February, 2016 Our Next Meeting – Thursday, February 18, 2016 edition 21, No.6
“No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted”
Grant captures Fort Donnellson, February 1862
the OLDE COLONY CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE
The cAMPAIGN!
Reporting the latest Occurrences from Both the Front and the Rear.
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OFFICERS
President
Joe Dipoli
Vice President
Dana Zaiser
Secretary
Gail Dugan
Treasurer
Don Fitzgerald
Campaign Editor
Paul Griffel
Past President
Rich Campagna
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
(Officers are also members) President EmeritusJoe Scalia Bob Hearsey
Martha Horsefield
Barbara Magruder
Dave Sheldon
Sue Kuecker
Programs: Jack Kavanagh
Membership: Paula Cunningham
Jubilee: Bob Hearsey, Gail Dugan
Web Master and Preservation: Dana Zaiser
Revere Award: Martha Horsefield
Refreshment Barbara Magruder
THE CAMPAIGN!
A publication of the
Olde Colony Civil War Round Table
Headquarters: Dedham, Massachusetts
Editor Emeritus – David Kenney
Current Editor
OCCWRT Monthly Meetings (except June/July/August and the October Jubilee Dinner)) are regularly held the 3rd Thursday each month, 7:30 PM (except December—2nd Thursday) at the Endicott Estate, Dedham.
Our Next Meeting: February 18, 2015
Thursday at the Endicott Estate in Dedham:
7:00pm Book Sale, meeting begins 7:30 pm
Mini-bit Civil War in 4 from the Civil War Trust
Mini-bit Battlefield Flags, Ralph Stefanelli
Guest speaker Susan Kuecker, Grierson's 1863 Mississippi Raid
Susan Kuecker was born and raised in Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. After teaching for eight years, Susan switched to the museum field and has worked or volunteered since 1985 at museums in Arizona, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
While the exploits of Confederate cavalrymen as Jeb Stuart and Nathan Bedford Stuart are well known,historians debate how effective some of their exploits were. Historians point out that that probably the most effective cavalry raid of the Civil War was the April 1863 raid across Mississippi by the Union Cavalry officer Benjamin Grierson. This raid, while little known today, made him famous in 1863. General Grant wrote in his memoirs of how important the raid was as it attracted the attention of General Pemberton, the Confederate commander in Vicksburg, distracting him from Grant's movements on the West bank of the Mississippi.
Griersons raiders behind enemy lines
The raid was immortalized in the movie starring John Wayne and William Holden “The Horse Soldiers”
Our Last Meeting
January 21, 2015
Megan Kate Nelson A Man Among Ruins: Charles Fessenden and Civil War Destruction
Megan Kate Nelsonis a writer, historian, and cultural critic. Based in Lincoln, Massachusetts, she has written for theNew York TimesDisunion blog,JSTOR Daily,The Chronicle of Higher Education, Civil War Monitor, andCivil War Times.
She earned her BA in History and Literature from Harvard University and her PhD in American Studies from the University of Iowa, and has taught at Texas Tech University, Cal State Fullerton, Harvard, and Brown. She has written two books—Ruin Nation: Destruction and the American Civil War(2012) andTrembling Earth: A Cultural History of the Okefenokee Swamp(2005)
40 members of the OCCWRT were privileged to experience the presentation of historian and author Nelson. She had a most interesting point of view in regard to the Civil War. What was the extent of the destruction and desolation of the war, and how did the men and women of the time come to regard these changes?
She began with the history of Charles Morse from Boston. He graduated Harvard in 1858 and became an architect. He was a member of the Wide Awake Party and supported Lincoln. He enlisted in the 2nd Mass. Regiment. Transferred to Slocum’s Corp in the West, he went on to be the Provost Marshall of Atlanta after the fall of the city to Sherman’s army. He wrote of his impressions of Atlanta, including that he found it to be “a pretty place with evidence of a refined population.”
Morse did not approve of the destruction seen during Sherman’s march to the sea, but he came to embrace it as a “military necessity.” He felt the citizens of the South had brought the destruction upon themselves. Nevertheless, it was Morse who created the plan and means to burn Atlanta, and he was in charge when the city was put to the torch
The Atlanta Depot, blown up on Sherman’s departure
. Buildings were reduced to “Lone chimneys.” A famous image of the destruction of Atlanta was a photo of the Potter House, which may have been targeted deliberately for revenge by the Union troops.
