From: Gunsite03@aol.com

Your work is truly appreciated and I try to read most of your e-mail every week. It's been difficult, time wise, for me to participate in the chats, but still want to receive your mail. If anyone has any civil war information about the Gunn clan from Missouri (Brunswick and area), I'd really appreciate hearing.

Thanks,

Bob Gunn

Gunsite03@aol.com

"Bob" Thanks for your nice words and we’ll certainly post your request... GFS Jim

 If you're looking for information regarding a certain battle, try the following websites:

American Civil War Alphabetic List of Civil War Battles
http://www.californiacentralcoast.com/commun/map/civil/statepic/alpha.html (2006 - Link Invalid)

Battles by State The American Civil War 1861-1865
http://www.californiacentralcoast.com/commun/map/civil/statepic/index.html (2006 - Link Invalid)

Timeline The Civil War 1861-1865
http://www.californiacentralcoast.com/commun/map/civil/tl/timeline.html (2006 - Link Invalid)

These sites will lead you to many other interesting sites.

A BIT OF COMMUNITY...

Check out the following member inputs for comments and requests for information, Feedbacks, Items of Interest and Pleas for HELP...

From: wolfordgen@aol.com

I saw this item for sale at eBay, the world's largest personal trading community, and thought that you might be interested. I saw this book listing Confederate Burials at FT Delaware and thought you might be interested. I never thought of this as a source for info before finding and buying a WOLFORD bible here.

Jim

Title of item: Genealogy - Civil War Confederate POW

Seller: mmadigan@advant.com

Starts: 07/23/99, 19:04:14 PDT

Ends: 07/30/99, 19:04:14 PDT

Price: Starts at $5.00

To bid on the item, go to: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=136127181 (2006 - Link Invalid)

Item Description:

To Those Who Wore the Gray The Civil War Round Table of Wilmington DE, Fort Delaware Society, 1976, 46 pages in wraps with cover covered in vinyl, very good condition. Fort Delaware was a northern prisoner of war camp during the Civil War. This book lists the 2502 Confederate soldiers and citizens who are buried at the fort. The book gives name, rank, regiment and company, state, and date of death. Also included is one page of corrections and additions.

Illinois buyers must pay 6.25% sales tax and all US buyers will pay $3.00 for fourth class postage. First class postage can be arranged. Overseas sales will be shipped at buyer's choice of air or ground mail with actual postal charges charged.

If you are interested in books of genealogical interest examine my web site at the link below.

SUBMITTERS NOTE: Burials listed in the book mentioned above were at Finn's Point National Cemetery in New Jersey not at Fort Delaware. The water table was too high at the Fort for any burials.

To look for other materials go to eBay at http://search.ebay.com/ws/search/AdvSearch?sofindtype=13 and do a search.

---

From: ZOOMUP@aol.com

Two items here:

First, I want to let you know that I thoroughly enjoy the "Weekly Fireside" that you are so kind to prepare and send. Although I am seldom able to join in the Chats and wish I could do so each week, your recap and other information is always extremely interesting. Generally, I forward it to several friends and relatives, none of whom are on AOL, for their reading.

Second, you may wish to note sometimes that quite a bit of history of the units now constituting the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood TX can be found at the following URL:

Outpost of the 1st Cavalry Division and Subordinate Commands http://www.metronet.com/~harryb/ (2006 - Link Invalid)

At that URL scroll down to the yellow Cav patches and click on one of the units shown in BLUE. At that sub site, click on "Historical Missions". I suggest that you first try the 1st and 2d Battalions, 5th Cavalry Regiment, for their Civil War involvement. The 5th was organized in 1855 while the 7th (Custer's outfit) and 8th Cavs were not organized until 1866 after the Civil war, but their histories are interesting also. The second Regimental Commander of the 5th Cav was a LTC Robert E. Lee, but at the outbreak of the Civil War he and ten or eleven other officers left the regiment to join the Confederate Army. His former regiment, the 5th, was present when Lee surrendered at Appomattox, a rather ironic presence.

All of this work and the Web site has been done by a fine gentleman named Harry Boudreau who lives near Dallas TX and devotes countless hours and days to this effort. I was in the 5th Cavalry in Korea and Japan in 1951-52 and am a member of the Board of Governors of the 5th Cavalry Association, an organization of veterans of the 5th Cavalry and now some 800 strong. I am also a member of the 1st Cavalry Division Association with some 6,000 active members who are veterans of one or more of the Division units. The Division Association will have its 52nd annual reunion at Fort Hood in early August and some 1,300 have already pre-registered for that. About 4,000 of our Division Troops are still in Bosnia but will begin returning to Hood beginning in late August and continuing until late September. The 1st Cavalry Division is now and has been for the past five years the only Division in the entire United States Army that is fully manned and fully equipped with the very latest in weapons, armor, vehicles and communications equipment, a sad comment on our state of readiness. It is the only "911" Division and stands ready to begin moving to any place in the world on 24 hours notice.

