And the Decision Is...

Well, I have decided. I am going to apply for another grant from AMU and will continue this project this coming year. I have discussed the project with Bob and Mark Babcock of Deeds Publishing http://www.deedspublishing.com/ and they both believe that a series has merit. So, the title of the series shall be: Broomsticks to Battlefields: The Cadets of Delaware Military Academy in the Civil War. Robinett will be the first published in the series.

The second will be David Vickers Jr. of Camden, NJ. Vickers is another interesting cadet from DMA. He was in the 3rd and 4th New Jersey Volunteers and was eventually captured at Spotsylvania Court House, take to Macon, GA and Camp Oglethorpe. When Sherman’s forces approached, he was moved to Camp Sorghum near Columbia, SC. He was brevetted to brigadier general in 1865 and after the war served as a diplomat in Cuba. During the Spanish American war he was an inspector general. Upon his death his will was contested by a second wife from Chile. He should make for a very interesting story.

Of course the pace of my research will be greatly enhanced if I receive a grant from AMU. Failing that , I will continue the project but at a slower pace.
That is the story for now. My Robinett project is due next Tuesday so this would holiday weekend will be spent putting the finishing touches on him and his story.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

and remember...

keep History Alive!
bs

I Have Decided...

more later.

Vickers or Robinson?

Robinson's Military Service Record doesn't include anything about him being arrested before enlisting. The Confederate Papers Relating to Citizens and Business Firms have there was nothing on him.

Vickers didn't have a General's Papers File or and Appointment, Commission & Personal (ACP) File. He had a Letters to the Commission Branch (CB) File and that was it

Decisions, decisions.

Grant Deadlines

Well, December 1 is my dead line for both submitting my paper and for next year's grant proposal. Sounds like a busy month ahead

I am not totally convinced I should do another project next year. I had 18 months to work on this one, next year, only 11. That makes a big difference in research

I am toying with two possible guys to investigate: George Julian Robinson “Jules Robinson” or David Vickers. I am going to put James R. Lincoln aside for now, I am not convinced there are enough sources for his experiences during the war

A bit on Robinson: DOB: May 27th, 1838, Georgetown, Delaware
Enlisted in October 1861, in Company A, 5th Texas Infantry, CSA
None of this is yet confirmed: When traveling with a relative, Robinson and relative were arrested by the Confederate army as spies. They were sent to Richmond VA for trial and execution. Robinson convinced the judge that they were not there as spies but rather to enlist in the Confederate Army. Robinson and a relative enlisted and were released from charges.
Robinson was wounded at Battle of Gaines Mills also saw action at Antietam, Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg
Promoted to Sergeant Major
-Wounded at Battle of Wilderness. The wound shot through both cheeks, tongue mangled and jaw shattered
After the war, lived in Texas for a number of years before returning to Georgetown in 1882. He died in 1887 and was buried at St. George’s Chapel

David Vickers

Brevet Brigadier General. During the Civil War, he served as a captain in the 3rd New Jersey Infantry and was promoted to colonel in the 4th New Jersey Infantry. After the war, he served as a diplomat in Cuba. On May 31, 1865, he was made a brevet brigadier general "for faithful and meritorious services" during the war . He was captured and served time in Rebel POW camps in Georgia. The picture below is the best I can do, sorry

From the American Civil War Research Database:
David Vickers, Jr
Residence was not listed; 22 years old.
Enlisted on 5/25/1861 as a Private.
On 5/25/1861 he mustered into "B" Co. NJ 3rd Infantry
He was discharged for promotion on 9/29/1863
On 9/29/1863 he was commissioned into Field & Staff NJ 4th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 5/15/1865
He was listed as:
* POW 5/12/1864 Spotsylvania Court House, VA (Confined at Macon, GA & Columbia, SC)
Promotions:
* Capt 5/31/1861 (As of Co. A)
* Major 9/29/1863 (As of 4th NJ Infanrty)
* Colonel 3/21/1865 (Not Mustered)
* Brig-General 5/31/1865 by Brevet
Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 6/6/1861 from company B to company A
Other Information:
born 12/21/1840 in Camden, NJ
died 6/27/1908 in Boise, ID
Buried: Pioneer Cemty, Boise, ID
(Signed Petition Complaining of Camp Sorghum Conditions)
Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- Register of Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Civil War 1861-65
- Dyer: A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Heitman: Register of United States Army 1789-1903
- Brevet Brigadier Generals in Blue
- Photo courtesy of HDS Subscriber
- Research by Jack Lundquist
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com


I would like to do a Confederate soldier this time BUT Vickers and his experiences as a POW also hold merit. Your ideas are welcome.

Keep History Alive

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I worked all day Sunday re-reading my draft. I am not quite done but getting there. Later this week, I will be mailing it to Al Nofi and Susannah Ural, both outstanding historians in the hopes that they can get me on the right track, presentation & style wise. Susannah works at Southern Miss. where she is an Associate Professor & Senior fellow @ the Center for the Study of War & Society. We met a about 4? years ago at a conference. Al, well I have known him quite a while. He is now retired from teaching but is not really retired (after all, what teacher can afford to do so?). He has his hands in many endeavors: writes for StrategyWorld.com, has numerous publications to his credit, back in the day he designed numerous wargames with Jim Dunnigan and others, he is also a defense consultant and, unless it has changed, currently works for the Navy. He helped my students in Texas on a few projects as well; most notably a trip to Bracketville, TX and the "John Wayne" Alamo where we worked on a project for the Institute of Texan Cultures. I will also be sending various excerpts to others including Tom Parson at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.

On the downhill side and hope to have the "final" draft for AMU by the end of Thanksgiving weekend.

Keep History Alive.

bs