Call to Arms - Brunswick Civil War Round Table
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OCTOBER 2020 VOLUME XI ISSUE 2
Call to Arms
Brunswick Civil War Round Table Newsletter
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER - MIKE POWELL
The history community lost panic and escape of the Confederate
two towering figures last government from Richmond in 1865. Jack
month: Paul Laird and Ed will clarify some of the myths surrounding
Bearss. Both a fine Jefferson Davis’ flight until his capture.
historian and great If you would like to participate in the Zoom
supporter of local history, meeting but are having any trouble with
Paul died September 12. the instructions on page 2, please let me
He directed the Friends of know and we can walk you through it.
Fort Fisher for years and Also, do not forget that you can participate
bore responsibility for the continued with audio only on your cell phone. We can
growth of the Fort Fisher State Park. If you tell you how to do that, too.
enjoyed the 150th Anniversary events at
Fort Fisher in 2015, thank Paul and his Please take the time to read the BCWRT
team for the success of the event. Since position paper on the HR 7608, section 442,
his retirement, Paul advised BCWRT and elsewhere in the newsletter. Passed by the
always provided sound advice based on his House of Representatives, HR 7608
experience as an administrator and a proposes the removal of Confederate
historian. Survived by his wife Kathryn and presence from the battlefields of the
two sons, Mathew and Benjamin, Paul’s National Parks Service.
absence will touch the community, as well Please believe me when I say that we did
as his family.
not arrive at this position without much
As if 2020 could not get any worse, Ed discussion, much thought and some pain.
Bearss passed away three days later. No We believe that a distinction must be made
one brought more history to more people between monuments (sometimes offensive)
than Ed Bearss. His influence and impact on public property and erasing Confederate
on preserving and interpreting Civil War participation on the battlefields of the
history was unmatched. I cannot overstate
National Park Service. They are two, very
his contributions to our understanding of
the Civil War. He will be missed by many. different, issues and we believe that
distinction is paramount to our position.
Turning to our first meeting of the 2020-21 The plaques and monuments in the
season, I hope you enjoyed Will Greene’s National Parks represent the battle at that
presentation, via Zoom, in September. As
particular spot on the field. Their role is
usual, he did a great job. On October 6,
we will feature William C. “Jack” Davis. informative more than anything else.
Jack Davis makes my list of top five Civil (Continued on page 7)
War historians every year. He will share the
1
OCTOBER MEETING FEATURES DAVIS ON DAVIS
Our second meeting of the 2020-21 season, once Jack Davis is a popular Civil War speaker, an
again via Zoom, will surely educate us on a facet award-winning American historian, a former
of the Civil War most of us are unfamiliar with, professor of history at
delivered by a returning speaker we all admire. Virginia Tech, and the
William C. (Jack) Davis’ presentation is titled, former Director of
“Flight into Oblivion: the Escape of the Programs at the
Confederate Government April-May 1865.” The school’s Virginia
meeting starts promptly at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Center for Civil War
October 6. Studies. He has
written more than 40
Following the fall of Richmond on April 2,
books on the Civil War,
Jefferson Davis’
was the only three-time
Confederacy was a
winner of the Jefferson
government on the
Davis Prize for
move, trying first to
Confederate history, and was awarded the Jules
link with Lee's
and Frances Landry Award for Southern history.
retreating Army of
Northern Virginia, and Similar to our September meeting, you will need
then with Joseph E. to open your Zoom app and enter the meeting ID
Johnston's Army of and passcode. Alternately, you may simply click
Tennessee in North on the link below, then enter the meeting ID and
Carolina. With passcode -
pursuing Federals hard https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86223559157?
pwd=bFhLU2xhMmtZQ3dac3A3bGU2YzlXQT09
on the Confederate’s heels, Davis and his cabinet
Meeting ID: 862 2355 9157
established one brief “capitol” after another as
Passcode: 147915
they proceeded to Danville, then into Salisbury,
then Charlotte, and finally into South Carolina. Hope everyone can grab their favorite beverage
Soon it became apparent that the government’s and snack, wear
retreat could not be sustained, recognizing all the most
was lost once Confederate Gen. Joseph E. comfortable
Johnston’s Army of Tennessee surrendered. clothes, leave the
Davis’s administration declared the Confederacy mask aside, and
dissolved on May 5, 1865. The stories of those join us Tuesday,
whose who finally gave up, and the hair-raising Oct 6, at 7 p.m.,
adventures of the few who actually escaped, is for an entertaining
the little-known, and fascinating, stuff of classic meeting.
adventure.
