Battlefield Journal

Living History Schedule Released at NCWM

2010-05-13T09:19:00.001-04:00

NCWM Announces Spring/Summer Living History Schedule

(Harrisburg, PA) -The National Civil War Museum today announced their living history schedule for the 2010 spring/summer season. Encampments include Confederate artillery, Confederate & Union infantry units, loading and firing demonstrations and much more!

Living history schedule*:

May 29-30 Encampment of the Midway Southern Guard (15th Alabama)

June 19-20 Encampment of the North & South – Federal Generals Corps & Lee’s Lieutenants

July 10-11 Encampment of the 1st Maryland (CSA)

July 17-18 Recruiting tent with the 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

July 24-25 Encampment of the 4th Maryland Light Artillery (CSA) & the 42nd Mississippi, Company F

July/Aug. 31-1 Encampment of the 31st Virginia, Company C

August 7-8 Encampment of the Federal Generals Corps

August 14-15 Encampment of the United States Colored Troops

August 21-22 General Longstreet’s Encampment

August 28-29 Encampment of the 4th Maryland (CSA)

Sept. 18-19 Encampment of Purcell’s Battery
Artillery demonstrations at 11am, 1pm & 3pm

Museum visitors will see the flash and smell the smoke of Civil War muskets and rifles. Visitors are encouraged to visit the camps and ask living historians questions about their attire, food rations and daily life. Most infantry groups perform loading and firing demonstrations each day.

*Programs are weather contingent. Visitors should check the Museum’s website for more information and updates to this schedule, as they are subject to change.

About The National Civil War Museum
Opened in February 2001, The National Civil War Museum is a non-profit educational institution dedicated solely to the American Civil War. It is the largest Civil War museum that addresses the war from both the Northern and Southern perspective, and from both a military and civilian perspective. The Museum protects some of the nation's treasures, including General Robert E. Lee's personal Bible, and more than 24,000 artifacts, documents and photos, worth an estimated $20 million. Admission to the Museum is $9.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, and $7.00 for students with reduced rates for children and families. The Museum offers complimentary ample parking. For more information, please call 717.260.1861, or visit the Museum’s website at www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.

New Director Named to the Gettysburg College Civil War Institute

2010-04-05T18:22:00.002-04:00

Gettysburg College has named Peter Carmichael its new director of the Civil War Institute and Robert Fluhrer Professor of Civil War Studies.

Carmichael is currently the Eberly Family Professor of Civil War Studies at West Virginia University. Michael Birkner, who is the Benjamin Franklin Professor of the Liberal Arts and a professor of history, served as interim director for the Civil War Institute this year. Gabor Boritt, who was the founding director, retired in 2009.

"The Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College occupies an important place in thought about and study of the American Civil War,” said Gettysburg College’s Interim Provost James White. “As the CWI's new director, Dr. Peter Carmichael, a noted historian of this epic conflict, will nurture and advance the Institute and work to make its programs ever better."

“I am very excited about the Civil War Institute and building on this incredible legacy of Gabor Boritt,” said Carmichael. “There’s no other place like Gettysburg College to be a public intellectual and where you can bring together students, scholars and the public to study the Civil War. I have visited here numerous times, but to think about this place to live in and to teach is extraordinary. I am honored.”

Carmichael has published a number of books, most recently a study of Southern college students during the Civil War era, “The Last Generation: Young Virginians in Peace, War, and Reunion (2005).” He is currently researching the experience and wartime representation of Confederate slaves, and how the mythical idea of loyal African Americans defending the South animates current cultural wars over "Southern heritage." Carmichael earned a doctorate and a master’s from the Pennsylvania State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

For over 28 years, The Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College has hosted visiting educators and students, sponsored conferences, lectures, concerts, and movie premieres, as well as other educational programs on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. Each summer, the CWI hosts hundreds of Civil War enthusiasts, scholars and prominent historians for an annual conference in Gettysburg. The Institute also co-sponsors the annual Dedication Day, Nov. 19, which is the anniversary of Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,” with the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania and the Gettysburg National Military Park. CWI also co-sponsors and publishes the annual Robert Fortenbaugh Lecture. In addition, the institute coordinates the annual Michael Shaara $5,000 Book Prize for Civil War fiction.

Founded in 1832, Gettysburg College is a highly selective four-year residential college of liberal arts and sciences with a strong academic tradition that includes Rhodes Scholars, a Nobel laureate and other distinguished scholars among its alumni. The college enrolls 2,600 undergraduate students and is located on a 200-acre campus adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania.

Museum Curator Nears End of Picket Duty

2010-02-19T17:12:00.002-05:00

Curator has been living the life of a Civil War soldier for two weeks

(Harrisburg, PA) – Despite two blizzards that blanketed the Harrisburg area with almost four feet of snow, the curator of collections for The National Civil War Museum has continued on his mission to live the life of a Civil War soldier on the picket line 24 hours a day for a 2-week period. Titled, “In Their Footsteps: Walking the Picket Line”, Kelley has been residing in reproduction winter quarters on the Museum grounds in an effort to raise awareness and funds for The National Civil War Museum’s education department since February 6. He wraps up his duty on Saturday, February 20 around 12:00pm. Afterward, Kelley will venture into Gettysburg to have a tintype photograph taken to commemorate his experience.

Kelley, a former Marine and native of Vermont, has survived through two winter storms, extreme winds, green wood that wouldn’t burn, a missing door, and marches through giant snow drifts into areas such as downtown Harrisburg, Camp Curtin, Fort Couch and the Lincoln Cemetery. During the Museum’s Community Free Day on Saturday, February 13, Kelley was greeted by President Lincoln and General Grant, as they applauded his efforts. He has also received a steady stream of visitors with many questions during his encampment, and has given more than a dozen interviews to various national and local media outlets.

“My experiences during the last two weeks have made me develop a new and heightened appreciation for what Civil War soldiers endured during winter encampment. While I have only been in winter quarters for two weeks, these soldiers would have lived in this difficult conditions for a much longer period of time, meanwhile also worrying about being shot or plagued with disease…this is only a snap-shot of what they went through and I am deeply humbled,” stated Kelley.

During this time, Kelley has kept a daily journal to document his experiences for the world, which have been imported into a blog created and maintained by local students from Hershey High School. The Museum’s Facebook page has received a dramatic increase in the number of fans since Kelley began his quest with more than 1,560 fans and counting. He has also acquired followers on Twitter. Videos posted on Facebook, the blog and YouTube have included topics such as Kelley’s experiences during the blizzards, cooking lessons, his marches, and an interview with a local historian about Civil War soldiers buried in a nearby cemetery. Fans and followers have shown their support of Kelley with comments such as, “this is a fantastic thing you are doing,” and “love, love, love the journal posts!”

Money that has been raised as a result of this initiative is being directed to the Museum’s education department. CEO David Patterson commented, “Although donations received for “In Their Footsteps” have not quite been what we had hoped for, the exposure The National Civil War Museum has received has been tremendous, as well as the outpouring of support for Brett from the community.” Patterson continued, “Although Brett’s duty will end on Saturday, it is our hope that individuals will continue to read his journal entries and watch his videos, as they are all part of the educational experience we offer here.” Donations can be made through the end of the year on the Museum’s website: www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org or by calling 717.260.1861 x. 1108.

About The National Civil War Museum
Opened in February 2001, The National Civil War Museum is a non-profit educational institution dedicated solely to the American Civil War. It is the largest Civil War museum that addresses the war from both the Northern and Southern perspective, and from both a military and civilian perspective. The Museum protects some of the nation's treasures, including General Robert E. Lee's personal Bible, and more than 24,000 artifacts, documents and photos, worth an estimated $20 million. Admission to the Museum is $9.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, and $7.00 for students with reduced rates for children and families. The Museum offers complimentary ample parking. For more information, please call 717.260.1861, or visit the Museum’s website at www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.

Registration Open for Gettysburg National Military Park Lecture Series

2009-12-29T10:02:00.001-05:00

Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation are proud to present the 2010 Gettysburg Seminar, to be held in Gettysburg on April 10-11. The theme of the seminar is the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg and the end of the Pennsylvania Campaign. Presentations will provide seminar participants with a variety of subjects from the experience of Robert E. Lee's retreat to the Potomac River, to the enormous job of caring for the wounded, an evaluation of the generals’ decisions, and the cleanup of the battlefield.

The 2010 Gettysburg Seminar will begin on Saturday morning with a series of lectures to take place in the ballroom of the historic Gettysburg Hotel on Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg. The lectures will be followed with a variety of battlefield walking tours and bus visits to important sites relative to the aftermath of the battle and campaign.

Saturday night's social will begin with "An Evening with the Painting: The Gettysburg Cyclorama," a guided presentation about the famous cyclorama painting of "Pickett's Charge" given by Licensed Battlefield Guide Sue Boardman, followed by "Our Hearts Were Touched With Fire," a living history presentation featuring the voices of those who experienced the battle and its aftermath, first hand. The personalities presented will include: Henry Eyster Jacobs, who was an 18 year old Gettysburg College student at the time of the battle; Sallie Myers, a Gettysburg school teacher at the time of the battle; a composite character representing a Confederate soldier; nd Almira Russell Hancock, wife of Union General Winfield Scott Hancock.

The seminar will conclude on Sunday in the ballroom of the Hotel Gettysburg with a final series of lectures focusing on the experiences of soldiers and civilians in the horrific aftermath of the battle.

The registration fee for the Gettysburg Seminar is $90 per person and the seminar is limited to 240 participants. For a complete schedule of lectures, field programs, and presenters and to register go to the park’s website at:

http://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/2010-gettysburg-seminar.htm

Information is also available by calling Park Ranger Evangelina Rubalcava (717) 334-1124, ext. 3251.

Something Must Be Done About This!

2009-12-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

The Longstreet Society sent this along in hopes that we will spread the word and write a letter or send an email to help set at least this record straight.

The Houghton Mifflin publication The American Heritage College Dictionary (4th edition, 2007) contains the following entry:

Longstreet, James, 1821-1904. American Confederate general whose delay in carrying out orders contributed to the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg (1863).

We'd like Houghton Mifflin to know that this entry is inaccurate and ask them to change the entry for the next edition of their dictionary. Please send an email to dictionaries@hmco.com or drop a note to:
Dictionary Editorial Department
Houghton Mifflin Company
222 Berkeley Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02116

If they get enough polite and sincere emails and letters from us, they might take notice and make the change. If would be best if we all wrote our own original emails but, if you prefer, you can cut and paste this note into your email.

Dear Houghton Mifflin Editorial Department-
Your publications have outstanding reputations as learning and teaching tools and we know that you take pride in them. But the entry for General James Longstreet in your American Heritage College Dictionary is factually inaccurate and based on what is now accepted as misrepresentation and bad history. We of the Longstreet Society sincerely hope that you will investigate the matter and update the entry to reflect the modern and accepted historical view that Longstreet served General Lee, his soldiers and the Confederate cause appropriately and admirably at Gettysburg.(Suggested sources-Lee's Tarnished Lieutenant: James Longstreet and His Place in Southern History by William Garrett Piston, University of Georgia Press, 1987; I Have Been a Soldier All My Life by Carol Reardon, Farnsworth Military Impressions, 1997.)

For more information or to become a member of the Longstreet Society, write P.O.Box 191 Gainesville GA 30503, call 770-539-9005 or email old_pete@bellsouth.net.

Thanks!
Kristie Poehler, Editor
Battlefield Journal

Gettysburg NMP Offers Winter Lecture Series--Put these on your Calendar!

2009-12-18T21:31:00.002-05:00

Weapons of the battle, Lee’s retreat and Meade’s pursuit from Gettysburg, and the experience of battle on July 2 are among the topics of the 2010 National Park Service series of free winter lectures, “Gettysburg: Perspectives on the Battle and Campaign at Gettysburg National Military Park.”

National Park Rangers will offer the programs on weekends beginning Sunday, Jan. 10 and running through Sunday, Feb. 28. They are free of charge and will be held at the new Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, in the Ford Motor Company Fund Education Center.

Programs begin at 1:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour.

The programs for 2010, along with the NPS Ranger presenting the program, are:

Sunday, Jan. 10 – Colonel Sharpe and The Bureau of Military Information (Angie Atkinson)

Saturday, Jan. 16 – Think Bigger – Gettysburg in Space and Time (Troy Harmon)

Saturday, Jan. 23 – Civil War Maladies – The Cases of Robert E. Lee, A.P. Hill and Richard Ewell (Matt Atkinson)

Sunday, Jan. 24 – E. P. Alexander and Resolving Conflicting Accounts of the Battle of Gettysburg (Karlton Smith)

Saturday, Jan. 30 – The Weapons of Gettysburg (Tom Holbrook)

Saturday, Feb. 6 – The Veterans and the Battlefield: How Veterans Shaped the Gettysburg Battlefield Park (John Heiser)

Sunday, Feb. 7 – “To Judge and Act for Myself” – The Experiences of Colonel Charles Wainwright, Soldier & Democrat (Bert Barnett)

Saturday, Feb. 13 – “Unwilling Witness to the Rage of Gettysburg” – The Experience of Battle on July 2 (D. Scott Hartwig)

Sunday, Feb. 14 – The Federal Fight When it Wasn’t – The 24 Hours Between July 1 Collapse and July 2 Battle (Chuck Teague)

Saturday, Feb. 20 – Lee’s Retreat and Meade’s Pursuit (Troy Harman)

Sunday, Feb. 21 – Gettysburg, The Turning Point… But Not as You Think (Bill Hewitt)

Saturday, Feb. 27 – “More May Have Been Required of Them Than They Were Able to Perform” – Pickett’s Charge (Matt Atkinson)

Sunday, Feb. 28 – Pettigrew and Trimble: New Insights Into the Other Half of Pickett’s Charge (Karlton Smith)

For more information, visit Gettysburg National Military Park’s website at www.nps.gov/gett or call (717) 334-1124, ext. 8023.

Cedar Creek Historical Commission to Meet

2009-12-09T14:23:00.001-05:00

The next meeting of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical
Park Advisory Commission will be held on Thursday December 17, 2009 at the
Warren Government Center, 220 North Commerce Avenue, Front Royal, Virginia. The meeting will begin at 8:30 am and is open to the public.

The draft General Management Plan and its implementation will be the main
subject of the meeting.

Individuals who are interested in the national park system or the business
of the Park Advisory Commission are encouraged to attend the December 17,
2009 meeting. Questions may be directed to Diann Jacox, Park
Superintendent, (540) 868-9176.

Upcoming Holiday Concert!

2009-12-03T10:44:00.001-05:00

The Prince William County Historic Preservation Division will host Holiday Concerts on Saturday, December 12, 2009. Two concerts featuring songs of the season will be held at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow, VA 20136.

The 5 p.m. concert will be performed by the Brentsville District High School Women’s Treble Ensemble and the 6 p.m. concert will be a performance by the Brentsville District Mixed Vocal Ensemble. The concerts will take place in the historic ca. 1870 Union Church. The public will also have a chance to enjoy refreshments by a bonfire. This event is free to the public.

Brentsville served as the county seat of Prince William County from 1822-1893, it was the political and social center of the county. The Historic Centre consists of five historic structures on 24 acres of parkland. The site interprets the history of Brentsville and its role in local history. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre is located at 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, VA 20136.

For more information, please contact Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre at (703) 365-7895 or www.pwcgov.org/brentsville.

7th Annual Remembrance Illumination at Gettysburg

2009-11-20T09:51:00.002-05:00

The Gettysburg Foundation will present the 7th annual Remembrance Illumination this Saturday, Nov. 21, from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. Sponsored by the Gettysburg Foundation, this popular event drew an estimated 2,500 visitors last year.

At Soliders’ National Cemetery, more than 3,500 luminary candles will be lit on the graves of Civil War soldiers, “Taps” will be played every half hour and the names of the Civil War soldiers buried in the Cemetery will be continuously read during the event. Representatives of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Honor Guard will participate in the Remembrance Illumination.

At 5:30 p.m., Capt. Patrick Shea of the USS Gettysburg, homeported in Mayport, Fla., will light five candles—one for each branch of our armed forces. Capt. Shea will be welcomed by Rear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan (US Navy, ret.), Gettysburg Foundation president. Shea will be lighting candles in the Pennsylvania section of the Cemetery. (Buchanan is a retired rear admiral in the Navy.)

The event is free and open to the public.

WHO: Gettysburg Foundation

WHAT: 7th Annual Remembrance Illumination

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 21, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
NOTE: PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 5:30 p.m.: USS Gettysburg Captain Patrick Shea will light candles in the Pennsylvania section of the Cemetery and will be welcomed by Gettysburg Foundation President Richard A. Buchanan.

WHERE: Soldiers’ National Cemetery, Gettysburg

INCLEMENT WEATHER STATEMENT: Please note that the Remembrance Illumination is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Nov. 21 UNLESS torrential rain or high winds occur. In the event of inclement weather, cancellation announcements will be posted on the Web site www.gettysburgfoundation.org under “Latest News.” There is no rain date for the event.

Carol Reardon Gives Tour for Longstreet Society

2009-11-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

One of the tours given during the recent Longstreet Society conference in Gettysburg was about Pickett's Charge. Dr. Reardon is an expert on the subject after writing a book about Pickett's Charge a few years back. Despite the gloomy weather, the attendees were excited about crossing the field that Pickett and his men did back in 1863. The tour was enlightening to say the least!

Dr. Reardon's soldiers coming over the swale--almost to the copse of trees!

More conference photos coming soon!
Battlefield Journal

Longstreet Society Battlefield Project

2009-11-16T15:53:00.005-05:00

12 or so members of the esteemed Longstreet Society met in Gettysburg this past weekend for their annual conference! As part of the event, they work on a battlefield initative. This year, they painted the benches at the Ampitheater by the Longstreet Memorial. The Park Rangers gave them a goal of one coat within two hours. As there are 40 or so benches, it was a JOB! But they rose to the task and completed all of them within the allotted time!

Peter Bridson from Liverpool in foreground with Basil Larkin (another UK member) in the background

Society President Richard Pilcher (in red jacket) with Treasurer Joe Whitaker, talking with Park Ranger Angel DeJesus.

Stay tuned for more blog posts from this great event in honor of Old Pete!

Battlefield Journal

It's not too late!!

2009-10-31T09:39:00.003-04:00

There are still a few tickets available! Come to the Longstreet Symposium the weekend of November 14th! For more information, visit the 2009 Seminar Page.

See you there!

Battlefield Journal

Congress Allocates $9M for Civil War Battlefields

2009-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) today applauded members of the U.S. House and Senate for including the largest ever single-year allocation for the federal Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Interior Appropriations Act Conference Report (H Rept 111-316).

The conference report, scheduled for a final vote in both chambers later this week, includes $9 million for the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program, a mechanism that utilizes government matching grants and private funds to permanently protect historic Civil War battlefields throughout the nation.

"This is tremendous news that could not come at a more critical time," said CWPT President James Lighthizer. Each day 30 acres of hallowed Civil War battlefield ground are paved over and lost forever. This money will allow us to preserve historic land that would otherwise be lost to development and urban sprawl."

The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program targets priority unprotected Civil War sites outside National Park Service boundaries. The program's matching grants formula encourages state and private sector investment in historic land preservation. For example, in 2008 the Virginia General Assembly set aside $5.2 million to match federal Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program monies. Grants from the program are competitively awarded by the American Battlefield Protection Program, an arm of the National Park Service.

Since its creation in 1999, the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program has been used to protect more than 15,000 acres of hallowed ground at 60 battlefields in 14 states. Among the sites saved as a result of this program are historic properties at Antietam and South Mountain, Md.; Champion Hill, Miss.; Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Manassas, Va.; Chattanooga and Fort Donelson, Tenn.; and Harpers Ferry, W.Va. The program is funded through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Although numerous members of the House and Senate have played important roles in ensuring the program's continued success, the following individuals were pivotal in securing this year's unprecedented federal commitment to battlefield preservation: Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Norm Dicks (D-WA); Senators Jim Webb (D-VA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Jeff Sessions (R-AL); and Congressmen, Bart Gordon (D-TN), Steve Israel (D-NY), Gary Miller (R-CA) and C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (D-MD). In addition, 16 Senators and 29 Member of Congress signed letters of support for the program earlier this year.

"It is welcome news that our $9 million funding request for battlefield preservation was accepted in the Interior Appropriations bill," said Senator Webb. "As America prepares for the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War, it is more important than ever that we preserve these landmarks for future generations to learn about the history of our nation."

Senator Alexander concurred, saying, "The Civil War was a heartbreaking time in our history that we should never forget. Protecting our Civil War battlefields and historic sites is important both to honor the thousands who fought and to allow future generations to learn their heritage by visiting sites like Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, Fort Donelson and Parker's Crossroads. I'm glad to see that this funding was included to support this important program."

