o'clock at night, we went to his barn and concluded to get in the straw and stay till the next night, and then go through, we thought we could make it. The next day the Home Guards got on track, searched the barn, found the two men that were with me and myself. I had on a blue Federal overcoat and blue pants, when captured. The pants is our uniform.

          I was tried by the court-martial as a spy, but the charge and specifications could not be sustained; yet they have condemned me to be hung as a spy, the execution to take place day after tomorrow, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. I feel prepared to meet my fate as a soldier, and firmly rely on God's promises to save the penitent. I feel, and know, that my past life has not been in accordance with the commands laid down in the Bible, but yet I know that He is able to save. All that is required is a full surrender of heart, which I freely give, relying implicitly on the promises of His Holy Word for acceptance. I find much comfort in the scriptures, which shall be my last and latest companion. I am treated as kindly by the guard as I could under the circumstances.

          The Rev. Mr. Martin, of the Presbyterian Church, is visiting me and affords me much consolation; also Mr. Hollington, Chaplain of the 11th Ohio, and the Chaplin of the Post, Mr. Bent. I feel, dear Father and Mother, that if I suffer penalty tomorrow, that the exchange of worlds will be for the better, that I will join my sainted mother in heaven, there worship and adore my God through endless futurity.

          I want you to give my love (after accepting for yourself and my mother, the deepest of my heart) to all my friends. Do not grieve for me, my dear parents, for I am leaving a world of sin and crime for one of perfect bliss. I can say no more.

Your loving son.

E. S. Dodd,
Private Co. D,
Terry's Texas Rangers

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

Note from Jayne: I'm going to leave this in again this week but we have less than a week to vote!!!! HINT!! HINT!!! Voting will close on Friday.

Fort Delaware is one of THREE finalists for this year's prestigious Smithsonian Magazine/Tourism Conservation Foundation SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD!

The three nominees in the historic and cultural preservation category were chosen from entries around the world. The winning organization receives a $20,000 Award from Smithsonia Magazine and the Tourism Conservation Foundation. Now it is up to the PEOPLE to decide who will be the WINNER.

Voting ends October 31st, 2003 and you can cast your vote NOW on the web at:
www.sustainabletourismawards.com

VOTE FOR FORT DELAWARE!!!!!!

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

From [email protected]

Under the Widow's Act, were children of a soldier eligible? Did the children have to be minors at the time of application? (Or were all children, minors or adults, eligible?) There is something I don't understand in a pension record. As I wrote here before (and need to give as background for your understanding), my one ancestor was a bit of a scoundrel. He returned from the CW, left his first wife and 5 kids, and ran away with his wife's sister; he never divorced his first wife (and it seems she didn't divorc either before re-marrying) and *supposedly* he married the sister. He raised a new family with children by the second wife. Because he had taken an alias, he had to prove his identity in a government investigation of his pension app. He and the 2nd wife lied a lot during this, but finally admitted there was a first wife (deceased) and 5 previous kids. Well, the government sent investigators to the kids of the first wife for depositions. The man finally did get his pension...but when he died, the 2nd wife applied for a widow pension which was denied because she was "not his legal wife". Then...a few years more after than, the youngest of the 5 original children apparently told a Bank in WVA that there was a possible pension; It *seems* to me that this young man was attempting to see if HE as a child of the soldier might be able to collect on his pension. So, first question, should the children of the legal first marriage have been eligible for part of his pension? If legal children were eligible, but were denied, what should be done to rectify that? (I know a weird question but I'll explain more when I have the first answers.) Thanks, Judy

Judy, we'll try to get you some answers.

Folks, if you can help Judy, you may email her direct but please also send you're answer to me so I can post it here in case someone else might have the same type of "situation"

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

from Bitsobluengray
Civil War Prisoners-Libby Prison
(http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/9362/prison.html)

Historic Preservation - Information about Civil War Cemeteries
(http://www.va.gov/facmgt/historic/civilwar.asp)

Civil War Prison Camps
(http://www.censusdiggins.com/civil_war_prisons.html

U.S. Civil War Prisons
(http://ok13.com/websites/mypahoa/venite/genealogy/civil.htm)

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

NEW!!!!     [email protected] said she has a book on the men of the 9th OHIO if anyone needs information.