2
THE FIRST PETERSBURG OFFENSIVE - A review of Will
Greene’s September Presentation By Jim Medeiros
Despite Grant’s failure to take Petersburg souls need rest and repair. But both Grant
with his brilliant subterfuge of crossing the and Lee faced further bugaboos.
James River on a 2,000-foot pontoon bridge Union and rebels alike suffered from poor
(the largest bridge to that date) and a flotilla communications. Upon Union General
of river boats, Will Greene, in the fall’s Hancock’s being called to support General
first Zoom meeting, assessed that the Smith, he not only did not know where to go
greatest reasonable explanation for the but also lost one unit on the roads.
failure was the exhaustion of the Union Confederate Beauregard sent messages to
troops after fighting their Lee where Lee was no
way to Richmond in longer. General Smith
nearly 60 days of battle. told to wait in place for
In spite of his five to one provisions being sent
advantage in force size, in from General Butler--
spite of nearly 16,000 provisions he did not need
casualties suffered on because he already had 3
both sides, in spite of the days rations--suffered a
125,000 men in gray and useless six-hour delay
blue grappling over awaiting the provisions
Petersburg, Grant would that never arrived. Other
clash in eight more Union generals called
offensives over upon to advance their lines
Petersburg--months more of added war-- often mistrusted troops guarding their
due to his loss at First Petersburg. flanks and failed to move. Even worse,
Other questions begged by First Petersburg: Meade grew so frustrated with his various
Why, in spite of his surreptitious movement subordinate commanders’ failure to advance
of Union troops across the James and as ordered that he angrily commanded each
Chickahominy Rivers, did Grant’s armies general to advance when their individual
fail at Petersburg? Was his choice as grand units were ready. The piecemeal stops and
commander a fluke and was he really starts lead to the First Maine Heavy
incompetent? Were Lee and his lieutenants Artillery’s charging rebel works so that 632
inspired military leaders? Did the Virginia of its 900 men lay killed or wounded in a
terrain beat the Union troops? Did the mere ten minutes, the largest unit loss of the
bluecoats beat themselves? Will Greene’s entire war. General Beauregard kept
answer seems transparent, that the 60,000 pleading for Lee’s reinforcements yet
Union casualties suffered in near continuous somehow his scouts repeatedly failed to
fighting through the battles at the locate the small matter of the 2,000-foot
Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Spotsylvania pontoon bridge.
had left them exhausted in the face of even For those who could not get enough of the
opposition from old men and boys, General long battle for Petersburg during our
Beauregard’s thin entrenchments and Lee’s meeting, watch for the publication of Will
skepticism of Beauregard’s bleats for help. Greene’s definitive analysis.
Armies may march on their stomach, but
3
Ladies’ Department — By Charen Fink
Civil War Haunts
Mammy Wise lived in Tennessee and some say yards in front of her and called out to him. At
she was as old as the hills and mountains but that precise time, he verified that he had been in
could predict the future. She could cure a child great peril.
of thrush, find a husband for a spinster or locate
The Mirror had Two Faces. Of all the Civil War
lost items. One thing she predicted was that the
ghosts, the one most frequently mentioned is that
star in the northern sky would collide with the
of Abraham Lincoln. He had premonitions,
star in the southern sky causing trouble.
visions and many people reported having seen in
Politicians did not take her warnings seriously.
various places. He
She felt bad about that one and from then on was
vacillated between
careful about her predictions.
elation and gloom
Oola and the War Comet. Comets for centuries by the rent in the
were thought to presage catastrophes both veil which hid the
natural and man-made. In 1861 one flew over mortal view from
Washington, D.C., amid conflicts between the what the future
North and South. It was the African-American holds. While
population that took this seriously. A black slave, awaiting the
Oola, was known to have the Evil Eye and could election returns in
conjure spells. She terrified everyone around her. 1860, he laid down
Two of her predictions did come to pass; the war to rest across from
which followed the passing of the comet and the a nearly full-length
death of President Lincoln. mirror. He saw his refection appearing as a
double image. He got up to inspect it, but it
Julia Grant also had presentments and accurate
disappeared until he reclined once again. This
intuitions.