Last August and again this past February, I was invited to speak at Fort Hood to the Troopers of the 2d then the 1st Battalions, respectively, of the 5th Cavalry just before they departed for their deployments to Bosnia. In both talks I stressed the history of the units particularly in the Civil and Indian Wars using the names of battles in each of those wars for which their battalion colors now bear the colored "Battle Streamers" they were then awarded. This made a huge impression on these young soldiers; their commanders later told me, because it helped to instill in them even greater "esprit de corps", pride in unit. They learned that they were filling places occupied almost 150 years before them by people who made history, people who contributed their service and, in many cases, their lives to the country we have today. As one old 5th Cav veteran, I truly felt privileged to have been invited to speak to them and to have passed on a little of their units' history.

Jayne, that's enough for now. Thanks again for your fine work and your dedication to this effort.

Gordon L. Jennings

Houston TX

{{{{{Gordon}}}}} Mercy!!! But you do know how to say all the right things!!!! <G> and we really do appreciate all the kind words. What a thrill for you and the men at Fort Hood I'm sure... as I told Gordon, I would have like to have been there and heard his talk to the men.

Gordon pulled a "fast one" on me and snuck in the chatroom Thurs night incognito... took me awhile to figure out who he was... but I finally did!

From: Avon938@aol.com

Thanks for all the work you do...I do read the Weekly Fireside and print what I want to keep...I have limited space on the computer and had to delete to keep going...You all do a splended job of portraying the many facets of the CW....How could we even imagine what people endured and the strength the had to do

so...Thanks again! AVON938

{{{{{Avon}}}}} Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know how much you appreciate the Fireside. It truly warms our hearts to know we're "doing our job".

From: SallyEPS@aol.com

Jayne, This is the only "chat room" I tune into! I like the people - especially Tom, who gave Jeff and me such a wonderful tour of Gettysburg battlefield, you and Jim who are all such good teachers. I am interested in all US history, but the Civil War, in which some of my ancestors took part, is very haunting. I save most of the newsletters, so if it isn't too much work you, I would like to continue receiving them.

Thanks so very much for all you three do for all of us! Hope you are having a good summer!

Sally Small

{{{{Sally}}}}} Thank you for your kind words, and for wanting to continue to receive the newsletter. We’re just weeding out the distribution list. :) GFSJim@aol.com

From: Djoi@aol.com

NASA and the Navajo Elder

When NASA was preparing for the Apollo project, they did some astronaut training on a Navajo Indian reservation. One day, a Navajo elder and his son were herding sheep and came across the space crew. The old man, who only spoke Navajo, asked a question, which his son translated. "What are the guys in the big suits doing?"

A member of the crew said they were practicing for their trip to the moon. The old man got really excited and asked if he could send a message to the moon with the astronauts. Recognizing a promotional opportunity for the spin-doctors, the NASA folks found a tape recorder. After the old man recorded his message, they asked the son to translate. He refused.

So the NASA reps brought the tape to the reservation, where the rest of the tribe listened and laughed, but refused to translate the elder's message to the moon.

Finally, NASA called in an official government translator. He reported that the moon message said, "Watch out for these guys; they've come to steal your land."

{{{{Dottie}}}}} LOL.... Good for Grandpa!!!!

From: Bjfedchak@aol.com

Hi! I have a question I hope you can help me with--

My Great Grandfather fought at Gettysburg, among other places. On a recent visit to the cemetery, I again noticed how rusted the veteran marker is. Do you know where I can see about getting a replacement? There is no of knowing what it even says anymore - he died in 1905. I haven't tried the American Legion yet or anywhere else. I was hoping you or someone you're connected with would have a direct route.

Thanks for your help. Keep up the great job with the newsletter. One of these Thursdays, I'm going to make it to the chat!

Bonnie

{{{{{Bonnie}}}}} I'm putting this in the Fireside in case some of the other "faithful" have had a similar problem. I'm kind of assuming when you talk about the "veteran marker" you are talking about the GAR marker that is also used to hold the flag. We'll see what kind of answers we come up with....

