The First Year in Review

Civil War Navy and Marine Reenactors at Portsmouth Navy Birthday (October 2011)

 "Nor must Uncle Sam's web-feet be forgotten. At all the watery margins they have been present. Not only on the deep sea, the broad bay, and the rapid river, but also up the narrow muddy bayou, and wherever the ground was a little damp, they have been, and made their tracks." - Abraham Lincoln (1863)

This past Thursday (12 April) marked the end of the first year of the sesquicentennial commemoration.  What a wonderful year it has been for the Civil War Sesquicentennial and the Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial!

It's been a busy year for the CWN 150 and the blog.  During the first year (12 April 2011-12 April 2012), CWN bloggers wrote 148 individual posts, reaching thousands of new and returning visitors.  The greatest benefit of doing the blog is getting the positive feedback from readers, especially those in those partnerships we have made in the past year like the National Park Service and the Civil War Monitor.

USS Cumberland Expedition (June 2011)

In between that time, the CWN 150 was involved in several events in and around the Hampton Roads area.  In October, the CWN 150 set up an informational table at the annual Navy Birthday celebration at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA.  Our first "series" of commemorative posts was conducted last year for the 150th anniversary of Port Royal.  Stay tuned for more special posts in the near future!

Several lectures and talks were given by CWN 150/HRNM staffers Matthew Eng and Gordon Calhoun, focusing on the role of the Civil War Navy in public memory and the vital role played by the USS Cumberland during the Battle of Hampton Roads.  The most important lecture series during 2011 was the Civil War at Sea Conference in Washington, D.C.  The CWN 150 was there to hand out hundreds of Civil War Special Edition Daybooks.  Be sure to download a free copy today!  We also were consultants for a 5 part series of videos created by Bob Rositzke about the Civil War navies titled the "Civil War Sea."  If you haven't already, take a half an hour to watch the entire thing on Youtube. 

HRNM/CWN 150 booth at BOHR Weekend at Mariners' Museum (March 2012)

By far the biggest event that occurred this past year was the Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend/Civil War Navy Conference in conjunction with the Mariners' Museum and the Museum of the Confederacy.  The My Hayley lecture at HRNM at the opening night of the commemoration was a huge success, much to the credit of Dr. Hayley and her wonderful book, The Treason of Mary Louvestre.  CWN 150 bloggers and Hampton Roads Naval Museum staff manned the CWN 150 table as well as spoke at several different panels.  Judging by the number of participants that were at the entire weekend of events, it will be hard to top.  Only time will tell!  The more you get the awareness out there, the better these events we have coming up (New Orleans, Hatteras, Drewry's Bluff) will be. 

Thank you especially to fellow CWN 150 bloggers (and ALL out-of-towners) Craig Swain, Seaman Rob, and Sarah Adler for making it to the anniversary.  I think we all had a fantastic time, learned a lot, and made some fantastic connections.  

On the horizon for the CWN 150:

• Commemorative posts on New Orleans, Drewry's Bluff, and the river war in the West
• More LEGO ship model designs courtesy of HRNM's "Brick by Brick: LEGO Shipbuilding" Program
• More trivia contests and ways to get involved
• Stay posted to the blog, Facebook, and Twitter for the latest updates!

As always, we are looking forward to the remaining sesquicentennial years.

Full Speed Ahead!

In Case You Missed It: Watercolor Contest Winners!

Over the past weekend, there was a lot of interest generated about the Battle of Hampton Roads Watercolor Contest.  For its first time around, it was a great success.  I hope everyone that saw the original art on the evening of 8 March enjoyed it as much as we did.  In case you didn't get to see the art on the 8th or are not a fan of either the CWN 150 or Hampton Roads Naval Museum on Facebook (and you SHOULD BE!), here is the link to the HRNM Facebook site with ALL of the participants scanned in for your viewing pleasure.  We have reproduced the three age group winners below.  With your continued support, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum can make the watercolor contest an annual event!



Olivia Eicher - Age 5-10 Winner

Nathan Cowfer - Age 11- 13 Winner

Sarah Howland - Age Adult Winner

Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend Recap

CWN 150 Bloggers Unite! (Matthew Eng, Sarah Adler, Craig Swain, Seaman Rob)

Although we have already posted several posts on this past weekend's Battle of Hampton Roads festivities, I would be hard pressed if I didn't say a few words to wrap up the fantastic event.

