DRUM & BUGLE Voice of the Rappahannock Valley Civil War Round Table

Transcription

1 DRUM & BUGLE Voice of the Rappahannock Valley Civil War Round Table Rappahannock Valley Civil War Round Table Newsletter January 2007, Volume 4, Issue 1 Topic: The Avenger Takes His Place Speaker: Howard Means When: Monday, January 8, Social hour begins at 6:00, dinner at 6:45, business meeting at 7:30, Program/Speaker 8:00, Adjournment 9:00 pm Location: Uncle Sam s Restaurant in the Uptown section of Central Park Dinner Reservations We meet at Uncle Sam s Restaurant in the Central Park area of Fredericksburg, Virginia. You may attend the meeting only. If you come for dinner, you must make advanced reservations following these rules. Reservations are required for dinner, and MUST BE MADE BEFORE NOON ON THURSDAY, January 4, The cost of the dinner is $17. To make reservation, Bob Jones at 3dognight@big planet.com (preferred) or call (540) and leave a message on the answering machine. You will be BILLED for any reservation not canceled. Program Scholar and journalist Howard Means, in his The Avenger Takes His Place, tells the story of the dramatic first six weeks of Andrew Johnson's chaos fraught presidency. He shows that as a result of running the White Housewith a deeply flawed and contentious persona, his actoions would shape the nature of the young country for generations, indeed to current times. Howard Means was a senior editor for Washingtonian magazine, where he won three William Allen White Medals. His previous books include the novel C.S.A. He co-wrote former FBI Director Louis Freeh's recently published memoir. He lives in Millwood, Virginia. 1

2 Review of the December Meeting by Greg Mertz Winter of Discontent, Springtime of Change: The Army of the Potomac, Joseph Hooker, and the Prelude to Chancellorsville The time period to follow Ambrose E. Burnside s departure from the Army of the Potomac was one of the most interesting times in the army s history. Our speaker, John Hennessy asserted that it would be easy to paint a dark picture of the time span. In the aftermath of the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg and the Mud March, the period could be characterized as one in which the Union soldiers were hungry, lacking pay, and dispirited a depiction which would not be entirely inaccurate, but one which would exclude many far more important things that took place within the army at the same time. Hennessy contends that the army was undergoing a critical change a change in which the men of the army experienced a growing self-identity and determination that would, over time, insulate itself from the misdeeds of its leaders and the government it served. The key character in this transformation was its new army commander, Joseph Hooker. Hooker enjoyed a reputation as an aggressive soldier amid a timid officer s corps. While history has looked very favorably upon Hooker s career prior to when he assumed command of the army, Hennessy opined that history had not been very careful in formulating that perception. John pointed out Hooker s mistakes at Williamsburg and Antietam, concluding that Hooker had crossed over the line from being aggressive to being reckless. Hooker did not deserve one of the few positive attributes usually credited to him. Character weaknesses, including Hooker s self promoting antics, his denigration of brother officers, and his bombastic ways did not go unnoticed by others in the army, many of whom questioned Hooker s abilities as well as his integrity. This questionable officer was not only thrust to head up the army, but was so placed during a time of discontent and turmoil for the men in the ranks. Among the hardships the soldiers had to endure were disgruntlement from not being paid, hunger due to the poor administration of logistical matters, and the weariness of having back to back campaigns for ten months with virtually no reprieve. The army Hooker inherited was extremely demoralized and worn out. Yet enduring physical hardship was easier than coping with other sources of discontent, as one soldier wrote: The severity of the winter is nothing compared with the frigidity of our hearts toward the administration. For keeping men all winter in the shelter tents and feeding them hard tacks and salt beef. It is an outrage on humanity and one that will live in the hearts of those composing the Army of the Potomac until disease and bullet have consummated its extinction. The action that caused the men in the ranks to question the wisdom of their government s policies most was the Emancipation Proclamation. It added a new purpose for the war, and many in the ranks didn t support this new cause. New Yorker Francis Pierce wrote: I will not jeopardize my life or become an invalid for life simply to restore 3,000,000 brutes to freedom before the 1 st of January. Formerly when a reb on picket or any other place asked me, what are you fighting for? I could answer, proudly too, for the restoration of the Union Now when one asks me I have to hang my head Another soldier complained to his father: How many bright hopes disappointed [?]... all done by the fools in Washington. Was there ever such a government, such fools, such idiots? I hate and despise them more intensely than I do the rebels. 2

