THE RECALL JOURNAL....A Publication of The Civil War Round Table of Greater Boston, since 1957, striving to serve its readers with the latest and best information about its members and their meetings, about upcoming Civil War and other Historical, Reenactor, and Veteran organization events, along with Civil War facts and dates to remember, as well as being a clarion call to ALL who want to protect the Historical Integrity of this great Nation, that once nearly became permanently divided.
The Civil War Round Table of Greater Boston, since its beginnings in 1957, has been a leader in Local and National Preservation Efforts, in Local Veterans and Reenactor Efforts, and in the Educational Outreach to our Schoolchildren, by going out into the School Systems and by bringing these youngsters into our organization as equal members. According to Jerry Russell of The Civil War Round Table Associates, Greater Boston is the 13th OLDEST CWRT on the Planet Earth!!!!!
The Civil War Round Table of Greater Boston is open to ANYONE, wherever they live, of ANY age, sex, color, gender, or Historical persuasion on this great and tragic event. We welcome ALL who have ANY interest in History, not necessarily Civil War, who would like to join us at our meetings of oral and written Presentations, Four Days In May Battlefield Tours, Seminars, or Veteran and Reenactor Events.
Editor/Webmaster: David L. Smith 3 Waverley Oaks Rd. #202 Waltham, Ma. 02452-6274 Tel: (781) 647 - 3332 or EMAIL directly or on the WEB at cwrtmass@comcast.net for any questions or comments or suggestions or information to contribute. ALL submissions are welcome for the WEB version, or the Published version (where space and time constraints allow)
Program & Special Events Chairperson: Al Smith 11 Poplar St. Belmont, Ma. 02478 or............. Tel: (617) 484 - 5613
Communications Chairperson: Susan Piro ...jimandsusanpiro5@juno.com
Preservation Chairperson: Nicole Delaria Langley contact at natnic11@aol.com
CWRTs of Mass. Communications Liason....Paula Cunningham....at taraatgww@yahoo.com
Executive Board Chairperson: Herbert Zchokke 400 Hemenway St. Suite 161 Marlborough 01752 Tel: (508) 460-7161 or Email Herb at goferscout@comcast.net
FEBRUARY 2010............................................Volume MMVIX..........No. 7
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS.........................................................................
CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE of GREATER BOSTON meets every fourth (4th) Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. This is true except for November and December, which due to National Holidays are now held as a Joint Xmas Party meeting with the Northshore/Lynn Chapter in early December. All meetings are now generally held at The Arlington Historical Society at (Smith-Russell House) 7 Jason St. in Arlington, Ma, 02474. Take a left from Mass. Ave. onto Jason St. and then a right on Jason Terrace to enter from Rear. In case of inclement weather, please check local Radio Stations for late news President: David L. Smith 3 Waverley Oaks Rd. #202 Waltham, Ma. 02452-6274 Tel: (781) 647-3332 or Email: cwrtmass@comcast.net
CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE of CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS (CWRT, INC.) meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Holden Senior Center on Main St. in Holden, Ma. at 7:00 p.m. along with some meetings at off site locations in Worcester. President: Mark Savolis or email him at msavolis@holycross.edu or call him at 860-923-2777
CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE of CAPE COD meets each month on the Third (3rd) Mondayof the month at 1:00 p.m. at The Yarmouth Senior Citizen Center at 528 Forest Drive Yarmouth off Exit 8 on Rte. 6 with more informal meetings duuing the summertimes. President: Fred Wexler or John Myers Programming at Telephone..(508) 896-6421
THE GREATER NEW BEDFORD CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE meets on the fourth Tuesday of each monthat the Fort Taber Military Museum meets on Fourth Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. 1000 S. Rodney French Blvd. New Bedford .....
CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE of NORTHSHORE/LYNN meets on the second (2nd) Friday of each month at The Lynn G.A.R. Hall on 58 Andrews St. in Lynn, Ma. at 7:30 p.m. with occasional offsite meetings and Special Events in the Northshore President: Dexter Bishop 387 Old Boston Rd. Topsfield, Ma. 01983 Tel: (978) 887 - 2264 EMAIL: Dexter@cwrtnorthshore.org or Website www.cwrtnortshore.org
CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE of NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY/LEOMINSTER meets on the second (2nd) Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Leominster Historical Society 50 School St. Leominster, Ma. 01453 also invites ALL to visit us Information Contact:President, Ruth Frizzell. For information please contact Tom Bailey at TBailey451@aol.com
THE OLDE COLONY CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE meets on the Third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at The Endicott Estate at 656 East St. in Dedham with Mini Bit speakers as well as a regular presentation....go to http://sites.google.com/site/oldecolonycwrt or President Richard Campagna at rjcampagna@comcast.net
*******************************************************************************************************************************
DO YOU KNOW THAT??? -------FEBRUARY 2010.....by Dick Harrington of The CWRT of Greater Boston (and other submitted pieces).........I'm sure that we've all see various political cartoons from the Civil War period, most of which were drawn by artists of foreign birth. At the time there were very few illustrated newspapers and magazines in the U.S.; all were weekly. The first was "Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper" founded by an Englishman in 1855 followed by Harper's Weekly two years later. These and many others were modeled after the British Magazine "Punch". In addition to these publications, Nathaniel Currier and James Ives produced a series of posters and hand colored prints. Their main artist was German born Louis Maurer (1832-1932). Lincoln was the subject of many cartoons published in European magaziones such as "Punch" and "Fun" (UK) and "Kladderdatch" (Germany). The majority of these cartoons were anti-Union because the North's Naval Blockade prevented the export of Southern cotton to European mills..........German born Thomas Nast (1840-1922), the father of American political cartooning penned a series of pro-Union drawings for Harper's Weekly. Lincoln called him, "our best recruiting seargent", while General Grant said, "He did as much as any man to preserve the Union and bring this War to an end.".........The Confederate cause had its share of cartoonists. Perhaps the best known was Adelbert Volch (1828-1912) who had fled Germany after the unsucessful rebellion of 1848. He secretly produced a series of pro-Confederacy prints in Baltimore, MD., using the name V.Blada( his name is Adalb.V in reverse) and a false London imprint. In September 1862 he drew and circulated a caricature of Lincoln entitled "Under the Veil" which implied that Lincoln was in reality a black man! ..... ..................This just in from our friends in The Cape Fear CWRT in North Carolina and NOT Dick Harrington (so don't blame him if it is wrong).........they are claiming that the FIRST battle of The Civil War at Big Bethel, VA. on June 10, 1861 and that Notrth Carolina suffered the FIRST casualty of the War being Pvt. Henry Lawson Wyatt. The Raleigh CWRT is trying to raise $10,000 for a celebration of this on June 11, 2011 to start the Civil War Sesquicentennial down there.... Would someone (NOT from North Carolina) please check this out and let me know.
********************************************************************************************************************************
BETWEEN THE DUST JACKETS-Recently Published Civil War Books.....Coming out on February 9, 2010 from Public Affairs Books.....LIBBY PRISON BREAKOUT by Joseph Wheelan....Mr. Wheelan is author of five previously published History books. This is the story of 109 Union prisoners who dig a tunnel underneath Libby prison and escape. (This is NOT the W2 Great Escape story)They will later testuify against the conditions at Libby. This is a well researched and documented book with one of the best bibliographies and notes for references that Ihave ever seen. He tells the story with many "underlying side stories" that could be told in separate books. This applies to his telling of the Libby Prison conditions, or the conditions about lack of decent medical care, and individuals like the famous Confederate spy, Elizabeth Van Lew. Overall, an excellent read for those who are not in this crazy Civil War Community. For those of us who are, it is more interesting because it may give us other subjects to interest us besides the ones that we favor.
