Selected News Briefs from View our archives to read articles from previous issues. Subscribe and get ALL the Civil War News! (updated 5/22/13
Ed Bearss’ 90th Birthday Legendary battlefield guide, historian, preservationist, speaker and author Ed Bearss will celebrate his 90th birthday on June 26. The man who has been called a “national treasure,” “impresario of public history” and “a monument in the field of preserving and interpreting Civil War sites,” keeps a busy schedule on the road and in the field. Don’t miss a chance to attend one of his talks or tours.
James Kelly Art In New Jersey Exhibit MORRISTOWN, N.J. — “American Heroes in Bronze: The Artwork of James E. Kelly” recently opened at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum. Historian and author William B. Styple and the museum’s Curator of Collections Ryan Hyman co-curated the exhibit which will run through October. It explores the work of Irish-American sculptor James E. Kelly (1855-1933). After the Civil War, more than 40 Union generals visited his New York City studio. While they sat, the artist conducted in-depth interviews about their wartime service. Kelly’s bas reliefs, busts, engravings and bronze sculptures are on loan from private collectors. The exhibit also includes Kelly’s depictions of notable events from the Revolutionary War and civilians including Thomas Edison and Clara Barton. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum preserves the history of the Macculloch-Miller families and the Morristown area. It is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., with the last tour at 3. Admission is charged. Call (973) 538-2404 ext. 10 or go to www.maccullochhall.org for information.
Memorial Church In Gettysburg Sets 2 June Programs GETTYSBURG, Pa. — The only church in Gettysburg dedicated as a Civil War memorial to the soldiers and sailors of both sides in the conflict will conduct a special service of commemoration and rededication at 9 a.m. on June 30, 2013. The public is invited. The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace, Gettysburg’s Episcopal parish at the corner of Baltimore and High streets, contains more than 150 memorials to individual servicemen and units that fought in the Civil War. The church is celebrating the 125th anniversary of the laying of the building’s cornerstone on July 2, 1888, during the 25th anniversary reunion of battle veterans. Speakers included Maj. Gen Samuel Crawford, who had commanded a division of the U.S. 5th Corps during the battle. Docents will give tours of the memorials on July, 2 from 12 to 7 p.m. Visitors will see recently installed memorials replacing some that parishioner Jim Thomas discovered were lost in a 1970 fire. Some were ordered but, for unknown reasons, never created.
1862 Emancipation Proc. Is On Display In Raleigh RALEIGH, N.C. — The Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation that President Abraham Lincoln issued on Sept. 22, 1862, will be shown through June 16 at the North Carolina Museum of History. The seven-page document that warned that the federal government would free all slaves in the rebelling states on Jan. 1, 1863, is on loan from the National Archives. The preliminary proclamation is featured in the exhibit “Freedom Coming, Freedom for All,” which is being presented by the museum and North Carolina Freedom Monument Park. The park, which is planned for completion in 2017, is a public art site near the State Legislative Building and State Library to honor the African American experience. For in formation call (919) 807-7900 or go to www.ncmuseumofhistory.org or Facebook.
Major Jewish Exhibit Is In New York NEW YORK, N.Y. — The American Jewish Historical Society and Yeshiva University Museum are hosting “Passages through the Fire: Jews and the Civil War,” through Aug. 11 at the Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St. The exhibit tells how the Civil War was a crucible for American Jews, laying the groundwork for their integration and Americanization on a large scale — militarily, politically, economically and socially – and set the stage for massive Jewish immigration decades later. Jews played active roles in all aspects of the war, including slavery. Original documents and artifacts make clear that Jews shared attitudes about slavery with most of their compatriots. Many Jews, despite their own history, considered slavery justified. A series of public programs includes a June 3 panel on the role of Jews in the Battle of Gettysburg. For information visit http://yumuseum.tumblr.com/CivilWar; www.yumuseum.org; or www.ajhs.org The exhibit will be shown from October to February 2014 at the Jewish Museum of Maryland.
NPS Names New Natl. Landmarks WASHINGTON – Three sites with Civil War connections were among 13 named as new National Historic Landmarks. Camp Nelson Historic and Archeological District, Jessamine County, Ky. — This was one of the nation’s largest recruitment and training centers for African American soldiers during the Civil War. Camp Nelson is also significant as the site of a large refugee camp for families of the soldiers who were escaping slavery and seeking freedom. Harriet Beecher Stowe House, Hartford, Conn. — Harriet Beecher Stowe, who is known for her anti-slavery work and novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was a nationally known reformer for a wide variety of causes. Her longtime home in Hartford is associated with Stowe’s later career as a reformer on issues relating to the family and women’s roles. Honey Springs Battlefield, McIntosh and Muskogee Counties, Okla. — The largest Civil War engagement in Indian Territory, the Battle of Honey Springs was the largest battle in the Territory in which Native Americans fought on both sides. It was also the first and largest engagement in which Indian troops of both sides fought in the formalized style of Anglo-American warfare. The National Historic Landmarks program, established in 1935, is administered by the National Park Service on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior. There are 2,540 designated national historic landmarks.
