CALL TO ARMS
Brunswick Civil War Round Table
Wally Rueckel, President. wrueckel@questor.com or 910-253-7382
Pat Evans, Newsletter Editor. Ses07pe@bellsouth.net or 910-523-0297
December, 2011
Volume II, Issue 10
Location: Trinity United Methodist Church
209 E. Nash St., Southport, across from the Post Office
First Tuesday of each month (except July and August)
Registration: 6:30pm Program: 7:00pm
BCWRT is a 501 c (3) tax exempt organization with a current membership of 301
NEXT MEETING IS TUES., December 6, 2011
In This Issue
PAGE 2 150 YRS AGO-DEC 1861 – PRESIDENT’S CORNER
PAGE 3 SYNOPSIS OF NOVEMBER SPEAKER
PAGE 4 DECEMBER SPEAKER, BLACK JACK TRAVIS
PAGE 5 ED BEARSS RETURNS
PAGE 6 ED BEARSS TO VISIT FT ANDERSON – WHO SAID THAT?
PAGE 7 LADIES DEPARTMENT
PAGE 9 WHO SAID THAT ANSWERS – THE SUTLERS TABLE
PAGE 10 BOOK REVIEW “ATLANTA 1864:LAST CHANCE OF THE CONFERACY”
PAGE 11 CLEAN UP AT FT ANDERSON-ANNOUNCEMENTS,INFO,OPPORTUNITES
BCWRT WEBSITE
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150 YEARS AGO – DECEMBER 1861
The seizure of the Confederate commissioners, Mason and Slidell, the “TRENT Affair”, would dominate the
news, as the government and nation considered the implications of that action.
Dec. 2 – The Thirty-seventh Congress of the United States met in Washington, and the frustration of the defeats at
1st Bull Run and Ball’s bluff, hung over the proceedings.
Dec. 4 – By a vote of 36-0, the Senate voted to expel John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky.
Dec. 9 – The disasters at Bull Run and Ball’s Bluff lead to the setting up of the Joint committee on the Conduct of
the War. Their actions and hearing, over the next four years would lead to much good material for analysis, but
also to controversy and political retribution by many.
Dec. 13 – Engagement at Cheat Mountain, in western Virginia
Dec. 26, -- After Cabinet meetings throughout the month, it was decided to surrender Mason and Slidell to the
British. Although it was diplomatically embarrassing for Washington to do so, it removed a reason for the British
to act further on behalf of the Confederacy.
President’s Corner
At our meeting earlier this month, Bob Mullauer from Baltimore Maryland spoke about John Bell Hood
and the battle of Franklin ,Tennessee. He did a wonderful job talking about the tremendous challenges,
both personal and professional that General Hood faced late in the war trying for a breakout in central
Tennessee.
We had a surprise visitor at our meeting, Sam Hood a distant relative of General Hood traveled all the
way from his home in Huntington, W. V. to hear Bob’s presentation. Sam is a student of his relative and
said the Bob did the best job he has ever heard presenting a balanced picture of General Hood.
One of our photo’s captured an interesting reunion at our meeting, Sam Hood relative of General Hood,
Roy Pender a relative and of Confederate General Dorsey Pender and Robert Maffit, a relative of the
notorious Blockade Runner John Maffit. Roy and Robert are two of our members, a cocktail
conversation piece, a bit of history taking place here at our round table.
Our next meeting will be December 6 when our speaker will be Jack Travis one of our charter
members, an avid re-enactor and author who will speak about the Confederate’s most famous artillery
general E. Porter Alexander. He spoke at our inaugural meeting in May of last year. You will find this
program very interesting. I understand he will bring copies of his new book on Porter Alexander to sell
and autograph.
