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DISPATCHES FROM THE POWHATAN CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2012 This month the PCWRT welcomes Major Robert J. Forman speaking on The Bermuda Hundred Campaign. In May of 1864, Benjamin Butler and the Union Army of the James engaged Confederate forces under the command of General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, in a series of battles outside of Richmond. Known as The Bermuda Hundred Campaign, local sites such as Port Walthall Junction, Swift Creek, Chester Station, and Ware Bottom Church saw desperate fighting as the Confederate Army struggled to protect the outskirts of Richmond, and defend the Southern Capital. While Beauregard’s forces had been pieced together from the ranks of teenagers and elderly men from the Richmond-Petersburg area, the Union Army was no match for the determined defenders, and Butler became bottled up at the little fishing village of Bermuda Hundred. While safe from attack, he was unable to move, as the enemy had built an equally strong line immediately in front of him, and ultimately his campaign would be remembered as a Union failure. Our speaker, Major Robert J. Forman is the author of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign Tour Guide, which includes extensive descriptions of every Civil War battle fought in the Bermuda Hundred area of Southeastern Chesterfield. A West Point graduate, and former educator at Pamplin Historical Park in Petersburg, Major Forman is a member of the Military History Committee of the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia, and passionate preservationist of our area’s Civil War history. We are honored to welcome him, and hope you will join us! Click here to read more about Robert! NEXT MONTH PCWRT friend and member favorite, John V. Quarstein makes his annual appearance! UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND CLASS ON CIVIL WAR NAVY The University of Richmond’s School of Continuing Studies will offer a course titled “Battle Flags and Broadsides: The Sailors’ Civil War” that meets 7:00 – 9:00 PM on four consecutive Monday nights, beginning on April 2, 2012. The course will be led by Powhatan Civil War Roundtable member Jack Mountcastle, the U.S. Army’s former Chief of Military History. Click here for details! PCWRT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES The PCWRT is a membership driven, nonprofit and nonpolitical organization, headed by a Leadership Committee of steadfast volunteers, and we are looking for new volunteers to participate! Click here for more information. LOCAL EVENTS Don’t miss out on the incredible events happening all over the Richmond Region. Click here for links to events of Civil War interest, as well as links to sites on the 150th Anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. CIVIL WAR QUOTES "Our march yesterday was terribly severe. The sun was like a furnace, and the dust thick and suffocating. Many a poor fellow marched his last day yesterday. Several men fell dead on the road. Our boys have all come through so far, accepting the hardships as a matter of course, and remaining cheerful and obedient I assure you I feel proud of them." Lt. Colonel Rufus R. Dawes, 10 miles from Leesburg, VA. June 19, 1863 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSClick here for a list of our most frequently asked questions. Don’t see your question addressed here? E-mail us at info@PowhatanCWRT.org NOTICE: Thank you to our members for responding to our request to send future newsletters via e-mail! Your Roundtable is always striving to reduce expenses, and one of our main expenses has been the mailing of our monthly newsletter. If you are currently receiving your newsletter via US Mail, but would prefer to receive it electronically via e-mail, please let us know at info@PowhatanCWRT.org. THIS MONTH IN THE CIVIL WARFebruary 1, 1862 - Confederate generals became aware that Union forces were massing along the line of the Mississippi River near Virginia and planned to expect a major Union offensive with the targets thought to be either Fort Henry or Fort Donelson. February 2, 1862 - Confederate intelligence indicated that the Union’s ability to move its men along river systems was not good. However, the Confederates were unaware of Lincoln’s order – to attack regardless. February 3, 1862 - Lincoln again asked McClellan to make a major move for Richmond using the Army of the Potomac. McClellan again showed his usual reluctance to do anything without having it precisely mapped out first. He told Lincoln that he wanted to move troops by sea to the Virginia Peninsula and then push the 40 miles inland. February 5, 1862 - General Grant concentrated his forces for an attack on Fort Henry. He had 15,000 men under his command while the Confederate defenders at the fort numbered 3,200. February 6, 1862 - Union gunboats on the Tennessee River bombarded Fort Henry. The fort commander, General Tilghman withdrew as many men as he could to Fort Donelson but ensured that gunners remained in Fort Henry. By mid-afternoon the walls of Fort Henry were broken and Tilghman decided to surrender. Only 63 men were left in the fort. Over 3,000 made it to the relative safety of Fort Donelson, which prepared itself for an attack. However, the control of the Tennessee River at that point was very important to the Unionists as it allowed them to make river patrols up to northern Alabama. February 7, 1862 - Grant prepared for an attack on Fort Donelson, which was a far tougher proposition than Fort Henry. Fort Henry was by the