T.HE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE

Volume 11 Number 1

OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

September, 1961

MUSTER FOR 1961-1962 CAMPAIGN

Fast action will start the firing order of the CWRT 1961-1962 campaign. The opening gun will be two related events, both of special interest to our local members. They are the first dinner meeting, Tuesday, September 19, and the first field trip on the same topic the- following Saturday, September 23.

DATE: PLACE: PRICE:

FIRST REGULAR DINNER MEETING Tuesday, September 19, 1961 National Press Club Ballroom $4.00 per ticket 6:00 P.M. Cocktails

FIRST FIELD TRIP Saturday, September 23 Federal Fortifications and Confederate Outposts in Northern Virginia Following the First Battle of Manassas Marina Parking area, Columbia Island near Virginia end of 14th Street Bridge 8:00 A,M. (Return approx. 4:00 P.M.)

$2.50 (Bring your own picnic lunch)

7:00 P.M. 8:00P.M.

Speakers:

DATE: OBJECTIVES:

BUSSES LEAVE:

DEPARTURE: PRICE:

Dinner Joint address: "Federal Fortifications and Con­ federate Outposts in Nor­ thern Virginia Following the First Manassas" Capt. Orner A. Kneeland, USN Ret. and Col. Harry Campbell II USA Ret.

Following FIRST MANASSAS, Union forces threw up a rough arc of 23 fortifications across the Potomac r unni ng north to south to protect the city of Washington. These were <fa c ed by a series of Confederate outposts. At the northern end of the arc was Fort C. F. Smith, named for qurte. a character in the .Urri on army. At the southern end was Fort Lyon.

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SUBJECT General matters regarding the CWRT

CONTACT Col. J. Longstreet Whelchel, President 406 E. Jefferson Street, Falls Church JE 2-7612

Program events, comments, suggestions

Program Chairman Paul J. Sedgwick 910 17th Street, N. W. DI7-9106

Membership questions, change of address, new members

Secretary George Elwell Schroebel 3040 Idaho Avenue, N. W. EX 3-4300, ext. 455

Dues payments, financial matters

Treasurer Meredith M. Daubin National Press Building NA 8-7950

News Letter items or sugges­ tions

Edi tor Walton Ons low 1828 Jefferson Place, N. W. FE 3-7760

The Command Post officers welcome your suggestions or comments to help guide the current campaign. The Editorial Board likewise will be glad to have your suggestions for the NEWS LETTER, or to have you submit items of interest, including information about any original War materials, manuscripts, lette rs or documents you may know about.

INTRODUCING TULLY McCREA

Member COL. HAROLD (BARON) KEHM, USA RET. has turned up with a series of unusual letters about the CW written by a young man, Tully McCrea, a graduate of the Military Academy in June, 1862. The BARON was given access to the complete letter file through the courtesy of Mrs'. George S. Smith, a collateral descendent of Tully, and the wife of Brig. Gen. G. S. Smith, USA Ret.

A distinctive feature of the letters which Tully wrote to his cousin Belle, is that they cover both his last two years in the Academy at the beginning of the war, and his war ser­ vice in the Union artillery. Although Tully was born in Mississippi, and his sister, Alice, in Natchez, implored him to resign from the Academy when war broke, he refused, stating: "I am no believer in the Southern doctrine of states rights:"

In subsequent issues, the NEWS LETTER will carry excerpts from the Tully McCrea letters, which cover the period from October, 1860 through December, 1865.

BARON KEHM points out that Tully was born in Mississippi in 1839; the family later moved to Ohio, and Tully entered the Academy in 1857. The BARON reports that among the men in the Corps when Tully was a cadet were Custer, 'with whom he roomed; Wesley Merritt, J. M. Wilson and O. H. Ernst, later Superintendents of the Academy; Morris Schaff and Emory Upton, both soldiers and writers; Horace Porter, later a Senator and Ambassador to France; Henry S. Farley, who was the first cadet to resign and join the South, and such distinguished soldiers as Joseph Wheeler, Adlebert Ames, Guy V, Henry and P. C. Hains.

Says BARON KEHM: "It was in the companionship of these. men and others we shall meet as 'his service unfolds, that Tully lived through the stirring 'events -of the War. ,His 'letters give us something of the feelings and thoughts of the young men -of. those days'. "

Watch for Tully McCrea letters as they appear.

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The subject of both the first regular dinner and the first field trip will be these forti­ fications and outposts in Northern Virginia- - -areas which today are residential neighbor­ hood s such as Seven Corners, Bailey's Crossroads, Buffalo Hills, Hunting Creek, the Leesburg Pike, Four Mile Run and so on. After FIRST MANASSAS, some of these same areas were Forts Israel Richardson, Ethan Allen, Marcy, Ward, Lyon, Ramsey, etc. The Army Navy Country Club now occupies one Fort site.

The story of the fortifications and outposts will be presented by Captain Kneeland and Col. Campbell at the September 19 dinner. The field trip, September 23, will be a "live inspection" of the major fortifications and outposts under the guidance of the same speakers ---CAPTAIN KNEELAND for the fortifications; COL. CAMPBELL for the outposts. Thou­ sands of Washingtonians now live in and around them without knowing that fact . Close at hand, they are an integral part of the CW Washington scene, and the trip should be of great interest to our own. Buffs.

To reserve a place at both the dinner and the field trip, send in your return cards immediately. Field trip busses leave the Columbia Marina {plenty of parking space} at 8:00 A.M., return about 4:00 P. M. Bring your own picnic lunch as usual.

ORDER OF THE DAY

As CWRT's 1961-1962 campaign gets under way, the Command Post has made certain changes to smarten up the ranks, improve logistics and straighten lines of communication.

Regular dinners have been moved to the third Tuesday of each month, instead of the second. Forget the previous order and set your sights on the third week of the month. The NEWS LETTER will be is sued monthly, Septembe r through May. Instead of separate announcements, the LETTER will carryall announcements of dinners, field trips and special events. Reservation cards for all events will be mailed with the LETTER. There will,be no separate mailings of announcements- --so watch your NEWS LETTER and return your reservation cards promptly.

Regula-r dinners will continue to be at the National Press Club ballroom, with the usu­ al voluntary rations preceding. Any special dinners will be announced.

RE-ENLISTMENT NOTICE

The Command Post is weeding out the CWRT rolls. Under the new system, all rolls will be cut off as of September 30 except for new membe rs. If you have not yet paid your 1961-1962 dues, you must have them in before October 1; otherwise you will be classified "Missing in Action" and your name will be dropped. Stragglers no longer will be carried.

Up to the mailing of this letter, some 700 names are being carried; this list will be pared to effective strength only. Send your dues to CWRT, Army-Navy Club, 1627 Eye Street, NW, Washington 6, D. C. A good campaign is ahead, plenty of action and interest, so send in your dues or it wi l.Lbe "Taps".

WHO TO SEE AT THE COMMAND POST

Some members of the CWRT have been at a loss as to "who to see about what" regard­ ing Round Table affairs. For their benefit {a nd for all members) here's the procedure. Simply contact the following:

UWHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME ... " Critics who condemn pagents and sham battles as commemorative of the great conflict

can take solace from the enormous interest in other aspects of CW observances, Music for instance,

The stirring music of -the CW attracts tremendous crowds. Former President RICHARD BALES, Director of the National Gallery Symphony, summer-toured with the musical presentations, "The Confederacy" and "The Union". Turnouts were terrific, BALES counted some of his audiences like this: Cleveland, 4,000; Baltimore, 6,000; Watergate (Washington), 7,000,

Says DICK: "It is interesting that the Brevard Music Camp in North Carolina wanted both 'The Union' and 'The Confederacy'. In each city where they were presented, local musicians, chorus, soloists and speakers worked up the- performances, and it was thrill­ ing to see the enthusiasm,"

IT'S THE SAME THE WHOLE WORLD OVER

Americans share in the magic of the subject, the Civil War, Now comes evidence that the '''magic'' is exportable, shared by the world.

During the last year, SINCLAIR OIL ran ads about the CW in mass circulation maga­ zines. Now its advertising agency reports that the mail response to the ads is so heavy that outside help has to be hired to handle the rna i L: Reports the agency:

"It comes not only from the but· from all parts of the world, Curtain (except Russia itself) is lia, New Zealand and Af rica. "

50 American states, Ca nada ,: Mexico and South America, Every country in Europe, including those behind the Iron r e p r e s c nted , as are all parts of As ia , Indonesia, Austra-

GRAPESHOT

A former Chief Justice of the United States; a son of a former President; a triple Medal of Honor hero, brother-in-law of STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS; the first volunteer in the Union forces, and the son of the Secretary of the Navy of the Confederacy are among the 1,161 Civil War service records of GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY'S alumni. To the North went 210 G,' U. students; to the South went 951 ... ,. A special salute goes to editors JONES, HELLEBERG and HORTON of "THE INVESTIGA TOR", FBI house organ, for the excellence of a series of er-n War articles. The last one pinpoints "the Slaughter Pen" at Gettysburg, a ravine between the Round Tops, Prove s the FBI is as good at history as it is at catching bad guys, , .. , The following item could have been slugged "Presidential Patience": Among the best actors at the MANASSAS RE-ENACTMENT were the 60-odd horses, trained to endure cannon fire, After the show (where most of the casualties were heat-felled spectators), a long, black car slid up to the stables, and a man said he wanted to purchase two of the horses, "You must wait your turn," he was told, He did. The pur­ chaser was PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY, and the horses "(price:$700) are now on his MIDDLEBURG farm .. , .... Several thousand of those splendid MANASSAS commemorative booklets remain for sale, along with "Fingertip Books" on the actual battle. Price: Com­ memorative booklet, $2.00 Fingertip 35¢. Contact the FIRST MANASSAS CORPORATION, 110 North Battle Street, Manassas, Virginia .. , . , . , . , ,The curren~ flurry about STANTON's alleged complicity in LINCOLN's death might afford the CWR T a grand speech late ron. President COL. WHELCHEL could appoint three of our most scholarly members and have them comb all tl:e evidence, say for six months, Then let the most articulate give us a talk on the findings, The verdict should prove of national interest. ....

THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Volume 11 Number 2 October, 1961

NAVAL ENGAGEMENT COMING UP FOR CWRT

Modern electronics applied to the CW and a trip to the Naval Academy at Annapolis make up the program is sue for the second R T meeting of the 1961 - 1962 campaign October 17. Through the interest of member ADMIRAL E. M. ELLER and the courtesy of the U.S. Navy, the RT will meet at Annapolis, dine at Carvel Hall, and see a demonstration of the events of the war on the new electronic "Hi s to r arna ' in Mahan Hall. Here are the marching orders:

SECOND DINNER MEETING

DA TE: Tuesday, October 17, 1961

PLACE: U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, and Carvel Hall

PRICE: $3.75

TIME: 4:30 to Tours of Naval Academy starting from 5 :00 p. m. Museum 5:15 p.m. Special bus (no charge) departs from bus

Loa d irig shelter, Michigan Avenue and Irving Street, N.E. (Plenty of free parking in D. C. parking lot)

6:30 p. m. Liquid nourishment, Carvel Hall 7: 30 p. m. Dinner, Carvel Hall 8:30 p. m. Historama showing, Mahan Hall 9:00 p.m.Adjournment Please mail enclosed reservation card promptly

Members who would like to drive their own cars and enjoy escorted tours of the Naval Academy may do so. Report to the main gate, and proceed to the Museum. Those who would like to go by the special bus should report as above; arrival at the Academy will be too late for the tours. These will include the finest Naval Museum in the nation with interesting CW items and other superb memorabilia from John Paul Jones to Nimitz and Halsey; the John Paul Jones Tomb; ordnance department with interesting modern new weapons, and Bancroft Hall, home of the midshipmen.

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The CW "Hi s to r arna " is a newly developed complex electronic portrayal of the events of the war, with lights, illuminated map and running narrative of the high points of the conflict. It is the only one of its kind and should provide a fascinating evening for our Buffs. The CWRT expresses its warm gratitude to the U. S. Navy and Admiral Eller for arranging this unusual program.,

IMPOR TANT: Send in your reservation cards promptly; it is neces sary to give an advance guarantee for the tours, dinner and buses.

MORE ADVENTURES FOR TULLY McCREA

Last month, the LETTER announced that member COL. HAROLD (BARON) KEHM, USA RET., had turned up with an unusual series of letters from a young man, Tully McCrea, who served with the Union artillery throughout the War after completing his course at the Military Academy. The BARON promised a series of excerpts from the letters, now in the pos ses sion of Mrs. George S. Smith, wife of Brig. Gen. G.S. Smith, USA Ret.

The BARON, however, reckoned without the wide interest in the letters, It seems that rne mb e r REX MAGEE is writing a book on Tully; that a publisher has expressed ia n interest in publishing a book on Tully; that these things have prior claim. In other words, the letters have proved to be a significant find.

In short, our NEWS LETTER will have to postpone publication of the letters until the book thing is settled. But whether the letters appear here or in a book, members will probably find them an interesting and stimulating dis­ covery whenever they appear.

A SOLDIER'S FATHER REPORTS ON THE WAR

Leaving Tully McCrea for the moment to the whims of publishers and authors, another interesting letter reporting on the grim perils of the war has been received by the Centennial Commission. It is a copy of a letter written from New York, June 14, 1864, by a Mr. Charles Cawta n to his mother in England reporting news he had received from his son Charlie, serving with Hancock's Second Corps. It reflects the agonies encountered in the continuing battles and the strain on families back home. For example, Mr. Cawtan re­ ports to his rrioth e r :

llWe have been very much worried about our boy, Charlie, during the late terrible battles in Virginia. The Army moved on May 3, and up to the present time they have been fighting and marching all the time, and have lost heavily in killed and wounded. Many of our friends have been killed or maimed for life, but up to the date of Charlie's last letter he was safe, but almost tired out and his clothes riddled by bullets. His Battalion numbered 250 men and 11 officers on the morning of the first battle in the Wilderness and they now muster less than 100 men and only 3 officers.

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"Carroll's 'brigade in which Charlie is, lost 800 men. In fact, we have read and heard so much of the sickening details of the battles, which, together with the constant state of suspense in which we have been for some ti me past, has worn upon us very much .

"The rebel papers claim a victory in every battle up to the present time, but they must be rather queer victories, when their best general and their best army are constantly on the retreat, and have now fallen back from the Rapidan a distance of near 60 miles to the fortifications close to Richmond. Charlie's last was dated in the Advanced Entrenchments about 8 miles from Richmond. He says he hopes they would be soon relieved as both Officers and men were nearly worn out with watching to guard against surprise, no one on either front could show a head above the parapet without being a mark for the Sharpshooters on both sides. "

The Cawtan letter was sent to the Commission by an Englishwoman who evidently uncovered it in a collection of family letters.

ON THE SKIRMISH LINE

Other Round Tables around the country have activities popping on their shirmish lines. The LOUISVILLE, KY. C WR T staged an unique observance this month of the Battle of Perryville (Oct. 8, '62) with a "Perryville Pilgrimage Trek". To simulate the drought of October, 1862, when water was at a premium, the LOUISVILLE Buffs were required to hike the Union march route for nine miles without water. In the actual battle, the water holes became the scene of savage fighting. No reports as to whether this phase was repeated on the pilgrimage. Sounds like a realistic stunt - - and this in the Kentucky bourbon country, at that. . . . .. The Chicago CWR T is putting on a Ladies Night next month. The feature will be a night of Civil War songs at JAZZ, LTD., famous Chicago Dixieland joint. Chicago reports an illustrated 60 page booklet on "Unifo rrn Regulations of the Army of the United States 1861'1 published by the Smithsonian Institution (illustrated) at $1 per copy. Also that a reprint of Horsford's, "T'h e Army Ration of 186411 has been issued by the Quartermaster Command, U. S. Army, 1819 Pershing Road, Chicago 9 The Susquehanna CWR T of Lewisburg, Penna., is sponsoring Junior Round Tables in area high schools; supplies speakers for many area clubs and organizations. . . . . The Battle Creek, Michigan, CWRT has scheduled programs on "Me d i c i ne and Surgery in the CWII, "Ra.i l r oa.d s in the CWI', and IICW Mo ne y!' ..... The Chicago Tribune offers 1116 Front Pages of the Civil War Erall, a reprint, at 35 cents. Write the Chicago Tribune, Public Service Dept., 33 West Madison Street, Chicago.

FIRST DINNER AND FIELD TRIP SCORE A HIT

The 1961-1962 campaign got off to a good start last mont with a dinner and field trip on the subject of the Federal fortifications and Confederate outposts in Northern Virginia following the First Manassas. For the trip, dinner speakers CAPT. OMER A. KNEELAND, USN. RET., AND COL. HARRY CAMPBELL, USA RET., piloted approximately 60 Buffs through the nearby arc of fortifications and outposts on the Virginia side of the Potomac, which they also de scribed at the dinner meeting.

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Highlight of the trip was a reception at the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Wilkins on Munson's Hill, Fairfax County, which was occupied as headquarters by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston following the First Manassas. Mrs. Wilkins, Chai rrna n of the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, is a descendent of Gen. Johnston. The Wilkins home marks the closest point to Washington (seven miles) reached by the Confederate army in force d~ring the war.

OF BUFFS AND BORES

One of our more thoughtful CWRT members has been chewing over some of his ideas of make-up of a CW Buff. We don't know what kind of traumatic experience kicked it off, but he's convinced that a full-blown Buff can be either the worst kind of a bore, or an interesting companion. At any rate, he has come up with the follow­ ing sugges tions to his fellow Buffs:

If you want to be a bore -type, don't give the other fellow a chance to say any thing- - dominate the conversation. When engaged in a monologue about a battle or other CW event be sure you spout the name of each company, each regiment, the names of the commanding officers, the Corps, the battalions, where each stood, what kind of rifles they had, and all the unimportant details of the movements - - but nothing about the significance of the affair, what brought it about, and what it meant when it was all over. Be sure to tell him all the minutae in enormous detail; don't let him get a word in edge­ wise. He'll end up detesting the CW.

If you want to be an interesting Buff, observe the amenities of conversation, know something about the overall significance of CW events; give your friend a chance to say something himself, prove yourself a good listener.

Maybe our member has something in his analysis.

RECESSIONAL

As of October 1, the final volley was fired for CWR T members who have not paid their 1961-1962 dues ($6.00). If your dues have not been paid, this is the last LETTER and notice you will receive about R T affairs. If you are among the laggards, and want to rejoin your ourfit, send your dues in to Treasurer Meridith M. Da ub i n , National Press Building, Washington 4, D. C. Otherwise - - you're off the regimental rolls.

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THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Volume 11 Number 3 November, 1961

SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR "CENTENNIAL NIGHT"

Color and music will mark the third dinner meeting of the CWRT Tuesday, November 21. This will be the annual "Centennial Night". In addition to a distinguished speaker, Dr. Hambleton T'app , of the University of Kentucky, Miss Ruth Pitts, prominent contralto soloist, will appear in Civil War costume to sing the famous "Battle Hymn of the Republic". Here's the order of the day:

THIRD REGULAR DINNER MEETING DATE: Tuesday, November 21, 1961 PLACE: National Press Club Ballroom PRICE: $4.00 per ticket

6:00 P.M. Sutler's dispensary 7:00 P.M. Dinner 8:00 P.M. Program: Miss Ruth Pitts

contralto Address: Dr. Hambleton Ta pp , Professor of History, University of Kentucky - - "T'he Civil War in Kentucky.

Dr. Tapp , a prominent CW authority, is Chairman of the Kentucky State Centennial Commission, and served as President of the Lexington R T. He was a moving figure in the recent designation of the Perryville battlefield as a national historical monument. The presentation of Julia Ward Howe's great hymn of the CW, plus Dr. Tapp's address, should provide, our local Buffs with a memorable meeting for the Centennial. Order your tickets now.

A NOTE FOR CASEMATE CRAWLERS

Dr. Chester D. Bradley, Co-Chairman and Curator, Fort Monroe Casemate Museum, Fort Monroe, Va. , reports that two long-forgotten casemates in the West Bastion of the Fort have been opened to the public. For many years, the pigeons which nest in the embrasures of the wall of Fort Monroe had reigned supreme in these two casemates. Consequently, quite a few hours of labor with shovel and broom were necessary to prepare the areas for visitors.

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It is planned to place an 8-inch Columbiad in one of the casemates. Dr. Bradley says that thanks for this interesting development are due to his military Co-Chariman, Col. Roy F. Zinser, Commanding Officer, Fort Monroe.

