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As a Southerner and native of the Shenandoah Valley, I offer reflections on the Civil War-era South… and sometimes a little more. But… expect the unexpected
Browsing All Posts filed under »Ancestral tidbits«
On my supposed isolationist “hillbilly” roots: the Nicholson family in Madison County, Va., part 3
Sorry for the delay… busy week. O.K., where was I? Oh, yes… First, I need to say, this has been a very fluid set of posts, and all are subject to modification at this point (the beauty of blogs… they aren’t really “set-hard in ink”). I started off writing this with an idea of where […]
On my supposed isolationist “hillbilly” roots: the Nicholson family in Madison County, Va., part 2
November 6, 2011 by Robert Moore
Though Pollock’s first contact with Madison County took place in October, 1886, and it was the beginning of a long series of events that would impact the mountain people there, it seems unlikely that he actually visited Nicholson Hollow (also known as “Free State Hollow”) at the time. He does, however, mention it briefly, in […]
On my supposed isolationist “hillbilly” roots: the Nicholson family in Madison County, Va., part 1
November 5, 2011 by Robert Moore
Last weekend, I brought out one of the family bibles in my collection, so that my two youngest could see some of the “artifacts” that have been maintained, safely inside, for more than a century. In particular, I wanted to show them these items… … a death poem, a “cypher”/multiplication table, and a lock of […]
… and, also revisiting the family witch story…
October 31, 2011 by Robert Moore
One of my great-great grandfathers, Charles Robert “Tanner” Hillard, has a rather interesting story tied to one of his brides. A Confederate veteran, Hilliard began his married days, five years after the war, in 1870. The rather sad part about those years, however, is that he ended up outliving four of five brides, remarrying in […]
Revisiting a family ghost story, from the Civil War…
October 31, 2011 by Robert Moore
This appeared in a post last year, but, I like the story so much… Despite being part of a series of victories in 1862, the “Page Grays” of Co. H, 33rd Virginia Infantry, had seen their fair share of desertions (not, by any means, that the “Grays” were slackers, as the company also saw more than […]
Romney, 150 years ago today: the first in a series of “blood clashes”
October 26, 2011 by Robert Moore
It’s barely a blip on the radars when it comes to Sesquicentennial commemoration/remembrance, but on this day, 150 years ago, some of my kin… some in blue, and others in gray… may well have exchanged shots. No, it wasn’t in one of the big battles, but, rather, a small scrap that resulted in Gen. B.F. […]
149 years ago today, but, what about a snapshot of 150 years ago today? Life one year before THE battle.
September 17, 2011 by Robert Moore
I encourage those who are able, to take advantage of all that is going on at Antietam National Battlefield, this weekend. Regretfully, I won’t be able to make it… though I most certainly plan on being there this time next year (and might even take a little time to hop across the Potomac next weekend, […]
Trainmen…
September 12, 2011 by Robert Moore
This past week, my grandfather, a “trainman” of, apparently, 25 (give or take) years, would have been 108… and it got me to thinking how incredibly cool it is that the railroad has played into my family history, since, perhaps, as early as the late 1860s. I know, I know, I’m jumping the track (hey, […]
150 years ago, today and yesterday… another personal Sesqui moment
September 3, 2011 by Robert Moore
James Draper Moore (distant half first cousin) enlisted in Co. B (Capt. William Firey’s Company), Cole’s Volunteer Maryland Cavalry (Potomac Home Brigade), September 3, 1861. James was born and raised in Clear Spring, Maryland, and was living with his parents at the time of enlistment. Joseph Lake McKinney (third great grand-uncle) had enlisted in the […]
Maryland’s Southern Unionists continue to fill the ranks
August 28, 2011 by Robert Moore
THE HOME BRIGADE.— The work organizing the Regiments, ordered to be raised by the Secretary of War as a Home Brigade in Western Maryland, is rapidly progressing. In Allegany county one regiment has been nearly completed, nine of the ten companies having been raised, with the assurance that the tenth one will be speedily forthcoming. In […]
Looking for those who are no longer there…
August 14, 2011 by Robert Moore