******************************************************************************************************************************
TAPS---It is now Tuesday afternoon and I just a received a very distressing telephone call from Herb Zschokke who told me that his lovely wife Betty at the age of 77, passed away yesterday morning. Betty was a very valuable member to the CWRT of GB for many, many years and will definitely be missed. Betty walso a retired Air Force WAF, and Retiree from the Mass. Dept. of Unemployment. As a great lover of Figure Skating, Betty also worked with in The Skating Club of Boston with great skaters like Tenley Albright and Dick Buttons, as well as an accomplished painter and crochet artist. Along with her husband Herb, she leaves sisters Jane and Mariellen, her four children Paul, Peter, Mary,and Christine, and her five grandchildren Alicia, Matt, michael, Kyle, and Ben. Betty served this CWRT with grace, passion, and her great sense of humor for the thirty years that I knew her. She added to our long list of members for these years that always taught mne something and helped other4s, whether at one of our meetings or on our Four Days In May Tours. RIP NBetty, for we will not be the same without you sitting with us.............................................ANOTHER GREAT LADY is lost!!!!.....I received an email and letter from Steven Simmons who is the son of Barbara & Arnold Phillips. The very sad news is that on February 12th, Barbara passed away after a long fight with her hip operation and general health. Barbara Carmella Fiore waas born on February 5, 1927 and grew up in East Boston moving to Medford, and finally to Malden. She and Arnold were married for 51 years. Barbara was a strong a suppoprter and Lifetime member of this CWRT and as passionate a supporter as we have ever had. She and Arnold used to come to more meetings and make our Four Days In May Tours when they were both in better health. One thing that she continually did was that she would ALWAYS add those extra few $$$$ that I always ask for to go to Preservation, and many times, also sent in ANOTHER donation for Preservation without myasking or begging. Barbara was also a long time member of The Emblem Club and a Volunteer at Nursing homes to help others. She and Arnold were also strong and long members of the Malden Elks. We send our condolences to Arnold and her children and granchildren. We will be presenting Flags to both families.............................I just received the news this evening (Sunday, February 28, 2010) that another one of our members, Michael Marchesi of Arlington, also passed away on January 16, 2010 from complications, following surgery. Michael was another long time member of The CWRT of Greater Boston who was always there for us attending meetings, taking our Four Days In May Tours, making all of our Special Dinners and other events, and sure to add those "extra few dollars to his dues" that Iam always requesting. We will be asking for a moment of silence in remembrance at our next meeting in March. This makes three (3) long time members that have left us in the past two months!!!....Barbara Phillips' son Steven will be at the March meeting for the Presentation of a Flag in her memory..................................I also was told by email from Janet Greentree in Virginia that another member and regular Bus Tour attendee, Nancy Anwyll of our Virginia contingent and membership, recently lost her father Herb Stampe who would have been 100 years young on 03/31/10 in Columbia City, Indiana. He leaves his widow Mary at 95 years of young age. As Janet Greentree mentioned to Nancy, her good genes means that she will be with us on our Tours for many years to come..... Let us all keep them in our hearts.
******************************************************************************************************************************
DUES ARE DUE!!!!! DUES ARE DUE!!!!! DUES ARE DUE!!!!! Pay early...Pay Often.... Pay Now... Avoid The Rush...Then Pay More...Pay Until It Hurts...Then Pay Some More...Pay Now...Pay Later...Just Pay...Remeber Folks, this is how we pay for this Organization to run, and pay for the expenses of THE RECALL. None of these funds go to pay any Officer Salaries or Perks (unfortunately). Remember, if you do NOT pay by December 31st of any year, your name will be dropped from the mailing List of THE RECALL, so get that Check in the mail. REMEMBER...our year begins on September 1, 2009 of and ends on August 31, 2010......ALSO REMEMBER that this is how we not only pay for the expense of THE RECALL, but our Administrative expense of running this CWRT and donations to Preservation. There are NO expenses for Officers Pay or Perks!!!! So pay Early, and Pay often!!! Remember, you MUST pay by December 31st of any year to stay on THE RECALL mailing list........Starting this year, each mailing label will show Aug 09-10 which means that you are in fact paid for this current year. If you seee any other date on the label, it means that according to our records, you have not paid Greater Boston or your own Chapter Treasurer, or our records are incorrect. Other than these, are "F" for Family and 'L' and "SPEC' labels for those Lifers and Special individuals or groups as separate folks who receive THE RECALL Also please do NOT forget to let us know as early as posible about address changes...By the way, folks,...if you would like to add a few bucks or so, when you pay your dues, and dedicate those EXTRA DOLLARS to PRESERVATION,...just let us know that when you send the check.....And Thanxxxx in advance. As of today, many folks have already re-upped for the 2009-2010 season and some have added a few extra bucks for Preservation. Now, I can also ask for some of 'few extra bucks' to cover the cost of all of these Fllgas in Display Cases that Iwill be giving to the families.......THANXXXXX!!!!
GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR, YOUR HUDDLED CIVIL WAR MASSES!!!! YEARNING TO HAVE FUN THE CIVIL WAR WAY!!!! JOIN US WHEREVER YOU ARE!!!! ATTEND WHEN YOU CAN BECAUSE YOU LOVE HISTORY!!!
********************************************************************************************************************************
THIS MONTH IN CIVIL WAR HISTORY...........Important dates to remember..........Important People and Battles.....On ...February 2, 1803 Albert Sydney Johnston is born......On ...February 3, 1807 Joe Johnston is born....On ...February 6, 1832 John Gordon is borrn.....On ..February 6, 1833 Maj. General JEB STUART IS BORN!!!!.....On ...February 8, 1820 "Cum" Sherman is born...On ..February 12, 1807 President Abraham Lincoln is born...On February 14, 1824 Winfield Scott is born.......On February 16, 1862 is The Battle of Fort Donelson....On February 21, 1862 is The Battle of Valverde.....On February 22, 1732 President George Washington is born...ON any day, remember our Flag, our Veterans, and our POWs!!! ..LET US NEVER FORGET!!!!!
******************************************************************************************************************************
Greater Boston Meeting ---The Greater Boston meeting of Friday, February 26, 2010 began at 7:30 p.m. with Vice President Al Smith leading us in The Pledge of Allegiance. Dave Smith requested that everyone remain standing for a Moment of Silence for the recent passing of one our life time members, Barabara Phillips of Malden. Dave mentioned her long passion for this organization and how she was always making those "extra few dollars" added to her dues and while she was able and healthier, would make meetings and Dinners and even Bus Tours. Dave also said that he would be making presentations of Flags in their displays to her family and also to Herb Zschokke for his wife Betty as soon as they arrive from the Flag Company. Al followed this with a short update on our upcoming Four Days In May Battlefield Tour to Gettysburg. There are still a few seats available, so send your deposits in right away because Dave will be sending out the bills for the balance shortly.....John Williams rose to mention his Art Collage which will be part of the Lincoln In Exeter Exhibit next month. Dave then took a few minutes to speak of all of the other upcoming events that will be part of the Mass. Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Celebration, and how the CWRT of Greater Boston and The CWRTs of Massachusetts will be leading the charge with sponsoring or co-sponsoring many of the events in cities like Framingham and Waltham, and Cemeteries like Mt. Auburn and Forest Hills. One of our guests was Jennifer Losciuot from Mt. Auburn who came by to say hello. Dave has already begun top start the Events Calendar with many of them, including the meeting in Framingham the night before and his meeting with Waltham Mayor McCarthy. We should have several Graveside ceremonies to honor fallen Civil War Veterans and Medal of Honor Recipients. Dave is asking every one in this CWRt to try and make personal appearances at these Ceremonies where and when they are able to, in order to support The CWRT of Greater Boston, and show everyone what a great group we are!!!.....Dave then introduced our main speeaker for the evenimng Ed Norris with his program on "Union Battle Flags". Ed is President of The NWCCWRT, as well as a member of The Mass. SUVCW, and the 9th Mass. Artillery Battery Reenactors. Ed gave us this wonderful Powerpoint presentation, starting with a definition of terms and concepts of Flags. He gave us a very precise definition of what a Flag is and how they are determined by the National and State definitions. Mostly, every state does pretty much what it wants to do for one of their Flags, despite the National standards and definitions. He gave us a great rundown of all of the different variations with added states having to wait until July 4th every time to have their star added. He spoke of the differences in colors, materials, and even the Navy Jack Flags. Ed also made certain that he showed us examples of many versions that are incorrect for whatever reason. The audience also got involved during his program with statements and questions. Ed made certain to give us a good difference from State Flags, Regimental Flags, Battle Flags, Camp Flags, and Recruiting Flags and how they were used. A great Program, Ed, and thanxxxx very much!!!!
******************************************************************************************************************************
BUGLE NOTES---
There is a new Superintendent in Gettysburg!!!! his name is Bob Kirby, and he is moving over from his position as Superintendent of The Petersburg Battlefield. We are going to try and meet him in May when we are there.
