September

. . . and where has the time gone?

This summer has been another of great transitions. . . . We do not change easily; we must be jerked from the ground sometime. I have learned to trust God when I do not have the answers. Our lives are spent learning to trust God.

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So many wonderful things are happening. Lone Chimney Films will debut The Road to Valhalla on November 2 in Newton. I was so proud to be one of the on-camera historians for this important piece of Kansas and American history. With appearances by Buck Taylor and Michael Martin Murphey, music by Jed Marum, all springing forth from the scholarship and vision of friend Ken Spurgeon, it will be a documentary that stands the test of time. Watch the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVavY4-DfNw

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This weekend marks the Kansas Book Festival and Michelle Martin will be here Thursday when she closes up shop at the Little House on the Prairie. We will present to a class at Washburn Rural High School on Friday, attend the reception at the Governor's Mansion on Friday night, and the Book Festival on Saturday at the Kansas Statehouse! Here is the lineup of distinguished authors: http://kansasbookfestival.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/program-2013.pdf

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A chance to pair once again with Wideawake Films and be a part of their exhibit and reenactment of the issuing of Order # 11. Visit Commerce Bank at 10th and Walnut in Kansas City. Their Box Gallery is outstanding. The exhibit is excellent and I was proud to speak, along with fellow historian the incredible orator, Ralph Monaco. Visit when you get a chance. I believe the exhibit is up through October. On September 14, there will be a reenactment of the execution of Order # 11, where families in western Missouri were put off their farms and exiled.

The extraordinarily gifted photographer Bob Szabo made this wet plate photo of my addressing the crowd in front of the Pacific House on Delaware Street in Kansas City. General Thomas Ewing, brother-in-law and foster brother of William T. Sherman, issued Order # 11 on August 25, 1863, in response to Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence.

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I have so many reviews to get to. Jenny Lasala sent me a wonderful book about her dad's military service, Comes a Soldier's Whisper. It's wonderful. Charlie Lesueur sent me his audio cds on western movie cowboys which are absolutely awesome! I have a couple of other books to get to as well. Maybe the fall will bring more time for reading and writing. Oh, and along the way this summer, I won an Arty Award for Literature. It was presented by my good friend, Diana Friend, of the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library. Sarah Fizell, head of Arts Connect, said:

We give a literary award because we believe that Topeka has a rich history of literary involvement that is deserving of recognition. Deb was given the award because of her promotion of the history of our state, her involvement in our community and, well, because she is so very awesome!!! 

Well, there is just a lot of awesomeness going around in our community. Speaking of which, here is a photo of me with my friend Michelle Levian that night. She is most remarkable!

Prairie Roses

 My dear  friend, June Windscheffel ( below left, photo by Topeka Capital Journal photographer Thad Alton), was honored by the American Business Women's Association last week. It was a lovely tribute to a woman that makes everyone feel like they are the most special person she has ever known. I am blessed to call her my friend! She has long been an advocate for history and came to our book launch party in February. She is a long-time member of the Westerners and is always laughing and learning! We love  you, June!!!!

Friday evening, I headed to Wichita for Lone Chimney Films next production -- The Road to Valhalla. I attended Ken Spurgeon's booksigning at Northfield School where he teaches and coaches. His book, just released by the History Press, is A Kansas Soldier at War: The Civil War Letter os Christian and Elise Dubach Isley. Ken is the best thing to happen to Kansas history since Lewis and Clark.

The Prairie Rose Chuckwagon, just outside Wichita, was the location for our filming on Saturday. Old friends Joe Houts and Paul Stuewe were the other "talking heads." It was great to visit with Joe and Noreen and they brought a bottle of wine with them as a wedding gift for Gary and me. (Yes, we have our third anniversary in May but keep the gifts coming!)

Other than being fed and feted like rockstars, the best part of this gig was visiting with the legendary Orin Friesen. We have so many friends in common and have been Facebook friends for a while, but this was the first opportunity to really visit. We talked music, music legends, cowboy movies, "Home on the Range," mutual buds -- it was a great time! Bonus: A copy of "Tales from the Trail" by the Prairie Rose Rangers. Orin's son, Jesse, proves he is his father's son with some fine picking and vocals. Kim Coslett and Jolynn MacIntyre round out this talented foursome.

While Joe and Paul were filmed in the rather cool room just off the greatroom at the Prairie Rose, the boys kindly built a fire for me. Being a girl has its advantages.

Looking Back

Stumbled across this image today and just decided to share it, especially in light of the fact that Ken Spurgeon is hard at work on the third of his trilogy on the Border War, Road to Valhalla. Ken is on the left, back row, along with Nathan Miller and Jon Goering; front, Drew Gomber and  Fred Chiaventone (with the ever-present coffee cup). I, of course, am smack-dab in the middle. Looking forward to this new project!