"America's Civil War battlefields are part of our nation's rich heritage, but sadly thousands of acres of battlefields are being lost every year. It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to visit these sacred grounds and experience part of history," remarked Congressman Ruppersberger.

This vision was also shared by Congressman Miller, who first introduced legislation authorizing the program in 2002. Miller noted, "I have been a long time advocate for preservation of our nation's historic battlefields. These battlefields offer a porthole to the past. The vivid imagery of an epic conflict can remind visitors of the struggles our country has gone through to preserve the banner of liberty and justice for all."

Like Senator Webb, Lighthizer also stressed that the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War presents an ideal time to redouble efforts to protect this hallowed ground. "I can think of no more fitting - and lasting - tribute during this sesquicentennial commemoration than to preserve the places where these brave soldiers fought and bled."

The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program was reauthorized in March 2009 as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (PL 111-11). The legislation, introduced in the Senate by Senators Webb and Sessions and in the House by Congressmen Miller, Israel and Gordon, reauthorized the program for $10 million a year for five years. The popular bill enjoyed considerable bipartisan support, earning 33 cosponsors in the Senate and 108 cosponsors in the House.

With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation's remaining Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. The CWPT website is located at www.civilwar.org.

Sickles to be Topic of Presentation

2009-10-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

The National Civil War Museum, in conjunction with Camp Curtin Historical Society, today announced that James Hessler will be visiting the Museum on Sunday, November 8, 2009 for a presentation and book signing for his new book, Sickles At Gettysburg: The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg.

Hessler’s presentation will begin at 2:00pm, with a book signing to follow. Hessler, a licensed Gettysburg battlefield guide, examines many of the controversies surrounding Dan Sickles, including the murder of Philip Barton Key, a questionable promotion to command the III Corps, his abandonment of Little Round Top at Gettysburg, his wounding at Trostle Farm and his efforts to regain his reputation.

The presentation is free to the public; however, regular Museum admission prices will apply for those visiting the galleries. Sickles At Gettysburg is available for purchase at The National Civil War Museum gift shop.

About The National Civil War Museum
Opened in February 2001, The National Civil War Museum is a non-profit educational institution dedicated solely to the American Civil War. It is the largest Civil War museum that addresses the war from both the Northern and Southern perspective, and from both a military and civilian perspective. The Museum protects some of the nation's treasures, including General Robert E. Lee's personal Bible, and more than 24,000 artifacts, documents and photos, worth an estimated $20 million. Admission to the Museum is $9.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, and $7.00 for students with reduced rates for children and families. The Museum offers complimentary ample parking. For more information, please call 717.260.1861, or visit the Museum’s website at www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.

New Guided Bus Tour of Antietam--Limited Availability

2009-10-29T14:06:00.001-04:00

The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is chartering two buses on December 5, 2009, for the 21st Annual Memorial Illumination at Antietam National Battlefield. One hundred tickets will be sold for the guided bus tour of the event.

"The Antietam Illumination is awe-inspiring. It is a popular event with visitors and residents alike," said CVB President Tom Riford. "We are excited about chartering buses and offering special guided tours of the event. This should be a great trip, and one of the best parts is the opportunity to avoid having to wait in the long line of traffic to get into the battlefield." Riford added. The specially-chartered buses are brought to the front of the staging area, according to organizers of the Illumination.

Charissa Stanton , the CVB's Public Relations Specialist, and Betsy De Vore, Director of Sales for the CVB, will be the tour guides for the evening. They will share a collection of quotes from soldiers and civilians about the Battle of Antietam, as well as an overview of the battle.

In 2007 the CVB offered guided bus tours of the illumination. Initial plans were to charter one bus to see if there was any interest from the public. The CVB ended up chartering a second bus because of the popularity.

“Both buses were filled to capacity and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves immensely,” said De Vore. “It quickly became clear that this was something we should offer every year.”

The American Bus Association (ABA) designated the Antietam Illumination as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2008 by an elite tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations Magazine, indicates that the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world.

"The Illumination is a must-see event at Antietam," Stanton said. "It is absolutely breathtaking and the large windows on the charter allow you to see in every direction."

Since 1989 an annual remembrance of the battle of Antietam has been held the first Saturday in December. It is signified by 23,110 luminaries, one placed every 15 feet along a 5 mile route, throughout the fields, and around monuments. Volunteers systematically set up the luminaries throughout the day, and candles are lit starting at 3 p.m. Last year, the National Park Service announced that more than 20,000 people experience the Illumination, from 6 p.m. until midnight.

The annual event is sponsored by the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Antietam National Battlefield, in cooperation with the American Business Women's Association, annually hosts the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination in honor of those soldiers who fell during the Battle of Antietam. The event is also known as the largest volunteer single-day event in Western Maryland, with more than 1,200 volunteers setting out the luminaries. The event has been called the largest memorial illumination in North America.

Tickets for the CVB charter buses will be available from the Visitor Welcome Center at 6 North Potomac Street in downtown Hagerstown starting Monday November 2. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children under the age of 10. On the night of December 5, refreshments will be served at the Welcome Center starting at 5:15 p.m. and the bus will depart promptly at 6:00 p.m. In case of inclement weather, refunds will be issued. For more information call 301-791-3246 ext. 10.

To find out more about Hagerstown-Washington County , go to www.marylandmemories.com. For more information about the Annual Memorial Illumination, visit www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm. Washington County is part of the Maryland state-certified Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (www.heartofthecivilwar.org), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: www.quadstate81.com.

Gettysburg Foundation Names a New President

2009-10-14T21:04:00.000-04:00

The Gettysburg Foundation today announced the selection of Rear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan, USN (ret.) as president. Buchanan will take over for Robert C. Wilburn, who retired from the Foundation this summer. Buchanan begins work on Oct. 19.

“Rear Adm. Buchanan’s experience in the military, in finance and with nonprofit organizations represents the perfect leadership mix for the Gettysburg Foundation,” said Foundation Chairman Robert A. Kinsley. “His skill set is a perfect complement to our unique and important partnership with the National Park Service.”

Buchanan most recently served as the president and chief executive officer of the United States Navy Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C. Before that, he was vice president of undersea systems at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems and has also worked at Electronic Data Systems as the deputy for strategic operations on the Navy Marine Corps Intranet Program. Following his retirement from military duty, Rear Admiral Buchanan was the vice president of corporate services for First National Bank of Omaha and the president of the Midlands Venture Forum in Nebraska and Iowa.

“I am honored to join the team at the Gettysburg Foundation in its important partnership with the National Park Service,” said Buchanan. “Gettysburg’s enduring legacy is an inspiration, and I look forward to working to ensure that that legacy is preserved for future generations.”

“Rear Adm. Buchanan is an excellent choice for the Gettysburg Foundation and a perfect fit for this important partnership at Gettysburg," said Dr. John A. Latschar, Gettysburg National Military Park superintendent.

The Gettysburg Foundation is a private, non-profit educational organization working in partnership with the National Park Service to enhance preservation and understanding of the heritage and lasting significance of Gettysburg. The Foundation raised funds for and now operates the Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park, which opened in April 2008. In addition to operating the Museum and Visitor Center, the Foundation has a broad preservation mission that includes land, monument and artifact preservation and battlefield rehabilitation—all in support of the National Park Service’s goals at Gettysburg.

For information about the Foundation, about visiting Gettysburg, or how you can become a part of the history of Gettysburg through your contribution, visit www.gettysburgfoundation.org or call 877-874-2478 or the administrative offices at 717-338-1243.

History Under Siege...The Civil War Preservation Trust Works Hard to Save our Sites

2009-09-28T21:54:00.002-04:00

The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT), the nation’s largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization, is accepting nominations through its website for an annual report on endangered Civil War battlefields. The report, entitled History Under Siege®, identifies the most threatened Civil War sites in the United States and what can be done to rescue them.

“Too often the threats to our priceless historical treasures go unnoticed,” noted CWPT President James Lighthizer. “This report is a rallying cry to the nation, a powerful reminder that our hallowed battlefields are in imminent danger.”

Nominate a battlefield
History Under Siege 2009

History Under Siege® is part of CWPT’s ongoing effort to protect America’s remaining Civil War battlefields. Every day 30 acres of hallowed ground associated with Civil War battlefields fall victim to development, succumbing to the backhoe and the bulldozer. Once lost, these historic treasures can never be replaced.

The 2010 endangered battlefields report will be released next spring in Washington, D.C. Any Civil War battlefield is eligible to for nomination and consideration. The chosen sites will be selected based on geographic location, military significance and the immediacy of current threats.

“From Pennsylvania to New Mexico, the battlefields where the Civil War was fought are under siege,” Lighthizer remarked. “Nominations from concerned citizens, history buffs and preservation activists help us stay aware of the most current threats to a wide variety of battlefields.”

Among the ten sites identified in the 2009 report were Cedar Creek, Virginia; Monocacy, Maryland; and Spring Hill, Tennessee. The report also mentioned 15 “at risk” battlefields that, although seriously threatened, did not make the final ten. Each year, the report raises public awareness of the threats to historic sites, leading to victories for preservationists. “Thanks in part to the publicity generated by the report, we expect continued successes in the remainder of the year and in the future,” Lighthizer predicted.

Individuals and groups are encouraged to fill out the nomination form available online at http://www.civilwar.org/endangerednomination. Applications must include a detailed description of specific threats facing the site. Submission of relevant recent photographs is also encouraged. Nominations must be received no later than October 10, 2009.

With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds. CWPT’s website is http://www.civilwar.org/.

Antietam & South Mountain Celebrate Anniversaries!

2009-09-07T22:49:00.000-04:00

This month, Antietam National Battlefield and South Mountain State Battlefield will commemorate the 147th anniversaries of the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of South Mountain. Each park is offering a variety of anniversary events including special tours, musical performances, and living history demonstrations.

The Antietam National Battlefield schedule of events commemorating the Battle of Antietam, fought September 17, 1862 is:

Friday, September 11

Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center

Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Meet at the visitor center and then walk to the camp near the Dunker Church .

Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 1:30 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room Description: Ranger provides overview at Visitor Center , take your car and follow the Ranger to the Cornfield, Sunken Road & Burnside Bridge .

Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the visitor center and then walk to the camp near the Dunker Church

Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 3:00 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center Description: Join the ranger for an overview of the battle.

Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the visitor center and then walk to the camp near the Dunker Church

Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 4:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center Description: Join the ranger for an overview of the battle.

Program: Commemoration Ceremony
Location: The Dunker Church
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Description: Lt. Col. Louis A. Mercado, USMC War College , Quantico , VA will be our guest speaker for the Commemoration.

Program: Battle Anniversary Guest Speaker
Location: Antietam Battlefield Visitor Center
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Description: "Lee at Antietam " – Elizabeth Brown Pryor. Join this award winning author for an examination of Lee in the campaign and battle based on original research and many previously unpublished accounts. Aspects that will be covered include Lee’s motives for invasion, his observations of the battle, his relationship with his officers, and more. Our speaker is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through His Private Letters.

Saturday, September 12

Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: The Attacks of the I and XII Corps
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: New York State Monument

Program: Battlefield in a Box
Time: 9:00 a.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center

Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room

Program: Wildcat Regiment Brass Band Concert
Time: 11:15 a.m.
Location: The Dunker Church Description: This program will include a concert, and discussion on Brass Bands and the American Civil War.

Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 12:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center Description: Join the ranger for an overview of the battle.

Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: The Attack of Sumner’s Corps
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: New York State Monument Description: A battlefield hike that will focus on the time of the battle from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 1:30 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room

Program: Wildcat Regiment Brass Band Grand Concert
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Mumma Farm Barn (A shuttle bus will be available from the visitor center parking lot.) Description: The band members play period instruments and music popular during the Civil War.

Program: Antietam Anniversary Guest Speaker
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Location: Antietam Battlefield Visitor Center Description: "The Army of Northern Virginia in the Maryland Campaign" – Joseph T. Glatthaar. In the late summer and early fall of 1862, General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was an army in transition. Our speaker will reassess Lee’s army based on more than nine years of research into over 4,000 primary sources such as letters, diaries and official reports. Joseph T. Glatthaar is the author of General Lee’s Army: From Victory to Collapse, a selection of The History Book Club.

Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 3:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center

Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 4:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center

Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: Informal programs all day at the campsite
Location: Dunker Church

Sunday, September 13

Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: The Middle and Lower Bridge
Time: 8:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meet at the Lower Bridge , Tour Stop 9

Program: Battlefield in a Box
Time: 9:00 a.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center

Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 10:00 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room

Program: Infantry & Sharpshooter Firing Demonstrations
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center

Program: Artillery Firing Demonstrations Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center

Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 12:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center

Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: Attack of the IX Corps
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the Lower Bridge , Tour Stop 9

Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 1:30 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room

Program: Infantry & Sharpshooter Firing Demonstrations
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center

Program: Artillery Firing Demonstrations
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center

Program: Antietam Anniversary Guest Speaker
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center Description: "Ezra Carman and the Creation of the Antietam National Battlefield" – Thomas Clemens. The establishment of Antietam National Battlefield is due in large part to the work of Colonel Ezra Carman. An actual veteran of Antietam , Carman began researching what happened here within days after the battle. His research turned into a lifetime endeavor and Carman served as the historian for the Battlefield Board. In the process he corresponded with hundreds of veterans to get their accounts of what occurred on that bloody September day in 1862. Our speaker is one of this country’s leading authorities on Carman and is currently working on a book on the subject. Thomas Clemens is a history professor at Hagerstown Community College and is a founder and President of the Save Historic Antietam Foundation.

Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 3:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center

Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 4:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center

Thursday, September 17

A special hike, Morning in the Cornfield, will meet at tour stop 4, The Cornfield. This program starts at 7:00 a.m. and will last an hour. An all day hike of the battlefield will be in two parts with the first one starting at 9:00 a.m. near the park visitor center. The afternoon hike will begin at the National Cemetery Parking Lot, on the north side of MD. RT. 34 across from the National Cemetery . The starting time for this program is 1:30 p.m. and the hike will end back at the lot at approximately 5:00 p.m. The morning and afternoon hikes will each be four miles in length and the Morning in the Cornfield hike is one mile.

Antietam National Battlefield has an entrance fee of $4 per person or $6 per family, which covers admission to the park and all programs for a three-day period. For more information call the Visitor Center at 301-432-5124 or visit www.nps.gov/anti.

The schedule of events commemorating the Battle of South Mountain, fought September 14, 1862 is:

Saturday, September 12th
Location: Washington Monument State Park
9:00 a.m.: Visitor Center and Museum open
10:00 a.m.: Overview Talk of the Maryland Campaign
11:00 a.m.: Infantry and Artillery Demonstration
1:00 p.m.: Civilians in the Civil War Talk
2:00 p.m.: Infantry and Artillery Demonstration
3:00 p.m.: Walking Tour of the Washington Monument

Sunday, September 13th
Location: Washington Monument State Park
9:00 a.m.: Visitor Center and Museum Open
11:00 a.m.: Overview Talk of the Maryland Campaign
12:00 a.m.: Walking Tour of the Washington Monument
2:00 p.m.: Life of the Civil War Infantryman Talk
3:00 p.m.: Civilians in the Civil War Talk

Monday, September 14th
Location:
9:00 a.m.: Real-time Tour of the Opening Phases at Fox's Gap led by National Park Service Ranger Isaac Forman
2:00 p.m.: Real-time Tour of the Afternoon Phases at Fox's Gap led by Maryland State Park Interpreter John Miller
4:00 p.m.: Real-time Tour of Crampton's Gap led by Maryland State Park Interpreter Steven Lopez

There is a $2 per vehicle entrance fee for Washington Monument State Park . All programs are free. For more information call Washington Monument State Park at 301-432-8065 or visit www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/southmountain.html.

To learn more about Washington County , visit the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.marylandmemories.com. Washington County is part of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (www.heartofthecivilwar.com), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: www.quadstate81.com

One of Only Two Military Installations Built Upon a Battlefield

2009-08-30T12:01:00.005-04:00

By Jo Adail Stephenson and Kevin Bennett

Blue Grass Army Depot Preserves Civil War Battle Site for Future Generations

Two historical markers now commemorate the area on Blue Grass Army Depot where the critical phase of the Civil War Battle of Richmond, Kentucky took place on August 30, 1862. An engagement resulting in more than 2,100 battle casualties, it was the scene of the most complete Confederate victory of the war. The crushing defeat of the Union Army opened up Kentucky and the Ohio River to the invading Confederates.

Laying fallow for over 60 years, a significant part of the battlefield lay within the bounds of the Depot, which was built in 1941-1942. One of only two military installations built upon a battlefield, it was not until recently that research and archeological surveys fully revealed the extent of what occurred on the property. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, the battlefield has yielded a wealth of artifacts associated with the battle which has contributed greatly to determining the movements and positions of the various units. Many of these artifacts are on loan to The Battle of Richmond Visitors Center/Museum, formerly Old Quarters 29 (the Depot commander's house), said Nathan White, the Depot archaelogist and cultural research manager. This building, which is listed on the National Register, had fallen into disrepair and was donated several years ago by the Department of the Army to Madison County as part of their effort to restore the battlefield.

More than 100 attendees participated in the recent dedication, which was the result of cooperative efforts of the U.S. Army, Madison County officials and a local group of historically-minded local citizens organized as the Battle of Richmond Association. "The Depot is very much a part of the local community and it was important for us to partner with local government and historical organizations to preserve this battlefield area," said Blue Grass Army Depot Commander Col. Joseph Tirone. "While this site represents a significant landmark of local and state history, it is more than that--the story of what happened here in August 1862 is also the Army's story," Tirone said.

"It is a story that began with the birth of our nation and continues to this day, a story of Americans, both men and women, who put on their country's uniform, follow its flag, perform countless tasks of selfless service and who are called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their nation. It is only fitting and proper that the Army play a role in preserving this special piece of history and in helping ours and future generations remember what happened here," he said.

Funds used to pay for the markers and the restoration work were generated by recycling scrap metal at the Depot through the Qualified Recycling Program (QRP) managed by the installation's Morale, Welfare and Recreation Office.

"It's a success story of properly disposing of waste, benefiting the community and saving taxpayers dollars by being good environmental stewards of Depot land and resources," Tirone said. Plans are also underway to construct a recreation pavilion and interpretive walking trail near the battlefield.

Liberia House Tours

2009-08-22T20:33:00.001-04:00

Three Manassas Historic Treasures Open For Tours
Liberia Mansion Opens Her Doors, September 12, 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Manassas Industrial School/Jennie Dean Memorial/Lucasville School Tour,
September 13, 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Three historic sites which played a major role in the area’s Civil War and African-American history will be featured in tours sponsored by The Manassas Museum on September 12 and 13.

On Saturday, September 12, Liberia Mansion, one of the area’s most significant structures during the Civil War, will offer a first-ever free open house from 10 a.m. to
1 p.m. The grand old house, built in 1825 and a now a part of the Manassas Museum System, is currently in the midst of renovations to restore the property to its former glory when it served as headquarters for both Confederate and Union officers.

The first floor of the house and the surrounding grounds will be open to visitors. Docents will be on hand to answer questions about the home’s extensive history. New exhibits about the restoration and Liberia’s architecture will be shown for the first time. Liberia collectibles will be available for purchase.

This historic home, built in 1825 by William J. Weir, served as the headquarters for Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard before the Battle of First Manassas. Beauregard abandoned the house in the winter of 1861, but it quickly became the headquarters for Union General Irvin McDowell prior to the Battle of Second Manassas. President Abraham Lincoln was said to have eaten ice cream on the back porch of Liberia while visiting with McDowell.

After the Civil War, some of the Weir family returned to Liberia, but were not able to restore the plantation to its former glory. In later years the Weirs sold the property to prominent Alexandria brewer Robert Portner, who developed Liberia into a successful dairy farm. I. J. and Hilda Breeden, who bought Liberia in 1947, donated the property to the Manassas Museum System in 1986.

Although there is no admission fee, visitors are asked to obtain a ticket. The free tickets are available at the Museum, by emailing jriley@ci.manassas.va.us or by calling 703-368-1873.

On Sunday, September 13 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., visitors will learn about Jennie Dean, the former slave who established a ground-breaking school for African-Americans. The presentation will be at the Manassas Industrial School/Jennie Dean Memorial, (9601 Wellington Road, Manassas, VA 20110).

The Museum and the Prince William County Historic Preservation Division have added a new tour this year at the restored historic African-American Lucasville one room school house, (10516 Godwin Drive, Manassas, VA 20112).

After almost a decade of fundraising by Dean, the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth was chartered on October 7, 1893. With funds solicited from the Manassas area and from philanthropists in Boston, New York, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., Jennie Dean was able to purchase 100 acres and establish a private residential institution providing both academic and vocational training within a Christian setting.

