Battle of Nashville Bullets Found

In Livingston, Tennessee an antique dealer sold me these four Civil War bullets. He told me that he had bought them from a 90 year old collector who had dug these with a metal detector near Nashville before the property was commercially developed in the 1970s.

The 90 year old told him that these were most likely part of the Battle of Nashville which was fought on December 15–16, 1864. Union (Federal) troops defeated the Confederate Army of Tennessee and marked the end of major Confederate offensives in the Western theater during the Civil War. For now these bullets will reside in Iowa's 42N territory.

Wreaths Across America and Other Memorials at Stone River National Cemetery December 2017

Today is the 155th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Stones River in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Last week I visited the battlefield to see an adopted Iowa soldier's grave, Christian Brenner. He died following the Battle of Nashville and was later interred at Stones River.

Wreaths Across America, the national organization provides balsam wreaths with hand tied red bows for veteran's graves at participating cemeteries like the Stones River National Cemetery. This year was the second time that I have seen the wreaths placed, in part, within the Murfreesboro landmark.

According to the organization's website their goal is to annually provide wreaths to veterans' graves at all U.S. related cemeteries.

While Wreaths Across America provides a substantial amount of wreaths for Stone River, there is a budget and therefore not all graves receive a wreath. Knowing that Christian Brenner's grave (number 271) is located about two thirds the way from the entrance, his grave doesn't receive an annual wreath. So the 42N team purchased decorative white pine cones and placed them on his grave, having not been able to find a wreath at local floral stores on the day we visited. Nearby another Iowa veteran, I. Harrington, is also buried.  The team placed a white pine cone on his grave too.

The Day After Christmas at Stone's River

This is what the day after Christmas looks like at the Stone's River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Seven months ago I re-visited the site to further understand the grounds and what happened there during the Civil War. Outside of the first class interpretive center visitors will find several well cared for trails. This tree lined path in the park is devoid of signs and monuments but highlights the season during the golden hour with greens and reds. To complement this quiet scene is what the national cemetery located across the park's entrance becomes during the holiday season. See a future blog post.

A Stone's River Battlefield Cannon Study

A big draw for this Midwesterner is visiting any Civil War battlefield. In this case the reward is spending time in the Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I have been fortunate to visit it briefly twice now. The park consists of two sections. The battlefield and the national cemetery.

Park officials have placed chicken wire down the cannon to prevent animals and small children from crawling in.

I plan to visit the park again, educate myself on its history and showcase more of it.

Remembrance Day Gettysburg - Iowa Connection

This year is the 153rd anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address delivered at the dedication ceremony of Soldiers' National Cemetery. Remembrance Day is an annual event to reflect upon the Gettysburg battle, watch modern reenactors parade through Gettysburg and hear Lincoln's famous speech. While I have detailed the Iowa connection before in the 42N blog (post here), today's anniversary of the Lincoln speech (actually it was yesterday) served as a reminder to re-photograph the monument in the Lisbon, Iowa cemetery before the winter snows come.

I submitted a story idea to the Cedar Rapids Gazette some time ago for their Sunday column about area history. The reporter did a great job in crafting the story of how the boulder got from the battlefield to Lisbon, Iowa. It is only one of two boulders to have been removed from the Gettysburg battlefield for display purposes. Read the Gazette article here.

Iowa Union Soldier Christian Brenner Buried in Tennessee

I visited Stone's River National Battlefield where Union and Confederate forces fought on December 31, 1862 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Across the road from the battlefield park is the National Cemetery where 6,100 Union soldiers are interred among others. While many of those buried in the cemetery are from the battle, several other buried dead are from area battles or other time periods up to the modern day.

On the white headstone markers are the names of the soldier and the State where he was from. I sought out my state, Iowa since that's where 42N Observations is based. Near a small tree in Lot L, a marker (number 271) stands for the Union soldier Christian Brenner, who served in Iowa 5th Cavalry, Company C. He died on Christmas day, 1864.

From web research on the unit and its history, Christian fought in the Battle of Anthony's Hill (also known as the Battle of King's Hill) just south of Pulaski, Tennessee, two years after the Stone's River battle. Christian was born in 1835 in Hancock County, Ohio. At the time of his death he was married to Sarah J and had one daughter, Mary C. Brenner. The family lived in Clarinda, Iowa. Christian enlisted as a Private on September 28, 1861 at the age of 26 and was mustered on Oct. 2, 1861. He re-enlisted and re-mustered January 14, 1864. Christian transferred to Company C, Fifth Veteran Cavalry Consolidated, on August 8, 1864.