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Today is the birthday of John P. Hatch. . . .

John P. Hatch, in all honesty, is not one of my favorite people. As part of the occupying army in the South following the war, he was rather arrogant. Nonetheless, I found this on the Arlington Cemetery site: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jphatch.htm

It's very interesting and worth the read.

 

GENERAL JOHN P. HATCH DIES FROM HEART DISEASE

Served in the Mexican, Indian, and Civil Wars
A Descendant of Major Porter, An Aide de Camp on Benedict Arnold’s Staff
NEW YORK, New York, April 14, 1901 – Brevet Brigadier General John Porter Hatch died at his home, 202 West One Hundred and Third Street, late Friday night. He had suffered for some time from heart disease. He retired early in the evening and was found dead in bed about 11 o’clock. General Hatch was born in Oswego, New York, January 8, 1822, and was a descendant of Major Moses Porter, aide-de-camp on the staff of General Benedict Arnold at the battle of Saratoga. His ancestors came to this country in 1634. General Hatch was graduated at the West Point Academy and was appointed a Lieutenant in the Third United States Infantry July 1, 1845. He reported for duty with his regiment at Corpus Christi, under General Taylor, in October of that year, and engaged in the battle of Palo Alto. He was one of the only two surviving officers of Palo Alto, the other being General Lawrence V. Graham of Washington. He took part in every important battle of the Mexican War, and especially distinguished himself at Vera Cruz and in fighting before the City of Mexico, being brevetted three times for gallantry. At the close of the Mexican War he was assigned to duty in New Mexico, in 1857 was sent against the Apache Indians and in the next year against the Navajos. This campaign was distinguished for being the first in which the Navajos had ever used rifles, their weapons before having always been bows and arrows and tomahawks. In 1859, with twenty-five men, General Hatch escorted the Governor of Missouri from New Mexico, where he was visiting, back to Missouri, there way lying through the country of the hostile Comanches, who were then fighting the Government. At the outbreak of the Civil War General Hatch was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers and commanded a brigade in the first battle of Bull Run. Subsequently he commanded a division in General Banks’ army and went with him through the Shenandoah Valley. General “Stonewall”Jackson, the famous Confederate leader, in several of his works, has given credit to General Hatch for saving Banks’ corps from annihilation on this expedition. At the second battle of Bull Run General Hatch led a charge against the railroad embankment behind which were a large force of Confederates, and was shot in the head, but recovered. At the battle of South Mountain, Maryland, September 14, 1862, where he commanded a division, he was shot in the leg after leading his own soldiers, and for his gallantry was awarded a gold medal by Congress. This wound compelled his retirement from active service for five months and after that he did court-martial work in connection with recruiting until 1864, when he was assigned to the Army of the South. He took part in the operations against Charlestown and with his division occupied this city after its fall. He cooperated with General Sherman in his march to the sea, having charge of what was known as the Coast Guard, a division of the Army that covered the extreme eastern flank of Sherman’s army. From that time on until the end of the war he served with Sherman, when he was sent first to Texas and then to Montana having charge of several different Government posts and engaging in a number of fights with Indians. He was retired under the age limit in 1886 and for the last ten years has lived in this city. He leaves a widow, a son, Mark B. Hatch of Washington and an unmarried daughter, who has lived with her parents. General Hatch was a member of the Foreign War Society, the Aztec Club of ’47, an association formed by the officers at the time of the occupancy of the city of Mexico, and was once President of the club. He was also a member of the Army of the Potomac Society, the Loyal Legion and Lafayette Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. His body, according to present arrangements, will be taken to Washington tomorrow and there interred in Arlington Cemetery.

Happy Birthday, Mary Lincoln

No one ever gave up so much for this country. No one was ever so unappreciated for it.

Mary Todd was born this day in 1818 in Lexington, Kentucky. The Todds were well-to-do, well-connected, everything Mary's future husband was not. Without her, he could not have been president. He needed someone with her skills to take the rough edges off of him. To her everlasting credit, she did see potential in this man. Others did as well, but it is one thing to recognize promising qualities; it is quite another to hitch your wagon to that promise.

I have been researching the lives of Mary Lincoln, and her Confederate counter part, Varina Davis, for more than ten years. I am writng a one-woman play based on Mary's life, and a dual biography of the two women. They are endlessly fascinating.

