Lee's Dispatch Captain Bob Lee SCV Camp 2198

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1 Lee's Dispatch Captain Bob Lee SCV Camp 2198 Volume 1, Issue 10 August 15, 2012 Commander s Report By Doug Garnett Our camp is already moving forward into the New Year. After the turn out for Fort Inglish on May 4 th and the 2012 Heritage Day the City of Bonham encouraged the Captain Bob Lee Camp to undertake an even larger event. To that end plans are coming around for the 2013 event. The event we are looking at will not only help the local communities and Fannin County but will help broaden the local awareness of our history. We have about 14 months to bring together the event. In the months ahead more details will be organized and locked down. When talking to people I have come to realize how little most people know of their country s history. It also strikes me that most people don t care about their past; they can t see what is the use of knowing the facts after all that is what history is just a list of facts or some old map in a dusty boring book. I can t see history in those terms.history is alive.it is fluid ever changing. History, on a broad topic, strikes me as the road to what and who we are. It is or should be a goal for our camp to restore; to instill in our fellow citizens of Fannin County and the State of Texas, the desire to know and learn about our past. A note about our vanity license plate issue; the initial hearing has taken place. The state requested the accepting judge to throw out the SCV s suit. The judge after hearing from both sides told the state the SCV had cause and the suit would go forward it is now a wait and see period before the next phase of the court issue is heard. Both sides are gearing up for what may take a year or more. Sic Semper Tyrannis. Bring a friend to our next meeting. Share the newsletter with others. Lee s Dispatch is the official newsletter for the Sons of Confederate Veterans Captain Bob Lee Camp 2198 and is intended for the sole purpose of keeping the camp members and friends of the camp informed to the activities and news of Camp Statements in this newsletter are those of the author and may not reflect the opinions of the Captain Bob Lee Camp, or those of the National Sons of Confederate Veterans. Within articles or quotes written by outside authors mistakes in spelling, grammar or sentence structure are strictly those of the author and may be left as is. September Waxahachie Living History Chautauqua 2012 Educational Program educational-programs-1 Events of 150 years ago August 1862 August 5 Union Victory at Baton Rouge August 6-9 Union Victory at Kirksville August 9 Confederate Victory at Cedar Mountain August 11 Confederate Victory at Independence August Confederate Victory at Lone Jack August Union Victory at Fort Ridgely August 22 Abraham Lincoln issues the "Greeley Letter" in response to Horace Greeley's editorial "A Prayer of Twenty Millions." August Inconclusive Battle at Rappahannock Station August Confederate Victory at Manassas Station Operations August 28 Confederate Victory at Thoroughfare Gap August 28 Confederate Victory at Groveton August Confederate Victory at Manassas Second / Second Bull Run August Confederate Victory at Richmond Lee's Dispatch 1

2 On the Trail of the KGC By Jess Freer Knights of the Golden Circle began early in the War Between the States, selling tickets in Pennsylvania to farmers and business for protection when the CSA army came into the area. These funding events spread to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and as far west as California. These funds even purchased a ship to work as a pirate ship raiding the west coast; unfortunately the ship was seized before it ever left port. It is believed that millions were collected from people of the northern States who did not agree with the war, the draft, suspended writ of habeas corpus, or most of Lincoln s war decrees. The funds for the KGC were for the war efforts while it lasted, then the change came at the fall of CSA to helping the South raise again, as well as support those veterans who did not surrender. In late 1863, the KGC reorganized as the Order of American Knights. In 1864, it became the Order of the Sons of Liberty, with the Ohio politician Clement L. Vallandigham, most prominent of the Copperheads, as its supreme commander. To discourage enlistments, resist the draft, and shield deserters. The KGC held numerous peace meetings. A few agitators, some of them encouraged by Southern money, talked of a revolt in the Old Northwest, which could have ended the war. KGC members also figured prominently among those who, in 1861, joined Lt. Col. John Robert Baylor in his temporarily successful takeover of southern New Mexico Territory. In May 1861, members of the KGC and Confederate Rangers attacked a building which housed a pro-union newspaper, the Alamo Express, owned by J. P. Newcomb, and burned it down.