NEW!!!!    [email protected] has a book on the 85th NY Infantry which spent most of their time in Andersonville.

NEW!!!!    HOST FMLY [email protected] Has a book with the Rosters of the 1st through the 20th Ohio Soldiers.

If anyone is doing Illinois Civil War research, you may email [email protected] and make sure that he knows HOST GFS Jayne sent you He will give it priority and see what he can find for you.

If YOU have a Civil War Ancestor, Kevin/[email protected] 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 32000 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. [email protected]

If you have Delaware Civil War soldiers, be sure to check out Http://www.bitsofblueandgray.com   The Delaware Roster from "The Roster of Union Soldiers 1861-1865" Edited by Janet Hewett, Broadfoot Publishing Co., Wilmington, NC 1998 is finally complete!!!!! I still have information to add to some of the soldiers, but all the names are there now.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"THE TOWN CRIER"
Civil War Calendar!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
(http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/cwc/events.htm)

November 2 1-3 pm    Firepower! Will take place at the Port Hudson State Historic Site in Zachary, LA. From cannon blast to small arms fire, visitors will see demonstrations of weapons used during the Civil War. Call 1-888-677-3400 toll free or 225-654-3775 locally.

November 2 3:30 pm      Come Bite the Bullet at the Centenary State Historic Site in Jackson, LA. Visitors can enjoy a demonstration of the surgical methods and instruments used during the Civil War. Call 1-888-677-2364 toll free or 225-634-7925 locally.

November 6,13,20 11am-2pm      Come watch Historic Cooking Demonstrations at the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site in St. Francisville, LA. Visitors are invited to a demonstration of 19th century open hearth cooking using appropriate 19th century recipes and reproduction equipment. For more information, call 1-888-376-1867 toll free or 225-635-3332 locally.

November 8 - Gettysburg, PA - Living history, "We Believed They Would Never Come," battle experience of Gettysburg citizens, at the Rupp House History Center, Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg headquarters, 451 Baltimore St in Gettysburg. 2 and 3:30 pm. Free. (www.friendsofgettysburg.org) or 717-334-0772.

November 8 - In Frederick, MD - Living history, "Camp Life of Confederate Soldiers," at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick. 11 am-3 pm. Free with admission. 301-695-1864 or (www.civilwarmed.org)

November 27-30 - Petersburg, VA - Living history, "Thanksgiving," construct winter huts with the soldiers, see food preparation and artillery demonstrations, more at Pamplin Historical Park, south of Petersburg. Free with admission. 877-PAMPLIN or (www.pamplinpark.org)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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 our many faithful friends :)

October 30 & 31, 2003 - TRiVIA - bring your trivia questions too... I won't say to stump the HOSTS because that would be too easy to do ;)

November 6 & 7, 2003 - OPEN CHAT

November 13 & 14, 2003 - Our Special Songs, letters and poems night. If you have any one of the three things you'd like to share with the room, please feel free to send them to HOST FMLY Bill or HOST FMLY Jayne.

November 20 & 21, 2003 - OPEN CHAT

November 27 & 28, 2003 - To be announced

We'll See You Thursday and/or Friday Night.
Your Joyful, Intelligent and Fun-lovin' Host & Hostess :-)

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye

"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending October 12, 2003

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

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 US... 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 something on Thurs night, you can catch it on FRIDAY nights!!

You can visit the other Genealogy chats by going to KEYWORD: Parenting Chats > scroll down to Genealogy and click. Be sure to read the Genealogy and History (scroll down to War Between the States) message boards at Genealogy Community

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

If you have read a great Civil War book you think others should read, send the title, author and a Review of it to either HOST FMLY Jayne and/or HOST FMLY Bill.

"Unlikely Allies"
by Dale Fetzer, Bruce E. Mowday with the introduction by Leland C. Jennings

The book gives a slightly different view of Ft. Delaware than what most everyone has seen. "Real" time letters, diaries, official records and newly found primary source materials were used in writing the book. Most folks view Ft. Delaware as the "Andersonville of the North" but I think, thru the book, you'll find the ratio of deaths and numbers of prisoners at Ft. Delaware was far less than those numbers at other prisons.