NHHC Director Jay Deloach at Descendant's Breakfast

From start to finish, the Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend (March 8-11) was a success.  Beginning with My Hayley's talk on the Treason of Mary Louvestre and ending with the final talk I had the pleasure to give with Anna Holloway on the Civil War in Public Memory, the event was marvelous.  Everything in between: the descendant's breakfast, the reenactors, the living history day crafts and activities - all of it was fantastic.

Unveiling of Monitor Facial Reconstruction

Above all, I was most impressed with the interest from visitors coming to visit the HRNM booth.  It warms my heart to see the hard work put into this commemoration is paying off - either for this commemoration, museums like HRNM and the Mariners', or for enthusiastic individuals who do amazing work online and in print like Craig Swain and Laura June Davis. 

The talks I attended were great.  To be honest, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum booth was swamped.  The only talks that I went to were Dr. Holzer's great discussion of Civil War art on Friday night and the ones HRNM staff presented at.  Either way, fellow blogger Seaman Rob can fill you in with that information from previous posts.

Laura Orr talks with visitors

I want to personally thank Anna Holloway for all her kind words this weekend.  The Mariners' Museum has been a wonderful ally and friend in getting the word spread that the Civil War Navy matters.  For new individuals we met this weekend - welcome.  It is a pleasure to meet you.

This commemoration, no matter what somebody might tell you otherwise, is yours.  It is up to YOU the readers and followers of Civil War history to pass the torch and keep the conversation going.  Without your help, the information provided here or other sites set up in commemoration of the war will all be for nothing.  We are all here to provide you with the most up to date information on events and activities surrounding the Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial.  We clearly saw this weekend that the message is out there and you are responding - we had over 800 people come up to our booth (Hampton Roads Naval Museum) and take our literature, admire the Monitor and Virginia LEGOs, and just talk and interact with us. 

So, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for reading this blog and keeping the fire alive.  Let's keep the momentum going.  Tell somebody about the site, talk about Civil War history, visit a maritime/naval museum, or just remember that you were a huge part in the memory of the 150th anniversary just by remaining an active member of the public perception of this country's most trying time.

Full Speed Ahead,

Me, Gideon Welles, and Seaman Rob

Matthew T. Eng
Coordinator
Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial

Battle of Hampton Roads Day 1 - Seaman Rob's Report

Map of blockade runner routes into the Atlantic Coast. Source: http://www.nccivilwar150.com/maps/fisher/Blockade.pdf


Craig Symonds’ plenary talk at the Civil War Navy Conference here at the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, VA was free and open to the public this morning, so I had the opportunity to attend. Dr. Symonds talked about the Atlantic Blockade and gave a good, synoptic overview of this blockade effort and how it fit within the larger scope of the Navy’s efforts in the Civil War. There were a few nifty “tidbits” of information that I learned; for instance the North Carolina Sounds behind the barrier islands had long served as a haven for raiders, privateers and etc. The infamous pirate Blackbeard operated out of the area and was killed in Pamlico Sound by US Navy forces. He also reiterated what many historians have concluded about the blockade; although it was never “airtight”, it was a definite contributor to the eventual defeat of the Confederacy by the Union and shortened the War by doing just enough to prevent the export of trade and the import of needed materials. I had the chance to ask a question and asked about the relative importance of taking the Port of Fernandina, Florida. Dr. Symonds felt that it was important, but that it was a matter of resources; DuPont took Port Royal first, then was able to allocate ships and manpower to moving southward to take additional ports. Later on I met and talked with fellow CWN150 Guest Blogger Craig Swain, and he noted that it was largely a question of “real estate”; the three most important words being “location, location, location”, and that this was a factor in deciding between Port Royal and Fernandina. I spent much of the day hanging out with the Hampton Roads Naval Museum folks and their nifty display. All in all a cool first day at the Battle of Hampton Roads Event; looking forward to tomorrow !!!

The Cumberland by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Cumberland at rest today (NOAA/HRNM/NHHC)

At anchor in Hampton Roads we lay,
On board of the Cumberland, sloop-of-war;
And at times from the fortress across the bay
The alarum of drums swept past,
Or a bugle blast
From the camp on the shore. Then far away to the south uprose
A little feather of snow-white smoke,
And we knew that the iron ship of our foes
Was steadily steering its course
To try the force
Of our ribs of oak.

