Maj. Gen. John Alexander Logan Camp# 4

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Raleigh, NC

Fort fisher State Historic Site

144th Anniversary Program: “Fort Fisher Then and Now.” January 17th 2009

 

Among the displays and exhibits at the anniversary program, the Lt. Gen John A Logan Camp joined with other Camps in the Department of North Carolina greeting many visitors at their Education and Recruitment

 

This annual program took a new look at Fort Fisher as it was during the years of the Civil War. Highlighting the event was the new temporary exhibit on the Civil War photographer, Timothy O’Sullivan, and his images of the fort, taken shortly after the 2nd Battle of Fort Fisher.  Infantry and artillery demonstrations occurred throughout the day.

 

Fort fisher protected Wilmington at the mouth of the cape fear river during the Civil War. 

 

Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry (commander of the XXIV Corps, Army of the James) led the second expedition against Fort Fisher. By mid January, 1865 Terry arrived with transports carrying over 10,000 troops, which were supported by 58 warships under the direction of Adm. David D. Porter. After a brutal hand-to-hand engagement, the federals finally seized the Fort, forcing the outnumbered confederates to surrender the garrison.

 

 

 

Despite the chilling cold and persistent wind, the sun shown brightly  And yes about thirty five hundred  people came to see the 144th Anniversary Program, “Fort Fisher Then and Now.”  the recreation of events of the successful January 15th Union assault on the Confederate Goliath, Fort Fisher.

Installation of new officers:  from left to right:  Thomas Rightmyer, Samuel Moore, Dennis St Andrew, Daniel Hopping, Bryan Salter, and Department Commander Doug Elwell

2009 North Carolina Department Encampment

Bennett Place, Durham Station, North Carolina

 

April 18, 2009:  The North Carolina Department of the SUVCW held it’s annual Encampment at the Bennett family farm where Confederate General Johnston surrendered to Union General Sherman in April of 1865.  Election and installation of officers resulted in the following officers for 2009.

             Department Commander                                       Douglas P. Elwell

                 Senior Vice Commander                                        Dennis C. St. Andrews

                 Junior Vice Commander                                        Daniel L. Hopping

                 Secretary and Treasurer                                        Thomas N. Rightmyer

                 Council Member                                                       Samuel A. Moore Jr.

                 Council Member                                                       Alonza B. Salter

                 Council Member                                                       Yale W. Mooers

 

After the business meeting and installment of 2009 Officers, The Encampment took a tour of the historical Bennett Place.  The Bennett Place is a fascinating outing for anyone with an interest in the Civil War.

Members of the Encampment at the Bennett Farm House where the surrender took place

         Encampment medals were available                             Department Commander Elwell

        From Logan Camp Commander Farrell                             conducting the meeting

                                 Encampment members on a tour of the Historic Site

Although it was only 8:30, the sun was bright overhead and the temperature had reached a high 70's our staff ride of the Bentonville Battlefield had begun. Our guide Fred Burt stood before us in the woolen uniform of a Captain in the 26th North Carolina. He informed us regarding at details of not only his uniform but the items he had spread across three picnic tables. These items ranged from weapons to freshly cooked hoe cakes and hardtack. Fred wisely changed into more contemporary attire for the tour.


Our convoy left the visitors center for the first of many stops along the country roads of the battlefield. The Captain attempted to take care of his troops by finding the nearest shade but that was not always possible however, upon looking around I could see no one inattentive even in the now mid 90 degree temperature.

Bentonville Staff Tour

By Brother Farrell

On a third stop, Fred had resorted to his chalkboard to explain the intricate details of both the Federal and Confederate troop movements. Fred’s details and comprehensive knowledge of the battlefield was translated to information that could be easily understood. While at this stop a couple from Raleigh joined our group and stayed with us the remainder of the day.


We went on to visit the position of the North Carolina Junior Reserves, Mower’s attack, through Confederat e trench lines and spent the last 20 minutes of intense discussion standing along a roadside ditch in the noonday sun. The only shade to be seen was your own shadow. Not once during the day did I hear any one of the14 people present mention the heat, we were far to intent on the words of our guide.


By one o’clock our day was complete. In addition to our tour we had visited the museum, viewed the movie, toured the Harper House and outbuildings leaving the only sensible thing to do -Go Have Lunch. And a great lunch it was at Eddies BBQ in Newton Grove.

The only dark spot in the day was that too few of our members took advantage of this wonderful opportunity.