Desoto Joe's Civil War Newsletter

~ Desoto Joe's Civil War Newsletter ~
Articles, Letters and Diaries
At Grant's Farm, re-enactors give history lessons in living color: Blue and Gray This story was published in Jefferson County Post on Thursday, October 17, 2002. By Glen Sparks Special To The Post-Dispatch The general's outfit is in the tent. Today, Stan Prater of High Ridge is Capt. Prater of the 8th Regiment, Missouri Infantry. He puffs on a cigar and discusses battles, both real and re-enacted. One soldier under his charge asks permission to begin military drills and a musket-firing demonstration. Other soldiers heat up their beans or stand guard at the encampment. Mark Konya performs "Yankee Doodle Dandy" on the fife. Nearby, visitors tour the Ulysses S. Grant cabin, as part of the Civil War Living History Weekend at Grant's Farm in south St. Louis County. The cabin is open to the public for one weekend each fall and spring, and this fall's event was this past weekend. The Civil War re-enactors set up camp and answered questions about a conflict that split the nation from 1861-65 and resulted\ in more than 600,000 deaths. Invariably, Prater hears someone tell him that he looks like Grant. He has the cigar and the beard and is wearing a dark blue Union army uniform made of wool. "I'm not wearing the general's uniform because I don't think I can do a worthy-enough job," Prater said. "Really, about the only thing I have in common with Grant is that I smoke cigars." Prater admires Grant both as a devoted family man and a fierce general. Grant defeated Confederate armies at Shiloh, Vicksburg and Chattanooga. Prater blames rumors of Grant's drinking problem on less successful, jealous Union generals. "Grant gets a bad reputation, and he did drink whiskey, but no way could he have commanded all those men and won the war and been drinking all the time," Prater said. "Oh, my gosh, he was a great fighter. That's why President Lincoln put him in command of all the Union armies in 1864." After returning from battle as a national hero, Grant presided over a corrupt, scandal-ridden presidential administration from 1869-77. Prater said the 18th president got a bad rap there, too. "He trusted people," Prater said. "If he was your friend, he'd do anything for you. As president, he appointed a lot of his friends to posts, and they just had money in their eyes. There's a lot people should learn about him." Prater's interest in Grant and the Civil War goes back a few decades, to the time Prater was in fifth or sixth grade. The battles that often pitted brother against brother in border states such as Missouri fascinated him. These days, he and other re-enactors go to schools and prform large-scale re-enactments featuring thousands of soldiers, bringing life to Antietam and Gettysburg. They study actual Civil War training manuals and will pay $1,000 or so for a replica uniform. Prater says his heart starts racing a little faster than usual as he rides atop a horse before these faux battles begin. Soldiers march in step, shoulder to shoulder, with their replica rifles pointed toward opposing soldiers on an open field. The ground starts to shake, Prater says. Cannon fire thunders. Smoke lifts into the air. Soldiers fall fast to the ground. "It's a great rush," Prater said. "This is as close as you can get to understanding what it was like to actually be there." No re-enactment could duplicate the fierceness of a real battle, says Bob Kromer, a re-enactor from Fenton. Soldiers did much of their fighting at close range, sometimes firing at each other from a few yards away. "What made men do that?' he asked. The typical Union soldier carried a musket rifle. The fortunate ones carried .44-caliber Henry rifles, says Jeff Walsh, a re-enactor from St. Charles. These rifles could fire 15 rounds, and the saying went that you could load them on Sunday and shoot all week. Walsh has taken his replica Henry into re-enactments of Shiloh and other battles. "After I do one of those big re-enactments, it's like, well, it's time for another hobby, but then you teach someone something at a living history like this, and you're ready to go again," Walsh said. The 8th Regiment re-enactors also march in the annual Veterans' Day Parade in St. Louis and the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Prater rarely turns down a request to appear in uniform. He hopes to energize another generation of Civil War buffs. "At any event, I think we get the biggest kick out of the school kids," he said. "I just hope that after seeing us, they go out and decide to read about the Civil War or just some other book about American history and find out more about what's happened in more than 200 years of being Americans." Published in the Jefferson County Post section of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Thursday, October 17, 2002. Copyright (C)2002, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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~ Desoto Joe's Civil War Newsletter ~
Articles, Letters and Diaries
This story was published in on Sunday, July 28, 2002. By; The Associated Press Monument To Black Americans In Savannah Georgia, Unveiled SAVANNAH, Ga. - On the cobblestone riverfront where the first slaves arrived in Georgia, the city unveiled a bronze and granite monument to African-Americans on Saturday after a decade of delays and debate. The monument, depicting a family embracing with broken chains at its feet, is the first to honor blacks in a city that has erected statues of its white founders and Civil War heroes for nearly two centuries. "I'm glad we got it up. There were those who really wanted us to doubt it," said Abigail Jordan, a retired teacher who spent 10 years and $100,000 of her savings to make the monument a reality. Jordan fought with city officials over the monument's inscription - a quotation by author Maya Angelou describing slaves "in the holds of the slave ships in each others' excrement and urine." Mayor Floyd Adams worried that the quote was too graphic for a public monument, particularly on the riverfront where throngs of tourists stroll. But city officials approved the quotation in May when Angelou agreed to add a few uplifting words to the end of the quote. Engraved in bold letters on the monument's granite base is now the phrase: "Today, we are standing up together, with faith and even some joy." Among those who applauded the wording was Johnnie Simpson of Texas City, Texas, who drove to Savannah with her friend and granddaughter for the unveiling. "We don't see many monuments and statues dedicated to us," said Simpson, a retired telephone company worker who is African-American. "It feels like it's a big deal to me. How many times do you get this close to see something like this?" Dow Harris of Savannah disagreed. Harris, who is white, showed up at the dedication Saturday carrying a sign that read "Wipe the Excrement Off of Savannah's Monuments." "This is inappropriate language to put on a public monument," said Harris. Jordan shunned the spotlight Saturday to be with 300 people who sat through dedication speeches. She said organizers still need to raise more than half the $500,000 to pay for the monument. Desoto Joe/The Record Man
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~ Desoto Joe's Civil War Newsletter ~

