The Outpost The Newsletter of the Salt Creek Civil War Roundtable Vol. XLV No. 9 May 2008 411th Regular Meeting DATE: 2nd May 2008 PLACE: Fairview Village, 200 Village Dr., Downers Grove, Il. TIME: 8:00 PM SPEAKER: Whoever wants to TOPIC: “Books and Reading” Every so often it seems appropriate to “return to our roots” as it were. The original concept of a civil war roundtable was to gather together to discuss the latest adventures in reading enjoyed by the membership, specifically on the topic of the Civil War. Over the years, the movement expanded to include: speakers, tours, fundraising, concerts, banquets, etc. At its heart, however, always lay the book. I do not know which book it was, or indeed, if it was a specific book that inspired the original concept, but inspiration it truly was. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the literature and those who brought it into being. Their example has struck a chord in the hearts of thousands who have brought their own creations to life, including several members, past and present, of our own aggregation. As we saw quite recently, despite gloomy prognostications, a new generation has begun to take up the torch and we have fair hopes that the book, and the role it has played in instilling a great love for the history of our tragic conflict, to take Lincoln out of context: “…will not perish from the earth”. Please join with us as we as we draw the circle once again and share our experiences as to what to celebrate and seek out as well as, regrettably and thankfully, rarely, to avoid. All are welcome and your thoughts and insights eagerly anticipated! APRIL MEETING BY CINDY INTRAVARTOLO (guest columnist-Jan Rasmussen) On April 4th, Phil Angelo presented “Alan Pinkerton, Civil War Spymaster “before 51 members and guests of the Salt Creek Civil War Roundtable. Alan Pinkerton is best remembered as the founder of the Pinkerton Detective Agency which functioned as the Secret Service during the Civil War. He was one of America’s first undercover agents, guardians of the President, and Civil War scouts. Born in Glasgow, Scotland on August 25th, 1819, he emigrated to the United States in 1842 and established a barrel making shop in Dundee, Illinois. One day, while gathering wood, he discovered a group of counterfeiters making dimes. Assisting in the arrest of these men led to his appointment as Deputy Sheriff of Kane County. Soon after, he took a job with the sheriff of Cook County and later became the first detective on the Chicago police force. In 1850, he began his own private detective agency, pursuing bank robbers and counterfeiters. In 1861, while investigating a case for the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad, Pinkerton uncovered a plot against the life of Abraham Lincoln as he passed through Baltimore on the way to his inauguration. At first skeptical, Lincoln was convinced when he received corroborating evidence through Winfield Scott. His itinerary was changed and he passed through Baltimore secretly during the night. After the Battle of First Bull Run, it became clear that the Confederates had known of McDowell’s plans in advance. Lincoln hired Pinkerton to organize a secret service and secure military intelligence. He was also to observe persons suspected of espionage. One such was Rose O’Neal Greenhow, an attractive widow with political connections on both sides of the conflict. In the seven years since her husband’s death she had used her political friendships to maintain her lifestyle. She had many admirers including: James Buchanan, Jefferson Davis, John C. Calhoun, and numerous senators. Her most devoted admirer was Sen. Henry Wilson of Massachusetts. Because of this relationship, Rose was recruited as a Confederate spy. It was through her that McDowell’s plans had been leaked. Pinkerton arrested her in August of 1861, placed her in house August of 1861, placed her in house arrest for five months, and then sent her to the Old Capitol Prison. She was released in June 1862 and sent south. After two years in England, she attempted to return but drowned September 30, 1864 when the blockade runner in which she was traveling ran ashore off the coast of North Carolina. arrest for five months, and then sent her to the Old Capitol Prison. She was released in June 1862 and sent south. After two years in England, she attempted to return but drowned September 30, 1864 when the blockade runner in which she was traveling ran ashore off the coast of North Carolina. During