Two Civil War exhibits open on one night!

Friday May 6th at Strawbery Banke Museum and the Portsmouth Athenaeum:

“Fire on the Water: Portsmouth’s Kearsarge Sinks the Deadly Confederate Raider Alabama”

6 May “Fire on the Water: Portsmouth’s Kearsarge Sinks th... on Twitpic

"Civil War General Fitz John Porter: Hero or Coward? You Decide" www.strawberybanke.org

Join Us!

Alexander McClure on FJP

"...[the first court martial panel] had been studiously organized to convict." (Alexander McClure)

"...[Porter] suffered a judgement of infamy for the single offense of having been one of the wisest, noblest, and bravest of our Army's commanders." (A. McClure)

Quotes provided courtesy Richard Adams, Historian

Gen. McClellan on FJP

Gift of General McClellan to General Fitz John Porter (of McCllellan on horsback) Courtesy, National Park Service, Manassas National Battlefield Park, #MANA1838.

“My God! If I can’t depend on Fitz John’s decision I don’t know what I can depend on.”

“Take him for all in all, he was probably the best general officer I had under me. He had excellent ability, sound judgement [sic], and all the instincts of a soldier. He was perfectly familiar with all the details of his duty, and excellent organizer and administrative officer, and one of the most conscientious and laborious men I ever knew. I never found it necessary to do more than give him general instructions, for it was certain that all details would be cared for and nothing neglected. I always knew that an order given to him would be fully carried out, were it morally and physically possible. He was one of the coolest and most imperturbable men in danger whom I ever knew, like all his race.”

Civil War General Fitz John Porter (1822-1901)

Civil War General Fitz John Porter (1822-1901)

My first attempt at a short video!

Ken Burn's Civil War - New Materials and Commentary

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/house-divided/post/sesquicentennial-edition-of-ken-burnss-civil-war-available/2010/12/20/AFUDkIxB_blog.html?referrer=emaillink

Save the Date!

The opening of the exhibition "General Fitz John Porter: Hero or Coward?" is in just a month-- May 1st. Full rooster of events through October coming shortly. The catalog will be available in May as well. Details to follow.

General Fitz John Porter's 1860 Field Officers Regulation Presentation Sword. Recent acquisition by Strawbery Banke Museum
Image courtesy of Brian Smestad, Blue Tree LLC

Civil War Newburyport Walking Tours

Footsteps of Heroes: Civil War Walking Tours of Newburyport

With the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in April, Bill & Liz Hallett are hosting two walking tours in April.

Join us on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 10 a.m. or Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 2 p.m.

The 90 minutes walking tour features sites and stories of Newburyport ’s Civil War history including Albert W. Bartlett and the first troops who left the Clipper City; stories of the shipyard; a local politician (and dear friend of Jefferson Davis) who almost ran against Lincoln for president; stories of Frederick Douglass’ visit; a Newburyporter who would become a Confederate General and more!

The tour begins and ends at 57 State St (Arthur Page Insurance Co). Please wear appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. Tips are welcome and a portion of which will go to historic preservation.

For more information, please email:
monocacyus@yahoo.com