The Newsletter of the Salt Creek Civil War Roundtable Vol. XLXVV No. 1 September 2011 412th Regular Meeting Some historians have called Judah Benjamin the "brains of the Confederacy" while others have blamed him for the South's early defeats. A founder of the Illinois Central Railroad, a state legislator, a plantation slave owner and a United States Senator from Louisiana in 1852. He was twice considered for nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, but declined the offers. When the slave states seceded, Confederate President Jefferson Davis appointed Benjamin Attorney General in the Confederate Cabinet. He later served as the Confederacy's Secretary of War and then Secretary of State. When the South was defeated, Benjamin fled to England. After the war Benjamin never spoke publicly or wrote about his role in the war. He burned his personal papers before his death allowing historians to interpret him as they wished. In his presentation Rick Benson will give us his interpretation on the life and contributions of this prominent Southern Statesman. Rick Benson graduated from Central Michigan University with BS and MBA degrees in Business Administration. In his business career he traveled extensively throughout the United States allowing him to visit many Civil War sites. When he retired he joined the Salt Creek Civil War Round Table. He currently holds the office of vice-president and is on the newsletter staff. He is also a civil war re- enactor portraying Andersonville Commandant Capt. Henry Wirz. Besides his local performances, Rick's presentation has been done at Andersonville National Historical Site for the National Park Service. This past May he participated in the annual Capt. Henry Wirz Memorial Service in Washington, DC at Mount Olivet Cemetery. The SCCWRT extends its welcome to this member and scholar and look forward to an enlightening presentation. The Outpost DATE: Friday, September 16, 2011 PLACE: Oak Trace Downers Grove, IL 60516 Fairview Village is now called OAK TRACE. Same location only the name has changed. TIME: 8:00 p.m. SPEAKER: Rick Benson TOPIC: " Judah Benjamin" JUNE MEETING BY RICK BENSON On Friday June 16, 2011, Salt Creek Civil War Round Table held its Annual Banquet @ Lisle- Hilton. The featured speaker was SCCWRT member Rob Girardi Historian / Author. Rob currently has 9 books published. Rob provided an in-depth Power Point presentation and analysis of the significance of The State of Illinois for the Union in the Civil War. Rob started his presentation by explaining that normal Civil War presentations are based on significant battles, Generals, and strategies. We generally don’t look at aspects of non Civil War geographic areas. History in general is not being taught in our schools. Hence the aspect of the State of Illinois in the Civil War has been a neglected area. Illinois as a State was 43 years old at the start of The Civil War. Illinois was strategically located, had excellent rivers for navigation, was becoming a rail hub because of its geographic location, plus had abundant mineral deposits, plus fertile land for growing crops. Illinois was becoming an industrial & agricultural power house. Illinois was home to the sitting President of the US at the beginning of the Civil War. The General that would lead the Union to victory; Ulysses S Grant, had also made Illinois home. Illinois came into the Union in 1818 as a “Free State”. During Illinois early years, they passed legislation that banned bringing negro’s into the State, or residing in its boundaries. An Alton, IL newspaper owner had his printing press thrown into the Mississippi River because of his support for this. Dred Scott sued for his freedom when brought to Illinois, as Illinois was a free state. In 1857 The US Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott. This legal decision actually brought Lincoln into the National spotlight, as he publically disagreed with this legal decision. This kicked off Lincoln challenging the incumbent Senator Steven A Douglas to a series of 7 debates across Illinois. Lincoln lost this election, but gained a national reputation for opposing the expansion of slavery to the new territories. Lincoln later became the Republican party “dark horse” candidate for President of the US, and won, despite not appearing on the ballot in any Southern states. His election was the spark that started the Civil War. Prior to his inauguration, 7 Southern States left the Union, and created the Confederate States of America. Lincoln’s predecessor President James Buchanan, attempted nothing to save the Union. When the call for 6,000 (6 regiments) 90-day volunteers first went out, enough men for 10 regiments came forward. The extra men were turned away, as there were not enough arms, or funds, to sustain them. By wars end, Illinois sent more men into the military by the end of the war – 259,092 men out of a population of 1.8 million residents. At wars end, Illinois was 15% over the State quota for soldiers. The Draft provided a mere 3538 recruits. Illinois provided 53 Brigadier Generals, 9 Major Generals, and 1 Lieutenant General to the Union. Initially the loyally of Southern Illinois was in question. Many Democratic politicians made speeches to sway the Southern Illinoisans to remain loyal. A trainload of Chicago volunteers went to Cairo, Illinois to secure that key southern Illinois town for Illinois and the Union. Later in the war, enlistments increased to 3 year lengths. Enlistment speeches were made to appeal to patriotism, “free train rides” over the country, “free travel”, “free clothing”, “lots of fun”, plus “make you life interesting”? Obviously these plus other appeals worked. Regiments were formed from all over the state Illinois had 40 training camps, and 4 POW camps. Volunteers came for many reasons. To support the Union, to fight against slavery, peer pressure, to not miss the