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
MAY 2010............................................Volume MMVIX..........No. 10
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
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DO YOU KNOW THAT??? ------SUMMER (May-June-July) 2010.....by Dick Harrington of The CWRT of Greater Boston (and other submitted pieces)..........Another Memorial Day has just past. For many Veterans and their families, this is a particularly melancholy time when we remember "absent friends" and not just names on so,me memorial, but faces of young men and women frozen in time. The Bugle call "TAPS" is inextricably linked with Memorial Day. general Daniel Butterfield is credited with devising this call during The American Civil War to replace "Tatoo" or "lights out" which had been used at West Point since 1840 and which some regiments used in connection with military funerals during the Mexican-American War. In Glory Road, Bruce Catton writes that he (Butterfield) wanted a call which would somehow express the idea of a darkening campground with tired men snuggling down to a peaceful sleep, and he hoped his new call would do it. TAPS was blown over the grave of one Robert Elocombe in July 1865 for the first time. As I looked up from writing, I see the cased Flag I was presented at my father's funeral after "TAPS" was played. Etched into the glass is the Army crest and Seargent Richard L. Harrington, Jr. Americal Division, Guadalcanal. I think of being in transit to Vietnam and flying out of the old National Airport in Washington, D.C. The flight path took us over Arlington National cemetery where the grave markers seem top go on forever. One belongs to my great grandfather SFC Charles Thomas James, a veteran of The Spanish - and WW1. God Bless The Republic. God Bless our service men and women. May all of our honored dead rest in peace.American War. (Editor's Note...As it says at the end of This Month etc.....Let us NEVER FORGET!!
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BETWEEN THE DUST JACKETS-Recently Published Civil War Books.....
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TAPS---I received a call this morning (May 12, 2010) from Bob Hall with the sad news that he lost his dear wife Jane Judson Hall last week after 60 years of marriage. Although troubled with both Diabetes and MS, she actually succumbed to a Stroke which was her cause of death. We will be doing a moment of silence for her when Bob makes his presentation on May 28th about "The Ghosts of Gettysburg".
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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 Flags in Display Cases that I will 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!!!
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THIS MONTH IN CIVIL WAR HISTORY.......Important dates to remember.....Important People and Battles.....On ...May 1, 1863 is The Battle of Chancellorsville......On ...May 2, 183 Jackson is wounded at Chancellorsville....On ...May 5, 1864 is the Battle of The Wilderness.....On ..May 7, 1864 Sherman begins The Atlanta Campaign....On ...May 9, 1800 John Brown is born...On ......May 10, 1863 Jackson dies at Guiney Station......On...May 11, 1864 JEB Stuart is mortally wounded at Yellow Tavern.......On May 14, 1864 is Battle of Reseca, GA....On May 15, 1864 is the Battle of Newmarket, VA.....On May 15, 1865 Jeff Davis is captured...May 27, 1819..Julia Ward Howe is born....On May 31, 1862 is Battle of Seven Pines.......ON any day, remember our Flag, our Veterans, and our POWs!!! ..LET US NEVER FORGET!!!!!
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Greater Boston Meeting ---The Greater Boston meeting of Friday, May 28, 2010.....
Dave Smith called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and asked our guest speaker Bob Hall, to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance due to our Vice-President Al Smith being absent. Dave also asked for us to stand afterwards in a moment of silence for Bob's late wife Jane who passed away a couple of weeks ago. Dave then gave us a quick update on our Four Days In May Tour of Gettysburg last weekends and a quick preview of our FIVE DAYS IN MAY Tour next year (see Four Days In May & Special Events links) doing The John Wilkes Booth Retreat & Escape Route. Dave then updated us on the news that The Wal-Mart vs. The Wilderness Litigation which has just been OKayed to continue by a Federal Judge. He also spoke about the Artbook by our own John Williams and about our schedule for year will will include a NEW STARTING TIME of 7:15 p.m. Dave then told us about our final meeting of the year on Saturday, June 26th at 2:30 p.m. in Lexington at Tower Park. He also spoke about doing another Red Sox Game this year to pass out literature about our CWRT and asked for volunteers to join him. Dave also took this time to tell us that our young Sam Gilvarg, who is not there this night, has been accepted to participate in The Civil War Institute Seminar next month, and is also celebrating his birthday on June 9th (WOW, how quickly they grow!!!) . Finally, Dave reminded us about letting him know if we are interested in the Golf Shirts and BB Caps........Dave then introduced Bob Hall who will speak on "The Ghosts of Gettysburg" at Iverson's Pit where we had just visited. Bob began by passing around a picture of himself at 12 years of age at The 75th reunion of gettysburg veterans. He spoke of the July 1, 1863 battle at The Forney Farm and how the Rebel Iverson failed to provide an advance Guard and lost against the Union forces. A mass grave from this battle has been called Iverson's Pit. In 1938, Bob was a Boy Scout and one a very few to have been cjhosen to participate in the Reunion. The Scouts aided chosen veterans, and Bob was to assist Sgt. Montgomery of a North Carolina Regiment. Bob told us that Sgt. Montgomery awakened Bob at night and runs off to find Iverson. They passed fields and a line of trees pausing o nly to eat jerky and a drink from the canteen. Iverson and his father had both served in The Civil War and the younger one was elected Colonel.
