The Civil War Community

I appreciate the warm welcome from all the Civil War Bloggers. That’s what I really enjoy about the Civil War Hobby. The general disregard for people who are ”full of themselves” makes this a pleasant diversion from the rest of the world. I’ve been fortunate to meet many authors and historians over the years and have always been treated kindly. Try asking your favorite athlete a question or for his autograph.  Thanks also for all the adds to your Links. As I figure this Blog out, my site will definately improve….so please have patience.

5th Regiment Maryland National Guard in Philadelphia 1870

The 5th Regiment MNG is one of the oldest Regiments in the United States. Founded on December 3rd, 1774, the 5th went on to distinguish itself in the Revolutionary War as well as the the War of 1812. The 5th was called the “Dandy 5th” because they were one of the best dressed and drilled regiments in the Country at the outstart of the Civi War. Being a border state, there obviously were factions supporting both sides of the war effort. Since Baltimore is a Southern city, a large portion of the men headed South to serve the Southern cause. Serving in many units, former members of the 5th fought and died gallantly during the war.  After the war in 1867, due to political unrest at election stations the unit was re-united with many men who fought in the war on both sides. Since the ranks were swelled with so many ex-Confederates, the unit was thought to be Disloyal by it’s Northern neighbors.  In 1870, the unit was to attend an encampment in Cape May, New Jersey and had to pass through Philapelphia along with the 7th New York.  A local paper, the Evening Bulletin on July 13th 1870 reported…..”A regiment of Rebel volunteers from Baltimore, notorious for it’s active participation in the effort to destroy the Union, prominent as a part of that infamous conspiracy which threw Baltimore as a threatening obstacle in the pathway to Washington, is going to Cape May, and must needs to pass through Philadelphia.  It is composed of men whose traitorous enmity cost the lives of the brave men of the 6th Massachusetts, who fell, pro-martyrs, in the streets of Baltiumore, and that compelled the first perilous and laborious march of the Seventh New York to Washington. And now it is proposed to water the compliment which Philadelphia extends to the patriotic New York Seventh, by extending the same courtesy to the Rebel Maryland Fifth. The two regiments, one nobly true to its country and the other bitterly false to it in its hour of need, are to be counted worthy of equal honor, and a Philadelphia regiment has been found willing to ignore all the  principles of the war for the Union, and to cast dirt on the memories of the brave men whom these Maryland Rebels helped to send to their now almost forgotten graves, while they play the courtier to men whom they cannot recognize in their organized military capacity without doing dishonor to themselves.”

But by attacking the Maryland unit, the Evening Bulletin was denounced by the other local papers. The unit recieved large ovations as it paraded through Philadelphia on July 22nd 1870 and was recieved at the depot by two committee’s. One representing the citizen’s and the other one representing the Military. The 5th Maryland then proceeded to the Continental Hotel where they were greeted warmly by Philapelphia resident General Robert Patterson who was the veteran of three wars.  After a successful encampment at Cape May, the unit headed home to Baltimore passing through Philadelphia and recieved the same adulation.

Civil War Books

I first began collecting Civil War books 30 years ago and didn’t realize it. My mother bought me Robert Tanner’s “Stonewall in the Valley” in 1976 and after reading it I needed more books to satisfy my growing interest or addiction depending on how you look at it. My collection consists of about 1500 books that mostly deal with Confederate units or biographies. I also own a lot of Americana titles that are of Maryland or Delaware interest. Several years ago I sold off between 400-600 titles that were Union titles or dealt with battles. Many people have asked me why I did this, the last time was Eric Wittenberg at the CWDG Muster Dinner. I guess I came to realize that I really enjoyed reading about the Confederate experience and studying the war from that perspective.  Please don’t feel that I don’t appreciate what the Union Army accomplished, I just was tired of being a jack of all trades and a master of none when it came to the Civil War. I knew alot and knew nothing at all. I’m sure all of my Yankee friends will say I still know nothing by neglecting the Union side of the war. But what they don’t realize is that one of my Union titles probably ended up in their collection. But getting back to collecting books, nothing beats the rush of finding a title you been searching for turn up at your local used book store. I’ve bought books at yard sales, auctions, Civil War shows, eBay and God knows where else. Having all these books makes me look a lot smarter than I am. As my friends know, I give away Civil War books from time to time so they’ll have a good home. So the next time you have a Civil War book you no longer need, give it to friend or relative and let’s keep history alive especially the Civil War. Because the more people that start collecting Civil War books means more titles will be published which in turn will feed my addiction. Of course buying more books and “sneaking” them into the house is a whole other subject!