From: WJwork60@aol.com

I have missed your chat this past week and will be going to WV without my computer for three weeks. I will miss the chats so much but know that when I get home I can copy all the Firesides and read them and at least share some of the excitement and pleasure that I receive from the chats you both along with Tom are very special folks I will play my dulcimer and think about my civil war soldier around his camp fire

LOL Jane

SUBMITTERS NOTE: I received the following through the Rootsweb Civil War Mail list

http://www.civil-war@rootsweb.com/ mail list. You should take a look at it... not only is the Monitor there but also MANY other Ironclads and the site includes links to ship rosters and photographs.

St. Louis' Ships of Iron http://www.missouricivilwarmuseum.org/1ironclads.htm

This is one of my favorite CW sites and in checking it out again, I see that the Rosters and Regimental Histories has been updated as of 06 August 1999, so you may want to check it out.

The American Civil War Homepage http://sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/warweb.html

This site will lead you to many more useful sites.

Subj: Who You Are Makes A Difference

From: Jowhara7@aol.com

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by telling them the difference they each made. Using a process developed by Helice Bridges of Del Mar, California, she called each student to the front of the class, one at a time. First she told them how the student made a difference to her and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters, which read, "Who I Am Makes a Difference."

Afterwards the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community. She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony. Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom, and report back to the class in about a week.

One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue ribbon and put it on his shirt. Then he gave him two extra ribbons, and said, "We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like you to go, find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue

ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going. Then, please, report back to me and tell me what happened."

Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his boss down and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put it on him. His surprised boss said, "Well, sure." The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket above his heart. As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you do me a favor? Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else? The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people."

That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down. He said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine. He thinks I'm a creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says 'Who I Am Makes A Difference on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor. As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you. I want to honor you. "My days are really hectic and when I come home I don't pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!!"

The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying. His whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "I was planning on running away tomorrow, Dad, because I didn't think you loved me. Now I don't need to."

{{{{{Jacque}}}}} there really isn't much I can say except thank you for sending this to me and, because all of you, "the faithful" make a difference in my life, I'm sharing it with you. If there is someone in your life who has made a difference. Tell them!

SUBMITTERS NOTE:

Last week I included a story called "Who You Are Makes A Difference" and I then received the following.

From: MBrown2205@aol.com

That's a beautiful story about the ribbons. We don't tell those we love that we love them enough! Attended a concert in honor of those who have been hurt by violence. It was given by Theresa Hamm, who grew up in Conyers and is now with the Met in New York City. She has a most incredible voice. She said that we should so live our lives that when God calls on us to do something for Him and for mankind that we are ready. She also echoed that theme that we should tell our love ones that we love them. The concert was her gift to the community. It was awesome!

{{{{{MBrown2205}}}}} Thank you for sending this story. It just goes to show ya some people never forget "those that got them there" What a gift she gave.

From: Phreyor@aol.com

Great stuff as always Jayne! Do you have anything on a scout named Seth Harlan Davis? He was in Company E. Eighth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. Anything about him or his unit would be wonderful. Thanks. RFS.

{{{{{Phreyor}}}}} I'm putting this in the Weekly Fireside hoping that one of our members out there might be able to help you out.

From: OCSPA@aol.com

I was wondering if I could possibly obtain any information on the 51st U S Colored Infantry from any source that you may be aware of? Most information that I have developed is from the web page by Bennie J. McRae, Jr. As and added request (if I May) I am trying to find more info. On/about Col. A. Watson Webber the commander of the 51st USCI. I have developed info that he was orig. from New York & died in Mobile Ala. I found one reference that indicates A. stands for Alonzo. When in the Buffalo, NY Library I was able to locate pic. Of Steele and others mentioned in Bennie J. McRae Jr.'s web as it concerns the 51st. USCI. I wonder if I should look more into the 1st Mississippi Infantry of which Col. A. Watson Webber was assigned. At first I thought he was perhaps in a confederate Reg. but when I read info. By Mr. McRae, Jr., I guess I was mistaken.

Thank you in advance for the help.

Greg Duck

{{{{{Greg}}}}} I've combined the two notes that you sent... We'll see if some of the "faithful" can help you out.

From: Bjfedchak@aol.com

Hi! I have a question I hope you can help me with--

My Great Grandfather fought at Gettysburg, among other places. On a recent visit to the cemetery, I again noticed how rusted the veteran marker is. Do you know where I can see about getting a replacement? There is no of knowing what it even says anymore - he died in 1905. I haven't tried the American Legion yet or anywhere else. I was hoping you or someone you're connected with would have a direct route.