It talks about the issues everyone ran into on the Island..... poor drainage, no provisions, over crowding, boredom, disease and more. Fort Delaware was a "community" of sorts, with stores, churches, newspapers and other entities.

Dale Fetzer, at one time, portrayed General Albin Schoepf on the Island at the Fort. He was also a consultant on several movies.

Reviews of "Unlikely Allies: Fort Delaware's Prison Community in the Civil War" can be seen on the Amazon.com website.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
--------OUR WEEKLY READING--------
(these items are extracts from our Letters, Songs,
and Poems evenings)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Provided to us by An Madra Rua
AN ADDRESS BY AN EX-CONFEDERATE SOLDIER
TO THE GRAND ARMY
OF THE REPUBLIC

by Maurice Thompson(1844-1901)

I was a rebel, if you please,
a reckless fighter to the last,
Nor do I fall upon my knees
and ask forgiveness for the past.

A traitor? I a traitor?
No!I was a patriot to the core;
The South was mine,
I loved her so, I gave her all,
-- I could no more.
You scowl at me. And was it wrong
To wear the gray my father wore?
Could I slink back, though young and strong,
From foes before my mother's door?

My mother's kiss was hot with fight,
My father's frenzy filled his son,
Through reeking day and sodden night
My sister's courage urged me on.

And I, a missile steeped in hate,
Hurled forward like a cannonball
By the resistless hand of fate,
Rushed wildly, madly through it all.

I stemmed the level flames of hell,
O'er bayonet bars of death I broke,
I was so near when Cleburne fell,
I heard the muffled bullet stroke!

But all in vain. In dull despair
I saw the storm of conflict die;
Low lay the Southern banner fair
And yonder flag was waving high.

God, what a triumph had the foe!
Laurels, arches, trumpet-blare;
All around the earth their songs did go,
Thundering through heaven their shouts did tear.

My mother, gray and bent with years,
Hoarding love's withered aftermath,
Her sweet eyes burnt too dry for tears,
Sat in the dust of Sherman's path.

My father, broken, helpless, poor,
A gloomy, nerveless giant stood,
Too strong to cower and endure,
Too weak to fight for masterhood.

My boyhood home, a blackened heap
Where lizards crawled and briers grew,
Had felt the fire of vengeance creep,
The crashing round-shot hurtle through.

I had no country, all was lost,
I closed my eyes and longed to die,
While past me stalked the awful ghost
Of mangled, murdered Liberty.

The scars upon my body burned,
I felt a heel upon my throat,
A heel that ground and grinding turned
With each triumphal trumpet note.

"Grind on!" I cried "nor doubt that I,
(If all your necks were one and low
As mine is now) delightedly
Would cut it by a single blow!"

II
That was dark night; but day is here,
The crowning victory is won;
Hark, how the sixty millions cheer,
With Freedom's flag across the sun!

I a traitor! Who are you
That dare to breathe that word to me?
You never wore the Union blue,
No wounds attest your loyalty!

I do detest the sutler's clerk,
Who dodged and skulked till peace had come.
Then found it most congenial work
o beat the politician's drum.

I clasp the hand that made my scars,
I cheer the flag my foemen bore,
I shout for joy to see the stars
All on our common shield once more.

I do not cringe before you now,
Or lay my face upon the ground;
I am a man, of men a peer,
And not a cowering, cudgeled hound!

I stand and say that you were right,
I greet you with uncovered head,
Remembering many a thundering fight
While whistling death between us sped.

Remembering the boys in gray,
With thoughts too deep and fine for words,
I lift this cup of love to-day
To drink what only love affords.
Soldier in blue, a health to you!
Long life and vigor oft renewed,
While on your hearts, like honey-dew,
Falls our great country's gratitude.

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

Fort Delaware is one of THREE finalists for this year's prestigious Smithsonian Magazine/Tourism Conservation Foundation SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD!

The three nominees in the historic and cultural preservation category were chosen from entries around the world. The winning organization receives a $20,000 Award from Smithsonia Magazine and the Tourism Conservation Foundation. Now it is up to the PEOPLE to decide who will be the WINNER.

