Browsing All Posts filed under »Sesquicentennial«

Prelude to Manassas: The “Affair at Falling Waters”

July 2, 2011 by

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There’s much talk today about Gettysburg, and I’m sure I’ll have a lot to say about that in two years, but… 150 years ago on this day (morning), while probing toward the Potomac River, just south of Williamsport, Maryland, the 5th Virginia Infantry, along with the 1st Rockbridge Artillery… and even a portion of the […]

From June 4, 1861, an Ohio paper opines… Virginia Playing the Fool (?)

June 4, 2011 by

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Courtesy of the Cleveland (Ohio) Herald, we have this small clip from June 4, 1861 (via Dickinson College’s House Divided blog). The title (of the original document) reads, “Virginia Playing the Foot”, but I feel that this was an error in printing, and that they (the Herald) meant “Virginia Playing the Fool”. Anyway, I find […]

Luray’s witness tree

June 3, 2011 by

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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 […]

“This guy’s been very controversial from time to time”

May 31, 2011 by

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From the Charleston  (West Virginia) Gazette: CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In its first meeting since half of its citizen members resigned in protest, the West Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission Tuesday awarded four community program grants totaling $11,160 — but tabled one funding request because of the event’s controversial keynote speaker. The Guyandotte Civil War Days festival committee […]

Brethren Elder John Kline and the referendum on secession

May 23, 2011 by

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I’ve focused on Page and Loudoun counties, while Ron Baumgarten, over at “All Not So Quiet on the Potomac” focused on Fairfax, and Encyclopedia Virginia gave some attention to Augusta and Berkeley counties. The Library of Virginia, in its blog, Union or Secession, also covered the referendum, but on a broader scale. All-in-all, it’s been […]

Virginia Unionist Goodhart continues: more on the referendum on secession

May 23, 2011 by

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Picking up from yesterday’s post on the referendum, and, as promised in a post a few weeks back, more about the referendum on secession in Virginia from Briscoe Goodhart… … and as by these troops the United States Government property at Harper’s Ferry had been seized and the immense navy yard at Norfolk had been […]

Hmmm… about that referendum on secession in Virginia

May 22, 2011 by

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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 mustering of troops in Virginia… revisiting enlistments in the militia

May 18, 2011 by

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It’s the middle of May 1861… and Virginians are flocking to units across the state… In some areas of Virginia, the mustering of troops for Virginia units (ultimately assigned to the cause of the Confederacy) began as early as the day the news of secession hit the streets. No doubt, some were quite eager to […]

May 14, 1861… Day 2 of the First Wheeling Convention

May 14, 2011 by

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I would be remiss if I made no mention of western Virginians in their efforts, during this time, 150 years ago. Of course, I also find it ironic that this weekend marks the 147th anniversary of the Battle of New Market… in which I can claim kin on both sides… two in the 62nd Virginia […]

All is not as it may first appear… the poetess and her work

May 1, 2011 by

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Cornelia Jane Mathews Jordan is an excellent example of one of the many paths that sprung forth from basic Southern Unionism. While one piece of her work reflects a strong affection to the Union and the flag, her opinions were not concrete, and were greatly influenced by her affiliations and the situations that she encountered, during the course of the war. ...[ Read more...]

The part of the story that Strother would not enjoy…

April 30, 2011 by

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While we saw this morning, in an earlier post, where Strother encountered Virginia militia troops from Berkeley and Jefferson counties, hoping for a reversal on secession in Virginia, we also see these two letters (courtesy of the Staunton Vindicator, April 26, 1861); one from Capt. Absalom Koiner (Augusta Rifles), and the other from Capt. William […]

Strother returns to the Valley, April 30 – May 2, 1861

April 30, 2011 by

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As D.H. Strother makes his way from Annapolis, back to Harper's Ferry, he finds "the plot has thickened" considerably. Remarking briefly about the batteries placed on the surrounding hills, and the new commander there (T.J. Jackson), his attention is focused on discussions with some of the Virginia troops there. Despite being in the ranks, not all are embracing secession, and, in fact, remain hopeful that Virginians would reject it in the referendum to come, later in May. ...[ Read more...]

