Opening Shots

 From Vince Slaugh, Editor :

       Welcome to the end-of-year issue of the Union Standard.  I hope you find this newsletter’s articles informative and interesting.  As always, submission for future newsletters are always welcome.  Likewise, advice about how to improve the newsletter is also solicited.  Enjoy! 

 Vince Slaugh

 

Fall 2006 in Review

By Kay Lingle

       Often there is a let down after Landis Valley, but this year many events kept the 1stPA/PDL active and involved.

 

Aug. 26 Vince & Lindsey sponsored and Don P. hosted a showing of No Retreat from Destiny. This event was very well attended. Everyone said we should get together more often for a fun & food evening.

 

Sept. 22 Gaye hosted a sash-sewing day. Touring her house is worth sewing all morning.  Also on Sept. 22, Vince gave an excellent talk at the Lanc. Co. Historical Society about his research on Lancaster & the Civil War.

 

Sept. 23 was the Historical Society event. Nancy K. gave a tour of Wheatland in the morning. Vince gave a tour of the Civil War display that he produced for the Historical Society. The very large Patriot Daughter broadside was, of course, the highlight for the PDL members. In the afternoon President Buchanan returned to Lancaster following the inauguration of President Lincoln. Of course, the citizens of Lancaster were out to greet him. An impromptu gathering of a dozen or so members at Tobias Frog at dinner time provided another relaxing social time. In the evening our unit members put on the “premier” of the new scenario that had Kim written. Where else in 10 minutes can you learn about the Patriot Daughter’s sewing circles/ the camp & hospital in Lancaster for Ohio soldiers/ the dinner for the 14th & 15th PA Regiments/ Colonel Hambright’s request for 800 pairs of socks for the 79th PA/ news from Dorothea Dix about donations going to the PA Reserves/ the hospital at Fredrick City/ Mr. Kevinski’s concert/ and the kind letter from Lt. Nevin.  After many tour groups, we were almost ready to take it on the road, but will save it for use at some future event.

 

Oct. 14 brought a nice turn out of members to help the Haldeman Mansion with their fall event. Lovely scenery, a worthy cause and free food made it a pleasant day. Thanks to Pam for getting us involved with this. The PDL made $48 for the mansion with their crafts. We were delighted to meet Amanda & David Miller who would like to join our unit. Welcome!

 

Oct. 21 brought another successful Cedar Creek Event. A good time and good weather were had by those attending.

 

Nov. 4 the Troops and Trains event at the Strasburg Railroad gave us reason to visit with the future and see what life will be like in the 1940s. Visiting with the WWII reenactors was a treat.

 

Nov. 18 brought the official end to our season. Ceremonies were held at the Reserve monuments in the morning, the Mifflin Guard looked outstanding in the parade. Looking out from the point where Steinwehr and Baltimore Streets separate one can see the difference between the MG & some other groups. From afar those straight rows of guns, white gloves and poised soldiers are like a group of toy soldiers, perfectly aligned. The musicians are to be especially commended for their growth in quality and number. It was hard to walk anywhere in Gettysburg without bumping into unit members and Explorers. Several mentioned that we should have a gathering spot next year, perhaps after the parade. In the evening, balls were attended in several locations.

 

However, the season is never really over. During December members were invited to Landis Valley where the 30th PA had winter quarters built. Seeing a wooden building with a tent pitched on top of it was a learning experience for most of us. The building was not much larger than an outhouse, just large enough for 4 men to lie very close. Soldiers & civilians talked with visitors, tried wood schnitzing on the schnitzelbank and took scoldings from the Belschnickel.

 

On Dec. 18 the Explorer’s Ball meant a great of dancing & socializing.  Every person present danced nearly every dance.  The Explorers, David, Luanne, Don, and Gilmore’s put on the real community social of the 1860s.

Meanwhile, members have participated in community events with birthday parties at Wheatland, Living History for Horseshoe Trail District of the Boy Scouts, Living History for the Weblos at Wheatland, Living History at the Daniel Lady Farm, Civil War Roundtable and, surely, many other events.

 

It’s been a great season! Rest up, there’s another one around the corner.

