The Camp Griffin Gazette News and Information from the Green Mountain Civil War Round Table

Vol. XXV, No. 3 – March 2018

Publicity/Founding Member: Jack Anderson Treasurer: Gail Blake -

jwahist@comcast.net auntis@comcast.net

Program Committee: Peter Sinclair – Peter.R.Sinclair@Dartmouth.Edu ; Gail Blake – auntis@comcast.net ; John Mudge: Durandpress@aol.com;

Newsletter Editor:: Ginny Gage - lewandginny1863@comcast.net - Video Maven : Alan Cheever – URFINE@aol.com

Our Web Site: http://www.vermontcivilwar.org/gmcwrt/index.html

AND DON’T FORGET: WE’RE ON FACEBOOK!

March 2018 Camp Griffin Gazette Page 1

“WOMEN SOLDIERS OF THE

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR”

SARAH BATTERSON

SATURDAY, March 10, 2018

BUGBEE SENIOR CENTER

WHITE RIVER JCT., VT

12:00 Social Hour

12:15 Buffet Lunch 12:45 Business Meeting

1:00 Program, followed by discussion and book raffle Adjournment

GUARANTEED DINNER RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY 12 NOON, March 8. Cost per person for the meal is $12.00. For reservations please contact Gail Blake at auntis@comcast.net or 802-296-2919. Cost for the meeting only for members is $2.00, and for non-members $5.00.

Menu:

Caesar Salad White Cheese Lasagna with Smoked Chicken and Fresh Baby Spinach Fresh Local Breads and Rolls with whipped butter Dessert

Reminder to the membership: PLEASE be sure to notify Gail if you will be having dinner at the meeting. Reservations are required so we can order adequate servings. In the past, we have accommodated those without reservations and unfortunately didn’t have enough to go around. We need a head count! Thanks for your understanding. “Women Soldiers of the American Civil War” Throughout history, women have participated in war efforts not only at home but also in combat as well. Even though women have always played important roles in army camps: from nursing, to laundry, food service, and prostitution, fewer records exist for the small number of women who served as soldiers in war. During the Civil War, upwards of 400 women disguised themselves as men and took up the musket and sword. Their reasons for enlisting, when known, are varied. Some women followed their husbands, some joined for adventure, and some participated in order to secretly ply their trade. Most of them were driven to fight because of their personal convictions and desire to make a difference. Many died. This talk will highlight the adventures of some of the known women who risked their lives, including several New England women, asking what motivated these women and if they truly were ahead of their time. Sarah Batterson holds a Ph.D. in American history from the University of New Hampshire. She has taught many courses on nineteenth and twentieth century racial and cultural history. Although she has spent decades performing research, she is always amazed by the people of

2

the past and is always searching to understand who they were, what their motivations were, and how their lives contributed to the larger narrative that we today call History.

2018 Program Schedule

April 14: Mick Bedard – “Kearsarge Down Under” May 14: John Mudge – “What Got You Interested in the Civil War?” June 11: Will Greene - A Perfect Hell of Blood: The Battle of the Crater Other Round Table Meetings and Happening

March 7 – 7:00 PM – The Parallel lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln — one born a slave, the other born dirt poor — became respectively one of the nation’s greatest orators and one of its greatest presidents. Harvard professor John Stauffer examines their friendship, the similarities in their lives, and their legacies. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 1171 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

March 16 – CWRT OF NH – John Hayward (NH author) – “5th New Jersey at Gettysburg” – 7:15 P.M., Epping Town Hall, 157 Main St, Epping, NH) www.cwrt-nh.org

Minutes from February Meeting

We had 25 attend our February meeting. We celebrated Bob and Elaine Coburn’s 50th wedding anniversary with a yummy cake that Ruth Perrinez made. A great BBQ by Big Fatty’s as well. Gail spoke about the RT Trip coming up May 3-7. More information on that in this newsletter. Jack Anderson mentioned that a four of the original founding members of this RT were in attendance at this meeting, including Belford Belles, Gail Blake, Art Stacy, and Jack. Guntis Goncarovs gave a great presentation on “The Men of the H. L. Hunley.” He had lots of information on the men who went down with the submarine and many photos. Book raffle winners were Lu Johnson, Alice Evans, John Mudge, Joyce, and, of course, Jeanette Cook. (I’m still looking for someone who is willing to take Minutes at our meetings. Please let me know if you are interested.)

