Civil War Fever

Everyone knows about Civil War reenactments that take place annually nationwide, but did you know that there are Civil War bubble gum cards? The list goes on, from books to blogs to collectors shows. There are Civil War plays, musicals, and plenty of ceremonies in honor of Civil War heroes.

More books have been written about Lincoln that any other American. There are books about Civil War cooking, in both the North and the South, non-fiction books about every battle imaginable, and novels, although they are not as common.

The Civil War lives on in living history encampments, artillery demonstrations, and musical gatherings. There are period dances, Civil War newspapers, magazines, and newsletters. And, of course, there is an unlimited supply of Civil War paraphernalia, such as calendars, clothing, costumes, clocks - you name it. With all the fascination surrounding the War Between the States, is it any wonder that our country will celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary to the hilt?

Last Veteran’s Reunion at Gettysburg

Seventy-one years ago, a significant event took place at Gettysburg, that being the 75th anniversary of the battle, and the last reunion of Civil War veterans. In 1913, at the 50th anniversary, over 50,000 veterans attended. However, by 1938, the number of survivors had dwindled to around 10,000. The government offered to provide transportation, and so about 1,900 veterans arrived on 26 trains to celebrate, dressed in their old uniforms, or in coats, vests, and ties, regardless of the stifling heat. Their average age was ninety-four, and they were greeted with a fleet of wheelchairs, 3800 tents, which separated the Rebels from the Yankees (as though the old guys were going to go after each other!), mosquito netting, and 27 cases of whiskey. By the end of the July 3-5 weekend, only the whiskey was in short supply.

During the festivities, a dozen veterans from both sides congregated near a stone wall that had been used as Union breastworks, where they reached across and shook hands. A crowd of 150,000 attended as President Roosevelt dedicated the unveiling of the Peace Monument on Oak Hill. Two Gettysburg veterans, one Confederate, one Union, lowered the American flag to reveal the monument as the Star Spangled Banner was played.

The event, including the dedication, was broadcast on all four radio stations. It is thought that in 1938, the only authentic recording of a Confederate giving the Rebel yell was recorded. By 1952, only two Civil War veterans remained. At present, there are only five verified WWI veterans alive, two of which are Americans. In ten years, the 75th anniversary of D-Day will occur, with fewer WWII veterans alive than who celebrated last month. Sadly, yet inevitably, memories of that battle will eventually be lost, just as the fragility of human existence released those who participated in the battle at Gettysburg.

Happy 4th of July!

I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy Fourth of July weekend. While we’re out celebrating, please be considerate and cautious. Fifty-one percent of all fatalities on July 4th occur from drunk drivers, so I urge you to be alert.

This year marks the 146th anniversaries of the Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Last year, I attended the reenactment at Gettysburg, and it was nothing less than spectacular. There were so many reenactors, artillery pieces, and horses that it was like witnessing the real thing. The experience was profound and awe-inspiring, to say the least. Some fellow SCV members have expressed their dismay at celebrating such dismal defeats. But let us keep in mind that our nation, as a whole, should celebrate this holiday together in unity, for all our freedoms.

Memphis Queen

My son and I recently took a trip down the Mississippi River on a riverboat aptly named the “Memphis Queen.” Although the vessel is only five years old, it resembles boats of days gone by. Our tour guide, an African-American gentleman with a strong Memphian accent enlightened us on local history, and the use of steamboats on the Mighty Mississippi, the “Father of Waters.”

Riverboats were widely used as a major mode of transportation during the eighteen and nineteenth centuries. They are glamorized today, even though they were extremely dangerous. Most ran on a boiler system that had a tendency to explode if the combination of steam, water, and air wasn’t properly balanced. In fact, the worst maritime disaster in American history took place in such a way.

The Sultana was docked off the Memphis shore on April 26, 1865, and loaded to six times her capacity with Union soldiers who had been released from prison, and were being transported back up north. No one knows what actually caused the explosion, but around 2 a.m. the boilers exploded, the boat caught fire, and nearly 1,800 people lost their lives. This terrible event has virtually gone unnoticed, primarily since it happened in the final days of the Civil War, and the country was preoccupied with Lee’s surrender, Lincoln’s assassination, John Wilkes Booth’s capture, and tired of hearing about death.

Another interesting tidbit we learned from our guide in relation to the War Between the States is that Mud Island, which is where the Wolf and Mississippi Rivers meet at Memphis, was formed by a Union ironclad that ran aground. The mud and silt built up around it, and once the ship was finally removed, the island remained. Mud Island is now a river park complete with a museum and amphitheatre that hosts top name musical acts.

If you’re ever in the neighborhood, I strongly recommend you take a riverboat ride on the Mississippi, and experience for yourself what it’s like to step back in time. There is nothing so serene as floating slowly down the river with the cool breeze wafting by, and imagining what our ancestors experienced.

New Review

I just wanted to let everyone know that my book has received another review, which is posted on Amazon, and also on the TOCWOC Civil War blog. Thanks for your support!

My Memphis

Upon moving to Memphis, I decided to check out the city. Besides all the astounding music that resides there, i.e. Beale Street, the Rock and Soul Museum, Stax Museum of American Soul, and Graceland, to name a few, there is plenty of Civil War history as well.

Nathan Bedford Forrest is honored with a statue (under which he and his wife are entombed) and a park named after him. Elmwood Cemetery, one of the oldest in the area, holds the graves of yellow fever victims (there was an epidemic in 1878) in one section, Masons in another area, Chinese in another, and slaves in yet another. At Victorian Village, several mansions stand, one of which is called the Woodruff-Fontaine House, said to be haunted.

The Mississippi River played a vital role in the war, because the Yankees knew that, once they gained control of this essential, watery thoroughfare, the Confederacy would be terminally crippled. Memphis fell to Union occupation early in the war, as did New Orleans. Vicksburg, Mississippi would succumb a year later. General Grant achieved victory for these defeats, which then catapulted him to the position of Major General of the U. S. Army. After the war, a fellow by the name of Mark Twain (which is a boating term in reference to the river’s water level) would gain notoriety with his infamous novels. There is so much amazing history here in Memphis that I hope it isn’t forgotten and pushed by the wayside to make room for changing philosophies and advancements.

Visiting Shiloh National Military Park

Last weekend, I convinced my family to take a road trip to Shiloh, which is about two hours from where we live. Once we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that admission was free due to Father's Day. Although the temperature threatened to reach 100, we still enjoyed the time we spent there. My son and I went through the small museum at the visitor's center, and watched the 1/2 hour long movie about the battle. (The movie is from the 50's. Time to do an update!)

We then proceeded to stop #4, where we were entertained by members of Selden's Alabama Battery and Tarrant's Alabama Battery. These guys are genuinely devoted historians. They'd have to be, to dress up in wool uniforms in order to perform living history demonstrations. They enlightened the crowd by displaying an authentic campsite, firing off two cannons, and explaining the procedure required to do so. (It takes six men to fire off a cannon.)

Following the demonstration, we took the driving tour of the park, and saw the National Cemetery, the Confederate mass grave sites, the enormous monuments, and Pittsburgh Landing on the Tennessee River. The peach orchard has been replanted to replicate the original, and Bloody Pond still emits a strange, reddish coloration, but supports wildlife. (We noticed several small fish swimming in the pond.) The day was hot and humid, but the experience was profound and inspirational. Our son, who has never seen the park before, really enjoyed it, and learned much about the battle.