Please share information about any future event of which you have knowledge. We have a diverse group with many interests within the hobby. Most of the above events were never on a formal event list. They were announced by a member and grew from there. Maybe no one will attend or maybe many, but the more we know about, the more we can try. 

 

Book Review: The Harrison Raines Mystery Series

By Mary Boeni

 

“Estelle,” he said, “Miss Van Lew. Did you talk with her while you were at her house?”

“Yessuh. She come up an talk to me when I was in the secret room.”

“Did she say anything about me? Tell you not to talk to me about all this.”

“She say I should be careful around you—not tell you anything.”

“Did she say why?”

“She say you weren’t very good at what you do.”

And no Mr. Harrison Raines, gambler, sometimes horse trader, and former Son of the South and heir of one of its Tidewater Aristocracies, is sometimes not very good at what he does. What he ‘does’ in reality is work for Major Allen, alias Allen Pinkerton, and President Lincoln’s Secret Service. Despite the many gaffes and blunders he makes in the line of duty Harrison manages to pull through and aid in solving the crime. Each time, the crime involves a murder and a major battle or event in the Civil War.

 

                Author Michael Kilian is a Washington columnist and a correspondent for the Chicago Tribune and an author of over 18 books. His latest series is the Harrison Raines Civil War Mystery series that begins, aptly so, with Murder at Manassas. This enjoyable novel introduces the reader to Harry and to his rather unusual recruitment into the Secret Service. The second novel of the series takes the reader to a battle that I was very unfamiliar with. In A Killing at Ball’s Bluff Harry is again called upon to solve a crime as he bumbles his way back and forth across enemy lines. Kilian has researched his battles well and his descriptions of historical events are for the most part quite accurate.

 

                For those of you intrigued by the battle at Hampton Roads between the Monitor and the Virginia (Merrimack), The Ironclad Alibi is your chance to take a behind the scenes seat and watch the clash of these titans firsthand. Harrison’s maneuvers in this the 3^rd book of the series seemed the least believable to me, but, again the author had researched the backdrop of early war Richmond and its spy network very well. In the fourth book of the series, The Shiloh Sisters Kilian’s description of Grant and his dissatisfaction with the higher command and their tactics made the book an even more an interesting read for the CW enthusiast than did the murder.

 

                In summary, although the lead character Harrison Raines may not be the most adept at spying, his escapades and crime investigations make for an enjoyable and perhaps lighter read for those interested in the Civil War.  Harry seems to meet more than his share of famous persons, but those people add to the story rather than impose upon it. Author Michael Kilian has researched his topics well and my only real objection is not with the author but with his artist who designed the covers. That man knows nothing of his southern flag history!

 

 

 

 

News Items from 145 Years Ago

By Vince Slaugh

 

      A casual reading of the Lancaster Daily Evening Express from 145 years ago reveals several interesting gems.  Recruiting for the war effort ran strong in the autumn months of 1861.  In Lancaster, the following editorial is an appeal for men to join Col. Henry Hambright’s “Lancaster County Regiment” from September 2, 1861: 

       

Young men of old Lancaster ! now or never is the time to rally to the defense of your country.  Wait not until the hordes of traitors and robbers, under Jeff. Davis invade and desolate your homes.  Will you allow them to come here to burn, pillage and destroy—as they most certainly will do if they ever set foot upon your soil—or will you go manfully forth and beat them back to their rice swamps and cotton fields.  Think not because there is a lull that the storm has passed by and that the sun is shining serenely.  The rebels are more restless than ever; they are working day and night, are pushing their lines gradually but surely towards the Potomac.  Reinforcements are crowding in from every section of the rebel States, and there is now hardly a single able-bodied man from the Potomac to the Gulf of Mexico who is not under arms, either voluntarily or involuntarily.  Young men of Lancaster ! these are facts.  And shall we stand idly by, with folded arms, while enemies and traitors are beating down the gates of the citadel—shall we look on and see them approach our homes with fire and sword, sparing nothing in their mad career of fancied revenge; shall we wait until their legions are desecrating the soil of the old Keystone before we rush to arms.  Alas, then it will be too late.  Let us be up and doing now.  If we whip them in one great battle on the shores of the Potomac their cause is undone; if we scatter their army now it can never again be concentrated.  Choose what you will.

