The Outpost THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SALT CREEK CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE VOLUME XLIII No. 2 October 2005 384th Regular Meeting DATE: 7th October 2005 PLACE: Fairview Village Apts., Great Hall, 200 Village Dr., Downers Grove, Il. (See attached Map, and www.saltcreekcwrt.org) TIME: 8:00 P.M. SPEAKER: Panel Discussion- Cindy Intravartolo, moderator TOPIC: “Roles of Women during the Civil War” Prior to the Civil War, the major role of women had been, what we refer to as, “chief cook and bottle washer”. The Civil War changed all that. The war compelled women to become more active, self-reliant, and resourceful. Frank Moore wrote in 1866 that: “the histories of wars are records of the achievements of men, for the most part, but….it has been different in our conflict for the Union. The story of the war will never be fully or fairly written if the achievements of women in it are untold.” Our panel of ladies will attempt to provide that account tonight. Diane Gallentine has a Master’s in Human Resource management and has practiced in the field for over a decade. She also has a teaching degree in secondary education with an endorsement in Social Studies. She is currently the Director of the Center for Learning and Museum Education at SciTech Hands on Museum in Aurora. Her paper on “Mother” Bickerdyke will be the basis of her presentation. Cindy Heckler has worked for Social Security for almost 15 years. She is a new SCCWRT member and is the co-president of the Downers Grove branch of the American Assn. of University Women. Her interest in the Civil War began when she was 12 years old and read the book, “Spies for the Blue and Gray” by Harriet T. Kane. Cindy Intravartolo is a registered veterinary technician currently employed in a small animal dermatology practice, She joined the roundtable in 1989 and is a past 1 president and current historian. Her interest in the Civil War was sparked during a high school trip to Gettysburg in 1966. Janet Linhart is a nurse and past president of the SCCWRT. She will speak on Sanitary Commission Workers. Jan Rasmussen is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Tech College-Waseka with a degree in veterinary technology. She has been a SCCWRT member since 1990 and is the current secretary. In addition to her Civil War interests, Jan is also a photographer of round barns having photographed over 250 in the Midwest. SEPTEMBER MEETING BY CINDY INTRAVARTOLO On September 2nd, William L. Teshner, a teacher and re-enactor, presented a first-person portrayal of General William T. Sherman in “Cump” Sherman-A Life” to 50 members and guests at the 383rd regular meeting of the SCCWRT. It was also the first meeting of the group in its new location at Fairview Village in Downers Grove. “Sherman” introduced himself as the Commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi, which covered the area from the Allegheny Mts. to the Mississippi River. He began by recalling his childhood. He was born Tecumseh Sherman on Feb. 8, 1820 in Lancaster, Ohio, one of eleven children. His father, Charles, was a respected lawyer and member of the State Supreme Court. He had poor business sense, never saved much money, and died in 1829 of a mysterious illness, leaving his wife in a very serious position. She decided to farm out the younger children to various friends and relatives. Thus, Sherman went to the home of Thomas Ewing, a lawyer, businessman, and politician, who had been a close friend of his father’s. His wife, Maria, was a devout Catholic and therefore had the boy baptized William so he would have a good Christian name. Mr. Ewing was able to get Sherman an appointment to West Point. This pleased the young man as he liked the idea of being a soldier. He graduated in 1840, sixth in his class. His first assignment was with the 3rd US artillery in Florida. After two years he went to Charleston S.C. and, when the Mexican War broke out, he went to New York City to recruit troops. He then was sent to California as AAG for the Commander of the Army in California, Col. Mason. When the war ended he was disappointed at not having got into the fighting. During this time he became more and more enamored of his stepsister, Ellen Ewing. They were soon married in Washington D.C. at a lavish affair sponsored by, now Senator, Thomas Ewing. He went back to California but soon became convinced that the Army was not the way to support a growing family. He resigned in 1853 and became a bank branch manager in St. Louis. He was also sent to open a branch in San Francisco. In the Panic of 1857, both banks failed and Sherman went to practice law with his brother-in-law in Leavenworth, KS. But this venture too did not succeed. Due to his time in the South, he had