GMCWRT BEGINNINGS Jack’s mentioning “founding members” made me think back to old newsletters I have. The oldest I have is for June 1993. I think David Merrill was the newsletter editor at the time. Meetings were held at Than Wheeler’s Restaurant, next door to the Hotel Coolidge in White River Junction, VT. I have a photocopy of the March 1994 newsletter. The speaker for that meeting was Michael Russert of Cambridge,

New York who spoke on Stannard’s 2nd Vermont Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg. Buffet dinner was $11.00. Lois Eagan had a short article entitled “A Brave Irishman.” Lois was one of our regular contributors for quite awhile. David Merrill wrote a piece about the movie Gettysburg. It had been shown in the Spaulding Auditorium at Dartmouth College in January. AND, Gail had a great idea about sharing Civil War videos by bringing them in and loaning them to members. We had two Program Coordinators at that time: David Cross and Nick Picerno. The April meeting was Robert Allen on Songs of the Civil War and Their Histories. The May meeting was Garry Earles of Greenfield, MA, on George Wells of the Massachusetts 34th Regiment. I can remember Bob playing the piano before meetings at the Hotel Coolidge. Very enjoyable. One other little item in that newsletter:

Generals Names The Seven Most Improbably Named

Generals of the War

1. C. S. Brig. Gen. States Rights Gist 2. U.S. Brig. Gen. Zealous B. Tower 3. U.S. Brig. Gen. Strong Vincent 4. C. S. Brig. Gen. Eppa Hunton 5. C.S. Brig. Gen. Bushrod Rust Johnson 6. U.S. Brig. Gen. Galusha Pennypacker 7. U.S. Brig. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis

The above is from The Civil War Book of Lists.

Treasurers Report Beginning Balance $3316.87 Expenses: Stamps: $10 Maple Street Catering: $410.50 (meal, tax, delivery, and gratuity) Speaker: $150 Maple syrup: donated Deposit: $456 (meals, raffles, donations, dues) Petty Cash: $123 Ending Balance: $3325.37

A Bit of Trivia

“To new soldiers, the sight of blood and death always has a sickening effect, but soon men become accustomed to it, and I have heard them exclaim on seeing a dead comrade borne to the rear, ‘Well, Bill has turned up his toes to the daisies.” Who said the above? The answer is on the last page.

3

MAY MEETING!

Short Presentations Needed

We all have a great interest in the Civil War as both individuals and as a group. We have visited museums and battlefields, we have personal libraries and have read many books, and we may have our collections of Civil War Memorabilia. Volunteers, perhaps two, are needed for the May meeting to talk about what they remember as their very first exposure to this war. Did you visit a battlefield? (Have you been back to that battlefield?) Were you given a book about the war? Was it perhaps just an interest in military history? Perhaps there was a photograph of someone in a uniform that hung in a family member’s home and you were told about their involvement in the war. Was it perhaps a class project that first stimulated your interest in the war and that has stayed with you all these years? It would be fun to hear about what episode in your life first kindled your continuing interest in the war. (For me, learning about my Virginia ancestors was NOT my first exposure to this war.) Is there anything about that very first introduction to the Civil War that you still think about? If you are willing to talk about this first experience, please contact me. Tel: 603-795-4350 or email, DurandPress@aol.com. Many thanks – John Mudge

WORLD WAR I GROUP

This group meets monthly on the 4th Monday of the month at 1 p.m. in the Café next to the Hotel Coolidge. If you want to come or want more information, contact Peter Sinclair [802-584-3280] or David Curtin [802-633-2536.] ANNUAL GMCWRT BATTLEFIELD JOURNEY