Sherman’s army was supported by foraging, but there was much destruction to homes and furnishing, and much more than food was taken from the civilian population. This ran counter to the Lieber Code of Conduct of Pillage established in 1862. But much of the destruction would be dismissed under the guise of military orders.
The armies both North and South denuded forests. Trees were cut down for housing and fuel. Farms and crops were ruined, streams polluted. Morse described the destruction seen on the battlefields: “the bushes and trees were completely riddled with bullets, there wasn’t a twig that wasn’t cut off.”
The impact of the war on the soldiers could not be overlooked. The war could be seen as an affront to masculinity, creating “empty sleeves and government legs.” There were over 45,000 amputees as a result of the war. Alarge industry forprosthesis production and financial support had to be created to accommodate the needs of these veterans.
Nelson had concluded in her book that it is important to consider the impact of the violence of the Civil War on the men and women who endured it: “Without its ruins, we cannot fully understand the terrifying nature of the war and the complex and contradictory nation that it created.”
Rich Campagna provided a mintbit of pictures and remembrances from last year’s 4 Days in May tour sponsored by the Greater Boston Civil War Round Table. The tour included stops at Petersburg, Pamplin Park, and the Saylor’s Creek battlefield. His experience demonstrated the tremendousthe value and quality of the tours organized by Al and Dave Smith.
Breakthrough trail at Pamplin Park, Virginia
All members are encouraged to join the tour. There are few professionally organized tours that provide the value and educational experience that can be found on the CWRT of Greater Boston tour.
THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE PRESIDENT
Thank you to all the members who came out in force for the meeting in January. We are seeing new people and gaining members with a fresh point of view and new commitment.
I love EBay, but even more, I love to uncover hidden treasure in unexpected places.
I recently bought an 1865 diary on EBay. The seller said that it contained notes on the weather.
I said to myself” 1865 there has to be more on these pages than just the weather in this historic year”
Sure enough, a Beacon Hill resident who recorded daily events such as Lee’s Surrender at Appomattox, The Evacuation of Richmond, taking an oxcart to visit friends in Cambridge, and so on. Talk about glimpses into Civil war Boston
I have a favorite bookstore in North Brookfield called The Book bear. Last summer while picking through the shelves, I found a copy of the Covode Report for six dollars signed by Edward McPherson of Gettysburg, a congressman from Pennsylvania, and owner of a farm on McPherson’s Ridge.
I am sure that you have had similar experiences in your research that you would like to share with us.
Please let us know.
Joe Dipoli
Meeting cancellation advisory: If the Dedham Schools announce that they will not open OR they will have early dismissal, the Endicott Estate will be closed for the day.
DUES ARE DUE! Please submit!
OCCWRT 2015-2016
MEMBERSHIP DUES
Date:______2015
Name ______
Address______
City______State___Zip______
Enclosed is my check for :
Individual Membership $ 20
Family Membership $ 25
Annual Membership plus added
Donation to Preservation Fund $_____
MAILTO: Paula Cunningham, 62 Ridgewood St., Taunton, MA 02780
DUES ARE IMPORTANT!
Dues provides funds for awards to speakers
Dues provide funds for refreshments
OCCRWT provides a yearly donation to the Endicott Estate, ensuring that our meetings can be held in an historic and enriched meeting environment
Money from dues are distributed to worthy preservation organizations and activities
Paying dues demonstrates a commitment to preservation of our heritage and Civil War history!