Thanks for your help. Keep up the great job with the newsletter. One of these Thursdays, I'm going to make it to the chat!

Bonnie

{{{{{Bonnie}}}}} I'll leave this in the Fireside another week. We'll see if any of the "faithful" know where you might get a new GAR marker.

From: SusiCP@aol.com by the way of ANDERSONVILLE-L@rootsweb.com

I thought I would pass this on to you who are researching your roots. I ran across this site last night on the Web that has the Index of the Official Record of the War of Rebellion (one of the many names that the Civil War was called!)...

The Official Record of the War of Rebellion lists mostly all the Union Soldiers who served in the Civil War, and a partial list of the Confederate Soldiers (their records weren't as well kept). It is thousands and thousands of pages of pretty much the entire history of the Civil War; the people, the battles, etc.

You can run a name search on the Index and see where the name shows up in the Official Record of the War of Rebellion. Some even have their units listed...

This is a site you have to pay for; I had it for 24 hours for $7.95...well worth it in MHO.

The site is: Civil War Online Document Library http://civilwar.scbbs.com/

Hope this helps some of you...

{{{{{Susi}}}}} Thanks for the heads up. There is also a monthly plan and a yearly plan

Editors NOTE: Site also offers Military CDs, Books and Maps for sale.

From: KtelLady@aol.com

Hi, love all this information...Is it possible to get a copy of that story from IllinoisCW??

I would love to read it. Sounds Interesting.

Thanks.

Ktel.

{{{{{KTel}}}}} You have the "Dan Sower, Deserter or Prisoner of War" story. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

From: BHogan32@aol.com

Thanks for the Newsletter, often I put it in my favorite places and read when I feel better, I hope to see you this week.

Betty

{{{{{Betty}}}}} We're hoping you're feeling lots better and it was good to see you in the SIG Thurs night!!!!!!!

From: FVJEB@aol.com

Thank you so much for sending the "Sower " to Ben, he sent it to me and I printed it out. Really enjoyed it Thursday as I always do. Best room, you all do a wonderful job. I send the newsletter on to my friends they really enjoy it. See you Thursday.

Flo

{{{{{Flo}}}}} I saw Ben get "booted" and knew he would be upset if he couldn't "hear" the whole story. <G> Thanks for kind words... they are always appreciated.

---

From: Grimuspf42@aol.com

Thank you, Jayne. The prayer and the poem were very moving. Hope you had a nice time on your trip. I'm way out here in WA State and the history is altogether different. I'm learning about the range wars of the 1880's where some of my ancestors lost their lives over land and money. Very sad.

As my father says, who still lives in MD, "we will have alot of people to thank and are indebted to for the freedoms we enjoy today."

Hope this finds you and your family well. Thanks again. Later.

Barbara Ann Grimshaw

{{{{{Barbara}}}}} It was my pleasure to send the prayer and poem to you... now, aren't you glad we didn't take you off of the distribution <G>

Subscription Information

You might have noticed over that last couple of weeks, that GFSJayne@aol.com has been querying the membership to "clean-up" our newsletter, "The Weekly Fireside" distribution lists. Every first timer to the American Civil War History SIG gets put on the newsletter distribution automatically. We do this to give you an opportunity to jump right in with us. If you desire NOT to receive the newsletter, then just drop us an email saying, "UNSUBSCRIBE" and we will quickly remove your screen name from distribution. We certainly don’t want to clog your mailbox with unwanted material. Also many of you pass on the newsletter to others that don’t subscribe to AOL. We really want to thank you for spreading the word. I’d also like to let you know that we would be happy to add them to our list if they have email of any sort. We distribute everywhere to those that have requested it. AOL membership is not a requirement although we’d love to see you in the Chat Room: D

Schedule of Upcoming Topics/Events*****

Time: Every Thursday Night at 11pm ET in the Golden Gates Room with Hosts GFS Jayne, GFS TEG and GFS Jim and our many faithful friends:)

9/2/99 - OPEN CHAT

9/9/99 - "Letters, Songs and Poems of the Civil War"

9/16/99 - "A Fireside Tale" - GFS Jim

9/23/99 - I don’t have a Clue for this week LOL!! All I know is that it’s the First Day of Autumn. But we’ll definitely figure it out!!!!! Wish Us Luck...!!!!!!

We'll See You Thursday Night..!

Your Hosts

GFSJayne@aol.com,GFSTEG@aol.com,GFSJim@aol.com