The school’s first building, Howland Hall, was completed in time for the dedication ceremonies led by Frederick Douglass on September 3, 1894. Over the next four decades, despite numerous setbacks from catastrophic fires, the school grew. By the turn of the century, over 150 students studied academic subjects as well as vocational skills such as carpentry and sewing. The school became a regional high school for African-Americans in 1937. The present-day Jennie Dean Elementary School and the Jennie Dean Memorial are on the site of the Manassas Industrial School.

Former Manassas City Council Member Col. Ulysses White will speak about Jennie Dean, life at the Industrial School, and the preservation efforts that turned the site into a memorial. Tickets for the tour and presentation are $5 per family or $3 per person and can be purchased in advance or on the day of the event.

After the tour at the Manassas Industrial School/Jennie Dean Memorial, the nearby Lucasville School will be open for free tours.

Lucasville School is a reconstructed one-room school dedicated to interpreting post-Civil War African-American education in Prince William County, Virginia. Lucasville School is Prince William County's only extant one-room school built for African-American children. Some Lucasville School teachers may have trained at Manassas Industrial School.

In 1870, Virginia's Legislature established a statewide system of free public schools for all citizens. The Manassas District School Board authorized an elementary school for the Lucasville neighborhood in November 1883, and the school was finished by March 1885. Lucasville School closed in 1926. The building was moved in the1930s and remained intact until it was dismantled in 2005. By then, the structure had deteriorated.

Between December 2005 and February 2008, Lucasville School was dismantled and reconstructed through the efforts of citizens, County officials and Pulte Homes, Inc. The Prince William County Historic Preservation Division opens the school for special tours and events.

Tickets for the Jennie Dean tour are available at the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William Street, online at www.manassasmuseum.org or by calling 703-368-1873. No ticket is needed for the Lucasville School tour.

Brentsville featured on GhostHunters!

2009-08-12T22:42:00.002-04:00

This is exciting news!

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre will be featured on the nationally televised TV show, Ghost Hunters. The show is scheduled to air on the SyFy Channel, on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 9:00pm. The show will be a two part episode, with Brentsville featured in the second half of the show. Ghost Hunters follows Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson of the Trans Atlantic Paranormal Society (T.A.P.S.) team as they investigate paranormal activity in locations across the United States.

Purportedly haunted, the Brentsville site was chosen because of all the reported activity around the historic area by the local community and visitors to the site. The T.A.P.S. team visited in the spring to conduct their investigation of the site and for filming of the Brentsville episode.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre consists of nearly 30 acres of park land, five historic structures that interpret the cultural and natural history of Brentsville and Prince William County. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre is located at 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, VA 20136.

FREE MUSEUM DAY!

2009-08-10T21:55:00.002-04:00

What a great offer!

On Saturday, September 26, 2009, the National Museum of Civil War Medicine will participate in the fifth annual Museum Day, presented by Smithsonian magazine. A celebration of culture, learning and the dissemination of knowledge, Smithsonian’s Museum Day reflects the spirit of the magazine, and emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, DC-based properties. Doors will be open free of charge to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors at museums and cultural institutions nationwide.

Last year, upwards of 200,000 people attended Museum Day, with all 50 states plus Puerto Rico represented by over 900 participating museums, including 84 Smithsonian affiliate museums. This year, the magazine expects to attract over 1,000 museums.

“It is always important to work together with other Museums in the surrounding area and it is great that the Smithsonian steps up and creates events like this to promote that needed comradery between institutions. We are honored to participate in this year’s event.” said Robert Burton, Director of Education.

Visit www.smithsonian.com/museumday to download your Museum Day Admission Card. Attendees must present the Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry to participating institutions. Each card provides museum access for two people, and one admission card is permitted per household. Listings and links to participating museums’ can also be found at www.smithsonian.com/museumday.

About Smithsonian Media
Founded in 1970 with the launch of Smithsonian magazine, Smithsonian Media—comprising Smithsonian magazine, Air & Space, goSmithsonian, Smithsonian Publishing Digital Network, Smithsonian Books and advertising for Smithsonian Channel—allows the intellectually curious to indulge and engage their passions for history, the arts, science, the natural world, culture and travel. Smithsonian Media’s flagship publication, Smithsonian magazine, has a circulation of more than two million. This multimedia network is also affiliated with the world’s most visited museum and research complexes at the Smithsonian Institution. For more information, visit http://www.smithsonian.com/, http://www.airandspacemag.com/, and http://www.gosmithsonian.com/.

Letter from David Smith, President of the Civil War Round Tables of Massachusetts

2009-08-03T18:26:00.003-04:00

It was finally a warm spring Sunday evening on April 26, 2009. There were 160 people gathering at The National Archives-Boston facility at 380 Trapelo Rd. in Waltham to honor Professor James M. McPherson with the 12th Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. award for his entire body of work education and preserving our American History. They were led into the building with the music of Amoskeag Music, who also performed a few more times before and during the dinner.

Sadly, Professor McPherson became seriously ill with atrial fibrillations and heart arrhythmias five days before the dinner as he returned from one of his many trips around the country lecturing and promoting the 200th birthday of our 16th President, and had to cancel his personal appearance. His doctors forced him to cancel all of his other scheduled events for the foreseeable future, including the Harvard Symposium that weekend at the Boston Public Library. Despite knowing this, as a result of many emails and telephone calls, no one cancelled out or demanded a refund. This is a great tribute to the historians in this area.

The evening was still a magnificent success and everyone enjoyed themselves and all of the speakers and ceremonies. This organization is still receiving accolades from the attendees. A recent email from Professor McPherson again expressed his regrets and how he was (in his words) "blown away by the beauty and impressive good taste of the award," and "the honor that the Civil War Round Tables have done me." This Holmes Award was specifically designed for Professor McPherson to celebrate the Bicentennial of Lincoln's birth.

(Photo of the Holmes Award courtesy of David Smith)

The evening began with the Posting of the Colors by the 54th Mass. Regiment Volunteer Infantry, the Mass. Sons of Union Volunteers of the Civil War, and the Salem Zouaves. The Master of Ceremonies was Jack Williams who has been with Channel 4 TV in Boston as their main newsman for over 30 years. Jack is also a lover of history himself and creator of his "Wednesday's Child Foundation." One of the Archives employees, Jamimie Flanagan, a young lady with a beautiful voice, sang several times for us which thrilled the audience.

Professor Thomas Turner of Bridgewater State College and associated with the Mass. Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission which also co-sponsored the evening, stepped in at the last minute to give a wonderful 30-minute presentation on "Lincoln in New England." Also speaking was Mr. Thomas Mills, the Assistant Archivist at the Washington DC National Archives. Historian Jay Hoar did a short presentation on Captain Oliver Wendall Holmes, Jr. Diane LeBlanc, the Regional Administrator of this facility, served as our official host.

As President of The CWRTs of Mass., I gave the official welcome, followed by our Mayor Jeanette McCarthy, who also gave us her welcome. Before we ended, our Vice-President Al Smith led us in a moment of silence for two of the Greater Boston members who passed away recently, Denis Griffin and Frank Tucker, both long time members who each left their footprints on our history. Al then gave Frank Tucker's son Kevin, the present State Commander of the Mass SUVCW, a flag to honor him. Denis Griffin's flag was sent to his widow; no one from his family being able to attend.

The Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Award began in 1987, and is a product of the combined Executive Boards of The Civil War Round Table of Greater Boston and the Civil War Round Table of Central Mass. Shortly after this, the CWRT of Greater Boston began adding Round Tables at their request to become the Current Civil War Round Tables of Massachusetts and will soon have more additions. This award has become nationally known with past recipients being Jerry Russell, Edwin Cole Bearss, Annie Snyder, James Fahey, Ken Burns, John Hennessey, Dennis Frye, Robert E. "Ted" Turner, James I. "Bud" Robertston, Dr. Robert Pamplin, Jr., The Civil War Preservation Trust (James Lighthizer accepting), and this year to Dr. James M. McPherson.

Named for one of the most favorite of Massachusetts sons and brilliant Jurists here in the Bay State, on the United States Supreme Court, it is now one of the most prestigious of awards.

This year's award was given in abstentia by Robert Hall, who has given all of the awards to date. Bob is a lifetime member of the CWRT of Greater Boston and currently the President of the Olde Colony Civil War Round Table in Dedham, MA, as well as a member of the Lincoln Commission in Massachusetts.

This awards dinner had attendees from every CWRT in Massachusetts represented along with The Chamberlain CWRT, The Capital District CWRT of New York, the Hartford CWRT and many historical societies, genealogical societies, museum and veterans' organizations. We also had several guests from other honored organizations.

Respectfully Submitted,

David L. Smith, President,
The Civil War Round Tables of Massachusetts (est. 1957)

Stony Lonesome Marker Dedication

2009-07-23T10:16:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone!
Here's a great event coming up this weekend!

Historical Marker Text
STONY LONESOME FARM
(BELLEVILLE)
Childhood Home of General Richard S. Ewell

Nearby is the site of Stony Lonesome, childhood home of one of the Confederacy’s most distinguished generals. Richard S. Ewell left this farm in 1836 to enter West Point. Graduating in 1840, Lieutenant Ewell served with the 1st U.S. Dragoons on the western frontier and fought with distinction during the Mexican War. When the Civil War began, Ewell joined the Confederacy and was commissioned a Colonel. Slightly wounded in action at Fairfax Courthouse on June 1, 1861, Ewell won promotion to Brigadier General before First Manassas. “Old Baldy,” as he became known, commanded a division under Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah
Valley, Seven Days, and Second Manassas campaigns until severely wounded on August 28, 1862, necessitating amputation of his left leg. Promoted to Lieutenant General after Jackson’s death in May 1863, Ewell commanded the Army of Northern Virginia II Corps at Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania. His capture at Sailor’s Creek in
April 1865 ended his military service. After the war, Ewell retired to his wife’s Tennessee farm, dying there in 1872.

Stony Lonesome Farm Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony

Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.
Greenwich Presbyterian Church
(Adjacent to the Civil War Trails Marker)

Opening Remarks Dennis Van Derlaske, Chair
PWC Historical Commission

Posting of the Colors Fairfax Rifles, Company D,
17th Virginia Infantry

Pledge of Allegiance

Overview, Acknowledgements,
General Ewell at First Manassas
Jim Burgess,
PWC Historical Commission

Overview of PWC Civil War History, Civil
War 150th, Gen. Ewell at Second Manassas
Mark Trbovich, President,
PWC Historic Preservation Foundation

Keynote Address—Richard S. Ewell: Prince
William County’s Forgotten Son
Donald C. Pfanz, NPS Historian,
Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania NMP and
author of “Richard S. Ewell: A Soldier’s Life”

Unveiling of the Stony Lonesome Marker

Retirement of the Colors Fairfax Rifles, Company D,
17th Virginia Infantry

Refreshments Courtesy of Greenwich Presbyterian Church

Manassas Historic Markers

2009-07-12T13:37:00.002-04:00

Below is the new Manassas Historic Markers Map that will be dedicated on July 27 at 5pm. Any Battlefield Journal readers in the area at the dedication, please send us your photos!

Confederates on Turners Gap!

2009-07-08T17:59:00.002-04:00

On July 11-12, 2009 Confederates will occupy Turner’s Gap once more. The Friends of South Mountain are inviting the public to come and interact with living historians portraying Captain John Lane's Battery of artillery and Colonel Alfred Colquitt's Brigade of infantry. Demonstrations, including infantry and artillery drill, cooking and soldier life scenarios, will be held throughout the day both Saturday and Sunday.

Some of the events include: at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, a walking tour leaving from the Dahlgren Chapel will retrace the route of Brigadier General Thomas Drayton’s Brigade to Fox’s Gap and its eventual demise. Also, the Dahlgren Chapel, built in 1881 by Madeleine Dahlgren (wife of Admiral John Dahlgren), will be open for tours from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.

About the Battle of South Mountain Sep. 14, 1862: Spurred by word that Union Major General George B. McClellan had found a copy of Special Order 191, Confederate Major General Daniel H. Hill spent the evening hours of September 13 and early morning hours of September 14 deploying troops on Turner’s and Fox’s Gap. At nearly 9:00 a.m. on September 14, 1862, Maryland’s first major battle of the Civil War began on Fox’s Gap when Confederate Brigadier General Samuel Garland’s Brigade of North Carolinians met Union Brigadier General Jacob Cox’s Kanawha Division. Fighting soon escalated and spread north to Frostown and Turner’s Gap and south to the Brownsville Pass and Crampton’s Gap. As combat closed with nightfall, more than 6,000 Union and Confederate soldiers had been killed or wounded. Confederate Major General Robert E. Lee ordered his outnumbered forces off South Mountain and in the direction of Sharpsburg.

During the battle, Turner’s Gap was a Confederate stronghold and was used as Hill’s headquarters, as a staging area for Confederate reinforcements going to Fox’s and the Frostown Gap, and as an artillery position. Notwithstanding a frontal Union assault until about 5:00 p.m., Colquitt’s Brigade waited nervously at the base of Turner’s Gap for the approach of Brigadier General John Gibbon’s Brigade (later to become known as the Iron Brigade). As nightfall approached, the evening’s hard fighting began to tell on the Confederate soldiers. With the Confederates retiring to the summit, Gibbon was left in command of the gap.

The Confederates on Turner’s Gap event site will be located off of Alternate Route 40 on Turner’s Gap, next to the Dahlgren Chapel. From Boonsboro, take Alt. 40 for about 2 miles and turn left onto Washington Monument Road, then an immediate right into the Dahlgren Chapel parking lot.

All programs and events are free and open to the public. For more information call (301) 432-8065 or visit www.friendsofsouthmountain.org.

South Mountain State Battlefield is Maryland's FIRST State Battlefield Park. For additional information about South Mountain State Park visit www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/southmountain.html.

South Mountain State Battlefield is a member of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information about Washington County's 8 state parks and 5 national parks, see: www.marylandmemories.com. Washington County is part of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area. For more information see: www.heartofthecivilwar.org and also www.hallowedground.org.

For more information about Maryland's role in the Civil War, see: www.visitmaryland.org/Pages/ANationDivided.aspx

Civil War Medicine Museum Receives Grant

2009-07-03T12:31:00.000-04:00

Frederick, MD - The National Museum of Civil War Medicine (NMCWM) is pleased to announce the receipt of a $5000 matching challenge grant from the Ausherman Family Foundation of Frederick. The grant will be used to support the Museum’s educational programming.

The NMCWM and its education department serve thousands of students and other young visitors every year. In addition to tours of the Museum’s two floors of immersion exhibits and interactive displays, scouts and other youth groups participate in workshops on subjects ranging from 19th century food and nutrition to famous people of the Civil War. A new first aid program provides hands-on instruction on the development of first aid and gives students training and skills comparable to the American Red Cross’s first aid certification program.

“With the Ausherman matching grant, each dollar donated to support the Museum’s educational programming will double in value,” said Education Coordinator Susan Rosenvold. “We’re thrilled to receive this generous pledge at a time when we are working to expand our programming and reach more children.”
The Museum has until the end of the year to raise the funds needed to meet the match requirements of the grant.

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine is the premiere repository of exhibits and artifacts devoted to the technological and procedural advances made in the medical field between 1861-1865. The Museum utilizes its collection to heighten public awareness of the modern medical practices that originated on the battlefields and in the hospitals of this once divided country.

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine is located at 48 E. Patrick Street in downtown Frederick, Maryland, and is open Monday through Saturday 10-5, and Sunday 11-5. For further information, please visit our web site at www.civilwarmed.org or call 301-695-1864.

Gettysburg Resident joins Gettysburg Foundation Staff

2009-07-01T17:42:00.000-04:00

Daniel M. Bringman hired as CFO

Gettysburg, Pa. (June 30, 2009)—The Gettysburg Foundation today announced the addition of Daniel M. Bringman as chief financial officer. Bringman, a Gettysburg resident, will oversee the Foundation’s accounting, human resources and information technology departments and will serve on the nonprofit organization’s management team.

“Dan brings years of financial and nonprofit leadership, and we are pleased to have him on board as we continue to grow and work with the National Park Service to preserve the hallowed ground of Gettysburg,” said Robert C. Wilburn, Gettysburg Foundation president.

Mr. Bringman has previously served as vice president for finance and administration, and treasurer, for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and most recently was outsourcing manager for an accounting and consulting firm in Washington, D.C. He earned his master’s degree in accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University. He is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

“I am thrilled to join the staff at the Gettysburg Foundation and look forward to helping the organization continue its important work preserving, enhancing, honoring and protecting the natural and cultural resources associated with one of America’s most important places,” said Bringman.

The Gettysburg Foundation is a private, nonprofit educational organization working in partnership with the National Park Service to enhance preservation and understanding of the heritage and lasting significance of Gettysburg. The Foundation raised funds for and now operates the Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park, which opened in April 2008. In addition to operating the Museum and Visitor Center, the Foundation has a broad preservation mission that includes land, monument and artifact preservation and battlefield rehabilitation—all in support of the National Park Service’s goals at Gettysburg.

Civil War Museums--Part I

2009-06-30T07:25:00.008-04:00

Gettysburg Visitor Center and Museum--1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA http://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm

Re-opened last year, the new re-located Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center is not to be missed when coming to the legendary battlefield.

Originally placed along the Zeigler's Grove portion of the Park, near the small white Bryan Homestead and next to the Cyclorama building, the Visitor Center was well-attended throughout its decades of service. With a famous Electric Map that explained the battle through a series of moving lights and with a comprehensive museum and gift shop, the Visitor Center was usually the first place both Civil War buffs and Gettysburg first-timers went upon entering the hallowed ground.

With the 1999 Gettysburg Management Plan, the Gettysburg Foundation partnered with the Park Service to restore Zeigler's Grove to its original appearance and arranged for a new and expanded Visitor Center to be housed along Hunt Avenue behind Culp's Hill and near Union General Meade's headquarters during the battle, the Lydia Leister House.

Not only did the Visitor Center move, but so did the world-famous Cyclorama painting. This 1884 circular painting, very popular in the late 1800's, of Pickett's Charge by artist Paul Philippoteaux has been meticulously restored in a multi-million dollar process (which the author was able to witness in various phases). The end result is now located in the Visitor Center and is breathtaking. With first-hand accounts read aloud and special effects that bring Pickett's Charge to life (note the dawn breaking in the sky--wow!), the visitor to Gettysburg, whether a first-timer or hundredth-timer, will be ashamed to miss it!

Another integral partner during this undertaking was the History Channel. Thanks to the History Channel, the experience is made even more robust by the many films located throughout the Visitor Center. The main movie, A New Birth of Freedom, is narrated by Morgan Freeman and includes the master of Lincoln voice-overs, Sam Waterston (the best Lincoln in my book). It tells Lincoln's story and the Civil War's complicated journey up to and including the Battle of Gettysburg.

The updated museum shows the artifacts connected to Gettysburg with cleaner and more technology-driven visitor interpretation. From a room that shows us slavery in the 19th Century to the first two years of the year and then into a display room that represents each day of the horrific July 1863 battle, the visitor is enthralled by how these objects witnessed each and every event. The museum culminates in Lee's retreat, the aftermath, and the final years of the Civil War.

Of shopping is part of the plan, then the new gift shop will entice to spend money on a plethora of books, t-shirts and quality gift items. The Refreshment Saloon aptly provides lunch and snacks and Ranger Programs on a variety of topics are presented daily at the Visitor Center and throughout the battlefield.

Another aspect of the experience is the wealth of research facilities available. A full Education Center affords a chance for research as does a Resource Center complete with computers connecting researchers with many different links to genealogoy, regimental histories, various libraries and state databases vital to historians, teachers and writers of all types.

Both groups and individuals are welcome at the Gettysburg Visitor Center with plenty of free car and motorcoach parking. The Gettysburg Foundation outdid themselves with the information included within the unique, round, barn-like structure. It was a long process to relocate the building, including town hall meetings, land surveying, fundraising efforts and construction.

The end result is well worth it. Visit as soon as you can!

(Hours of Operation--8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.- April 1 to May 31.8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.- June 1 to August 31.8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.- September 1 to October 31.8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.- November 1 to March 31.)

Kristie Poehler

Information from the National Constitution Center

2009-06-10T16:46:00.001-04:00

VISITORS CAN ENJOY A CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM
FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE CIVIL WAR
DURING FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS AT THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER

Philadelphia, PA – Visitors to the National Constitution Center can enjoy a celebration of freedom stretching from the Revolution to the Civil War during the Feel the Freedom Festival: Celebrating Lincoln from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5, 2009. The three-day festival will honor Abraham Lincoln and other historic freedom fighters, including Fredrick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. The Center is presenting the Feel the Freedom Festival in conjunction with the Lincoln 200: The Bicentennial Festival on Independence Mall in Historic Philadelphia. All events at the Center are free with museum admission.

