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FOX News graphic for Douglas-Lincoln Debate. Watch Here.
Tip o’ the hat to Jack Dempsey over at Michigan Civil War Blog, with a second tip towards Brian Downey over at behind AotW. I’m actually surprised, and a little ashamed to admit that I had absolutely no idea that there was another group that boasted the “Stonewall” nickname during the Civil War. Even worse, it was a bunch of Yankees. Yes, beyond our hero’s own “Stonewall Brigade,” there was apparently, the 17th Michigan “Stonewall Regiment.”
According to the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company E, Inc.’s website, which is an excellent source and well worth a visit: The Seventeenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment was one of thirty-one (including the 102nd US Colored Troops) infantry regiments mustered in Michigan for Federal service. The Seventeenth was organized during the summer of 1862, and left for Washington D.C. on August 27, 1862. Leading the regiment was Colonel William H. Withington of Jackson Michigan. Withington was already a veteran having been a Captain in the 1st Michigan (3 months) Infantry, captured at the battle of 1st Bull Run; released and then in command of the Seventeenth. Within two weeks of their arrival in the Capitol, the 982 officers and men received their baptism of fire at the battle of South Mountain, Maryland. Their heroic charge and capture of a Confederate brigade at Fox’s Gap earned them the nickname “the Stonewall Regiment.” Three days later they participated in the bloodiest single day in U.S. history…Antietam.
I believe that Jackson’s brigade became the only one of the war to have their nickname officially christened as their designation, but this group from The Wolverine State boasts a story of courage and tenacity too. However, this to me looks like an example of brand infringement and I wonder what the copyright attorney’s from brand-giants such as Coca-Cola would think.
Counselor Bonds, we await your expertise.
It has been a while since I've communicated with my friend and fellow Christian Bill Oberst Jr. He of course was the very talented character actor who portrayed General William Tecumseh Sherman in the History Channel’s “Sherman’s March.” Bill has been quite busy working on several films since, but he also makes time to share the story of Uncle Billy. In cooperation with The History Channel, Bill now speaks to middle and high schools across the country, showing excerpts of the film to students and using The History Channel's Study Guide (PDF) to spark discussion of Sherman's still-controversial philosophy of "total war." He also shows students some behind the scenes footage, and includes a Q&A period. If your school is interested in scheduling a date, please inquire via his website at www.billoberst.com.
PRESS RELEASE: The actor who portrayed General William Tecumseh Sherman in The History Channel’s critically- acclaimed docudrama will visit schools. Bill Oberst Jr., who is also known to Georgia audiences for his recreation of the late author Lewis Grizzard, will show behind-the-scenes footage from “Sherman’s March,” as well as excerpts from the film, and lead a discussion of Sherman’s tactics and the philosophy of ‘hard war’ the Union commander employed on his destructive "March To The Sea" from Atlanta to Savannah in the fall of 1864. “Sherman’s March” premiered on The History Channel in April 2007 and was seen by over five million viewers nationwide. The film sparked new discussions by Civil War online bloggers about the ethics and morality of Sherman’s tactics, and comparisons with modern methods of warfare.
As promised, I have posted the majority of my program from the Community Lecture Series on the Historic Churches of Fredericksburg and their experiences during the Civil War. Since giving this talk to 80+ people at Spotsylvania Presbyterian Church last Thursday, I have received great feedback and encouragement on the program. It also appears to have initiated a buzz in the area for my upcoming book on the subject titled "Houses of the Holy." A walking tour is now in development and this project seems to be taking on a life of its own. Although I am far from an expert in this subject, I am certainly working towards it. I really made a concerted effort to incorporate the African-American perspective, as well as speak to the sin of slavery and its affect on the congregations. This is one talk that I'm particularly proud of. Enjoy.
Here's a few email quotes: Thank you Michael! You did an outstanding job. It was a wonderful evening. In an age when much historical revisioning seeks to deny the role faith has played in our country, you may very well be called by God to lift up the role of the household of faith in the era of the Civil War. I learned a GREAT deal about F-Burg (and I have lived here for 32 years) and of course, the information about the churches was new to me. Can't wait for the book. Your presentation was outstanding! I know well the frustration of keeping under a time limit and you could have easily gone longer with plenty of excellent material to keep folks like me who could listen to historical facts and insights from the Civil War all night. May God bless you as he uses the gifts he’s given you for his glory.