 

      In spite of the war, social events continued in the “Inland City.”  From the Lancaster Daily Evening Express, September 7, 1861.           

       

Sharpshooting: The last target match of the season, under the direction of the Lancaster Schutzen Verein, will take place at their grounds on the Conestoga on Monday morning, commencing at 9 o’clock.  This match is known as the Star Shooting, and it is said will be the most interesting of the season.  It is open to all comers.  In the afternoon the company will resolve itself into a pic nic, when Teutonic beverages, edibles and socialism, will combine to render the occasion one of the most elevated felicity. 

 

        Lancaster’s support for the war effort extended beyond filling companies of men.  One effort that attracted much attention was the raising of funds for a cannon by public school teachers in Lancaster County.  Spearheading this effort was J. R. Sypher, better known to us as the historian of the Pennsylvania Reserves.   Notice the connection between young ladies supporting the war and finding “honorable” suitors, which both reveals the newspaper editor’s sense of humor and the relationship between gender and war.  One could guess “bombshell” has multiple meanings.  From the Lancaster Daily Evening Express, September 17, 1861:       

       

A Bombshell from Eden-Twp: The following letter was received by Mr. Sypher, committee on funds for the School Teachers’ gun advertised in another column, from two very patriotic young ladies teaching in Eden-twp., this county.

        Sir:—Enclosed you will find two, dollars, which you will please accept, to aid in the purchase of the “Teachers’ Gun;” and with it will go our heart’s best wishes that it may help to speedily bring a glorious result to the mighty work in which our nation is now engaged.  May it carry death to none but the traitor’s heart that is plotting to overthrow our free government.

                                                Respectfully, &c.

                                                                                __________

We are not at liberty to publish the names of these patriotic ladies, but should directors desire to know where to find first class teachers, or honorable young men to inquire after the right sort of ladies, we guarantee, the question of either could be satisfactorily answered by the Gun Committee.  In contrast with the conduct of these young ladies, we cite the action of the teachers of East Lampeter.  Two teachers of this township, Messrs. Whitney and Boyer, contributed each a dollar, while their associates refused to give any thing.  Comment is unnecessary.

 

 

 

Two other items from September 23, 1861:        

       

        Stocking-Knitting Associations:  The ladies of Lebanon county held a meeting at the Court House, in Lebanon, last Monday, and organized a Stocking Knitting Association.  A committee of ladies was appointed for each ward, borough and township in the county, to canvass their districts for the purpose of procuring wool, yarn, stockings, or money to purchase material.  This is a praiseworthy movement, and one which we would be glad to see imitated by the ladies of Lancaster. 

 

        Large Eel:  The largest specimen in the eel line we have ever seen was exhibited to us this morning.  It measured four feet five and a half inches and was caught several weeks since in the Susquehanna, near Washington borough.  The skin was stuffed by Mr. George Hensel, taxerdermist, of this city, and can now be seen a the Continental Saloon, Columbia. 

 

From the Lancaster Daily Evening Express, November 16, 1861:              

       

      Patriot Daughters’ Concert: The Concert for the benefit of our Soldiers, to be given by Prof. Kevinski’s Orchestra, assisted by a large number of amateur musicians, promises to be one of the finest entertainments of the sort ever given in this city.  We had the pleasure of being present at a rehearsal of the troupe, at Mrs. Hubley’s residence, last evening, and can with authority highly recommend the programme.

        The ladies from the east, who have so generously consented to aid Professor Kevinski in his patriotic labors, are accomplished singers, their execution much exceeding what we have sometimes heard on the stage from professional vocalists.

        The concert will be given on Monday evening next, in the County Court Room.  For full programme see advertisement. 

