Posted By David H. Jones on July 2, 2009
This past May, we once again enjoyed the Pamplin Historical Park Annual Spring Tour with A. Wilson Greene as the guide for our foray into the counties of central Virginia. This tour is so popular that most of the participants have been on a number of the six preceding spring tours offered by Pamplin Historical Park. Will Greene does an outstanding job in every aspect of an in-depth exploration that is both educational and entertaining. We visited a number of locations associated with Sheridan’s first raids, including the battlefields at Yellow Tavern, Haw’s Shop, and Cold Harbor. On the second day, we investigated the Wilson-Kautz Raid, following its trail westward to Staunton River Bridge and then back to the lines at Petersburg. The tour on the third day took us to Trevilian Station Battlefield and the Exchange Hotel in Gordonsville. Over the next week or two, I’ll post several interesting moments on the tour. The biggest revelation to me was that these large scale cavalry actions were fought . . . . dismounted!
Category: Pamplin Historical Park, Petersburg, Richmond, Virginia |
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Posted By David H. Jones on June 27, 2009
It was a real pleasure to return to the bookstore at the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center & Museum for another signing event. Visitor traffic was steady throughout the day and I autographed over ten books per hour, a very satisfying result for any author. Also pleasing was the fact that the entire day before the book signing was reserved for immersion in the solemn grandeur of the Gettysburg Battlefield and its monuments. While all of the well known and important spots were visited, I’m still drawn to Culp’s Hill, a place out of the main stream for most park visitors.
It was down this hill and across Pardee Field that the Confederate Maryland Battalion charged in the late morning of the third day of the battle, only to be wrecked in a withering crossfire of cannon balls and musketry. A small marker just off the left boundary of the photo above marks the “Point reached by 1st Md Battalion C.S.A. July 3rd 1863.”
Colonel Wallace, commanding officer of the Federal 1st Maryland Eastern Shore wrote, “The 1st Maryland Confederate Regiment met us and were cut to pieces. We sorrowfully gathered up many of our old friends and acquaintances and had them carefully and tenderly cared for.”
As I noted in Two Brothers, among the Maryland Battalion’s fallen was Grace, their mascot. Brigadier General Thomas L. Kane, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, XII Corps recalled, “[S]he licked someone’s hand, they said, after [s]he was perfectly riddled.” “Kane ordered that the dog be honorably buried” . . . “as the only Christian minded being on either side.” (Gettysburg: Culp’s Hill and Cemetery Hill, p. 319-320 - Harry W. Pfanz).
Category: Gettysburg |
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Posted By David H. Jones on June 23, 2009
Under the spreading limbs of a large oak tree in a quiet corner of Saint Thomas Church Cemetery at Owings Mills, Maryland, the Cary family rests in peace. They are all here. The children of Wilson Miles Cary and Jane Margaret Carr Cary are buried beside their parents, close together as they were in life.
In a previous blog post, I celebrated our visit to the gravesite of Hetty Cary because she was such a prominent character in Two Brothers: One North, One South. I failed to mention that the gravestones of Jenny (Jane Margaret) and (Wilson) Miles Cary, Jr., both named for their parents, resided in the same row. Both siblings are also important characters that are portrayed in Two Brothers. Jenny and Miles accompanied Hetty across the Potomac as war was breaking out between the states. Jenny put the words of the James Ryder Randall poem to music and created the anthem Maryland, My Maryland. She also sewed one of the first three Confederate Battle Flags. Miles served as an officer on the staff of General Robert E. Lee and was a highly-regarded Virginia genealogist following the war. Several of his post-war letters provided invaluable details about Hetty’s adventures that found their way onto the pages of my book. Below are thumbnails of the gravestones of Jenny and Miles Cary.
Category: Baltimore, Grave Sites, Hetty Cary, Maryland |
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Tags: Hetty Cary, Jenny Cary, Miles Wilson Cary, Two Brothers One North One South
Posted By David H. Jones on June 23, 2009
A reader of this blog recently complimented my efforts to visit the grave sites of characters portrayed in my historical novel Two Brothers: One North, One South. Specifically, he mentioned Hetty Cary. I suddenly realized that her sister Jenny and brother Miles are also characters in the book and buried near Hetty, but I failed to mention that or show a picture of their gravestones. I then reviewed my collection of book research and tour photos and counted a number of characters who I have similarly failed. Over the next few weeks I will intersperse posts with these photos to set the record straight.
Category: Two Brothers One North One South |
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Posted By David H. Jones on June 21, 2009
All through the research phase for Two Brothers: One North, One South I endeavored to visit the grave sites of as many as possible of the primary characters in the book. There were several reasons for this exercise. First, a complete study of these historical persons provided me with the opportunity to understand and, in most cases, develop great respect for them as individuals, despite evident flaws that we all possess to some degree or another. Second, a very real sense of connection with them is achieved by visiting their final resting place. And last but not least, I wished to honor their substantial contributions to our nation’s rich history and heritage.