Yesterday after services, I attended a special meeting in regards to our church Youth Group’s upcoming trip to New Orleans. Spotsylvania Presbyterian is very active in mission work and has led several ministries over the last few years to the Gulf Coast. We also send groups annually to international places of need such as Haiti and Africa. My oldest son Dylan (and 20+ other kids) have pledged to help provide construction work, landscaping, and assistance at a medical clinic this June. We are extremely proud of him, as he could have spent his summer vacation sitting around the pool at home doing nothing. This trip to N.O. is his first mission, and a big step towards qualifying for another one to Africa next year where he will help to build schools before going off to his own secondary education.
This meeting reminded me about the state of some of the historical sites that were also devastated from the storms. Although I have always believed that the repair of living people’s homes should come before the dead one’s, I am very glad to see that the restoration of Beauvoir has been coming along well. According to their website 98% of the restoration is completed.
Beauvoir was the last home of Jefferson Davis and it was the site of his retirement. In 1877, the former Confederate president was looking for a quiet retreat to write his books and papers. While inspecting property on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, he paid a courtesy call on Mrs. Dorsey (a family friend). He told her of his plans to try to find a place to write his books and papers. She encouraged him to stay at Beauvoir, in one of the two pavilions of Beauvoir House to write his books. He agreed to do so only if he paid $50.00 a month for room and board. After two years, he fell in love with the property and bought it.
Jefferson Davis died in 1889. His daughter, Winnie then inherited the property and when she died in 1898, Varina, Jefferson Davis' widow inherited the property. Mrs. Davis sold the property to the Mississippi Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans with two stipulations. The first was that the property be used for a Confederate Veterans Home for the veterans and or their widows at no charge to them and that was done from 1903 until 1957 when the last three widows were transferred to a private nursing home in Greenwood, Mississippi, when it was no longer practical to keep them at the site. The second stipulation for the sale of the property was that it be used as a memorial to Jefferson Davis and the Confederate Soldier; and that has been done from 1903 until the present time.
Twenty-something years ago I had my first ‘Civil War’ themed birthday (thanks to my mom) with an old fashioned Americana meal, a Confederate battle-flag cake, and presents that all revolved around the War Between the States. Today I turn 36, and I am having a ‘Civil War’ themed birthday (thanks to my wife) with an old fashioned Americana meal, a Confederate battle-flag cake, and presents that all revolve around the War Between the States. Life is sure good.
BTW: Although I will be in N.C. attending to my son’s future in NASCAR, I did want to share some info on the myriad of events that are coming up next weekend in honor of The Battle of Chancellorsville and my personal hero:
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park will hold special walking tours and living-history programs for the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Chancellorsville. Some driving-tour stops also will be staffed with historians to answer questions. In addition to programs May 2-4 on the battle, three special activities pertaining to the death of "Stonewall" Jackson will take place May 8-10. National Park Service events are free; a fee is charged for activities sponsored by Spotsylvania County and the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust. FRIDAY, MAY 2 "Chaos in the Night: The Wounding of Stonewall Jackson," one-hour historian-led walking tours, 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., Chancellorsville Visitor Center, 11 miles west of Fredericksburg on State Route 3. Final tour will take note of the exact time and place of Jackson's wounding. SATURDAY, MAY 3. (Call 540/373-6122 or 540/373-5167 for more details.)
My latest book review ran today for Jeff Toalson's “No Soap, No Pay, Diarrhea, Dysentery & Desertion.” This is a great book that presents the last year or so of the Confederacy. I’ll be posting this over on my website too, but here is a peek for all my blog readers. [Also, Jeff will be here in town doing a book signing on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Eastern National bookstore at Chancellorsville Visitor Center. His appearance is in connection with 145th anniversary activities for the Battle of Chancellorsville. For details, call 540/786-0759.]