Bob listened to Sgt. Montgomery's remembrances. In the distance band music could be heard. Sgt. Montgomery was upset about all of the cheers and thought of the field that he saw as a "slaughterhouse". He stated that no skirmishers had been sent out in advance. He kept asking "Bobbie, if he remembered the battle?" He showed Bobbie the shallow grave. After sleeping on and off, the srageant awakend Bobbie to exclaim,..."Bobbie wake up, here is Iverson." The Sargeant aimed his pistol, while Bobby struggled to convince the sargeant that the stranger was too young to be Iverson. The young man (Sheads) led them around the area and invited both of them to mhis house for Dinner and a drink.After a toast, iverson appeared in the doorway, while Montgomery attempted to0 lift his pistol as Iverson's nephew pushed him into the wall. As the o0ld sargeant passed away, Iverson instructed his nephew to take him to the pits. The nephew buried the Sargeant and as he and Iverson attempted to grab Bobby, the ground gave away and the nephew disappeared. The program endwed with Bob Hall reminding us that what he told us may or may not be true, or myth, or fact, or fiction. Even he doesn't know which is which. Thanxxxx again Bob, for another GREAT presentation..............................................................................................................................................................................................
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CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE of GREATER BOSTON June 26, 2010 Picnic Meeting held at Tower Park in Lexington, Mass..........We had a nice turnout of some of our friends. Vice-President Al Smith could not attend, so President Dave Smith led us in The Pledge of Allegiance, and then went through some quick updates on past and present and future happenings.He started off by mentioning the letter of receipt from CWPT for the extra donation that we gave them at one of the Dinners in Gettysburg. Unfortunately, they mistakenly used the incorrect amount, which Dave will request they correct for Tax purposes when we close our books soon. Dave also quickly spoke about the upcoming Civil War Sesquicentennial events in Waltham, He then also mentioned how our young member John Williams is starting to get notice in the Art world and how we will continue to support him. Dave also mentioned Framingham and how in Watertown on September 19th at the Ridgelawn Cemetery to Rededicate The Gravesite of Lt. George Eaton Priest and he requested a BIG CWRTGB turnout. Dave also spoke quickly about the lack of leadership at Arlington National Cemetery where graves are left undone and unmarked and stones being misused. Dave then gave us a report on next year's FIVE DAYS IN MAY Tour and then a report on how this year's Four Days ended up financially, which was $453.82. He also reported that THE RECALL ended up spending $1126.16 for the ten (10) issues of 1150 total copies printed and mailed from July 2009 to this month. Our next year begins with the July-August 2010 issue. Gerry Dudek then reported our three (3) Checking accounts balances, all showing a positive balance (to be printed in July-August 2010 issue). As of July 1, 2010, the balances for the three (3) CWRTGB Bank Accounts are Wainwright Regular Checking Account is a $381.43 balance*** which is subject to change because of The Central Mass. payment may be wrong. The Wainwright Special Checking Account Balance is $ 614.56 and the Sovereign Bank Local Preservation Account Balance is $297.90. After this we ate while we discussed our little five minute talks at the Picnic table by Jonathan Gilvarg and Carole Root and Nadine Mironchuk and Gerry Dudek. To no one's surprise, (least of all mine), most of the talk was about the causes and reasons for The Civil War and the legality of Secession. Our 5 minute talks from John Welch and Frank Kiley are promised for the 1st meeting of the year in September. Have a good Summer!!!!
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BUGLE NOTES---
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.!!!! ....................................
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"!!!........................
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...........
I am looking for Volunteers again to assist me sometime this summer to attend a Red Sox Game and pass out literature for two hours prior to the start of the game begin at 4:00 p.m.). After this, by the beginning of the 2nd inning, we get to stay in the Standing Room Only arweas to watch the balance of the game. I will request a game day and time that will be convenient to your needs if possible, but they only give me certain dates to choose from for this.
I am also thinking about starting up a CWRT of Greater Boston d/b/a The Civil War Round Tables of Massachusetts BLOG!!! (No, it will NOT be called by anthing that long). It will be available to everyone to submit something to me which i will post to the actual BLOG, and you will have your own password to submit to me. You will be able top comment on anything whatever that is happening in your Community or Organization or Company that has anything to do with HIstory or Preservation or Veterans groups. let me know what you think, and if I getr enough positive response then I will set it up. The CWRT of Greater Boston will be paying the bills so it will have the control over what is posted to this Internet Blog!!!! This could also be a great way of communicating with each other during these next fours years of The Civil War Sesquicentennial.
CONGATULATIONS and WELL WISHES go out to CWRT of GB member Dr. (as in Harvard University . Ph. D.) Michael Chesson from Belmont. Aside from being a Professor of History and former Chair of the History Department at the University of Mass., and graduate of William & Mary with Post Graduate History from Johns Hopkins, Dr. Chesson is now one of the FOUNDING Professors at the new American College of History and Legal Studies in Salem, New Hampshire with affiliations also to the Mass. School of Law in Andover, Ma.
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SICK CALL---
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NEWS FROM THE FRONT (s) by Rider, Pony Express, and Telegraph, and some Spies who secretly crossed the lines...........from our distant soldier in a place called Mercer island, Washington,....Larry Rubin reports that there is a CWRT in PPuget Sound, but that it is not close enough for him to make meetings.Larry is a World War 2 veteran who sent me something written by George Thomas on February 9, 1867 about his feelings about how the Ci\vil War for the South was, (and still is) considered as a "Lost & Glorious Cause". ----Are you listening Dick Swanson????....Thomas basically takes the position that it was NOT a "Glorious Cause" by any defuinition, but close enough to be called TREASON and something that should never again be permitted to interfere with the "natural order of Things". This is something that Larry admits to feeling in his hatred of the "Krauts" in WW2 and is in total agreement with george Thomas.......also from the Southern front in Rutherfordton, NORTH Carolina, from our dear friend Mary Pearly who sends lovew and greetings to all, and belated condoleneces to Herb Zschokke and Bob Hall on their recent losses. She also sent an article that was originnally published on June 19, 1985 about a Southern Ship's Captain that who refused to believe that the War was over and continued to fight on for many months. I will try and have theis in THE RECALL in full as soon as I have room.