Take a moment today to reflect on Mary Todd Lincoln's gift to the United States -- the life of her husband. She gave up her privacy, her peace of mind, and her family, for this great nation. She did not always give freely, but she sacrificed much. (Above, Sally Field as Mary Lincoln)

Gen. Maxcy Gregg

On this day in 1862, Confederate Gen. Maxcy Gregg of South Carolina died as a result of wounds suffered at Fredericksburg. I have always found him a compelling figure, very bright, outspoken, a man of action. He was portrayed by our friend, Buck Taylor, in the movie, Gods and Generals. Buck will be coming back to Kansas to narrate the film by Ken Spurgeon and Lone Chimney, Road to Valhalla.

Cousin Dixie Lee Jackson

"Don't make me use my rolling pin!"

Cousin Dixie Lee Jackson is performing at the Topeka Performing Arts Center on Friday night at 7:30. Tickets are only $15 each and this is a fundraiser for Let's Help and the Topeka Rescue Mission. Y'all Come! And click on the link to Dixie Lee's blog.

So much going on these days it's hard to keep up! The biggy--don't miss Territorial Days at Lecompton, Kansas, this weekend. This is such a well-done event and a chance to explore historic Lecompton.

Also, tomorrow night, June 24, the documentary Bloody Dawn by our good friend, Ken Spurgeon, airs on PBS. Be sure and catch it! Also, I've lost weight since then!

On the air at www.RadioRichandFriends.com in just a few minutes.

Photo of Dixie Lee Jackson by Doug Ruth/TopekaTonight.com

Southern Belles, a Rerun

Michelle Martin and I were on the phone catching up for a while this morning and started reminiscing about our Glory Days (which are still in progress, I might add) and decided we're going to do a remake of our popular Homeland Security photo made 3 or 4 years ago at Mine Creek. Perhaps we'll get the chance at the Battle of Black Jack reenactment that's coming up. Yup, protecting our men in every era--that's us! (PS -- that's me with the shotgun!)

Michelle has been busy scouting shooting locations for NBC. I've been searching for experts on various topics for another film project. Gosh, we know some wonderful, creative people. Speaking of which, talked with Fred Chiaventone today (and his lovely and talented wife, Sharon). Fred's always full of projects and his book, Moon of Bitter Cold, will become a mini-series. Fred, as I have said before, is one of my top five favorite writers and Moon is one of my top five favorite books. The thought that these characters--Margaret Carrington, Jim Bridger, Red Cloud--will come to life on the big screen is so exciting I can hardly stand it! The same producers who were involved with Lonesome Dove are putting the project together which gives me great hopes it will done as well as the Larry McMurtry novel (one of the best screen adaptations ever).

Speaking of film projects, Ken Spurgeon of Lone Chimney Films checked in today. His kids were competing at History Day here in Topeka. He said that the film Bloody Dawn, which includes moi, as well as Fred Chiaventone and Michelle Martin, will air on PBS soon. Will keep you posted.

Back when Bloody Dawn was being filmed, some of the shooting was done at my house. On the patio, front row: Drew Gomber (of Wild West Tech Fame); me, Fred Chiaventone; back row: Ken Spurgeon, Nathan Miller, and Jon Goering.

Tonight, headed for a "Barn Party" in Lawrence with dear friends and great music. . . if the tornadoes don't get the best of us. Betty Lou Pardue just cancelled on our plans because she got called into the TV station.

Life can be pretty darned exciting.

Wamego

Cheryl and I braved the cold tonight (I think it bottomed out at minus 6) and headed west to the hamlet of Wamego, home of the Columbian Theater and Ramblers Steak House. At the latter we enjoyed the company of the townsfolk before heading over for the screening of "Bloody Dawn." There was a capacity crowd and great discussion. We enjoyed seeing Kelly Fein whose husband, Joel, was a producer of the film but died before it was completed. It is dedicated to his memory.

Cheryl snapped this photo of my selling books along with Amy Spurgeon and her lovely daughter.

A highlight of the evening was Missouri "Puke" Ed Hoover heckling Senator Jim Lane. Between heckles, Ed demonstrated his 1850s era printing press and the Sharps carbine that went along with operating a press. It was dangerous business to be an editor in those days. Above right, Ed defends his first amendment rights against a young man armed with a pepperbox pistol.