time it became clearer and one of the faces was
“Ulys” and his
paler than the other. The incident caused pangs
men were
of anxiety, however, at another time he repeated
departing the
the experiment with the same results. Wife
Battle of
Mary indicated that the pale image indicated he
B e l m o n t
would die before the end of his second term in
h e a d i n g
office. He had a long-held belief that he had a
towards their
special destiny to fulfill, a testament to his moral
ship in the
courage. Another Lincoln vision was that of him
Missouri River. Grant held back to ascertain how
hearing cries of mourning in the rotunda and
close the Confederates were in pursuit of his
seeing his body lying in state. He asked who
troops. The men were already on board and away
died and was told Mr. Lincoln.
from the dock as “Ulys” spurred his horse
quickly to reach the ship. While bullets flew pass References
barely missing him, he rode his horse into the
Coleman, Christopher. Ghosts and Haunts of the
water and up the narrow gangplank. Julia,
Civil War. Thomas Nelson: Nashville, 1999, pgs.
meanwhile, while preparing to meet her
12-13, 24-25, 31-34, 130-132.
husband, states she distinctly saw him a few
4Board Votes to Oppose Federal Bill Requiring
Confederate Monument Removal in National Parks
Your Board of Directors recently voted to oppose section 442 of H.R. 7608. Below is the statement
approved by the Board. After reading, we would ask each of you to contact Senators Burr and Tillis -
by mail (see sample on next page), phone, or email - and ask them to vote no on H.R. 7608 as
currently written. Thank you. Board of Directors, BCWRT
Bill H.R. 7608 passed the U. S. House of of the African-American in the Civil War. We are
Representatives in July 2020, calling for the sensitive to the problems caused by monuments
removal of all monuments, statues, plaques, and that do not fully articulate the subject
references to the Confederacy battling at memorialized. However, the destruction of the
Gettysburg, and all other National Battlefield history of the battlefields and impugning the role
Parks. BCWRT opposes the passage of section of the National Park Service as guardians of the
442 of H.R. 7608. We consider the removal of accurate, truthful and unbiased history of the war
Confederate history from the National Park should not be a target. If visitors, students or
Battlefields as an erasure of our country’s historians cannot go to the National Parks for an
history. This is unacceptable. accurate account of events, where are they to go
for truth on the battles of Antietam,
Removing battlefield monuments is not about Chickamauga, Petersburg, Vicksburg, Fort
justice; it is about erasing the history of the Sumter, Manassas, Chancellorsville, and many
battles fought in the American Civil War. We more? That elected officials are even talking
want to be clear: our statement does not concern about such a policy is scary. The fact that H.R.
monuments on public property in the counties, 7608 has passed the U.S. House of
towns and cities of America. Our opposition is to Representatives is a warning, just as the
the removal of monuments, statues and Licensed Gettysburg Guides recently wrote. To
informational plaques with Confederate be silent is to consent to the possible erasure of
connections on the battlefields of the National our National Park Battlefield history.
Park Service as spelled out in section 442 of H.
R. 7608. We believe that we can learn lessons We urge every BCWRT member to take a
from the study of the Civil War in addition to moment to write a letter (and/or an email or
those regarding slavery. Markers on a National phone call) to their congressional representative
Park Service battlefield serve a distinct purpose expressing opposition to section 442 of H.R.
to provide a deeper understanding of the events 7608.
that took place on the battlefields. They indicate
the positions of troops and locations where To find the address, phone number, and email
important and decisive incidents took place. The of any US senator, simply click on this link:
National Parks Service does an excellent job in h t t p s : / / w w w. s e n a t e . g o v / g e n e r a l /
contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm. For
presenting the Civil War in a fair, academic and
the House of Representatives, use this link:
impartial way. https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-
The Brunswick Civil War Round Table has your-representative.
donated thousands of dollars to highlight the role
5Sample Letter to NC Senators
Members may use this sample letter to voice their opposition to Section 442 of H.R.7608.