the Peninsular Campaign, Pinkerton was on the staff of General George B. McClellan. His job was to provide information concerning the strength, position, and movement of the enemy. Pinkerton’s strength was in getting information, not in evaluating it. His wildly inflated estimates of Confederate numbers helped justify, in McClellan’s mind, his cautious approach to the campaign. For instance, in April of 1862, Pinkerton advised McClellan that he was confronted by 120,000 troops when, in reality, the numbers were less than 17,000. Other estimates were equally mistaken. What exactly went wrong may never be known as Pinkerton’s records were destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. After McClellan was removed from command, Pinkerton resigned and returned to civilian life. One of Pinkerton’s most effective agents during the war was one Timothy Webster. After many stirring adventures and supplying much valuable information, he was captured, and became the first American spy to be executed since Nathan Hale. After the war, Pinkerton located his body, and had him buried in his family plot in Onarga, Illinois. On May 29, 2000 Pinkerton Security Forces, the citizens of Onarga, and the International Foundation of protection Officers erected a monument honoring him. The SCCWRT thanks Mr. Phil Angelo for an enlightening and entertaining presentation on the efforts of Alan Pinkerton and his detective agency during the Civil War. PRESERVATION REPORT BY LEN OVERCASH SR. TN.-The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) the nations largest non-profit battlefield preservation group, today announced its first land acquisition campaign of 2008, the protection of 88 acres of hallowed ground at Parker’s Crossroads, Tennessee, site of one of the wars most daring cavalry actions. “This latest acquisition at Parker’s Crossroads is another key piece of the battlefield puzzle there,” said CWPT president James Lighthizer. “Once we have secured this property, we can claim that 75 per cent of the battlefield is permanently protected.” Such success is particularly remarkable at Parker’s Crossroads, where the battlefield is bisected by Interstate 40 and contains a major highway interchange. Further threatening the area’s preservation outlook, State Highway 22, which borders the newly preserved property, is being widened to four lanes. However, thanks to the CWPT’S ongoing efforts, and the dedication of a variety of preservation partners in Tennessee, there is now a nearly 300-acre battlefield park at the site. Source: The Civil War Preservation Trust CWPT’S ongoing efforts, and the dedication of a variety of preservation partners in Tennessee, there is now a nearly 300-acre battlefield park at the site. Source: The Civil War Preservation Trust ALL FOR THE UNION A big THANK YOU to all those who helped keep the table a hot bed of activity at the DuPage show last weekend. Jan Rasmussen, Roger Bohn, Rick Benson, Barney Bucholz, Rick Zarr, and Dan McCarthy, stand up and take a bow! Time still remains for those of you who wish to attend the year-end banquet featuring renowned guest speaker Cricket Bauer Pohanka. You have until May 31 to submit your choice of entrée and $35 per plate. Get those reservations in for an evening you will not want to miss! EDITOR’S NOTE This issue of the newsletter marks the last “Monthly Meeting column for Cindy Intravartolo. After countless years of being part of the newsletter staff, she has asked to be relieved. Her faithful, conscientious, timely, and comprehensive service will be missed by this editor. The exceedingly capable Rick Benson will be succeeding her, and I know he will continue the fine tradition she has established. Thanks, Cindy. The next board meeting will be held in the Private Dining Room at Fairview Village. Time is 7:30 PM, 6/3/08. Questions? Phone Jan Rasmussen at 630-830-7614 CALENDAR OF EVENTS June 20-Annual Banquet Meeting at Lisle Hilton-Cricket Bauer Pohanka- The 5th New York and the Artifacts They Left Behind. September 5-Maryann Oblak-Lt. Col. Arthur J. Fremantle-Coldstream Guards October 3-Tony Cichantk-Civilians of Gettysburg THE SALT CREEK CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE www.saltcreekcwrt.org President: Jan Rasmussen Vice-President: Robert Girardi Treasurer: Paula Walker Secretary: Rick Zarr Historian: Cindy Intravartolo Meeting Liaison: Mary Lord Newsletter Editor; Dan McCarthy, macarthaig@aol.com Newsletter Staff: Rick Benson, Rick Zarr, Len Overcash Sr.