"Beat the Heat" At Fort Fisher: Colonial Resistance to the Stamp Act and Silent Sentinels

The next two Saturdays, the annual "Beat the Heat" lecture will continue June 30 and July 7 at 2 p.m. at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, North Carolina.

JUNE 30:

THE ROOTS OF COLONIAL RESISTANCE TO THE STAMP ACT AND THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION

Parliament's Stamp Act of 1765 focused colonial resistance to Great Britain's attempts to impose new taxes on the colonies without the consent of colonial legislatures.

The rise of colonial resistance was also based on fiscal policy leading to an attempt to arrest British officials in Brunswick Town (across the Cape Fear River a little north of Fort Fisher) and placed Royal Governor Tryon under a short house arrest.

The lecture will be given by Fort Fisher interpreter, Rick Morrison, a retired U.S. Navy captain.


JULY 7:

"THE SILENT SENTINELS"

We pass them all the time.  They dot North Carolina's roads, parks and cemeteries.  John Winecoff, of the North Carolina Military History Society, has spent years documenting all the military memorials in the state's 100 counties.

They are silent witnesses to the sacrifices of our men and women in over 243 years of our country's history.

And, the Lectures Take Place in Air-Conditioned Comfort, Just the Thing for These Hot Summer Days.  --Old B-Runner

North Carolina Civil War Shipwrecks Talk This Weekend

From the June 28, 2018, WWAY Wilmington, N.C., ABC  "Museum offering program on Civil War shipwrecks off North Carolina coast."  Marissa Yoder.

The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History is presenting "Shipwreck: Civil War Wrecks Off Our Coast" this Saturday at 4 p.m..

North Carolina is the home to more Civil War wrecks than any other state mostly because of the port of Wilmington which was a major hub of blockade running.

This program will offer a hands-on interactive experience with real artifacts from the shipwrecks and is free.

John Morris, the head of the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch at Fort Fisher will present it.  he has more than 28 years experience diving on the wrecks.

--Old B-Runner

Rear Admiral Andrew Foote-- Part 3: Civil War

On June 29, 1861, Foote was promoted to captain.

From 1861 to 1862 he commanded the Mississippi River squadron which he organized and led.  At the time, the Western Flotilla of the U.S. Navy was under the jurisdiction of the Army.

In February 1862, he cooperated with Union General Ulysses S. Grant with the capture of Fort Henry in Tennessee on the Tennessee River which mostly was the action of the Navy.  One hunboat was heavilt damaged.

A few days later Foote engaged the river batteries at Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River.  This was a much stronger fortification and many of his ironclads were damaged, including the flagship, USS St. Louis.  Foote was wounded.

For the actions at the two forts, Foote received the Thanks of Congress.



--Old B-R'er

Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote-- Part 2: Abolitionist and 2nd Opium War

From 1849-1851 he commanded the USS Perry, patrolling the waters off the coast of Africa to stop the slave trade.  because of this he became an ardent abolitionist.

In 1856 he was promoted to commander and took command of the USS Portsmouth in the East India squadron.  While there, he got involved in the 2nd Opium War between England and China.

Foote commanded the Brooklyn Navy yard in 1858 and was there when the Civil War began.

--Old B-Runner

Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote-- Part 1: No Grog For You!!

From Wikipedia.

September 12, 1806 to June 26, 1863.

As a child was not a good student but showed interest in going to sea.  His father had him appointed to the USMA at West Point, but after just six months, he left and became a midshipman in the U.S. Navy.

From 1822 to 1843, he served in the Caribbean, Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean.

Served on the USS Grumpus and while on the USS John Adams, circumnavigated the globe.  While on the USS Cumberland, he started a temperance group and became a big reason why the daily grog ration ceased in the U.S. Navy,

--Old B-Runner

June 26, 1863: Death of Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote

JUNE 26, 1863:  Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote died in New York City of the wound he received while brilliantly leading naval forces on the Western rivers.

The next day the Navy Department announced:  "A gallant and distinguished naval officer is lost to the country.  The hero of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, the daring and inimitable spirit that created and led to successive victories the Mississippi Flotilla, the heroic Christian sailor, who in the China Seas and on the coast of Africa, as well as the great interior rivers of our country, sustained with unfaltering fidelity and devotion the honor of our flag and the cause of the Union -- Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote -- is no more....

"Appreciating his virtues and his services, a grateful country had rendered him while living its willing honors, and will mourn his death."

