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 (again)...jimandsusanpiro5@juno.com
Preservation Chairperson: Nicole Delaria contact at natnic11@aol.com
Executive Board Chairperson: Herbert Zchokke 37 Park St. Malden, Ma. 02148 Tel: (781) 322 - 9737 or Email Herb at Goferscout@aol.com
MAY 2008............................................Volume MMVII..........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 last Wednesday of the month at theDaughters of The American Revolution Hall at 140 Lincoln St. in Worcester, Ma. at 7:00 p.m. along with some meetings at off site locations in Worcester. President: Garrett Hollands at 508-869-6295 or email him at ghollands@ensr.aecom.com
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 or Website..http://hometown.aol.com/Hooker 1837/myhomepage/photo.html
THE GREATER NEW BEDFORD CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE meets on the fourth Tuesday of each monthat the Fort Taber Military Museum (beginning september 2006) at 7:00 p.m. For remainder of of Spring 2006 contact Cal Wright at (508) 991-6715 or EMail:cwceaw@aol.com
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
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DO YOU KNOW THAT??? --- MAY 2008.....by Dick Harrington of The CWRT of Greater Boston (and other submitted pieces).........
I'm sure that we all know that the Medal of Honor was instituted during the Civil War and that a campaign medal was not authorized until nearly forty years after the fact. There was. however, also a non medallic award for heroism that was available in the time period, the Certificate of Merit. The certificate was established by Act of Congress of March 3, 1847; originally it was awarded to Army privates only, for gallantry in action or especially meritorious service in peace, saving lives for example or dangerous fire fighting efforts. Naval personnel were not eligible. All certificates were signed by The President of the United States and the Secretary of War and entitled the recipient to an extra $2 per month, not an inconsiderable amount when a private earned just $13 per month! In 1854 NCOs were also made eligible for the award. In the 71 years in which it was conferred, the Certificate was awarded 1211 times. In January 1905 a medal was auithorized for all recipients of the Certificate of Merit. The medal 'obverse' showed a "Roman War Eagle" facing left with the inscription "Verlutis et audaciae momentum et praemium". The reverse was inscribed "For Merit". The ribbon had a narrow white stripe in the center flanked by broad stripes of red, white, and blue on either side. This medal was short lived. In 1918, by Special Act of Congress, holders on request, could surrender their Certificate of Merit Medal and replace it with the new Distinguished Service Medal. This ruling was again changed in 1934 and those whose certificate of Merit Medals had been replaced by the Distinguished Service Medal were now eligible for The Distinguished Service Cross. I do not know of any Civil War veteran who made this exchange.
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BETWEEN THE DUST JACKETS-Recently Published Civil War Books.THIS REPUBLIC OF SUFFERING by Drew Gilpin Faust published by Knopf On Wednesday evenimng March 19, 2008 at The Mt. Auburn Cemetery Chapel, I, and many, many others who are The Friends of Mt./ Auburn, came to hear the new President of Harvard University discuss her latest book. It has received rave reviews from those who are much better at this tjhan I am, and is high on the New York Times bestselling list. Her view is much to my liking in that, while she does speak to the facts and figures of the ouitrageous death of this War, she refuses to indulge in a 'blood & gore' speech. Her only view is the same as mine, which is that the 630,000 Americans lost on both sides would be equivalent to 6 MILLION of today's population, and what we lost more than this, was an incredible piece of our future. She spoke to the stories of a few of those families, and the impact and their handling of grief and mourning. This is also a "Must Have Book" to understand the entire scope of this event and its impact on BOTH sides......Also out is a book called "The Madness of Mary Lincoln" by Jason Emerson from Southern Illinois University Press and with a title like that it just HAS to be GREAT!!!!
