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The John Johnston collection has been moved! Now residing in the Editors spare bedroom (ex-berth of USS Cairo - see below), some sorting needs to be done, but information will be forthcoming soon on how we can best make the collection available for members research. USS Cairo is on the move. From the safe waters of Margate to a new destination. News and photos in the next issue. Historic Biggs Farmhouse Damaged by Fire at Gettysburg National Military Park At 3 a.m. on April 24, smoke alarms alerted emergency responders to the situation. A fire suppression system installed in the historic house in 2002 activated and three fire companies responded to the blaze. The fire started in the attic of the structure. The roof has extensive damage, and the interior has water damage. A park employee and his family live in the home and were able to escape with no injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. No cost estimate for the damage is available at this time. The Basil Biggs farmhouse dates to 1850-1860. Located at 350 Taneytown Road, the house was behind Union battle lines on Cemetery Ridge during the Battle of Gettysburg, and troops used it for cover and concealment. Its position close to major battle action made it one of the busiest of he forward hospital aid stations during the battle. In 2002, Gettysburg National Military Park received special funding for and installed fire suppression systems in 50 historic structures on the Gettysburg battlefield, including the Biggs farmhouse. WEBWATCH Liverpool museum Alabama photos maritime/collections/alabamahttp://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ A rebel yell http://www.26nc.org/History/Rebel-Yell/rebel-yell.html One of the better Civil War Forums:- http://www.cwdgonline.org./index.php/ And here is an example of the content of one of the threads - I'm doing some thinking about instances in the war where artillery was deliberately used to bombard cities or towns (not making moral judgments at this point; just gathering information). The instances that jump foremost to mind for me are: (1) Fredericksburg--(where the towm was shelled to Lee's disgust, though Prof. Grimsley points out that the bombardment was justified under the laws of war since Confederate sharpshooters were firing from the town); (2)Vicksburg - shelled by Union gunboats during the siege; (3) Charleston - shelled by the so-called "Swamp Angel" in August 1863, drawing a blistering rebuke from P.G.T. Beauregard ("It would appear, sir, that despairing of reducing these works, you now resort to the novel measure of turning your guns against the old men, the women and children, and the hospitals of a sleeping city, an act of inexcusable barbarity"); and (4) Atlanta - shelled for five weeks in July and August of 1864. (All of these happen to be Union bombardments.) Any others come to mind? I'd appreciate any suggestions, as well as your thoughts on the issue of the Civil War origins of the "modern war" tactic of bombarding "civilian" targets. Do you have a view? Join the debate. http://www.tennessee.civilwarsourcebook.com/ Everything to do with Tennesee. Go on; have a go! Harpers Ferry - Preservationists lose Round 1 On June 26, 2007, the Jefferson County Planning Commission approved the Community Impact Statement (CIS) for building 52 apartments and duplexes at the intersection of Routes 340 and 26. The project requires review and approval of its Preliminary and Final Plats before construction can commence. Over eighty people, many of them vendors at the Harpers Ferry Flea Market, attended the meeting. The Planning Commissioners agreed that building 52 housing units: Was worth eliminating 404 jobs for local citizens. Was worth eliminating $2.8 million a year in tourist revenue. Was the best use of a Civil War battlefield. Was the best visual for Jefferson County's main tourist gateway. Was worth stressing local emergency services. Was worth the additional burden on Jefferson taxpayers. Was worth destroying one of the last habitats for the endangered Jefferson Cave Isopod. It is not too late to register a protest!
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