In his Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln famously looked back to 1776 and the nation’s founding when he called the Civil War a “new birth of freedom.” The Feel the Freedom Festival celebrates the commitment of generations of Americans to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution that Lincoln fought to preserve.

Philadelphia was central to Lincoln ’s war effort, serving as a major center for recruiting, training, equipping, and transporting the armies that fought to save our nation. Nearly all of the men and supplies used in the eastern theater of the war were either made in, or passed through Philadelphia . Recruiting camps were even set up behind Independence Hall. During the Feel the Freedom Festival, a Civil War encampment will take place on the Center’s front lawn between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., featuring living history interpreters portraying Civil War generals, soldiers, nurses, civilians, and political leaders. Visitors will have the chance to meet General Meade, Clara Barton, and Frederick Douglass, among others, and observe demonstrations of Civil War era medicine and equipment, as well as military drills.

Guests will also have the opportunity to take a closer look at the Center’s rare copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Lincoln. Through an interactive presentation at 11:00 a.m., visitors will learn about the history of the Civil War and the background of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.

During the Lincoln 200 Scavenger Hunt, children and their families can explore the National Constitution Center and Independence Mall as they search for Abraham Lincoln between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Along the way, participants will learn about our nation’s historic struggle for freedom that culminated in the Civil War.

The Civil War was the first American war officially documented through photography. Visitors will see how images of war have been used to tell the stories of soldiers’ lives during a special demonstration at 2:00 p.m.

In addition, the Center will present a Fourth of July Show at 12:00 p.m. The interactive presentation will explore the history of July 4th from the very first words declaring America ’s independence to present day celebrations. Guests can also commemorate the birth of our nation with patriotic craft activities throughout the day, including the chance to make freedom poppers and whirly gigs.

The National Constitution Center, located at 525 Arch St. on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the ideas and values it represents. The Center serves as a museum, an education center, and a forum for debate on constitutional issues. The museum dramatically tells the story of the Constitution from Revolutionary times to the present through more than 100 interactive, multimedia exhibits, film, photographs, text, sculpture and artifacts, and features a powerful, award-winning theatrical performance, “Freedom Rising”. The Center also houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, which serves as the hub for national constitutional education. For more information, call 215.409.6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org.

Great Event!!

2009-05-28T18:02:00.001-04:00

The Loudoun Museum presents

The” Bloody Eighth” Virginia Infantry-
Then and Now

Who: A Special Lecture by Dave Purschwitz,
Historian, 8th Virginia Vol. Inf.

When: Friday, June 5th at 7:00pm

Where: Loudoun Museum
16 Loudoun St SW, Leesburg

What: Mr. Purschwitz will share the riveting story of the history of the Eighth Virginia Infantry and the Battle of Balls Bluff. As a re-enactor in the role of Delegate Robert Eden Scott, he will provide first person insight into this Loudoun County Civil War battle fought on the shore of the Potomac River . Come learn about re-enacting, Civil War camp set-up, & skirmishes and view artifacts from the Eighth Virginia!

Cost: $5 General Admission; Museum Members FREE

Reservations: Seating Limited-Call 703-777-7427

Check out these DVDs from Inecom Entertainment!

2009-05-20T15:46:00.003-04:00

Inecom Entertainment has a wealth of fantastic Civil War DVDs to choose from--time to stock up!

Click on the graphic for information on these titles and MANY more!

Enjoy!

Battlefield Journal

Lincoln's Final State of the Union Address

2009-05-14T11:04:00.003-04:00

By Lincoln’s own Hand: 23 lines from his final State of the Union, at auction in Dallas

Original copy literally plucked from the trash by Superintendent of Public Printing J. D. Defrees in 1864, up for bid at Heritage, June 16-17

DALLAS, TX – A handwritten page from President Abraham Lincoln's December 1864 State of the Union message, an important document that was literally rescued from the trash 145 years ago, is being sold by a Midwestern historical society. Written four months before his assassination, the page with 23 lines written in Lincoln’s own longhand script will be offered to the public through Heritage Auction Galleries (http://www.ha.com/?type=PR-PRTE050809) as part of an auction of Historical Manuscripts, June 16 and 17.

In December 1864, just after he had won a closely contested second term in office and with the nation in the final throes of its bitter, bloody Civil War, Lincoln released his annual assessment of America’s health, and addressed the ongoing conflict.

“... We are not exhausted, nor in process of exhaustion,” he wrote. “... We are gaining strength, and may, if need be, maintain the contest indefinitely.”

Today, if a President even touches a piece of paper it is put under glass, documented and archived down to the minutest detail. When Lincoln wrote his 1864 message, however, the original manuscript was taken to a printer, typeset for printing, reading and distribution to the cabinet, congress and ultimately the national press, and then summarily tossed – literally – onto the dustbin of history. Fortunately for posterity – as documented in Carl Sandburg’s seminal 1949 book Lincoln Collector – “several manuscript sheets were given to various persons by the Superintendent of Public Printing, J. D. Defrees..." (page 190).

It was Defrees who was in charge of the office that typeset the address, and it was Defrees who thought the pages might make good gifts for friends of his. His quick thinking, and hands, saved an important piece of American history that day, a piece of which only 11 fragments survive.

“In this portion of his address we hear an unbending and hardened Lincoln,” said Sandra Palomino, Director of Rare Manuscripts at Heritage. “It was an important message for many reasons, not the least of which was this call for fortitude from Union supporters and Lincoln’s trumpeting of the large popular vote totals he received, especially from enlisted men.”

While the 13th Amendment is not mentioned in the 23 lines that Heritage is offering, it was a large component of Lincoln’s domestic segment of the speech, and played a critical role in his call to arms to the Northern United States to see the Civil War through to its conclusion. Lincoln takes special care to note that “thousands, white and black, join us, as the national arms press back the insurgent lines.”

Research shows that Lincoln began working on this important Annual Message just a week after the Nov. 8, 1864 election by writing telegrams to several governors asking them to "[p]lease send, as soon as practicable, exactly, or approximately, the aggregate of votes cast in your State at the late election. It is desired with reference to the forthcoming Message."

The manuscript comes to Heritage from a Midwestern Historical Society and is accompanied by a 1952-dated, notarized affidavit describing the chain of ownership for this manuscript, from its original owner William P. Doyle, who was Indian Affairs Commissioner under Lincoln, through to the current owner. The story detailed in the affidavit matches exactly the description given by Sandburg in his aforementioned 1949 book.

The most recent of these fragments to appear on the market was in the October 2002 auction of the Forbes Collection of American Historical Documents at Christie's, where the 11-line manuscript (ex. Philip D. Sang) sold for $251,500 (with Buyer’s Premium). That example was the top half of page 39. There is no way to predict when the next offering of one of these manuscripts will take place. It carries a pre-sale estimate of $90,000-$120,000.

“The phrase is, perhaps, overused,” said Palomino, “but this lot truly does represent a rare opportunity to own a piece of history, as well as an artifact from America’s most revered leader.”

For more information on the June Grand Format Rare Manuscripts Auction, to read a detailed description of this, or any other, lot, and to download full-color, enlargeable images, go online to http://historical.ha.com/common/auction/catalog.php?SaleNo=6026&type=PR-PRTE050809.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1150, or visit http://www.ha.com/Catalog?type=PR-PRTE050809 to order by email.

Heritage Auction Galleries is the world’s third largest auction house, and by far the largest auctioneer of rare collectibles, with annual sales more than $700 million, and 425,000+ registered online bidder members. For more information about Heritage's auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit http://www.ha.com/?type=PR-PRTE050809.

Frederick County, Maryland is the place to visit!

2009-05-03T11:48:00.002-04:00

I used to live in Frederick County and it has deep historic roots. Below is some great news!

Frederick, Maryland – With a past deeply rooted in history and a downtown renaissance underway, it’s no surprise that Middletown, Maryland was selected as one of five cities to receive the Main Street Maryland designation last year. But for those not keeping track, the bigger surprise might be that Frederick County is home to over 20% of the Main Street Maryland communities in the state.

May is National Preservation Month and Frederick County shines as an example of an area that promotes and protects historic resources. “Of all the counties in Maryland, Frederick is proud to have the largest number of Main Street Maryland communities within its boundaries,” says John Fieseler, Executive Director for Tourism Council of Frederick County. Five cities within the county - Brunswick, Frederick, Middletown, Mt. Airy (shared boundaries with Carroll County), and Thurmont - are designated Main Street Maryland communities for their historic significance and commitment to fostering a thriving downtown.

As a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street Maryland encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation. “The program recognizes and assists communities that are committed to their heritage and strengthening their traditional downtown area,” explained Amy Seitz, the Director of Community Access & Partnership for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. According to Seitz, “In Main Street communities, visitors can expect to find a pedestrian-friendly historic downtown with distinctive architecture, locally owned shops and restaurants, and a sense of community.”

“The number of cities holding the Main Street Maryland designation in Frederick County is a reminder of the incredibly rich historic resources in the area,” says Fieseler. Downtown Frederick received the top honor in this program and was honored as a Great American Main Street in 2005 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

“Frederick County’s Main Street communities are not only committed to preserving their history and heritage, they provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience and showcase some of our best attractions,” says Fieseler. “Within these cities you can find unique shopping and antiquing opportunities, a vibrant arts community, distinctive architecture, and fine restaurants and cafes.” They are also hosts to the many community events and heritage celebrations in the county, including street festivals, music performances, special events, tours, and family activities.

The Main Street Maryland program offers technical assistance to designated communities and also access to grants and funding sources sometimes not available to other cities. By having so many Main Street communities within Frederick County, more of these resources are directed back into Frederick County and help augment the efforts of volunteers and local governments working to preserve and promote these cities.

Main Street communities don’t just offer attractions for visitors; they prove to be areas where residents can find local jobs, goods and services, and entertainment close to home. “Historic preservation within these communities doesn’t just preserve buildings, it preserves the excellent quality of life people in Frederick County have come to expect,” explains Fieseler.

“We see increased investment in Main Street communities,” says Seitz, who points to the economic statistics the state tracks to show the program’s success. “In Frederick County alone, 564 new jobs have been created within Main Street communities, private investment has topped $48,439,594 and over 24,217 volunteer hours have been accrued to help these communities thrive.” Additionally, a strong downtown helps stabilize home prices in surrounding residential neighborhoods, a clear benefit for residents and local governments in this economic downtown, says Seitz.

Another advantage of being a designated city is that Main Street communities have the opportunity to network with one another. According to Kara Norman, Executive Director of Frederick’s Main Street program, the Downtown Frederick Partnership, “It is a great way to learn new ideas, find out about new solutions and, sometimes more importantly, learn what not to do.” Collaboration is key to the success of these cities. “Best of all, the Main Street community is always willing to share information to help make all of the state’s downtowns better places to live, work, shop, and play.”

In Frederick County, Main Street communities are thriving downtowns that serve as anchoring destinations for residents and visitors alike. Visit one of Frederick County’s Main Street Maryland communities During National Preservation Month to discover the area’s rich heritage, architecture, and history.

To plan a visit to Frederick County, visit www.FrederickTourism.org or call (800) 999-3613. For more information about the Main Street Maryland program, visit http://www.neighborhoodrevitalization.org/Programs/MainStreet/MainStreet.aspx.

Main Street Maryland Communities in Frederick County
· Brunswick (Designated in 2004) - www.BrunswickMainStreet.org
· Frederick (Designated in 2001) - www.DowntownFrederick.org
· Middletown (Designated in 2008) - www.Middletown.md.us
· Mt. Airy (Designated in 2004) - www.MountAiryMD.org
· Thurmont (Designated in 2005) - www.ThurmontFirst.com/html/main_street.html

Special Events in Frederick County’s Main Street Communities During National Preservation Month in May

First Friday Night on the Town: Pet-A-Palooza
May 1, 5-9 pm
Downtown Brunswick, MD
Downtown Brunswick celebrates First Friday Night on the Town on the first Friday of each month from 5-9 p.m. with live entertainment, extended store hours, and more. Normally our First Friday’s are meant for the humans, but this time we’re all about man’s best friends. Not just dogs, but all pets. We will even have pet sitters available so you can still shop around downtown.
www.BrunswickMainStreet.org

Mayfest/May First Saturday
Saturday, May 2nd, 10am - 9pm
Downtown Frederick - Market, Patrick, Carroll, and Church Streets including Everedy Square & Shab Row
Enjoy free flowers, live music, children's activities and more throughout the day followed by exhibit openings, guest artists, and special activities in the evening.
www.downtownfrederick.org, 301-698-8118, mainstreet@downtownfrederick.org

Alive @ Five
Thursday, May 14th & 28th, 5 - 8pm
Downtown Frederick - Carroll Creek Amphitheatre
Outdoor happy hour featuring live music by regional-reggae favorite, Jah Works, on May 14 and indie rock music of Silent J on May 28! Enjoy beer, wine and food from downtown restaurants on the banks of beautiful Carroll Creek.
www.downtownfrederick.org, 301-698-8118, mainstreet@downtownfrederick.org

COMMEMORATING THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS

2009-04-23T17:05:00.001-04:00

ROBERT DUVALL, LAWMAKERS, TO COMMEMORATE ANNIVERSARY OF

BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS

Academy and Emmy Award-winning actor Robert Duvall, who portrayed his famous ancestor Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in the 2003 film Gods and Generals, will speak at a news conference on Monday, May 4, 2009, to commemorate the 145th anniversary of the Battle of the Wilderness. Joining Duvall will be Congressmen Ted Poe of Texas and Peter Welch of Vermont , both of whom hail from states whose troops were particularly bloodied in the battle. The trio will also address the preservation challenges currently confronting the battlefield.
The Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 56, 1864, was among the most significant engagements of the American Civil War, and marked the first encounter between legendary chieftains Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. Nearly 29,000 American soldiers were killed, wounded or captured in the horrendous, two-day struggle. Today, just 21 percent of the battlefield is protected from development.

The news conference will begin at 11:00 a.m., at historic Ellwood Manor, located off Route 20 ( Constitution Highway ) in Orange County , Va. Following the news conference, attendees will be able to tour the historic home, which has recently undergone a major renovation. The grounds, including the Lacy Family cemetery containing the left arm of Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, will also be open to the public. The press and public are encouraged to arrive early, since there is only one entrance to the site.

WHAT:
News conference at Ellwood Manor on the Wilderness Battlefield
WHO:
Academy and Emmy Award-winning actor Robert Duvall, Rep. Ted Poe of Texas , Rep. Peter Welch of Vermont and Zann Miner of Friends of Wilderness Battlefield
WHEN:
Monday, May 4, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. (the press and public are encouraged to arrive early)
WHERE:
Ellwood Manor, 36380 Constitution Highway (Route 20), Locust Grove, Va.

The Civil War Preservation Trust is a 60,000-member nonprofit battlefield preservation organization. Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War sites and promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds. CWPT’s website is located at http://www.civilwar.org/.

300 volunteers gather in Gettysburg

2009-04-20T17:22:00.002-04:00

300 travel industry professionals from all over the United States came together on April 17 for the Tourism Cares for Gettysburg volunteer restoration event at the George Spangler Farm. Volunteers spent the day clearing brush to kick off a major restoration to bring the farm back to its original 1863 appearance.

If you are in the tourism industry and would like to get involved with Tourism Cares, contact Jessica Ahearn at jessicaa@tourismcares.org.

Happy Spring!
Battlefield Journal

If you're looking for something to do on Saturday...

2009-04-11T00:13:00.001-04:00

The Center for Faith and Citizenship of

Christopher Newport University

PRESENTS A PUBLIC LECTURE:

'The General as President: Robert E. Lee as a College President'

SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1:00 P.M.

Washington Room, David Student Union

General Robert E. Lee surrendered the tattered remnants of the Army of Northern Virginia to overwhelming Union forces under General U.S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. What was then in store for Lee? Rather than just going home and ‘fading away’, he immersed himself in the training of the youth of the nation at Washington College in Lexington , VA. Mr. William Connery, who spoke at Christopher Newport University in September on President John Tyler, will talk on General Lee’s life and contributions after the Recent Unpleasantness on Saturday April 11.

William Connery

William Connery has spoken on Civil War topics from Gettysburg to Petersburg . He was born and grew up in Baltimore . He has a BA in History from the University of Maryland and a MA in Religious Education from UTS. He has written a number of articles for The Washington Times Civil War page and The Civil War Courier. He can be reached concerning speaking engagements and Historical Tours of Baltimore at william.connery@verizon.net.

The CNU CENTER FOR FAITH AND CITIZENSHIP is a unique academic center at Christopher Newport University dedicated to the principle that religious faith has a valuable place in American public life and Western culture and deserves careful and objective study, free from corrosive cynicism.

Christopher Newport University is located in the heart of Newport News , Virginia , three hours south of Washington , D.C. , 45 minutes from the Virginia Beach oceanfront, and 20 minutes east of historic Williamsburg .

ENJOY!

New Civil War Road Trip Guide Coming out in time for summer!

2009-04-07T14:27:00.003-04:00

With ten multi-day itineraries, The Complete Civil War Road Trip Guide is the first guide to highlight every major campaign of the Civil War. Author Michael Weeks documents over 450 sites, helping travelers better understand this period of American history, and the landmarks that remain. As Weeks plots these itineraries, he offers historical details on the ideological battle between North and South, on the slaves and abolitionists who were willing to die for freedom, and the prominent men and women on both sides who brought the nation to war. The venues featured range from the great battlefields of Gettysburg and Manassas to relatively unknown sites in places such as Vermont, Idaho, and New Mexico. Including complete directions to the sites and lodging suggestions, these tours enable readers to personally tailor trips to every major Civil War campaign site and beyond.

Weeks highlights key figures and events in each theater of the war, covering everything from the Missouri Compromise to manumission, from Fort Sumter to Appomattox, providing context for the battle sites, museums, and countless other attractions covered in this book. With this guide in hand, readers will experience the sites where Frederick Douglass worked tirelessly to achieve equality for African Americans, where Clara Barton used her Civil War experiences to establish the American Red Cross, and where Robert E. Lee spent his childhood. No diehard Civil War buff or history fanatic will want to be without Weeks’s major new contribution.

Michael Weeks is an amateur historian with a passion for the road. He personally visited all 450 sites in the book, and has driven tens of thousands of miles across America in search of the living roots of U.S. history. Michael lives in the South Loop area of Chicago, Illinois, with his wife Charlotte, and works as an occupational health and safety consultant. Ironically, as the author of a road trip book, Weeks does not own a car.

Stayed tuned for an excerpt of this book presented by Battlefield Journal!

Volunteers Needed!

2009-03-23T14:47:00.000-04:00

The Civil War began as a struggle between armies of untrained but enthusiastic volunteers. Seven generations later, another army of volunteers is about to descend on America’s Civil War battlefields only this horde of dedicated men and women will be armed with paint brushes, trash bags and weed whackers.

On Saturday, April 4, 2009, history buffs and preservationists of all ages will join forces to clean and restore Civil War-related battlefields, cemeteries and shrines. The nationwide effort dubbed Park Day is underwritten with a grant from The History Channel. Park Day is also recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a “Take Pride in America” event. More than 100 historic sites in 24 states are expected to participate in Park Day 2009.

“Civil War sites are often the victims of their own popularity,” noted Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) President James Lighthizer. “Without proper maintenance, battlefields can suffer from the ravages of both time and tourism. Our goal is to spruce up these links to America’s past so they can be enjoyed by all.”

Now in its thirteenth year, Park Day is an annual hands-on preservation event created by CWPT. Volunteers gather at designated Civil War sites to help with routine repairs and maintenance. Activities can range from raking leaves and hauling trash to painting signs and trail building. In exchange for their hard work, participants receive T-shirts and can listen to local historians describe the significance of the site.

Among the many sites that will be benefiting from Park Day activities this year are: Mansfield Battlefield in Louisiana, Antietam Battlefield in Maryland, Wilson’s Creek Battlefield in Missouri, and the Wilderness Battlefield in Virginia.

“These are the hallowed fields where our ancestors gave their lives. We cannot allow them to fall into disrepair,” remarked Lighthizer.

With 60,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its goal is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War sites and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds. CWPT’s website is located at http://www.civilwar.org/.

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(For a list of the participating Park Day sites, visit http://www.civilwar.org/parkday/).

USCC Message

2009-03-02T09:11:00.003-05:00

February 27, 2009
QUICK LINKS
USCC Events
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UsccGettysburg.org

Join the USCC today!
Click Here!
Send this to five friends!
Calling for Modern-Day Delegates!