PRINTS ISSUED BY NAVAL HISTORICAL FOUNDATION

The Naval Historical Foundation in Washington has re-issued three famous naval prints of CW actions at sea. Rather fine items, the prints were reproduced from the col­ lection of the Peabody Museum in Salem, Ma s s a chu s e tt s. They are on sale at the Truxton­ Decatur Naval Museum, 1610 H Street, N. W., open daily except Monday, 10:30 A.M. to 4 P.M., or write the Foundation, C/O Navy Department, Washington 25, D. C. The Prints:

(a) Monitor and Merrimack (C .S.S. Virginia), the battle of 9 March 1862 from a lithograph made in New York, 1862. Size about 20 1/2 by 16 inches, on excellent paper, sheet size 24 X 18 1/2 in.' In black and colors. $5.00

(b) Kearsarge and Alabama, battle of 19 June 1864, from a Boston lithograph of 1864. In black ink. Sheet size about 22 by 17 in. $3.50 - -

(c) C.S.S. Florida chasing ship Jacob Bell, which she burned 12 February 1863, in Lat. 24 N.; Long. 66 W. Both unde r full sail. Black ink, with color s. A' handsome print, from a Boston lithograph of 1863. Sheet 18 by 14 inches. $5.00 (ALL THREE PRINTS, $11.00)

AN INVITA TION FOR MUSICAL BUFFS

The Centennial Commission of the D. C. has arranged a special musical program honoring the memory of Julia Ward Howe in the Garden Court of the National Gallery in Washington at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, November 18. Through the courtesy of mem~er PAUL J. SEDGEWICK, Chairman of the D. C. Commis sion, a special invitation has been extended to members of the R T to attend the musical.

Featured will be the Marine Band Orchestra and the Army Choiristers in Civil War music. Mis s Ruth Pitts, Washington contralto, will sing The Battle Hymn of the Republic in honor of its author. There will also be an address.

Buffs will remember that Mrs. Howe wrote her great poem in Willard's hotel here in Washington on a dawn 100 years ago. She had been inspired by hearing troops around Bailey's Crossroads singing "John Brown's Body", and later that night by the sound of soldiers marching in the street beneath her window. The poem sprang into being and became the great hymn sung by companies and regiments on their way to battle; around campfires;' in prisons and on any occasion. Wounded and dying men, following battle, could be heard sing­ ing the tune and speaking the verses as the great hymn became their prayer.

ROUND TABLE ATTENDS NAVAL ACADEMY

More than 100 RT members were guests of the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis for the second meeting of the 1961-1962 campaign. Through the ic ou r te sy of rthe Na-vy Department and Admiral John F. Davidson, Superintendent of the Academy, our local Buffs were shown a demonstration of the "Historama" -- a splendid visual presentation of the grand strategy of the War, the famed "Anaconda" theory .. ,

The "Historama" consisted of a huge, stage-filling illuminated map, electronically rigged, which located the principal actions of the War, especially the naval actions, with

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flashing lights. A taped narration recounted the progress of the war, and actuated the electronic system, including individual slides of various actions shown on a screen be­ side the map.

The entire "Historama" was engineered and built by faculty members of the Depart­ ment of English, History and Government of the Academy, headed by Captain David Ruble. Most Buffs agreed it was one of the finest illustrations ever put together of how "Anaconda" worked to choke out the Confederacy. Unfortunately, the huge device is now dismantled. It was set up by the Academy as one of its contributions to the Centennial and was viewed by many groups and people. The "Historama" richly deserves some permanent location be­ cause of the clear and interesting account it gives of the overall strategy of the Union in winning the War.

GRAPESHOT

George Washington and Abraham Lincoln both served in the Confederate Army. The two men enlisted from Jefferson County, W. Va.; Washington was killed in the Battle of Front Royal; Lincoln became a dese-rter in 1864 The real President Lincoln suspend- ed the writ of habeas corpus for the D. C. in October, 1861. Judges and lawyers had made themselves so troublesome by officious interference with military affairs that the action was necessary An unexploded CW shell was found last month on a farm near Sharpsburg, Md. An explosive disposal group from Fort Meade found it very much "alive" after nearly 100 years So stay away from any shell you find and call Fort Meade When someone comments about all the "uproar" about the Civil War, re- mind him of the words of SANATAYANA---"Nations that forget their past must live it over again" UNSUNG HEROES DEPT. : on March 9 comes the anniversary of the MERRI- MACK-MONITOR, reminding of those forgotten men, the Confederate Marines. Aboard the MERRIMACK were 300 crewmen; 55 of these were Confederate Marines. Said ADMIRAL BUCHANNAN in his report: "The Marine Corps was well represented by CAPTAIN THOM, whose tranquil mein gave evidence that the hottest fire was no novelty to him. The muzzle of their gun was struck by a shell from the enemy, but they continued to fire as if it was uninjured". The Confederate Congress, never as efficient as the Confederate Marines, drawled a "vote of thanks" ..... Largely through efforts of members HIRST MILHOLLEN, his home town, PHILOMONT, Va., called the smallest community with a Civil War exhibit and a Centennial committee, held a CW program this month. One of its streets will now be known as Mosby Avenue and another JEB Stuart DRive ..... Our first CWR T president, WILLARD WEBB, of the Library of Congress, is the editor of a fine new volume titled, "Crucial Mo- ments of the Civil War" .

ROUND TABLE IQ TEST

By way of a new department, the NEWS LETTER is instituting an IQ test for CWRT members. The prize for correct answers: Continued receipt of the NEWS LETTER if your dues are paid. Don't send in your answers---correct replys will be announced at regular dinners. Today's querries:

1. What Union general said: "Newspaper correspondents with an army as a rule are mischievous. They are the world's gossips, pick up and retail the camp scandal, and gradually drift to the headquarters of some general who finds it easier to make a reputation at home than with his own corps or division".

2. What Confederate officer said: "Sabers are a nuisance, and of use only on the flanks of stubborn horses".

(If you have a good querry, send it in.)

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NEWS ABOUT BOOKS

A number of CWRT members have asked that the LETTER carry rundowns on recent books on the CW. While space will not permit full reviews, from time to time the LETTER will provide descriptive reports through the kindness of members ELDEN "JOSH" BILLINGS, a recognized authority on the subject; SCOTT HART, CW student on the staff of the Centennial Commission, and others. Here is the November offering:

LOUDOUN COUNTY AND THE CIVIL WAR. Order from County Clerk, Leesburg, Va. Paperback, $1.50; clothbound $3.00

Member JOHN DIVINE, of Waterford, pushed through the publication of this book excellently describing the War and its impact on lovely Loudoun in the horse country of Virginia. Charter member MARSHALL ANDREWS is a contributor, along with Wilbur C. Hall and others. There are end papers and good battle maps and 16 rare CW drawings and photographs.

A PRESENT FOR MR. LINCOLN. The Story of Savannah from Secession to Sherman, By Alexander A. Lawrence. Macon, The Ardivan Press, $4.95.

Written by a Savannah attorney, this story adds much that is new because Lawrence has explored deeply the available manuscript materials. It is valuable both for the military aspects of the history of the city and for wartime life in Savannah.

CRUCIAL MOMENTS OF THE CIVIL WAR. Edited by General Willard Webb. New York, Fountainhead Publishers. $7.50

General Webb has chosen wisely in these extracts many from sources long out of print. The care with which the selections are blended reveals the author's deep understanding of the Civil War.

CHICHAMAUGA: BLOODY BATTLE IN THE WEST. By Glenn Tucker. Indianapolis and New York, The Bobbs-Merriall Company. $6.00

This is a fascinating book, The story of the battle is told in clear, concise fashion. Tucker's probings into personalities provide an understanding of many events other­ wise difficult to comprehend.

RIDE TO WAR. THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST NEW JERSEY CAVALRY. By Henry R. Pyne. Edited with an introduction by Earl Schenck Miers. New Brunswick, Rutgers University Press. $6.00

Miers has reissued a regimental history long unavailable. Pyne, the Chaplain of the regiment, writes with verve and humor. Miers' notes add understanding of obscure points. This is one of the best written of the "regimentals" and is a must for anyone interested in the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac.

FIASCO AT FREDERICKSBURG. By Vorin E. Whann, Jr. State College, Pennsylvania State University Press. $5.00

Whann has written a brief reassessment of Burnside's resounding defeat. The military leaders on both sides are characterized in brief biographies. An ex­ tensive bibliography rounds out an excellent account of the Fredericksburg campaign.

INFERNO AT PETERSBURG. By Henry Pleasants, Jr. and George H. Straley. Philadelphia and New York, The Chilton Company. $3.95

The story of the Crater is vividly retold by the cousin of the officer in charge of the mining operations preparatory to the battle. The current Henry Pleasants has spent his lifetime in gathering data regarding his cousin and the battle. As a re­ sult, he, with the aid of Mr. Straley, has spun a fascinating story of the abortive attempt to end the war. The book, however, suffers from a lack of detailed re­ search.

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THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Volume 11 Number 4 December 1961

DECEMBER MEETING TO HEAR MILITARY HISTORIAN

The noted military historian, Major George Fielding Eliot, will address the CWRT at its next meeting, December 19. Major Eliot is well known for his military commen­ taries. His syndicated columns dealing with World War II were widely read. He has devoted many years interest to the CW. Hi s address promises some interesting insights into operations along the Atlantic Coast 1861- 62.

FOURTH REGULAR DINNER MEETING

Date: Tuesday, December 19, 1961 Place: National Press Club Ballroom Price: $4.00 per ticket

6:00 P.M. Christmas cheer, East Lounge 7:00 P.M. Dinner 8:CO P.M. Pr_ogram: Major George Fielding Eliot

Address: "CW Combined Operations Along the Atlantic Coast," 1861- 62

SEND YOU R CARD IN NOW .....

SPLENDID NAVAL CHRONOLOGY NOW AVAILABLE

Member REAR ADMIRAL E. M. ELLER announces that his Naval History Division of the Navy Department has published the 1861 section of the Civil War Naval Chronology. It is available for the astonishingly low price of 25 cents from the Superin­ tendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. Among many expensive publications about the War, the 40-page illustrated Chronology definitely is a "steal," as even ADMIRAL ELLER admits.

Beginning with November 1, 1860, when the Navy planned to convert seven sailing ships of war to steam at a cost of $3,064,000, the Chronology traces naval developments and actions virtually day-by-day in considerable detail, through December 31, 1861. All actions are recorded, as well as a wealth of other information bearing on naval policies and decisions. Several important hand-written reports of considerable historical signi­ ficance are reproduced.

