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July 2008
rcwrt.org
John Coski, President                  Rob Monroe, Editor       
5028 King William Road                 2416 Edenbrook Dr.       
Richmond, VA 23225                     Richmond, VA 23228-3040  
jmcoski@peoplepc.com                   RMonroe500@comcast.net   

July 2008 PROGRAM Frank A. O'Reilly "A Host Within Himself: The Generalship of Stonewall Jackson" General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson rose from almost perfect obscurity to become one of the world's greatest military captains. His ability excited much of the English-speaking world, drawing admiration even from his enemies. Jackson set a standard for secrecy and mobile warfare that still resonates today in the modern military establishment. Such commanders as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas McArthur, Alexander Vandegrift, and Lewis "Chesty" Puller implemented Stonewall's lessons during their own campaigns in World War II and Korea. More recently, Norman Schwarzkopf and Tommy Franks turned to the 19th century Virginian for solutions to their 21st century battles. How Jackson was able to achieve such notoriety will be the subject of Frank A. O'Reilly's presentation. He will examine Stonewall's generalship, revealing the obstacles Stonewall had to overcome to become a successful leader on the battlefield. O'Reilly is the permanent historian for the Stonewall Jackson Shrine, just outside Fredericksburg. A graduate of Washington & Lee University, he has been with the National Park Service at the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park since 1987. The popular battlefield guide has written numerous articles on the Civil and Mexican wars and also has authored several books, including the award-winning The Fredericksburg Campaign: Winter War on the Rappahannock.
Program Examines Constitution and Civil War The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Richmond will be hosting a program that examines our country's founding and how the Constitution itself contained the seeds of the Civil War. "The Coming Storm: The Constitution and the Civil War" is a program that promises to give participants a better understanding of the events surrounding this tumultuous period. Through lectures and tours at Monticello and Montpelier, the program will focus on the history of slavery and the African-American experience during this time. The program will take place from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30. It was developed by The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership (JTHG) for the University of Richmond Osher Institute. JTHG has hand-selected each lecture, presenter and tour for the program. The mission of the JTHG Partnership is to promote awareness of the four-state, 175-mile Journey Through Hallowed Ground corridor from Gettysburg to Monticello. By creating unique, hands-on educational programs for students of all ages, the JTHG Partnership offers participants the opportunity to experience the region described by the late historian C. Vann Woodward as one that has "soaked up more of the blood, sweat, and tears of American history than any other part of the country." The $150 fee covers motor coach transportation, lectures, tours, lunch and snacks. To take part in the program, call the Osher Institute at (804) 287-6608 or (804) 287-6344. You may also use the Osher Institute online registration form at scs.richmond.edu/osher/register.htm The JTHG Partnership is comprised of over 150 organizations, including the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Park Service -- as well as every Main Street community and historic downtown and village along The Journey. For more information, please visit www.HallowedGround.org
New Marker Placed at the White House of the Confederacy The Civil War Trails program unveiled its newest historical marker last month in front of the White House of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis's former executive mansion. In attendance were guests from tourism and Civil War sites of Richmond, city and state public officials, members of the board of trustees and staff of the Museum of the Confederacy, and visitors to the museum's free commemoration of Jefferson Davis's 200th Birthday. "We are delighted to have the White House of the Confederacy included in the great Civil War Trails Program, which has brought Civil War sites across the country much needed recognition," stated S. Waite Rawls III, the Museum's President and CEO. The marker sits in front of the house on the corner of Clay and 12th streets in historic Court End Richmond. It includes history and photographs of Jefferson Davis's family-who lived in the house from August 1861 until April 1865, details on important events that happened inside like the famous visit from Abraham Lincoln on April 4, 1865. Mitch Bowman, Executive Director of Virginia Civil War Trails said, "Jefferson Davis's executive mansion is a must see site within our Trails program. We are pleased to work with The Museum of the Confederacy to provide additional interpretation for Civil War visitors." The Civil War Trails program has installed more than 800 interpretive markers at Civil War sites across the mid-Atlantic. Driving tours following major campaigns have been created, and a series of regional brochures is available. Visit www.civilwartrails.org for more information.