When the civil war started, the body of Christ was called into action to send the gospel to the battlefields and the original U.S. Christian Commission was formed.

George Stuart, the U.S.C.C. President called for 5,000 volunteers to go to the battlefields and hospitals. Donations of money and supplies poured in! Young and old alike donated jewelry and possessions that could be auctioned off to raise funds. Children saved pennies in order to send a bible, made sewing kits-called "housewives", and wrote letters. Ladies joined together to make shirts, roll bandages and gather jams for the soldiers. Businesses gave up their warehouses to store goods, and gave large sums of money for the efforts.

Today, nearly 3 million people come to Gettysburg annually. Just as George Stuart called for the body of Christ to join together to donate, we are giving the same call today.

Join the USCC today by becoming a supporting delegate. Your financial support is critical to help us reach the millions of visitors to Gettysburg .

John A. Wega
Founder and Executive Director
U.S. Christian Commission, Inc

THE USCC NEEDS YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT!

Seven years ago, the Lord challenged John and Susan Wega to begin research so they could share the amazing story of the USCC. The commitment of this family has now blossomed into a small team of ministries, churches, businesses, and volunteers whose financial support and time help the USCC be a witness to the 3 million annual visitors to Gettysburg!
Since 2004, the USCC has significantly advanced with each year. First, it was creating a museum for these heroes of the faith. Next is was holding weekly log chapel services, then group education tours, and always expanding the spiritual presence of His light in the Gettysburg community!
Our next advancement is yet another milestone: bringing on our Executive Director John Wega as a full-time paid staff member. Until now, he has volunteered his efforts to run this ministry. The ever increasing time commitment of the calling requires the USCC to have a full-time leader 100% focused on the mission - and we need your help!

Your one-time or monthly pledge of $35 will help us meet our budget goals!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE NOW!
About the United States Christian Commission

In 2004, we refounded the U.S. Christian Commission to tell the story of faith and courage from the Civil War. We have met thousands of people over the past few years, and most of them appreciated that there was hope and help in the midst of such a terrible time. I look forward to serving you on your next trip to Gettysburg.

Sincerely,John Wega
Executive Director United States Christian Commission

Amazing Video

2009-02-12T15:20:00.003-05:00

Happy Lincoln's Birthday and Valentine's Day to all my loyal readers of the Battlefield Journal!

I was sent time Time Magazine video to commemorate not only Abraham Lincoln's Birthday but our brave men and women fighting for freedom overseas.

Take a look!

Follow the link below to view:http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1485842900/bctid11727585001

Abraham Lincoln Lecture

2009-02-03T12:22:00.001-05:00

Please register for this event online at www.aei.org/event1777

Abraham Lincoln at Two Hundred
Bradley Lecture by Walter Berns
Monday, February 9, 2009, 5:30 p.m-7:00 p.m.
Wohlstetter Conference Center, Twelfth Floor, AEI1150 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036

Abraham Lincoln was the greatest of our presidents. He saved the Union, which made it possible for him to free the slaves. But he did more than this; without him we probably would have had no reason to celebrate the bicentennial first of the Declaration of Independence and then of the Constitution. It is therefore altogether fitting that we mark the bicentennial of his birth.

Walter Berns is a resident scholar at AEI and a professor emeritus at Georgetown University. Mr. Berns studies political philosophy, constitutional law, and legal issues. He has taught at the University of Toronto, the University of Chicago, Cornell University, and Yale University. His government service includes membership on the National Council on the Humanities, the Council of Scholars in the Library of Congress, the Judicial Fellows Commission, and in 1983 he was the alternate United States representative to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. He has been a Guggenheim, Rockefeller, and Fulbright Fellow. He is the author of many books and articles on American government and politics, including Democracy and the Constitution (AEI Press, 2006) and Making Patriots (University of Chicago Press, 2001).

5:15 p.m. Registration

5:30Introduction: Arthur C. Brooks, AEILecture: Walter Berns, AEI

7:00 Adjournment and Wine and Cheese Reception

____________________________________________________________________________________ I will attend the Bradley Lecture on Monday, February 9.

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Title: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Affiliation: ________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _____________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: ____________________________________ Fax:_____________________ E-mail:_____________________________
___ Please check if this is a new address.

Please register online at www.aei.org/event1777 or by faxing this form to 202.862.7171.

For more information, please contact Margaret Kroll at margaret.kroll@aei.org.

Explore Lincoln at the new Wills House Museum

2009-01-09T11:59:00.004-05:00

Here's some great info about the Wills House Museum---

“After the battle, Gettysburg became a vast hospital and morgue: dead andwounded soldiers outnumbered civilians eleven to one,” - so begins theBattle’s Aftermath exhibit at the David Wills House, opening February 12 indowntown Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as part of Gettysburg National MilitaryPark.

For the first time ever, the National Park Service has created a museum totell the story of the aftermath of battle, and Lincoln’s visit to the give the Gettysburg Address. “The home of David Wills, a prominent citizen ofthe town, become ground zero in Gettysburg’s recovery effort, with Wills himself fulfilling the roles of the CDC, the Red Cross, and FEMA combined,”says Dr. John A. Latschar, Superintendent of Gettysburg National MilitaryPark.

In honor of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday on February 12, the David Wills House will celebrate an official ribbon cutting, offering visitors a new look at the little-known story of the aftermath at Gettysburg and Lincoln’s visit to give the Gettysburg Address. Grand Opening events will take place throughout 2009 – Lincoln’s bicentennial year.The museum includes seven galleries filled with displays, original artifacts, and featuring two films: “Battle Ground to Hallowed Ground”which explores Cemetery Hill’s transition from a Union army defensive position to the site of the National cemetery; and “A Brief but Immortal Speech” which investigates the meaning of the Gettysburg Address from November 19, 1863, to today.

Two rooms are restored to their 1863 appearance: Wills' office as he received letters from families looking for loved ones after the battle and began planning for the cemetery and its dedication; and the bedroom where Lincoln stayed and prepared to deliver the Gettysburg Address.

Main Street Gettysburg will operate the museum located at 8 Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg, in partnership with the National Park Service. The property is on the National Register of Historic Places and has just had a $ 7.2 million overhaul to rehabilitate its historic features and develop the museum exhibits.

Winter operating hours will be Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In spring and fall the hours will be Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In summer the hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

On February 12 admission will be free to all. Regular entrance fees will be $6.50 for Adults; $5.50 for Seniors; $4.00 for Youth (6-18); and Children 5 and under are free. For group tour reservations call toll-free: 866/486-5735.

Main Street Gettysburg is a nonprofit organization dedicated to historic preservation and economic revitalization of Gettysburg for the benefit of its citizens, businesses, and visitors. For information about the benefits of becoming a David Wills House Charter Guardian, contact Main Street Gettysburg at 866-486-5735 or at http://www.davidwillshouse.org/.

Gettysburg National Military Park is a unit of the National Park Service that preserves and protects the resources associated with the Battle of Gettysburg and the Soldiers' National Cemetery, and provides an understanding of the events that occurred there within the context of American History. Information is available at www.nps.gov/gett .

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008-12-31T11:34:00.002-05:00

I can't believe 2009 is almost here! It's such a great day--time to wipe the slate clean and start over! 2008 was a challenging year...I don't doubt that everyone felt that way. But I also feel I have so much to be thankful for--including wonderful readers like you!!!

HAVE A BLESSED AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hopefully I will see you at the battlefields in 2009!

Kristie

PS--check out this great news below!

Bible Currently Undergoing Restoration for Unveiling During Author’s Bicentennial Year

Richmond, VA-In honor of Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday, the Library of Virginia, in partnership with Richmond, VA's Poe Museum, is preparing an exhibition on Poe's life and works. The centerpiece of the exhibition will be the Poe Family Bible, a rarely-seen artifact in the Poe Museum's collections. The exhibition will open July 18, 2009.

The Poe Family Bible includes genealogical information such as birth and death dates of Poe family members and notes on marriages, with the earliest family information entry dating to 1725. The handwritten notes also include a sketch of the Poe family burial plot at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground.

The Bible is currently undergoing restoration at Cat Tail Run Hand Bookbinding in Winchester, VA. EMC Corporation, the world's leading developer and provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions, is funding the restoration and digitization of the Bible through its Information Heritage Initiative, which preserves, protects, and makes cultural treasures globally accessible in digital form. The digital images and the Bible itself will be on display from July through December 2009 at the Library of Virginia.

The exhibit is part of Poe Revealed 1809-2009, a cooperative effort among Virginia historical sites, museums, libraries and performing arts organizations to commemorate the life and works of Poe throughout 2009. A schedule of Poe-related events as well as information for educators, students, Poe enthusiasts and visitors is available on the Poe Bicentennial Web site www.Poe200th.com.

Throughout 2009, Richmond, Virginia will host numerous events in honor of the Poe Bicentennial. During his adulthood, Poe spent time in Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore, but it was Richmond, Virginia that Poe considered home; the place where he grew up, married and first gained a national literary reputation.

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The Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, Va interprets the life and influence of E.A. Poe for the education and enjoyment of the public. Founded in 1921, the Poe Museum preserves and exhibits artifacts and archival resources related to the life and works of Edgar Poe for a global audience. For more information about the Museum and its programs visit www.poemuseum.org.

The Library of Virginia is the state's oldest institution dedicated to the preservation of Virginia's history, literature, and culture. The Library was created by the General Assembly in 1823. The collections illustrate the rich and varied past of the commonwealth, documenting the lives of Virginians whose deeds are known to all, as well as those of ordinary citizens whose accomplishments are the foundation of our heritage. This rich treasure-house of materials attracts more than 190,000 visitors each year. For more information about the Library of Virginia please visit www.lva.virginia.gov.

Cat Tail Run Hand Bookbinding was established in 1991 by Jill Deiss, who studied bookbinding and restoration first in Northampton, Massachusetts, then at Cornell University's Department of Library Conservation, and in the Smithsonian Institution's Conservation Laboratories. Mrs. Deiss holds a B.S. in Chemistry and received a Master of Library Science degree from Syracuse University where she specialized in the study of archives and rare book collections. The other staff binders include Dee Evetts, Bill Deiss, Susan McCabe, and Amy Jackson with support from Brandi Ferrebee and Charlotte Kirks who serve as bindery elves.

Exciting new show about Abraham Lincoln on PBS!

2008-12-10T13:44:00.002-05:00

ENJOY!!! I know I will!
Kristie

West Point Launches Center for Oral History

2008-12-05T13:52:00.001-05:00

"Every soldier has a story."

Although countless works of fiction and journalism have examined the soldier’s life in wartime, there has never been an archive of soldiers’ experiences, spanning historic conflicts and other missions, told in the soldiers’ own words.

Now there is. The United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, has established the Center for Oral History, an online research center gathering the personal stories of American service men and women of all ranks – beginning with those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and going back to veterans of Vietnam, Korea, World War II and other campaigns. http://www.westpointcoh.org/

Housed by the History department at West Point, the new Center – which will officially launch in 2009 – is advised by a board that includes documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and 1947 West Point graduate and former Presidential advisor Gen. Brent Scowcroft, among many other eminent historians, journalists, and educators.

Gen. David Petraeus, who recently became head of U.S. Central Command, welcomed the new Center: “Our army has a proud history, one that is chronicled in innumerable books and films. This Center aims to record our army's history in a different way, through the personal oral histories of our soldiers captured by thorough, thoughtful interviews. This is an exciting prospect,” General Petraeus said. The Center was conceived to help educate West Point cadets, through the stories of soldiers who preceded them into conflict; but also to create a trove of personal testimony that will assist the work of scholars and historians; and to help build a bridge of greater understanding and empathy between the military and the civilian population it serves. The Center’s web site will be open to all users.

“Oral history delivers a spontaneity and intimacy that you can’t draw from any other research sources,” said the Center’s director, Todd Brewster, a journalist and co-author of two best-selling books with the late Peter Jennings of ABC News. “In the best West Point tradition, we hope our recorded interviews will speak directly to the soldiers of tomorrow while contributing to the policy dialogue going on right now.” The choice of Brewster, who has served as senior producer at ABC News and has written for Time and Vanity Fair, underscores the Academy’s intention to make its new oral history center a resource for the general public as well as the military community.

Among the early projects undertaken by the COH: an oral history of the Iraqi conflict as well as a look back at the West Point Class of ’67, most of whose graduates were immediately sent to Vietnam. The Center will also interview former U.S. Secretaries of State and Defense whose decisions have been so pivotal to the fate of American soldiers.

The Center’s ambition is captured in its motto: “Every soldier has a story. Here is where the story is told.”

Here is a link to additional material about the Center – including a 12-minute video that includes some early interviews of soldiers featured in the news announcement below: http://www.westpointcoh.org/

EXCITING NEWS!!!

2008-11-26T08:23:00.003-05:00

Congratulations, Dr. Boritt!

President Bush Awards 2008 National Humanities Medals

Recipients honored for outstanding cultural contributions

Leading Lincoln scholars and Civil War historians Gabor S. Boritt and Harold Holzer, and biographer and historian Richard Brookhiser among this year’s honorees

WASHINGTON (November 17, 2008) — Today, President George W. Bush awarded the prestigious National Humanities Medal for 2008 to scholars and Civil War historians Gabor S. Boritt and Harold Holzer and biographer and historian Richard Brookhiser during a ceremony held in the White House East Room. In total, nine distinguished Americans, one museum, and a philanthropic foundation were honored for their exemplary contributions to the humanities and were recognized for their scholarship, literary works, philanthropy, and preservation efforts. In addition to Gabor S. Boritt, Richard Brookhiser, and Harold Holzer, the President presented National Humanities Medals to Myron Magnet, journalist and author; Albert Marrin, children’s book author; Milton J. Rosenberg, radio show host and scholar; Thomas A. Saunders III and Jordan Horner Saunders, philanthropists; Robert H. Smith, philanthropist; John Templeton Foundation; and Norman Rockwell Museum.

Gabor S. Boritt is being recognized “for a distinguished career of scholarship on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era. His life’s work and his life’s story stand as testaments to our Nation’s precious legacy of liberty.”

Richard Brookhiser is being recognized “for helping reintroduce Americans to the personalities, eccentricities, and noble ideals of our Founding Fathers. His works of biography and history have rendered vivid and accessible portraits of the early days of the Republic.”

Harold Holzer is being recognized “for engaging scholarship on that crucible of our history, the American Civil War. His work has brought new understanding of the many facets of Abraham Lincoln and his era through the study of image, word, and deed.”

The National Humanities Medal, first awarded in 1989 as the Charles Frankel Prize, honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation's understanding of the humanities, broadened our citizens' engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand Americans' access to important resources in the humanities.

The Humanities Medal is the most prestigious award in the humanities. Over the last decade, including this year’s recipients, the National Humanities Medal has been awarded to only 107 individuals and 9 organizations. Among those recognized during this time period are Bernard Lewis, Judith “Miss Manners” Martin, Madeleine L’Engle, Harvey Mansfield, and John Updike.

Medal recipients do not compete for this award but are specially selected by the President for their life-long achievements in their diverse areas of expertise.

A detailed profile of each of the 2008 medalists is available at: http://www.neh.gov/news/archive/2008_Medalists.html

Gettysburg National Military Park has news!

2008-11-10T17:58:00.003-05:00

Kate Lawhon from the Gettysburg National Military Park shared some great pieces of news with me! See below!

Main Street Gettysburg and Gettysburg National Military Park will provide an update on the David Wills House museum exhibits and aspecial "behind-the-scenes" look at original artifacts that will be on display in the museum.

The briefing will take place in the Library of thepark's new Museum and Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, and in theCollections Storage Area. Both are located on the lower level of the Museumand Visitor Center.The briefing will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2008 from 10: a.m.until approximately 11:30 a.m.
_________________________________________________
Gettysburg National Military ParkSuperintendent John Latschar will be leaving his post on March 1, 2009 tobecome the new president of the nonprofit Gettysburg Foundation, it was announced today by the Gettysburg Foundation and the National Park Service.

"John's vision and leadership are an important part of the successful public-private partnership between the Gettysburg Foundation and theNational Park Service," said Robert Kinsley, Chair of the GettysburgFoundation. "John's experience and dedication exemplifies the type of leader we are looking for as we continue to work with the National Park Service to preserve Gettysburg for future generations."

Latschar was selected after a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors of theFoundation. "Obviously, Bob Wilburn is leaving some huge shoes to fill," said Latschar. "No one else could have taken the Gettysburg Foundation from a concept tothe opening of our new museum and visitor center in eight short years. I'm excited about the opportunity to continue to work towards the preservation and care of Gettysburg NMP and Eisenhower NHS from a new perspective. My goal will be ensure that we continue our momentum, and to move the organization forward into a new era of philanthropy for the benefit of this and future generations," said Latschar.

Working as a partner with the National Park Service, the Gettysburg Foundation raised $103 million to build a new park Museum and Visitor Center which has ensured the preservation of the Gettysburg's museum collections and the Cyclorama painting. The facility's 24,000 square feet of museum exhibits have improved visitor understanding of the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg within the context of the causes and consequences of the American Civil War. A final keystone to the projectwill begin this winter when the park and the Gettysburg Foundation demolish two outdated visitor facilities located upon the center of the Union Army's battle line of July 1863.

"John's background and perspectives as an army officer, a combat veteran, a Ph.D. historian, and park superintendent contributed to his success in addressing preservation challenges at both Gettysburg NMP and the Eisenhower Site in innovative ways," said Dennis Reidenbach, Regional Director for the National Park Service Northeast Region. "The projects and partnerships he created have dramatically improved the park's ability to meet its mission now and for the future."

"It has been a pleasure to work with the dedicated park staff, our partners, and the community to create the new museum and implement battlefield rehabilitation to restore Gettysburg's historic integrity and enhance visitor understanding of the battle. I'm also proud of our combined efforts with Main Street Gettysburg and others to develop the David Wills House, a National Park Service museum opening February 2009 in downtown Gettysburg about the aftermath of battle and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address," said Latschar. "As President of the Gettysburg Foundation, we will continue to work with all our Gettysburg-area partners on the implementation of the Borough of Gettysburg Interpretive Plan."

Latschar has been superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park since 1994. He is a 31-year veteran of the National Park Service. Prior to his appointment at Gettysburg, he served as the first Superintendent of Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA, and in various capacities at the NPS Denver Service Center. He has been recognized by the National Park Service for his leadership numerous times, including being named Superintendent of the Year for the Northeast Region of the NPS in 1991 and in 2001, Superintendent of the Year for Natural Resource Stewardship in 2003 and for Cultural Resource Stewardship in 2000.

The Gettysburg Foundation is in the midst of a $125 million Campaign to Preserve Gettysburg, which includes the construction of the new Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park. TheFoundation's broad preservation mission began in 1989 and includes land preservation, battlefield rehabilitation, artifact preservation and monument and cannon-carriage preservation. The Foundation has more than 30,000 members and supporters nationwide and internationally.

New Gettysburg Chapel Photo!

2008-10-31T15:32:00.001-04:00

Our good friend John Wega left us a message we wanted to share:

Dear Friends;

I wanted you to see some pictures of the newly expanded USCC Chapel in Gettysburg. We have estimated over 2,000 people have attended services with us on Sunday this year. And it seems the attendance has been growing. Thanks for your support.

I pray we can build many more of these. It is amazing to watch people walk and drive by and look at the chapel. It gets a lot of attention!

Blessings,

John and Susan

CWPT Photo Award Winners Announced

2008-10-27T16:22:00.000-04:00

Hello!
It's been awhile since I've posted--and I apologize for that. Now that the October issue is out, I will have more time to get out the day to day news and views.

You HAVE to check out this link. These are the winners of the 2008 CWPT Digital Photo contest. These amateur photographers have taken some amazing photos of battlefields!

http://www.civilwar.org/photocontestwinners08/index.htm

Congratulations to all!!

Battlefield Journal

Sprited Tours coming!!

2008-09-29T13:13:00.000-04:00

As darkness descends on Saturday the 18th of October, some strange but true tales will be told by lantern-carrying costumed interpreters roaming the streets of Old Town Manassas during special walking tours sponsored by the Manassas Museum.

The Spirited Past of Manassas Walking Tours of Historic Old Town Manassas will present the unusual, twisted or simply strange tales about people, places and disasters in the area. The stories have been gathered from newspaper articles, diaries, personal interviews, letters, and local gossip. Tours will begin at The Manassas Museum every half hour between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM, last approximately 45 minutes, and are appropriate for all ages. The cost is $15 per person. At the conclusion of the walk, those on the tour can return to the Museum for hot cider and cookies.

Stories will include the great 1905 fire in Manassas, strange happenings at the Hopkins Candy Factory and other historic buildings in Old Town, and some frightening events at the historic Railroad Depot.