Make two copies, one for Senator Tillis and the other for Senator Burr. In addition to
your letter, you may also call or send an email to them expressing your concerns.
Date you are sending
Your address
Senator Richard Burr
217 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Thom Tillis
113 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Re: Opposition to Section 442 of H.R. 7608
Dear Senators Burr and Tillis:
As a member of Brunswick Civil War Round Table, the largest one if its kind in the
country, I am writing to express my opposition to recent legislation passed by the U.S. House of
Representatives (H.R. 7608) that provides, in part (Section 442), for the removal of Confederate
commemorative works by the National Parks Service.
I am opposed to Section 442 of H.R. 7608 because the removal of Confederate
commemorative works, such as statues, monuments, sculptures, memorials, and plaques from
our National Parks would permanently deprive us of educational markers of our country's
history. Confederate monuments, particularly in our National Parks, provide informative details
on the battles and stories of the Civil War. The removal of these monuments would erode our
collective understanding of this crucial moment in our country's history. Although current
political and social forces seek to remove these markers, Confederate monuments stand in our
National Parks primarily as a reminder of where our country has been and as encouragement to
create a better future. As a member of Brunswick Civil War Round Table, I cannot support
legislation that would deprive us of the educational value these Confederate commemorative
works provide.
I urge you to consider opposing H.R. 7608 as currently written so that we may preserve
the monuments in our National Parks that contribute to our understanding of our country's
history. Thank you for your time and consideration on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Printed Name
6(Continued from page 1)
We will provide a copy of a sample letter I hope everyone who thought about joining
and Senate addresses (see page 6) that we our leadership team will step up now.
hope our members use to write to their BCWRT is experiencing some leadership
Senators encouraging them to oppose changes. We are losing several fine folks,
section 442 of H. R. 7608, and how it deals but we are also gaining some really
with erasing the history of the war at the talented individuals. What will not change
National Park Service Battlefields. We is the dedication of the leadership team to
encourage folks to send an email or call produce the same high-quality product that
their Senators, as well as sending the we strive for every month. I very much
letter. We respect the opinions of those look forward to getting back to meeting in
who oppose our stance. However, the person…and forgetting to do the 50/50
BCWRT Board of Directors voted to oppose raffle.
the bill as an organization, and our silence
Mike
only consents to the bill as written.
##########################################
Civil War Views
(From top left, clockwise) Member John Walsh did a
NC road trip in September, visiting a memorial to
Colored Union soldiers in Hertford, a gravestone at St.
Paul’s Church in Edenton, a marker for the now-sub-
merged Ft. Ocracoke located on Ocracoke Island, and a
memorial to Confederate Veterans, also on Ocracoke.
(Photos by Edie Day)
7Dues: What to Do?
Several members have recently inquired, “What should I do about paying my BCWRT dues?”
Here is the answer.
Since we are not meeting at Hatch, you have not speakers with a fee, there is a cost for our level
been reminded when your dues are up for of Zoom meetings, and we have small
renewing. Additionally, we have temporarily administrative expenditures. Also, the
lost our ability to send you a “friendly reminder” leadership team desires sufficient reserves for
email, also letting you know when your dues are our annual scholarship, as well as the yearly
due. Until one or both of these helpful reminder donations we make to promote, encourage, and
activities are back in place, we are asking you support Civil War battlefield preservation.
send in your dues check for $25 to our post
Of note, our dues have not changed in the ten
office box: BCWRT, PO Box 10161, Southport,
years since our founding. Hopefully, members
NC 28461. Your payment will be matched to
your renewal month. still believe there is value in being a member,
receiving newsletters filled with informative
It may appear there are no expenses since we articles, having access to our Facebook page,
have not held in-person meetings for all these
and attending ten meetings throughout the year
months. However, we still provide our Zoom
featuring leading historians and scholars.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
November Meeting Date Changed to Tuesday, November 10
Please note that we have changed the date of our November meeting to Tuesday, November 10.
We do not want to compete with the election. We encourage everyone to get out and vote…and
await the returns! Our November speaker is Chris Mackowski, who ALWAYs gets a well
deserved standing ovation. His topic: "Second Guessing Ewell" --- Confederate Lt. Gen.
Richard Ewell’s action at Gettysburg, particularly Culp's Hill.
