Report From Gary Yee, August 8th 2008.
I visited Governor's Island in New York and met with some school teachers who
were learning about soldiering during the American Revolution. Fort Jay is a classical
Vauban style fort which, along with several other forts protected New York Harbor.
Nearby is a circular fort, Castle Williams (and on Manhattan is Castle Clinton). For
you Civil War buffs, the most famous circular fort is Fort Pickney in Charleston Bay.
Unlike the other two forts, Pickney is in bad shape. The theory behind the circular
fort is that bombs would more readily glance off of them. The circular forts in New
York are of sandstone construction. It is believed that being softer, sandstone would
absorb the impact of a shell or cannonball and was less likely to shatter as would
granite. To prove the theory, four shots of a volley of ten shots fired at 400 yards by
the navy impacted Williams, and Williams stood up well.
While on Governor's island, I explained to the teachers (K-12) the difference
between the Charleville and Brown Bess. I also discussed the rifle with them. The
teachers were dressed as soldiers and were camping overnight on the island. Federal
Hall (on Wall Street) was also worthwhile visiting. The chief ranger was very
knowledgeable about the French & Indian War, the American Revolution and the
Civil War. Fraunces Tavern is nearby and its food was good as Gadsby's in
Alexandria. Washington also dined there and it was from the long room at the
Fraunces Tavern that he said his farewell to his officers.
Yesterday I visited the Carlyle House in Alexandria and bumped into another visitor
who was very enthusiastic about the F&I War. It turns out that he's a brigadier
general on active service and was killing time before his flight out. I shared my
recently published article on the Battle of Bushy Run (Pontiac's Rebellion) with him.
Today I'm at the Library of Congress to finish up a book I started copying in March.
The Library has the only copy in the United States and it's not well known here in this
country except by academians and die-hard Revolutionary War buffs. Tomorrow I
plan to visit Lincoln's Summer Home (Soldiers' Retreat) and maybe Fort Stevens and
Fort Ward also. Both are part of the chain of forts that defended Washington during
the rebellion.
August 9th 2008: Lincoln's Cottage
Originally built by a businessman, the land was sold to the government to provide an
asylum (retirement home) for soldiers. Situated in the District of Columbia on a hilltop
that once overlooked the Capitol. Today that view is obstructed by trees and by
newer buildings. The Soldiers' Home or President Lincoln's Cottage offered Abe
refuge from the politics of the White House. Lincoln would go there to unwind and to
reflect upon the events. He would also talk with the soldiers and could be seen in the
graveyard, deep in his thoughts.
While the grounds are still used as a retirement home for soldiers, the cottage itself (a
very spacious house) is managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The
Trust raised $17 million to restore the cottage's wartime appearance, renovate its
visitor and education center and provide an endowment for sustaining their work.
While the cottage has been restored, its furnishing is sparse, and deliberately so.
Other than a few pieces, the Trust hasn't been able to learn what type of furniture was
there during Lincoln's time. Rather than misintrepret it, they elected to leave it mostly
unfurnished until research guides them otherwise. Hence, when you walk into the
library, do not expect to see shelves upon shelves crammed with books. There are
only two books there. To their credit though, well read guides are at hand to lead you
through the cottage and to enrich your visit with their insights about Lincoln. Research
is ongoing including future archaeological digs on the grounds.
If you plan to visit, buy your tickets on-line and in advance to ensure that they can
admit you.
Another nice thing about the Summer Cottage is that is is close to Fort Stevens (or
what's left of it). A mere mile or so away, Fort Stevens is the site where the Union
Army (and the VI Corps) kept Jubal Early at bay. From it, Lincoln surveyed the
Confederate lines. Standing next to him was a surgeon who suddenly collapsed from a
bullet. Someone told the "fool" to get down and the fool obliged him. While that
someone's identity is lost today (over twenty claim to have warned Lincoln including
future Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes), it was fortunate for history that
Lincoln did.