[2] Other KGC members followed Brig. Gen. Henry Hopkins Sibley on the 1862 New Mexico Campaign, which sought to bring the New Mexico Territory into the Confederate fold. Both Baylor and Trevanion Teel, Sibley's captain of artillery, had been among the KGC members who rode with Ben McCulloch. In early 1862, Radical Republicans in the Senate, aided by Secretary of State William H. Seward, suggested that former president Franklin Pierce, who was greatly critical of the Lincoln administration's war policies, was an active member of the Knights of the Golden Circle. In an angry letter to Seward, Pierce denied that he knew anything about the KGC, and demanded that his letter be made public. California Senator Milton Latham subsequently did so when he entered the entire Pierce-Seward correspondence into the Congressional Globe. So did Jesse James die before 1880 or after? There have been several people claiming to be Jesse James over the years. I know of one in Oklahoma, one in Texas, and one in Colorado. Without getting into the conspiracy theories let us just consider the connection of the KGC to people connected to Texas. There is Baylor, McCulloch, Trevanion Teel, and of course Jesse James. Now Jesse James had a sister that lived in Texas after the war and he is reported to have visited her several times. Another interesting thing is that a man known as John St Helens arrived in Glen Rose Texas. He had no money and no signs of income, yet he purchased a trading post there. Money would come to him by checks drawn on banks from northern states. These funds were transferred with no known payee. The store known as the Mill was doing well, but John St Helens left the store and its contents never to return. This occurred when a local girl was to marry a US Marshall. The very day he was to arrive, John St Helens left town. How does a man live with no source of income? Was this money from the KGC? John St Helens changed his name several times during his life time and moved to several different places. He worked as a teacher, Shakespearian actor, and ran several businesses none of which would not of paid him enough to live like he did. Outlaws, like Jesse James, and John Wilkes Booth have been said to have lived in or near Glen Rose Texas. Is Glen Rose a KGC center? Jess Freer, SCV member and Mason is well read in various areas of history with special interest in the Civil War and reconstruction era. The KGC is strongly connected to Jesse James and the James Gang. Were they bandits or political operatives? Treasures are believed buried from Kentucky to California all KGC monies. Some gold coins have been recovered that date beyond the death of Jesse James, yet it is called his money. Lee's Dispatch 2

3 Civil war CDV s By James Neel Part two Unlike the generals shown in the last part, these subjects are the humble officers and enlisted ranks. Also, on a more personal level, these examples probably actually BELONGED to the subjects, and were given or sent as mementoes of their service, possibly the last looks their loved ones ever saw of them. By the war years even small towns and county seats across the country boasted a "Daugerrean Artist" as the photographers were known; in camps often they operated outdoors in makeshift "studios", sometimes just a backdrop. Slogans frequently seen on the backs of CDV's are "Additional Copies from the plate from which this picture is taken can be had if desired" or "Negatives retained. Photographs furnished at any time." This refers to HOW these were made; the actual "negatives" were glass plates that the photographers kept on file in their studios. Any number of positive photographic prints (the CDV s) could be made by simply going back to the photographer and getting him to print more. This also explains how there can be literally thousands of Lincolns and Grants, but only one or a very few of individual soldiers. These photographs show a variety of uniforms, but first a little about the organization of the armies that fought the Civil War is in order. It was almost entirely an army of VOLUNTEERS, not the so-called "Regular" U.S. Army; the same is true of their Confederate opponents. (Later in the war these so-called "volunteers" included a hefty number of draftees on both sides!) Units were in most cases quickly raised on state and local levels, commissioned into the service of their states, then turned over ( almost "on loan" ) to the central governments in Washington or Richmond. Because they were "raised" and financed often by local politicians, businessmen, and landowners, it was they who were routinely elected by their men or appointed to command by the governors of their states. As the war progressed and many of these were discovered to be incompetent, this "system" was modified somewhat. Regardless, the fact remained that by far the majority of both officers and men of the Civil War were civilians and not professionals. There were two classes of officers: Field officers with the staff-ranks of colonel, lieutenant colonel, or major; and Line officers, the company-grades of captain, lieutenant, second lieutenant, and in some militia units even third and fourth lieutenants! The first two rather stern-looking individuals can be identified as Field officers by the arrangement of buttons on their coats in double rows, evenly spaced. Unfortunately, the shoulder straps of the vignetted officer at left do not show, making his exact rank impossible to determine. The muchbewhiskered officer next, however is either a major or lt. colonel, evident from the oak leaf seen on his strap: if gold, he's a major; if silver, a lt. col. ( Note also that photographer M. P. Simons has cannily managed to locate his credits on the front of the card where they can be seen better! ) Continued on page 4A Lee's Dispatch 3

4 Continued from page 3B The other officers are all easily recognized as captains or lieutenants by their single-breasted nine-button frock coats, similar to those worn by their men, but usually bettertailored and in wool broadcloth. The Portland, Maine Second (or third or fourth!) Lieutenant standing at left has the so-called "Extra Rich" shoulder straps that well-show why they were sarcastically known by the enlisted men as "sardine tins". The next, an otherwise unmarked and unknown vignette is obviously a captain from his shoulder strap. The beardless young officer holding his regulation sword for foot officers was a lucky man indeed: the cancellation on the tax stamp on the back is plainly dated May 21, 1865, showing that the war was over! Lastly is an officer of Pennsylvania artillery, denoted by the embroidered crossed-cannons insignia on the front of his rakish kepi or forage cap. The nattier Massachusetts man at the right presents a more "regulation" appearance, lacking only his musket and accouterments. Of interest is the brass bugle horn insignia on the top of his cap, marking him as a member of the infantry. Unfortunately, the brass letter and numbers denoting his company and regiment are too small to decipher. Also likely from western Massachusetts, the earnest-looking young sergeant seated at left presents a fine appearance; his chevrons are a light blue, the trouser stripe is dark blue like the jacket itself. The inspiration for this garment, not seen in the "Regular" army, is basically that of a frock coat with the skirt left off. Though not quite of the "regulation cut", I've always thought the jacket on the Pennsylvanian at left was a variant "light artillery" style. Unfortunately, the "medal" he wears is unknown to me and probably too indistinct to properly identify. This jacket has the inverted braid V's above the cuffs as well as trim along the bottom of the body, and likely on the collar as well; if as I suspect he is an artilleryman, that trim is red. Groveton Prelude to the 2 nd Mannass By August 27, 1862, Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson had slipped around the army of Maj. Gen. John Pope and attacked Pope's supply base at Manassas Junction. Without his supplies General Pope had no recourse but to withdraw to the north to restore them. Believing Jackson had withdrawn toward Centerville, Pope ordered his army to concentrate there. Jackson had actually withdrawn northwest of Manassas into some woods where, hidden from the Union troops, his men could rest from their raid on Manassas Junction. Rufus King's Union division was seen by Jackson, marching northeast on the nearby Centerville Road. Jackson sent two of his own divisions to attack King, while he was still in marching column, and in doing so revealed his own location. The ensuing battle lasted about two hours and was heavily contested, especially by a new Union force of midwesterners that soon gained fame as the Iron Brigade. The first two men, from opposite sides of the North, are both wearing the standard regulation uniform of the pre-war "Regular" U.S. Army, the so-called nine-button frock coat, though due to the irregularity of contracts and supply the fits are quite a bit different! (Note the inverted V's above each cuff and similar braid trim around the short collars, which were in a lighter shade of blue than the body of the coat.) The Wisconsin man at the left is wearing his "fashionably" unbuttoned, except at the very top. King soon realized he was outnumbered and began a withdrawal toward the rest of Pope's army. Jackson did not press the attack on King, letting nightfall end the battle. Being in a perfect defensive position he wanted Pope to attack him; his men were deployed behind a railroad embankment and Jackson's attack on King's Division was just the bait needed. Unfortunately, this short battle cost him the services of both his division commanders, Richard S. Ewell and William B. Taliferro, both seriously wounded. Pope did not have any idea where Jackson had retreated after raiding and destroying the supply base at Manassas Junction. When he found out, Pope immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion that Jackson was desperately trying to escape to the west and began to move on Jackson's position with his entire army. Continued on page 5A Lee's Dispatch 4

