We do not usually publish a newsletter during the summer months, but in the situation in which we find ourselves, we thought we would keep in touch by putting out a special August issue of all the news that is fit to print.  

I wish I could tell you that we have it all figured out, but we do not.  We really do not know a whole lot more than we did in June.  However, we do know that getting together for a regular meeting at Hatch Auditorium the first Tuesday of September is out of the question. The Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell — Hatch Auditorium — has cancelled all summer/early fall activities.  Between you and me, I would be very surprised if we were able to meet at all for the rest of this year.  But, we will keep a good thought and take our jumps as they come, holding out hope for October and beyond.  

So, here’s the plan.  We are going to hold online Zoom presentations on the same dates and times as our regular meetings.  The location is your home. We currently are using Zoom for our board meetings, and it seems that many of you are also familiar with it.  It is pretty easy to run. On our current Zoom package, we can have up to 100 participants.  We are going to upgrade t h a t p r o g r a m t o a l l o w u p t o 5 0 0 participants.  We can always increase or decrease the number of participants

allowed, depending on the response to the Zoom presentations.  

As far as speakers, take the current list, hold it out in front of you with both hands…and tear it up.  Some speakers do not work with Zoom, so we will have to find speakers that do.  But I have been after Will Greene, our September speaker, to give it a try.  We will get the word out as soon as we can on who

will be the guest, but there will be a Z o o m m e e t i n g o n T u e s d a y , September 1, at 7 p.m.  We will get the email invitation out about a week earlier. I hate to say it, but if you want cookies, you will have to make them yourself.  Very informal attire is appropriate. 

The next topic I want to mention is the dues and due dates.  If we were only missing the three meetings that we have so far, I doubt anyone

would have a problem with us just carrying on with the dues as normal.  However, the longer this goes on without a regular meeting, we feel we have an obligation to consider some sort of pro-rated or adjustment to the dues. Not everyone may like doing the Zoom meeting.  Some may not be able to do it at all.  Please be assured that we are very sensitive to this matter and are going to wait a little while and see the responses to the Zoom presentations before deciding a policy.  So, if you want to send in your dues now, please do so.  We very much appreciate it. 

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AUGUST 2020 - SPECIAL ISSUE

Call to Arms Brunswick Civil War Round Table Newsletter

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER - MIKE POWELL

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Our Tuesday, September 1 meeting will take place via Zoom.  About a week before that date, you will receive an email that includes a Zoom invitation for the BCWRT meeting and a link to use for joining the meeting.  Those of you that are already using Zoom for business or club or family meetings will be ready to go.

If you have not used Zoom before, you will need to download the Zoom app to the device you want to use. That device can be your smart phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. To download the app, use the internet on your device to go to zoom.com, and then follow the instructions to perform the download. You should try to download the app now or at least several days before the meeting to avoid last minute issues and delays.

Will Greene, one of America’s preeminent Civil War authors, historians, and an always-popular BCWRT presenter, will be our first Zoom meeting speaker. His topic, "We Have Done all that is Possible and Must Be Re s i g n e d : T h e F i r s t Pe t e r s b u r g Offensive,” will examine the generalships of Grant and Lee and their successes and failures of the initial Petersburg battle between June 4-18, 1864.

SEPTEMBER BCWRT MEETING

Sites for Civil War Talks and Education By Mike Powell

It seems these days there are many organizations offering live Zoom presentations on interesting Civil War topics. Others offer websites packed with absorbing educational material or videos.

This is a list of the ones that I know are of good quality and reputable. Just go to the websites of the following organizations for their live or recorded videos, as well as their informative articles.

BRUNSWICK CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/brunswickcivilwarroundtable/. Yes, our Facebook pages are packed with excellent videos, fascinating facts, memorable “Today in Civil War history” entries, quizzes, and much, much more. You do not need a Facebook account to use this site. I would be remiss if I did not extend a huge Thank You! to Katy Menne who keeps the Facebook site fresh and fascinating. See her story on maintaining our social media site elsewhere in this special issue (page 6).

CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE CONGRESS: http://www.cwrtcongress.org/lectures.html

EMERGING CIVIL WAR: https://emergingcivilwar.com

THE MARINERS’ MUSEUM AND PARK: https://www.marinersmuseum.org

RALEIGH CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE: http://www.raleighcwrt.org

NORTH CAROLINA MARITIME MUSEUM, SOUTHPORT: https://ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com

SOUTHPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY: https://www.southporthistoricalsociety.org

If you go to YouTube.com, and merely search “Gettysburg," you will find any number of presentations. The battlefield tours, conducted by the National Park Service Rangers, are particularly good. Every National Park has videos on YouTube, so it is a good way to virtually visit and tour parks that you may never get to in person.

If you subscribe to Netflix or Amazon Prime, there are some excellent documentaries on the Civil War and other eras.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Book Review “The Lincoln Conspiracy”

Reviewed by E. Gifford Stack

Authors Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch have written a page turner, even though we know the outcome of this pro-Southern attempt to assassinate President Lincoln on his way to Washington for his 1861 inauguration. The book (published by Flatiron Books, 2020) has all the makings of a classic mystery: sinister plans by secret cults, spies, clever rouges, clandestine meetings (throughout Baltimore), diligent investigations (by America’s first detective agency), and cunning camouflage disguising the central characters.

The book also does an excellent job of describing Lincoln’s early life, leading up to his surprising nomination as the 1860 Republican presidential nominee.

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By Mike Powell (and endorsed by the BCWRT Board of Directors)

The issue of Confederate monuments is once more in the news for all the wrong reasons. Several members have inquired about the policy of BCWRT on this controversial issue. I will try to answer that question. Let me first say that every Civil War round table is having this conversation. Some expect that perhaps even the round tables will become a target. I’m not sure I buy that, but would I be shocked? Nope.

Each round table has to determine their own policy, based on their membership and their location. However, it is an emotional issue for many. I have been involved in several meetings on the status of the monuments and however civil and academic they start out, within a short time, they degrade into emotional outpourings. It seems to have little to do with history.

It is my sincere feeling that the BCWRT should not make any statement on this topic. There is no position that we, as a round table, could make that would be representative of our entire membership, or even a large majority. We, like the country, have many opinions. Some have very strong feelings on both sides of the issue, and some do not care. In speaking with many of you on this topic, the only consensus I found was that there must be some option to destroying the statues where they stand. I believe that the round tables should provide their members with any information on the facts of the monuments and allow them to arrive at a conclusion on their own, whatever it may be.

The nature of the protests against the monuments has changed radically, even in the last several months. I am not sure it was ever about the history for many people, but when every monument is destroyed or defaced, regardless of that person’s relationship to the Confederacy or slavery, it is not about the

history. It has become a political, racial and social question. George Washington, Columbus, U. S. Grant and even Lincoln statues are not exempt from the rage. Those who want to keep the monuments have not been able to separate that issue from the racial and social issues that are on the front pages. Now, when people march to protest anything, they attack monuments, whatever monuments are in their path, regardless of the history. The monuments have been linked to the racial and social unrest and are little more than targets now. No statement from a round table is going to reverse that tide.

Anyone who believes that one letter from our round table to Governor

Cooper is going to move the needle one bit, is overly optimistic. However, if all of the members of every CWRT wrote thousands of letters, whatever their position, that would be impressive. Would it help? Who knows, but it would certainly hold more weight than one letter from a round table. But, there are more important folks

fighting this fight, on both sides, than any CWRT. If they have not been to get anything done, we may already be past the phase where letters matter.

If you feel strongly about this topic, I urge you to get involved. Write your letters and make your phone calls, as I have done. But, as far as our BCWRT - the organization - it is my belief that we should not take a stand on either side. I think it is a divisive issue that can only work to the detriment of BCWRT. I see nothing good that could come from it. So, our only position is that there surely must be a better solution than destroying them where they stand. BCWRT will continue to provide factual data on any topic of the Civil War, including this one.

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CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS

Monuments - Continued

I am sure there are some who will find this very unsatisfying. We are acting in the best interest of the BCWRT, as we see it, and of course, we will adapt as the situation changes, and I am sure it will.

For those of you who may be upset, if you decide that you simply must throw fruit at me at our next meeting, please make it fresh fruit at least. Tomatoes, grapes, and oranges are fine, but please, no hard apples or potatoes.

Please stay safe until then.

“The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.” Robert Jordan

##################################################

President’s Column - Continued

However, for those that want to wait and see how this all shakes out, we understand. We are confident that when we can return to our regular meetings, our loyal membership will be back, as strong as ever.  We just need to do the best we can under the circumstances.