Friends of Olde Colony Civil War Round Table
Generous donations were provided by the following businesses and individuals, and resulted in one of the most successful raffles. Wherever possible, please consider using the services of those businesses that supported the raffle:
ALEXANDER, TED, SOUTHERN REVENGE, AUTOGRAPHED COPY
AMERICAN DIGGER MAGAZINE, ACWORTH, GA, SAMPLE & 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
BOSTON RED SOX: BASEBALL AUTOGRAPHED BY CLAY BUCHLOLZ
CAMPAGNA, JOAN, NECKLACE AND EARRINGS
CIVIL WAR NEWS, TUNBRIDGE, VT, 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION AND BACK ISSUES
DEDHAM COMMUNITY THEATRE, DEDHAM, MA, Two MoviePasses and Pop Corn
DEDHAM SAVINGS, DEDHAM, MA, $50.00 AMERICAN EXPRESS GIFT CARD
DIPOLI, JOE, Book, Newburyport in the Civil War
DUGAN, GAIL, Books, Appomattox T Shirt and Tote
DIXIE GUN WORKS: $10 gift card
FULTON, PAT, CIVIL WAR STAMPS, Necklace, Bracelet
GRIFFEL, PAUL, GETTYSBURG POSTER
HEARSEY, DOREEN, Desk Top Lincoln Statue
HEARSEY, ROBERT, 35 BOOKS, DVDs, Statue
HOLIDAY INN DEDHAM, DEDHAM, MA, HOTEL ROOM FOR GUEST SPEAKER
ISABELLA RESTAURANT, DEDHAM, MA, $25.00 GIFT CARD
KINGS BOWLING, DEDHAM, MA, BOWLING PASSES
PARADISE CAFÉ, DEDHAM, MA, 50% DISCOUNT
RED SOX BASEBALL AUTOGRAPHED
REGIMENTAL QUARTERMASTER, GETTYSBURG, PA, SWORD, 2 $25 Gift Cards
ROCHE BROTHERS, WESTWOOD, $50.00 GIFT CARD
RON’S ICE CREAM, DEDHAM, MA, $15.00 Gift Card
STAR MARKET, DEDHAM, MA $25.00 GIFT CARD
TAUNTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, TAUNTON, MA, MEMBERSHIP 1 YEAR
THOMAS PUBLICATIONS, GETTYSBURG, PA, BOOK
VALORI TRELOAR, MD, NEWTON, MA, DERMATOLOGY SAMPLES, 3 BAGS
ZAISER, DANA, CIVIL WAR TOKEN
50’S RESTAURANT, DEDHAM, MA, $25.00 GIFT CARD
Civil War History:
The incredible opportunities to learn and share our heritage:
The Civil War Round Table of Greater Boston
Meetings: 7:30 pm on the 4th Friday of each month, Sept. to June
President David L. Smith
781-647-3332
The Civil War Round Table
of North Worcester County
Meetings: 7:00 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, Sept. to June, at the
Leominster Historical Society
17 School Street
Leominster, MA 01453
For information contact:
President, Ruth Frizzell
or
978-365-7628
The Civil War Round Table of
Central Massachusetts/Worcester
Meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the
4th Wednesday of each month
September to June
at the Holden Senior Center
Main Street
Holden, MA
For information contact:
President Mark Savolis
860-923-2777
Civil War Roundtable of Cape Cod
P.O. Box 1431 20 Main St.
The Riverview School on Rte 6A
3rd Monday of each month, 1:00 p.m. Yarmouth Senior Center
Fred Wexler, President, or John Myers, Programming
at (580) 896-6421
The Civil War Roundtable
of the Merrimack
P.O. Box 421
West Newbury, MA 01985
54th Mass Glory Brigade Foundation
Ben Goff, Corr. Secy
P.O. Box 260342 Mattapan 02126
(617) 254-7005
President Emmett Bell-Sykes
617-333-9970
The Greater New Bedford
Civil War Roundtable
Joe Langlois, Pres.
Fourth Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
1000 S. Rodney French Blvd. New Bedford
(thanks to Nadine Mironchuk, Northshore CWRT)
Rhode Island Civil War Round Table
third Wednesday of the month at the William Hall Library,1825 Broad Street, Cranston, R.I.; social hour at 5:30, meeting and speaker at 6:00.
Chairman is Mark Dunkelman ()
Secretary is Len Levin ()
Civil War Round Table of East Bridgewater
North Shore Civil War Round Table
Dextor Bishop, president
53 Andrew Street, Lynn
Largest GAR Hall and museum in the United States. You must attend a meeting to see a landmark Civil War heritage site!
Olde Colony Civil War Round Table
Schedule 2015-2016
Such appreciation to the effort of Jack Kavanagh
Program chair!