3 Despite Hooker s shortcomings and the rock bottom morale of the army, the commanding general implemented positive changes with a lasting impact on the army. Hennessy pointed out that Hooker focused -- not on those elements that were perceived to be the biggest sources of discontent -- but on those factors that he felt he could change. Medical Director Jonathan Letterman was the key to changing the health and welfare of the troops. He improved the diet, issuing fresh bread to the men while in camp instead of the tasteless hardtack cracker designed for its feasibility while the army was on the march. Men were issued vegetables on a regular basis. One soldier wrote: We get more potatoes in a week now than we used to get in a month. Another concluded: All the boys are satisfied that Hooker intends to keep them fat if he don t do anything else." The camps were cleaned up, latrine locations improved, tents and huts aired out, and both the clothes and the soldier s bodies were required to be washed regularly. One soldier wrote: General Hooker is bound to have this army start forth in good style, with clean clothes at least. Illness dropped by about 30% due to these practices. Hooker also appreciated the need to attend to the psychological need of his men. Furloughs, whisky rations and reviews of the troops not only improved morale, but slowed desertion. Hooker also restored discipline, promoting and commending a soldier who shot and killed a deserter. The first test for this rejuvenated army was the Chancellorsville Campaign, and after Hooker initiated one of the most successful maneuvers of the war, his generalship proved to be deficient once the fighting began. But after the disastrous campaign the army was able to rationalize a reason why they were defeated without diminishing the performance of the men in the ranks they blamed the setback on the XI corps, a unit that had just joined the army and had been driven from the field of battle. The poor performance of the XI corps jeopardized the position of men who had been in the army at Fredericksburg and earlier. Instead of being further demoralized by another defeat, the Army of the Potomac emerged from Chancellorsville with a determined resolve. It was written of the Army of the Potomac after Chancellorsville: They have something of the English bull-dog in them. You can whip them time and again, but the next fight they go into, they are in good spirits. They are used to being whipped, and no longer mind it. Some day or other we shall have our turn. Indeed they would have their turn. It came exactly two months after Chancellorsville at Gettysburg. Though Hooker should receive his share of the blame for the defeat at Chancellorsville, he should also be credited for his role in building the fortitude in the army that enabled it to survive that defeat and successfully face the challenge at Gettysburg. Closed Captioning for the Humor Impaired by Alan Zirkle This is the same picture I ran in November. I only received one reply, and it wasn't funny. I know that we have some funny people out there, so either I get some good replies or this is the last month for this feature. Example: "If they ever find out that my drum is full of rum [complete this sentence humourously]." Example: "I don't care if the battle has started; tell [insert name of Civil War General] [insert what the General should be told]." 3

4 Feel free to use either of the above examples. Make it funny, and keep it clean. What is this drummer boy saying in his dreams? And/or what is a good caption for the photograph? Answer any of these questions, and your answer to Alan Zirkle at azirkle@earthlink.net before the next meeting (if you don't use , phone him at ). A prize will be given to the most imaginative humorous answer. The name of the winner, and the content of the winning and runner-up entries, will be announced at the January Round Table meeting. Must be present to win. Decision of the judge is final. FREDERICKSBURG AND SPOTSYLVANIA NATIONAL MILITARY PARK 2007 SPECIAL EVENTS Please watch the park website's "Special Events" page for any changes to the following schedule. February 7. The Footsteps of Lee. 7:30 p.m. Eric Mink will take you on a travelogue of places in the Fredericksburg area associated with Robert E. Lee during the Civil War some of them famous, more of them obscure. Salem Church Library, 2607 Salem Church Road in Spotsylvania County. Lee Bicentennial Program. Free March 7. Being Number One: Lee the Man. 7:30 p.m. Historian Frank O Reilly will examine the personal side of Robert E. Lee how he grew to become one of the most famous of all Americans. Headquarters Library, 1201 Caroline Street in downtown Fredericksburg. Lee Bicentennial Program. Free 4