5 Continued from page 4B With Pope moving northwest toward Jackson Thoroughfare Gap was left open. Lee and Longstreet quickly slipped through the gap and came in to attack Pope's army. The Second Battle of Manassas was set. Second Battle of Manassas Pope, anticipation of Porter s attack, ordered major General Phillip Kearny s division against Hill s position. In severe fighting Kearny s men were only beaten back after determined Confederate counterattacks. Lee had observed Union movements, decided to attack Pope s flank. Longstreet dissuaded Lee in favor of a reconnaissance in force to set up an assault in the morning. Brigadier General John Bell Hood s division moved forward along the turnpike and collided with Brigadier General John Hatch s men. Both sides retreated after a hard fight. On August 29 th, 1862 as darkness fell Pope received the news of Longstreet s arrival. Again Pope made the wrong conclusion and believed that Longstreet had arrived to aid Jackson in his retreat. Pope recalled Porter and then began planning a massive assault by V Corps for the next day. Major General John Pope (pictured above) under the mistaken belief that Confederate forces under Major General Thomas Stonewall Jackson to be desperately attempting to escape to the northwest sent Major General Fitz John Porter to use the V Corps and attack Jackson s right flank which was thought to be near Gainesville. While Porter was to attack the right Pope ordered Major General Franz Sigel to attack Jackson s left. Sigel opened the battle about 7 am, Porter s me were marching into position. Attacks against Major General A.P. Hill s position made little progress. The successes of Union Brigadier General Carl Schurz s men were quickly reversed by vigorous counter attacks by the Confederate forces. About 1 PM Pope himself arrived on the battlefield. It was also about this time that Longstreet s men began to arrive and take up positions preselected by Jackson. Also about the same time Porter s corps was moving up the Manassas- Gainesville road and engaged a group of Confederate cavalry. Porter s advance was halted when he received a confusing joint order from Pope. Adding to the confusion the order contained no clear direction. This confusion was worsened by news from McDowell s cavalry commander, Brigadier General John Buford, that large numbers of Confederates were seen in Gainesville that morning. It is unknown why Major General Irvin McDowell failed to report these troop sightings to Pope until late that evening. Unaware of Longstreet s arrival and also waiting for Porter s attack Pope continued to order piecemeal assaults against Jackson. At 4:30 PM Pope sent a direct order for Porter to attack. Porter did not receive the order until 6:30 at which time Porter was not in a position to comply with the order. Pope sent Porter s men, supported by two additional divisions, west down the turnpike. Around noon they wheeled right and attacked the right end of Jackson s line. They were taken under heavy artillery fire yet the assault breached the Confederate lines and was only thrown back after heavy Confederate counterattacks. After Porter s attack failed Lee and Longstreet moved forward with 25,000 men attacking the Union left flank. The Union troops were driven and scattered before the Confederate assault. In only a few areas of determined resistance and these were quickly over powered. Realizing the danger, Pope began moving troops to block the attack. Pope succeeded in forming a defensive line along the Manassas-Sudley Road at the foot of Henry House Hill. Around 8 PM Pope began a fighting withdrawal back towards Centerville. The Second Battle of Manassas cost Pope 1,716 killed and 8,215 wounded, 3,893 men were missing. The Confederate forces under Lee suffered 1,305 killed, 7,048 wounded. Pope was relieved on September 12, Pope s army was incorporated into the Army of the Potomac. Major General Fitz John Porter Seeking a scapegoat for the defeat Pope had Porter courtmartialed for his actions on August 29 th. Found guilty, Porter spent fifteen years working to clear his name. Lee having won a stunning victory, embarked on his first invasion of Maryland. This invasion would end at Antietam in September, Lee's Dispatch 5

6 2nd Battle of Manassas Lee's Dispatch 6