This past Thursday, I drove through Clear Spring, Maryland. To be honest, it was part of a rather out-of-the-way detour that I made (by choice) en route to another location. Certainly, it’s not like I haven’t been there before… but, I just wanted to visit again… and, I’m sure it won’t be the last time […]
The call for a (Western) Maryland Home Brigade
July 23, 2011 by Robert Moore
A Measure of Self Defense. The following letter from Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War, to Ex Governor THOMAS, our Representative in Congress, explains itself:— WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, July 19th, 1861. Hon. Francis Thomas:— You are hereby authorized to provide for the organization of four regiments of the loyal citizens, residents on both sides of the Potomac river, […]
Maryland Unionists address the matter of Federal “interference”
July 23, 2011 by Robert Moore
“Old Maryland’s Wrongs” This is a favorite expression with the rebels of the South, who tried but failed to seduce our State from her loyalty to the Union. The other day, on the occasion of the presentation of a piece of secession bunting to the Baltimore Regiment in the rebel army at Richmond, Mr. JEFFERSON DAVIS, who […]
Their run to the guns…
July 22, 2011 by Robert Moore
Before I left Manassas yesterday, I had to do just one more thing. Yes, I was hot and miserable at the time, but, it didn’t matter, I had to do it. This is the first place that I’ve visited this year, on the 150th anniversary of an event in which my people were present, 150 […]
“I go in search of brother”
July 22, 2011 by Robert Moore
22nd. I go in search of brother Wm* who had been badly wounded; find him near the battlefield, and take him with other to the Junction. I then go in search of some other wounded, and find a few. Start to F. Royal at midnight with them. I am very wet from being in the […]
Reveille by picket fire, and a cannon…
July 21, 2011 by Robert Moore
This morning we were awakened by the firing of our pickets. After eating a hearty breakfast and filling our haversacks with provisions, we were again on the march. The artillery of the enemy could be distinctly heard on our right. After marching and counter marching for sometime, we were stationed within a-half mile of the […]
The run to the guns…
July 20, 2011 by Robert Moore
For those of you are going… see you in the morning, on the Plains of Manassas…
Why was it called Jackson’s “Prayer Oak”?
June 4, 2011 by Robert Moore
I was asked a question by a reader yesterday, and thought I’d give a little more background about the Jackson Prayer Oak/Tree. Why is it called Jackson’s “Prayer Oak”? In the wake of victories at Cross Keys and Port Republic, Stonewall Jackson moved his army into Brown’s Gap for a few days. A few days […]
Luray’s witness tree
June 3, 2011 by Robert Moore
Since we’re in mourning for the Jackson Prayer Oak (see here, and here… and yes, I’m a tree hugger of sorts… especially when it comes to witness trees), I figured it was a perfect time to talk about another witness tree, but further down the Valley, in Page County. While this tree didn’t witness any […]
Hmmm… about that referendum on secession in Virginia
May 22, 2011 by Robert Moore
Tomorrow marks the day, 150 years ago, when Virginians were given the chance to vote on secession… although, really, it didn’t mean a great deal considering the mobilization that had taken place, and… let’s not forget the Commonwealth’s offer for Richmond to be the capital of the Confederacy… before the referendum. Really, it was a […]
The search for family in Civil War draft records
May 20, 2011 by Robert Moore
A little sidetrack for just a bit, but, on an ancestor hunt. Earlier today, I realized that ancestry.com has Civil War draft records. So, I couldn’t wait to get home to see if for my third great grandfather, Cyrus S. Moore, by draft time, 1863, was still working his canal boat, the G.P. Lloyd, on […]
Looking back at the Pratt Street (Baltimore) Riot
April 20, 2011 by Robert Moore
Since I’m a little past due on the Maryland part of my Southron heritage… 150 years ago, yesterday… And then, this video from the Catholic Review: O.k., interesting, but once again, “Southern” continues to be entangled in the whole “they were all secessionists” stereotype. So, who’s with me? All those in favor of clarification… say […]
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Southern Unionists Chronicles
- In the case of Mr. Nicholas Breeden, Rockingham County, Virginia February 19, 2012
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November 13, 2011 by Robert Moore
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