Adjutant’s Call - November 2023
Link to Original PDF of November 2023 Newsletter
Circular Memorandum #550 -November 2023
"The Historian and the General: Researching and Writing About Ole Joe Johnston" Presented by Richard M. McMurry
Richard M. McMurry is a native of Atlanta. He attended public schools in that city and in Decatur, Georgia. In 1961 he received the B. A. degree in history from the Virginia Military Institute. He served two years active duty in the United States Army, most of the time as the Personnel Management Officer at Fort Campbell, Ky. (1961-1963). Entering graduate school at Emory University in September 1963, he received the M. A. degree in June 1964 and the Ph. D. in June 1967. From 1967 until 1981 McMurry taught history at Valdosta (Georgia) State College. He taught as an adjunct professor at North Carolina State University from 1981 to 1988. Since 1988 he has been a freelance writer and speaker and has served as a guide /historian for many tour and cruise groups. McMurry’s field of specialization is the American Civil War. He has authored more than one hundred articles on various facets of that great conflict. In 1994 two of his books--John Bell Hood and the War for Southern Independence and Two Great Rebel Armies: An Essay in Confederate Military History--were listed among the one hundred best modern Civil War books as selected by the eminent historian Gary Gallagher for the magazine Civil War. The former work received both the Mrs. Simon Barach University Award, presented by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Fletcher Pratt Award, presented by the New York Civil War Round Table.
In 1999 McMurry published Virginia Military Institute Alumni in the Civil War: In Bello Praesidium. His history of the 1864 military operations in North Georgia, Atlanta 1864: Last Chance for the Confederacy, was published by the University of Nebraska Press in 2000 as a volume in the Great Campaigns of the Civil War Series. The Austin, Texas Civil War Round Table selected the book for the 2001 Daniel M. & Marilyn W. Laney Prize awarded for distinguished scholarship and writing on the military or political history of the Civil War.
One of McMurry’s most unique books is The Fourth Battle of Winchester: Toward a New Civil War Paradigm, was published in 2002 by Kent State University Press. McMurry has also edited several works, notably Footprints of a Regiment by William H, Andrews and (with Gordon B. McKinney) the microfilm edition of The Papers of Zebulon B. Vance. In 2005 the Civil War Round Table of Chicago presented its Nevins-Freeman Award for outstanding work in Civil War history to McMurry.
Richard McMurry has spoken to Civil War groups, students, and other organizations in twenty-five states and the District of Columbia. He is a member of numerous historical societies and is active in such organizations as the Civil War Preservation Trust and the Blue and Gray Education Society. He presently lives and writes in Dalton, Georgia.
Richard will bring a selection of his books to sell to members at the meeting
"The Historian and the General: Researching and Writing About Ole Joe Johnston"
Richard McMurry has spent a good part of his life studying and researching the life of Confederate General Joesph E. Johnson. Undoubtedly, he knows more about Ole Joe than anyone past or present. In his talk Richard will share his findings and adventures he has had in pursuing the story of one of the most important figures of the Civil War. He will also bring copies of Volume I of his new biography of Johnson for you to purchase.
April 17-21,2024, Field Trip to the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Battle of Giants: Lee vs Grant
We are going to Virginia to cover the beginning of the Overland Campaign, the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. The dates are April 17-21, 2024. Our guide will be renowed Civil War historian and author Gordon Rhea. He has written seven award-winning books about the American Civil War, including The Battle of the Wilderness, The Battles at Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern, To the North Anna River, Cold Harbor, On To Petersburg, Carrying the Flag, and In the Footsteps of Grant and Lee. He has conducted numerous tours of these battlefields and has been involved in their preservation. These two battles which occurred over May 5 – May 12, 1864 marked the beginning of the titantic confrontation of the war’s two greatest generals, Robert E. Lee and U.S. Grant and would to a large extent determine the outcome of the Civil War. When the Army of the Potomic numbering some 120,000 men crossed the Rapidan River on May 4 and entered the tangled undergrowth of the Wilderness, Robert E. Lee responded by having his 55,000 Army of Northern Virginia break camp and march directly towards Grant’s army. What followed was some of the war’s most savage and dramatic fighting resulting in enormous casualties on each side. We will walk this hollowed ground and cover in detail what unfolded. You can sign up now by emailing John Davis at johnd.davis@twc.com or you can sign up at the meetings beginning in September.