Down upon us heavily runs,
Silent and sullen, the floating fort;
Then comes a puff of smoke from her guns,
And leaps the terrible death,
With fiery breath,
From each open port.

We are not idle, but send her straight
Defiance back in a full broadside!
As hail rebounds from a roof of slate,
Rebounds our heavier hail
From each iron scale
Of the monster's hide.

"Strike your flag!" the rebel cries,
In his arrogant old plantation strain.
"Never!" our gallant Morris replies;
"It is better to sink than to yield!"
And the whole air pealed
With the cheers of our men.

Then, like a kraken huge and black,
She crushed our ribs in her iron grasp!
Down went the Cumberland all a wrack,
With a sudden shudder of death,
And the cannon's breath
For her dying gasp.

Next morn, as the sun rose over the bay,
Still floated our flag at the mainmast head.
Lord, how beautiful was Thy day!
Every waft of the air
Was a whisper of prayer,
Or a dirge for the dead.

Ho! brave hearts that went down in the seas!
Ye are at peace in the troubled stream;
Ho! brave land! with hearts like these,
Thy flag, that is rent in twain,
Shall be one again,
And without a seam! 

More News for the Monitor Faces (and one for Virginia)

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! 

We are endeavoring to bring to you the latest and greatest news about the recent release of the two unidentified Monitor sailors as it comes in.  Here are some of the latest links for your reading pleasure.  Stay tuned to hear more about this interesting saga in American naval history as it unfolds here at the Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial. 

Could These Be the Faces of the Monitor?
Daily Press Article online HERE.

Lost At Sea: Do You Know These Civil War Sailors?
Vermont Public Radio broadcast HERE. 

UPS Delivers History to U.S. Navy Memorial
Atlanta Business Chronicle article HERE.

Names and Faces Suggested for Monitor Sailors
National Geographic Article HERE.

Faces of Civil War Sailors to Aid in Search for Their Identities
WBDJ7 Article HERE.

Facial Reconstruction Brings Drowned Civil War Sailors to Life
LiveScience article HERE.

//---------------------------
...and one for the CSS Virginia

The Battle of Hampton Roads: Constructing CSS Virginia
Daily Press Article HERE.

 

 

Monitor Mania!

LSU Faces Laboratory/AP

This upcoming week will mark one of the most excited periods of events for the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.  For commemorations focusing on the navies, it is perhaps the most important.

Faces of 2 USS Monitor crewmembers reconstructed

As many readers know, we are in the process of celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Hampton Roads.  Over the past few weeks, several articles around the country posted news and information on the upcoming anniversary.  The most interesting piece of information coming out this past week was the latest and greatest from the LSU FACES laboratory.  According to the AP writer STEVE SZKOTAK, the latest forensic technology helped to reconstruct the two unidentified faces of the sailors left inside the famous turret when it sank in December 1862.  Unfortunately, DNA testing done from bone samples did not render any living descendants of the two sailors' families.

Perhaps that is all that we will know.

According to an interview with James Delgado, director of NOAA's Maritime Heritage Program, "the faces are really the last opportunity we have, unless somebody pops up out of nowhere and says, 'Hey, I am a descendant.'"  Read the full AP article HERE.

Here are some of the other recent articles on USS Monitor around the internet:

Experts Rebuild Faces of Civil War Sailors - Newser

The Monitor Still Captivates - Washington Post

Clash of the Ironclads - Daily Press

All in all, it is shaping up to be a huge week for the Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial.  If you haven't already, make sure to check out the Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend at the Mariners' Museum.  The CWN 150 will be there.  Will you?

Upcoming HRNM/CWN 150/Mariners' Museum Events for March 2012

The Treason of Mary Louvestre After Hours Event at HRNM

March 8, 2012
6:00 P.M.

 FREE

KICK OFF THE BATTLE OF HAMPTON ROADS WEEKEND AT HRNM!

Join in the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Hampton Roads. Dr. My Haley, widow of author Alex Haley, who helped write the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Roots, will speak about her new historical novel, The Treason of Mary Louvestre. This book is based on the true story of a former slave-turned-spy who provided detailed information about the CSS Virginia to Navy Secretary Gideon Welles during the American Civil War. In addition to Haley’s talk and book-signing, the Battle of Hampton Roads watercolor contest participants’ art will also be shown during this event.

