American artist Winslow Homer began his career as a news artist for Harper's Weekly, sketching battles scenes and camp life. His initial drawings were of the camp, commanders, and troops of famous Union officer, Major General George B. McClellan, at the banks of the Potomac River in October of 1861.
On April 15, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a state of insurrection, three days after the first guns fired upon Fort Sumter. Lincoln carefully avoided the use of the word "war", which would have implied a clash with a foreign country, which would have help legitimize the claims of the Confederacy's claims to national sovereignty.
"Jackson is driving us mad. He don't say a word - no order, no hint of where we we're going."
~ Confederate Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell,
Ewell was upset that General 'Stonewall' Jackson
kept his day-to-day plans secret from even his
closest officers.
I therefore tender my resignation, which I request you will recommend for acceptance. It would have been presented at once but for the struggle it has cost me to separate myself from a service to which I have devoted the best years of my life, and all the ability I possessed.
~ General Robert E. Lee,
in his official resignation letter from the U.S. Army to General Winfield Scott,
April 20, 1861
Wednesday
April 18, 2018
Steve Soper
The Old Third
!!! Note the New Meeting Room !!!
West Dining Room
(Just off the Main Cafeteria)
DeWitt Student Center
Kuyper College
3333 East Beltline NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan
!!! Note the New Start Time !!!
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Program begins at 7:30 pm
Bring some friends!
The Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table welcomes Steve Soper and his presentation, 'The Old Third.' Mr. Soper has spent decades exhaustively researching the history of the Third Michigan Volunteer Infantry, which was based out of Grand Rapids. Steve has authored three books on the subject and maintains the website, www.oldthirdmichigan.org. Please welcome Steve and hear his stories of the men and adventures of the 'Old' Third.
Special Announcements:
Our Next Meeting
Membership fees for the 2017-2018 season will be $20.00.
Checks can be made out to GRCWRT.
Get your membership/renewal form on our
Membership page or at the meeting.
Dues are based on the meeting year, September - June.
Civil War Notes
Staff of The Third Michigan Infantry
Virginia, July, 1861