The Chronology, A Navy Department contribution to the Centennial, will be followed by others covering the following years of the conflict. It should be an invaluable guide to the serious CW historian, as well as carrying great interest to the garden-variety Buff. All at a bargain basement price.

SPEAKING ABOUT DOUBLE-TALK .....

It is quite apparent there is nothing new about official "gobbledygook," or even the Commies' flabbergasting system of talking backwards. It was rife during the CW. The Toledo CWRT's letter CANISTER cites some of the stock phrases used in official reports and their translations:

"Pursuant to circular orders of the 19th instant, I have the honor to report ... " Translation: "Brace yourself for some bad news." "The enemy was repulsed with slaughter." Translation: "We saw some of the enemy. " "The enemy was repulsed with heavy slaughter. II Translation: "We shot at the ones we saw." "The enemy was repulsed with great slaughte-r." Translation: "We think we hit some of the ones we shot at." "The regiments to my right and left unaccountably gave way." Transla­ tion; "My men broke and ran some twenty minute s earlier."

Editor's Note: Do our D. C. Buffs have any jewels of this type to offer? We could use them.

"ORDINARY HUMAN BEHAVIOR OF UNIMPORTANT PEOPLE"

While most CW books are concerned with the grand actions and the conduct of great leaders, the War was filled with thousands of instances of the day-to-day behavior of the hundreds of thousands of plain, unimportant people who made up the armies, their followers, and the citizenry of 1861 - 1865. This was vividly brought out for the CWRT of Milwaukee by a speaker, Mr. John Hunter of the Madison RT.

Mr. Hunter dug into the wealth of CW letters written by Wisconsin residents which has been accumulated by the Wisconsin State Historical Society. About 91,376 Wisconsin residents served during the War, and they left behind a veritable gold mine of corres­ pondence bringing out many of the sad and the humorous aspects of the War, as well as examples of intense patriotism. Virtually all of the writers were among the unimportant, the unknown.

One writer, for example, wrote Governor Solomon that recruits could be obtained by impressing prisoners in the Waupun and Milwaukee County jails, giving a list of prisoners, their offenses and their sentences. The idea was tried; most of the worthies released from durance vile de serted and landed back in D. V.

Another 1862 letter to the Governor snitched on a Lieutenant Colonel of a Wisconsin regiment who was supposed to be such an expert jug-lifter that most of the time he "couldn't distinguish between the Rebel flag and his own shirttail." A Captain Robert Hawkins wrote to a General Utley requesting a manual on military -tactics. There was so much confusion in his own outfit that he wanted to see what the correct methods actually were.

One Republican citizen wrote to the Gove rnor offe ring to "exterminate" the Democratic leader, Edward G. Ryan. Another enthusiastic Republican, whose devotion to his party included having both of his arms blown off at a political rally when a cannon exploded, offered to serve as a spy among the Confederates. His reasoning: The Confederates would never guess he would be able to write messages for transmission to the Union forces. How he proposed to write them, he didn't say.

Perhaps a comparison of some of these letters from the last century with some received at the White House today would show considerable similarity.

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GRAPESHOT

Commander Richard C. Drum Hunt has been appointed Executive Secretary of the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address Commission. Offices are at Gettysburg Graham Weaver, age 18, seems to be the youngest member of the CWRT know of any younger Buff who has signed up? Nine CW Generals came from Galena, Illinois - - Grant, Chetlain, Duer, Maltby, Parker, Rawlins, Rowley, J. C. Smith, and John E. Smith Chicago CWRT Member Joe Eisendrath is compiling data on CW weather; got a big assist from a meteorological diary kept by a Georgetown (D. C.) observer. The Chicago Buff has 5,000 weather references now, needs "many thousands more." If you notice any weather references in your reading, make a note and send them to Mr. Eisendrath at 350 N. Deere Park Drive, Highland Park, Ill .... "Duck, men, duck! 'Taint canister them guys is s hoo ti n! , it's see-ment." At a West Bend, (Wis.) skirmish, Battery B, 1st Michigan Light Artillery needed solid shot. Their solution: They filled beer cans with cement and let 'em go. That weren't no "light beer" they fired, it was heavy stuff, real heavy Authors: The Military Order of the Loyal Legion is offering a $5,000 literary award for the best unpublished book-length literary production on the CW or events leading to it. Competition is open to all writers with award to be made to winner at Gettysburg, July 3, 1963 Long missing papers of Major General Don Carlos Buell turned up in Houston, Texas, in a trunk in an old shed in the rear of the home of a nephew, Henry Lee Buell. The collection contained letters from Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, McClellan, Andrew Johnson, et al; also transcript of Buell's hearing on his leadership against Bragg in Kentucky The famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir's contribution to the Centennial is a Columbia Record of thirteen of the ITO st popular CW songs The Dunker Church Reconstruction Fund committee, Chairman Page T. Otto, Sharpsburg, Md., is raising funds for interior furnishings of the building which is being restored on Antietan battlefield. Donors get a certificate attesting a s s rs ta nc e .

RT I. Q. TEST -- WHICH BATTLE WAS THIS?

Blue forces: Gen. W, 93,000; Gen. B (some 30 miles away), 120,000 -- total 213,000. Grey: Gen. N, 125,000 (concentrated). Casualties: Blue, 23,000; Grey, 32,000. Terrain, rolling open countryside; some small towns in area, mostly farms; country roads; weather clear, ground soft after rain night before; ground condition delays emplacement of superior Grey artillery; arms: Grey, 240 guns; Blue, 159; infantry equipped with muskets; Blue principally foot soldiers; Grey, foot and heavy cavalry in force.

Grey army concentrates between two divided wings of Blue; seize town, defeat Gen. B (Blue); B retreats. Grey Gen. N detaches Gen. G (33,000 men) in pursuit; G guesses wrong destination of retreating Blues, cuts across on wrong road; B heads out to join other Blue group. Grey Gen. M meanwhile engages Blue Gen. W at farm where barn, sheds and stone walls play decisive part; Blues beat off attacks until Grey Gen. N joins up with Gen. M; Blue retreats some miles to slight plateau fronting sunken road; site had been noted previous year by Gen. W.

Soft ground delays emplacement of Grey artillery, giving Blue Gen. B extra time to approach field by forced march; engagement opens 11: 30 A.M.; Gen. N launches massed cavalry charges, partially trapped by unnoticed sunken road; Blues hold firm against heavy odds; Blue Gen. G arrives to join Gen. W; Greys routed, army broken up.

CWRT prize for correct identification of battle: One mashed Minnie ball.

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NEWS ABOUT BOOKS

THE COMING FURY by Bruce Catton. E. B. Long, Director of Research. Vol. I of the Centennial History of the Civil War. New York, Doubleday, $7.50.

This is Cattonls best book. Covering the period from the nominating conventions of 1860 to the First Battle of Bull Run, familiar events are traced vividly and accurately. Perhaps there are no new facts in Cattori' s reconstruction, but vigorous prose and the wealth of detail make Catto nt s work essential for understanding this troubled period.

THE REGIMENT THAT SAVED THE CAPITAL by William J. Roehrenbeck. New York, Thomas Yoseloff, $5.95.

This is the story of one of the first regiments to come to the relief of Washington early in 1861. Largely a summarization of the works by William Swinton and Emmons Clark, Roehrenbeck has added some new insight into the story of the famous 7th New York Regiment of Militia.

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MORGANIS RAID by Allan Keller. Indianapolis, Bobbs-Merrill Co. , $5.75.

Keller has told again the fascinating story of Mo r garr' s famous raid. Why Mo r ga.n! s raid - - made against order s - - has such appeal is difficult to fathom. The results were practically nil. Perhaps the appeal is the turbulent character of Morgan. An interesting book.

THE VALIANT HOURS by Thomas Francis Galwey. The Stackpole Company.

Rated as one of the best of all CW diaries by Pat Jones who reports "it reeks with realism. II It was written by the forebearer of member Colonel Geoffrey Galwey, U.S .A. (Ret.). An outstanding chapter describes passing over the old battlefield of Manassas on the march to Gettysburg, where rains had washed out shallow graves, leaving fields of bones and skulls exposed. Other sections equally graphic.

THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Volume 11 Number 3 January, 1962

LIVELY ACTIONS AHEAD AS 1962 CAMPAIGN OPENS

Two highly interesting meetings have been scheduled to kick off the New Year for the D. C. Round Table. Both will present eminent speakers -- one of Great Britian' s leading military scientists and our own distinquished author and editor, BRUCE CATTON.

The January meeting, scheduled for the 16th, will hear MR. L. T. D. WILLIAMS, who has been designated by Her Majesty's Ambassador to the United States, to speak to the mem­ bers. Mr. Catton will address the RT on February 20. Both meetings at the National Press Club encampment, as usual.

FIFTH REGULAR DINNER MEETING DATE: Tuesday, January 16, 1962 PLACE: National Press Club Ballroom PRICE: $4:00 per ticket

6:00 P.M. Crock shop 7:00 P.M. Dinner 8:00 P.M. -Program

Address: "How the South Got its Gunpowder" Mr, L. T._ D. Williams

Our January speaker is the Director General of the Defense Research Staff at the British Embassy in Washington and also is the Defense Research Attache. He will discuss one of the fo-rgotten aspects of the war. He brings to this subject some unusual qualifica­ tions. Mr. Williams joined the research staff of the British War Office in 1925; was assigned to a hush-hush scientific mission from 1943 to 1945; headed the chemical division of the British Chemical Warfare Research Establishment, and was Director of the British Explosives Research and Development Establishment. He has been assigned to Washington since 1958, where he developed an interest in the CW. His scientific background attracted him to the subject of CW explosives, on which he is probably better informed than anyone in the country. His research into Confederate supply and manufacture of gunpowder should supply a highly interesting talk for our Buffs.

BRUCE CATTON IN FEBRUARY

Author Catton has kindly taken time in the midst of a heavy schedule to speak to the RT on February 20. He will discuss General Grant and combined operations on the Western rivers beginning with the actions at Forts Henry and Donelson. This promises a memorable evening.

CENTENNIAL OF MEDAL OF HONOR

Member PAUL SEDGWICK, Chairman of the D. C. Centennial Commission announces an unusual commemoration upcoming in April. The 25th of that month will mark the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for military bravery. So far, reports member Sedgwick, the D. C. Commis sion has located 499 descendents of recipients of the Medal; it has also located five of the medals given to the Andrews Raiders, and has invited all descendents to come to Washington for the observance. A fine program is in store.