Articles, Letters and Diaries

This story was published in on Sunday, July 28, 2002. By; The Associated Press

Monument To Black Americans In Savannah Georgia, Unveiled

SAVANNAH, Ga. - On the cobblestone riverfront where the first slaves arrived in Georgia, the city unveiled a bronze and granite monument to African-Americans on Saturday after a decade of delays and debate.

The monument, depicting a family embracing with broken chains at its feet, is the first to honor blacks in a city that has erected statues of its white founders and Civil War heroes for nearly two centuries.

"I'm glad we got it up. There were those who really wanted us to doubt it," said Abigail Jordan, a retired teacher who spent 10 years and $100,000 of her savings to make the monument a reality.

Jordan fought with city officials over the monument's inscription - a quotation by author Maya Angelou describing slaves "in the holds of the slave ships in each others' excrement and urine."

Mayor Floyd Adams worried that the quote was too graphic for a public monument, particularly on the riverfront where throngs of tourists stroll.

But city officials approved the quotation in May when Angelou agreed to add a few uplifting words to the end of the quote.

Engraved in bold letters on the monument's granite base is now the phrase: "Today, we are standing up together, with faith and even some joy."

Among those who applauded the wording was Johnnie Simpson of Texas City, Texas, who drove to Savannah with her friend and granddaughter for the unveiling.

"We don't see many monuments and statues dedicated to us," said Simpson, a retired telephone company worker who is African-American. "It feels like it's a big deal to me. How many times do you get this close to see something like this?"

Dow Harris of Savannah disagreed. Harris, who is white, showed up at the dedication Saturday carrying a sign that read "Wipe the Excrement Off of Savannah's Monuments."

"This is inappropriate language to put on a public monument," said Harris.

Jordan shunned the spotlight Saturday to be with 300 people who sat through dedication speeches. She said organizers still need to raise more than half the $500,000 to pay for the monument.

Desoto Joe/The Record Man

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~ Desoto Joe's Civil War Newsletter ~
Articles, Letters and Diaries
"Slave Remains Found in Virginia" Published By; The Associated Press MASON NECK, Va. - Thu Aug 8, 4:57 AM ET MASON NECK, Va. (AP) - A worker digging at a home construction site uncovered the skeletal remains of an 18th century black woman believed to be a slave belonging to the family of George Mason, who drafted the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights. The remains were found a half-mile from Mason's home, known as Gunston Hall. It was the first discovery of such a grave on what was once the family's vast land holdings in northern Virginia. Archaeologist Mike Johnson said the remains date to 1820 or earlier. The woman was about 50 when she died, Johnson said, and thus might have belonged to Mason himself, who died in 1792. "We have very few slave artifacts or knowledge about slavery on Gunston," said Kevin Shupe, staff librarian at Gunston Hall. "Something that presents a link to that part of our history is pretty exciting." Mason is best known for his involvement with the Virginia declaration, which contained many of the principles later incorporated by Thomas Jefferson into the Declaration of Independence. Johnson said there are probably more graves and artifacts at the wooded site. But it is unclear whether archaeologists will be allowed to search further because the land is privately owned. The discovery was made on July 25 by workers laying the foundation for an 8,000 square foot home. Workers also uncovered handmade coffin nails and shirt buttons, leading Johnson and others to speculate that the woman may have been free when she died, since those would have been rare possessions for a slave. Johnson said the remains will be sent to the Smithsonian Institution ( news - web sites) for further study. Until now, no slave grave had been found on the numerous estates Mason owned, said Susan Borchardt, deputy director for collections and education at Gunston Hall, which currently comprises 550 acres. "It's our mission to tell people about the contributions George Mason made," she said. "But it's also important for us to find out the history of those who lived, worked and died on this property." Please Note: We thank B. Warner for submitting the preceding interest story August 16, 2002 Desoto Joe/The Record Man
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~ Desoto Joe's Civil War Newsletter ~

Articles, Letters and Diaries

"Slave Remains Found in Virginia"

