Great comment. It's always been too easy for the history writers to ignore the cannon fodder
----- Original Message -----
From: "Walter Waddell" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2011 4:36:08 PM
Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] News from Virginia's Executive Mansion 08041932Z11
As much as I admire Jackson; I must correct all of you to my opinion; it
wasn't Jackson standing like a stonewall: it was his men! Few understand -
they being the ones that have had the "experience".
Regards, Ray
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alyson L. Taylor-White" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2011 7:27 AM
Subject: Fwd: News from Virginia's Executive Mansion
Hi All - here's news from the Executive Mansion in Richmond.
Alyson
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Virginia's Executive Mansion <[log in to unmask]
> >
> Date: August 3, 2011 4:17:18 PM EDT
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: News from Virginia's Executive Mansion
> Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
>
>
> MANSION E-NEWS
> AUGUST 2011
> In This Issue
> Web Renaissance
> Offical Bicentennial Book of the Mansion
> Fog of War Descends of Governor's Mansion
> No Picnic in Manassas or at the Mansion
>
> Quick Links
> Executive Mansion
> Virginia's Executive Chef
> Mansion Tours
> Governor McDonnell
> First Lady of Virginia
> Governor's Mansion Web Renaissance
>
> The mansion's web presence has come about face in cyberspace with its
> newly launched website. This illuminating site is just a click away at
> www.executivemansion.virginia.gov. The interactive site includes
> information about the current Civil War exhibit at the Mansion, the
> history, mansion events, recipes from the Executive Chef, menus of what
> VIPs are served when they visit the Mansion and much more. We encourage
> you to continue to check back for updates.
> Mansion's Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Exhibits
>
> The inaugural exhibit focuses on the death and lying in state of General
> Stonewall Jackson at the Mansion. The exhibit includes Jackson's Death
> Mask, which was made as his body lay at the Mansion.
>
> The Executive Mansion thanks the Valentine Richmond History Center for
> loaning the death mask to the Mansion. Other items featured in the
> exhibit were generously loaned by the Museum of the Confederacy, the
> Virginia Historical Society, and the Library of Virginia.
>
> Exhibits will continue throughout the Sesquicentennial and are included
> as part of regular mansion tours.
>
> For more information, click here.
>
>
> Author Mary Theobald matches book text with appropriate images
> VIRGINIA AUTHORS CHRONICLE HISTORY OF VIRGINIA'S GOVERNOR'S MANSION
>
> In 2013, Virginia's Executive Mansion-the oldest occupied governor's
> residence in all the fifty states-marks its 200th anniversary. To
> celebrate this bicentennial milestone, we are planning a yearlong series
> of special events at the Mansion and on Capitol Square. Some events are
> inspired by historical occasions such as the antebellum band concerts and
> the informal receptions that Virginians have long enjoyed.
>
> The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is publishing a handsome coffee
> table book that will chronicle the riveting history of this residence.
> Research has revealed a wealth of human stories with a visual treasure
> trove of compelling images. The lively text is peppered with ghost
> stories, pets and pranks, famous and fashionable faces and the rhetorical
> building blocks that bring the mansion to life. A must-read for lovers of
> Virginia's venerable past. This official book of the Mansion's
> Bicentennial is scheduled to be released in October of 2012.
>
> MANSION PORTRAIT CONFIRMED AS AUTHENTIC GEORGE BINGHAM
>
> The Mansion's "Portrait of a Boy and His Dog" hanging in the ladies
> parlor has been authenticated by Bingham specialists Fred R. Kline, Dr.
> Paul Nagel and author William Kloss, advisors to the Catalogue Raisoonne
> Supplement.
>
> George Celeb Bingham (1811-1879) was born in Augusta County Virginia and
> moved west in 1819 becoming Missouri's first artist. Bingham, called the
> "old master" of American art is best known for his iconic "Fur Traders
> Descending
> the Missouri".