5 GAMING CONTROL BOARD REJECTS SLOTS PARLOR NEAR HISTORIC GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD After 20 months of debate, the Control Board concludes that Gettysburg and gambling don t mix. (Harrisburg, Pa., 12/20/2006) During a public hearing today, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board rejected a proposal to build a 3,000-machine slots parlor one mile from the Gettysburg Battlefield. James Lighthizer, president of the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT), issued the following statement in the wake of the vote: This is a great day for Gettysburg and for preservationists throughout the nation. By not allowing gambling to encroach on this famous town and battlefield, Pennsylvania has sent a clear message that it cares deeply for its historic treasures. It is no exaggeration to say that this is the most significant battlefield preservation victory since the defeat of Disney s proposed theme park at Manassas in the early 1990s. Together with the many thousands of Americans who have anxiously awaited this decision for some 20 months, I applaud the members of the Gaming Control Board and thank them for recognizing that Gettysburg and gambling don t mix. I also want to thank the tireless volunteers of No Casino Gettysburg and recognize the work of our other partners in the Stop the Slots Coalition. There is no question that this victory was a team effort. I sincerely hope this vote will serve to motivate preservationists to redouble their efforts to save the remainder of the Gettysburg Battlefield before it is lost forever. The casino proposal itself was merely a symptom of a larger development problem plaguing Gettysburg and many other Civil War battlefield communities. The Civil War Preservation Trust is committed to working with other preservation groups to protect the Gettysburg battleground. Since the Gettysburg slots parlor was first proposed in April 2005, CWPT has been one of the leading voices against the casino. Earlier this year, the organization identified Gettysburg as one of the most endangered battlefields in the nation because of the slots proposal. CWPT members collected more than 34,000 signatures in opposition to the casino. Together with the National Parks Conservation Association, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, No Casino Gettysburg and Preservation Pennsylvania, CWPT is proud to be a member of the Stop the Slots Coalition. The Civil War Preservation Trust is a 70,000-member nonprofit battlefield preservation organization. Its mission is to preserve our nation s endangered Civil War sites. Since 1987, the organization has saved more than 23,000 acres of hallowed ground throughout the United State, including 697 acres in and around Gettysburg. CWPT s website is located at 5

6 2007 Calendars Available Proceeds support the RVCWRT Scholarship Fund The RVCWRT is selling 2007 calendars containing scenes of the Fredericksburg area Civil War battlefields. The pictures are from those available for purchase from Steven Thompson that were shown at our RT dinners. All proceeds from the calendar sales will go to support the recently announced $ 2500 scholarship to be awarded to a local area high school senior in Calendar prices are $ 20 each; $ 35 for 2; and $ 50 for 3. Calendars will be available at the January RT dinner meeting or contact: Scott Walker or Bob Jones College Scholarship Offered A $2500 competitive college scholarship in history, archaeology, or preservation will be offered by the Rappahannock Valley Civil War Roundtable for the school year. Prospective applicants should visit the website for information about the scholarship, application forms, and the sponsoring organization (RVCWRT). The deadline for scholarship application is February 1, You may want to contact your guidance office for additional information. The Drum and Bugle is published monthly by the Rappahannock Valley Civil War Roundtable, P.O. Box 7632, Fredericksburg, VA Dues are $30 for individuals, $40 for families, and $7.50 for students. Membership is open to anyone interested in the study of the Civil War and the preservation of Civil War sites. Greg Martin is President; Joe Bonjiovi, Vice President; Bob Jones, Secretary; Barbara Stafford, Treasurer; Lois Wilson, Newsletter Editor; John Graham, John Griffiths, Greg Mertz, Tom Quigley, Melanie Jordan, Greg Martin, Terry Matthews, Marc Thompson, Bob Pfile, and Dan Augustine, Members of the Board of Directors 6