civil war

French Zouave Officer's Kepi

A French Army of approximately 22,000 strong landed alongside the British Army (Approximately 18,000) at Kalamita Bay in the Crimea in September 1854.  The French infantry had three regiments of Zouaves.  Although the Zouaves when originally formed around 1830, and consisted of native Algerian tribesmen with French officers, by the Crimean War their uniform had become so popular that there were numerous Europeans in their ranks.  The uniform followed traditional Algerian tribal dress:  baggy red trousers stuffed in leather jambieres, a short blue jacket trimmed in their regimental colour, and a red fez with turban and tassel.  Their officers and non-commissioned officers dressed somewhat similarly, but wore a red  Chasseur-style kepi, as shown in this photograph.  The two rows of gilt braid designate the rank of lieutenant, and the wear indicates that this remarkable piece of headgear saw campaign use.

In the Crimea, the Zouaves came to the aid of the Guards Brigade during the desperate fighting in and around the Sandbag Battery.  It was said they advanced “like tigers,” and succeeded in driving the Russians out of the battery.

Interestingly, General George B. McClellan, who was an observer for a short time with the French in Sevastopol, fancied this type kepi.  He is said to have brought the design, with its low silhouette and countersunk round top, back from the Crimea to the United States.  Many officers in the American Civil War, especially those on his staff, adopted the style.  It became known as the ‘McClellan Kepi’.

This artifact was photographed courtesy of the Guards Museum, London, UK.

NR officer, who is an NPS Black Powder Safety Specialist, teaching weapons safety

Soldiers in the American Civil War lived 24 hours a day the drill, discipline, and the various soldier skills necessary to fight effectively.  To accurately portray such soldiers in a “living history” context today and teach the public about their sacrifices is a challenge.  The National Regiment (NR) is one of a few such living history organizations which tries to honor the memory of those soldiers by emulating as close as possible what they wore, their daily life, and how they fought as a regiment.  The NR is made up of many smaller living history units who have decided to band together as a regiment to better understand how the soldiers of the past functioned and fought.  To accomplish this, the NR holds an Officer/NCO School each year at the beginning of the living history season.  It is open to all who are an officer or NCO, and those who aspire to become a leader in the unit.

We meet in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and the atmosphere is conducive to teaching, rather than trying to appear totally authentic at the school.  For that reason, and because we are required to wear soft sole shoes on the floors where we hold the school, the attendees usually wear modern trousers and shoes, with their Civil War period coats, caps, equipment and weapons.  Fully authentic camp schools are also held, but later in the year, and with all hands present, not merely the leadership.

NR NCO demonstrating correct position of the rifle musket

The NR Officer/NCO School is to try to instill in the leaders of the organization, to the degree possible in two days, the soldier skills that the Civil War soldier took for granted every day – a bit of the muscle-memory they acquired through constant repetition. Thus, we may well teach the same subjects each year, with a few new ones thrown in to spice things up.

Subjects taught include drill, guard duty, dress parade, military courtesy, cooking food and generally surviving in the field, how to pack for the field, weapons safety and maintenance, skirmish drill, the correct way to wear the uniform, etc. These subjects are not very different from what might be taught as a refresher course at any National Guard unit on any given weekend today, but we also teach our troops how to present the image of a Civil War soldier to the public at National Parks and elsewhere – to properly and appropriately do honor to their memory.

This past weekend we conducted our school at the firehouse in Gettysburg. From all reports from attendees, it was a success.  They learned a great deal, and will be able to pass that knowledge on to the soldiers in their respective smaller units – and that’s what it’s all about.

To the members of the National Regiment who were there, and to the NR membership everywhere, my cap is off to you, and I’m proud to be one of you.

Instruction in changing of the guard between posts

NR senior officer teaching classroom battalion drill before going outside to execute maneuvers

The 2010 calendar is rapidly filling up.  I have over the past month or so been gathering dates for various lectures and author events.  The entire list will be posted on my web site soon, but it isn’t complete yet.

The year is filled with exciting events, including book signings, book fairs, talks at various collectors groups and Civil War Round Tables, a photography project at the Gettysburg National Park, a book tour in the United Kingdom (May 1 – 16), and taking part in the Gettysburg Festival (June 18-27).  In addition, Civil War Round Tables have asked that I present my most recent talk, “Relax Men, It’s Only the President! – Lincoln’s Approach to Personal Security,” on several dates in 2011.