--Old B-Runner

Travel Back in History at Louisiana's Fort Jackson

From the May 2, 2018, WGNO ABC "Travel Back in time to historical Fort Jackson" Klusby.

Fort Jackson is located near Triumph, Louisiana, at the edge of the Mississippi River.  Most people don't even know it is there and in very good shape.

It was built in 1822 and named after Andrew Jackson.  From the fort, artillery fire could be directed at enemy ships from the time they got to a curve in the river.

There is also a new Fort Jackson Museum which has artifacts from Andrew Jackson and neighboring Fort St. Phillip.

There is hope that the fort becomes a national park.   This would help draw people and tourist dollars to the area.

--Old B-Runner

Bennett W. Green-- Part 13: One Last Thing

Another source said:

Bennett W. Green, Richmond, Virginia.

Assistant surgeon USN

Surgeon CSN

Served at Naval Hospital in Richmond, Virgina

On ironclad cruiser CSS Stonewall

--Old BiRunner

Bennett W. Green-- Part 12: In U.S. Navy Before the War

From U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Officers 1775-1900.

Like many Southern naval officers, Bennett Green resigned his U.S. Navy commission and offered his services to his new country after his state seceded.

Green, Bennett W.   Assistant surgeon, 21 August, 1859.  Dismissed May 1861.

Tendered resignation May 2, 1861.  Accepted or dismissed 18 May 1861.  Birth place:  Virginia  Appointed from Virginia, Citizen of Virginia.

Date of Confederate States Navy appointment 23 May 1861 as assistant surgeon.

--Old B-Runner

Bennett W. Green-- Part 11: The Ghost and the Books

According to library records, his ghost once haunted the University  of Virginia's Rotunda, which also served as the school's library until 1938.  When the books were moved to the new Alderman Library, Green's ghost  evidently followed.

Students and staff still report   unexplained footsteps and a sense that someone is watching them, particularly after midnight.  (A good time for ghosts.)

One of the Rotunda alleys is named after Green.

Like, Boo!!  --Old B-Runner

Bennett W. Green, CSN-- Part 10: Ghost?

From the UVA magazine (University of Virginia)  "Ghoulish Grounds" by Robert Viccellio.

The University of Virginia has a large collection of books and manuscripts with 5.1 million and 19.1 million archives.

The library, however, reportedly has two reports of ghosts.

And, one of them is Bennett W. Green.

As we know, Mr. Green was a surgeon in the Confederate Navy and quite a collector of books (and author as well).  His collection of books was donated to the UVA library after his death in Charlottesville.

Figuring He Is Ghosting Because of the School's Rejection of Its Confederate Heritage.  --Old B-Runner

Bennett W. Green, CSN-- Part 9: Some More On That Button

The button was made by Firmin & Sons, London, an outfitter of the Confederate Navy during the war.

There is an accompanying tag that reads:  "This button was given to me by my friend Dr. B.W. Bennett of the Confederate States Navy -- being one that was worn by him while in actual service.  It is very highly prized.

W.H. Scott
November 1894"

--Old B-R'er

Bennett W, Green, CSN-- Part 8: His Button in a Museum

From Antiquescientifica.

This button is now in the American Civil War Museum.

There is a guilt brass CSN coat button with an identification tag dated 1894, that said the button belonged to Surgeon Bennett Wood Green (died 1913).  Charlottesville, Virginia.

It refers to a photograph that says they were officers of the CSS Shenandoah.  I wrote about this photograph earlier and believe some of the officers were from the Shenanoah, but I don't thing Green was.  But, he was in England after the war and had served on the CSS Stonewall.

--Old B-Runner

June 19, 1863: Buy a Blockade Runner in England

From Civil War Naval Chronology.

JUNE 19, 1863:  Secretary Mallory wrote to Commander Bulloch in Liverpool:  "I have heretofore requested you to purchase upon the best terms you can make a very fast steamer suitable for blockade running between Nassau, Bermuda, Charleston, and Wilmington.

"A capacity for stowing from 600 to 1,000 bales of cotton upon not over 10 feet draft would be desirable.  With such a vessel I can place exchange for our use in England every month."

This mean money to Confederate coffers in England to buy more blockade runners and cruisers.

--Old B-Runner

Bennett W. Green-- Part 7: Also An Author

Bennett Green wrote the books "How Newport News Got Its Name."   It was first published in 1899.

He also wrote "Word-Book of Virginia Folk Speech."

They have been reissued.

Born 1835.  Died 1913.