Christian Brenner was killed during the Pulaski battle as the Union troops pursued the fleeing Army of Tennessee following the Battle of Nashville. There is a summary on that battle here. Brenner was initially buried near Pulaski (Giles County, Tennessee) and later re-interred at Stone's River National Cemetery with other soldiers who died at the Pulaski battle. The Iowa 5th Cavalry lost 20 men during the skirmishes around Pulaski.

Brenner served just over three years in the Iowa 5th Cavalry. That unit was involved in several major battles in the western theater and would later conclude in Selma. Following the end of the war, the unit was stationed in Atlanta and Nashville during August 1865 before traveling to Clinton, Iowa where the unit was disbanded.

Daniel Sampson - Union Soldier

Old cemeteries are fascinating – especially small country cemeteries. Such is the case for Hazel Knoll Cemetery in Jones County, Iowa. The bulk of this property is a hillside dotted with various stone monuments and traditional grave markers. There are several Civil War era soldiers buried here. However one grave stands out. Near the top of the hill and off to the side is a metal grave marker for soldier Daniel Sampson. His marker states that he was part of the Iowa 6th Cavalry,Company K. Internet research turned up that Daniel enlisted in the Army on Oct. 21, 1862. This regiment was mustered out at Sioux City. Nov. 17, 1865. He was listed as a wagoner.

He was a Confederate Soldier - John H. Walthall

Here in Iowa the default view found in many area cemeteries is a mixture of generations including those who fought in wars. For the most part Civil War related soldiers and sailors who are buried in Iowa are identified as having fought for the Union. Their graves typically include a bronze Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) fraternal star along with a military headstone.

Things are different just a few states away in Tennessee. There you can find cemeteries with markers of soldiers who fought for the South under the Stars and Bars. Such is the case in this Monroe, Tennessee country cemetery located just a few miles from the Kentucky border.

John H. Walthall’s gravestone is inscribed with the description, “He was a Confederate Soldier” on the south facing portion of the marker. The Stars and Bars flag was flying close to John’s grave on the day we visited the cemetery in search of a different family lineage. In fact there were probably another four or five tiny flags marking where Confederate soldiers are buried. As I recall all of those soldiers lived several years after the war.

In Iowa, I have seen the Confederate battle flag flying over a few gravesites in Iowa’s only National Cemetery located in Keokuk. During the Civil War the Mississippi River town established five hospitals to care for the wounded from both sides. When Southern soldiers perished at the Keokuk hospitals they were buried near their Union cousins in what would become known as the Keokuk National Cemetery.

I’m guessing that scores of former Southern soldiers came to Iowa after the war, lived their lives and are buried here. Perhaps their southern military identification was suggested to be left off their headstones by surviving family members who wanted to just move on with their lives rather than inflame. Its an interesting subject to explore further.

Fr. John C Grim - 28th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers - More Research Needed

Southwest of Stone City, Iowa, the place that artist Grant Wood immortalized on canvas is a very small and old cemetery. Recently at that location I spotted a number of small US flags still in place almost a month after Independence Day. I came across this headstone of a Civil War vet named, Father John Conrad Grim. His service in the 28th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers is noted in this more recent headstone. Many stones of that era (turn of the century) are made of marble, and years of weather erosion have nearly erased most of the information. Whether that is the case for Fr. Grim's original stone is for further research.

The 28th Regiment, according to this website was involved in many famous battles including Antietam, Bull Run, Chattanooga, Kennesaw and of course Gettysburg. The regiment also was present for General Johnston's army surrender. It's not clear when Fr. Grim came into the regiment but the possibility that he participated in these historic campaigns raises some interesting research possibilities.

Somber Look for a Union Soldier After Battle

A Union soldier actor after a battle reenactment said he enjoys participating in these mock battles on weekends. The actors pay their own way, buy their own uniform and accessories and commit much time in the summer to traveling to reenactment battles. His next one is in the middle of July in northeast Iowa. On this day he was in Nashua, Iowa adjacent to the famous Little Brown Church in the Vale.

Old Bradford Pioneer Village Charmer

 

At the Old Bradford Pioneer Village near Nashua, Iowa surprises are abundant. Near the relocated train depot, an Illinois Central caboose is on display for anyone to visit. On this occasion a young Illinois resident climbed aboard the caboose to be a model for her mother's photography.

 

 

Illinois Central 9967 was donated to the Pioneer Village a number of years ago and is in general good condition despite needing a good exterior cleaning.

