Civil War correspondence

[dknelson]

One of the real surprises when you see authentic Civil War uniforms is how small the guys were -- short. No wonder Lincoln looked strange to people back then. Today a man who is 6'4" is not that unusual.
While we are talking Civil War, I might mention two older movies. One is Disney's The Great Locomotive Chase -- rather woodenly acted but a pretty darn accurate account of the famous Andrews raid that stole a locomotive with the goal of disrupting key rail lines. it failed and has no real strategic importance but remains one of the more talked about incidents of the War because it was so daring on both sides -- the chase of the General by the Texas (and a couple of other locomotives, including the Yonah) by the determined conductor Fuller. For decades afterward the surviving participants, both Southern and Northern, would hold reunions with each other, one would like to think in friendship or at least cordiality, to recount the events of that day. Severall participants wrote books about it, including Wm Pittenger of the Andrews raiders.
The same basic story, but very much changed, is in Buster Keaton's silent comedy The General. Apart from the stunts and the comedy both of whcih remain impressive, Keaton was an avid raill buff who insisted on authenticity. The engines burned wood and link-and-pin couplers were used. Some have compared the battle and railroad scenes in this film to moving Matthew Brady photographs. This is a must for buffs of Civil War railoading -- some of which have avoided seeing the film because they figured it would be totally inaccurate or because they are bored by silent films. It does not really portray the truth about the Andrews Raid but it DOES give an excellent look at very very old railroad equipment, much of which was destroyed to make the film, including a climactic bridge fire that remains to this day one of the more astounding things captured on film. It is worth seeing for the expression on the face of the actor who plays the commanding officer who orders the train to cross the bridge. The bridge collapses and all the lesser officers turn and look him straight in the face. I do not know the name of the actor but in that one scene his expression has to be seen to be believed -- he was really acting the part.
Dave Nelson

[FJ and G]

There's a thick book on modeling the Civil War and scratchbuilding stuff in HO. I read it in a library a few years back. The book is rather old and I don't know the title.

Ed, I live in Manassas right between the junction of the famous Civil War railroads that still are there (I ride one to work every day--VRE). Also, near my work in Alexandria is a pre-Civil War railroad tunnel. Tracks were pulled about 15 years ago or so and I use it on my daily jogging trail (which I just got back from).

The Germans, BTW, studied the U.S. Civil War and used it to their great advantage against the French during the Franco-Prussian war.

WW I narrow gauges littered the French countryside right up to the trenches. Some of the work was done by the US.

WW II saw an extensive network of narrow gauge lines to move supplies and weapons, used by the Germans to defend western Europe from US/UK. THe Japanese used narrow gauge lines for the same purpose on some westPac islands.

[edblysard]

Dave,
I rode with the 4Th US Cavalry, A Troop, a recreation group in San Antonio, back in the 1980s.
Makes this stuff quite real when you put on the uniform, the gun belt and saber, and mount up.
Instead of being just pictures in a history book, it becomes real life, and you get a real healthy respect for the people who had to live in that time.

I would imagine that todays engineers, when they get a chance to run a steam locomotive, get the same feeling, reaching back to touch and run the same things and same tools people long gone used everyday.

A lot of what we take for granted today, like making a simple meal, took a lot of work and effort back then.

Try cooking some bacon and eggs over a camp fire, in a mess kit.
We just turn the stove top on now, but back then, you spent a lot of time gathering wood, getting the fire going, cooking the food, cleaning it all up and packing it back in a saddle bag.

Todays track gangs have the luxeury of quite a few very efficent machines, but imagine having to lay rail, tamp ballast, pull ties and drive spikes, all by hand...

When you look at some of the things they managed to accomplish, with not much more than brute strength, its amazing.

Bore a tunnel by hand?


Ed

[dknelson]

I read somewhere that the Civil War is the most written-about war ever, and was not only the first war to feature railroads in a key role, but was also the first war where most of the combatants could read and write. If you see it at a swap meet or flea market, check out George Abdill's Civil War Railroads book -- great old photos.
Dave Nelson

[FJ and G]

Hi Ed,

I correspond with a friend from my old magazine (Sea Power). He's also a rail buff and likes to research stuff like this. Your own findings are very interesting. I did some Civil War research on central Arkansas when I lived there for my newspaper and even treked thru the woods and via kayak to follow old battle trails. But I'm not an "authority" on Civil War stuff.

Dave Vergun

[edblysard]

FJ&G,
Is this from a original document you own?
If so, can you send(e-mail) me a copy?

For those of you interested, I have a shipping receipt, or Manifest, from 1852, for a slave.
Her name, (first name only listed) was Adaline, age 11.
District of Mississippi, Port of New Orleans, dated Oct 28th, 1852 .
She was shipped from New Orleans to Port La Vaca, Texas, on the Charles l Day, whos Master(Owner/captain) was W.H. Tabbas.

It is a rather sobering document, once you realize it is, in reality, a receipt for another human being.
She is 11 years old, 5'2" tall, and was shipped alone from New Orleans to Texas.
The entire story is way too long to post, but the short version is W.H. Tabbas is distantly related to my mom.

Tabbas owned the CL Day, which was destroyed in Galveston during the Civil war.

Included in the sea chest this maifest was found in was a confederate $100.00 bill.

Printed on one side only, no reverse, to save printing ink.

Will be happy to scan anyone a copy of both, if you send me you e-mail address.
[e-mail]
will put you in touch.

