Meeting Announcement

This will be a great presentation on the First Battle of Bull Run, and what the “fresh fish” Buckeyes of the 1st and 2nd OVM were up against when “facing the elephant” for the first time !

Central Ohio Civil War Roundtable

When:    March 12th

Where: Otterbein University. Towers Hall 3rd floor. Room 318. Westerville Ohio 43081. Please go to the “About the COCWRT” tab for more information.

Time:  7pm

Speaker: Harry Smeltzer

Topic:   “McDowell’s  Plan for Bull Run: Brilliant, Sound or Something Less”

Irvin McDowell’s Plan and Other Bull Run Misconceptions. This program will explore what the presenter feels are popular misconceptions surrounding the First Bull Run campaign, with primary focus on the army commander’s intentions up to the early hours of July 21, 1861. We will discuss how we have come to know the story of Bull Run as we know it, various primary sources and secondary accounts of the campaign, treatments by historians and institutions, the general interest (or lack thereof) of Civil War enthusiasts in the details of the campaign, and other related – or even unrelated – topics. As always, the audience will likely play…

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A Worthwhile Program That Needs Your Support !

This spring, the Seminary Ridge Museum in Gettysburg Pa. will be launching a new program; entitled “Becoming a Soldier” aimed at giving young people the experience the life of a Civil War Soldier. To further this unique experience, the Museum is asking for donations of the items [reproduction] listed below:

• 30 or more each USA and CSA enlisted forage caps or kepis
• 10 or more each USA and CSA canteens,
• 30 or more each USA and CSA haversacks

There is also a need for a camp desk, stool, tin plate and cup, youth sized uniform jackets, shoes, and the like that would be passed around. A used A-frame tent for authenticity and/or open sided tent would also be useful.

If you have not visited the Seminary Ridge Museum, please make a point to do so on your next visit to Gettysburg. You will not be disappointed. If you have a Civil War bucket list (like I do), treat yourself to a climb up to the Seminary cupola like John Buford did on the morning of July 1, 1863. You can take in the view to the west, watching for the advance of Harry Heth’s grey-clad infantry. But beware, the wind in the cupola can play some strange tricks on your mind, and perhaps if it is blowing just right you might catch the faintest scent of pipe tobacco, tinged a bit with the familiar smell of black powder, and hear a voice from below say, “What’s the matter John?” …and maybe, just maybe, a voice carried on the gentle breeze will respond, “There’s the devil to pay!”

If you have any items listed above that you might like to loan or wish to learn more about other donation opportunities contact:

Denise L Doyle

Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum

Administration and Development Officer

61 Seminary Ridge
Valentine Hall Ste 412

Gettysburg, PA 17325

717-339-1359 (office)

717-334-1647 (fax)

ddoyle@seminaryridge.org

www.seminaryridgemuseum.org

www.facebook.com/seminaryridgemuseum

The Ambulance.

Reproduction Civil War Howard Ambulance built by Marvin and Liz Knasel.

Since my youth, I have had a tremendous interest in the American Civil War. This has caused me to be a collector, or in some cases, a gatherer, of items relating to the conflict. When the unique opportunity came about to purchase a reproduction of a Civil War ambulance I could not pass it up.

Offered for sale by the builder, master woodworker and Civil War re-enactor Marvin Knasel and his wife Liz, both of Eaton, Ohio, the ambulance had been used in the living history displays of the Ohio Valley Civil War Association (http://www.ovcwa.com) of which Marvin and Liz are both members. After making a short trip to Eaton to meet Marvin and Liz and to “kick the tires” a bit, a deal was struck, and my wife Amy and I became the proud owners of this very unique and historical vehicle. We will take delivery when the weather gets better, and at that time I will have more photos (and perhaps a short video) to share. One item that I am researching is what would be the appropriate unit designation to be painted on the canvas sides of the ambulance. If you have some information please feel free to pass it along.

Now what to do with a Civil War ambulance?  My friend and fellow blogger Craig Swain (http://markerhunter.wordpress.com) suggested that the ambulance would be just the thing for us to travel in to attend the 2014 Sesquicentennial events. However, we are lacking a mule team and driver, even though I have no doubt that Craig, being from Missouri, could pull that off.  Amy had several ideas on what I might do with the ambulance, but one was physically not possible (I think) and the rest are probably best not mentioned here. There is a plan afoot, however, and over the next month or so  it will be chronicled in this blog so stay tuned!!

Ambulance drivers and their wagons at Harewood Hospital in Washington, D.C.
July, 1863.