Enter… the Confederate army of occupation

April 28, 2011 by

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It’s difficult for some Southerners to see it that way, but, in fact, that is the way that some Southerners felt in 1861. As Craig points out in his post, from April 26, some folks and communities are starting to take note of the fact that not everyone in Virginia embraced the Confederacy. That’s recognition […]

D.H. Strother, April 27, 1861

April 27, 2011 by

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On the 27th of April I met a friend who was on his way to Annapolis for the purpose of visiting his son, then a cadet in the Naval Academy. I was easily persuaded to accompany him, and at an early hour we took the steamer for that place. As we passed Fort McHenry the […]

Reverse the Circumstances

April 24, 2011 by

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I’m not much into alternative history, because there may be an infinite number of forks in the road, but this is entertaining… and a take on things, from April 1861… (it appeared in the April 23, 1861 edition of the Staunton Spectator). Reverse the Circumstances. If there were any reason left amongst the people of […]

“They call me a traitor now”

April 23, 2011 by

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This poem (and, no, not written by the same author, whose poem I posted on April 21… and not to fret, I’ll be telling you more about the author of that poem, soon) comes from the Memphis Bulletin (as reprinted in the Staunton Spectator. You remember… the Unionist paper in that town…) April 23, 1861. […]

Strother, April 22, 1861

April 22, 2011 by

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On Monday, 22d of April, the excitement still continued, the mobs occasionally breaking into shops in search of arms. The battle of Cockeysville did not take place as was expected. The Pennsylvanians, who were for the most part unarmed and altogether unprepared for a warlike encounter, had received warning of the proceedings in Baltimore, and […]

“As o’er Columbia still shall wave… The banner of the brave and free.”

April 21, 2011 by

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A little pre-Civil War, Southern poetry for the day… A NATIONAL HYMN FOR THE NEW YEAR. AIR–”Old Hundred.” GOD of the Year!–whose watchful eye O’er all Thy great Creation bends; Whose mercies all Thy children share; Whose love to all Thy works extends– In this our Country’s hour of need, A Nation’s heart bows down […]

Strother in Baltimore, April 21, 1861

April 21, 2011 by

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On Sunday, April 21, in pursuance of important private business, I went from Charlestown to Harper’s Ferry, and thence by the train to Baltimore. As Maryland was at that time supposed to be one of the elect, and Baltimore, by the acts of the 19th, had earned the right to be regarded as a true […]

Looking back at the Pratt Street (Baltimore) Riot

April 20, 2011 by

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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 […]

Northern Virginia and the Virginia Convention

April 20, 2011 by

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While my focus here lately has been on activities in the Shenandoah Valley, and the take on secession in this general area, Ron Baumgarten, over at All Not So Quiet Along the Potomac, has done a superb job following the Virginia secession crisis in Northern Virginia. The two most recent posts have been about a […]

A seemingly odd two to be paired…

April 20, 2011 by

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After all, two very different causes… but, still… both acted in what amounts to be conspiracy with the intent to commit treason… against the Commonwealth of Virginia. I find it incredibly strange how some seem to forgive and forget (heck, many probably aren’t aware of Henry A. Wise and his actions, at all) when it […]

Henry A. Wise… traitor to Virginia?

April 20, 2011 by

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So, did Henry A. Wise betray Virginia? Give it some thought. Yes, we can see that Virginia was riding a fine line. There were secessionists; there were Unionists… and among the Unionists, we can see a wide range of what it meant to be a Unionist. We have the unconditional Unionists, who were not budging […]

Strother, April 20, 1861

April 20, 2011 by

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April 20, Charlestown. – To-day we received confirmation of the passage of the ordinance of Secession by the Virginia Convention. This was followed by news of the riots of the 19th in Baltimore, and the destruction of the Navy-yard at Norfolk. Under these accumulating proofs of the inability or unwillingness of the general Government to […]

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