One positive from staying home a lot is that I have been able to read a few books.  I bet we all have. Take a look at Vice President Gar McDowell’s “Book Club” idea elsewhere in this issue.  I think we could all learn a lot and enjoy doing it.

Finally, the issue of Confederate monuments is once more in the news for all the wrong reasons. Several members have inquired about the policy of BCWRT on the issue.  See page 4 where I attempt to answer that question. There must be a better option than tearing them down. This is a social and political issue now and not about history.

I thank each of you for your continued support of our round table in these trying times. Hopefully, everyone is safe and doing well. Mike

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BCWRT BOOK CLUB? - By Gar Dowell There has been some interest in a Civil War book club among members of the BCWRT. The book club could meet on a monthly or bimonthly schedule. Books could be non-fiction or historical fiction. All book club members could read the same book, or every member could choose their own book on the selected topic. The details would be up to the book club to decide.

In order to gauge the enthusiasm you might have in such a book club, please send an email indicating your interest and include your name(s) to me, Gar Dowell, at gardow46@yahoo.com. Please use BCWRT Civil War Book Club as the subject title of the email. Please send your email to me by Tuesday, September 1, the date of our September BCWRT Zoom meeting.

I will publish the results of your interest in the October newsletter along with our next steps. Thank you all for your interest.

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Hello BCWRT members! Allow me to introduce

myself, as many of you may not know me. My name is Katy Menne and I have served as a BCWRT Advisor since October of 2019, with the tasks of advising on social media and educational opportunities, including those for school aged children. If you do not follow us on Facebook or Instagram, I highly

recommend it, and here is why.

What can you find on these platforms? Items research, recorded and produced by us as well as sharing of information from collaborative partners and other agencies presenting on Civil War history (like Gettysburg National Park Service, American Battlefield Trust, Civil War Trails, Civil War Round Table Congress, etc.). Today in Civil War History has been a fan favorite. These offerings show what happened on the battlefield and on the home front, as well as what major players were celebrating birthdays. Another fun offering is to give holidays a Civil War spin. One of the best times, on the editing end and viewing, are History Lessons with Mike. Our beloved President Mike Powell has taught himself how to record on Zoom and send them to me so I can share them with our followers. He has done quick lessons on the East and West battlefronts, Smithville in the American Civil War, North Carolina during the war, and several others. Plus, he helped with the recording of the wildly popular Ft. Caswell Tour, narrated by Jim McKee.

So, what is on the horizon? We are actively working to do more tours within the local area of the Lower Cape Fear. With travel restrictions, we are keeping our focus VERY local. Check back on our platforms

for tour video release dates and other behind the scenes content. As the CWRT Congress, and other institutions share lectures, lessons, tours, and the like, these will be shared on our social media platforms.

Is there any late-breaking news? Yes, there is a new tour alert! Following the great success of the video tour of Fort Caswell

a few months ago, Jim McKee (above on right), Site Manager of Brunswick Town Fort Anderson State Historic Site, is back for a tour of Fort Anderson. Learn how the fort got its name, the location of guns, who built the fort, and who resided there directly after the Civil War. Enjoy this tour from the air-conditioned comfort of your favorite chair/sofa on Friday, August 14, on Facebook. This is our second tour and hopefully we’ll have countless others released throughout the coming months. Please be sure to check back for updates and announcements.

Is there another way to watch the tours and videos? Yes. Click over to YouTube and enjoy the newly created BCWRT YouTube channel. It has the tours, history lessons with Mike, and much more! To find us simply type Brunswick Civil War Round Table into the YouTube search bar or follow this link.

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BCWRT’s Social Media Offerings - By Katy Menne

BCWRT’s Social Media Offerings - Continued

Wow, you must get paid a TON to do all this, right? NOPE. While Mike loves to tell me I am due for a raise, this is completely volunteer work. My full time job is the Curator of Education at the NC Maritime Museum at Southport. In that position I teach about the maritime history and culture of the Lower Cape Fear to all ages and abilities, run the five social media platforms, research and write exhibits and articles, as well as numerous other jobs as assigned. In addition to that position, I hold a part time job at Bridgewater Wines in Leland. To round things out, I volunteer with the Brunswick

Local Interagency Coordinating Council, the Planning Committee for Able Buddies, the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Teams for both Environmental Educators of NC and Southeastern Museum Conference, and the Program Committee for the NC Museum Council. My bachelor’s degree is in history and I also have a master’s degree in teaching. Obviously, I also enjoy experimenting with graphic design and content management.