CW Trust Installs 2 Streight’s Raid Interpretive Signs CULMAN COUNTY, Ala. — The Civil War Trust recently marked the 150th anniversary of Union Col. Abel Streight’s raid through north Alabama by dedicating two interpretive signs at Hog Mountain Battlefield. The signs at the Hog Mountain Battlefield Interpretive Center are the first on the battlefield. The Trust bought the land from an estate last year for $175,000. Trust chairman Henry Simpson of Birmingham said the land has been “mostly untouched since [Brig. Gen. Nathan B.] Forrest, who lost three horses here, and his outmanned troops attacked the Union lines” on April 28, 1863.
Trust Releases New Battle App On Appomattox WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Civil War Trust recently released its 11th Battle App guide, about the Battle of Appomattox, for Apple iOS and Android devices. The final Eastern Theater military actions culminated in the Army of Northern Virginia surrender on April 9, 1865. The app resources let users move at their own speed through the site, which includes GPS-enabled maps, that work well for self-guided tours. The Field Glasses augmented reality viewer displays virtual markers on the modern landscape. Time-phased maps depict the precise locations associated with the final phases of fighting and the military surrender process. The app includes accounts and videos from battlefield experts, a trivia challenges, orders of battle, chronologies and a facts page. For more information about the content, use and availability of GPS-enable Civil War Trust Battle App guides visit www.civilwar.org/battleapps.
Lincoln Play LINCOLN CITY, Ind. — The non-profit Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association will host performances of the musical drama “A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale” from June 7-29 at the Lincoln Amphitheatre. Lincoln’s family moved from Kentucky to Indiana in 1816, when he was 7. He lived there in a one-room log cabin until he was 21. President Lincoln is the play’s narrator, telling sons Willie and Tad about his Indiana boyhood. As they talk the scene fades and his stories come to life. The drama association offers affordable family programs, including one each year that dramatizes Lincoln’s life in Indiana. For information go to www.LincolnAmphitheatre.org
Fredericksburg Hours FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Summer hours of operation and special summer programs will begin at all Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park sites on June 8 and continue through Aug. 11. The sites are: Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center, Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center, Chatham, “Stonewall” Jackson Shrine, Wilderness Exhibit Shelter, Spotsylvania Exhibit Shelter, Old Salem Church, Ellwood and Innis House. Walking tours include “Sunken Road,” “Wounding of Stonewall Jackson,” “Grant vs. Lee: No Turning Back” and “Bloody Angle.” For additional information, call (540) 373-6122 or (540) 786-2880.
23rd New Jersey BEVERLY, N.J. — Riverfront Historical Society, which covers the city of Beverly and townships of Delanco and Edgewater Park, will host a June 8 commemoration for the 23rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, the Yahoos. Artifacts will be shown at the American Legion in Beverly from 1 to 3 p.m. Display tables are available at no cost. Reenactors are invited to form an honor guard. Artifacts to be shown include GAR Post 21, reunion and Beverly Federal Hospital items and a photo of the regiment at the 1906 dedication of their monument at Salem Church, where they fought on May 3, 1863. For information contact Dennis Rogers, (609) 835-4438.
Lincoln Paintings GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Local artist Wendy Allen is exhibiting paintings of Abraham Lincoln during June at the Adams County Arts Council’s Arts Education Center as part of the Council’s Battle of Gettysburg sesquicentennial observance. An artist’s reception and signing of her book Lincoln into Art: 1983-2013, featuring 100 color plates and a foreword by Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer, will open the exhibit on June 7 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Allen has been doing Lincoln for nearly 30 years. Most of her work focuses on his face about which Allen says, “His face is courageous and wise but also vulnerable. To me his face represents freedom. And even though it’s very familiar to us, there’s so much yet to discover.”
Chickamauga Tours FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. — Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and Outdoor Chattanooga are hosting free monthly historical bike tours through Chickamauga Battlefield. The tours are at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21 and Oct. 19. Loaner bikes from the Outdoor Chattanooga Mobile Bicycle Fleet will be available for riders five feet and taller at no charge, thanks to sponsorship from the Friends of the Park and the Chattanooga Bicycle Club. Helmets and reservations are required. Call (706) 866-9241.
