Author Archives: hlj

Sesquicentennial Lecture, June 18, 2014

Sesquicentennial Lecture: David Martin on “1864 As the Turning Point of the Civil War”

David Martin

David Martin

The New Jersey Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee will sponsor a lecture by historian Dr. David Martin at 7:30 p.m., June 18, in the Civic Hall auditorium, Connector Building, at Camden Community College.

Historians have argued for years about when the Civil war reached its turning point. Many say that it was July 1863, when the North won the critical battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Some argue that it was early 1862 (when the South lost its major cities of Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans), while others offer fall 1862 (when Southern invasions were turned back at Antietam and Perryville). One noted historian even argues that every campaign and battle was a turning point.

Dr. David Martin sees 1864 as the turning point of the Civil War because of two critical points: the military tide of the war finally shifted fully in the North’s favor, and President Lincoln succeeded in his reelection bid. Dr. Martin will discuss why he believes 1864 was the real turning point of the war, based on analysis of military, political, economic and geographic considerations. Continue reading

Meeting of May 8, 2014

David O. Stewart on “The Lincoln Deception”

Lincoln Deception David StewartDavid O. Stewart is a lawyer-turned-author who writes historical narratives and lives in Garrett Park, Maryland. His non-fiction works include The Summer of 1787, which examines the creation of the United States Constitution, Impeached: The Trial of President Andrew Johnson and the Fight for Lincoln’s Legacy, and American Emperor: Aaron Burr’s Challenge to Jefferson’s America.

In September 2013, Kensington Books published his first novel, The Lincoln Deception, which explores the secrets of the John Wilkes Booth Conspiracy. Stewart invites readers to “sink into the crepuscular gaslight of Washington in 1900 as our mismatched heroes struggle to scrape away the myths, misunderstandings and lies surrounding the John Wilkes Booth Conspiracy, while dodging the powerful secret forces that need to keep the secrets … secret.”

May 2014 Newsletter

Meeting of April 10, 2014

Betsy Carpenter on “Elias Wright: Teacher, Military Leader, Surveyor Extraordinaire”

Elias Wright

Elias Wright

We met Civil War Brevet Brigadier General Elias Wright (1830-1901), a Captain in Company A, 4th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment, who fought in the Peninsula Campaign, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, and who went on to serve as Colonel of the 10th United States Colored Troops at the Battle of Fort Fisher. Betsy described his contributions to South Jersey, including his 30-year collaboration with Joseph Wharton that resulted in his comprehensive survey of the initial 96,000 acres that formed the nucleus of today’s Wharton State Forest, the state’s largest forest. Originally a native of Durham, New York, he married Julia Ashley of Port Republic in 1855, lived in Weymouth Furnace, Elwood, Batsto, and finally Atlantic City where he died.

Betsy Carpenter, a long-time resident of New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve, has served as Public Programs Coordinator for this State’s Pinelands Commission, and today continues as a historic researcher and freelance writer.

Betsy Carpenter

Betsy Carpenter at Kaaterskill Falls, near General Wright’s birthplace in Durham, Greene County, NY

April 2014 Newsletter

 

Meeting of March 13, 2014

Bill Jenkins on “The H.L. Hunley: First Submarine to Sink an Enemy Ship”

H.L. Hunley (Naval History and Heritage Command)

H. L. Hunley was a submarine of the Confederate States of America that played a small part in the American Civil War, but a large role in the history of naval warfare. Hunley demonstrated both the advantages and the dangers of undersea warfare. She was the first combat submarine to sink an enemy warship, although Hunley was not completely submerged and was lost at some point following her successful attack. The Confederacy lost 21 crewmen in three sinkings of Hunley during her short career. The submarine was named for her inventor, Horace Lawson Hunley, shortly after she was taken into service under the control of the Confederate Army at Charleston, South Carolina. Continue reading

Meeting of February 6, 2014

Robert Branch (Living Historian) on “Octavius V. Catto”

Robert Branch as Octavius V. Catto

Robert Branch as Octavius V. Catto

In the mid-1800s Octavius Valentine Catto blazed new trails for equal rights for people of color. Modern day heroes such as Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and Jackie Robinson would walk in his footsteps more than 100 years later. Although Octavius Catto lived a full and dramatic life in Philadelphia, too many Philadelphians have never even heard his name. Until now. W were introduced to one of the most inspirational leaders of all time.