CWRT COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET TO BE ISSUED

Our distinguished President, COL. JAMES LONGSTREET WHELCHEL, USA (Ret.) wants the membership to know that a special commemorative brochure will be is sued by the Round Table on the occasion of the Gold Medal Award Dinner in April. Present plans call for printing the roster of members in the booklet, together with enough other material to make up a distinctive brochure. At the dinner, our Gold Medal will be awarded to its 1962 recipient, whose name will be announced in due course. Buffs should count on quite a gala occasion come April.

THE MUSIC GOES 'ROUND AND 'ROUND

As pointed out by former president RICHARD BAYLES, quite a musician himself, music of the CW is having a big burst of popularity during the Centennial years. A real novelty in this line was organized by the lively Round Table of Chicago. The highly imaginative Windy City Buffs took over one of the nation's top Dixieland establishments, "JAZZ LTD." for a night of CW songs presented Dixieland style by the famous JAZZ LTD. band, headed by Bill Reinhardt.

Buffs to the number of 140 turned out, including guests from Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Georgia. Original manuscripts of a number of the most famous CW songs were displayed; a commentary on the songs featured was given before each number. Said the Chicago Tribune: "The blue notes of Dixieland yielded to the stirring strains of battle hymns, rousing marching songs, and sentimental refrains sung by troops who marched off to battle 100 years ago." Said one of the members of the band: "It went over big!"

And as part of the ceremonial, the ordinarily expert NEWS LETTER of the Chicago R T pulled a masterful blooper: It printed the picture of Ruth Reinhardt, wife of the band leader, with identification that she was Bill, which caused consternation not only to the confused band members but also to the editor of the fine Chicago publication. (And to your own editor, an old friend of the Reinhardts.)

Also for you music fans: Gettysburg College has issued a fine recording of CW songs. You can get it from Gettysburg Singer Records, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pa. $4.25. It features such items as BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM, TENTING TONIGHT, BONNIE BLUE FLAG, etc.

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GRAPESHOT

An American Civil War Research Group has been formed in Sydney, Australia. It has identified graves of several veterans who emigrated "down under" after the War .... Boy Scout Troop 670 at Manassas offers a Minie ball mounted on a wooden block, or a battle area map for $1. 50. Profits go to a Boy Scout ranch in New Mexico Buffs in Columbus, Georgia, are all wet these days. They are raising the Confederate ironclad Muscogee from the Chattahoochee river to use as a museum Add for Civil War grammar: General Grant reported the Battle of Shiloh as "Chilo" but there was sufficient reason for his confusion and the Toledo RT reports a marvelous piece of literary mayhem in citing Brig. Gen. Robert H. Milroy's official report of an action when he penned: "My horse was shot in the head by a musket-ball while in the midst of the battery cheering on the men" . some horse! The Fort Lauderdale R T defines some CW "lingo": STONE FLEET -- ships deliberately sunk to protect a harbor or river; CAKE AND PIE BRIGADE - - women from neighboring towns who brought goodies and other indigestibles into camp for the soldiers; ADAM'S ALE - - fresh drinking water .... Noted author, editor, HARRY HANSEN has an orig- inal paperback, one-volume history of the war out for the New American Library . Hoosiers: Did you know that Indiana came within one vote of joining the Confederacy? At least that's what the South Bend R T reports.

OUR OWN LQ. TEST

Last month's "sleeper" question describing a famous battle came pretty close to being unanswered until member MARSHALL ANDREWS, well known military historian identified it. It was, of course, the Battle of Waterloo. Any Buff who knows anything at all about that great event could have spotted it. ..... but most didn't.

So this month's question is a lot easier: " WHERE, WHEN, AND UNDER WHAT CIR­ CUMSTANCES DID THE TERM 'HOOKER' GET ATTACHED TO LADIES OF EASY VIRTUE?"

Another mashed mine ball goes to the first Buff to provide the correct answer.

ON THE BOOKSHELF

Members COL. J. GAY SEABOURNE and JOSH BILLINGS are diligently (and devotedly) ploughing through lots of books for the benefit of the R T. Here are some of their review notes, (with more to come):

THE IRON BRIGADE, by Alan T. Nolen. Published by the Macmillen Company. ($6.95). Biographies of military units that distinguished themselves in the course of the war grow in popularity; and this is one of the best.

Receiving its baptism of fire at Brawner's Farm, the brigade shortly became the shock troops of the I Corps, Army of the Potomac. As such it assulted the turnpike defile at 'I'u r ne r t s Gap, and spearheaded the attack through the Cornfield at Antietam. But its greatest hour came on the morning and afternoon of the first day at Gettysburg, when, at frightful cost, it purchased the time so desperately needed for the concentration of Meade's army. The author writes poignantly of this grim day--so very terrible; and so very magnificent.

LEE'S LAST CAMPAIGN, The Story of Lee and his Men Against Grant-1864. By Clifford Dowdey. Little, Brown and Company, Publishers. ($6.00).

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In this study of General Lee's six-weeks campaign, extending from the Wildernes s to occupation of the trenches before Petersburg, Mr. Dowdey certainly adds to his laurels as an historian of the Confederacy and its war effort. It can be criticized, if at all, only on the score of lacking somewhat in detachment and objectivity. On the other hand, its impassioned devotion to the dwindling remnants of the still unconquerable Army of Northern Virginia and its gifted leader, is perhaps the final touch that makes of it a genuine tour de force in Civil War literature.

THE WAR FOR THE UNION: War Becomes Revolution 1862-1863, by Allen Nevins. Published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York ($7.50).

This is the sixth and most recently published volume of Dr. Nevins' monumental study, THE ORDEAL OF THE UNION, projected to tem volumes, and which, in toto, will cover the period from the close of the Mexican War to the end of Reconstruction. Specifically, this volume is the second of four within the entire study that deals with the war years alone, and which are sub-titled, THE WAR FOR THE UNION.

While one must be chary of great praise, especially when linked to prophecy, it is quite safe to say that Dr. Nevins' work will come increasingly to be recognized as one of the great, definitive studies in American historical literature, and pre-eminently so of the critical period with which it deals.

BEEFSTEAK RAID, by Edward Boykin; Funk & Wagnalls, Publishers, ($4.95).

An account of Wade Hampton's spectacular cattle raid around Grant's army before Petersburg. To be valued also for its accurate account of events preceding the raid: Grant's stealthy crossing of the James at Wilcox Landing- Windmill Point and the race with Lee for Petersburg. A noteworthy contribution to the literature dealing with this campaign.

WITH SHERMAN TO THE SEA, A Drummer's Story of the Civil War, as related by Co r d yd o n Edward Foote to Olive Dean Hormel; The John Day Company, Publishers ($4.00).

Story of the campaigning of the l Oth Michigan Infantry of the Army of the Cumberland, woven by the author from reminiscences of an aged regimental veteran, once drummer boy of its company F. Life of the Union Army's youthful drummers is featured.

SHE RODE WITH GENERALS, But Her Regiment Thought She Was a Man, by Sylvia Dannett; Thomas Nelson & Sons, Publishers ($5.00).

Stranger than fiction are the stories of the women, who, masquerading as young men, enlisted and fought in the contending armies. Records are rather vague concerning some; but not that of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who served as a private in the 2nd Michigan Infantry under a masculine alias. The story tells of her service, desertion under fear of detection, post-war life as wife and mother, and final admission to the G.A. R. as full-fledged veteran member.

COLONEL JOHN PELHAM, by William Woods Hassler, Illustrations by Sidney E. King. Published by Garrett & Massie, Inc., Richmond. ($3.50).

The career of Major John Pelham, C .S.A. , '(posthumously promoted to a colonelcy), commands interest for two compelling reasons. First, because as commander of Jeb Stuart's horse artillery, his rare abilities as an artillerist, and reckless bravery in handling his guns, contributed much to the invincibility of the Confederate cavalry. Secondly, because he embodied in his person all the knightly qualities dear to the Southern heart. Dr. Hassler's biography sets off these Pelham qualities faithfully and brilliantly.

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THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Volume 11, Number 6 February, 1962

THINGS ARE POPPING ALL OVER THE FRONTS

All fronts are engaged in heavy activities as this copy of the News Letter goes to press. Two important regular dinner meetings are set, to be followed by the year's climax -- our Gold Medal Award Dinner in Ap r i l , The D. C. Centennial Commission is getting ready for its Centennial Commemoration of the Congressional Medal of Honor; the Antietam-South Mountain Centennial Association, Inc., is announcing plans for its re-enactment of the crucial Antietam battle; Australia reports in from its own American CW Research Group, and our R T committees are busting out all over with plans and projects. Here's the rundown:

7.00 8.00

P.M. Dinner P.M. Program

Add r e s s ; General Grant and Combined Operations on the Western Rivers Bruce Catton

SIXTH REGULAR DINNER MEETING

DATE: PLACE: PRICE:

Tuesday, February 20, 1962 National Press Club Ballroom $4.00 pe r ticket 6.00 P.M. Fraternization

Bruce Catton, one of our own members, is renouned as one of the greatest writers on the CW. Despite an over-loaded schedule, he is taking time out to be with us and to give us some personal views on a subject with which he is famously familiar -- General Grant and the move South. There is no need to list any of his books - - all are best sellers and highly respected for their great literar-y qualities. This dinner should be a sell-out.

AND THEN UP-COMING

Our March meeting is scheduled at the National Press Club on the 19th. Since the anniversary of the MONITOR and MERRIMACK falls close to that date, the battle that r evo lu­ tionized naval warfare will be the subject of the address that night. Speaker will be Lyon G. Tyler, Assistant Director of the Virginia Civil War Centennial Commission, who has made a

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special s tudy of the famed engagement. The big guns will s ourid again that night.

In connection with the centennial of that battle Dr. Chester D. Bradley, Co-Chairman and Curator of the Fort Monroe Casemate Mu s e urn , has announced the publication of a highly intere sting report on Abraham Lincoln's Campaign against the MERRIMACK as No. 9 of the series, "TALES OF OLD FOR T MONROE". It tells how Lincoln himself h;d to take over and prod his Union generals and admirals to get into action against the MERRIMACK after the MONITOR engagement. It makes fascinating reading, obtainable for only a dime from the rnu s e urn .