river’s edge while Fort Donelson was 100 feet above the Cumberland River. February 8, 1862 - Union forces took prisoner 2,527 Confederate troops at Roanoke Island. February 10, 1862 - Grant told his men that they would move on Fort Donelson within 24 hours. The fort was 12 miles from Fort Henry. Grant’s large land force was bolstered by a large river force as more Union gunboats joined the attack. February 12, 1862 - 20,000 Union troops moved on Fort Donelson. By the time Grant’s men arrived at the fort, it is thought that there were about 18,000 Confederate troops in it. February 13, 1862 - The attack on Fort Donelson started though the gunboats were late in arriving. Artillery fire continued throughout the day and into the night. February 14, 1862 - Six Union gunboats arrived at Fort Donelson. They accompanied ten transport ships that brought an extra 10,000 Union troops to the fight. The gunboats added an extra 70 guns to the Union’s artillery capability. As well as being pounded from the land, the fort was attacked from the river. During the night, the fort’s commander, General Floyd, decided that the Confederate force in the fort had to fight its way out and push into open land. Floyd assumed that they had no chance of holding Fort Donelson. February 15, 1862 - One hour before daybreak the Confederates in Fort Donelson attempted their breakout. They had surprise on their side and attacked on just one front but after initial success had to face Union troops sent to reinforce that front. By the afternoon, the Confederates had to return to Fort Donelson. By the end of the day, Fort Donelson was totally surrounded. Union troops surrounded it on three sides on land and the Union gunboats dominated the Cumberland River. February 16, 1862 - At dawn Fort Donelson surrendered. The Confederates had hoped to negotiate terms but Grant told them that “unconditional and immediate surrender can (only) be accepted”. The loss of Fort Donelson resulted in the Confederates losing control of Tennessee and Kentucky. Over 14,000 Confederates were taken prisoner. February 18, 1862 - There was much celebration in Washington DC when news reached the capital of the surrender of Fort Donelson. The First Congress of the Confederate States of America met in Richmond. February 21, 1862 - The Battle of Fort Craig in New Mexico was fought. This saw a Confederate victory against a larger Union force. The Confederates captured six artillery guns from the Unionists. February 22, 1862 - Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the first President of the Confederate States of America. February 25, 1862 - General Halleck, commander of the Army of the Southwest, sent a series of telegraph messages stating how well the Unionist forces were doing in Missouri – a state seen as a thorn in the side to Federal aspirations. However, these telegraph messages were misleading in that Halleck had yet to achieve anything decisive. February 27, 1862 - Davis was given permission by the Confederate Congress to suspend habeas corpus if he felt it was necessary to do so. Davis asked for martial law to be introduced at Norfolk and Portsmouth – both important naval bases in Virginia. February 28, 1862 - Charleston was captured by Unionist forces. Charleston was to become the capital for the new state of West Virginia. ______________________________________________________ SCROLL DOWN TO READ PAST NEWSLETTERS ______________________________________________________ JANUARY 2012 Johann August Heinrich Heros von Borcke Happy New Year from the PCWRT! As we enter our ninth year, we are excited to bring you B. Frank Earnest, Sr. as “the giant in gray” Johann August Heinrich Heros von Borcke. Heros von Borcke was a lieutenant in the 2nd Brandenburg Regiment of Dragoons when news arrived of the beginning of the American Civil War. Securing his release from the Prussian Army, von Borcke boarded a blockade runner in May of 1862 and traveled to Charleston, South Carolina. In his possession was what would arguably become one of the most famous military swords of all time. Arriving in Richmond by the end of May, he was assigned to Major General JEB Stuart by the order of Secretary of War George W. Randolph. A tall man at 6' 4" and weighting in at more than 240 pounds, he was a sriking figure, and Stuart was quickly impressed by the Prussian. Stuart made von Borckehis chief of staff and adjutant general, and he served until severely wounded with a bullet in the neck at the battle of Middleburg in 1863. He recovered enough to resume staff duties in the spring of 1864, and was present at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in which Stuart received the wound which would prove to be fatal. von Borcke was at Stuart’s side when he died in Richmond the following day. He ended the war in England on a diplomatic mission for the Confederacy, and returned to his homeland. His memoirs of his adventures in the Confederate army were published in 1877, and the giant passed away from effects of the old wound in 1895. For more information on von Borcke, click here to view the Museum of the Confederacy’s informative vodcast about the Prussian Confederate and his famous sword. Our presenter, Frank Earnest was born in Norfolk, Virginia and currently resides in Virginia Beach with his wife Billie. A Navy Veteran with over 20 years of service during conflicts from Vietnam to Desert Storm, he has been recognized by the United Daughters of the Confederacy for his service, and also awarded one of their highest honors, the President Jefferson Davis Medal. Descended from Captain Eusebius Fowlkes, of