 

From the Lancaster Daily Evening Express, November 16, 1861:          

       

      Affairs at Quarryville: While sojourning in the neighborhood of Quarryville for a few days the present week, we took occasion to take note of matters and things in and around the village.  This is one of the most noted lime burning districts in the State.  Some idea of the extent of this business may be had, when we state, that there are 47 kilns in constant operation—winter and summer—each of which has a capacity of from 1,000 to 1,700 bushels.  The lime is readily sold to the farmers within a radius of ten miles; teams are continually seen moving to and from the kilns, with four or more horses in each team.  The quarries extend over a large area, and are worked by some fifteen firms, amongst whom we will name our friends, Geo. W. Hensel, Daniel Lefevre and William J. Hess.  Mr. Hensel is the gentlemanly postmaster of the place, one of the most liberal-minded men of or acquaintance… 

 

 

 

 

Soldiers’ Correspondence

 

A “Lancaster Boy” Invades Hilton Head, South Carolina:

 

      One of the more interesting theaters of war to study is Union activities on the coast of South Carolina.  Union Naval supremacy allowed the North to inhabit a small part of South Carolina around Hilton Head for virtually the entire war.  Apparently, Hilton Head’s status has not changed all that much in the past 145 years, and the soldiers enjoyed a variety of luxuries, including alligator steak.  Also, Union operations here were at the forefront of change when it came to racial policies, most notable the formation of African-American combat units.  Think of the movie, Glory.  Interestingly, many Lancasterians ended up fighting in South Carolina in units like the 45th, 50th, 76th, and 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiments.  The unidentified author of the following letter likely belonged to one of those units, and some cursory searching could probably reveal his regiment.  From the Lancaster Daily Evening Express, November 16, 1861:    

       

A Lancaster Boy at Port Royal: We give below a portion of a letter written by a young man from this city, to his sister.  He seems to enjoy fighting the rebels about as much as being at home with his friends. 

        U. S. Ship Susquehanna, Hilton Head

                Beaufort, S. C., Nov. 9, 1861

        I received your’s and mother’s letters a few days ago.  They were lying at Fortress Monroe for some three weeks before they were sent to us.  We left there for Charleston a short time after I wrote to you.  The Fleet brought the mail down for us, and also orders for us to come to this place and help to take it.  We started as soon as we could and got here in good time; we laid here two days before the attack was made.

        We commenced on the morning of the 8^th.  The Wabash took the land and we followed immediately in her wake.  As soon as the Wabash got near enough the forts opened a tremendous fire on her; as we came up they were just getting their had in, and, the way the balls whistled over us was a caution to unbelievers—and such dodging I never saw before.  I never knew I could dodge so quick.  I was on all fours before you could say beans, and so were all the rest; but it was only for a minute or so, we soon got used to it and stood to it like statues.  The officers thought it would be best for us to stoop if we say or heard a ball coming, and we did so.  It is natural for any person to stoop if they see a chunk of iron coming at them. 

        The fight lasted for five hours, and the balls came like hail stones all the time.  At one time we lay for twenty minutes right under the guns of the forts.  There was a fort on each side of us and they could reach us either way, as the Bay is only three and a half miles wide—and it was mighty hot I can assure you.  We made a regular circle around the Bay; the Wabash first, us next, and then the gun-boats began to stay off, and then the Wabash and the Susquehanna and Black Warrior had the fire directed entirely on them, and the rest put in a shot occasionally; and so it went until the forts were silenced.  The Rebels left in confusion.  They stuck up two white flags, and as soon as they were seen a boat was sent ashore, and in a few moments the stars and stripes were flying where the Rebel flag floated a few minutes before.  It was a sight for sore eyes.  It made us feel as if we could pitch into another if it was twice as large as the ones we already took.  We soon came to anchor, and the troop ships came up and set the troops ashore; they all cheered us as the passed and we returned them.

        The forts names are Walker and Campbell; one had 30 and the other 18 guns—and all of them were Dahlgrens.  There as good, if not better, than ours; and I must say they were manned by brave fellows, but their commander must have been a coward, for he retreated and left every thing behind.  They did not take a single thing with them.  There were two killed on our ship, and one had his arm cut off.   I believe there were eleven killed and forty wounded in the whole fleet.  I do not know the loss of the enemy, but is was very large; some suppose it to be three hundred, but the exact number is not known.

        I would send you a Secession love letter but I do not think it would interest you.  Some of our sailors picked a few of them up on shore and I got hold of them.