March 19, 2010 | Posted by javal
The Patriots Point Development Authority cast a split 3-3 vote this week on a proposal to erect a monument to South Carolina’s secessionists, following extensive discussion. Unfortunately, the public had virtually no opportunity to hear what Authority members had to say about the matter.
The Authority went behind closed doors for a lengthy executive session under what was described by its attorney as an exemption in the Freedom of Information Act allowing for discussion of negotiations toward a contract. It was the second time this year that the Authority has done so on this matter.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE WHOLE STORY THEN COME BACK TO COMMENT
Categories: Opinion/Editorial | 
Tags: South Carolina | 
No Comments »
March 19, 2010 | Posted by javal
Local tourism officials could have produced another brochure about Washington County’s Civil War history.
But Tom Riford wanted to do it in song.
When Riford, president and CEO of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, started talking with local musician Jennie Avila about her interest in writing some music related to the war, they decided to produce an entire CD.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE WHOLE STORY THEN COME BACK TO COMMENT
Categories: Arts | Tags: Maryland | No Comments »
March 19, 2010 | Posted by javal
Alabama’s largest Civil War reenactment could fall victim to TVA’s coal ash spill.
For 16 years, the “Siege of Bridgeport” has been held on a family farm in the shadow of TVA’s Widows Creek Fossil Plant.
But after the spill at the Kingston plant TVA is trying to claim the land near its ash ponds in Jackson County.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE WHOLE STORY THEN COME BACK TO COMMENT
Categories: reenactment | Tags: Alabama | No Comments »
March 19, 2010 | Posted by javal
In 1998, a publisher asked Dara Horn if she wanted to expand a magazine article she had written into a book about the Civil War.
“I was very flattered,” Horn said during a recent interview, “but decided not to do it because I was not willing to spend three years of my life researching the Civil War.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE WHOLE STORY THEN COME BACK TO COMMENT
Categories: Books | Tags: | No Comments »
March 19, 2010 | Posted by javal
Over its 200-year history, Castle Williams has been a military fortress, a prison for Confederate soldiers, a pig grazing pen and a teen center.
Now, the National Park Service hopes to turn the red sandstone fort on Governors Island into a museum. The full plans will take 20 years and $60 million to realize, but the N.P.S. recently started cleaning and stabilizing the three-story, doughnut-shaped building using a $6.4 million federal grant.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE WHOLE STORY THEN COME BACK TO COMMENT
Categories: Preservation | Tags: New York | 1 Comment »
March 19, 2010 | Posted by javal
Wednesday, March 19 1862
FOOTE, FARRAGUT FLOAT FRUSTRATIONS
The mission to take back the Mississippi River and thus divide the Confederacy had two naval leaders: Flag Officer Andrew Foote was working down from the north. He was currently hung up at Island No. 10, downriver from New Madrid. Mo. His opposite number was Flag Officer David Farragut, moving up from the South. He stopped in Biloxi today for newspapers. “They speak volumes of discontent…” he wrote in his report. “The cord is pulling tighter. God alone decides the contest, but we must put our shoulders to the wheel.”
Thursday, March 19 1863
FARRAGUT FIGHTS FURTHER FRUSTRATIONS
A year later and Flag Officer David Farragut, although Admiral Farragut by this time, was not much further up the Mississippi. Admittedly he did not have a great deal of help in the matter: besides his flagship USS Hartford, he had only the assistance of USS Albatross, not the best of omens. He had started the week with seven ships, but the others had been damaged or destroyed in battling Port Hudson. He contented himself today with going ashore towards Natchez to tear down telegraph lines.
Saturday, March 19 1864
CONFIDENCE CALL CONSIDERS COMPROMISE
The legislature of the state of Georgia passed a couple of resolutions on the subjects of war and peace. The first simply expressed confidence in the leadership and decisions of President Jefferson Davis. The second was a little trickier: it resolved that the Confederate Government in Richmond should, after each Southern victory, offer to end the war. Terms would be independence for the South, of course, as well as self-determination for border states.
Sunday March 19, 1865
BENTONVILLE BATTLE BOGS BADLY
Gen. William T. Sherman’s army was so big that the left and the right wings had to operate as essentially separate commands. Sherman had been riding on the left with Slocum, but departed today to visit with O. O. Howard’s right. Slocum’s forces promptly ran into trouble, in the form of dug-in Confederates under Johnston near the town of Bentonville, N.C. Rather than march blindly into the unknown, the Union boys started digging trenches of their own. The Confederate attack nearly worked, but the breakthrough was stopped by Jefferson Davis. The Union General Jefferson Davis, not that other guy.
Categories: This Day in the War | Tags: | No Comments »
March 18, 2010 | Posted by javal
Visitors to the Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site near Ash Grove can experience the “Civil War in Ash Grove” on Saturday.