We have NOT had any type of Teeshirt or BBall Cap with our logo on it for several years. All of them are gone and worn out so, I am working with getting some new Golf type Shirts and Baseball Caps adorned with the Civil War Round Tables of Massachusetts logo. The Golf shirts will be in Blue or Gray in Medium, Large, and Extra Large and the BBall Caps will be matching to the shirts. A set of shirt and Cap will be $30.00 with the shirts selling for $20.00 each and the Caps for $10.00 (or maybe less). any monies beyond our costs, including the setup and artwork etc. will go to Local preservation. Before I start to get involved with these, I need to know who wants what so that I can determine approximate amounts of each to order. Please mail me at Dave Smith 3 Waverley Oaks Rd. #202 Waltham, Ma. 02452 or call at 781-647-3332 or email me at cwrtmass@comcast.net with what you would like. DO NOT SEND MONEY YET until I know for certain that I will get these and when. I will advertise the start date.!!!! ....................................
This Just In!!!!! Another great buy, and another " Let Me Know If You Want One, But Do NOT Send Me Any Money Just YET Until I Say So!!!! ...I received an email from SFX Matthew Waldman who is in Iraq as I write this. He is a 44 year old US Park Police Office in civilian life, who is very interetsed in Civil War History and tells me that there are some others (albeit younger than he is ) who also like to get together to discuss History. It is NOT your grandfather's Civil War Round Table, but he asked me for any suggestions on what they can talk about or how to keep it going. I sent him a few suggestions. Think about their difficulties in trying to do somethimng like this in HELL. he is at matthew.waldman@us.army.mil if you would like to say hello and talk Civil War or anything else. BTW, don't forget to say "Thank You"!!!........................
GREAT NEWS!!!!! Our Preservation Chairperson in Florida, Nicole Delaria Langley, and her husband Kevin, announced the birth of their first child on December 21, 2009!!! They have named him Joshua David Langley, and he came in at 21 inches and weighed 8 lbs 13 oz........................A HUGE WELCOME to our first two new members to join for the 2009-1010 season......Mary Muldoon of Arlington and Sy Bigman of Needham!!!!.....A BIG & Famous Happy Birthday to Rev. Bob McFarlane of The Greater New Bedford CWRT now travelling in Arizona, and is their "mobile correspondent", who turned 65 years young on October 16, 2009 which is the anniversary of John Brown's raid!!!!................................................
DOES ANYBODY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS????....I have received an email query about an ancient Irish sport played more than 150 years ago and is being played currently in Boston, New York, and West Virginia. It is STILL being played in County armagh and County Cork in Ireland. It is called "LONG BULLETS" or "IRISH ROAD BOWLING". It is believed that they played this somewhere during The Civil War by both North and South troops. It is a military sport and and was the sport of of the common Irish soldier, and NOT the officers using were hurled along a country lane, with fewest to the finish line is a winner. See www.irishroadbowling.com/civilwar Let me know at cwrtmass@comcast.net
The Mass. Civil War Sesquicentennial is COMING!!!! Along with it will be The new Mass. Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission as soon as Governor Patrick issues his Executive Order in April. At the meeting of The Mass. Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission this week, we discussed writing our final reports to the Governor and Washington for The Mass. ALBC which is still in effect until December 2010. So don't forget that any event that you know about Lincoln is still a valid item, so get it to me and I will get it to the Commission. In the meantime, we will be making the transition to The Mass. CWSC. If you know about any special Anniversary date about your city or town or Historical Society or Museum or Library or Veterans organization or Genealogy Society, PLEASE let me know ASAP and I will start to put it onto a Calendar of Events for these four years. Pass the word that The CWRT of Greater Boston d/b/a the CWRTs of Mass. and The Mass. CWSC will be happy to help and support it...........
The Historical Society of Watertown ( they even let me join) is "Seeking Memories of Watertown" to share with everyone. If you have memories of The Star market or The Coolidge Movie Theater or your Junior or High School days or your family or your Watertown neighborhood or The Arsenal or hood Rubber.....contact Mary Spiers at 617-924-7773 or Email at marycspiers@hotmail.com...This will also be for a Cable Channel taping, so they need your permission to tape you.
*************************************************************************************************************************************
SICK CALL---Get well wishes should go out to Bob Hall, past President and current newsletter editor of The Olde Colony CWRTs THE CAMPAIGN, and Past President and Lifetime member of The CWRT of Greater Boston who is recuperating from a fall causing a broken hip. He says that he will be back in action by May.
**********************************************************************************************************************************