Follow Me to Glory - The Crimean War

The Gettysburg Conspiracy - The American Civil War and Abraham Lincoln

Crimean Memories: Artefacts of the Crimean War

I’m looking forward to two full years of book promotion, rich with opportunities to talk to folks about the Crimean War, the American Civil War, Gettysburg, and Abraham Lincoln.  It appears the most difficult part will be finding the time to research and write the third novel in the Ian Carlyle Series, “The Ear Collector,” and work on publishing an extraordinary diary of a Crimean War Scots Fusilier Guards soldier – a project long overdue.

Lord Abinger seated second row left. Can you identify the others?

A very close friend of mine has given me a challenge, and I am passing it on to you. He sent me the photographic image you see with this blog.  It is a group of what appear to be American Civil War officers, one British observer officer (Diced headband on his forage cap), and possibly two other observers or American officers in civilian clothing lying down in front.

My friend is the archivist for the Scots Guards at Wellington Barracks in London. The British chap in the image is Lord Abinger (William F. Scarlett, 3rd Baron Abinger, Lt. Col., Scots Fusilier Guards – former name of the Scots Guards).  The image is purported to have been taken at Falmouth, Virginia, in 1863. The challenge is to identify the officers and others in civilian clothing appearing with Lord Abinger in the image.

Can you assist in this worthy cause ?

The Baltimore Plot by Michael Kline

I wrote a few days ago about a plot to kill Lincoln in Baltimore in February 1861.  What I failed to mention is a fine book on the subject entitled, oddly enough, “The Baltimore Plot,” by Michael Kline. It was most compelling to me because Kline is an attorney, and approaches the alleged plot from an investigative/intelligence perspective, which you do not see much in history books.

I found the book fascinating and exactly what Michael Kline said it was – - an in-depth investigative look at circumstantial evidence surrounding the possibility of a plot. As a former investigator myself, I found Kline’s methodology, analysis, and information gathering both interesting and thorough.

He admits that his analysis is rather circumstantial, as there are no witnesses to interview, there are no confessions, and written documents differ and contradict.  What Kline did was very much like what is done in the intelligence community today when analyzing bits and pieces of unsubstantiated data from sources of varying reliability.  Kline does a masterful job of pulling those bits and pieces together to make reasonable inferences and conclusions.

Other than going back in time, as I’m certain Kline (and I) would love to do, his analysis is as good as it gets. I personally agree that there is a high probability of a plot having existed, and who the perpetrators were

I recommend the book to anyone interested in Lincoln, the causes and political machinations of the Civil War, or anyone who wants to view an excellent word picture of those turbulent times.

Allan Pinkerton with his detectives (Seated on right)

So now Pinkerton, armed with the information his operatives developed, could piece together the plan of the subversive group to assassinate Lincoln in Baltimore on 23 February 1861.  It revealed itself something like this:

First they would excite the citizens of Baltimore to a fever pitch against Lincoln, which wouldn’t take much doing.  By the time Pinkerton heard the details of the plot, this part of the plan was already a success.

The conspirators had to decide if they would attack at Calvert Street Station when Lincoln arrived, during the trip from Calvert Street to the Washington Station where he would board the train for Washington, or at the Washington Station itself.  The decision was to assassinate Lincoln upon his arrival in Baltimore.

Crowd waiting for Lincoln at Calvert Street Station, Baltimore

They would salt the crowd waiting for the President Elect at Calvert Street Station with a large number of unruly secessionists.  It was reported that Colonel Kane, the Chief of Police of Baltimore, was either in on the plot or tacitly approved of it.  In any event, he was to assign only a small detachment of police to escort Lincoln, and make a path for him through the crowd.

The conspirators would create a diversion on the fringe of the crowd.  The police would respond to the diversion, leaving Lincoln at the mercy of the angry crowd.  Within the crowd would be the assassin, who would then kill Lincoln.  The weapon was to be left to the assassin to choose – knife or gun.

The assassin would be selected by a secret drawing of ballots.  The conspirator who drew a “red ballot” would do the deed, but his identity would only be known to himself, because the drawing would take place in a darkened room.

Apparently, however, there were concerns over this plan among the leadership of the conspirators.  What if the would-be assassin had second thoughts?  They would lose their chance to kill Lincoln.  In the event, eight red ballots were included, rather than one.  The thought being, one must presume, that with eight conspirators drawing a red ballot, each thinking he was the only one, at least one of them would succeed in the assassination.