THE GOLD MEDAL AWARD DINNER

Climax to ou r R T year is always the Gold Medal Award Dinner, scheduled this year for April 17. This will be a gala affair, when o u r highest award, the Gold Medal, will be presented. PRESIDENT JAMES LONGSTREET WHELCHEL has a nriouric e d that the 1962 recipient, selected by a special committee, will be named in the next NEWS LETTER.

A fine yearbook, containing a roster of the RT members, will be published as a part of the event and d i s t.r i but ed at the dinner. A special committee has worked o ut impres sive plans for the event. This is the one dinner meeting of the year to which ladies are cordially invited.

Speaker for this event was selected with the distaff side in mind, to a s s u r e the ladies that ou r Buffs do pay attention to the role played in the war by women. He is Francis B. Simpkins of Longwood College, Farmville, Va., who will talk a bo ut "Women in the Civil War".

Presentation of the medal, the special arrangements to be announced in the next letter, and the gala "dres s up" nature of the event promises a grand type of meeting on April 17.

CIVIL WAR NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA

While Australia, the c orrti ne nt "Down Under", may seem remote from ou r CW, never­ theless there is a very real connection with that far-away place. Word about this comes from a letter received by Capt. F. Kent Loomis, USN (Ret.) from Mr. L. Traynor of New So u th Wales, Au s t r a l i a , President of the American Civil War Research Group of Australia.

Mr. Traynor r e po r te d that the Group i nc Iud e s people from all walks of life and from fou r of the Au s t r a l ia n states. Even the members there were surprised to find how many Au s t r a Ii a n s are descended from Americans who immigrated there after the CW or from Australians who happened to be in the United States and f ought in the conflict. One of the mem­ bers is the Georgia-born son of a deceased USAAF veteran of World War II who married an Aus t r a Iia n girl.

The Gr oup meets monthly, and like all CW Buff s , the members have a variety of special interests in the War. One of their discoveries was the grave in a Sydney cemetery of three brothers who fou ght in Union armies. They also researched the visit of the Confederate vessel, the SHENANDOAH to Au s t r a Ii a .

COMMEMORA TION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR

Paul J. Sedgwick, Chairman of the D. C. Centennial Commis sion has announced im­ pressive ceremonies for April 28 in connection with the lOOth anniversary of the Congressional Medal of Ho no r . A large nurn be r of descendents of recipients of the Medal will come to Washington for the event, and will be greeted at the White Hou s e , A program will be conducted

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at Haines Point and flowers strewn on the Potomac; a commemorative service will be held at the Washington Cathederal, to be followed by luncheon at the Army-Navy Club with an afte z­ noon program following.

Reports Member SEDGWICK: "We have contacted 498 descendents of holders of the Medal; we have located the first Medal; we have six of the original Medals, and will display them. These are the first to be awarded', and went to survivors of the famous Andrews Raid, being presented by President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton."

PURPLE PROSE OF THE CIVIL WAR

The Round Table of Richmond, Va., reports a masterpiece of official reporting during the War. It quotes an official report of a Captain Charles L. Young, 70th N. Y. Infantry, to indicate that "The Pen is Mightier, etc ..... " as follows:

"At this time the fight raged fearfully, each contestant holding well his ground. Our comrades fell thick and fast. All felt sad when gallant Lieut. Hoxie fell with a minie through the groin. It was then that Lieut. Kay proposed a charge. A cheer was sub­ stituted, to give time for consultation with Capt. Bliss' relative to the expediency of following Lieut. Kay's suggestion. Hardly had that glorious cheer mingled with the whistling bullets ere the rebels began to fall back before the eyes of our eager men." Editor's note: Could it have possibly been a Bronx cheer?

OUR OWN 1. Q. TEST

Winner of last month's test by reason of filing the first correct answer about "Hookers" and ladies of easy virtue was our Secretary George E. Schroebel. But the real kicker in the contest was the fact that an answer also came in from San Francisco, where a member of the RT of that city, Mort J. Donoghue, who must read our NEWS LETTER, also spotted the reason. While Secretary Schroebel, as a Washingtonian, had handsomely complete details (it did happen here), San Francisco Buff Donoghue's reply was a masterpiece of brevity: "Because there were a lway s dames in numbers attached to Hooker's headquarters when he commanded the Army."

Well, after all, "There ain't anything like a dame". (WW II)

This month's question: "WHAT WAS THE FIRST RECORDED USE OF MACHINE GUNS IN WARFARE? 11 The prize remains the same: a mashed Minie ball (if we can find one).

GRAPESHOT

A fine booklet, SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY, CSA, has been written by Member WAYNE R. DELANEY in collaboration with Miss Marie E. Bowery. The regiment was organ­ ized at Manassas June 10, 1861. It mustered outfits with local names such as The Loudoun Guards, Warren Rifles, Alexandria Riflemen and Fairfax Rifles. Comments SCOTT HAR T: "Such a booklet should be done in every area in the South, where records are often dismay- ingly thin." (American Printing Co., Washington, D. C.) The South Bend, Ind., RT reports that General Grant was pacing the dock at City Point, smoking his cigar, when a Negro guard touched his arm. "No smoking on the dock, sir," said the guard. "Are those your orders?" asked Grant. "Yes, sir," was the decisive reply. "Very good orders," said Grant, throwing the stogie into the water Rock Island, Ill., reports a record of one Jennie Hod ge r s , 18, an Irish girl, enlisting in an Illinois regiment, training at Rockford, and was re­ membered as an expecially· good soldier under the name Albert E. J. Cashier. Her true iden­ tity was discovered only after the war when she was admitted to a Quincy soldiers' home with a broken leg. ("There ain't anything like a dame" dept.) .... The Springfield, Ill., RT reports that only 121 men were actually executed for desertion during the war al'though thousands "went over the hill" . 3

ON THE BOOKSHELF

Member COL. J. GAY SEABOURNE has been grinding out book reviews for the benefit of Buffs who like to follow the war in the latest prints. Here is this month's allotment:

THE CONFEDERA TE CONGRESS, by Wilfred Buck Yearns. Published by the University of Georgia Press, Athens. ($5.00).

This serious study should find its way into every well-rounded Civil War library, for it deals exhaustively with the Confederate scheme of government. Virtually all major problems besetting the new nation, and the measures taken to cope with them, are dis­ cussed in detail: conscription, military and naval operations, transportation, domestic and foreign trade, fiscal and monetary exigencies, speculation, the peace movements, and others. Discussion of cotton in the war effort is especially enlightening. Students of states' sovereignty as against the need for strong central government will find here a rich mine of information on what eventuated in practice.

TRAGIS YEARS 1860-1865, by Paul M. Angle, and Earl Schenck Miers. Simon & Schuster, Publishers. Two Volumes, Boxed, $15.00.

This history of the war is distinctly unique in that it is presented largely from the writings of participants in and eye-witnesses to its events as found in diaries, letters, memoirs and newspaper reports. Fitted into the account also are appropriate com­ mentaries from the Official Records, Battles and Leaders, and the papers of historical societies. The result is hi s to r ya t once both living and lively, produced by two know­ ledgeable and popular writers on Civil War subjects.

CONFEDE'RATE STRATEGY FROM SHILOH TO VICKSBURG, by Archer Jones, Published by Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge. ($5.00).

This is a study expecia11y to be .p r i z e d by serious students of Confederate military af­ fairs, for it reaches behind the facade of biography and simple account of campaigns and battles to analize and appraise basic strategy and military policy.

Opening with a discussion of original, over-all grand strategy of both the Union and Confederacy, the author moves to an appraisal of President Davis' pla nof dividing the the Confederacy into military departments, and its effect upon strategy, favorable and otherwise. The central core of the work, however, deals with General Joseph E. Johnston's command of the Department of the Weest, November, 1862 - May, 1863, and the many difficulties that beset him.

DEATH TO TRAITORS, the Story of General Lafayette C. Baker, by Jacob Mog e Iev e r , Pub­ lished by Doubleday & Company, Inc. ($4.95).

Expressed in the common parlance of our most recent wars, this tory treats of the cloak and dagger aspects of the Civil War, that is espionage and counter-espionage.

The activities of Baker, Stanton's Secret Service Chief, and his hard-bitten and reck­ less band of sleuths was not confined to spying and spy-catching. He was the terror and scourge of copperheads, crooked army contractors, deserters, and malefactors of a11 stripes, not neglecting the small fry. It was a great life for Baker while it lasted though in the end he met his downfall.

There are a considerable number of inaccuracies as to dates, names and places in the book. But the author has delved into an aspect of Civil War lore, and life in Washington at the time, which needed doing.

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THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Volume 11, Number 7 March, 1962

MONITOR AND MERRIMACK AND THEN THE GOLD MEDAL DINNER

0~~:?" 1962 spring c arrrpa i gn itl off to a fast start with <t lively meeting in store this month, to be followed in April with CWRT's annual high point -- the Gold Medal Award Dinner. March marks the 100th anniversary of the battle off Norfolk which changed the naval history of the world. Our seventh regular dinner on March 20 will observe that event.

7:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M.

Dinner Program Address: The Monitor and

the Merrimack Speaker: Lyon G. Tyler

SEVENTH REGULAR DINNER MEETING

DATE: PLACE: PRICE:

Tuesday, March 20, 1962 National Pre s s Club Ballroom $4: 00 per ticket 6:00 P.M. Grog issue

The speaker for the Monitor and Merrimack dinner is Assistant Director of the Virginia Civil War Centennial Commission. The historical battle is one of his specialties and the meeting should have unusual interest.

GARNET WOLSELEY JEX NAMED FOR 1962 GOLD MEDAL AWARD

CWRT President COL. JAMES LONGSTREET WHELCHEL announces that the recip­ ient of our annual Gold Medal Award is one of the founders of the District of Columbia Round Table -- GARNET WOLSELEY JEX.. ivle rnbe r Jex was selected by a special nominating committee headed by GENERAL A. C. WEDEMEYER because of his many and continuing contributions to the success of our Round Table. The Table's Gold Medal, our most distin­ guished award, will be presented to Member JEX at the gala Gold Medal Award Dinner sched­ uled for April 17.