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TAPS----
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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 1st of each year and ends on August 31 of that SAME YEAR!!!!.....ALSO REMEMBER that this is how we not onlt 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 07/08 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 who receive THE RECALL for free. 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 2007-2008 season and some have added a few extra bucks for Preservation. 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 Battle of Chancellorsville begins...On May 2, 1863 Jackson is mortally wounded at Chancellorsville....On May 5, 1864 Battle of Wilderness....On May 9, 1800 John Brown is born.......On May 9, 1862 Battle of Fort Pickens, FLA...On May 10, 1863 Jackson dies at Guinea STation.....On May 11, 1864 JEB Stuart is mortally wounded....On May 14, 1864 Battle of Resaca. ...On May 15, 1864 Battle of New Market...On May 15, 1865 Jefferson Davis is captured....On May 16, 1863 Battle of Champions Hill....On May 25, 1864 Battle of New Hope, GA...On May 27, 1819 Julia Ward Howe is born...On May 31, 1862 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 of Friday,March 28, 2008...The meeting began at 7:45 p.m. with Dave Smith updating us on the final details of the Four Days Trip, followed by leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Al then mentioned that he is still working on details for The Holmes Dinner to be held at the National Archives in Waltham. Dave told us about his attempts at getting Corporate sponsorship for some of our Preservation effortrs and the Civil War Baseball Game. He has also approached Shaw's and also Wendy's where we are going to be doing a September fundraiser where we get a percentage of the sales for those four hours. Dave also told us that he almost completed with the Archiving and cataloging project of the CWRT of GB. Dave then made an appeal tro all members, joined by Al and Herb Zschokke, in getting members to become more involved in leading the organizatioon. We then held elections again and all of the Corporate Officers were reelected. Herb then began his program on Forts Henry and Donelson. He told us how the Navy had no procedure to operate on inland waterways. Existing vessels were inadequate. Eads was commissioned to build six gunboats, all iropnclads. The Mississippi River was not a very navigatable river, not as easy as the Tenneessee or the Columbia Rivers. By the end of 1861, one commander stood above otyhers such as Buell and McLellan. Halleck had a better reputation but was more hesitant, much like the previous two officers. Nine Gunboats were under the command of one Officer who would not hesitate-U.S. Grant who commanded 2 divisions. Smith & McLelland commanded the divisions. Fort Henry is the first target. After some difficulties, the Fort surrendered to the Navy. When Halleck sends more troops, Grant prepares to invade Fort Donelson. The Fort is commanded by Floyd & Pillow. Foote commands the Naval flotilla which gets underway on 02/14/1862. The Army is short on ammunition and the terrain is muddy. Grant brings in new units and reorganizes the Union lines. Smith's troops attacked uphill and take the Fort. Floyd and Pillow decide to strrender, and Forrest escapes with his men, and Buckner is left to surrender the Fort. Unconditional Surrender was Grant's response to surrender terms. The Old Miss was not open to Memphis and Grant was made a Major General.
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BUGLE NOTES.....I have recently sent a letter to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick with some attachments about The CWRT of GB and M.G.L. Ch. 8 secs. 16a-17-17a-18-18a-18b with the request for immediate action and a personal meeting about the continued MISuse and ABUSE of room 27 in the State House as a "temporary office and storage facility' as has been the case for the past dozen years. Room 27, by STATUTE, is a Memorial Hall and Museum for Veterans and GAR and SUV veterans and NOTHING ELSE!!!! Wherever you are, please call, mail, email, write your elected representatives or Veterans officer to contact Governor Patrick and tell him that action is needed right now!!!!At a recent program in Natick by Joe Keefe of NARA/Waltham, I soke with Dean Sargent, who is also an SUV member and was told that my letter to the Governor HAD been received and that he was doesn't believe that much will be changed. Sadly, I would have preferred to have heard more support instead of more same old, same old!!! by the way, on May 15, 1977 at 2:00 p.m. in the Hall of Flags, Room 27 was dedicated as a museum with appropriate ceremonies, and then opened to the public according to the May 1977 issue Volume 19 Number 3 of THE RECALL!!!!..... Along with this piece of nostalgia, I read (as I was cataloging) in a couple of issues from 1983 that both Jack Williams of Channel 4 and Clark Booth of Channel 5, here in Boston, had both tried to involve us in a couple of TV projects at their stations. So far, neither gentleman has found any record of our activities with them to put into these archives. Clark Booth, just called me back this week from his new home in Florida (an enormously NICE thing to do) and we had a very nice chat for about twenty minutes. I had the opportunity to help Jack Williams get a personal showing of the 5400 Medford Photos several years ago, and then assist him with some information on a couple od Civil War articles he was writing for The Herald. Both are lovers of Civil War History, and we thank each of them for at least trying to help us!!!.........As many of you know, I have been collecting, and cataloging and preparing EVERYTHING that we have ever had on The CWRT of GB, from organizational records, correspondence, and every issue of THE RECALL that I had or was given to me from 1959 to this current edition. When this is complete (hopefully by August) I will bring them over to the Waltham Public Library who will store them safely and keep them from water & fire damage and theft. The CWRT of GB will live forever!!!!
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BUGLE CALL---A CALL TO ARMS!!!! I am looking for four Volunteers to go see a Red Sox game with me (FOR FREE) on Wednesday evening September 10, 2008 to meet about 5:00 p.m. and sit at a booth to give out flyers and information about The CWRT of GB and 'talking us up' and then we get to see the game against Tampa Bay at 7:05 p.m. This is part of The Red Sox Community Foundation allowing groups like ours to do this and promote their organizations and then see a game!!! It should be a late night, so be prepared!!! .......I am also looking for Volunteers to spend at least a few hours doing the same thimng on Saturday September 14, 2008 during the day on The Waltham Common, again passing out information on The CWRT of GB and 'talking us up' again. I would need people also from 4-8 p.m. that same day at Wendy's on Main St. in Waltham to again promote and pass out flyers inside and at the drive-in window. Whatever they do in sales during those four hours, they will donate 20 % to us!!!! After all of this, I will need a few people at the Civil War Baseball Game the next day (Sunday September 14, 2008) from 1-4 p.m. at Cornelia Warren Field. Your CWRT needs you!!!! Answer the Call, please!!!!! These are all part of our 2008-2009 to raise monies for Preservation and raise awareness (and get new members) for The CWRT of GB.
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SICK CALL---