I normally don’t speak about our future speakers but in January the renowned civil war historian Ed
Bearss will again speak to us. His topic will be “President Lincoln and General McClellan: A Troubled
Relationship”. Ed spoke at our January meeting earlier this year and fought a major snow storm to get
here. Because of his heavy speaking schedule our meeting will not be on the usual date or location. The
January meeting will be Wednesday January 11 2012 at the Brunswick Senior Center. When Ed spoke
last time we had approximately 250 in attendance. That size crowd or larger will easily fit the
auditorium we have chosen. Also we have convinced Ed to stay an extra day and tour Ft Anderson led
by Dr Chris Fonvielle and Jim Mckee. We once again are planning to have Ed Bearss, in conjunction
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with Jim McKee and Chris Fonvielle lead a tour of Ft Anderson on Thursday, January 12. See further
announcements about this event.
Remember, next month is election of officers for our Round Table. We encourage you to show up and
vote. If you have suggestions or comments, please contact our directors or myself.
Synopsis of November Speaker
SOME SUNSHINE ON THE SUNSET OF THE WEST OR THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN
Bob Mallauer was bitten early by the Civil War bug. His first car steered him right to Gettysburg. As a teenager he began
diving deeply into the epipelagic zone of Civil War History. The top two miles of the ocean is about as far as sunlight will
penetrate = the epipelagic zone. Bob takes us deeply into the Battle of Franklin both to and thru the “Valley of Death” where
about 1750 bold/brave Confederate soldiers perished. This makes Franklin, Tennessee not only The Gettysburg of the West
but also home of the bloodiest hours of the Civil War. It was small by comparison with a battlefield about one and one half
miles wide but had a gulf of over two miles between forces. 20,000 determined Confederate Infantry and 5000 Cavalry made
a frontal charge in a battle lasting over five hours. Compare these facts to Gettysburg and ask yourself why is Franklin as
much forgotten as Gettysburg is remembered??
Many theories and good sound logic play into this. Although Nov. 30, 1864 was a beautiful Indian Summer Day, the sun still
sets around five pm. The battle started at four pm and ended around nine. It is one of the few night time battles. John Bell
Hood’s army needs more shoes. About a third of the men are barefoot. Bob did not have time to share the beautiful piece of
writing that a young Sam Watkins (First Tenn. Infantry Company H) left for us. Here is enough to give you the “flavour”:
“(Franklin)” is the blackest page in the history of The War of the Lost Cause. It was the finishing stroke to the independence
of Southern Confederacy. I WAS THERE. I SAW IT!”
Remember John Bell Hood and the Superb Texas Brigade? Hood, with arm mangled at Gettysburg and later a leg amputated
at Chickamauga, is strapped into his saddle as he directs that fateful frontal charge. He is determined to destroy the Union
Army before it reaches Nashville. Ideally, his original objective was to drive Sherman away from Atlanta and Lee’s forces.
But something else is also on his mind. You just had to be there to hear Bob speculate on Sally ‘Buck’ Preston. Oh, how this
well to do Southern Lady molded and motivated John Bell Hood.
Despite losses incurred from Nathan Bedford Forrest’s men nipping at their heels, The Army of Tennessee arrives to face a
force of 22,000 Northern Infantry and 13,500 Cavalry. The fighting became brutal and filled with atrocities. Somehow the
Carter family home and Cotton Gin are in the middle of everything. Twenty-three family members hide in the Carter House
basement. Many are children. Imagine the trauma caused by the war raging just above them. One Carter Son (Tod), serving
on the battlefield, sees his home for the first time in three years. He is said to have called: “Follow me boys, I’m almost
home.” Tod receives a mortal wound one hundred fifty yards from his front porch. THE CONFEDERATE ARMY DIES
THAT DAY. There are 7000 casualties and half of all the Confederate Generals perish.
The spot where General Cleburne fell becomes a Pizza Hut in recent times. He was, perhaps, the best division commander of
either side. Hark. It was restored along with the Carter House thru the noble efforts of the Civil War Preservation Trust and
many civic minded citizens. See, your donations really produce results. In 1866, The McGavock Family of Franklin donated
two acres near their home, Carnton, as a final resting place for 1481 of those 1750 honored dead. Do you know how unique it
was to have a direct descendent of John Bell Hood in our midst? Even better was to have Bob complimented for an extremely
accurate and thorough presentation from Sam Hood? Both Sam and Bob encourage you to visit Franklin in 2014. Much local
and Federal preservation is forthcoming for the 150 th Anniversary of the Battle. Bob, you are a lifelong Civil War Scholar
who had many of us saying “I didn’t know that.” Indubitably, I am humbled.