Voting ends October 31st, 2003 and you can cast your vote NOW on the web at: www.sustainabletourismawards.com

VOTE FOR FORT DELAWARE!!!!!!

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

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THE HELP DESK
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Do you have a question that didn't get answered in the chatroom??
Send us and email and we'll post it here to see if
some of our readers can help you.
On the other hand, if you can answer any of the questions below, please do so. You may send the person asking the question an email, but please CC me, HOST FMLY Jayne and HOST FMLY Bill the answer also, so we can post it here for everyone to see.

Last week we had the following questions. Answers from my Civil War Guru (IllinoisCW) are included here. :D I don't know what I'd do without his help!!!.

JudyKCski asked "Does anyone have any idea how long it took for pension payments to begin after an application was approved?"

Pension payments began at the next payment period after the approval. Things were much simpler then and there were no computers to blame everything on when something went wrong.

Kitchenboy1 asked "A lot fom MO were executed after the war, why?"

As far as the executions in Missouri, I would have to know more about them to make any sort of judgement as to why. Have the person contact me.

Kitchenboy1, if you haven't already, please send IllinoisCW and email.

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

from Bitsobluengray
(http://www.bitsofblueandgray.com/october2003.htm)

HOST FMLY Bill
(http://altonweb.com/history/civilwar/confed/)

from JAXTAG
(http://troopsoftime.com/)

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

If anyone is doing Illinois Civil War research, you may email [email protected] and make sure that he knows HOST GFS Jayne sent you He will give it priority and see what he can find for you.

If YOU have a Civil War Ancestor, Kevin/[email protected] 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 32000 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. [email protected]

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"THE TOWN CRIER"
Civil War Calendar!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
(http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/cwc/events.htm)

October 18     Blood on The Mississippi: The Vicksburg Campaign - Seminar at the Ralph Foster Museum on the campus of The College of the Ozarks, just south of Branson, MO on Highway 65. For more information call Tom Debo, 417 334-6411, ex. 3569

October 18     The 9th Annual AMART Civil War Symposium: Abraham Lincoln - The War President will take place at the Horsham Performing Arts Theatre located in the Hatboro-Horsham HS, 899 Horsham Road (PA Rt 463), Horsham, PA. For more infomation email [email protected]

October 18 1 - 3 PM ET     Graveyard Tour at the Locust Grove State Historic Site in St. Francisville, LA.     For more information, call 1-888-677-2838 toll free or 225-635-3739 locally.

October 18-19     The Seventh Annual Pamplin Historical Park Civil War Symposium in Richmond, VA For more information visit their website (www.pamplinpark.org)

October 23 - 25      Siege of Charleston James and Morris Islands: a Military Staff Ride will take place in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information, contact the Blue and Gray Education Society at 1-888-741-2437 or email
[email protected]

October 23-26      Stonewall Jackson and VMI in Shenandoah Valley. This extended weekend will take place in Mclean, VA For more infomation, call 703-356-8339 or email [email protected]

October 25 7:30-10 p.m     Ghosts of the Civil War at the Mansfield State Historic Site in Mansfield, LA. For more information, call 1-888-677-6267 toll free or 318-872-1474 locally

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Time:
Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Genealogy Room
Every Friday Night at 10 PM ET in the Genealogy Room
with hosts HOST FMLY Jayne, HOST FMLY Bill and our many faithful friends :)

October 16 & 17, 2003 - OPEN CHAT - bring all those questions you have and I'm sure someone will be able to answer them for you. If there isn't an immediate answer, someone will find it.

October 23 & 24, 2003 - The 20 Days from the Wilderness to Petersburg 1864

October 30 & 31, 2003 - To be announced

November 6 & 7, 2003 - OPEN CHAT

November 13 & 14, 2003 - Our Special Songs, letters and poems night. If you have any one of the three things you'd like to share with the room, please feel free to send them to HOST FMLY Bill or HOST FMLY Jayne.

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye

"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending October 19, 2003

NOTE: If you do not wish to receive the Weekly Fireside, PLEASE send email to HOST FMLY Jayne AND HOST FMLY Bill saying "UNSUBSCRIBE" and we 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 us email with subscribe in the subject line.