Advance tickets are recommended. Tickets may be purchased at the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William Street, by visiting www.manassasmuseum.org or by calling 703-368-1873.

CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT SCHEDULED

2008-09-20T09:12:00.001-04:00

The Civil War returns to the C&O Canal on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5, 2008, in the Cushwa Basin. Civil War Union reenactors will be encamped by the Conococheague Aqueduct to interpret the impact of the Civil War on the canal. The reenactors will present demonstrations on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, at 3:00 p.m. the reenactors will also play a game of baseball in the Williamsport River Bottom Park as soldiers may have played the game during the war. Reenactors from the 116th Pennsylvania and 95th Pennsylvania will be participating in the weekend.

These activities held at the Cushwa Basin are part of the Williamsport Harvest Hoedown being held in the Williamsport Byron Park on Saturday, October 4, 2008, in support of the Williamsport Food Bank.

The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau is sponsoring a trolley, which will run for free on Saturday October 4th between the Cushwa Basin, Byron Park and the Discovery Station Museum in Hagerstown from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Discovery Station Museum will have its new C&O Canal exhibit open for the public. The trolley will provide transportation for visitors to participate in the activities at all three attractions.

The C&O Canal was greatly impacted by the Civil War. The Union Army used the canal to transport troops and supplies. Confederate troops attempted to destroy the canal structures, especially during General Stonewall Jackson's efforts during December of 1861. The Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee twice crossed the Potomac River in the Williamsport area, while en route to Gettysburg and again when retreating into West Virginia after this major campaign. Earlier, in 1861, Captain Abner Doubleday, known as the "inventor of the game of baseball," encamped with Union forces at Williamsport while protecting the canal. Doubleday's men were known to play a version of baseball in Washington County, at that time.
For more information please call the C&O Canal NHP Williamsport Visitor Center at 301-582-0813. For more information about the Discovery Station Museum, call 301-790-0076.

The C&O Canal NHP is Maryland's largest and most-visited national park. Headquartered in Washington County, the park's web site is: www.nps.gov/choh. Discovery Station is a hands-on science center, family-friendly museum located in Downtown Hagerstown at 101 West Washington Street. The museum's web site is: www.discoverystation.org. The C&O Canal NHP and the Discovery Station are members of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, see: www.marylandmemories.com.

The Passing of John Y. Simon

2008-09-14T17:52:00.004-04:00

Please see below for this sad news from the Ulysses S. Grant Association. Mr. Simon was an asset to the Civil War world and will be missed...

JOHN Y. SIMON
1933-2008

We regret to announce that John Y. Simon, editor of The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant and executive director of the Ulysses S. Grant Association, died in Carbondale on July 8, 2008.

For more than four decades, Dr. Simon oversaw the publication of thirty volumes of the Grant Papers and the preparation of Volume 31, which will close out the chronological series. He wrote extensively on Grant, Lincoln, and the Civil War, lectured widely to audiences small and large, and participated in countless roundtables, panels, and forums dedicated to examining that crucial period in our nation's history.

A founder of the Association for Documentary Editing, Dr. Simon helped modernize editing practices and mentored younger editors who sought a model for their own projects. He took seriously his role as Grant's editor, and viewed the Grant Papers as the equivalent of a portable presidential library. The project receives a steady stream of Grant-related queries, from journalists and local historians to children writing grammar school papers and callers hoping to verify a family link to the General. Dr. Simon treated all with dignity, humor, and respect. He had a loyal corps of admirers who sought his time for treasured conversations about history and a variety of other subjects, including his lifelong affliction as a Chicago Cubs fan.

Dr. Simon also relished his dual role as history professor at Southern Illinois University. Over forty-four years, his courses on the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Illinois history remained popular with generations of students, many of whom stopped by to see him years afterward on campus visits. He took great pleasure in these reunions and enjoyed introducing the visitors to his staff colleagues. His lectures were often humorous and sometimes pointed, livened by wry observations and colorful examples. He preferred to inspire as much as instruct, and he was never stingy with grades, but he left a lasting impression on his listeners.

John Y. Simon's well-honed sense of historical skepticism served him well in his long career. His skill and tenacity in questioning accepted truths and conjectured facts resulted in the exposure of more than one historical fraud, and taught those who worked under him an invaluable lesson in open-mindedness and persistence. He leaves his legacy on every page of the Grant Papers, in every obscure correspondent whose name and circumstances were painstakingly hunted down and verified, and forever preserved as part of our nation's historical record. He will be missed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All questions and inquiries related to the Association should be directed to:
Frank J. Williams, President
Ulysses S. Grant Association
300 Switch Road
Hope Valley, RI 02832
(401) 364-3642
(401) 539-7979 (Fax)

TAMING THE WILDERNESS

2008-09-03T08:30:00.002-04:00

Check out the event below!!!

Please join Friends of Wilderness Battlefield
at Historic Ellwood

“Taming the Wilderness”
A Living History Event

Sunday, September 28, 2008
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

No Admission Fee-Donations Welcome
Enjoy craftsmen, artisans and specialists as they demonstrate the building trades and homemaking skills related to the construction of Ellwood and the settling of the Wilderness during the 1790’s. Special activities will occur throughout the day and will include:

Brick And Stone Masonry - John Friedrichs Of New Dimensions Builders
Hewing And Shaping Logs for Construction - Craig Jacobs Of Salvagewrights
Blacksmithing And Traditional Ironworking - Ross Sullivan Of Cherry Hill Forge
Colonial Foodways And Open-Hearth Cooking - Susan Titus
Traditional Brick And Plaster Work - Virginia Limeworks
Spinning And Weaving - Members Of The Fredericksburg Spinners And Weavers Guild
Colonial Furniture Reproduction - Traditional Craftsman Chris Kerr
Inn And Tavern Life - “Tavern Wench” Elaine Pratt
Frontier Life On The Trail - The Westmoreland Longhunters
Split-Oak Basket Weaving - Mary Lynn Rowland
Architectural and Decorating Details - Langley Freeauf
Children’s Games Of The Period - Fun for Kids and Grown-Ups Alike

Rain or Shine. Refreshments will be available on the grounds. Donations accepted.

Directions to Historic Ellwood:
Ellwood is located approximately 15 miles west of Interstate 95 near the intersection of Route 3 and Route 20. Follow Rte 3 West about 15 miles to its intersection with VA Rte 20. West on Rte 20 about 1/3 mile to entrance on the left.
Look for the brown “Ellwood” signs.

Visit www.fowb.org for more information about Friends of Wilderness Battlefield.

This sounds great!

Also, website problem should be taken care of this week! And the new issue will be out in October!

Battlefield Journal Website Problem

2008-08-24T19:20:00.001-04:00

Hello and Happy Sunday!

It has just come to my attention that the changes to my website for the latest issue didn't take. It looks right on my side but not in the "real" world. Luckily, we have this blog! I have a request into Yahoo (Site Builder and Yahoo Business are my Web hosting service) to see what the heck is going on, so thanks for bearing with me!

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Battlefield Journal

Podcasts are in!

2008-08-12T12:38:00.000-04:00

New Podcast Enhances Visitor Experience at Antietam National Battlefield
Most-Visited Historical Attraction in Western Maryland Now Has Audio and Video Programs

( SHARPSBURG , Md. ) – Antietam National Battlefield is just one of several national parks across the country where park rangers are turning into podcasters. Hundreds of brief audio and video programs are up on park websites and on iTunes giving visitors a new national park experience. People can learn about park resources, take a guided tour, get help planning trips, and meet actual rangers.

"While nothing can replace a personal experience in a national park, we think our podcasts will enhance people’s trips or give them the opportunity to learn about a park that they can’t visit," said Mary A. Bomar, Director of the National Park Service (NPS). "Whether people download them to portable devices or watch them on their computers, these free electronic presentations give us another way to serve park enthusiasts of all ages."

Podcasts are a great way to offer ranger-led tours of specific areas that people can enjoy on their own schedule. More and more people download guided tours onto their own iPods or mp3 players prior to their national park trip. When they arrive, they literally have a ranger in the palm of their hand to guide them on a walking or driving tour.

"The use of podcasts is something new for us, but definitely something we will be expanding," said Antietam National Battlefield Superintendent John W. Howard. "They are quite popular with our visitors. The Cornfield podcast has already had about 100,000 hits since it first came out. Civil War Traveler and Antietam rangers are currently working on a new podcast for the Union Advance Trail near Burnside Bridge , so stay tuned."

The podcast can be downloaded from the Civil War Traveler website at www.CivilWarTraveler.com or from iTunes, located at www.iTunes.com. The Civil War Traveler site includes a downloadable map showing all the walking tour stops. A 16-page full color trail guide is available on the Antietam National Battlefield website at www.nps.gov/anti.

Antietam is one of four Civil War battlefields in the United States to offer a podcast of an NPS ranger talking about the decisive and dramatic battle. Park staff worked with Civil War Traveler to develop the Antietam podcast. Interpretive Park Ranger Keith Snyder provides real time interpretation along the eight stops of the 1.6 mile Cornfield Trail. An introduction is given by John Fieseler and music is provided by Southern Horizon, a group that performs 19th century period music. John Fieseler is a well-known former radio personality, and is the Executive Director of the Frederick County Tourism Council. Fieseler additionally serves on the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area board of directors. The Maryland-Certified Heritage Area includes Washington County, Frederick County, and Carroll County.

Antietam National Battlefield is the site of the bloodiest single day battle in American history. At the conclusion of the September 17, 1862 battle there were 23,110 casualties. Today, Antietam is considered North America's most well-preserved Civil War battlefield park. The visitors center had more than 300,000 people stop inside during 2007, and during that year the park counted an estimated 700,000 people throughout the 3,200 acre site. The park also offers guided tours, and Segway tours through TourGlides. For additional information about Antietam visit www.nps.gov/anti.

Antietam National Battlefield is a member of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, see: www.marylandmemories.com.

PHOTO WINNER!

2008-08-05T19:35:00.002-04:00

I know...I know...twice in one day! But we have chosen our winner for the Photo contest. We would have liked to have seen a LOT more entries, but we had enough if we pooled them all together...so (drumroll)...the winner is...

HANNAH LANDIS with her Stonewall Jackson statue photo. We loved how the light radiated from behind the statue, giving it an ethereal glow! Hannah will receive a Civil War basket in the mail. Hannah, please send us an email to verify your home address!

Thanks to all our entrants!!!

We look forward to doing it again!

Battlefield Journal

Amazing Find!

2008-08-05T09:48:00.002-04:00

Hello, everyone!!

This is a GREAT find from the Philadelphia Civil War museum. Although the video link is no longer live, we have this news report. On the video it shows the signatures of the men who witnessed the document--including James Longstreet's signature! Wow! That made my day!

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap-civil-war-surrenderaug02,0,6059670.story?track=rss

Enjoy!

Battlefield Journal

http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/9111012/cbs3_philly/20080803/av_localcat_dontlaun/_goodmorningyahoo_cbslocal61923

Ed Bearss Lecture

2008-07-28T16:32:00.001-04:00

We just received an exciting piece of news from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland!

National Museum of Civil War Medicine to Host Renowned Historian Ed Bearss

Frederick, MD – The National Museum of Civil War Medicine (NMCWM) is proud to welcome world renown historian and author Ed Bearss to the museum on Thursday, July 31at 7:30 p.m. A gifted speaker and one of the most well respected historians on the Civil War. Mr. Bearss will be talking about his own sever wounding in WWII and relating his experience to that of both Civil War and modern soldiers.

Mr. Bearss is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II, a military historian and author known for his work on the American Civil War and World War II eras and is a popular tour guide of historic battlefields. He served as Chief Historian of the National Park Service from 1981 to 1994 and provided commentary for The Civil War, PBS Series by Ken Burns and Civil War Journal on A&E Network.
The National Museum of Civil War Medicine is the premiere repository of exhibits and artifacts devoted to the technological and procedural advances made in the medical field between 1861-1865. These changes occurred in the midst of tremendous social and economic upheaval. The Museum is committed to effectively weaving the narrative of suffering soldiers, caregivers, their families and the dramatic and innovative developments in medical treatment. The Museum utilizes its collection to heighten public awareness of the modern medical practices that originated on the battlefields and in the hospitals of this once divided country. Interactive educational programs, exhibits, seminars and lectures provide the knowledge that Civil War medicine connects us not only to our past, but is the scientific and historical link to our present and our future.
Ed Bearss’ talk is one in a series of lectures that is running throughout the summer at NMCWM. While the weekly lecture series has averaged 50 attendees, Mr. Bearss’ lecture has already hit capacity with advanced reservations in excess of 80 individuals.

For more information call 695-1864 or visit us online at www.civilwarmed.org

Contributor Spotlight--Wayne Rowe

2008-07-14T15:04:00.003-04:00

Hello, loyal readers!

I thought you all may be interested to hear about the background of some of our talented authors! This interview will also be on the website!

INTRODUCING: WAYNE ROWE!

1) Describe how you became interested in the Civil War. What do you consider your favorite area for study and research?

Seems like I’ve always been interested in the Civil War, but I guess it all began when I received the American Heritage book “The Civil War” as a Christmas present when I was eleven years old. I was taken by the very unique diorama-type battle maps and pictures.

For the last seven years I have participated in reenactments and have researched the First Company, Richmond Howitzers, a Confederate Artillery unit.

2) When did you begin writing? What has that journey been like?

I have written books as a Research Fellow when I was in the Navy. Only recently have I written Civil War articles, and have given speeches at ceremonies and to Civil War Round Tables.

The journey has been more exciting then I could ever have imagined. Jeff Shaara said in the introduction to his book on Civil War battlefields: “. . . the research is the energy behind the story, and the energy behind the research has come from walking in the footsteps of the characters.”

I’ve walked in the footsteps of the Richmond Howitzers over many battlefields. I’ve visited dozens of museums, historical societies and libraries up and down the East coast. I’ve held and read the diaries, letters and memoirs of Richmond Howitzers and yet only now after about nine years of research am I getting to know who these men were.

3) Are you a full time writer? If not, what else do you do?

I am not a full time writer. Wish that I were. I am a retired Naval Officer who is currently the Head Reference Librarian at the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

4) Do you have a specific writing or researching technique or tip you'd like to share?

Do your homework. What I mean by that is do thorough research. Use primary sources when possible. Know your audience. Have at least one or more people read, critique and edit your draft. Keep it simple. Do not use twenty words to say something when two words will do.

5) What are some of the next projects you are working on?

I am currently working on the transcription and compiling of two works (diary & a reflection) of a Richmond Howitzers for a book.

Other books are in the works on several key men of the Richmond Howitzers. I have not yet decided if there is enough material to write one book or several books, but I am keeping my options open.

6) Any advice for beginning writers you would like to give?

Keep a narrow focus on your topic or subject. This will help with both doing research and writing your papers, articles, and books. Keep track of the resources you use so you can build a good bibliography and footnotes. Always give credit to an author whose work you have used to avoid being accused of plagiarism. Research is the fun part, but start early on in the process by doing some writing. In today’s world of computers, you can always cut, paste and edit later. The art of actually putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard is always the toughest part of the process. And most importantly, pick a topic you are passionate about as you will be spending many hours working on it.

Lincoln Signature on Display!

2008-07-03T08:28:00.003-04:00

HAPPY 4th of JULY EVERYONE!!!

On the eve of Independence Day, and in honor of the 145th anniversary of the conclusion of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, the National Constitution Center announces that it has acquired for display the only known signature made by President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg when he gave his historic Gettysburg Address. While almost every American is familiar with the Address, many do not know that President Abraham Lincoln’s famous opening words – “Four score and seven years ago” – were a reference to July 4, 1776, in acknowledgment of the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
The signature is on the first page of an autograph book from the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery . Acquired at auction by businessman and philanthropist Lewis Katz on behalf of a Trust for his grandchildren, the signature will be on loan to the Center for ten years and displayed in the Center’s permanent exhibition, The Story of We the People.
The autograph book was purchased amid intense public and media interest at Sotheby’s on April 8, 2008, among twenty other Lincoln documents, and was the second highest purchase at the auction.

“We are extremely grateful to Lewis Katz for bringing this important treasure to our museum and understanding the role it can play in the story we tell,” said Joseph M. Torsella, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center . “It is an honor to obtain such a rare piece of history to include in our permanent exhibition. Lincoln ’s role at Gettysburg signaled a major turning point in American constitutional history, and this treasure will connect visitors in a unique and tangible way to that defining moment.”

” Pennsylvania is known for its rich historical legacy, and I am thrilled that this rare artifact has returned,” said Edward G. Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania. “I am not surprised that Lewis Katz understood that this important piece of our past belongs at the National Constitution Center .”

“In making this loan, we hope to achieve two important objectives,” said Lewis Katz. “First, we want visitors to the Center to connect to history in a personal way. Signatures offer a unique opportunity for visitors to imagine the moment the pen touched the paper. Second, it is our sincere hope that others share great treasures with the National Constitution Center – through loan and purchase – so that the American story can be told, in part, through documents and objects.”

Signatures of Simon Cameron, Lincoln ’s Secretary of War; William H. Seward, Lincoln ’s Secretary of State; and the Governor of Pennsylvania, A.G. Curtin, share the first page with Lincoln ’s signature, A. Lincoln. All three of these men were seated on the main platform with Lincoln at the dedication ceremony. The remaining pages of the autograph book include signatures from John Hay, one of Lincoln’s secretaries; Henry Mercier, the American-born Minister from France; Reynaud, the Admiral commanding the French Naval Division of the Gulf and North America; Ulissa Isola, an Italian Army captain; Joseph Bertinatti, the Minister from Italy; Abner Doubleday, a Union General who fought at Gettysburg; A.W. Bradford, the Governor of Maryland; John. G. Nicolay, Lincoln ’s private secretary; and George Sykes, a second Union general at Gettysburg .

The signatures, all gathered on the day of Lincoln’s unforgettable address, were obtained either at the main platform at the dedication ceremony, or at the Gettysburg railroad station following the dedication, and were probably gathered by a member of the President’s traveling party. No one else would have had access to so many people of prominence.

Beginning in February 2007 with the acquisition of a rare copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, and continuing with the Lincoln signature, the Center is working to build a collection of treasures through long-term loans and permanent acquisitions, including rare and important documents and items with iconic status that uniquely capture crucial moments in American history.

The autograph book is a significant addition to the icons of American history that have been displayed at the National Constitution Center . Over the years, these have included treasures such as Benjamin Franklin’s copy of the Constitution, Thomas Jefferson’s manuscript draft of the Declaration of Independence, FDR's leg braces, and tools used by the Watergate burglars.

Admission to the National Constitution Center is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors ages 65 and up and $8 for children ages 4-12. Active military personnel and children ages 3 and under are free. Group rates are also available. For ticket information, call 215.409.6700 or visit http://www.constitutioncenter.org/.

The National Constitution Center, located at 525 Arch St. on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the ideas and values it represents. The Center serves as a museum, an education center, and a forum for debate on constitutional issues. The museum dramatically tells the story of the Constitution from Revolutionary times to the present through more than 100 interactive, multimedia exhibits, film, photographs, text, sculpture and artifacts, and features a powerful, award-winning theatrical performance, “Freedom Rising”. The Center also houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, which serves as the hub for national constitutional education. Also, as a nonpartisan forum for constitutional discourse, the Center presents – without endorsement – programs that contain diverse viewpoints on a broad range of issues. For more information, call 215.409.6700 or visit http://www.constitutioncenter.org/enter.org/.

U.S. Christian Commission News

2008-06-25T17:28:00.002-04:00

Check out this information! Just click on the link to connect to a great website and event!

http://www.usccgettysburg.org/event_detail.asp?event_id=359

Also, some info on a July 3rd event--just in time for the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg

As a rare prelude to the Gettysburg 145TH Anniversary Battle Reenactment, both visitors and local citizens will have an opportunity to experience a unique living history event in Gettysburg on Thursday July 3rd at 11AM along Baltimore Street and in front of the historic Adams County Courthouse. The 1,000+ civil war reenactor participants will have traveled 1,500 miles and two days from Texas making the pilgrimage to Gettysburg for the National 145TH anniversary celebration. Although the reenactors normally portray CSA General Hood’s Texas Division, on July 3rd they will change their colors and replicate Confederate Jubal Early’s pre-engagement forage march into Gettysburg which occurred on June 26, 1863.