*****************************************************************************
UPDATE - NC Civil War & Reconstruction History Center. Member Wally Rueckel says Phase
1 of this unique site in Fayetteville was finished in September. Located on the grounds of the
old Confederate Arsenal, the complex is transforming a regional museum into a first-class
statewide history center. Phase 2 groundbreaking took place earlier this year. Funding for
Phase 3, provided by the state, is on hold due to Covid-19 needs. Wally is one of three BCWRT
members serving as advisors for the center. Joining him are Chris Fonvielle and Charen Fink.
For more information on the unique complex, visit the center’s recently revamped website:
http://nccivilwarcenter.org.
8REMEMBERING MEMBER PAUL LAIRD
Paul Laird passed away suddenly last month. As Mike mentioned in his comments, Paul led the
Friends of Fort Fisher, and was responsible for all the good things visitors enjoyed at the most-
visited state historic site. While only serving on our leadership team for several years, he made
significant contributions to our round table, always in a friendly, constructive manner. We miss him
already.
“I got to know Paul when I was a board advisor, and knew he was destined for an
member for the Friends of Fort Fisher, even more important role looking ahead. His
then again when he joined the BCWRT sudden death is a wake-up call to Maggie and
as an advisor. Paul’s background and me. It's a reminder of how precious life is,
knowledge of the Civil War and Fort and how vital it is for all of us to come
Fisher made him a real asset to both together in a positive way as we face the "new
organizations. He had a commitment and normal." Thank you Paul for the wake-up
passion for American history. His call. You are missed.” Chuck Roedema
congenial personality and friendly smile
will be missed by all who knew him.” “I first met Paul Laird after moving to Southport.
Jim Johnson Along with friends, we went to Fort Fisher and
quickly realized the site was overwhelming. Luckily,
Paul guided us throughout the museum and grounds
for almost four hours, making the history of the fort
come alive. My friends and I were exhausted when
we left, but held an immense respect for Paul. I have
returned many times since, always remembering
Paul's education lesson. By the time Paul retired he
had overseen the huge growth in the site. He was
instrumental in successfully running a major
fundraiser to
improve the fort,
including repairs
to the
earthworks,
expansion of the
visitor center
(shown inside
“Maggie and I were so sad to read about with BCWRT
Paul's sudden passing. We send our sincere member Kathy
condolences to his family. My acquaintance O’Donnell) and
with Paul was rather brief. I know how much garnering
he contributed to Ft. Fisher, and I was national
delighted when he joined our BCWRT. He recognition of
was a mover and a shaker, and always had a the site. Paul was a leader and a visionary. He was
well thought out point-of-view when asked. low key but sure made things happen.”
He was a real asset to our Board as an Wally Rueckel
9An ardent supporter of round tables, Ed Bearss spoke at the BCWRT
meetings for many, many years. His passion, knowledge, zeal, and
penchant for details will be missed. These are photos from his visits.
10MUSTER NOTES and NOTABLES
The Tuesday, October 6 meeting of the BCWRT
will be conducted via Zoom - See page 2.
BCWRT is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, co-founded by Tom O’Donnell and Wally
Rueckel, and organized in May 2010.
The BCWRT website, brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com, contains helpful information and is
available to everyone, no user name or password required. Our Facebook page is at https://
www.facebook.com/brunswickcivilwarroundtable/. Visit both sites to learn of future speakers,
trips, and interesting Civil War information.
2020 Officers, Directors, Advisors, and Liaisons
Mike Powell: President & Director Chris Fonvielle: Advisor
Gar Dowell: VP & Director Tom Kehoe: Advisor
(Vacant): VP & Director Jim McKee: Advisor
(Vacant): Secretary & Director Roy Pender: Advisor
Gary Krupp: Treasurer & Director Leslie Rivers: Advisor
John Butler: Director Wally Rueckel: Advisor
Kathy O’Donnell: Director Dave Shultz: Advisor
Chuck Roedema: Director Wade Sokolosky: Advisor
E. Gifford Stack: Director Peter Whalen: Advisor
Peter Carmichael: Advisor
Jack Carpenter: Advisor & Ft. Anderson Liaison Max Williams: Advisor Emeritus
****************************************************
Call to Arms editor:
E. Gifford Stack (egstack@cnsp.com)
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