We want to thank those who have been joining us Thurday and Friday nights. We've seen some new faces which is always nice, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you again. Friday night we had some trivia questions, which is always fun. This week we'll be telling you all the story of The 20 Days from the Wilderness to Petersburg 1864 by our old friend Jimmy Walker.

If there is something you would like to see us do in our Civil War History rooms, please let us know.

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

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 US... 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 something on Thurs night, you can catch it on FRIDAY nights!!

You can visit the other Genealogy chats by going to KEYWORD: Parenting Chats > scroll down and click on one of the Genealogy Chat folders . During the week, be sure to visit and post on our War Between the States Message board.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< NEW !!!!! NEW !!!!! NEW >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Also on Thursday night, you might want to Join HOST FMLY Wolfrd for his Trace Your Civil War Ancestors chat 8-9 PM ET in the Ancestral Digs room,

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

If you have read a great Civil War book you think others should read, send the title, author and a Review of it to either HOST FMLY Jayne and/or HOST FMLY Bill.

CHARLESTON
written by
John Jakes

Written by Barbara Paris

Thanks Barb!!! Your review is very much appreciated.

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

This is an obiturary from the Philadelphia Inquirer dated Tuesday, 7 February 1865.

"0TTEY-killed at the storming of Ft Fisher, 15 Jan., Corporal Richard Ottey of Co. K. 203 PV, in the 49th yr. of his age.

A light is from our household gone
The voice we loved is still
A place is vacant at our hearth
Which never can be filled.

They fought like brave men, long and well
They plied that ground with Rebel slain
They conquered, but our father fell
Bleeding at every vein.

The tumult of war will wake him no more
He is deaf to the cannon's loud rattle;
Emblazon his name on the banner of fame
For the hero has fought his last battle.

For the Union he fought, for the Union he fell
With the foe of his country before him.
Let the nation remember his valor with pride
And the Star Spangled Banner wave o'er him.

Should the body be recovered, due notice of funeral will be given."

Just an aside, his body was recovered and the funeral took place a month later. Richard Ottey was my great-great grandfather.

Jan Dyer

NOTE from Jayne. Richard Ottey was my 5th Great Grand Uncle.

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

Note from Jayne: I'm going to leave this in this week again as we still have almost two weeks to vote!!!! HINT!! HINT!!!

Fort Delaware is one of THREE finalists for this year's prestigious Smithsonian Magazine/Tourism Conservation Foundation SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD!

The three nominees in the historic and cultural preservation category were chosen from entries around the world. The winning organization receives a $20,000 Award from Smithsonia Magazine and the Tourism Conservation Foundation. Now it is up to the PEOPLE to decide who will be the WINNER.

Voting ends October 31st, 2003 and you can cast your vote NOW on the web at: www.sustainabletourismawards.com

VOTE FOR FORT DELAWARE!!!!!!

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

* * * * *

from Bitsobluengray
The Salisbury NC Confederate Civil War Prison & National Cemetery
(http://www.http://www.gorowan.com/salisburyprison/)

Zazzle.com - Civil War Poster Gallery
(http://www.zazzle.com/collections/products/gallery/browse_results.asp?cid=238185983184672008&general_product_type=228)

* * * * *

from the CW-POW maillist
A Melancholy Affair at the Weldon Railroad - David Faris Cross
(http://www.weldonrailroad.com/)

Vermont in the Civil War - Lest We Forget
(http://vermontcivilwar.org/index.shtml)

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from SearchInOhio
Morgan’s travels not over: Monument to move to new home
(http://www.morningjournalnews.com/story.asp?ID=17144)

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from An Madra Rua
American Soldier Timeline
(http://www.americansoldiertimeline.org/)

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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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(http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/cwc/events.htm)

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

October 23 & 24, 2003 - The 20 Days from the Wilderness to Petersburg 1864

October 30 & 31, 2003 - TRiVIA - bring your Civil War trivia questions too... I won't say to stump the HOSTS because that would be too easy to do ;)

November 6 & 7, 2003 - OPEN CHAT

November 13 & 14, 2003 - Our Special Songs, letters and poems night. If you have any one of the three things you'd like to share with the room, please feel free to send them to HOST FMLY Bill or HOST FMLY Jayne.