May 3 – May 7, 2018

This year we will travel to the Washington DC area and visit nearby Civil War sites and events and take a closer look at the plot(s) to assassinate President Lincoln and the trial of the conspirators. Among the places we will visit are the Mt. Olivet and Congressional Cemeteries, Grant Hall at Fort McNair (courtroom for the trial), the National Museum of Health and Medicine, enjoy lunch at Wok ‘n Roll (Mary Surratt Boarding House), The United States Naval Academy, CW Annapolis, hear more about Camp Parole MD, Fort Ward, CW Alexandria, and more. We are also planning an optional evening out at Nationals Park in DC to watch the Nationals take on the Philadelphia Phillies. Trip cost per person will be approximately $700 per person, double occupancy. Single rooms will be available at an additional cost. Pricing includes RT deluxe motor coach transportation from WRJct VT, four-night stay at the Fairfield Inn, Laurel MD, breakfast and lunch each day of touring, most dinners, all guide and admission fees,

information packet, and onboard refreshments. Laughs are free! Deposit of $75 per person will hold your seat, checks should be made payable to GMCWRT and sent to Gail Blake, 55 Orizzonto Road, WRJCT VT 05001. Final sign up is due by April 1st. Questions? Email Gail at auntis@comcast.net or call 802-296-2919 Hope you will join us! Next year: Our good friend and last year’s guide, Chris Army, will take us on a more in depth tour of Brandy Station and the Culpeper VA area. Dates to be determined. With any luck, Chris may join us for part of this years tour. Have spoken with Bob Spaulding and he is ready to jump behind the wheel for us once again! Best Regards, Gail Portsmouth Journal of Literature and Politics Portsmouth, NH – April 25, 1864 CAMP 2D REG’T U.S. SHARPSHOOTERS, APRIL 25, 1864. Friend Brewster— As the question, who shall be our next president ? is being discussed throughout the country, I thought it might be interesting to you to know the expression of this regiment, as manifested last evening by ballot. At dress parade the Adjutant announced that an opportunity would be given the Regiment to vote for President, or in other words to declare by ballot who would be their favorite candidate for the Presidency. The vote was to be taken immediately after parade, so there was no time for log-rolling. We had four hundred and eleven men present, representing six different States, viz: From Maine, we have one Company; from N.H. two; from Vt., two; from Mich., one; from Minnesota, one; from Pa., one. The whole number of votes cast was 356. For Abe Lincoln, 295 “ Gen. McClellan, 41 “ Gen. Butler 8 “ Gen. Grant, 5 “ H. Greeley, 2 “ Scattering, 5 We are told that the Army is all in favor of McClellan, but we don’t see it here. Yours Respectfully, H.P.S. Watchman – March 31, 1865 – Montpelier PRESENTATION IN CAMP.—Capt. J. O. Livingston, co. G, 9th Vt. Vols. Was recently made the recipient of splendid sword, sash and belt, at a cost of upwards of a hundred dollars, from the members of his company. Capt. L.’s

4

extreme popularity with the boys prompted the generous gift on their part, notwithstanding he has but recently been promoted to the Captaincy of the company. The presentation speech was made by 1st Sergeant F. M. Bagley, to which the Captain happily responded, though taken completely by surprise. This was a gift honorably bestowed for the popularity of this officer is not only known in his company, but acknowledged by all reports. Three rousing cheers and a “tiger” for their commanding officer ended the brief but interesting exercises. Lieut. Burlingame of co. K, Lieut. Branch of co. H, and Lieut. Carpenter of co. D, --all recent promotions—have also received similar testimonials of respect. The 9th is encamped but a short distance from the city of Richmond, and it will not be surprising at any day to hear of its triumphant entry into the precincts of the doomed rebel capital. Trivia Answer: General William Tecumseh Sherman DUES ARE DUE! PLEASE BRING THEM TO OUR MARCH MEETING OR MAIL THEM TO GAIL BLAKE, 55 Orizzonto Road, White River, VT 05001. Thank you for supporting our Round Table. Green Mountain Civil War Round Table P.O. Box 982 White River Junction, VT 05001

Green Mountain Civil War Round Table March 2018— March 2019 Membership Rates

Name:____________________________ Address: __________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ Home Phone _______________________ Work Phone________________________ E-mail address______________________________ __ Single $20.00 (includes newsletter) __ Student $10.00 (includes newsletter) __ Two Person $35.00 (includes newsletter) __ Family $50.00 (includes newsletter) __ Newsletter subscription alone – ten issues $10.00 Is this a new membership ___ renewal ___ Please make checks payable to: Green Mountain Civil War Round Table