>
> This endearing portrait, long attributed to Bingham, is of Colin Dunlop
> and was painted during Bingham's six month stay in Petersburg in 1841.
> The portrait was deeded to the Governor's Mansion in 1977 by the estate
> of Martha Spottswood of Petersburg Virginia.
>
>
> THE FOG OF WAR DESCENDS ON THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION
>
> Peaceable, "Honest John" Letcher was a lawyer, journalist and embattled
> Civil War Governor
>
> Governor Letcher
> of Virginia. His transformation from dove to hawk transpired in three
> horrific months in early 1861. Moderate, John Letcher, an advocate for
> the gradual emancipation of slaves, had labored to preserve the Union and
> was prominent in the organization of the failed February, 1861 Washington
> peace conference. By April all hope of peace had disappeared with seven
> of the deep South states seceding from the Union. Hopes of any
> reconciliation were dashed when President Lincoln called for troops to
> suppress the rebellion. Virginia seceded from the Union on April 17th,
> 1861. Governor John Letcher, now the hawk, embraced his responsibilities
> to organize the state for war and complete a smooth transition from State
> to Confederate control.
>
> Letcher's administrative skills were enacted immediately. On April 23rd,
> Letcher offered Robert E. Lee the command of the States defense forces,
> Lee accepted. President Lincoln's invitation to command the Union forces
> had been turned down earlier in 1861.The following month Letcher
> orchestrated moving the Confederate capital from Montgomery, Alabama to
> Richmond, and on May 29 the city greeted President Jefferson Davis with
> cheers and celebration.
>
> Governor Pierpont
>
> Virginia was soon to have two governors, due to these actions and the
> vote for secession from the Union. Delegates from the northern and
> northwestern counties of the State refused to join the Confederacy and
> elected Francis Pierpont as their governor at the Wheeling Convention.
> Pierpont served in Alexandria and was protected by the Union while acting
> as governor presiding over the captured portions of the state. Pierpont
> prevailed after the war. In 1865 President Andrew Johnson appointed him
> as the provisional governor of the reunited state of Virginia.
>
>
> THERE WAS NO PICNIC IN MANASSAS OR AT THE MANSION
>
>
> Battle at Bull Run - image from the Library of Virginia
> The first battle of Manassas, Bull Run, as it is called in the north, on
> July 21, 1861 was destined to bring a quick end to the southern
> disturbance. General McDowell's 30,000 troops were certain to rout the
> Confederate Army of General Beauregard. So confident were
> Washingtonian's, they made the thirty mile trip to witness the spectacle
> as sport. Senators and celebrators, politicians and picnickers, braved
> the sweltering heat to witness the Union triumph. By early afternoon it
> appeared that a glorious Union victory was at hand. Then it all changed
> when troops under John Letcher's close friend, the relatively unknown
> Colonel, Thomas Jackson, held their ground against the Union advance.
> Inspired by this example, General Bernard Bee told his men to look to
> Jackson who was standing "like a stone wall," and to "rally 'round the
> Virginians." It was here that Jackson's nickname originated. General
> Johnson's southern reinforcements arrived by rail and the tide turned.
> The rebel conquest was complete and devastating to the defeated Union
> Army who turned and ran, with the spectators, back to Washington.
>
> The march to Richmond had been stopped for now, and the fall and winter
> would be time for the Union troops to think tactics for the encounters to
> come in the spring of 1862.
>
> The Virginia Central Railroad brought the wounded, dying and dead back to
> Richmond and with them the horrors and reality of war. Both sides were
> sobered by the causalities and violence of the battle. The dye had been
> cast, war was inevitable, relative quiet prevailed for the remainder of
> 1861, and this would be the proverbial calm before the bloody storm. Now
> the weight of war was on the shoulders of Governor Letcher, President
> Davis, their generals and troops.
>
>
>
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> Virginia's Executive Mansion | Capitol Square | Richmond | VA | 23219
>
Alyson L. Taylor-White
804-920-2783
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