--Old B-Runner

Bennett W. Green-- Part 6: Confederate Service

Service Abroad:  1863-1865.

CSS Stonewall:  1865

Service Abroad was in Europe where officers were detailed for operations on Confederate cruisers.

The CSS Stonewall was an English-built ironclad ship that arrived in the Confederacy too late.  It was powerful and would have been the Confederacy's best ironclad and mounted a 300 pdr. Armstrong rifle gun and two 70-pdr. Armstrong rifled guns.

--Old B-Runner

Your Child Could Become a History Buff at Fort Fisher This Summer

From the June 14, 2018, WECT, NBC, Wilmington, N.C. by Ashlea Kosikowski.

The North Carolina Junior reserves played a role in the defense of Fort Fisher back in 1864-1865.  They were made up of boys too young for the regular military, age 17.

They also took part in the battles of Wyse Fork and Bentonville.

Your child will have the chance to become a member of this famed group on Fridays this summer at Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach.  Times will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..

Children will learn all sorts of soldier stuff, including drill, toy soldiers, engineering and other things.

Old B-Runner

"Beat the Heat" at Fort Fisher This Summer

From the Fort Fisher North Carolina Historic Site.

The annual summer "Beat the Heat" series of lectures will be given on Saturdays at 2 p.m. at the site in Kure Beach.

SATURDAY, JUNE 16

"THE FACES OF FORT FISHER" by Dr. Chris Fonvielle.  This will examine the lives of people in the fort as well as those in the blockading fleet.  Chris Fonvielle is without a doubt, THE foremost authority on any and everything dealing with Wilmington and Fort Fisher during the Civil War.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

"THE WASP PROGRAM AND FORT FISHER"  by Assistant Site Manager John Mosely.  This is about the Women's Airforce Service Pilots, better known as the WASPs.

In July 1943, the first 25 women of this program arrived at Camp Davis Army Air Field to pull anti-aircraft targets at Fort Fisher.

--Old B-Runner

33-Star, 34-Star, 35-Star and 36-Star U.S. Flags During the Civil War

The U.S. Flag Organization says that Union forces used four different official flags during the war.  It depended upon when a new state entered the Union.  Seceded Confederate states were included in the flag as well.

The 35-star flag was used the most.

--Old B-Runner

June 11, 1863: Blockade Runner Calypso Captured

JUNE 11, 1863:  USS Florida, Commander Bankhead, captured blockade running steamer Calypso attempting to dash into Wilmington with cargo including drugs, provisions and plating for Confederate ironclads.

It later became a Union ship.

I mentioned the capture of this ship, in yesterday's post.  I have written quite a lot about the capture of this ship.  Just click on blockade runner Calypso in the labels to see the posts.

--Old B-R'er

Action At South Mills, N.C.in 1863

In the last post, I wrote about a Union scouting expedition from Suffolk, Virginia, to South Mills, North Carolina, on June 8, 1863.

From Wikipedia.

South Mills, N.C. is an unincorporated area in the northeast corner of Camden County.  Camden County is along the Virginia border near the ocean.  Population of the town is 454.  The community takes its name from a watermill that operated near it.

The Great Dismal Swamp Canal goes through it.  This made it an area of importance to the Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War.  This led to this scouting expedition and to an earlier battle that took place at South Mills.

--Old B-Runner

Action in North Carolina, June 1863: Capture of Blockade Runner Calypso

From the North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial and Research on Line.

JUNE 5-7  Reconnaissance through Gates County and down Chowan River.  Union force 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

JUNE  8--  Scout from Suffolk, Virginia, to South Mills, North Carolina.

JUNE 11-- Capture of blockade-runner Calypso.

Old B-Runner

Bennett W. Green, CSN-- Part 5: Confederate Service

Jackson Station, 1862

Naval Hospital, Richmond, Virginia

I have not been able to come up with anything about a Jackson Station in the Confederate Navy, but since other stations were named after cities, I will have to guess this station to be at Jackson, Mississippi.  I did come across other Confederate officers who were stationed at Jackson Station.

Richmond had many hospitals during the Civil War.

--Old B-Runner

Bennett W. Green-- Part 4: Confederate Service

ARMY SERVICE at Culpepper Court House, Virginia, 1861

CSS Pamlico, New Orleans Station

There was a training base and Army hospital at Culpepper Court House, va.

The CSS Pamlico was sidewheel steamer purchased in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 10 July 1862 and placed in commission 2 September, 1861, with Lt. W.G. Dozier in command.