This graveside pilgrimage has continued into the book tour phase of the Two Brothers journey. During my last trip back East, the route from Winchester to Gettysburg (with detours to Harpers Ferry and Sharpsburg) took me through Shepherdstown, West Virginia and right by Elmwood Cemetery. Colonel Douglas was a very interesting man, to say the least, and I’m glad that I was able to spend a few minutes of reflection at his grave site. Please click on thumbnails for enlarged photos of Henry Kyd Douglas.
Category: Grave Sites, Two Brothers One North One South, Virginia |
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Posted By David H. Jones on June 20, 2009
When I first arrived at the Stonewall Cemetery at Winchester, Virginia for the Confederate Memorial Day Observance, I was pleasantly surprised to find a monument honoring Maryland’s sons who fell defending Virginia. The words on the monument are touching . . . “they came for conscience sake and died for right” . . . “Alike in blood Alike in faith They sleep alike The last sleep of the brave” . . .
As we write about and study the events of this war, it’s best to keep in mind that young men of both sides made great sacrifices for what they believed was right. In my mind, that makes them all American patriots.
Category: Maryland, Virginia |
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Posted By David H. Jones on June 17, 2009
I recently attended a remarkable event at the Old Court House Civil War Museum in Winchester, Virginia. The 4th annual Gathering of Civil War Eagles brought together an outstanding group of living historians who stay perfectly in persona while discussing and debating the political and military issues of the war. The 1840 period Court House was the ideal setting for this battle of ideas and ideals, which were very well expressed by the participants. Not only did each living historian look the part, each was quite knowledgeable and articulate in their responses to questions and comments.
During the course of the three day event, the living historians introduced themselves to the audience (limited to 100 persons as that is the capacity of the original court room); presented a lively debate between Presidents Lincoln and Davis; staged a Congressional Hearing on Conduct of the War; and engaged in many memorable discussions. Following participation in the UDC ceremony at the Stonewall Jackson Cemetery in observance of Confederate Memorial Day, Stan Clardy presented his musical journey “Soldiers in Gray” . . . a one man musical play that was excellent in every regard. On Sunday morning, an inspiring period church service was conducted by Chaplain Alan Farley of the Re-Enactors Missions for Jesus Christ. Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the photo.
Category: Virginia |
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Tags: Chaplain Alan Farley, Gathering of Civil War Eagles 2009, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Re-Enactors Missions for Jesus Christ, Soldiers in Gray, Stan Clardy, Virginia
Posted By David H. Jones on June 13, 2009
Last weekend I attended the Turner Ashby Chapter 184 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy ceremony at the Stonewall Cemetery in Hebron Cemetery at Winchester, Virginia as it was part of the Gathering of Civil War Eagles 2009. I’m glad that I did. This was a genuine American event, a celebration by present day American patriots of our nation’s rich history and heritage, honoring the patriotism and devotion of previous generations. It was a beautiful evening; the weather was perfect; and the green lushness of the surroundings provided a perfect setting. The ceremony was solemn and dignified, conducted on hallowed ground as three thousand Confederate battle dead rest here. I descend from soldiers who fought to preserve the Union; nevertheless, this event represents to me a vital part of America’s soul and I felt honored and privileged to attend.
The Tuscarora Brass Band played a number of period tunes, including Dixie’s Land and Bonnie Blue Flag. Confederate officers of Gathering of Eagles escorted award winners to the podium and a bugler played taps at the end of the ceremony. Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the photo.
Category: Virginia |
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Tags: Gathering of Civil War Eagles 2009, Turner Ashby, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Virginia, Winchester
Posted By David H. Jones on June 3, 2009
We enjoyed a very nice book signing event at the Fountain Bookstore in the historic Shockoe Slip section of Richmond, Virginia. Wonderful shops and restaurants abound in this area of town near the James River. Owner Kelly Justice was great to work with and I signed many books for Civil War enthusiasts who visited the store that day. Kelly has a following of book lovers who desire autographed books, so I signed a number for customers who will be visiting the store after the event.
Category: David H. Jones, Richmond, Two Brothers One North One South, Virginia |
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Posted By David H. Jones on June 2, 2009
I was pleased to see the very nice McGowan’s Brigade monument when I visited Bloody Angle on the Spotsylvania Battlefield. The site was still decorated with flowers from the recent dedication ceremony proudly conducted by the Brigadier General Samuel McGowan Camp 40, Sons of Confederate Veterans, of Laurens, South Carolina. McGowan’s brigade fought valiantly during this battle, as they did defending the Confederate lines during the Breakthrough Battle at Petersburg on April 2, 1865.
Category: Petersburg, Virginia |
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Tags: Breakthrough Battle