I managed to track her down, she lived to be 75, and took the last name Scott.
Died in 1916, she outlived 2 daughters of her own, one son.
Daughters Silvia and Mattie, born 1856 and 1857, both died in 1901, in the Glaveston flood.
Son Dally, (dont ask, I dont know what it means) born 1860, dies 1865, cause unknown.

Part of the American history you dont see to often.


Ed

[cstaats]

This is the first war where railroads were a major factor in transporting armies and supplies around. It is a much different picture than the horses and carts of the Napoleonic wars only 50 years earlier.

[FJ and G]

HARPER'S FERRY, September 23, 1864. (Received 3.10 p. m.)

Hon E. M. STANTON:

Military line down. The affair is complete and overwhelming.

Respectfully,

JNO. D. STEVENSON,

Brigadier-General.


HARPER'S FERRY, September 23, 1864-10.50 p.m.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Courier just arrived from Winchester. He reports that 3,000 prisoners
had arrived from General Sheridan at that point; that he was pressing
the remnant of Early's command with great vigor. A train of 600 of our
Winchester wounded is coming in. Have apple room in hospital, with
proper attendants, to make them comfortable. Our wounded accumulated at
Winchester amount to 4,000.

Respectfully,

JNO. D. STEVENSON,

Brigadier-General.


WASHINGTON, D. C., September 23, 1864-2 p. m.

Brigadier-General STEVENSON:

About 5,000 men leave here to-day for Sheridan. Send them forward with
trains. You can use some temporarily at Martinsburg to protect workmen,
if necessary.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.


CAMDEN STATION, Baltimore, September 23, 1864.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Full preparations were made for moving 5,000 men last p. m., and the
locomotives and trains continued in readiness throughout the night. The
first portion of the movement commenced to arrive at 8.20 this morning,
and at 10 o'clock 1,405 men, with six cars, horses and baggage, left
the station for Harper's Ferry. Up to this hour, 11.30 a. m., no other
troops have reported. We continue fully prepared to move them
successfully on arrival. Our working forces west of Harper's Ferry have
been compelled to go forward without a solitary guard, General
Stevenson stating that he is unable to supply a man. During yesterday a
number of suspicious characters, supposed to be guerrillas, alarmed the
men and interfered with the work. Cannot some force be detailed to
protect the workmen in the vicinity of Martinsburg, as no Federal
forces are there? If some of the men going forward from Washington
could be ordered direct to Van Clevesville it would materially
facilitate operations. If this cannot be done in the present safe
condition of the Middle Department, could not a regiment be ordered
from the command of General Wallace temporarily, to protect the workmen
during the opening of the road?

J. W. GARRETT,

President.


WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, September 23, 1864.

JOHN W. GARRETT, Esq.,

Baltimore:

I directed General Halleck to authorize Stevenson to detain a regiment
for guard to Martinsburg. Sheridan has smashed Early again.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.



WASHINGTON DEPOT, September 23, 1864.

Honorable E. M. STANTON:

Four hundred and fifty men of the One hundred and fourth Pennsylvania
are now at this depot. Officer in command says he cannot get ready to
move to Winchester until to-morrow morning, in consequence of having
about 200 men whose term has expired and who are to go to Philadelphia.
He has to assort these men from the rest of the regiment. I have
transportation ready for them.

G. S. KOONTZ.


HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF HARPER'S FERRY, Harper's Ferry, W.
Va., September 23, 1864.

Lieutenant-General CARR,
165th New York Volunteers:

SIR: You will assemble your command, except the picket guard on post,
and be ready to relieve Colonel Currie's command from the duty of
guarding prisoners, on the arrival of that command on Bolivar Heights.

By order of Brigadier-General Stevenson:

H. M. BURLEIGH,

Assistant Adjutant-General.


HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF HARPER'S FERRY, Harper's Ferry, W.
Va., September 23, 1864.

Captain D. M. KEYES,
Independent Loundoun Rangers:

The general commanding directs that you proceed into Loundoun Country,
Va., with your whole command, on a scout, and clear the country as much
as possible of guerrillas. You will report in writing to these
headquarters upon your return.

Respectfully, yours, &c.,

S. F. ADAMS,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.


HARPER'S FERRY, VA., September 23, 1864.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Workmen on Baltimore and Ohio Railroad near Martinsburg are timid.
Major-General Sheridan is very anxious to have the depot established at
Martinsburg as soon as possible. I am placed in command at Martinsburg,
and have not adequate force. Can one or two regiments of troops fit for
depot duty be ordered to report to me at once?

THOS. H. NEILL,

Brigadier-General, Commanding at Martinsburg.


CAMDEN STATION, [September] 23, 1864.

Major-General KELLEY:

Our workmen are pressing rapidly from Van Clevesville toward
Martinsburg. I judge from our advices that Mr. Porter's action is also
effective from the west. General Sheridan in pursuing his successes is
requiring his men at the front, and guards have therefore not been sent
with our construction forces from Harper's Ferry. Can you thrown your
guards east to aid in covering our workmen against any roving
guerrillas that may lurk in the vicinity of Martinsburg? Such action
will be beneficial in assuring the rapid completion of the road. We
hope to have the route in full operation on Monday next, if sufficient
military protection is furnished.

J. W. GARRETT.

ORs, Series 1 Volume 43, Part 2, pp. 159-161