Pamplin Camps PETERSBURG, Va. — Pamplin Historical Park is offering adventure and day camps for ages 8 and up. Eighteen-hour overnight immersion Civil War Adventure Camps are scheduled June 22-23, July 20-21, Aug. 10-11 and Sept. 14-15. Participants will drill, shoot, practice field medicine, wear uniforms and eat period food. Reservations and fees are required. For information call (804) 861-2408 or visit www.civilwaradventurecamp.org. History Day Camps for ages 8-12 run from 9 to 4:30 on June 25-27, July 9-11, July 30-Aug. 1 and Aug. 13-15. Reservations and fees are required. For information call (804) 861-2408 or visit www.pamplinpark.org.
Meade Information Tom Huntington, author of Searching for George Gordon Meade: The Forgotten Victor of Gettysburg (Stackpole Books, 2013) is posting Meade letters on his blog 150 years to the day after they were written. Huntington is also posting new information at www.searching4meade.com
Roebling Exhibit ROEBLING, N.J. — The Roebling Museum will show “Steadfast Under Fire,” an exhibit about Washington A. Roebling and Civil War engineers, from June 22 through the end of the year. Camp Olden Civil War Round Table will host a living history event commemorating the Gettysburg 150th anniversary on the museum grounds June 22 and 23 from 11 to 4 each day. Roebling initially enlisted with the New Jersey militia and re-enlisted in the 6th New York Light Artillery. While assigned to Gen. Irvin McDowell’s staff he began engineering suspension bridges and forts for the army and became involved with aeronautics. He was transferred to Gen. John Pope’s staff. Roebling also worked with Gen. Gouverneur Warren, who became his brother-in-law in 1865. Roebling is credited with seeing Confederate troop movements after Chancellorsville from a hydrogen balloon, which started the mobilization of troops towards Gettysburg. He helped hold the flank alongside Warren at Little Round Top. The exhibit will include images of balloons, pontoon bridges, forts and other engineer-related work. Roebling-drawn maps and drawings and some of his war gear will be shown. For information visit www.roeblingmuseum.org.
Kennesaw U. Trips KENNESAW, Ga. — Kennesaw State University’s Civil War Center is in its second year of hosting revamped tours. This season began with a 150th Vicksburg Campaign and battle anniversary three-day trip for a group that included many first-time visitors. National Park Service Chief Historian Emeritus Edwin Bearss will lead a July tour of Kennesaw Mountain. Last year the institute hosted trips to Shiloh and Port Columbus. Center director and assistant director Brian Steel Wills and Michael Shaffer lead the tours. For information contact Shaffer at mshaffe3@kennesaw.edu.
Lincoln’s Podiatrist LONDON — Highgate Cemetery added the grave of Dr. Isachar Zacharie to its guide following release of the movie “Lincoln.” The Associated Press reported that while historians knew about Abraham Lincoln’s foot doctor, who died in 1900, cemetery managers did not know he was notable. Zacharie went to the U.S. before the Civil War and returned to England after the war and a dispute about payment for treating thousands of Union soldiers.
Electric Map Update HANOVER, Pa. — The Hanover Sun reported that work is progressing on the Gettysburg Electric Map that is being assembled for public viewing at the former Wachovia Bank. Businessman Scott Roland, who bought the former National Park Service map through a government auction, said a sealing coat is being hand applied to the plaster to keep any asbestos particles from becoming airborne. Wiring will be replaced and 600 new LED lights will be installed. Map shows will no longer be manually operated. Roland said an automatic program will operate the lights.
Cabin Creek Book OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Steven L. Warren’s The Second Battle of Cabin Creek (The History Press, 2012) was a finalist in the non-fiction category of the Oklahoma Book Awards. He and other authors were on hand for a book signing before the April ceremony. Warren’s book chronicles the last Confederate offensive into northern Indian Territory, now northeastern Oklahoma, resulting in the capture of a 300-wagon Union supply train at Cabin Creek, Cherokee Nation. The ragtag Confederate force made up of Texan and Indian troopers was able to return to Fort Towson, Indian Territory, with 130 of the wagons filled with supplies valued at more than $1.5 million. The book is available in paperback at bookstores and online retailers. It is also available as a download for Kindle, The Nook and iPad. Sponsored by the Friends of the Oklahoma Center for the Book, the awards recognize books written in the previous year by Oklahomans or about Oklahoma.
(updated 5/22/13) |