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Another recipient of the award, Member VIRGIL CARRINGTON "PAT" JONES, will present the medal to Mr. JEX with appropriate ceremony in what promises to be a highly colorful evening. The 1962 winner was one of the four original "Crack-pates" who organized our Round Table. He has been, in the opinion of the nominating committee, "a wheelhorse for the CWRT". An outstanding student of the War, he is also a distinguished artist, and has done many paintings of Civil War actions. Virtually all of the art used by the Round Table in commemorative programs has come from his brush. His War illustrations have been used widely.

SPECIAL EVENTS TO MARK GALA DINNER

Program Chairman PAUL J. SEDGWICK has organized a colorful program for the dinner, which is the one dinner of the year when the ladies are especially invited. Repre­ sentatives of civic, historical and patriotic organizations and the government will be present as distinguished guests, including representatives from such groups as the D. A. R., the United Daughters of the Confederacy, The Loyal Legion, Sons of Union Veterans, Daughters of the Loyal Legion, Sons of the Confederacy, members of the District of Columbia Centen­ nial Commission, the national Commission, the Armed Forces, the National Park Service, members of the House and Senate and representatives of the press.

Special invitations will be sent to all CWR T members g iv i ng full details (no NEWS· LETTER next month, so don't look for it). Cocktails will begin at 7:00 P.M. with dinner at 8:00 P.M. Dress is optional, and plans call for singing by Miss Ruth Pitts, Washington contralto. A special commemorative printed program is being prepared which will include the roster of CWRT members.

Speaker for the evening will be a distinguished Southern historian, Dr. Francis B. Simpkins of Longwood College, Farmville, Virginia. Dr. Simpkins is the grandson of Lieut. Col. John C. Simpkins, killed in action at Charleston harbor. He is the author of many

. books on the War, and served as President of the Southern Historical Association. He taught at Princeton University and other well-known colleges and universities. He is a recip­ ient of the Dunning Prize of the American Historical Association.

His topic at the dinner: "Women in the Civil War".

PRESIDENT WHELCHEL asks that return cards for the anniversary dinner be sent in promptly after the invitations are received as a record turnout is anticipated. Make your plans now to be there.

EIGHT CIVIL WAR VETERANS SERVED AS SPEAKER

Member REX MAGEE has come up with an interesting historical insight into the list of men who have served as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the United States Congress. It is that until the selection of the present Speaker, the Hon. John McCormack of Massachusetts, the last veteran of any war to be elected to this important post was a Civil War Veteran, Col. David B. Henderson (R-Iowa).

Speaker McCormack served in World War 1.

Eight of the past Speakers fought in the War Between the States: five Federals and three Confederates. Three of these, however, were Speakers before the War: Howell Cobb (D-Ga.), who became a U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and a Confederate major general; Nathaniel P. Banks (A-P-Mass.), who became a Union major general; and James L. Orr (D-S.C.), who raised a Confederate regiment and served in the Confederate Senate. After the War, Orr was elected Republican governor of South Carolina.

The five Civil War veterans who won the Speakership after the war, including Colonel Henderson, who lost a leg at Corinth, were:

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Union -- Samuel J. Randall (R-Pa.); Capt. 1st. Troop of Philadelphia and who was a provost marshall at Gettysburg; J. Warren Keifer (R-:Ohio), brigadier general in the Civil War and a major general in the Spanish-American; and Thomas B. Reed (R-Me.), a U.S. Navy paymaster.

Confederate -- Charles S. Crisp (D-Ga.) who at 16 enlisted in the 10th Virginia Infantry. He was captured but released as a prisoner of war. He became Speaker of the U.S. House 30 years later. Confederate Speaker Cr isp and Union Speaker Henderson (1899-1903) were both fo.reign born, Crisp in England and Henderson in Scotland.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF ROUND TABLES LAUDED

The fine NEWS LETTER of the Richmond, Va., Round Table recently carried a tribute to the whole CWR1' movement, reminding Buffs that the organizations are contrib­ uting more to the nation than merely providing dinners and field trips. Here is part of what the Richmond Letter had to say, and it provokes thought:

"It occur-s to us that the Round Table movement, without expressly intending so to do, has served to promote the cause of good will and understanding between the North and South. Certainly it has provided a forum for -clarifying much that has been rrrt s unde r s tood - and misinterpreted with regard to the political, economic and social background of the Civil War."

"Speakers from the North have met Southern Round Table groups and a like inter­ change has carried Southern scholars and historians into Northern territory. In similar fashion, field tours have brought groups together on common ground and good fellowship and pleasant camaraderie has characterized these get-togethers."

"While it is true that all of the Round Tables put together would produce a member­ ship hardly exceeding 10,000 persons, it must be observed that this membership is of a more select group than a cross-section of the na ti o nt s adult population would show. A high percentage of Round Table members are also leaders in the civic and cultural activities of their communities. This means that the light of understanding generated in Round Table discussions is not hidden under the bushel of the meeting room."

To which could be added sincerely, "Amen".

MOSBY, FAIRFAX, THE YANKEE MAJOR AND THE Spy

Another CWRT member, CHARLES E. PAINE, recently set down a short story or more than usual historical interest. It involves a little-recognized raid of the 'Gr ey Ghost, Col. Mosby, into Fairfax, Virginia, which set off a chain of circumstances that had all the aspects of a Who-Done-It thriller, including the marriage of a son of a President of the United States to the granddaughter of a glamorous Southern spy.

According to Member PAINE, the spy was dark-haired, pretty, 24-year-old Antonia Ford of Fairfax, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Ford. In 1863, while Fairfax was occu­ pied by Union forces, Northern officers were attracted to the old Southern home of the Fords by pretty Antonia, who proved to be a capable Mata Hari of the times, and an unsuspected source of information to Mosby and his men who were harrying Union camps in Virginia..

Antonia was also the belle of the ball, as far as the Yankee officers were concerned. They invited her to a gay party, where Brig. Gen. Edward M. Stoughton of Vermont drank many toasts to the young lady, not knowing that she had discovered a way through the heavy Union defenses through which to get messages to Mosby. She tipped off the raiders about the party, and they showed up that night as uninvited guests, after the festivities were over. Mosby detailed his 29-man party to cut telegraph wires, capture soldiers and round up horses. Mosby himself appeared in General Stoughton' s bedroom where the daughty Vermonter slept among empty champagne bottles, snatched away the bed covers, and whacked Stoughton with the flat of his sword.

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Mosby left Fairfax with the General, two captains, 30 privates and 58 cavalry horses in tow, legging it to Warrenton. Ultimately, Antonia was discovered by a female counterspy sent into Fairfax, arrested, Her commission .by J. E. B. Stuart as an "Honorary Aide-de-Camp discovered. (It was issued to her in 1861.)

Major Joseph C. Willard was detailed to take her to a women's jail in Washington at First and A Streets NE. He tumbled into love with the gallant lady, proposed, pursuad­ ed Secretary Stanton to release the girl on condition he marry her, won her reprieve, and they were married. Their son, Joseph Eldward Willard, served as United States Ambassa­ dor to Spain from 1913 to 1921; their granddaughter, Belle Will:ard, was married to Kermit Roosevelt, son 0.£ the Rough Rider President.

Says Member PAINE: "No one seemed to have the courage to remind pugnacious Teddy Roosevelt that his son had married the granddaughter of a very glamorous Southern spy."

OUR OWN 1. Q. TEST

Last month's question brought the NEWS LETTER no answers whatsoever, so here it is: According to the Letter of the South Bend, Indiana, CWR T, the Battle of Seven Pines in Virginia, May 3, 1862, where Confederates fired volleys from a battery of Williams guns, marked the first record of the use of the machine gun in warfare. (What's the matter with the D. C. Buffs? Bashful?)

Try this one: WHO TELEGRAPHED TO WHOM, AND WHAT CITY WAS INVOLVED IN THIS WIRE -- "I BEG '1'0 PRESENT YOU AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT, THE CITY OF ---- WITH 150 GUNS AND PLENTY OF AMUNITION AND ALSO ABOUT 25,000 BALES OF COTTON."? Same prize - the mashed Minnie ball we can't find.

GRAPESHOT

Talk about your field trips -- The Chicago Round Table has one coming up in April all the way to Gettysburg, Harper's Ferry and Antietam. Some St. Louis Buffs will join them. Some fields! Some trip! Mississippi Buffs recently discovered a cave at Vicksburg used as a refuge during the siege. "Y"-shaped" it proved in bad condition . Medical practice was not so hot during the War. There was only one microscrope in the Union army. Many of the surgeons were four or five months trainees; had never seen sur­ gery before. The germ theory was not used; typhoid and dysentery were the greatest killers; amputations were used at a terrific rate; transfusions unknown; gangrene common ..•...... T. HARRY GATTON of Raleigh, N. C., who still maintains his membership in our CWRT, has been appointed by President Kennedy as a member of the American Battle Monuments _Commission The University of Virginia and the Adult Education Program of the Arlington County Schools, together with the cooperation of a large groups of other schools and organizations, is running a splended series of CW lectures in Arlington. Series started March 7, weekly after that. Tickets for the course $12 at 1206 North Quincy Street. Lec- tures at the Claude A. Swanson Junior High School The Military' Affairs Committee of the Antietam-South Mountain Centennial Association, Inc., is trying to locate re-activated military units wishing to participate during the up-coming Antietam re-enactment. Write to Dr. William J. Coleman, Jr., 830 Potomac Avenue, Hagerstown, Md.

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THE CIVIL W AR ROUND TABLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Volume 11, Number 8 May, 1962

JACKSON'S VALLEY CAMPAIGN MARKS WINDUP OF SEASON

A double-barrel look at one of the CWI s most famous ope r at i.ons - - Stonewall Jackson' s historic Valley Campaign of 100 years ago -- including an "on-site" examination, will mark the final stage of the 1961- 1962 season of our Round Table. First gun will be fired at the eighth regular dinner meeting May 15, with LT. COL. JOSEPH B. MITCHELL, author of "Decisive Battles of the Civil War" pulling the trigger. This will be followed by our spring field trip May 26, covering much of the actual territory of the campaign itself. Here's the run-down:

DATE: PLACE: PRICE:

Tuesday, May 15, 1962 National Pres s Club Ba l l r o orn $4: 00 per ticket 6:00 P.M. Command Post assembly 7: 00 P. M. Dinner 8:00 P.M. Program

Address: Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign 1862

Speaker: Lt. Col. Joseph B. Mitchell

E;IGHTH REGULAR DINNER MEETING

SPRING FIELD TRIP -- THE VALLEY CAMPAIGN

One of our most interesting field trips is on tap May 26 -- an all-day excursion to some of the main points in the Valley Campaign. Special buses will leave the usual start-

. ing point at the Columbia Island Marina (Virginia end of the Fourteenth street bridge) at 8: 00 .A. M. for a 280- mile jaunt through the valley and mountain beauty of Vir ginia in springtime.· Col. Mitchell agai{l will be in command as the trip winds through Luray to Strasbourg, Harrisonburg and Port Republic; thence to Sperryville and back to Washington. Cost will be $5 pe; ticket.