There was to be a ship anchored in Chesapeake Bay waiting to whisk the assassin, or assassins, away.  It was not a bad plan, and might well have succeeded, had it been executed.

Pinkerton acted quickly once he had confirmed the threat.  He sent Kate Warne to arrange a meeting with Lincoln through Norman Judd, a Lincoln confidant, who was travelling with him.  Pinkerton, Judd, Lincoln and Warne met in Philadelphia on 21 February 1865.  Pinkerton and Judd presented the evidence to Lincoln, who was initially unconvinced.  He declined to alter his schedule.

However, independent of the investigation of Pinkerton, William H. Seward, the Secretary of State, had developed information about a plot to assassinate Lincoln in Baltimore, which seemed to corroborate Pinkerton’s evidence.  He sent his son, Frederick, to report this evidence to Lincoln.

With this corroborating evidence, Lincoln agreed to alter his schedule, but insisted that he meet his commitments in Harrisburg before he would place himself in Pinkerton’s hands.  On 22 February 1865, Lincoln left a dinner in Harrisburg early and boarded a special train to Washington by way of Baltimore.  This would allow Lincoln to pass through Baltimore at night, the day before Lincoln’s scheduled arrival.

To further disguise Lincoln, Pinkerton had him wear a soft cap and carry a shawl over his arm as though he were an invalid.  In addition, Kate Warne acted publically as though she was Lincoln’s sister.  Pinkerton had his men at stations along the train route.  As the train approached they would signal with a lantern that all was well.

Pinkerton pulled it off.  The conspirators slept as Lincoln journeyed through Baltimore without incident, arriving in Washington safe and sound.

On the other hand, when the story came out, especially in Harper’s Weekly, Lincoln was roundly criticized for “slinking” into Washington for his inauguration, wearing a disguise.

Lincoln allegedly "slinking" into Washington

Cartoon version of Lincoln's soft cap and shawl

There are certainly scholars who dispute this story, and even Ward Hill Lamon, Lincoln’s staunch friend and self-appointed bodyguard disputes Pinkerton’s veracity to a degree.  However, there is also a body of evidence to support the account.  Perhaps we will never know for certain, but it sure makes one heck of a yarn.

This tale begins with the State of Maryland seething with dissension.  Pro-slavery factions were bubbling over with new members.  Groups like The Knights of the Golden Circle, and the National Volunteers had established cells in Baltimore, and set up training camps in Virginia to drill would-be soldiers.  There was talk in taverns and secret meetings of destroying northern railroad property, tracks, and bridges, to disrupt the Federal government in the name of the Southern Cause.

Pinkerton's Logo

Allen Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency, whose symbol was a single open eye, a “private eye” if you will, was thriving in Chicago.  He was known for his innovative investigative techniques, and was considered one of the top detectives in the country.

Having heard rumors of such antagonistic groups, the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad hired Pinkerton to identify and investigate these dissident groups, with an end goal of protecting railroad property and interests.  He was authorized to take with him a team of detectives.

Allan Pinkerton

By early February, 1861, Pinkerton was using undercover agents in Baltimore to gather information.  To their surprise, they uncovered a possible plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, the President Elect.  The bare bones information indicated that the plot would be executed in Baltimore, as the President Elect passed through on the way to Washington for his inauguration.

With the approval of his railroad employers, Pinkerton set about on an audacious plan to flesh out this information and act to neutralize the plot.  He would employ three trusted covert operatives using the cover that they were southerners from New Orleans or Charleston.  Pinkerton, himself, would be with them as lead operative and coordinator, under the alias “Mister Hutchinson” (No relative … anyway, mine’s Hutchison.)

A “Mister Howard” would target the gentry of Baltimore, many who publically expressed radical pro-slavery views. We don’t know his real name to this day, but he was reported to have been extremely good at his job.  Before long Baltimore society had accepted him as that handsome devil, “Howard from New Orleans.”

The middle classes of Baltimore, and the subversive groups, were to be infiltrated by Timothy Webster.  That was his real name.  In an unrelated covert operation later in the war, he was caught and hanged as a spy.  In this operation, he succeeded in joining one of these groups and, in fact, drilled with them at a training camp in Virginia.