Submitted by Dan
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Sam Hood and speaker, Bob Mallauer
DECEMBER GUEST SPEAKER
Col. Black Jack Travis
Topic: “Gen. E. Porter Alexander: Rebel Gunner Extraordinaire”
Program overview: Among his many lifetime accomplishments, Gen.
Alexander is best known as the officer in charge of the massive artillery
bombardment preceding Pickett’s Charge on the third day of the Battle of
Gettysburg. It was considered the largest bombardment in the war, using
between 150 and 170 guns during this momentous two hour salvo.
Guest presenter: Col. Black Jack Travis, author, historian,
popular lecturer and Civil War re-enactor. He has authored two
books, the latest of which is entitled: “Rebel Gunner, Gen. E.
Porter Alexander,” the topic of his presentation. He is also the
proud recipient of the prestigious “George MacDonald” award
from the National Civil War Artillery Association.
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WHO SAID THAT?
1) “I can anticipate no greater calamity for the country than the dissolution of the Union. It would be an
accumulation of all the evils we complain of, and I am willing to sacrifice everything but honor for its
preservation.”
2) “If I owned Texas and hell, I’d rent out Texas and live in hell.”
3) “I was present at the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, the 4th of March, 1865. I felt then that there was
murder in the air, and I kept close to his carriage on the way to the Capitol, for I felt I might see him fall
that day. It was a vague presentiment.”
4) “I know Mr. Davis thinks he can do many things other men would hesitate to attempt. For instance, he
tried to do what God failed to do. He tried to make a soldier of Braxton Bragg.”
5) “A chicken could not live on that field when we open on it.”
6) “My plans are perfect and when I start to carry them out, may God have mercy on Bobby Lee, for I shall
have none.”
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Ladies Department
Christmas Edition
By Charen Fink
Christmas was originally celebrated in Europe with eating, drinking, and dancing. The Puritans
attempted to end this indulgence. They were successful when they came to America but it was the
Victorians who have influenced the way we celebrate Christmas today.
Before Queen Victoria’s reign started in 1837 nobody in Britain had heard of Santa Claus. Old
traditions were revived, such as caroling and new ones, sending Christmas cards, were invented.
Congress did not make Christmas a federal holiday until 1870. Many of today’s traditions in the U.S.
began during the Civil War to overcome loneliness and seek solace by re-establishing familiar European
traditions.
Christmas Carols
Carols originated in France and the name means “ring” because carolers danced in a ring
as they sang. Early carols had bawdy lyrics until St. Francis of Assisi adapted the
melodies and mixed pagan mirth with Christian devotion. The Boar’s Head Carol is the
oldest and one of the liveliest carols to come out of the Middle Ages. Some of the
popular songs were: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Silent Night, Oh Come All Ye
Faithful, and Hark The Herald Angels Sing.
Silent Night was written in 1818.
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
when his wife died after her dress caught fire in 1861. He sustained severe burns of the
hands and face trying to put out the fire. Thereafter, he had a white beard which he never
shaved because of the severity of the burns. Three years later at age 57 he began I Heard
The Bells. When the Civil War was in full swing he ceased writing at the 3 rd stanza. J.
Baptiste Calkin wrote the musical setting that helped make this a favorite carol.
Christmas Tree
Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s German husband, helped make the Christmas tree as
popular in Britain as it was in Germany. He brought one to Windsor Castle in the 1840’s.
Trees were put on a table to make them appear taller (European style). They were
decorated with tapers, candy, small presents, popcorn balls and angels. Unwrapped
presents were placed under the tree.
The first American decorated tree in a church was in Cleveland, OH in 1851. It was
denounced as a revival of a pagan custom. The first glass icicles and hand-blown glass
globes were called kugels. The most prized ornament was the Nuremberg angel atop the
tree. It had wings of spun glass, a crinkled gold skirt, and a wax or bisque face. Angel
hair (spun glass) was replaced by tinsel.