The event will feature living history re-enactors, guest speakers and a panel exhibit in the site office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Civil War in Ash Grove” will highlight the story of the Boone family and the farm during war years.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE WHOLE STORY THEN COME BACK TO COMMENT
Categories: Event | Tags: Missouri | No Comments »
March 18, 2010 | Posted by javal
Nearly two-thirds of Adams County residents support a resort casino outside of Gettysburg, according to a Terry Madonna Opinion Research poll released Tuesday.
According to the poll, 62 percent of county residents support the project, up significantly from the 52 percent who said they supported a casino four years ago. The poll found that 62 percent said that the casino will not harm the historic character of Gettysburg, while 35 percent think it will.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE WHOLE STORY THEN COME BACK TO COMMENT
Categories: Gettysburg | Tags: Gettysburg | 1 Comment »
March 18, 2010 | Posted by javal
Tuesday, March 18 1862
CONFEDERATE CABINET CHANGES CHARTED
Very nearly all the high cabinet positions in the Confederate government changed hands today. Judah Benjamin, who had been criticized frequently for his handling of the War Department, was shifted to Secretary of State. The criticism followed him to his new job, even though he performed brilliantly; the fact of the matter was that many Southerners were uncomfortable with a Jew in a position of such authority. The newly appointed head of the Department of War was George W. Randolph of Virginia. Gen. Thomas Bragg was replaced by Thomas Watts. The party who started the whole shuffle, ex Secretary of State R. M. T. Hunter, departed for the Senate.
Wednesday, March 18 1863
INTERESTING INVESTMENT INVOLVES INSTABILITY
The financial markets of Paris were presented with a new investment opportunity today as the financiers House of Erlanger offered to buyers three million British pounds’ worth of Confederate bonds. The instruments were to be repaid over a period of twenty years. Although they became at the time prime examples of why investments involve risk, the holder’s descendants have reason to be happy–the bonds themselves are worth a great deal in the antiquities market today. The bonds were indeed quickly subscribed and purchased, giving not only much-needed revenue to the Richmond government but increasing hopes that recognition by European governments must surely follow soon.
Friday, March 18 1864
LINCOLN LAUDS LADIES’ LABORS
A number of groups, collectively called the Sanitary Commission was, during the war years, the closest thing the United States had to a department of public health. They supplied clothing, blankets, wholesome food, and care for the sick. Although the leadership of these commissions (and the related but separate Christian Commission) was of course primarily male, most of the workers were women. Like any charitable private group their biggest problem was often fundraising. They held “Sanitary Fairs”, often featuring prominent speakers. President Lincoln said at one today “if all that has been said…since the creation of the world in praise of women applied to the women of America, it would not do them justice for their conduct during the war.”
Saturday, March 18 1865
BEASTLY BENTONVILLE BATTLE BEGINS
The final movement of Sherman’s symphony in the south was close to beginning today near Bentonville, N.C. The left wing under Gen. Slocum was preceded by Kilpatrick’s cavalry. Facing him was Gen. Wade Hampton, famous horseman in his own right. The two began with a skirmish at Benton’s Cross Roads. Johnston began maneuvering his 20,000 Confederates to oppose Slocum’s 30,000 Federals. The full Union army opposing him numbered nearly 100,000.
Categories: This Day in the War | Tags: | No Comments »
March 17, 2010 | Posted by javal
Appomattox Court House NHP will commemorate the 145th anniversary of the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General Ulysses S.Grant with two weekends of special activities in April. Starting April 8th
(Thursday) through the 12th (Monday) the park will offer a series of special tours and programs, including hands-on activities for kids on the weekend. The public is invited to enjoy military and civilian living history presentations, guided tours, ranger programs, book singings by authors, and a Stacking of Arms Ceremony on Sunday afternoon.
The following weekend, April 17th and 18th, Union and Confederate re-enactment groups will be encamped in the village. They will demonstrate historic weapons and battle tactics, including horse-drawn artillery, on the last battlefield of Lee’s Army. On Saturday night, the 17th at 6:30 p.m., visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for a free evening concert of Civil War period music at the McLean House by the 26th NC Brass Band. During this weekend, visitors will have a chance to visit Union and Confederate camps and learn about the life of a common Civil War soldier. Activities will include cooking, military inspections, drill, and printing of parole passes for Confederate soldiers in the same building where they were printed in 1865. Each day there will also be a “Stacking of Arms Ceremony” along the stage road, exactly where General Lee’s army stacked arms 145 years ago. There will also be an exhibit by Civil War artifact collector Russell Hicks at the Tavern Guesthouse. For a full detailed list of activities during both weeks, please visit the calendar of events on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/apco.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is located on Highway 24, 3 miles from Appomattox. The park is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Entrance fees are $3 per person, or $5 per vehicle. Children 15 and under are free. Specific questions about the events should be directed to Bert Dunkerly at 434-352-8987 ext. 31 or the park visitor center at ext. 26.
Categories: Event | Tags: Virginia | No Comments »
Recent Comments