On a rainy Friday afternoon in 1863, Confederate General Jubal Early and his division of 5,000 men approached Gettysburg on their way to support Lee’s pending northern invasion by cutting off the railroad at York and destroying the bridge across the Susquehanna at Wrightsville. The 2400 residents of Gettysburg were aware the Confederates were close by and had taken precautions by fleeing with or hiding merchandise, livestock and supplies. Attempts to raise militia for Pennsylvania’s defense were largely unsuccessful. Among the members of the 743 member 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia, were young men from Pennsylvania (Gettysburg) College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary. The Pennsylvania militia attempted futilely to defend Gettysburg, but were quickly overwhelmed and retreated toward Harrisburg. Early rode into Gettysburg and wrote a requisition for 1,200 pounds of sugar, 600 pounds of coffee, 60 barrels of flour, 1,000 pounds of salt, 7,000 pounds of bacon, 10 barrels of whiskey, 10 barrels of onions, 1,000 pairs of shoes, and 500 hats…..or, in lieu thereof, $5,000 cash. Following a meeting of borough council, President David Kendlehart composed his reply and sent it back with Constable John Burns as the town representative. In summation, the response stated that the supplies were far beyond that in the town’s possession and that the stores would be opened and the citizens would furnish whatever they could. Early’s men found that little had been left behind. They paid for some merchandise with Confederate money and took 2,000 army rations from a train intended for the militia. A Confederate band played Dixie in the square that night causing concern and annoying many residents. Before starting for York the next morning, Early paroled the members of the hapless 26th Pennsylvania Militia. This raid was a mild preview of the war that would come to Gettysburg one week later.

Last fall, Texas reenactors and local organizers met and agreed that Early’s March Into Gettysburg would provide a novel experience for the Texas participants after they had traveled several thousand miles to attend the reenactment. It was determined Early’s March would also add a new historic dimension to the reenactment, be an excellent prelude to Independence Day and be an historically appropriate and interesting community event. Event organizers put their heads together with local officials to figure out how all the parties could reasonably make it work.

The Texans will assemble and form for parade march at the Gettysburg Middle School complex at approximately 10AM on July 3rd. Their ranks will include infantry, cavalry, artillery and reenactors portraying civilians in period dress along Baltimore Street. At 10:45am, they will march north on Baltimore Street to the historic courthouse. The troops will form on Baltimore Street between High Street and the town square in review for the ceremony. General Early (Jack King) and his senior staff will ceremonially make demands and receive a drafted reply from the town officials. Visitors and community members are encouraged to view the March and ceremony. PA State Senator Terry Punt (portraying Senator Mc Sherry), Adams County President Judge John D. Kuhn (portraying Attorney David Wills) and Adams County Sheriff James Mueller (portraying Sheriff John Burns) are three public officials that have already agreed to participate in the historic ceremony at the courthouse. Participation by several other local officials is anticipated. After the ceremony the troops will then march via East Middle Street back to the middle school complex. Immediately following the ceremony there will be an event press conference with General King and his senior staff, “local elected officials”, Federal and overall event commander Allen Baldwin, and Confederate event commander Dave Cornett.

In addition to Early’s March Into Gettysburg on Thursday June 3rd, there will be six major battles and significant living history activities during the Independence Day weekend event on July 4, 5 & 6. Spectators will be thrilled with extensive pyrotechnics during all the major battles and particularly on Sunday during the massive Pickett’s Charge. The Gettysburg 145TH National Civil War Battle Reenactment is an all-day family event. It will stimulate the senses and make those dusty old history books come alive. Gates open at 8:30 each day. Complete event information and tickets are available at www.gettysburgreenactment/com or by calling the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee at 717-338-1525. Tickets should be ordered in advance as grandstand seating normally sells out prior to the event and tickets are priced higher at the gate. For information on accommodations and visiting Gettysburg, please contact the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-337-5015 or online at www.gettysburg.travel

Doll Coincides with Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary

2008-06-23T14:57:00.002-04:00

HISTORIC CHINA DOLL MARKS 145TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG

Every little girl needs a dolly to play with! And what better way to mark the historic significance of the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg than by doing so with a token china doll, Miss Lydia Webb, and all of her era-appropriate clothing and accessories from the 1850s. Miss Lydia Webb will be auctioned off just before Pickett’s Charge on Sunday, July 6.

Designed after the popular Jenny Lind doll in the mid-1800s, Miss Lydia Webb is a token of living history. Made and donated by Sherry Riley, the doll comes equipped with underclothing, dresses, an apron and cape, a locket, parasol, and a tea set, all made or donated by Sherry Riley. The doll also comes fitted with an authentic reproduction crinoline ‘Cage’ made and donated by “Needle and Thread,” a doll-sized quilt made a donated by Jill Coleman, a knitted shawl made and donated by Patsy Hartnett, a wicker trunk donated by Bob McIlhenny, and a coupon for a grand ball gown, donated by Maggie Abbott and Samantha Rife of “LaBelle Femme.”

Raffle tickets for the doll will be sold during the At High Tide reenactment June 28-29, the JEB Stuart reenactment July 3, and during the weekend reenactments of the Battle of Gettysburg July 4-6. Raffle tickets for the doll can also be purchased during business hours at the Conservancy’s office at the Ag Center, located at 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, or by calling 717-334-2828. Tickets are $5.00 each and all proceeds benefit the Land Conservancy of Adams County, a member-supported nonprofit land trust with the mission of preserving the rural lands and character of Adams County.

Summer is here!

2008-06-10T14:48:00.002-04:00

Hello, everyone!
Summer is upon us!! It's hot where I am; don't know about you! Now, we start to see some great events! Here are a couple you may be interested in! Have a great time! Battlefield Journal

GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK CELEBRATES WITH A CIVIL WAR MUSICCONCERT
The Wildcat Regiment Band, Civil War era musicians representing the 105thPennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, will perform a free concert outdoors atthe Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center on June 21 in conjunction with the Gettysburg Festival from June 19 -29.

The earlyWildcat Regiment concert will begin at 11:00 AM. The Grand Concert willbegin at 3:00 PM. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for your seating. The Wildcat Regiment Band represents the regimental band of the 105thPennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The 105th Regiments was recruited in 1861 from the "Wildcat" congressional district made up in part by Indiana and Jefferson Counties. With Bandmaster Bruno J. Pino conducting, this modern re-creation of the Wildcat Regiment Band utilizes original instruments and reproduction hand-made uniforms. The concert at 11:00 AM will explore "TheAmerican Brass Movement: Bands and Bandmasters of the American Civil War"and will feature original musical instruments of the period.

The Gettysburg Festival features ten full days of celebrating America through Music, Theater, Film, Art and Dance from June 19 through 29. Tofind out more go to the website http://www.gettysburgfestival.org/

GRANT AND LEE IN WAR AND PEACE OPENS THIS FALL AT THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
By the end of the Civil War, most Americans considered either Robert E. Lee or Ulysses S. Grant to be a hero. The reputations of the two generals were molded in part by a sectional bias that would aggrandize the achievements of one often to the detriment of the other. In recent years, Grant has earned a growing reputation for his pioneering use of Federal power for civil rights and post-war reconstruction--a remarkable shift from a presidency that was more often condemned as a bumbling series of scandals and corruption. Similarly in the eyes of today's viewers, Robert E. Lee's role as a symbol in American politics may have outstripped his actual feats as a Confederate general. This thought-provoking, interactive historical exhibition and its catalog plunges visitors into the promises and disappointments that Grant and Lee faced. It offers a challenging interpretation of the nation's history at mid-century to every American who wonders how we became what we are today. The New-York Historical Society exhibition complements the Virginia Historical Society sister exhibition Lee and Grant.

WHAT: Grant and Lee in War and Peace
WHEN: October 17, 2008 through March 29, 2009
WHERE: The New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West at 77th Street
ADMISSION: Members and children 12 and under: FREE
Non-Members: $10 Educators, and Seniors: $7
Students: $6

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

2008-05-26T16:45:00.001-04:00

Hello again!
Just wanted to remind you all to keep submitting your photos...we're going to keep going with the Photography Contest--we want to get as many of your photos as we can emailed to us!

Please don't forget to let us know which category you're submitting for!

Thanks and good luck!
Battlefield Journal

First Confederate Blockade Runner Found in Florida!

2008-05-26T16:43:00.002-04:00

Tampa, Fla. (May 22, 2008) – It may not have all the excitement of an Indiana Jones movie, but underwater archaeologists from The Florida Aquarium have discovered their own bit of treasure. It isn’t gold or silver, but it does have a lot of value to Florida’s Civil War history.
After two years of searching and more than 100 man-hours of underwater data collection, the first Confederate Blockade Runner ever found in Florida has a name: the Kate Dale. “I’m 98 percent sure,” says John William Morris, principal investigator on the project. “In this field you are rarely 100 percent sure on anything, but with all the data we’ve collected and historical records we’ve research, I can say with confidence this is the Kate Dale.”
The Kate Dale is one of three blockade runners owned by James McKay, considered the father of maritime industry in Tampa. Measuring more than 80 feet in length, the Kate Dale was a sailing vessel used to gather goods from McKay’s warehouse located near Lowry Park and shipped to foreign countries for cash to bring back for the Confederate Army. The story from there is as murky as the waters in the Hillsborough River.
With almost zero visibility during most of the work and the occasional run-ins with alligators and other marine life, underwater archaeology has its own inherit dangers, says Mike Terrell, Dive Training Officer for The Florida Aquarium.
“Our divers have challenging conditions to overcome on a daily basis,” says Terrell. “Sometimes it’s working with little to no visibility while trying to take down extremely accurate measurements. Other times you have to keep one eye on the work and another on a passing gator or the rare bull shark sighting.”
The Kate Dale will remain in its current location while more research is done on its fascinating story.
“It depends who you talk to as to whether James McKay was a sympathizer for the confederate army or a spy for the union,” says Tom Wagner, spokesperson for The Florida Aquarium. “I relate him to a kind of Tampa Rhett Butler who was using both sides for capital gain.”
The work on the Kate Dale ends today, but research will continue as the pieces of the puzzle come together to form as complete a picture as possible about the historical significance of the wreck. Union records indicate a battalion of union soldiers were sent to the Hillsborough River to set fire to both the Kate Dale and the Scottish Chief, another McKay owned blockade runner.
The program’s goal is a three-part project that encompasses the search and discovery of what lies at the bottom of our local waterways, building an educational curriculum around the discoveries and using the discoveries to recreate shipwreck exhibits at The Florida Aquarium.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

2008-05-26T16:28:00.004-04:00

One of the long-lasting traditions stemming from the American Civil War, Memorial Day today symbolizes the start of summer: picnics, bbqs, parades...but none of us forget that while on Veterans Day, we say thank you to the vets who have fought and come home, Memorial Day does just that--memorializes. And in this time of suffering for soldiers who have passed away in all of our wars, including the one going on now--and the families who are left behind--we give our prayers and thoughts to all who keep us and have kept us a free nation.

I have included below a copy pictures of some of New England's Civil War memorials town squares or in cemeteries. No matter who is in the White House or which presidential "hopeful" is duking it out...we have much to be thankful for.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY! Have fun and stay safe!

Battlefield Journal

Historic African American Schoolhouse Available For Curatorship

2008-05-20T14:53:00.000-04:00

The historic property known as the Hornbaker House in Washington County, is coming available for restoration under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Resident-Curatorship Program. This property is located on the grounds of Fort Frederick State Park, 11100 Fort Frederick Road, Big Pool, Maryland. An open house will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 1 pm-3 pm, for those interested in learning more about the site and the program.“The Resident-Curatorship Program is a great opportunity for citizens to be directly involved in the preservation of Maryland’s historic resources.” said Bruce Alexander, Manager of Curatorships and Cultural Resources for DNR. “The curator who chooses to live in and restore the Hornbaker House will be preserving an important part of our state’s history.”Built in the late 19th century (circa 1899) the Hornbaker House was originally an African-American School. Once known as the Fort Frederick "Colored" school house, the small school was constructed to provide for the education of area African-American children during a time of racial segregation in Washington County. It operated on and off for a few years, then closed permanently in April 1909, when its students were sent to other segregated schools in Clear Spring and Williamsport. The Washington County school board sold the property in 1914, and it was enlarged and turned into a residence.Under this exciting program, in exchange for a lifetime lease, curators agree to restore and maintain the house according to strict historic preservation standards and at no cost to the state. The program requires that curatorship proposals represent at least $150,000 worth of improvements to the property, which must be completed within seven years. Certain properties may require a significantly greater investment. In addition, the curatorship is subject to regular inspection by state officials, and can be terminated for non-compliance. Resident-Curators, who can be individuals or organizations, must also agree to open the property to the public three to five times each year.

Fort Frederick State Park is the home of Fort Frederick, America’s premier stone colonial fort. It was built by the colony of Maryland in 1756 to protect its western boundaries and as a base to attack French claims to the Ohio River valley. The Fort Frederick State Park was Maryland's first state park, created in the first Maryland state park legislation in 1922.

Currently Fort Frederick is an educational center for the study of the French and Indian War, with significant African-American heritage and listed on Maryland's list of historic African American sites. Historians say that Fort Frederick is the United States' largest stone fort built by the British in the colonies. Fort Frederick has been called "Western Maryland's First Homeland Security," and "The Gibraltar on the Potomac."

In 1857, the fort began to be farmed by Nathan Williams, a freed African American slave, who helped escaping slaves make it across Maryland to freedom. Williams, born a slave in the Shenandoah Valley, had obtained his independence and then was able to buy his wife's freedom. They had seven children, built a house inside the fort and farmed the property. During the Civil War, the family prospered by selling farm goods to both Union and Confederate troops stationed on either side of the nearby Potomac River to keep a watchful eye on the strategic C&O Canal. The Williams family continued to farm nearly 100 acres surrounding Fort Frederick for the next 54 years.
Since 1982, the state's Resident-Curatorship Program has helped to preserve over 40 historic buildings on state parkland. More information, including photographs and bid proposal guidelines, can be found on our website: www.dnr.maryland.gov/land/rcs/ or by contacting Bruce Alexander at 410-260-8457.

Fort Frederick is located off of Rt 70 exit 12 at State Route 56, Big Pool, MD. For more information about other Fort Frederick activities, please call the park at 1-301-842-2155 during the office hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The state park includes part of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, and is adjacent to the Western Maryland Rail Trail.

Fort Frederick is a member of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, see: http://www.marylandmemories.com/. Additionally, Fort Frederick is a member of the Washington County Association of Museums and Historic Sites. For more information, see: http://www.marylandmemories.org/museum/.

SVBF Releases Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Visitor Guide

2008-05-15T10:57:00.000-04:00

Perhaps you’re a casual student of the Civil War interested in following Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign. Or your family is visiting a certain part of the Shenandoah Valley and you are interested in exploring a battlefield in the area. Or maybe you just want to get a quick understanding of the region’s Civil War history.

A new guide, released this week by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, is designed to do all of this. The visitors guide to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District is a free 48-page, full-color booklet that provides an overview of the Valley’s Civil War history and information about how to explore that history at Civil War sites throughout the region.

“The Valley’s Civil War history is fairly complex,” said Howard Kittell, the Battlefields Foundation’s Executive Director. “It includes a number of military campaigns, more than a dozen full-scale battles and countless engagements, and a variety of participants, from commanders and soldiers on the field on both sides to the Valley’s residents who struggled to keep their families and livelihoods together while war raged all around them. This guide untangles the twisted threads of those stories and weaves them together in a way that helps the reader understand what happened here. It then helps them find the sites that tell that story today. In addition, having residents and visitors becoming more engaged in the battlefields and other historic sites will lead to a stronger sense of stewardship of these nationally important historic resources.”

Guiding visitors through the history and to the sites

The Guide presents information in two ways. The first section provides a chronological review of what happened in the Shenandoah Valley over the course of the Civil War. It includes maps depicting movements of armies, timelines of the various military campaigns, and a list of the historic sites associated with those campaigns.

Communities throughout the eight-county National Historic District—and beyond—each have a unique part of the Valley’s Civil War history. The guide’s second section describes these distinct stories and provides detailed information about the historic sites in that community—location, hours of operation, contact information, and a brief site description.

Finally, the guide also offers general information about Civil War events and activities in the Shenandoah Valley and a list of resources to help travelers plan a visit to the region.

“This is the first comprehensive Civil War guide of its kind here in the Shenandoah Valley ,” said Jean Tardy Clark, a Foundation Trustee and chair of the Foundation’s Tourism Committee, which managed the project. Clark is also the director of Lexington-Rockbridge Area Tourism. “By helping visitors quickly understand the Valley’s Civil War history and making it much easier for them to find our Civil War sites, we hope to encourage them to stay longer and maybe learn a little more about our past.”

An overall vision for visitor services in the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District

The guide was completed in time for the opening on Monday of the new Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Civil War Orientation Center in Winchester , the second of five planned orientation centers in the District. (View the release.) Together, the guide, the orientation centers, and the large brown signs at all of the major entrances into the National Historic District are the most visible parts of an overall plan to help visitors understand and explore the Shenandoah Valley’s unique and important Civil War story.

The first National Historic District orientation center opened in McDowell in 2005. An interim orientation center is under development for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area and partners in the Signal Knob area of the National Historic District—where northern Shenandoah County , southern Frederick County , and Warren County converge—are beginning to consider options for their orientation facility.

The Battlefields Foundation’s visitor services initiatives are guided by the District’s Management and Implementation Plans, approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 2000, and the District-wide Marketing Plan, adopted by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees earlier this year. The plans were developed through a series of public meetings and were guided by partner organizations throughout the region. A District-wide Interpretive Plan is due to be completed this summer.

Preparing for the Civil War Sesquicentennial

Along with the orientation centers, the guide is part of the Battlefields Foundation’s effort to help partners in the Shenandoah Valley prepare for the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War, which begins in 2011. As a main theatre of the Civil War and the site of more that 60 percent of its battles, Virginia is expected to be a primary destination for travelers seeking to learn more about this chapter in American history.

Guide details: availability, funding, development

The guide is available at visitor centers and Civil War sites throughout the region, at the 11 welcome centers along interstate roadway entrances into the state, and at other sites throughout Virginia and beyond. (*A list of these sites appears at the end of this release.) It can also be downloaded from the “Visit the Valley” area of the National Historic District website: www.ShenandoahAtWar.org.

(Note: A pdf of just the front cover of the guide may be downloaded from the news area of the National Historic District website: www.ShenandoahAtWar.org.)

The guide was funded in part by a marketing leverage grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation as well as the Battlefields Foundation’s federal appropriation, and by tourism offices throughout the Valley.

Development of the guide was managed by the Battlefields Foundation’s Tourism Committee. Committee members Scott Harris, Director of the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park , and Don Pierce, Page One History Publications, served as content advisors on the project.

--------------------------------

Created by Congress in 1996, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District encompasses Augusta , Clarke, Frederick , Highland , Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties in Virginia and the cities of Harrisonburg , Staunton , Waynesboro , and Winchester . The District’s legislation authorizes federal funding for the protection of ten Civil War battlefields in the Valley and for the coordination of interpretation and promotion of the Shenandoah Valley ’s Civil War history.

As authorized by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation serves as the non-profit manager of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, partnering with local, regional, and national organizations and governments to preserve the Valley’s battlefields and interpret and promote the region’s Civil War story.

--------------------------------
ON THE WEB:

Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and the
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District:
www.ShenandoahAtWar.org

New Survey!

2008-05-11T21:13:00.002-04:00

Thank you for answering our last survey! The question was: Should the Battlefield Journal expand to include other wars? A whopping 89% of you said NO! That's great to know and it's even greater to see that you're taking the time to answer our survey!

We have another one! Tell us how rising gas prices are affecting you!

Take the survey here!

Great News for the Journey Through Hallowed Ground!