Hear Ye .... Hear Ye

"The Weekly Fireside"
of the American Civil War History
Special Interest Group;
Distribution Coast to Coast
Week ending October 26, 2003

NOTE: If you do not wish to receive the Weekly Fireside, PLEASE send email to HOST FMLY Jayne AND HOST FMLY Bill saying "UNSUBSCRIBE" and we 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 us email with subscribe in the subject line.

I hope you were able to join us this past week to hear the story of the 20 Days from the Wilderness to Petersburg. It's really good to see so many familiar faces once again in the Civil War History rooms. This coming week we're going to have so Trivia question along with OPEN CHAT, so bring your questions... either Trivia, about the war or about your ancestor. We can't guarantee immediate answers, but most of the time there is someone hanging around that can. Hope to see you there next Thursday, 11 PM ET or Friday 10 PM ET in the Ancestral Digs room.

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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.

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 US... 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 something on Thurs night, you can catch it on FRIDAY nights!!

You can visit the other Genealogy chats by going to KEYWORD: Parenting Chats > scroll down to Genealogy and click. Be sure to read the Genealogy and History (scroll down to War Between the States) message boards at Genealogy Community

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< NEW !!!!! NEW !!!!! NEW >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Also on Thursday night, you might want to Join HOST FMLY Wolfrd for his Trace Your Civil War Ancestors chat 8-9 PM ET in the Ancestral Digs room,

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"THE BOOK SHELF"
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If you have read a great Civil War book you think others should read, send the title, author and a Review of it to either HOST FMLY Jayne and/or HOST FMLY Bill.

In looking for some book reviews, I found a great website with many book reviews. You might want to check it out. They are done by the Robert E. Lee Civil War Round Table members of Central New Jersey
(http://www.roberteleecwrt.org/reviews.html)

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--------OUR WEEKLY READING--------
(these items are extracts from our Letters, Songs,
and Poems evenings)
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DID YOU KNOW?
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Note from Jayne: I'm going to leave this in again this week but we have less than a week to vote!!!! HINT!! HINT!!! Voting will close on Friday.

Fort Delaware is one of THREE finalists for this year's prestigious Smithsonian Magazine/Tourism Conservation Foundation SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD!

The three nominees in the historic and cultural preservation category were chosen from entries around the world. The winning organization receives a $20,000 Award from Smithsonia Magazine and the Tourism Conservation Foundation. Now it is up to the PEOPLE to decide who will be the WINNER.

Voting ends October 31st, 2003 and you can cast your vote NOW on the web at: www.sustainabletourismawards.com

VOTE FOR FORT DELAWARE!!!!!!

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

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THE HELP DESK
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Do you have a question that didn't get answered in the chatroom??
Send us and email and we'll post it here to see if
some of our readers can help you.

From [email protected]

Under the Widow's Act, were children of a soldier eligible? Did the children have to be minors at the time of application? (Or were all children, minors or adults, eligible?) There is something I don't understand in a pension record. As I wrote here before (and need to give as background for your understanding), my one ancestor was a bit of a scoundrel. He returned from the CW, left his first wife and 5 kids, and ran away with his wife's sister; he never divorced his first wife (and it seems she didn't divorc either before re-marrying) and *supposedly* he married the sister. He raised a new family with children by the second wife. Because he had taken an alias, he had to prove his identity in a government investigation of his pension app. He and the 2nd wife lied a lot during this, but finally admitted there was a first wife (deceased) and 5 previous kids. Well, the government sent investigators to the kids of the first wife for depositions. The man finally did get his pension...but when he died, the 2nd wife applied for a widow pension which was denied because she was "not his legal wife". Then...a few years more after than, the youngest of the 5 original children apparently told a Bank in WVA that there was a possible pension; It *seems* to me that this young man was attempting to see if HE as a child of the soldier might be able to collect on his pension. So, first question, should the children of the legal first marriage have been eligible for part of his pension? If legal children were eligible, but were denied, what should be done to rectify that? (I know a weird question but I'll explain more when I have the first answers.) Thanks, Judy

Judy, we'll try to get you some answers.