For more information on the Summer Cottage, click on the link below:
http://www.lincolncottage.org/about/PLC%20Brochure.pdf
I visited Governor's Island in New York and met with some school teachers who
were learning about soldiering during the American Revolution. Fort Jay is a classical
Vauban style fort which, along with several other forts protected New York Harbor.
Nearby is a circular fort, Castle Williams (and on Manhattan is Castle Clinton). For
you Civil War buffs, the most famous circular fort is Fort Pickney in Charleston Bay.
Unlike the other two forts, Pickney is in bad shape. The theory behind the circular
fort is that bombs would more readily glance off of them. The circular forts in New
York are of sandstone construction. It is believed that being softer, sandstone would
absorb the impact of a shell or cannonball and was less likely to shatter as would
granite. To prove the theory, four shots of a volley of ten shots fired at 400 yards by
the navy impacted Williams, and Williams stood up well.
While on Governor's island, I explained to the teachers (K-12) the difference
between the Charleville and Brown Bess. I also discussed the rifle with them. The
teachers were dressed as soldiers and were camping overnight on the island. Federal
Hall (on Wall Street) was also worthwhile visiting. The chief ranger was very
knowledgeable about the French & Indian War, the American Revolution and the
Civil War. Fraunces Tavern is nearby and its food was good as Gadsby's in
Alexandria. Washington also dined there and it was from the long room at the
Fraunces Tavern that he said his farewell to his officers.
Yesterday I visited the Carlyle House in Alexandria and bumped into another visitor
who was very enthusiastic about the F&I War. It turns out that he's a brigadier
general on active service and was killing time before his flight out. I shared my
recently published article on the Battle of Bushy Run (Pontiac's Rebellion) with him.
Today I'm at the Library of Congress to finish up a book I started copying in March.
The Library has the only copy in the United States and it's not well known here in this
country except by academians and die-hard Revolutionary War buffs. Tomorrow I
plan to visit Lincoln's Summer Home (Soldiers' Retreat) and maybe Fort Stevens and
Fort Ward also. Both are part of the chain of forts that defended Washington during
the rebellion.
August 9th 2008: Lincoln's Cottage
Originally built by a businessman, the land was sold to the government to provide an
asylum (retirement home) for soldiers. Situated in the District of Columbia on a hilltop
that once overlooked the Capitol. Today that view is obstructed by trees and by
newer buildings. The Soldiers' Home or President Lincoln's Cottage offered Abe
refuge from the politics of the White House. Lincoln would go there to unwind and to
reflect upon the events. He would also talk with the soldiers and could be seen in the
graveyard, deep in his thoughts.
While the grounds are still used as a retirement home for soldiers, the cottage itself (a
very spacious house) is managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The
Trust raised $17 million to restore the cottage's wartime appearance, renovate its
visitor and education center and provide an endowment for sustaining their work.
While the cottage has been restored, its furnishing is sparse, and deliberately so.
Other than a few pieces, the Trust hasn't been able to learn what type of furniture was
there during Lincoln's time. Rather than misintrepret it, they elected to leave it mostly
unfurnished until research guides them otherwise. Hence, when you walk into the
library, do not expect to see shelves upon shelves crammed with books. There are
only two books there. To their credit though, well read guides are at hand to lead you
through the cottage and to enrich your visit with their insights about Lincoln. Research
is ongoing including future archaeological digs on the grounds.
If you plan to visit, buy your tickets on-line and in advance to ensure that they can
admit you.
Another nice thing about the Summer Cottage is that is is close to Fort Stevens (or
what's left of it). A mere mile or so away, Fort Stevens is the site where the Union
Army (and the VI Corps) kept Jubal Early at bay. From it, Lincoln surveyed the
Confederate lines. Standing next to him was a surgeon who suddenly collapsed from a
bullet. Someone told the "fool" to get down and the fool obliged him. While that
someone's identity is lost today (over twenty claim to have warned Lincoln including
future Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes), it was fortunate for history that
Lincoln did.
For more information on the Summer Cottage, click on the link below:
http://www.lincolncottage.org/about/PLC%20Brochure.pdf