Personal Toll is Compelling
by Michael Aubrecht (The Free Lance-Star: Town & County, 4/26/08)
More than 600,000 soldiers lost their lives in the American Civil War. It has been estimated that twice as many of them died as the result of sickness than of gunshot wounds. Far beyond the fearsome bayonet or Minie ball, disease, dysentery, poor hygiene and woefully lacking sanitation threatened the soldier's life on a daily basis.
Army campsites were often more deadly than the battlefield, and diseases from this breeding ground for sickness often spilled over into the local civilian population. Contaminated water, spoiled rations and the inability to stay clean while on campaign added to the misery and suffering of all those caught up in the nation's conflict.
In addition to the obvious physical rigors of army life, psychological struggles such as depression wore heavily on the hearts and minds of some soldiers. These mental wounds often resulted in alcohol abuse, suicidal tendencies and severe longing for home and family.
Unfortunately, it is this brutally honest, yet disturbing perspective that is usually omitted from the historical narrative in favor of military tactics and political analysis. The result is a gap in the published recollections of the infantrymen, cavalrymen and artillerymen that made up the ranks of both armies, as well as the civilians, who also bore the residual pains of war.
As the war progressed, the quality of life for Confederate soldiers deteriorated at an alarming rate. By mid-1864, and through the early part of 1865, much of the South lay in ruins and those fighting on behalf of the Confederate States struggled to maintain a positive outlook for the future. Not surprisingly, descriptions of the sights, sounds and smells of suffering often found their way into written correspondence and memoirs.
It is these diaries, journals and letters home that provide the basis for Jeff Toalson's highly original work "No Soap, No Pay, Diarrhea, Dysentery & Desertion."
In addition to boasting the best title for a book that this reviewer has ever read, Toalson's contribution to Civil War history has opened the door to a far-too-neglected subject, the day-to-day strife of the common soldier and his constant challenge to remain alive in the most nauseating of circumstances.
Local battle accounts
"No Soap, No Pay" presents the last 16 months of the Confederacy, as told from the first-person perspectives of a plethora of soldiers and citizens from all walks of life. Of those quoted, 220 men and 50 women recalled the War Between the States and the tenacity that was required in order to survive it.
Beyond adverse living conditions, the recollections in "No Soap, No Pay" include some Southerners' insights into slavery, religion, inflation and an undying hope for their fledgling cause. The concept of this book is so simple, yet brilliant, and the collection of quoted material is superb. "No Soap, No Pay" contains a wide variety of contributors that adds to the enjoyment of the read.
Residents will be particularly interested in the diary entries that reference the local battles of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania. The accounts of those, both in the fight and at home, paint a vivid portrait of life and death in the field. For example, Lt. J.S. Dozle, of the 33rd Virginia Infantry dramatically writes:
May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania, Muleshoe Salient: The atmosphere was obscured by a thick fog which was increased in density by the smoke of battle that, in the absence of any breeze, hung in heavy masses in the wood. The scene was terrible men seen dimly through the smoke and fog the woods were lighted by the flashing of guns the din was tremendous and increasing Men in crowds with bleeding limbs, and pale, pain-stricken faces, were hurrying to the rear, and, mingling with these could be seen many unwounded who had escaped from the wrecks of their comrades.
However, there is much more to this narrative than graphic descriptions of battlefield tales and bloody heroics. The desperation of the South is repeatedly presented, with frustrations over the devaluing of Confederate currency, the lowering of the draft-age, diminishing furloughs, bad food, lack of basic necessities and the poorly managed postal service. As the book progresses, a virtual timeline is plotted, as the inevitable defeat of the Southern army becomes apparent in the entries.
The civilian perspectives are equally compelling, as topics range from unmarried pregnancy and prostitution, to unsanitary medical practices and the lack of food and clothing.
'The Common Voice'
In an e-mail interview with me, editor Jeff Toalson explained his own vision for the book. He said, "The common voice, soldier and civilian, is often overlooked in history. Yet those voices often have the truest and most human ring. This first-person narrative is remarkable in its simplicity and stunning in its scope."