many southern friends. In 1859 they asked him to become the 2 superintendent of the newly founded Louisiana Seminary of Learning and Military Institution. He was recommended by Braxton Bragg, P.G.T Beauregard, and Richard Taylor and got the position. The school today is known as Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. When secession loomed he warned his southern friends that their cause was hopeless. When Louisiana seceded, he resigned his position and returned to Lancaster. Initially, he wanted nothing to do with the war but when he was offered a colonelcy of the 13th US Inf., he accepted. He was soon transferred to a volunteer brigade which fought at the 1st Battle of Bull Run. He then was promoted BG USV and was given the command of Kentucky in place of the ailing MG Robert Anderson. He did not feel adequate to the task and asked to be relieved amid accusations of insanity. He returned to his family in Lancaster. He was reassigned to Missouri in the winter of ’61 but shortly after returned to Lancaster. However, in 1862, his life got back on track with an assignment to Cairo, Il. as a subordinate to Ulysses S. Grant. They were to serve together until 1864 and became close friends and comrades. Their partnership embraced Forts Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga. At its end, Sherman was MG Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi. In this post, Sherman conducted his famous Atlanta Campaign and March through Georgia and the Carolinas. The purpose of this strategy was to demonstrate that the South was a hollow shell and that the Confederate Government was incapable of protecting its own people. This would break their will to fight. History attests to his success. The SCCWRT wishes to thank William Teshner for spending the evening with us and for allowing us to get a glimpse into the mind of “Cump” Sherman. PRESERVATION REPORT BY LEN OVERCASH, SR. BRANDY STATION, VA.-Significant events have occurred which hold the potential for a positive resolution of the long standing impasse with the Golden Oaks Const. Co. over the company’s 18.9 acres of property on Fleetwood Heights. Last December, the Brandy Station Foundation entered into negotiations to buy out Golden Oaks. The price was $750,000, far beyond the Foundations means. However, an application for a grant through the Virginia Land Conservation Fund was made and a grant for up to $362,400 was awarded with the stipulation that it could make up no more than half the purchase price. In July, the BSF was informed that Golden Oaks was no longer interested in developing the land and was willing to sell for $560,000. The BSF board voted to accept this price and start raising necessary funds. In August, a meeting was held with the Civil War Preservation Trust and strong interest came from that group in support of the BSF. Currently, there is an agreement but no contract. Possible funding sources-of varying degrees of firmness- have been identified. If you would like to show your support, with a contribution, send it to: BSF, Save the Battlefield Fund, P.O. Box 165, Brandy Station, Va., 22714. 3 Source: “The Grand Review” The Newsletter of the Brandy Station Foundation. Submitted by Cindy Intravartolo. THE VACANT CHAIR Member Jack W. Roadman has informed us that member Steve Rooney passed away, due to cancer related complications, on Sept. 2. The SCCWRT extends its most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. “We shall meet but we shall miss him.” ALL FOR THE UNION The Annual Civil War show was a smashing success. Over $150 was raised, through the sale of various items, and a new member was added to our ranks. Many Thanks to Rick Zarr, Cindy Intravartolo, Jan Rasmussen, Barney Bucholz, Ron Kumnick, Gil Mitchel, Roger Bohn, and yours truly for manning (and womanning!) our booth. EDITOR’S NOTES The next board meeting will be held at the home of Daniel McCarthy, 4358 Lawn Ave. Western Springs on Tuesday, Oct. 4th, at 7:30 P.M. Phone is 708-246-7873. Call Dan if you need directions. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Nov. 4th-Roger E. Bohn-The Civil War Blockade Dec. 2nd-Battlefield Preservation Auction- Lisle Hilton. Jan. 6th 2006-Gene Salaker-The Sultana Disaster Feb. 3rd-Larry Hewitt-How Lincoln Won the War March 3rd-Gale Pewitt-The Confederacy in Canada The Salt Creek Civil War Roundtable P.O. Box 4873 Wheaton, Il. 60189-4873 www.saltcreekcwrt.org. President: Rick Zarr Vice-President: Gil Mitchell Treasurer: Bill Hupp Asst, Treasurer: Tony Cichantk Secretary: Jan Rasmussen Historian: Cindy Intravartolo Sgt. At Arms: Ron Kumnick Newsletter Editor: Dan McCarthy, 4358 Lawn Ave., Western Springs, IL,60558. 708-246-7873, macarthaig@aol.com Newsletter Staff: Cindy Intravartolo, Len Overcash Sr., Jan Rasmussen 4