The 11th Annual Bourbon & BBQ is a Big Success!
The 11th annual Bourbon & BBQ was held at historic Farmington on October 15 on a crisp cool autumn afternoon. From the initial returns and polling it appears the LCWRT ‘s 11th annual Bourbon & BBQ was a success both socially and financially.
Chris Morris gave the 60+ people in attendance a wonderful presentation on the history of Old Forester and the Brown-Foreman distillery that developed here in Louisville after the Civil War. Dr. William Forrester who had served in the Union army as a surgeon lent his name to the first bourbon produced by his friend George Garvin Brown. Later the ‘rr’ was changed to a single ‘r’ in the spelling. Brown along with his friend John Foreman, were the first distillery to bottle bourbon in glass bottles to insure the quality of their product and soon all distilleries followed suit. As Chris told us of the history of Old Forester, we were treated to a “Taste of History” which included an approximation of the 1870 Original Batch, the 1897 Bottled in Bond, 1910 Old Fine Whiskey, 1920 Prohibition Style, and a special tasting of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon as we were “tasting our way through history”.
Chris generously donated all the bourbon that was used in the tastings and also the bourbon that was auctioned off for the Round Table. Doug Krawczyk, the organizer of the Bourbon & BBQs, wants to express his sincere gratitude for ALL the support given to the LCWRT Bourbon & BBQ. He especially wants to thank the members of this organization’s LEADERSHIP TEAM.
• Chris Morris for an outstanding presentation and contribution in making this program a success…Thank You.
• Julie Bartlett for her leadership…Thank You •
Bob Glass my co-producer and director….Thank You
• John & Joy Davis who ALWAYS makes the details come together when the “curtain rises”…Thank You • Patrick Wilbourn who was given a Treasurer’s “Baptism of Fire” but came through glowingly….Thank You
• Terry Pyles who handled the quartermaster’s role with aplomb….Thank You
• Doug Butler and Jamie Jarboe for attending and financially supporting our soirée…Thank You
• To those LCWRT Board Members who were unable to attend and supported our program financially.
• Paul Fridell…Thank You
• Bryan Taylor…Thank You
Kudos to all the Board members and spouses who contributed either appetizers or desserts. Thanks to Janice Griffin in providing her outstanding home baked brownies.
Also, noted are those nonmembers, “Mz. Margaret Team”, who voluntarily brought appetizers and desserts. The “ Mz. Margaret Team” consisting of Ruth Heideman; Patsy Kohert; Susie Schiller, Jerri Quillman.
Thanks to Kathy Nichols, Executive Director Farmington, and the docents who volunteered their time to conduct tours of this historic home for our guests. Of course, great appreciation goes to the Kingsley folks with a special shout out to Asia and Brandy.
Finally, TO ALL THOSE MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS WHO MADE THIS EVENT HAPPEN on an October Sunday afternoon…THANK YOU!!! God Bless-God Speed & Good Tidings, Doug Krawczyk
OCTOBER 2023 QUIZ
1. What was a “red badge of courage”?
It is a battle wound.
2. What was Union General George McClellan’s opinion of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation?
He was violently opposed to it.
3. How many Secretaries of State did Confederate President Jefferson Davis have?
He had four.
4. What was Union General U.S. Grant’s first Civil War command?
It was commanding the 21st Illinois Volunteers.
5. What proclamation did President Andrew Johnson issue concerning President Jefferson Davis?
He accused Davis of planning President Lincoln’s assassination.
NOVEMBER 2023 QUIZ
1. Who was President Andrew Johnson’s Vice President?
2. Who commanded the Cavalry Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Appomattox Campaign?
3. What was the last battle of the Civil War in Virginia?
4. To whom did General U.S. Grant deliver his famous “unconditional and immediate surrender” terms?
5. What was Union General William T. Sherman’s attitude toward newsmen?