Pinkerton’s last operative was a quantum visionary leap in investigative work.  He chose a woman, Kate Warne, but no ordinary woman.  Pinkerton had hired her as a detective – unheard of in the mid-19^th century – and she was good.  In fact, Pinkerton later made her his Female Superintendent of Detectives.  She went along on some missions with him as his wife.  Rumors of a romance were never proven, but they were buried side by side.

As a credit to her skill, she was eventually named one of the five best detectives in America.  In this operation, she was to gain acceptance by Baltimore society, to compliment and support the work done by “Howard of New Orleans.”

Reported to be Captain Cipriano Ferrandini, in later years

In only a matter of weeks, Pinkerton and his operatives were amazingly successful.  By mid-February, they had identified the groups involved and many of the key players.  One in particular stood out.  A captain in the Knights of the Golden Circle, Cipriano Ferrandini was of Italian decent, and strongly favored political assassination with a knife to gain his ends, and overthrow a disliked government.

One of Pinkerton’s operatives is reported to have introduced him, as Mister Hutchinson, to Ferrandini in a tavern in Baltimore.  It was well known that Lincoln was to come through Baltimore enroute to Washington and his inauguration on February 23, 1861.  Ferrandini made it perfectly clear that Lincoln would die in Baltimore.

Pinkerton now had strong reason to believe this was a credible threat.  He knew he must report it to Lincoln before he took the train to Baltimore.

Tune in tomorrow for Part II, and find out the meaning of “The Red Ballot.”

OK – I fall on my sword!  Was that me who wrote that Gettysburg never got snow like I grew up with in New York?

Robbie - The Snow Dog. At two feet he wasn't so happy to frolic ... it was over his inquisitive little head.

The Weather Gods proved me wrong – go figure. At my house we had over twenty inches the first go-round, and expect 8-10 more.  My plow guy didn’t get to us on his huge and demanding list until Sunday night, so I’ve been snowed in … imagine that.  You’d think that would give me lots of time to blog and Facebook, but it didn’t.

I chose to use the time to tackle a long-overdue a project.  I prepared a talk (PowerPoint) for Civil War Round Tables, and anyone else who will listen, on Lincoln’s personal security – or lack thereof. I became obsessed, and when that happens and I’m creating, I go into a bubble of intense focus until I’m satisfied with what I’m writing, photographing, or otherwise creating.

Work all night, sleep until noon, then back at it again … until it’s finished.  I made it, but it took a few days until I was pleased with the end result.  It timed beautifully with the snow.

When I research, or I should say, re-research an area of history, it is always fun, because each tid bit is like a new revelation.  Even if I knew it already somewhere in the historical archives in my mind – that quiet place I call my “history cave” – it’s still like picking up a bright new penny.  During this project, it was a piece of history that to me smacks of the stuff modern thrillers are made of … a real “24″ chair-grabber in the 1860s.

Abraham Lincoln

It has been called “The Baltimore Plot,” but should have been called “The Red Ballot.”  It is the story behind the assassination plot against Abraham Lincoln in February 1861, on his journey through Baltimore to his first inauguration in Washington.  This story has spies doing exceptional and dangerous undercover work, calamitous political intrigue, heros who save the day – indeed perhaps the country – in the nick of time, a romantic angle, and the strong ring of truth that resonates into our own time.

Are you intrigued yet ?  Well you’ll have to wait.  At least until tomorrow.  Then I’ll spin the “Tale of the Red Ballot.”

I thought rather than tell you the assortment of things we do in the US Marine Corps Historical Company (USMCHC), I’d take this opportunity to show you through these photographs, which basically speak for themselves:

USMCHC Marines presenting the history of the Corps

History of the Marine Corps - Commandant, Marine Corps, in center

USMCHC 1814 Marines at Ft McHenry where we partner with the NPS to do educational programming

1814 USMCHC Marine Cannoneers - This is our cannon. Marines did double duty in the early days. Marines here are in fatigue dress.

GySgt Tom Williams talking to visitors - Harpers Ferry NHP

1861 USMCHC Marines at Manassas National Battlefield Park, where we also have a partnership

USMCHC Specialist firing a WWII flame thrower, as used in Windtalkers & Flags of Our Fathers

LtGen Ron Christmas chatting with USMCHC Marines at opening of Marine Corps Museum - Quantico

Talking to visitors about the historic Marine Band uniforms the USMCHC just had produced for the Marine Band

USMCHC Marines on board the USS North Carolina giving presentation of WWII Ships Detachment Marines

Normal dress for USMCHC interpreters when presenting educational programs not requiring period uniforms, which is more the norm today. We gear our method of interpretation to the audience and often find not being in period uniform a benefit.