Santa Claus
Father Christmas was originally part of an old English midwinter festival, normally
dressed in green, a sign of returning spring. Thomas Nast, a German immigrant, in 1861
became the second person to transform Clement Moore’s, Twas The Night Before
Christmas depicting Santa Claus as cherubic and bringing gifts to the soldiers.
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During the Civil War Southern diaries tell of Santa running blockade ports to fill
children’s stockings. In 1866, Nast made the North Pole Santa’s home so no nation could
call him their own. Finally in 1931, artist Haddon Sundblom made Santa more rotund
and jovial holding a bottle of Coca Cola to advertise the “pause that refreshes”. That
changed in 1966.
Christmas Cards
The Christmas card was a British custom begun in 1843 when Henry Cole contracted
with John Horsley to design and print a Christmas card to send to his friends. A thousand
copies were sold at a shilling each by 1846 which said, “A Merry Christmas And A
Happy New Year To You”. At first the design showed a Victorian family party drinking
to an absent friend but this was thought to encourage drunkenness and alcoholism. In
America Richard Pease printed the first Christmas card and Louis Prang, in the mid1870’s, designed the first fine art card.
By the middle of the Civil War the postal service was giving free delivery to large
amounts of cards during the holidays. Before that the receiver paid the postage. Favorite
designs were: holly, mistletoe, robins and snow.
Party crackers are a British tradition dating back to the Victorian era. In 1847, a
confectioner decided to make a log-shaped package that would produce a surprise bang
and inside would be an almond and a motto. By the end of the 19th century it was wellestablished as a traditional Christmas custom and now virtually every household in the
UK has a least one box of party crackers to pull at mealtimes and parties over the holiday
season. Now they are filled with small gifts.
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that never touches the ground. Some believed that mistletoe
promoted peace and harmony, a remedy against poison and an aid in fertility in men.
Kissing under the mistletoe is an English custom and supposedly every time someone is
kissed a berry is picked off the plant.
References
Clements, Linda. The Spirit of Christmas Past. Smithmark, NY: 1966.
Mitchell, Patricia B. Civil War Celebrations. Chatham, VA: Mitchells Publications, 1998.
Rawling, Kevin. We Were Marching On Christmas Day. Baltimore, MD: Toomey Press, 1996.
A Victorian Christmas. www.historic-uk.com/History/UKL/England
We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year
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WHO SAID THAT?
ANSWERS
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Col. Robert E. Lee, in a letter to his son Custis, Jan. 23, 1861
General Phillip Sheridan
“Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, written by himself 1881
General Joseph E Johnston
Porter Alexander, at Fredericksburg 1862
Joseph Hooker, before Chancellorsville
“THE SUTLER’S TABLE”
Our Sutler's Table has really grown over the months. Christmas is coming, and that means it is "giftgiving season!"
The Sutlery has a large selection of books on the Civil War from $1 to $30. Some are signed by the
author. If you are looking for something specific, email Barbara Lawter barbaralawter@yahoo.com for
a complete list. Also, please remember to bring in books and magazines for donation. It's a great way
to weed out your own collection and support BCWRT at the same time..................
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BOOK REVIEW
Included from a book review by Michael Wolf
“Atlanta 1864, Last Chance of the Confedercy”
By Richard M McMurry
University of Nebraska Press 2000
Unless you want lots of detail about the five-month Atlanta Campaign of General William T. Sherman’s
Army of the Tennessee, this 190-page book is perfect for most Civil War and general readers. While it
provides sufficient basic information about command structure, troop strength, military strategy and
tactics, Richard McMurry refers to concurrent campaigns in other areas, such as the Red River, the
Shenandoah Valley, and the Overland Campaign. He explains Grant’s grand strategy, and which parts
succeeded (Sherman), and which parts didn’t (most others). He discusses the dilemma faced by George
B. McClellan as the politically handicapped Democratic presidential nominee in 1864, and includes
vignettes and even-handed analyses of Confederate commanders and of Sherman’s theories of warfare..