He added "The book sells equally well to both men and women. It is also being used by middle school teachers and home-schoolers to involve the students in the lives of actual participants to help bring history to life."
At nearly 500 pages, armchair historians interested in conducting their own research into the plight of these individuals will appreciate the triple index that is provided. This extra step enables the reader to locate the memoirs of individuals by referencing their name, command or general subject.
Perhaps the greatest contribution of this endeavor is found in the "voice" that has been given to the personal memories of these 270 courageous men and women, who lived through the darkest of times in our nation's history. By sharing their most intimate and personal recollections, Toalson presents an opportunity for us to learn what really happened, as their cause and their country came an end.
I am very pleased (and extremely humbled) by the emails that I have received over the last couple days by those who were in attendance at my lecture on the historical churches of Fredericksburg during the Civil War and Reconstruction Era. Many of them were filled with wonderful compliments of which I am very thankful for and several thanked me for quote: going out of my way to reveal the struggles of soldiers, civilians, slaves, secessionists, and unionists. I will be posting the entire transcripts and slides over on my website in the next week.
Most surprising was a phone call that I received by relatives of the Lacy family who were prominently featured in two parts of that presentation. They were in the audience on Thursday (unbeknownst to anyone) and thanked me for presenting both an “accurate and balanced” account of the historical events that took place here in Fredericksburg. It was an honor to say the least to have that kind of validation by the descendants of your subjects. They were kind enough to email me copies of some special materials from their own research to enjoy.
I was also approached by a local heritage organization about putting together a test-run of my walking tour project. The concept is called “Footsteps of Faith under Fire” and if coordinated properly, will enable me to take tours to each individual church so they can experience the history in person. Perhaps my friends at the NPS would entertain the notion as it is a rich topic that is far too often forgotten.
Last night’s talk at Spotsylvania Presbyterian could not have gone better. I had a great turnout and was very pleased to see audience members from all the churches that I was speaking on. In retrospect I did go too long. 90 minutes is a bit much, but I wanted to give equal time to each congregation. I also did a rather lengthy introduction on the origins of Fredericksburg, as well as the complex issue of slavery and the multiple perspectives of the Civil War and how they vary. This of course coincided with the edits that are being done to the book. Lesson learned: cut it to 60 minutes. I did have a few people walk out at the hour mark.
Because I spoke so long, the Q&A was cut short, but I had some great discussion at the reception and book signing that followed. I sold an entire case of The Southern Cross and distributed most of my handouts for the Houses of the Holy too. Some local heritage folks asked if I could possibly do additional programs on this subject in the future. I am hoping that the buzz over the book project and this presentation will enable me to do a walking tour of the churches in Old Town. The program I am envisioning will be titled Footsteps In Faith Under Fire and would give me an opportunity to present these houses of worship ‘in person.’ Although I would not consider myself to be an expert in this subject by any means, I am working on it and could see this topic possibly becoming a specialty of mine.
I will be posting the usual transcripts of this talk over on my website in the next week along with a few photos of the event. I do want to thank the members of the Adult Ministry Team at Spotsylvania Presbyterian, all those in attendance, and especially my mother and father who drove 5 hours to see me talk. My next event will be at the Fredericksburg Civil War Roundtable (Mary Washington University Alumni Center) where I will speak about Sgt. Richard Rowland Kirkland, The Angel of Marye’s Heights. Details to come.
On a side note my latest book review will be running in the Free Lance-Star’s Town & County section on Saturday. It’s for a great new book by Jeff Toalson titled No Soap, No Pay, Diarrhea, Dysentery & Desertion: A Composite Diary of the Last 16 Months of the Confederacy from 1864 to 1865. I’ll post a link when it’s up.
Also, I was just informed that my Civil War devotional spots are now running on 89.5 Bluegrass FM 3x's a day. The response has been good and they are getting frequent pledges by using copies of the The Southern Cross that we donated as listener rewards. In fact, nearly half the books are gone after 2 weeks. I will be getting digital audio files next week to link on my website. Stay tuned.