The next showing of "Bloody Dawn" will be in Lincoln, KS, during the annual Lincoln Days. Tom and I will be there along with the film's director, Ken Spurgeon, and historian Marla Matkin. Our friends and neighbors Herschel and Jacque Stroud will be there as Abe and Mary Lincoln. Herschel is not quite as tall as the 16th president, but makes up for it in personality! It should be a great weekend, February 15 - 16. See http://skyways.lib.ks.us/towns/Lincoln/abeday.html for more details.
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From the Civil War Listserve

(hosted by Andy Waskie)

Honor, Flag and Family:

Civil War Major General Samuel W. Crawford, 1827-1892
By Richard Wagner

Reviewed by Mike Burkhimer

There were only two Union soldiers who were present at both Fort Sumter and Appomattox Court House. They were Truman Seymour and Pennsylvania’s own Samuel W. Crawford. Both had long careers in the army and both were generals of some accomplishment. Both men are undeservedly obscure. Over a hundred years ago author Sydney George Fisher asked of Pennsylvania, “Was there ever a Commonwealth that produced so many eminent characters and was so indifferent to them?” Retired history teacher Richard Wagner attempts to remedy this with his For Honor, Flag, and Family: Civil War Major General Samuel W. Crawford, 1827-1892.
Wagner spent 12 years researching Crawford, and it shows. He has unearthed letters and diaries that have lain dormant for decades. The result is a biography that is a bit different from the usual ones of Civil War figures. It is unusually rich in personal details and background information. Wagner spends a good number of pages on Crawford’s early life and his relationship with his parents and siblings. Crawford had a close connection with his family. His younger brother Alex would even be his war-time aide. Crawford was born at the family home Allandale near Fayetteville in Franklin County to a father in the ministry. He never married and would return time and time again to his family home set in the beautiful mountains. The title of the book is very appropriate since Crawford’s family played such an active role in the choices he made throughout his life. Instead of following his father into the ministry, Samuel chose to help mankind by becoming a doctor. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania and was an excellent medical student. After graduation, the patriotic Crawford felt he should serve his country in the army and so became an army surgeon. He had a powerful intellect, but what some perceived as arrogance rubbed many the wrong way. This trait would unfortunately follow him into the army and cloud his reputation.After some years on the frontier he found himself assigned to be the post surgeon to about 80 men at Fort Moutltrie in Charleston harbor in 1860. He was present as an observer at the secession convention and watched hopelessly as hostile forces surrounded the fort. The commander Robert Anderson won his everlasting admiration when he showed the good judgment to withdraw to the more defensible Fort Sumter six days after secession. Crawford was there throughout the siege. When the Confederate forces finally bombarded the fort on April 12, 1861 Crawford did the very un-medical duty of commanding a cannon in one of the casemates firing back in the hopeless fight. Wagner covers this time in Crawford’s life very well, and one can almost feel the tension that Crawford must have felt waiting for the inevitable.Crawford transferred to the infantry after tasting combat when he returned to the North. He served briefly as an aide to General Rosecrans in the West Virginia campaign but was soon given command of a brigade. In his first action his brigade almost over-powered Stonewall Jackson’s whole force at Cedar Mountain. Eventually reinforcements drove him back, but he did well in his first combat command. At Antietam he suffered a controversial wound. He received a puncture wound from what probably was a shotgun blast in his thigh. Crawford left the field. Many criticized him for doing so because they thought the wound was too superficial. This was unfair because the wound would trouble him for the rest of his life.After spending some time recovering, Crawford was given command of the Pennsylvania Reserves Division. The division was itself recovering from heavy casualties during 1862 and was assigned to the quiet sector of Washington D.C. All of that changed with Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania. Crawford and his reserves were sent to the Army of the Potomac. The high-point of his career came at Gettysburg. Near the close of the second day of the battle, Union forces were being pushed out of the Wheatfield towards Little Round Top. Crawford’s division appeared on the crest of that famous hill. Wagner writes, “Crawford showed his energy and zeal when he grabbed the Reserves’ flag and led the charge on horseback.” Charging into the “Valley of Death” the Reserves threw back the Confederates and saved the Union left.Continuing with the Army of the Potomac Crawford fought in the Overland campaign and was witness to the horrible battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. The only real bright spot was when his division got behind Pickett’s force at Five Forks and captured many men. He fought throughout the final campaign and was present at Appomattox Courthouse.After the war, Crawford kept focusing on what he viewed as his two great accomplishments: Fort Sumter and Gettysburg. He kept reliving them. He even bought land in the “Valley of Death” to serve as a monument to himself and the Reserves (eventually this was given to the government). Some saw this as taking too much credit for what he did. This fit into the pattern of vanity he showed at times. It is understandable in some ways, but Crawford would not be memorialized the way other soldiers would be who had endeared themselves to the men as did Grant. He was too much an aristocrat for our democratic society. It was only 125 years after the battle that a monument to him was finally erected at “Crawford Avenue” at Gettysburg.Crawford died in 1892 and is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia (above, left). He made sure two things were placed on his grave, “Fort Sumter” and “Gettysburg.” Wagner’s excellent book does a lot to rescue Samuel Crawford from obscurity. One can read the book for the interesting story of Crawford’s life but also perhaps to honor one of our own: a true Pennsylvania Civil War hero.

White Mane Books, Shippensburg, 2005; 352 pp.$19.95