2008-05-08T14:15:00.000-04:00

PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS JOURNEY THROUGH HALLOWED GROUND NHA INTO LAW ENDORSEMENT CREATES 38TH—AND MOST HISTORIC—NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

Waterford, Virginia – On Thursday, May 8, 2008, President Bush endorsed the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (JTHG NHA), signing the 38th—and most historic—National Heritage Area into law. The legislation, S. 2739, passed the House on April 29, 2008, by a vote of 291 to 117 and the Senate on April 10, 2008, by a vote of 91 to 4. The JTHG NHA recognizes the unparalleled cultural, historic and scenic resources within the entire JTHG corridor—the region that generally follows the Old Carolina Road (Rt. 15/231) from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania through Maryland, to Monticello in Albemarle County, VA. This region, known as Where America Happened™, holds more American history than any other region in the country with nine Presidential homes (Ash Lawn-Highland and Oak Hill (Monroe), Kennedy’s Country Home, Camp Hoover, Eisenhower National Historic Site, Montebello (Taylor), Monticello (Jefferson), Montpelier (Madison), Pine Knot (Roosevelt), and Camp David, 73 National Historic Districts, the largest collection of Civil War Battlefields, significant sites from the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, 15 historic Main Street communities, numerous scenic roads, rivers and landscapes.The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership is a public-private partnership comprised of every elected body within the four-state region and over 150 other partner organizations all working collaboratively to provide opportunities for interpretive historic, heritage education and recreational programs that celebrate the unparalleled American heritage found along this region. The National Heritage Area designation is a national honor that will expand opportunities for economic development, particularly within the heritage tourism industry, as well as the educational programs for students of every age. This designation will serve as a springboard to encourage Americans and others to Take the Journey™ and discover what those who came before us created on this hallowed ground.“We are thrilled that the President has signed the legislation to create the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area,” said Cate Magennis Wyatt, President of the JTHG Partnership. “This historic Act of Congress would not have been possible without the leadership of Senator John Warner, Congressman Frank Wolf and the leadership of each member of Congress within this four-state corridor. We applaud the work of our Partners, as their efforts and vision are responsible for today’s national recognition, and I share their pride as we accept this designation.” In addition to its lead sponsor, Senator John Warner (R-VA), the national heritage area legislation, which was originally introduced as S. 289, was co-sponsored by Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-PA), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Arlen Specter (R-PA), and Jim Webb (D-VA).“The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area shines light on a region that holds great significance to the history of this Nation,” said Senator John Warner. “I will continue to work with the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership and support efforts that bring opportunity to the region and its visitors.”“I am extremely pleased that the Senate recognized the importance of Maryland and our regions’ unique place in our nation’s history,” said Senator Benjamin L. Cardin. “The creation of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area will provide a wonderful opportunity to ensure that future generations have a much better appreciation of America’s past and of Maryland’s important contributions to it.”In the House, the legislation was first introduced as H.R. 319, as sponsored by Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA). The bill was co-sponsored by Representatives Richard H. Baker (R-LA), Rick Boucher (D-VA), Eric Cantor (R-VA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), the late Jo Ann Davis (R-VA), Tom Davis (R-VA), Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Jim McCrery (R-LA), Jim P. Moran (D-VA), Todd Russell Platts (R-PA), Ted Poe (R-TX), C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), John P. Sarbanes (D-MD), Jim Saxton (R-NJ), Allyson Y. Schwartz (D-PA), Robert C. Scott (D-VA), Mark E. Souder (R-IN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Albert Russell Wynn (D-MD). “The Journey Through Hallowed Ground is something that each and every citizen should have the chance to experience,” said Congressman Frank Wolf. “The rich history of our nation can be traced directly to this corridor and I am proud to be a Partner in the effort to celebrate this hallowed ground.” The Journey legislation had strong bipartisan support including that of four governors, state legislators, and the endorsement of every town, county, borough council and board of commissioners throughout the 175-mile corridor. The JTHG NHA has also garnered broad-based support from local business groups, tourism officials, non-profit organizations, educators and citizens living along the region.

A Passion for History

2008-05-08T11:46:00.002-04:00

Look at this information I received from the state of Virginia. I know exactly how Mr. Bowman feels. I can't even describe how much I love history. We'd love to hear your feelings! Feel free to comment below on this post!

Passions for History are Rooted in Virginia-Mitch Bowman of Virginia Civil War Trails entices history addicts to delve deep into Virginia's passionate beginnings-

Mitch BowmanWatch his video(Richmond, Va.)--History is alive in Virginia and nobody knows that better than Mitch Bowman, a proud history addict from way back when. Bowman helped lead the charge to create the Virginia Civil War Trails, a driving trail that connects 400 sites across the state, from battlefields to homes and national parks, to lead visitors through Virginia, where more Civil War battles were fought than any other state.

A former officer and pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Bowman's passion for Virginia's rich history, from Jamestown to the Civil War to the struggle for Civil Rights, makes visits to Virginia more meaningful.

"My real passion is helping educate people," explains Bowman, in a video vignette on Virginia.org, "and share with them things that impact their lives, that they really don't realize have shaped their lives or the world around them."

Mitch's deep, personal commitment to an honest and accurate portrayal of the Civil War in Virginia is a big part of what makes Virginia an excellent destination for visitors seeking the roots of the nation. Virginia is an American history icon, spanning more than four centuries, from 1607 and the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown to the genesis of Brown vs Board of Education at R. R. Moton High School in Farmville. Virginia is the "Mother of Presidents" claiming eight in total, with new and exciting additions to presidential homes including Mount Vernon, Montpelier and Monticello. In Virginia, historical legends such as Booker T. Washington, Chief Powhatan, Thomas Jefferson, Maggie Walker and Daniel Boone come alive in interactive museums and exhibits that showcase how these leaders paved the way for our nation. ? Diverse historical trails such as the Civil Rights in Education Trail, the Virginia Indian Heritage Trail and the new Road to Revolution, which traces the life of Patrick Henry, help visitors relive history in a whole new way.History thrives in the streets of Virginia's historic downtowns and Main Street communities. Vacations to Richmond, Roanoke, Staunton, Alexandria and other historic cities are the best way to combine stunning historic architecture, sites and stories with world-class dining, shopping and arts.Ready to delve deep into your passion for history? Go to Portraits of Passion at http://clik.virginiainteractive.org/CT00041702ODE0NTQA.HTML?D=2008-05-08 to watch a video of Mitch Bowman at the American Civil War Center and plan a trip to connect with Virginia's passionate beginnings points.

Quilt on Display

2008-05-06T19:30:00.003-04:00

You know...sometimes things are just too beautiful to ignore. This piece I received on a Quilt Exhibit in Adams County, PA is one of them...

Take a look at this!

Barclay Brooks and Posie Wright examine the 1850’s signature quilt which will be on exhibit at the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg , Virginia , now through September 22, 2008 .

A special exhibit called Quaker Quilts and Heritage at the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg , Virginia , features a quilt belonging to the Menallen Friends Meeting of Biglerville. The Menallen Friends recently acquired it in honor of two loyal members, William and Posie Wright (both now deceased). William had served as Menallen’s clerk and Posie was the historian for Menallen Friends Meeting for many years. The quilt was purchased by friends of the Wrights and donated to Menallen Friends Meeting.

The quilt is a signature quilt and has 72 squares with 74 names written inside them. The identities of those on the quilt are being researched by Judith Pyle and Debra McCauslin, of Gettysburg . Nearly all the signatures have been identified and include many past members of Menallen Friends Meeting. Based on dates of marriages and deaths, the quilt is thought to have been created sometime between 1847 and 1851. The fabrics used are thought to be from that era as confirmed by several experts. Some of the persons on the quilt are Quakers (a.k.a. Friends) from MD, VA, OH and IN. Several connections appear to be related to Salem , Ohio which is considered to be the Anti-Slavery Headquarters of the West. Several Quaker families from Pennsylvania moved to the Salem area as part of the Western Movement. The reason the quilt was created is not yet known but is suspected to be related to the abolition of slavery.

One name on the quilt is that of Mary Payne who was born a slave in Virginia but later manumitted by her owner in 1843. Payne lived on Bendersville’s Bear Mountain when she and her family were kidnapped by five men on July 24, 1845 . Payne was taken back to Virginia to be sold on the auction block. She was later freed again and she returned to Pennsylvania and lived with a Quaker Valley family in Adams County upon her return.

The exhibit will run now through Sept 22 and is located at 301 South Main Street in Harrisonburg , VA. The exhibit’s guest curator is Mary Robare of Winchester , VA. Robare assisted Pyle and McCauslin with some of their research and she requested the quilt become part of the exhibit.

At the conclusion of the exhibit, the quilt will be returned to Menallen Friends Meeting and placed in storage. It will be removed from storage for programs which will be conducted for the public upon request where McCauslin and Pyle will share their findings.

For more information, contact Debra McCauslin at dmccauslin@gettysburghistories.com or by calling 717-528-8553. The Virginia Quilt Museum can be contacted at 540-433-3818.

INTERVIEW WITH JAMES PERCOCO!

2008-04-25T12:49:00.003-04:00

Hello, everyone!
Like I promised, we have an interview with James Percoco! Part of it is online here but the entire interview is on our website! www.battlefieldjournal.com.

Thanks to Jim and and Jennifer Ballot for her help with this!

Battlefield Journal: First, I LOVED the book. I am a lover of Civil War monuments and have done a lot with the New England town square monuments as well as written a book about Gettysburg from the point of view of the monuments. My question is how did you choose which monuments to include in the book?

JP: First of all I am glad you loved the book. All writers want to hear that.

I actually visited about 30 monuments of which seven ended up with full chapter treatments. The others are listed in an Appendix. My criterion was based on the following:
• The statues had to be from the Great Age of Lincoln Sculpture 1870-1935
• All sculptors had to be born in the century in which Lincoln lived – 19th,
• The statues had to reflect the several genres/themes related to Lincoln sculpture – Great Emancipator, Great President/Statesman, Man of Sorrows,
Youthful Lincoln, Commander-in-Chief
• The sculptures had to be of high artistic merit – meaning that aesthetically they had to be successful or they had to have a story that was deeply tied to the Lincoln myth or legacy. I was actually tempted to give each of the seven I picked a report card grade, because I only think that three of the seven deserve an A for artistic merit, The Standing Lincoln by Saint-Gaudens (Chapter 4), Lincoln of Gethsemane by Borglum (Chapter 5) and Lincoln
by French in the Lincoln Memorial (Chapter 7). I really wanted to give full chapter treatment to Lincoln the Lawyer by Lorado Taft in Urbana, Illinois
and Captain Lincoln in Dixon, Illinois. Each reveals another dimension of Lincoln’s life – the circuit lawyer and his role as a Captain in the militia from New Salem during the 1832 Black Hawk War; it’s the only statue of Lincoln in uniform and wearing a sword. Unfortunately the paper trail was limited on these two statues and I could not flesh out much of a story either behind the statue or about the sculptural process.

Battlefield Journal: You seemed to have an exceptional group of students that traveled with you. Overall, do you find that students, especially of middle and high school age, are that enamored with history? What are the chances that future generations might not even understand why those Lincoln monuments were placed where they were?

JP: Most young people gravitate towards history when it is made relevant. The key for me has been showing students that I find monuments to be very relevant to my life and that transfers over to them in the way I approach and teach history.

I actually find all of human history relevant and have always taught it as such; we can’t understand how we got to where we are today without having some sense of what transpired before we lived.

I think given Lincoln’s role in U.S. and World History future generations are going to understand why Lincoln statues permeate our public spaces. Many foreign nations have public statues to Lincoln, as well, such as Mexico, Great Britain, and Russia. The Chinese, in Beijing, are very open about the design of Chairman Mao’s mausoleum and that it is based on that of Henry Bacon’s Lincoln Memorial.

Check the website for more!!!

New Battlefield Journal Survey

2008-04-14T10:14:00.002-04:00

Please take our survey here! We want to know what you think!

Click Here to take survey

Thanks!
Battlefield Journal

Friends of the Wilderness Battlefield Unite!

2008-04-14T09:56:00.004-04:00

Hi, all!
Happy Monday! Do people think Mondays are happy days? I don't know...my favorite day is Friday, but Saturdays and Sundays are good too! Stay tuned for an upcoming survey!

I received a great press release I wanted to share with you!

“FRIENDS” GROUP COMMEMORATES BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS
Host of activities planned

May 9-11 Friends of Wilderness Battlefield (FoWB) will host the 144th Anniversary of the Battle of the Wilderness with an array of activities that include…

nationally recognized historians
fascinating presentations
battlefield tours
a special tour at Ellwood of Gen. G. K. Warren’s newly restored Headquarters and an evening program at Guinea Station commemorating Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson’s final evening
the annual Dinner and Auction
Sunday at Ellwood Plantation: A Tribute to Civil War Mothers
breakfasts, lunches, snacks and transportation for most events

Participants may choose to attend one breakfast, one day, only the dinner and Auction or the entire weekend package. All are welcome and encouraged to take part in one or all of the many activities. For more information on the weekend’s activities or to register, visit http://www.fowb.org/ and contact Dale Brown at 540-972-9298 or http://b9.mail.yahoo.com/ym/battlefieldjournal.com/Compose?To=DaleKBrown@verizon.net.

Activities to commemorate the 144th Anniversary of the Battle of the Wilderness include…

A Civil War Conference: Politics and Personalities: The Wilderness Campaign
During three days of the first-ever Wilderness Battle Conference, guests will have the opportunity to explore the whys and wherefores of military command driven by a divided nation and the politics of a Presidential election.

The programs and tours will offer a thorough examination of the influencing politics, personalities and subsequent planning, on both sides of the Rapidan during the Winter Encampments of 1864, followed by an investigation of the complexities of leadership and the resulting successes or failures

In the winter of 1864 Culpeper, VA would find itself inundated with the Army of the Potomac and more than 100,000 Union soldiers. Armies were reorganized, commands were shifted and the Overland Campaign was formulated, leading to the subsequent end at Appomattox. It was to be the straw that broke the back of this little rural village and some may think it is fitting that the conference is headquartered in Culpeper, VA.

The Guest Historians
FoWB is thrilled to announce the roster of guest historians for the 144th Anniversary. Joining Gordon Rhea, Clark “Bud” Hall, and Greg Mertz are Chief Justice Frank Williams of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and Chairman of the Lincoln Forum, and Dr. John Y. Simon, Executive Director and Managing Editor of the Ulysses S. Grant Association. These scholars have collaborated to provide enlightening lectures and stimulating battlefield tours.

The 6th Annual Dinner and Auction: “A Wilderness Evening”
On Saturday, May 10 at the Daniel Technology Center, Culpeper, VA, FoWB will host the social event of the weekend.

The evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a Silent Auction accompanied by hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar featuring Barboursville wines and Blue and Gray Brewery beer, a delicious buffet-style dinner catered by Loudelia’s follows.

Chief Justice Frank Williams of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and leading authority on Abraham Lincoln has teamed up with noted author and Civil War scholar, Gordon Rhea to present a stirring visual post-dinner program entitled “Ulysses S. Grant: Seen and Heard.”

A Live Auction highlighted by a 7-Day Cruise for two tops off the evening.

Sunday at Ellwood: A Tribute to Civil War Mothers
The house and grounds are open at no charge to the public from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with special presentations at 1 and 3 p.m.

The weekend activities are sponsored by the Friends of Wilderness Battlefield and all proceeds benefit the Ellwood restoration Project. For additional information on the weekend and FoWB, visit http://www.fowb.org/.

CWPT Contest!

2008-04-10T11:07:00.001-04:00

Spring is the time for great contests! Here is the one I was telling you about in the last post. Contact information is included.

2008 Poster and Essay Contest: PRESERVE THE SPIRIT OF HISTORY
For Grades 4 through 12, by the Civil War Preservation TrustImagine you are in a town meeting between a developer and a Civil War battlefield community. The developer wants to put a strip mall and housing development on the Civil War site. Why should this community fight to protect its Civil War site? There are many arguments – money and history are only two! How will saving the Civil War site benefit the community – and future generations? Why does preserving a Civil War site make us better people in the long run?The 2008 motto is PRESERVE THE SPIRIT OF HISTORY. Use and develop this slogan while you create either a poster or an essay to remind Americans that Civil War battlefields are endangered national treasures. Show the country how to get involved in protecting these endangered Civil War sites!
CONTEST LEVELS:
POSTERS: Elementary, for students in grades 4, 5, and 6Junior, for students in grades 7, 8, and 9Senior, for students in grades 10, 11, and 12
ESSAYS:Junior, for students in grades 7, 8, and 9Senior, for students in grades 10, 11, and 12
PRIZES: First -- $200Second -- $100Third - $50
Students receive money; teachers win gift certificates in equivalent amounts. Due to its generosity and its concern for students and teachers, The History Channel has graciously donated the prizes!
DEADLINE: All entries must be received in our office by May 15, 2008.
RULES: Students may enter either the poster contest or the essay contest in their age group, but not both. (Note that there is no elementary essay contest.) There is no group entry category – one student per essay or poster. Each entry must be labeled with the following information:*TEACHER NAME*SCHOOL NAME *SCHOOL ADDRESS *SCHOOL CITY, STATE, ZIP *SCHOOL PHONE *TEACHER EMAIL
(Teachers who do not want to provide emails on the back of each entry can send it via separate letter. This is to be sure I can contact you quickly if necessary.)
*STUDENT NAME:
*STUDENT GRADE:
*STUDENT PHONE

We respect your privacy and information will not be shared or used in any manner other than to contact winners.
POSTERS will be judged for creativity, quality of artwork, visual impact, and strength of message.

*May not be larger than 14" by 22"
*May be made with markers, crayons, paint, paper cutouts, pen and ink, or any other media that will not smear and will leave the finished poster flat and easy to handle.
*May not use copyrighted materials such as comics, TV characters, professional photographs, etc. The use of Internet pictures is not preferable. The poster should consist primarily of student artwork, not pictures.

ESSAYS will be judged for creativity, persuasive quality, clarity, and strength of message.
*Must be approximately 300 words long.
*Must use proper grammar and spelling and consist primarily of the student's own words.
*All quotations from diaries and texts must be properly cited.
*Preservation of Civil War battlefields is the main idea to be expressed.

Entries will not be returned and become the property of CWPT. Entrants will be notified of contest results in June of 2008 via letter and Hallowed Ground magazine.
Mail Entries To:
CWPT Poster and Essay Contest
Civil War Preservation Trust
11 Public Square, Suite 200
Hagerstown, MD 21740

Need More Information? Call 1-888-606-1400 or email jrosenberry@civilwar.org.

Photography Contest!

2008-04-09T20:38:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone!

I hope you enjoyed the April issue--now quarterly--of the Battlefield Journal. I had a great time putting it together. This blog--and our website--will be the conduit for much more in the interim between issues!

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST!!!

We are sponsoring a photography contest! Please email your Civil War site/battlefield/museum photos to editor@battlefieldjournal.com by May 31, 2008. Our judges will pick the best ones in the following categories:

--Best Battlefield Landscape

--Best Action Shot

--Best Jr. Photo (ages 11-18)

--Best Adult Photo (ages 18-up)

--Best Building photo

Prizes will be announced soon! The winners will be picked on June 15! GOOD LUCK! Email us if you have any questions or if I forgot to put anything vital to the contest on the blog (It's late at night for me!)

We have another contest we're helping to spread the word about and that will be announced soon. It's for kids and sponsored by the Civil War Preservation Trust.

Thanks for your support! We hope to hear from you!!!

Battlefield Journal

It's coming together now...

2008-03-30T13:29:00.002-04:00

The newly formatted and larger Quarterly issue of the Battlefield Journal is almost ready to be unveiled! And I'm very excited! I've made subtle changes that I really think you'll enjoy! Plus we have some great articles to share with you, along with great photo stories AND larger news and events sections!!!

Keep up with the blog as well. Soon we'll have an interview with Jim Percoco, a high school history teacher who just released Summers with Lincoln: Looking for the Man in the Monuments. He delves deep into national monuments and the impact these icons have on the modern public. We'll talk about why he chose the monuments he did and even give an excerpt and photos from the book!

Well, back to work...just wanted to get you all as excited as I am!

Talk to you soon!
Yours in history,
Kristie

Easter Sunday

2008-03-23T10:41:00.004-04:00

It was 95 years ago that Easter fell this early in the calendar year. 95 years! If my very shaky math is correct, that is 1912. Only 52 years after the Civil War began. What an interesting time for the United States...WWI right around the corner...yet, still reeling from the war that consumed the country from 1860-1865.

It doesn't feel like Easter to me, although it's very sunny outside, with a beautiful blue New England sky. Air is too cold though--and no one is ready to take out their Spring clothes...do people still do that? Change their clothes with the seasons?

I've added a few more photos here for you from my upcoming tour. Have a happy and blessed Easter and we'll talk to you soon!

Kristie

Welcome

2008-03-22T22:57:00.006-04:00

Hello!

Welcome to the premiere blog of the Battlefield Journal! I invite you to comment on any posts you see here and let us know about any books you've read, sites you've visited or ideas you may have for the next issue of the Battlefield Journal!

Now that we've moved our office back to New England, I'm gearing up to work on the New England and the Civil War Discovery Trail. My goal is to link it up with the Gettysburg Civil War Trail (which in turn links up with the Virginia Civil War Trail and then the North Carolina trail). It is going to be quite the undertaking but it will be fun! I can't wait to take the information I gathered in my 2001 PBS documentary New England and the Civil War and create a trail that folks can use to put the pieces together about New England's contribution to the Civil War!

Last summer, on my annual sojourn to Gettysburg, I took some photos of monuments that I plan to use in another battlefield tour entitled: The Faces of Gettysburg. I wanted to share some of those photos with you! Let me know what you think!

I'll talk to you soon! Don't forget the April issue of our new quarterly Journal will be out in a couple of weeks!

Kristie