Samuel Batson Hearne

Samuel Batson Hearne was born to an old Delaware family. The Hearne’s who were staunch supporter’s of Oliver Cromwell,  fled after Cromwell’s death fearing for their safety, arrived in Delaware in the late 1600’s. Samuel was born January 28th, 1841 on the Maryland side of Delmar. Though the Hearne’s lived on the Delaware side of this small hamlet which is divided by the Mason-Dixon line, Mrs Hearne was probably visiting her relatives on the Maryland side when Samuel arrived. Delaware, much like Maryland, recieved brutal treatment at the hands of Union troops that were stationed there by the Lincoln administration to quell any Confederate sympathies. Many young men detested how they were being treated by the Occupation troops and decided to do something about it. Samuel decided to head south, much to the disatisfaction of his father who was a Union man. Crossing the Cheaspeake with 12 other men on August 22nd, 1862 he eventually arrived at Charlottesville and enlisted in the 1st Maryland Cavalry Co. B on September 10th, 1862. The 1st Maryland Cavalry was made up by many Marylander’s who entered the war at the very beginning, many serving with Jeb Stuart in the 1st Virginia Cavalry. According to family legend, when Samuel shot his first Yankee he rushed to aid the wounded man. The grateful Union soldier gave Samuel his pocket watch as a token of appreciation. After serving for some time in the Hard fighting 1st Maryland, Samuel was granted a leave and traveled home with several friends. Things went well while at home as his family hid him to keep him safe. When time came to return however, his father hatched a plot to take his son out of combat and keep him safe. He told the authorities that his son along with several comrades would be heading back south. The cavalrymen were captured April 26th, 1864 on the Chesapeake Bay by a Union Gunboat and taken to Ft McHenry. The Confederates were tried and convicted as spies and sentenced to death. Several powerful and well to do Marylanders appealed for the lives of the young men, But General Lew Wallace ignored their pleas.

Enter the Gitting’s family. Though they were powerful Southern Democrats and were known to be aiding the Confederate Cause, they had also aided someone else that owed them a favor.  In 1861 when President-elect Abraham Lincoln was heading to Washington DC with his family, there were rumors of an assination plot. Lincoln, on a train headed to Washington was to pass through Baltimore. Baltimore, who voted heavily for Breckenridge, detested Lincoln.  Lincoln left the train at Harrisburg and rode a special train to Washington leaving his family on the original train. When the train arrived at Baltimore it was met by an angry mob, that got angrier when it found out that Lincoln wasn’t aboard the train. John Gittings used his personal carriage and picked up Mary Lincoln and her sons and brought them to his house. Gittings entertained the Lincoln’s and protected them from danger. Gittings then took the Lincoln’s to the train station after the dire situation quieted down to travel on to Washington. Fast forward to August 28th, 1864 when Gittings traveled to Washington DC to request an appearance with the President. During the meeting Lincoln realized that the Gitting family had protected his family and told them he was glad he could finally repay an old debt. Lincoln commuted the sentences of the young men and their lives were saved on the very day they were to be executed. Sentenced to hard labor at Albany, New York, they were sent to Ft Monroe in early January of 1865 to be exchanged. Hearne was exchanged on March15,1865 and headed towards Richmond. Upon hearing of Lee’s surrender he went south to North Carolina, hoping to hook up with Johnston. Johnston, however surrendered before he could reach that command. Traveling back to Richmond, Hearne took the oath and headed back to Delaware. The lure of the South would call Samuel back and he eventually settled at Port Royal, Virginia on his estate named “Hickory Hill”. Samuel Hearne died October 9th, 1917

Richard Bennett Carmichael

Richard Bennett Carmichael was born 12-25-1807 in Centreville, Maryland to a distinguished family. Carmichael attend Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania for a couple of years before finishing up at Princeton in 1828. After studying law he was admitted to the bar in 1830. At the beginning of the Civil War, Carmichael a leading Democrat in the state and suspected of being a southern supporter, was a circuit court judge. Carmichael had gained the interest of the local Provost Marshal by defending area citizens who had been arrested without cause on the suspicion that they were Loyal to the Confederacy and investigating the military for interference in the 1861 election.   On May 28th, 1862 the Provost Marshal surrounded the Talbot County courthouse with about 125 soldiers and stormed into the court room. The Provost Marshal told Carmichael he was under arrest by authority of the United States. When Carmichael resisted, he was dragged from the Bench and pistol whipped into submission. Carmichael was then transported to Ft. McHenry. He was later transferred to Ft Layfayette and then finally to Ft Delaware. Held for over 6 months, Carmichael repeatedly asked that charges against him be made public.  He was finally released without any charges.

Hello world!

This is my humble attempt to join the blogging world. Always looking for information on Maryland’s association with the Confederacy. Also researching Delaware Confederates, so if you know of any please drop me a line.