Thanks for allowing me to share the above information, and I truly hope it has brought you some reprieve during this stressful and physically distant time.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Campaign for Ed Bearss to Receive Congressional Gold Medal

The Blue and Gray Education Society, “America’s Premier Civil War Education Organization,” headquartered in Chatham, Va, is spearheading a campaign to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Ed Bearss. Ed, a young 97, has spoken to our round table over half-a-dozen times, always displaying his encyclopedic knowledge of the Civil War, and using his most distinctive delivery style!

BGES is sending letters to members of the US House of Representatives urging they support this effort. BGES willingly shared their correspondence with Congresswomen Gabbard…https://mcusercontent.com/4ed2502d26ff277723afd52f5/files/770df6d5-319e-46a6-b00a-613d44cc5cc6/

Bearss_Sponsorship_letter_and_package_to_MOC.pdf. The letter’s attachment describes Ed’s achievements and his unique contribution to Civil War history.

If you would like to contact Congressman David Rouzer asking that he support HR 7385 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7385?s=1&r=10), please visit his website for details on how to communicate with him: https://rouzer.house.gov/contact.

It would be so fitting for Ed to be recognized for his impact on American history and culture.

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It’s All Relative Being a member of the BCWRT is special for many of you — your relative participated in the Civil War! Members Brenda and Bob Hagerman are in charge of sharing your unique stories. From time-to-time, Call to Arms will feature a capsulized view of a family’s Civil War history. You may also visit our website (http://brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com/member_relatives%20) for expanded stories. If you’ve not done so already, please contact the Hagermans to tell of your family’s Civil War involvement: 910-854-0326, or b_hagerman@msn.com.

Albert Edwin Bayles was born June 14, 1839, in Coram, New York, and his younger brother Edward Frank Bayles was born two years later on December 16, 1841.

They first mustered into the Regular New York Volunteers, Company A, 139 Infantry, on September 9,1862, Albert as a sergeant and Edward as a private. Both brothers saw action in the Civil War, unfortunately dying in action on June 2, 1864, at ages 24 and 22 respectively during the Battle of Cold Harbor, near Mechanicsville, Virginia. The brothers are member Anne Bayles Hager’s sixth cousins thee times removed.

The Battle of Cold Harbor was fought from May 31 to June 12, 1864, with the most significant fighting occurring on June 2 and 3. It was one of the final battles of Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign, and is remembered as one of the Civil War's bloodiest, most lopsided battles. Thousands of Union soldiers were killed or wounded in a hopeless frontal assault against the fortified positions of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army.

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Photos from upper left, clockwise: Anne Bayles Hager; painting of Battle of Cold Harbor; photo of soldiers waiting to be buried; and memorial to Bayles brothers at Union Cemetery in Middle Island, Long Island, NY.

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The September 1 meeting of the BCWRT will be

conducted via Zoom - See page 2. BCWRT is a 501( c)(3) tax exempt organization, co-founded by Tom O’Donnell

and Wally Rueckel, and organized in May 2010.

The BCWRT website, brunswickcivilwarroundtable.com, contains helpful information and is available to everyone, no user name or password required. Our Facebook page is at https://

www.facebook.com/brunswickcivilwarroundtable/. Visit both sites to learn of future speakers, trips, and interesting Civil War information.

2020 Officers, Directors, Advisors, and Liaisons Mike Powell: President & Director Tom Kehoe: Advisor Charen Fink: VP, Director & Ladies’ Forum Coord. Paul Laird: Advisor Gar Dowell: VP, Director Jim McKee: Advisor Jennifer Chapman: Secretary & Director Katy Menne: Advisor Gary Krupp: Treasurer & Director Roy Pender: Advisor John Butler: Director Leslie Rivers: Advisor Kathy O’Donnell: Director Wally Rueckel: Advisor Chuck Roedema: Director Lori Sanderlin: Advisor E. Gifford Stack: Director Dave Shultz: Advisor Peter Carmichael: Advisor Wade Sokolosky: Advisor Jack Carpenter: Advisor & Ft. Anderson Liaison Peter Whalen: Advisor Chris Fonvielle: Advisor Max Williams: Advisor Emeritus

**************************************************** Call to Arms editor:

E. Gifford Stack (egstack@cnsp.com)

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