It operated in and around New Orleans and fought Union ships on December 4 and 7, 1861, 25 March 1862 and 4 April 1862.

I was burned on Lake Pontchartran, Louisiana to prevent capture after New Orleans fell.

--Old B-Runner

The Union Attack on Bluffton, S.C.: Destruction

From Wikipedia.

After the Union victory at Port Royal on November 7, 1861, Confederate forces retreated to Bluffton, on the mainland, from Hilton Head Island.  From Bluffton, Confederates could easily keep watch on the Union activities.

In late May 1863, Union General David Hunter ordered the destruction of Bluffton.  This was carried out June 4, 1863.  Around two-thirds of Bluffton's approximately sixty structures were destroyed. Only the town's two churches and fifteen family dwellings remained after the attack.

--Old B-Runner

June 4, 1863: Action at Bluffton, S.C.

JUNE 4TH, 1863:  The USS Commodore McDonough, Lt.-Cmdr. Bacon, with steamer Island City, transport Cossack, and Army gunboat Mayflower in company, transported and supported an Army action at Bluffton, South Carolina.

The troops disembarked without incident under the protection of the gunboat, and proceeded to Bluffton where they met strong Confederate resistance.  With naval gunfire support, the town was destroyed and the troops were enabled to reembark with the mission successfully completed.

--Old B-Runner

Bennett W. Green, CSN-- Part 3: Confederate Service

From Register of Officers of Confederate Navy.

GREEN, BENNETT WOOD

Born in Virginia,  Appointed from Virginia.

Formerly assistant surgeon U.S. Navy

In Confederate service:  Assistant Surgeon May 23, 1861, Passed Assistant Surgeon October 25, 1862, Passed Assistant Surgeon, Provisional Navy, June 2, 1864.

--Old B-Runner

Bennett Green-- Part 2: A Photograph Taken in England, Autumn 1865

From ibiblio.org  Acting Master Irvine S. Bulloch, CSN (1861-1865)

Photo # NH 59499  Former Confederate Naval officers.  Taken Leamington Spa, England, Autumn 1865, following the return of the CSS Shenandoah.

Included:

Former Assistant Surgeon Edwin G. Booth
Former Acting Master Irvine S. Bulloch of the CSS Shenandoah
Former Passed Assistant Surgeon Bennett W. Green
Former 1st Lieutenant William H. Murdaugh
Former Passed Assistant Surgeon Charles H. Lining of the CSS Shenandoah

--Old B-R'er

Bennett Green, CSN-- Part 1: Surgeon

Over the last month I have written a lot about Newport News, Mulberry Island and Fort Crafford, Virginia, in my Saw the Elephant Civil War blog.  I mentioned this man in connection with Mulberry Island (on the James River).

His family lived in one of the homes on the island and he went on to become a surgeon in the Confederate Navy.  When the Union forces took over the area in 1862, most homes on the island were abandoned and ransacked by Union soldiers.

One of these men found and took as a souvenir, Green's Confederate commission as a ship's surgeon.  Years later, this was returned to Greens's family.

--Old B-Runner

Herbert E. Valentine-- Part 3

Other maps and drawings by Herbert E. Valentine in the Civil War Day By Day site:

HQ, ist Div. 18th Army Corps

Line of Works occupied by 1st Division  (Map)

Barracks of 24th Mass. (Now occupied by the 23rd Mass)  New Berne, N.C.

Birds Eye View of 23rd Mass. camp

General Ledlie's HQ St. Helena Island

Passing bridge on Trent River

--Old B-Runner

Herbert E. Valentine-- Part 2: Discharged from Army Oct. 16, 1864

Continued from May 28, 2018.

He did not reenlist at the expiration of his enlistment and was discharged from the Army 16 October 1864.

In civilian life, he married and had a son and a daughter.  The rest of his life was spent in West Somerfield, Massachusetts where he died 17 June 1917.

During that time he was active in veteran organizations and 1896 published "Story of Company F, 23rd Massachusetts Volunteers in the War for the Union 1861-1865."

--Old B-Runner

What's in a Newport News?

I often mention Newport News in this blog, especially in connection with the USS Monitor, CSS Virginia, USS Cumberland and USS Congress because of what took place off Newport News in 1862.

But, the name Newport News seems to be a strange one for a city or town.

I mean, I can get the Newport part of the name since it is on the water and a port.  But what about the News?

You can find out where the name comes from by going to my Saw the Blockade Civil War blog and clicking on it.  I wrote about it May 30 and May 32.

--Old B-Runner