Our active duty Marines often interpret to the public in their own modern uniforms. This is a WWII display at Solomons, MD

1814 USMCHC Marines on firing line at Ft McHenry in full dress.

USMCHC Marines portraying Spanish American War Marines to duplicate a famous photograph of the period

USMCHC Teaching repelling and leadership to JROTC

Early uniform display at the Marine Corps Commandant's House, at his request.

OK.  I guess there is interest in the US Marine Corps Historical Company (USMCHC).  I’ve been off the net a few days, but received comments on Facebook and by email.

John Brown - Patriot or Terrorist?

This year our largest combined program was a two-weekend, back-to-back set of events at Harpers Ferry.  The first weekend was supporting the annual commemoration at the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park of the famous John Brown Raid in mid-October 1859.  We presented “At All Times Ready,” the Brown Raid “through the eyes of a Marine,” several times each day.

In this presentation we walk the audience, usually over a hundred visitors, through the raid.  We explain what led to the Marines being called out from Washington, what they faced on arrival, the Marine assault on the engine house (Perhaps the first hostage rescue operation-and a complete success), the capture of Brown, freeing of the hostages, and the aftermath.  We use Park volunteers in period dress, and even some of the unsuspecting audience, as hostages, and some of our friends from “Sykes Regulars,” who volunteer in the Park, as the raiders.  The Marines, of course, are portrayed by Marines.

The audience is left to decide for themselves if John Brown is a “patriot,” in the anti-slavery movement, or, regardless of his motives, and based on his raid, his kidnapping of citizens, and the murdering of innocent civilians – a “domestic terrorist.”  I think you can guess where the Marines might fall on this issue.

The following weekend at the Park was dedicated solely to the US Marine Corps, in memory of Private Luke Quinn, the Marine who was killed during the raid.  After a year of planning, with the US Marine Corps, the USMCHC, and the Harpers Ferry NHP entering into a mutually supportive partnership, this full weekend program was brought together.

The Quantico Marine Band. They are in MarPat utilities because it rained most of the weekend.

We brought in around thirty active duty Marines, who we kitted as 1859 Marines, or who were in modern uniforms at our extensive display of the history of Marine weaponry, uniforms, and equipment.  These Marines augmented our own USMCHC staff.  We also brought in the Quantico Marine Band.  The displays and band were set up in a large NHP tent behind the famous engine house where the raid took place.

Talks were given visitors at the Marine Corps historical displays, the amazing Quantico Band played concerts, and the 1859 Marines presented “At All Times Ready,” at various times throughout the weekend.

The program culminated in a parade by the band and the 1859 Marines, followed by a moving commemoration and wreath dedication to Private Luke Quinn.  The Park Superintendent, Rebecca Harriett, and Dennis Frye, Chief of Interpretation and Education, spoke to introduce Lieutenant General G.R. Christmas, the keynote speaker, who gave a moving address to the crowd of hundreds present.

Wreath for Pvt Luke Quinn - Active duty SSgt Shane Lisowski, left, and MGySgt William Browne, Drum Major, President's Own Marine Band, right. SSgt Lisowski is wearing the 1859 Dress Blue uniform, and MGySgt Browne is wearing modern Dress Blues for the ceremony.

As an interesting high note: Present as a guest of the USMCHC during both these weekends was the Drum Major of the President’s Own Marine Band, Master Gunnery Sergeant William L. Browne.  In accordance with his wishes, he was dressed as a Sergeant of 1859 for most of the proceedings.  His reason was simple.  He was commemorating Sergeant John Roach.  Sergeant Roach, although appointed as the Drum Major of the Marine Band, volunteered to accompany the Marines sent to Harpers Ferry, and is reported to have been one of the Marines who hauled John Brown out of the engine house as a prisoner.  Hence in our presentations, MGySgt Browne filled the role of his predecessor, John Roach.

USMCHC's unbelievably efficient support team - They made it all work

USMCHC 1859 Marines on parade

USMCHC 1859 Marines marching

Sketch of Marines assaulting engine house - Harpers Ferry 1859

USMCHC walking the visitors through the assault on the engine house step-by-step

Park volunteers portraying Browne’s Raiders