 

 

Dressed in Civil War era style clothing the girl played near the caboose while her father changed from his reenactment gear.

 

 

Before her three hour car ride back to the Quad Cities on Sunday afternoon, the caboose charmer showed off her endless somersault skills. Her display of tumble after tumble would most likely cause adults some discomfort.

President Lincon Requests 'Dixie' Played at Civil War Reenactment in Keokuk, Iowa

 

President Lincoln's favorite song was "Dixie." At the 28th annual and final Civil War reenactment in Keokuk, Iowa on April 26, 2015, the president requested the song and clapped along. Abe Lincoln is actor Max Daniels of Wheaton, Illinois who has played the 16th president for several years and is well known in the Midwest. His website is here.

The band was made up of Union and Confederate players who proudly played the last song following the final reenactment of Civil War battles staged in Keokuk.

A Light Moment Before Battle

 

"Confederate" soldiers amass at Rand Park before the Battle of Appomattox in Keokuk, Iowa. These troops represented infantry elements from Kentucky and Tennessee for this reenactment battle - the 28th annual and final reenactment staged in Keokuk. Most of the players hailed from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Keokuk's Battle of Appomattox Ends Reenactment Series after 28 Years

A deeply sorrowed 'President Lincoln' watches the final surrender ceremonies at Keokuk, Iowa's Rand Park this past Sunday. The reenactment featured the replay of the Battle of Appomattox and the surrender of General Lee. Following the ceremony, actors from both sides resumed their normal personalities. Mr. Lincoln (who is played by Max Daniels of Wheaton, IL) posed with many audience members for selfies and group photos.

Keokuk's tourism board decided to not go forward with the Civil War series due to dwindling audience attendance, aging reenactment member population and the lack of younger members joining the players community. At Sunday's reconstructed battle a crowd of 300 or so people looked on to experience the sights and sounds of soldiers, horses, canons, guns, tents, bands and of course the Lincolns.

Memorial's Decoration Day - Iowa Veterans Home

Observance of Memorial Day began as Decoration Day in the South following the Civil War. Today this granite statue of that conflict stands in series of tributes to the Spanish American War and World War I at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. To all who served, thank you.

Lest We Forget Our Boys of 1861-1865

Many older local cemeteries in northern states are populated with this statue or a variation. Civil War era veterans are often buried close to their local version of this monument. Several of these statues were placed in cemeteries and dedicated in the 1920s or earlier. 

This particular soldier monument rests on a granite base and decorated with four GAR markers and tiny US flags at its corners.

Snowy GAR Gravesite

Last week's snow almost buried the headstone of a veteran of the Civil War and Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) member in a small cemetery south of Lisbon, Iowa. The GAR, a fraternal and political organization dissolved after the last living Civil War vet passed, however GAR is supported today by other groups dedicated to preserving the gravesites of Civil War veterans. This particular grave is located close to the authentic Gettysburg Battlefield boulder which was officially secured and transported to Lisbon's cemetery in 1916.

Union Calvary Rides in Henry County, Illinois

Union Calvary rides on a granite monument located on the Henry County, Illinois courthouse property in Cambridge. Like so many veteran-themed statues North or South found throughout the land, the sculptures are often singular, usually a sole Civil War era soldier or sailor standing at rest. This relief featuring a horse is rare in these parts. Because it is made of granite and because it faces east, the relief remains in remarkable condition for being a hundred years old. Seek these monuments out. They are excellent photo targets and you might even learn something of the town and its people. Know that.

Gettysburg Battlefield Boulder in Lisbon, Iowa

Its hard to believe that not everything in the world lies on the 42 North parallel. However within just a few degrees either way of the famous latitude there are actually more interesting people, things and places.

Located in nearby Lisbon, Iowa (41.92 N, 91.39 W) is something from half a country away. In 1916 the Womans Relief Corps obtained a large boulder from the Gettysburg, PA (39.83N, 77.23 W) battlefield and had it moved to eastern Iowa's Lisbon Cemetery. The apx. five foot tall boulder is sheltered from the elements and contains a bronze plaque. The battlefield remnant is made of the same rocky material as the current day stone walls found around the historic battlefield. At the base of this stone are bronze markers with the names of America's wars.

Just a few feet away is this concrete triangular base. I suspect it held 10 canon balls like those found at many military displays. Either that or its a buried golf ball from Dwight Eisenhower who maintained a house adjacent to the battlefield and was known to play much golf after serving as President. Know that.