company A 11th Virginia Infantry, Frank has served at the officer level of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans for many years, and is a member of the Advisory Council for the Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. A historic interpreter, Frank has participated in events such as the funeral of Mrs. Alberta Martin (The Last Confederate Widow), the burial of the CSS Hunley Crew, and introduces modern audiences to the “giant in gray” Major Heros von Borcke. NEXT MONTH Robert J. Forman speaking on the battle of The Bermuda Hundred. CIVIL WAR CINEMA AT THE BYRD! Sunday, January 29th, 2012 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, the Byrd Theatre and The Museum of the Confederacy will partner once more with their Civil War Cinema Event! A chocolate and champagne reception will precede a special screening of Robert Redford’s “The Conspirator,” introduced by speaker Elizabeth Trindal, author of Mary Surratt: An American Tragedy. Tickets are only $25.00 per person, or $15.00 with a valid Student ID. Tickets may be purchased at Plan 9 Records, at the Museum, or on-line at www.moc.org. UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND CLASS ON CIVIL WAR NAVY The University of Richmond’s School of Continuing Studies will offer a course titled “Battle Flags and Broadsides: The Sailors’ Civil War” that meets 7:00 – 9:00 PM on four consecutive Monday nights, beginning on April 2, 2012. The course will be led by Powhatan Civil War Roundtable member Jack Mountcastle, the U.S. Army’s former Chief of Military History. Click here for details! PCWRT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES The PCWRT is a membership driven, nonprofit and nonpolitical organization, headed by a Leadership Committee of steadfast volunteers, and we are looking for new volunteers to participate! Click here for more information. LOCAL EVENTS Don’t miss out on the incredible events happening all over the Richmond Region. Click here for links to events of Civil War interest, as well as links to sites on the 150th Anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. CIVIL WAR QUOTES “I have just read your dispatch about sore-tongued and fatigued horses, Will you pardon me for asking what the horses of your army have done since the Battle of Antietam that fatigues anything?” FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Click here for a list of our most frequently asked questions. Don’t see your question addressed here? E-mail us at info@PowhatanCWRT.org NOTICE: Thank you to our members for responding to our request to send future newsletters via e-mail! Your Roundtable is always striving to reduce expenses, and one of our main expenses has been the mailing of our monthly newsletter. If you are currently receiving your newsletter via US Mail, but would prefer to receive it electronically via e-mail, please let us know at info@PowhatanCWRT.org. THIS MONTH IN THE CIVIL WARJanuary 3, 1862 - Jefferson Davis expressed his concern that Union forces were stationed at Ship Island in the Mississippi Sound. This base was only 65 miles from New Orleans. General ‘Stonewall’ Jackson started his campaign to disrupt the North’s movement of supplies. His targets were the Baltimore to Ohio railway and the Ohio to Chesapeake canal. January 4, 1862 - Jackson’s reputation for keeping his men on the move was cemented when Union forces could barely find his 10,000 men who were on the march. January 6, 1862 - The Senate urged Lincoln to replace McClellan because of his seeming lack of activity. However, Lincoln supported McClellan. January 7, 1862 - Three Union gunboats made a sortie along the Mississippi to within three miles of the important Confederate stronghold at Columbus. Their information was fed back to General U Grant. January 9, 1862 - General Grant started his campaign against Columbus. January 11, 1862 - Secretary of War Simon Cameron resigned over accusations of corruption and basic incompetence. 100 Union ships transported 15,000 troops to Port Royal, North Carolina, to support the men who are already there. January 13, 1862 - Edwin Stanton became Secretary of War. January 14, 1862 - Lincoln called for a more robust campaign in Missouri. McClelland urged caution. January 19, 1862 - A battle at Mill Spring (sometimes called the Battle of Somerset) led to as many as 195 Confederate troops being killed with 200 taken prisoner. However, the Union’s leader in the attack, General Zollicoffer, was killed. January 25, 1862 - By this day, what was left of the Confederate force at Mill Spring had been forced 100 miles to the southwest to Gainsboro, which resulted in the Confederate line having a large gap punched through it. January 27, 1862 - Lincoln issued General War Order Number One. This urged the Union army into action and set February 22nd as the date he expected a major surge in action. January 30, 1862 - The ‘USS Monitor’ was launched – a revolutionary new vessel designed by John Ericsson. The ‘Monitor’ marked a new stage in the development of ironclads. Mason and Slidell finally arrived in Great Britain. January 31, 1862 - Lincoln issued his Special War Order Number One. This ordered the army that had been protecting Washington DC to launch an attack on Manassas Junction – as long as the safety of the capital had been ensured – by February 22nd. Great Britain announced that it would remain neutral in the war. ______________________________________________________ TO READ 2011 NEWSLETTERS, PLEASE CLICK HERE ______________________________________________________
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