Richard McMurry is an articulate and persuasive defender of the theory (held by a substantial minority,
I’d say) that the Civil War was decided in the West. In discussing Sherman’s reputation as "usually
regarded as one of the two or three best generals of the Civil War," he notes that "Success and
victory...are like spackling paste. All can cover up a multitude of mistakes and false starts and hide
errors." Though McMurry concedes that Sherman was ultimately successful, he believes that "had he
chosen to pursue aggressively either of his opportunities" at Snake Creek Gap in early May or at
Jonesboro in late August, "he almost certainly would have hastened the end of the war by many
months."
McMurry believes that General Joseph E. Johnston, the Confederate commander, played the weak hand
he was dealt fairly well, but offers a substantial list of maneuvers Johnston could and should have made.
Johnston’s defensive mindset reminds me of Abba Eban’s assessment of Yasir Arafat: "He never misses
an opportunity to miss an opportunity."
McMurry’s appraisal of the much-maligned General John Bell Hood includes the good and the bad: the
Hood who conducted the late fall campaigns in north Alabama and central Tennessee "Was arguably a
different man – bitter, frustrated, disappointed and angry – than the officer who directed the last six
weeks of the Rebels’ efforts to hold Atlanta."
He saves his harshest words for Jefferson Davis, alluding to "the mess Davis allowed to grow and fester
in the western army." He quotes historian Steven Woodworth, who termed the high command of the
Army of Tennessee as "a pit of vipers."
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The maps are good, and the accounts of the armies’ movements are easy to follow. For sprightly writing,
lucid analysis of military strategy and its importance, and how the Atlanta Campaign related to political
and military events of 1864, this book is for you.
CLEAN UP AT FT ANDERSON
Fonville’s fraptiously favorite Civil War Battlefield was “attacked” by ten willing workers who donated their time
and talent to Battery “B” enhancement. We are proud to tell you that Jim Mckee feels it never looked better.
That is good enough for us. It gives us great satisfaction to know there is co-operation between Cape Fear
Roundtable, Brunswick Roundtable and Boy Scout Troop #238. Saturday November 12 was a great workday-not
too hot or cold.
Huge thanks to: John Bolger, Mike Clark and Pete Robison who represented Cape Fear. Scott Jones and Joseph
Guseman represented troop #238. Dan Fink, Norm Praet, Norm Karathanasis, Matt Italiano and Bert Felton
represented Brunswick.
After a hearty lunch, we were treated to what the French call Lagniappe (something extra you received that you
did not expect.) Members, Jim took us to places not even Ed Bearrs knows about!! It is great to be on a private
tour with such a knowledgeable man as Jim. YOU JUST HAD TO BE THERE.WOW! Keep us in mind for our
next “attack” in early May, 2012. Submitted by Dan Fink
ANNOUNCEMENTS-INFORMATION-OPPORTUNITIES
We take great pleasure in announcing the exchange of newsletters between The 290
Foundation in the United Kingdom and BCWRT. By doing so we will increase the importance
and awareness of each club and views of the American Civil War information.
The 290 Foundation, besides preserving history of the Civil War, is a charitable enterprise
embarked upon this year with a stated ambition to commemorate all persons associated with
Hull #290, a vessel built to the highest specifications by the skilled workforce of the former
John Laird's Shipyard at Birkenhead, later christened the CSS Alabama.
BCWRT WEBSITE
The Brunswick Civil War Round Table's website is now up and running. The BCWRT website can be
found under brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com or brunswickcivilwarroundtable.org. All of the
information on the website is available to everyone except for the newsletter - Call to Arms is only
available to members. Your username and password are required to view the newsletter. Be sure to
check out the list of presenters already lined up for our 2011/2012 year. There is also information on
current Round Table sponsored trips and write-ups on trips already taken. Be sure to check out the
Links page for other organizations involved in the Civil War.
Members should have received an email with their login information including username and
password. Everyone's default password is their email address. Junk mail filters will likely impede the
delivery of many of those emails. If you did not receive this e-mail please check your spam folder first.
For the people who did not received the e-mail due to incorrect or no e-mail address provided to the
club, please contact Kathy O'Donnell at tomkat450sl@yahoo.com.
The website is updated frequently so please keep checking in on us.
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