Early planning promises one of our most interesting trips, and from the scenic beauty, one of the most att r s ct iv e ofa Il , Busses will depart from the Columbia Island Marina promptly at 8:00 A.~. and will return there at about 5:00 P.M. Parking s pa ce for CWRT

, cars. has been reserved at the Marina parking area. A noun stop will be made at Ha r r is onbu r g+s Belle Meade Notel restaurant for luncheon at a nominal price following a briefing at the new electronic map of Jackson' s campaign which was recently opened at Ha r r i s onbu r g .

PRESIDENT WHELCHEL requests that members send in their checks for $5 promptly to PAUL SEDGWICK, CWRT, Barr Building, Washington 6, D. C., as the necessary busses must be engaged in advance. Private cars cannot be accommodated on this memorable trip. (Because of the distances involved in the full Valley Campaign, only some outstanding of the highlights will be included in the trip, but they will be among the most important, including the battle sites of Port Republic and Front Royal. )

GARNET WOLSELEY JEX RECEIVES GOLD MEDAL

Member GARNET WOLSELEY JEX, noted CW artist, was the recipient of our Gold Medal Award at a gala dinner last month which was distinguished by a fine program and distribution of our annual souvenir program illustrated by Member Jex himself.

The Gold Medal was presented by Member VIRGIL CARRINGTON "PAT" JONES, who recounted some of the incidents leading to the founding of the R T, in which Mr. Jex was a moving spirit. Pat also told of some of the splendid illustrations .done by Mr. Jex which won him distinction as a foremost CW artist.

Speaker of the evening was the eminent Southern historian, Dr. Francis B. Simpkins of Longwood College, Farmville, Va. With an eye to the distaff side of the War, he spoke on "Women of the Confederacy" to an appreciative audience, which inciuded a large dele­ gation of the ladies of the R T.

The souvenir program includes a roster of members of the CWRT and is available to all members in good standing.

NEW CWRT OFFICERS TO BE ELECTED MAY 15

Officers for the 1962 - 1963 s ea s oriof the CWRT will be elected at the May 15 dinner meeting.

President Col. JAMES LONGSTREET WHELCHEL has announced the appointment of the following nominating committee: Virgil Carrington "Pat" Jones, Chairman; Col. Robert Selph Henry, Karl Betts, Rex Magee and Richard Bales.

President Whelchel emphasizes that any member of the CWRT may place nominations before the committee -- they will be welcomed.

SECOND VOLUME OF CIVIL WAR NAVAL CHRONOLOGy'

The Naval History Division of the U. S. Navy, under the direction of Member ADMIRAL E. M. "JUDGE" ELLER, has now issued the second volume of its splendid Civil War Naval Chronology. This volume, identical in style- and fo r ma.t-t.o the first; "covers in detail the naval events of the War during 1862.

Starting with an exchange of fire between the U. S. S. Yankee and the U. S. S. Anacostia with Confederate batteries at Cockpit Point on the Potomac River on January I, the volume traces the momentous naval developments of 1862 down through' the Io unde r ing of the famed Monitor off Cape Hatteras on December 31. As every Buff knows, 1862 was a big year for naval action, including the history-shattering Monitor and Merrimack en­ gagements at Hampton Roads on March 9. The year also saw continuing actions' en the western r ive r a . beginning with the opening of the New Orleans campaign and the western Gulf blockade. Naval forces under Flag Officer A. H. Foote participated in the capture of Fort Henry on the Tennessee, opening the way for the flow of Union power into the South.

As was the case with the first volume, the Chronology provides Buffs and s~hoi~'i-s with an invaluable mine of information and refe r'ence material, and is an enormoUs ~ontri­ bution to knowledge of vital War actions. As usual, it is available at a bargain-bas~in~nt price: 60 cents from the Superintendent of Documents. .

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A WORD FROM THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE . " ~

The last issue of the NEWS LETTER contained an item by Member REX MAGEE about the fact that the present Speaker of the House of Representatives is the first veteran to serve in that high post since a Civil War veteran.

The Speaker, the Hon. John McCormack of Massachusetts, graciously took note of the information. It turned out that no one had before called his attention to this fact. 'Speaker McCormack is a veteran of World War 1, and he expressed his thanks to our RT for bring­ ing out this unusual claim to additional fame. The Speaker is something of a Buff himself, having a keen interest in the CW.

BETWEEN THE PICKET LINES

Spring is busting out all over '-- and our fellow Round Tables around the country are taking to the road -- in droves. It appears that our DCR T, plunked in the middle of CW count ry.arde and. in the heart of a c.ti oria r ea s s , is for turiat e in th atis hor t t rip s will t~k.e us to famous scenes. Other R T' s are not so fortunate, and so their trips take on the nature of considerable journeys.

The peripatetic Chicago RT, for example, scheduled Cl real pilgrimage last month, flying, bussing and driving all the way to Gettysburg, Antietam and Harper's Ferry (and they included some St. Louis Buffs). Indianapolis had a visit to Shiloh battlefield, and New York has a trip coming up to Washington, Bull Run and the Mosby country. The St. Louis R T planned an invasion of Vicksburg. Atlanta worked up a spe cial railroad trip to participate in the re-staging of the "Great Locomotive Chase" and has also set its sights on Vicksburg for its annual jaunt. The Fredericksburg, Virginia, R T, earlier in the year put on a three-day circle tour of the Shenandoah Valley, taking in Jackson's Valley Campaign, Charles Town, Harper's Ferry and Antietam.

Dedicated Buffs turn out to be r e a I travellers.

ACTION A T ANTIETAM

September 17 will mark the centennial of the battle of Antietam, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, one of the War's bloodiest and most decisive battles. Special arrangements for RT Buffs who wish to visit the re-enactment of the battle Se pte mbe r 15 have been worked out by the Hagerstown RT, and the American Legion, Department of Maryland, has issued an invitation to help acquire additional land at the battlefield site.

o: ;_,,,F,9llowing up the;~UM)o' As s ernb ly.of CWRT!s_at Hagerstown, the RT..th.ere will w,elcome any members of other Round Tables who visit the re-enactment. The Hagerstown RT has made special motel reservations; will stage a reception and special displays; is planning an orientation on the battles, and will have a breakfast, luncheon and banquet for visiting Buffs (with guest speakers, yet). If you are interested in red carpet treatme nt at Antietam, write the Hagerstown CWRT at Box 1155, Hagerstown, for details. They promise you'll enjoy meeting other Buffs from all over the nation.

As an assist to the National Park Service, which can't acquire all the land it feels is needed for preservation of the full battlefield area, the Maryland Department of the American Legion is lending a big hand. The Department has instituted a lands acquisition program to preserve historic lands at the site. It is calling for help. If you would like to make a dona­ tion to this fine effort, send it to the Treasurer, American Legion, Dept. of Maryland, War Memorial Building, Baltimore. Here's how yo\). can help preserve sacred ground. (The

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Department has a fine little pamphlet on the battle and what it is doing to save the site.)

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD DEPT.

The Toledo RT has come up with another gem of CW reporting, this one from Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick's official records on the cavalry action at Hanover, Penna. Here it is:

"For the first time our troops had met the foe in close contact; but they were on their own free soil; fair hands, regardless of the dangerous strife, waved them on, and bright, tearful eyes looked pleadingly out from every window. The brave Farnsworth made one great effort, and the day was won. The foe turned and fled. He had for the first and last time polluted with his presence the loyal town of Hanover."

Page Sir Walter Scott! generals swung a mean pen.

Or maybe Frank Merriwell or Horatio Alger, Jr. Those (What would they have done if they had typewriters?)

GRAPESHOT

The Post Office Department, which already has issued a Fort Sumter commemorative stamp, had a Shiloh stamp scheduled for last month Member PAUL J. SEDGWICK, Chairman of our CWRT Program Committee and Chairman of the D. C. Centennial Commis­ sion has been honored by the Civil War Centennial As sociation of Long Island. Member SEDGWICK was chosen to receive the Association's first "Centennial Figure of the Year" award. Appropriate ceremonies marked the event at Mineola, Long Island ......•. Effects of a retired semi- recluse in Greenville, Ill. , hav= yielded the largest Lincoln find in recent years. Some 29 previously unknown original Ie tt e , d, notes and papers written by Lincoln we r e in the collection, assembled by a retired g ove r nme c.c clerk while in Washington. The collection was presented to the Illinois State Historical Society by Chicago CWRT Member Philip D. Sang and his wife A newspaper correspondent described General Grant as smoking a cigar during the battle of Fort Donelson. Author Harry Hansen reports that so many people thereupon sent boxes of cigars that Grant gave up pipe smoking for cigars ...

OUR OWN 1. Q. TEST

Our last 1. Q. test proved a push-over for many members. The first three Buffs to identify correctly Sherman's telegram to Lincoln reporting the capture of Savannah were BILL INGLES, S. L. MCNARY and JOHN L. WIBBE.

Here's one for the historians: WHAT BATTLE, MORE THAN ANY OTHER, DASHED THE SOUTH'S HOPE FOR EUROPEAN RECOGNITION AND INTERVENTION? (This one's a cinch, toc , )

A BOOK EUROPE LOOKS AT THE CIVIL WAR. An Anthology Edited by Belle Becker Sideman and Lillian Friedman. Published by the Orion Press, New York ($6.00).

This is an exceptionally readable book and will prove most informative for those read­ ing for the first time concerning diplomacy during the war, and offers an interesting supplement for those familiar with standard authorities on the subject.

The 1859-1865 statements of a wide cross-section of Europeans, including even Karl Marx, and reflecting various views on the sanguinary American struggle, and its im­ pact overseas, have been selected by the editors.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the last NEWS LETTER until September. If you accummulate newsworthy items or mat= r ial during the summer, send it in. Short contributions (remember space limitations) are a lways welcome. A good summer to all Buffs!

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Walton Onslow Editor, CWRT NEWS LETTER 1828 Jefferson Place, N. W • Washington 6, D. C.