Robert Branch is a native Philadelphian who earned his Bachelor of Science degree for mechanical engineering from Swarthmore College. He won the Innovator award from the Electric Power Research Institute for his work in foundry sand reclamation. He later spent over ten years working with disadvantaged children in South Africa, where he was named Volunteer of the Year. Upon his return to the U.S., he decided to pursue a career as a performer. He works as a historic interpreter, storyteller and tour guide. Robert Branch portrayed Octavius Valentine Catto during Mayor Nutter’s press conference to announce the city’s contribution toward a project to erect a statue at City Hall in Catto’s honor. Robert has also performed Catto to support diversity initiatives at PNC Bank, law firms, universities, and schools.

Octavius Catto (Robert Branch) with Mayor Nutter

Octavius Catto (Robert Branch) with Mayor Nutter

February 2014 Newsletter

Meeting of January 9, 2014

Bruce Sirak on “Charles Smith Olden: New Jersey’s Lincoln”

Bruce Sirak as Gov. Olden

Bruce Sirak as Gov. Olden

Bruce Sirak of Burlington Twp., NJ, is a founding member of the Camp Olden Civil War Round Table, named for New Jersey’s first training camp during the Civil War.

When Bruce was 10 years old, his family visited Gettysburg, where he learned about one of the greatest battles ever fought on American soil. That vacation inspired him to develop a strong interest in the Civil War era, an admiration for patriotism, and great appreciation for all United States veterans. Now he is not able to put down any book about U.S. history, and he has expanded his interest in history to include all world wars.

January 2014 Newsletter

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Paddy Has Gone for a Soldier

The Gloucester County Historical Society will be presenting Paddy Has Gone for a Soldier on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at 7:00 pm in the museum. This unique musical program will be performed by Mike Plunkett, a member of the Libby Prison. The program will consist of songs and stories of Civil War Soldiers, with particular emphasis on the Irish Brigade. Mike has performed this same program at Gettysburg National Park and the National Museum of the Civil Was in Harrisburg, among many other venues.

Admission to the program is $5 per person, members free. Please call the museum ahead to reserve a seat: 856-848-8531. Admission includes an optional tour afterward of the museum’s current exhibit: The Civil War: Echoes of New Jersey’s Finest. The museum is located at 58 N. Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096. Free parking is available on site.

Created Equal

Created Equal: America’s Equal Rights Struggle

A Special program for February, Black History Month 2014

The David Library is partnering with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History to mark the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation by presenting Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle, a month-long program designed to encourage citizens to revisit the history of the civil rights movement, and to reflect on the ideals of freedom and equality that have helped bridge deep racial and cultural divides in the United States of America.

Visit http://www.dlar.org/events.htm

Lincoln Birthday Parade

Annual Lincoln Birthday Celebration Parade and Ceremonies, Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Sponsored by the Union League of Philadelphia

Civil War military units, civilians, and heritage groups are welcome and encouraged to march in the parade through Philadelphia to Independence Hall to honor President Lincoln on his birthday. Participants will gather in the McMichael Room of the Union League, 140 S. Broad St. by 11am.

Convenient FREE parking available for participants near the Union League prior to 10:30am.

Color Guards, Firing Party, music, and wreaths are appreciated. There will be a complimentary lunch for the participants at 12 noon. After the parade ALL are invited to return to the League via coach for refreshments in the historic Meredith Café. To register: Contact: Dr. Andy Waskie. 215-204-5452; andy.waskie@temple.edu