For more information, please go to the Naval Museum homepage HERE.

2012 Civil War Navy Conference Full Schedule
(CWN 150 Bloggers Highlighted in Red)

Schedule courtesy of the Mariners' Museum and the Battle of Hampton Roads Website.  For more information and conference rates, go to the weekend's website HERE.

Friday, March 9 at 7 p.m.

Award-winning Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer will present Victory Without the Gaud:
The Battle of Hampton Roads and the Transformation of Civil War Art.
Ferguson Center on the campus of Christopher Newport University
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Saturday, March 10 at 10 a.m.

United States Naval Academy professor and Civil War Naval scholar Craig Symonds will present
The War Along the Atlantic Coast.
The Mariners' Museum
FREE with museum admission

Sunday, March 11at 10 a.m.

Local Virginia historian and preservationist John Quarstein will present his research for his latest book,
The Monitor Boys: The Crew of the Union's First Ironclad as well as information from his reissued work
CSS Virginia: Mistress of Hampton Roads.
The Mariners' Museum
FREE with museum admission

Saturday, March 10 Sessions
Search for and Discovery and Identification of the USS Monitor Wreck Aboard the R/V Eastward
Dr. Robert Sheridan, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University

"Where's the Starboard Beam?"  Commanding the Tin-Can From Inside an Iron Box
Francis DuCoin, Independent Historian & volunteer, USS Monitor Conservation Project

"Iron Coffin: War, Technology, and Experience Aboard the Monitor"
Dr. David Mindell, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Frances and David Dibner Professor of the
History of Engineering and Manufacturing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A Brotherhood Adrift: Confederate Sailors
Laura June Davis, Doctoral Candidate, University of Georgia

"Sink the Merrimac!": Northern Plans, Schemes, and Inventions to Destroy the Rebel RamDr. David Gerleman, Assistant Editor, Papers of Abraham Lincoln Project

Naval Station New York: The Heart of the Union Anaconda
William Whyte, Doctoral Candidate, Lehigh University

Union Combined Operations in the Spring of 1862: An Examination of Leadership and Unity of Effort –
J. Michael Moore, Curator, Lee Hall Mansion

Pumping YOU Up: Conservation and Replication of the Worthington Steam Pumps from the USS Monitor
Will Hoffman, Conservator, The Mariners' Museum

Palmetto Iron: The Construction of the CSS Chicora and CSS Palmetto State, 1862
Charles Wexler, Doctoral Candidate, Auburn University

The Monitor and Beyond: Updates from the Graveyard of the Atlantic
David Alberg, Joe Hoyt, Monitor National Marine

Sunday, March 11 Sessions

USS Monitor: A Historic Ship Completes its Final Voyage
Dr. John Broadwater, NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

Hunter Davidson and the CSS Squib
Professor Ed Wiser, Naval War College

USS Cumberland: Latest Findings
Gordon Calhoun, Historian and Editor, Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Civil War Naval History: A Panel Discussion
1. CSS Florida: the Vanishing Ship (Gordon Calhoun)
2. Calling the Union's "Bluff:" U.S. Navy Operations on the James River (Matt Eng)
Matthew Eng, Gordon Calhoun, Hampton Roads Naval Museum

The Monitor’s Unknown Mission: The Appomattox Raid, June 1862
Chuck Veit, President, Navy and Marine Living History Association

Union Sailors and Alcohol
Sarah Adler, Undergraduate, American University

Bad Luck All Around: The North Carolina Built Ironclads
Andrew Duppstadt, NC Division of State Historic Sites; Jim McKee, Historic Interpreter, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site;
Chris Grimes, Interpreter, The Mariners' Museum

USS Monitor to Dreamland Bell: The Foundry of James Gregory-
David Grider, Architect, New York City

The USS Monitor at 150: Conservation Insights, Observations and Adventures
Conservation Staff, The Mariners' Museum

CSS Shenandoah: Her life, her impact
Sam Craghead, Museum of the Confederacy

Civil War Naval Chaplaincy and Rev. John L. Lenhart
Captain Thom Mitton, US Christian Commission

Civil War Public Memory in a Social Media World
Matthew Eng, Deputy Educator, Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Fighting for Their Lives: Theories on what happened when the Monitor went down
Paul Clancy, Virginian Pilot

For more information contact Anna Holloway at aholloway@marinersmuseum.org