Published By; The Associated Press MASON NECK, Va. - Thu Aug 8, 4:57 AM ET

MASON NECK, Va. (AP) - A worker digging at a home construction site uncovered the skeletal remains of an 18th century black woman believed to be a slave belonging to the family of George Mason, who drafted the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights.
The remains were found a half-mile from Mason's home, known as Gunston Hall. It was the first discovery of such a grave on what was once the family's vast land holdings in northern Virginia.
Archaeologist Mike Johnson said the remains date to 1820 or earlier. The woman was about 50 when she died, Johnson said, and thus might have belonged to Mason himself, who died in 1792.
"We have very few slave artifacts or knowledge about slavery on Gunston," said Kevin Shupe, staff librarian at Gunston Hall. "Something that presents a link to that part of our history is pretty exciting."
Mason is best known for his involvement with the Virginia declaration, which contained many of the principles later incorporated by Thomas Jefferson into the Declaration of Independence.
Johnson said there are probably more graves and artifacts at the wooded site. But it is unclear whether archaeologists will be allowed to search further because the land is privately owned.
The discovery was made on July 25 by workers laying the foundation for an 8,000 square foot home. Workers also uncovered handmade coffin nails and shirt buttons, leading Johnson and others to speculate that the woman may have been free when she died, since those would have been rare possessions for a slave.
Johnson said the remains will be sent to the Smithsonian Institution ( news - web sites) for further study.
Until now, no slave grave had been found on the numerous estates Mason owned, said Susan Borchardt, deputy director for collections and education at Gunston Hall, which currently comprises 550 acres.
"It's our mission to tell people about the contributions George Mason made," she said. "But it's also important for us to find out the history of those who lived, worked and died on this property."

Please Note: We thank B. Warner for submitting the preceding interest story August 16, 2002

Desoto Joe/The Record Man

Back To: MacLinks' Civil War Research Center

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~ Desoto Joe's Civil War Newsletter ~
* CivilWar Data References and Resources *
4th Missouri Volunteers Co. D Capt. Hasfurthur Company Commander Payroll Roster - 26 August 1861
We thank Mary McInnes for submitting the following Civl War Payroll Roster August 20, 2002. Desoto Joe/The Record Man Capt. Hasfurthur Company Commander Lt. John Donnerfaust Lt. John Riser George Earnest Sgt Julius unreadable Sgt Christian Wolf Sgt Francis Wolfe Sgt John Mucks Cpl Peter Lafragen Cpl August Obst Cpl Fred Arnold Cpl Polassius Schatz Musician August Pulham Musician * Received of Major N.W. Brown, Paymaster nine hundred & sixty four 26/100 dollars the amount of money due the men of Hasfurthur Company, 4th Regt Missouri Volunteers, on account of clothing turned over to me by authority of special order no. 87 headquarters Western Department St Louis, Missouri August 26 1861.
Andrew Anson Braun, William Bohrens, Henry Boroheuing, Christian Blassner, Henry Berssih, John Cunnzelman, Charles Casfory, Casper Cleinhas, George Doers, Henry Doersick, John Ery, William Euhele, Charles unreadable Gedrunk,Christian Gast, Andres Grebke, Henry Guernner, A..... Goerthelman, G.P	Horst, Charles Hegelman, B. Humfre, Fran Housher, Lewis Heil, William Hochinger, Ignat Holzworth, Daniel Hograth, ?ouene Kulle, Charles Kungmannele, no given name Kerr, John Komberger,Rudelf Licklanger, Nicklaus Liclish, Conrad Lisram, John Luckepde, Jacob Meirer, Mathias Mierer, Nicolaus	Mueller, Henry Maurer,Clemons Mespmurth, Matheu Muir, Charles Muelhaus, Henry Mueller, Conrad Nabors, August Natt, Jacob Nal (?), Phillip Ohl, William Probst, August Pater, Josteel (?) Ralle, Peter Rudolph, Frederick Schilling, John Schilling,William Schatz, Marius Schmidt, Adam Schadt, Philip	Schumeher, Anton Salamon, Herman Schink, Frederick Scholl, Philip Stroh, Frederick Stocker, Frederick Streber, Henry Stein, Jacob Steiner, Jacob Uifen, Albert Weiss, Michael Weisbrad, Sebastion Weisph...., Peter Wolf, John Wisertemberphan., Jacob Zellweger, John Zesit, Mauzin Zuengen, George Zorre, George
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~ Desoto Joe's Civil War Newsletter ~

At Grant's Farm, re-enactors give history lessons in living color: Blue and Gray

~ Desoto Joe's Civil War Newsletter ~

~ Desoto Joe's Civil War Newsletter ~

~ Desoto Joe's Civil War Newsletter ~

4th Missouri Volunteers Co. D Capt. Hasfurthur Company CommanderPayroll Roster - 26 August 1861

We thank Mary McInnes for submitting the following Civl War Payroll Roster August 20, 2002.

Desoto Joe/The Record Man

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4th Missouri Volunteers Co. D
Capt. Hasfurthur Company Commander
Payroll Roster - 26 August 1861