Former Preservation Partners at Odds Over Quarry Expansion The expansion of a Frederick County quarry has undermined the relationship of some longtime preservation partners. Last month Belle Grove Inc. and the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that they have ended all involvement with the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation. By a 4-3 vote, Frederick County's Board of Supervisors recently approved a rezoning request by Carmeuse Lime and Stone. The action permits the expansion of mining activities at a quarry near the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park. In a June 18 press release, the National Trust claimed that their split with the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation was "because of the Foundation's sudden reversal on the mining issue. On April 17, the president and executive director of the Foundation assured the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Belle Grove of their opposition to quarry owner Carmeuse's mining proposals. Yet on April 23, without notifying the National Trust for Historic Preservation or Belle Grove, the foundation publicly testified before the Frederick County Board of Supervisors they 'took no exception' to the quarry expansion, essentially approving the proposal. On the same day, the Foundation struck a deal to accept a gift of 8 acres of land from the quarry owner." In previous years, Belle Grove's board of directors had allowed the foundation to rent land for its annual October reenactment of the 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek. Earlier this year, the foundation decided not to use Belle Grove's property for this fall's event. Instead, the reenactment will be held on land owned by the foundation.
Grant Supports Educational Activities at Five Forks The National Park Service recently received a $5,000 "George P. McClelland Legacy Grant" from the Tawani Foundation, in cooperation with the Civil War Preservation Trust to obtain materials that provide a hands-on Civil War learning experience for classroom students and visitors at the soon to be completed Five Forks Visitor Contact Station. The grant made it possible to purchase two complete replica uniforms of a Union Zouave soldier, identical to those uniforms worn by the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, fighting at Five Forks on April 1, 1865. The Zouave uniform, based on colorful French designs, was generally worn by Union units that demonstrated exceptional skills in military drill. Captain George P. McClelland, commander of Company F of the 155th Pennsylvania Reserves Regiment, was wounded at Five Forks and awarded the rank of Brevet-Major for his leadership and bravery on the field of battle. The Tawani Foundation, based in Chicago, provides funding to organizations that further awareness of the importance of America's citizen soldiers and their role in the preservation of democracy. Civil War Preservation Trust is the only national non-profit organization charged with preservation of America's significant Civil War battlefields and education about the central importance of the conflict in our nation's history. This effort was made possible through the generosity of Mr. Robert Plumb.
Upcoming Events Saturday, July 19: "Hard Liquor and Women," a Petersburg National Battlefield program. Although most citizens welcomed the sight of soldiers, there were times when caution and patience were necessary. Learn how off duty soldiers relieved some stress while walking the streets of Petersburg. Hour-long programs beginning at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m. at South Side Railroad Depot in Petersburg. FREE Saturday, July 26: Blandford Cemetery Night Tour presented by Petersburg National Battlefield. Explore one of Petersburg's oldest and most historic cemeteries during this candlelight walk under the stars. Tour begins at the church where special mention will be made of the Crater memorials. 8 p.m. Free. Saturday & Sunday, July 26 & 27: Living historians and ranger led walks will highlight the weekend's activities as the 144th anniversary of the Battle of the Crater is commemorated at Petersburg National Battlefield's Eastern Front. FREE Sunday, July 27: Men of Iron Walking Tour at American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar. Explore the lives of Tredegar's multicultural iron workers on a 25-minute outdoor guided tour. Discover the hidden secrets that lie below the 1861 Gun Foundry. Tour the furnaces and investigate how iron goods were made. Learn how workers labored and lived under the leadership of Tredegar owner Joseph Anderson. Tour begins at 1 p.m. in front of the Center museum. $10 or free with admission or Center membership. Sunday, July 27: "Restoring the Tredegar Gun Foundry." Join Virginia Department of Historic Resources architectural historian Calder Loth for a talk on the re-birth of the Tredegar Gun Foundry. 2 p.m. at the National Park Service (NPS) Theater at Tredegar. FREE Saturday, August 9: "Women's Roles in Civil War History." Women played leading roles during the Civil War as spies, nurses, surgeons, and abolitionists. This 30-minute tour through the American Civil War Center's exhibit, In the Cause of Liberty, will explore the lives of eight women who impacted history. 1 p.m.. $10 or free with paid admission or Center membership. Saturday, August 9: "Laboring on the Home Front." NPS Ranger Susie Sernaker will discuss the expanding role of women, free blacks and slaves in the Richmond workforce during the Civil War. 2 p.m. at NPS Visitor's Center at Tredegar. FREE
RCWRT Monthly Speakers for 2008
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Richmond Civil War Round Table Newsletter Rob Monroe, Editor 2416 Edenbrook Dr. Richmond, VA 23228-3040


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