Folks, if you can help Judy, you may email her direct but please also send you're answer to me so I can post it here in case someone else might have the same type of "situation"

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Weekly Web Sites we've received -
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from Bitsobluengray
Civil War Prisoners-Libby Prison
(http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/9362/prison.html)

Historic Preservation - Information about Civil War Cemeteries
(http://www.va.gov/facmgt/historic/civilwar.asp)

Civil War Prison Camps
(http://www.censusdiggins.com/civil_war_prisons.html

U.S. Civil War Prisons
(http://ok13.com/websites/mypahoa/venite/genealogy/civil.htm)

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A BIT OF COMMUNITY... MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS!!
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NEW!!!!     [email protected] said she has a book on the men of the 9th OHIO if anyone needs information.

NEW!!!!    [email protected] has a book on the 85th NY Infantry which spent most of their time in Andersonville.

NEW!!!!    HOST FMLY [email protected] Has a book with the Rosters of the 1st through the 20th Ohio Soldiers.

If anyone is doing Illinois Civil War research, you may email [email protected] and make sure that he knows HOST GFS Jayne sent you He will give it priority and see what he can find for you.

If YOU have a Civil War Ancestor, Kevin/[email protected] 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 32000 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. [email protected]

If you have Delaware Civil War soldiers, be sure to check out Http://www.bitsofblueandgray.com   The Delaware Roster from "The Roster of Union Soldiers 1861-1865" Edited by Janet Hewett, Broadfoot Publishing Co., Wilmington, NC 1998 is finally complete!!!!! I still have information to add to some of the soldiers, but all the names are there now.

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"THE TOWN CRIER"
Civil War Calendar!!
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(http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/cwc/events.htm)

November 2 1-3 pm    Firepower! Will take place at the Port Hudson State Historic Site in Zachary, LA. From cannon blast to small arms fire, visitors will see demonstrations of weapons used during the Civil War. Call 1-888-677-3400 toll free or 225-654-3775 locally.

November 2 3:30 pm      Come Bite the Bullet at the Centenary State Historic Site in Jackson, LA. Visitors can enjoy a demonstration of the surgical methods and instruments used during the Civil War. Call 1-888-677-2364 toll free or 225-634-7925 locally.

November 6,13,20 11am-2pm      Come watch Historic Cooking Demonstrations at the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site in St. Francisville, LA. Visitors are invited to a demonstration of 19th century open hearth cooking using appropriate 19th century recipes and reproduction equipment. For more information, call 1-888-376-1867 toll free or 225-635-3332 locally.

November 8 - Gettysburg, PA - Living history, "We Believed They Would Never Come," battle experience of Gettysburg citizens, at the Rupp House History Center, Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg headquarters, 451 Baltimore St in Gettysburg. 2 and 3:30 pm. Free. (www.friendsofgettysburg.org) or 717-334-0772.

November 8 - In Frederick, MD - Living history, "Camp Life of Confederate Soldiers," at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick. 11 am-3 pm. Free with admission. 301-695-1864 or (www.civilwarmed.org)

November 27-30 - Petersburg, VA - Living history, "Thanksgiving," construct winter huts with the soldiers, see food preparation and artillery demonstrations, more at Pamplin Historical Park, south of Petersburg. Free with admission. 877-PAMPLIN or (www.pamplinpark.org)

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Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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 our many faithful friends :)

October 30 & 31, 2003 - TRiVIA - bring your trivia questions too... I won't say to stump the HOSTS because that would be too easy to do ;)

November 6 & 7, 2003 - OPEN CHAT

November 13 & 14, 2003 - Our Special Songs, letters and poems night. If you have any one of the three things you'd like to share with the room, please feel free to send them to HOST FMLY Bill or HOST FMLY Jayne.

November 20 & 21, 2003 - OPEN CHAT

November 27 & 28, 2003 - To be announced

We'll See You Thursday and/or Friday Night.
Your Joyful, Intelligent and Fun-lovin' Host & Hostess :-)

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