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| Factoid |
| According to the US Census in 1860, the horse population was 6,115,458, of which 1,698,328 could be found in the seceding states. The mule population was set at 1,129,553, of which the South had 800,663 and the North had 328,890. The working oxen totaled 2,240,075, with the South claiming 856,645. |
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| Report of the April Meeting |
| Nadine Mironchuck, Secretary |
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| The April 12 meeting of the Civil War Round Table of the North Shore was opened by President Dexter Bishop with a recitation of the Salute to the Flag. Many interesting upcoming events were mentioned, including the June trip to Beacon Hill where the African-American Freedom Trail will be walked, and which will include a visit to the Statehouse. This fascination trip will bring the events and issues of the Civil War to the forefront. |
| Dick Swanson of the Central Mass. Round Table spoke quite interestingly about the "Rock of Chicamauga," George Henry Thomas, whom he championed in his talk. The two significant campaigns that took place into Georgia and Tennessee in 1863 in the latter part were Sherman's march to the sea, and Thomas' move toward Nashville. Swanson contends that Sherman was provided with the freshest troops and the best provisions, while Thomas was relegated to fighting under much more difficult circumstances, hence his more prominent failures during the campaign. |
| Combined with bad weather and bad press instigated by jealous and ambitious colleagues, Thomas has not enjoyed the prominence in Civil War history that he might have if given different cards to play on the battlefield. |
| Bob Foster noted that many knew how great a general Thomas was, but because he was Virginian, he was not pushed forward politically, and it didn't help that he was commanded by incapable generals himself. |
| The assault of Nashville was important, as it kept Southern regiments from supporting Lee's position in the eastern theater. But it will always take a second-tier to the more dramatic campaign by Sherman, whose "total war" tactics insipred Southern hatred and Northern resignation to the evils of warfare. |
| The questions and comments following Swanson's talk were very informative. |
| The meeting was called to a close after the popular book raffle was held. |
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| Why the Award |
| Dexter Bishop, President |
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| The "Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Award was created in 1987 by the combined Executive Boards of the Civil War Round Table of Greater Boston and the Civil War Round Table of Central Massachusetts. With the creation of the Holmes Award it was the intention of the two round tables to honor an individual who by their prominence within the Civil War Community had assured their place in history by achieving a level of excellence and action in one or more of the following fields: education, preservation and restoration of artifacts and sites of the Civil War. |
| As history has shown, Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., throughout his life as a military man during the Civil War, a legal scholar, Chief Justice in the Massachusetts Supreme Court and a US Supreme Court Associate Justice gave to his state and country his very best. He was noted and distinquished for his great legal mind, sound judgement, humor, and power of expression. |
| Holmes was born in Boston in the year 1842. He graduated from Harvard College in 1861 and served in the Twentieth Massachusetts Infantry. He spent three years fighting for the Union. Holmes enlisted in to the ranks and quickly rose to the rank of captain. Holmes was wounded three times: at Ball's Bluff, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. He was promoted to the rank of Brevet Colonel and was assigned as Aide de Camp to General Horatio Wright. Following the war Holmes described his war time duty as "He was on a mission to save the Union." |
| As a jurist Holmes is known as "The Great Dissenter." For thirty years from 1902 to 1932, Holmes' brilliant intellect held sway over the US Supreme Court impacting our legal system as only he could. Holmes gave of his best, some might say "above and beyond" to his country until his death in 1932. |
| It is fitting that this award bears his name. As Holmes set the bench mark, "Above and Beyond" so the recipients of this nationally recognized award can and must do no less. |
| One need only listen to the Roll Call: Jerry Russell, Ed Bearrs, Annie Snyder, Jam Fahey, Ken Burns, John Hennessey, Dennis Frye, Ted Turner, Jim "Bud" Robertson, and today's recipient Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. |
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| The Holmes Dinner |
| Nadine Mironchuck, Secretary |
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| The Oliver Wendell Holmes Award Dinner, held April 13th to honor a luminary in the arena of preservation of Civil War history was a complete success. Nearly a hundred people attended to honor Dr. Robert Pamplin, the "savior" of the Petersburg battlefield in Virginia. |
| The Civil War Round Tables of the North Shore, Worcester, Greater Boston, Central Mass. and others were in attendance, each praising Pamplin for his contributions to the preservation of the history of the last large, historic battle of the Civil War. |
| Many have traveled with the CWRT of the North Shore to Petersburg and saw first-hand how Pamplin's unbelievably generous contribution of $30 million has gone to preserving the grounds, building a state-of-the-art museum and providing educational sites and materials for all to see and sense and live the conditions of the Civil War. |
| Dr. Pamplin was gracious and endeared himself to all with his heartfelt comments of thanks and encouragement to take up the challenge of being philantrhropic with one's time and efforts, not just with money. |
| A scholar, philosopher and titan of commerce, Pamplin's family hailed from the very area of the battlefield, and has made his fortune as the founder of the Georgia-Pacific paper company in Washington State. National Park Ranger Will Green discovered his connection to the land and contacted him for assistance in saving the battlefield from encroaching development. Pamplin came through with more assistance than a preservationist could ever hope for, and now Green (who was also in attendance at the dinner) heads the Pamplin Park complex. |
| No more inspiring choice for recognition could have been made -- Dr. Pamplin and his lovely wife Marilyn (whom he said gives him the strength to accomplish his goals) were worth meeting and knowing and gives all hope that great people exist and that great deeds can be done if the spirit of knowledge and brotherhood are let into one's heart. |
| Pamplin has many more facets of education he wishes to build into his world-renown park, including having an area where people can come and stay in the manner of Civil War soldiers encamped. |
| Dr. Pamplin clearly is on a mission to spread the idea that everyone can indulge in philanthropy -- simply by giving of one's ideas and efforts. He was truly touched by the honor and the attendees will certainly never forget their encounter with a truly great person. |
| Much praise goes to Dexter Bishop, president of the CWRT of the North Shore/Lynn for recommending Pamplin to be feted, and for arranging a wonderful event. |
| Congratulations to all who made the effort to attend and make the event a smashing success. |
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