Most meetings begin at 7 pm with announcements from the President, followed by a presentation:
The Civil War in 4, a video program from the Civil War Preservation Trust, organized by Dana Zaiser:”
February 18, 2016
Ralph Stenelli, OCCWRT, minibit
“Battlefield Flags”
Susan Kueker
“Grierson’s 1863 Mississippi Raid”
March 17, 2915
Paul Griffel, OCCWRT
“Civil War Trivia”
Mark Melllo
“The Devil’s Den”
April 21, 2016
New speaker
Kevin Levin
History of the Confederate Battle Flag
May 19, 2015
“Alexander Stephens”
Brian Sims: “Russia in the Civil War”
ANNOUCEMENTS:
The group now has an active PO box to receive Civil War related mailings and materials:
Olde Colony Civil War Round Table
P.O. Box 361
Dedham, MA 02027
Note the Zip is 02027, not the routine zip for Dedham which is 02026
Civil War Trivia:
“Four score and seven years ago…” Lincoln’s Gettysburg address has become an icon of English literature. But what was Lincoln’s own reaction to the speech? Who did he talk to, and what did he say was his impression of the speech?
George Armstrong Custer played a pivotal role in the battle of Gettysburg. What was his rank? What was his rank before he was promoted? What was his rank at the end of the war?
John Gibbon also played a pivotal role in the battle of Gettysburg. Why is there a statue of Gibbon at Gettysburg? What was his rank in the war, and after the war? What was the connection between Custer and Gibbon after the war?
Super bonus question: Grant captured Vicksburg July 4, 1863. Many historians believe the campaign to capture Vicksburg was a brilliant victory that turned the tide of the war. But before the final campaign to captureVicksburg, Grant had suffered a number of humiliating setbacks and defeats. Please name and describe what Grant himself noted were the “Seven Failures” of the Vicksburg campaign.
Donations Made to the OCCWRT, please support organizations that made generous contributions to OCCWRT and preservation:
The Old Colony History Museum (OCHM) is located at 66 Church Green in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, USA. Since 1926, the Museum has occupied the historic former Bristol Academy school building. The building wasdesigned in 1852 by Richard Upjohn, architect of New York City’s Trinity Church, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Church Green Historic District. The Museum was previously located in the former Union Mission Chapel on Cedar Street.
Located at 66 Church Green in Taunton, Massachusetts, the Old Colony History Museum is home to an extensive collection of regional objects and archives and a research library specializing in local history and genealogy. Its parent organization, the Old Colony Historical Society, was founded on May 4, 1853, making it one of New England’s oldest historical societies.
The mission of the Old Colony History Museum is twofold: First, to collect, preserve and exhibit the history of the region of southeastern Massachusetts once known as the Old Colony. Second, through a vigorous program of outreach and education, we aspire to interpret the area’s history in ways that are accessible, inclusive and meaningful to local residents and visitors.
The Society maintains a research library specializing in genealogy of Southeastern Massachusetts and local history, a museum of objects associated with the history of the Taunton area, and hosts many public programs.
The OCHM is open year- around the world. Admission fees apply, but free admission is one benefit of membership in the OCHM.[1] round Tuesday-Saturday, 10-4, and offers many exciting exhibitions, activities, programs, research opportunities and, most importantly, an inspiring setting for visitors from around the block
About Dedham Community Theatre
The Dedham Community Theatre is an independent cinema founded in 1927. This cultural gem is an essential part of the downtown scene, located in the heart of historic Dedham Square.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to bring the community together for quality art-house films, events, music, and comedy. We also seek to support the independent spirit of great filmmakers and to thrive in the age of digital downloads, Netflix, and video-on-demand.
We offer great films 365 days a year, popcorn with REAL butter, beer and wine and the classic candy snacks you remember. You are helping to keep our doors open by buying snacks here!
You can buy VIP ticket booklets* and reserve the theatre for special events - whether that's a romantic screening for 2, a party for 300, a local filmmaker's premiere, or a corporate event.
Let's keep that marquee lit - we need you to make a habit of seeing films here with us, and we thank all of our loyal patrons for your continued support!
ADMISSION
We offer the discounted price of $9.00 for matinees before 1 PM. The ticket price is $9.00 for seniors over 65, children under 15, and active US Service Members. General admission is $11.00.
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