grandest adventure of their lives. The 13th Illinois was the first unit to cross the Mississippi into Missouri. Illinois militia units initially were issued Grey uniforms. Some guns initially issued posed more threat to the soldier than to the person the gun was aimed at. Some units were only issued 10 rifles per Company. The balance of the Company only had pistols and knives. Eventually all the men received proper uniforms and equipment. An Illinoisan was the 1st martyr of the country. This was Chicago lawyer Elmer Ellsworth. He organized a Drill Team prior to the war that toured the country. He was killed by a hotel proprietor in Alexandria, Virginia. On May 24, 1861 he was shot when he removed a Confederate flag from the roof of the hotel. His body was brought to the White House, where it lay in State. It was Illinoisans that emptied the Arsenal in St. Louis to stop the Missourians from Camp Jackson, Missouri from seizing them for the Confederacy. Grant with 2 Illinois units that captured Paducah, Kentucky. Grant also took Illinois units to the battle of Belmont, Missouri / Columbus, Kentucky. On 2/6/62 Grant took Illinois units and captured Fort Henry on the Tennessee River in the State of Tennessee. On 2/15/62 Grant then took Ft. Donaldson, on the Cumberland River in Tennessee with many Illinois troops under his command. Many of the Southerners were shipped from Ft. Donaldson to POW Camp Douglas back in Chicago. Illinois units also played major roles at Pea Ridge, Arizona, plus at Prairie Grove, Arizona, New Madrid, Missouri plus Island #10 battles. Illinoisans made up to 1/3rd of his Army at Shiloh. At Vicksburg, Illinois troops accounted for almost ½ of Grants Army. Illinois soldiers fired the 1st shots at Gettysburg. 70 Illinois regiments accompanied Sherman on his march from Atlanta, GA to the Sea. Illinois soldiers fought at almost all major battles of the Civil War. Illinois regiments were also present at both Appomattox Court House and Bennett Place, North Carolina at the conclusion of the Civil War. Many Illinois units participated in the Grand Review of The Army in Washington, DC following the war. Illinois also supplied much of the Union Army pork and beef. The need for a “secure” arsenal was addressed in 1862 when the govt. built the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois. Illinois women also fought for the Union. The most famous is PVT. Albert Cashier, who actually was Jenny Hodgers. Her identity was not discovered until the 20th century. Anti war sentiment during the Civil War also was present in Illinois. Chicago papers were suppressed from printing due to anti-war statements. The Emancipation Proclamation also was objected to by both the citizens and many So. Illinois Union soldiers. Illinois sent 1811 black soldiers into the ranks. With the assassination of Lincoln on 4/14/65, and his death the following morning, IL supplied both the 1st and last martyrs of The Civil War. Unfortunately many of the specific Illinois unit numbers, and individuals’ names that Rob mentioned in his presentation could not be listed, as space for this article would not permit. This was an incredibly intensive and comprehensive report on the State of Illinois involvement in The Civil War. As always, there were a bunch of puns and “play on words” that made this both an interesting, plus fun presentation to attend! It also made one think about the significance of Illinois in maintaining the Union. ALL FOR THE UNION Many Thanks to members who surprised me with the honor of receiving the Marilyn Steele Award. I am truly grateful and will cherish it always. WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER: Patricia Murphy from Plainfield Sept.17th Kenosha CW Museum Living History featuring the First Michigan Engineers. Sept. 17th Rob Girardi will speak on "Illinois Fights the Civil War" Wheaton History Museum 6pm Sept. 18th Elk Grove Village Historical Society "Pioneer Days" Rick Zarr will have a Salt Creek Table set up. VOLUNTEERS WELCOME Dave Corbett's Battlefield Balladeers will perform from noon to 4pm October 15 &16 Civil War Days Dollinger Farms Minooka UPCOMING CIVIL WAR EVENTS SEPTEMBER 17 CIVIL WAR COLLECTOR”S SHOW DuPage County Fairgrounds Wheaton, IL 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 LINCOLN DAVIS CWRT Speaker: Anne E. Marshall Topic: "The Lost Cause" Country House Restaurant Alsip, IL Lincolndavis roundtable@yahoo.com SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 SOUTH SUBURBAN CWRT Speaker: Sam Blackwell Topic: "The Journey of Gabriel Durham, 12th IL Cavalry" ED & JOE’S Pizza 17332 S. Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park, IL russelltarvid@hotmail.com SEPTEMBER 24, 2011 DECATUR CWRT FALL SYMPOSIUM Yoder’s Kitchen in Arthur, IL Speakers include Rob Girardi on “Railroad Defense in the Atlanta Campaign” (217) 578-2262 OCTOBER 7, 2011 NORTHERN ILLINOIS CWRT Speaker: Rob Girardi Topic: “Civil War Corp Commanders: A Study in Leadership” Arlington Heights Memorial Library 500 N. Dunton Arlington Heights IL www.nicwrt.freehostia.com OCTOBER 14, 2011 CHICAGO CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE Speaker: Nora Titone Topic: "The Bitter Rivalry between Edwin & John Wilkes Booth" Holiday Inn Mart Plaza Chicago 350 North Orleans Street Dinner 6:30 p.m. (630) 460-1865 to make reservations chicagocwrtdinner@earthlink.net FUTURE MEETINGS 2011 (3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH) October 21 Panel Discussion: Ron Carlson "Greatest What-Ifs of the Civil War" November 18 Annual Battlefield Preservation Auction THE SALT CREEK CWRT www.saltcreekcwrt.org President: Jan Rasmussen Vice-President: Rick Benson Treasurer: Jean Cairns Secretary: Rick Zarr Historian: Cindy Intravartolo Meeting Liaison: Mary Lord Newsletter Editor: Jennie Warner Newsletter Staff: Rick Benson, Len Overcash Sr, Rick Zarr, Jan Rasmussen Webmaster: Stephen Munier