MILITARY HISTORIANS
52nd
Annual Meeting
April
26-29, 2001
Ramada
Inn Oyster Point
Newport News, Virginia 23606
The fifty-second annual meeting of The Company of Military Historians was held at The Oyster Point Ramada Inn in Newport News, Virginia, 26-29 April 2001. There were 165 registrants for the meeting chaired by Philip M. Morton. The meeting began Thursday evening with -a Reception at the hotel followed by a talk entitled, "The Virginia Peninsula Goes to War An Over-view of Military History on the Virginia Peninsula" given by John V. Quarstein, Director of the Virginia War Museum. Following a brief break, there was a lively meeting chaired by President Joseph Thatcher to review the Uniform Collection Agreement. There were many pertinent questions, comments, and suggestions; all noted and discussed by the Board of Governors. The Hospitality Room was open following this meeting and was well used.
The Monitor
display at the Mariner's Museum
The
exhibits, flea market, and meetings were all held in the large Chesapeake
Ballroom. There were also tables for authors to display, sign, and sell
their books. There were fourteen exhibit tables, twelve flea market
tables, and two silent auction tables that were available for perusal from
7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Friday and Saturday. The exhibits and flea market
merchandise were much appreciated by all attendees.
Friday's
seminars included Joe Thatcher-"Turn a Blind Eye, Company Records of
the Veteran Corps and Restoration of Fort Ontario"; Juanita
Leisch"Women's Role in the Civil War"; and John Quarstein-"The
Peninsula Campaign." Following lunch, buses ferried a large group to
the Mariners Museum for a program on "The USS Monitor-Her Exploration
and Recovery," and the planned Monitor Center. Benjamin H. Trask,
Associate Curator, moderated the presentation. Speakers included Lester
Weber, Mike Halfield, Dina B. Hill, and Curtis Peterson. After viewing the
museum galleries and pickling vats, it was back on the buses
and on to the Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe for a tour of that wonderful
museum and a reception. After the reception, a limited number of members
enjoyed a Lantern Tour of Fort Monroe conducted by Dennis Mroczkowski,
Director, and John Quarstein.
Bastions of Fort Monroe
After breakfast Saturday morning, a spirited annual general membership meeting was held. In addition to further discussion of the uniform collection, it was happily announced that a new chapter has been formed in California, the Southwest Chapter with Mark Casal as President. Seminars began with the reminiscences of combat artists Peter F. Copeland; Col. Donna J. Neary, USMCR; and Col. Edward M. Condra III, USMC (Ret.). Marko Zlatich moderated the panel discussion. We next heard Dr. Charles Cureton discuss "1790-1850 Shoulder Boards and Epaulettes." Buses then took a large number of attendees to the Virginia War Museum. Of special interest was the exhibit of uniforms, headgear, and leather goods from the Company collection. This gave Company members an opportunity to view the items and their condition. Curators were available for questions and discussion concerning the exhibited items. Tours of Endview Plantation, Lee Hall Mansion, and the Lee's Mill battlefield area followed. Docents in period dress staff Endview Plantation, a Revolutionary War and Civil War site. Our travelers were treated to special firing demonstrations by Confederate infantry and artillery, followed by Dr. Adrian Wheat's discussion of Civil War era medicine. At Lee Hall Mansion, home of Richard Decatur Lee (no kin to Robert E. Lee), we viewed the mansion and the Civil War earthworks located on the grounds. Lee Hall was Headquarters for Confederate Generals John Bankhead Magruder and Joseph E. Johnston during the Peninsula campaign and the site of the first Confederate hot air balloon launch. Lee's Mill, the third site visited is the site of extensive and unrestored earthworks on the Warwick River that were part of Magruder's line during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862.
The
Virginia War Museum
The
annual banquet opened with Maj. Charles S. Biever, USAF, piping the head
table to their places at the head table. Joining the officers at the table
was artist Peter Copeland, creator of the special meeting print,
"Boatswain's Mate, U.S. Navy, 1862." A copy of this print was
given to each registrant at the meeting. Framed copies of the print were
given to each speaker.
After the
banquet President Thatcher presented the Miller Award to Juanita Leisch
for her outstanding exhibit, "An Army of Women in Wartime
Service." Two Distinguished Service Awards were then presented.
Donald M. Londahl-Smidt was recognized for long and meritorious service to
The Company, including his many contributions to the Journal, his detailed
research of Company records, his work
with the Hudson Valley Chapter, and his interest in helping others in the
study of military history. Don was not with us due to illness. Ken Rose of
the Hudson Valley Chapter accepted the award for Don. Peter F. Copeland,
the second Distinguished Service Award recipient, was recognized for the
forty-three MUIA plates he has produced, as well as countless
illustrations in other publications and art works exhibited in museums
throughout the world. Fellow's certificates for the Class of 2000 were
presented to Andrew Fonoroff, Paul Johnson, and Charles B. Oellig. Donald
Spaulding, Terry Hooker, and David Sullivan were announced as newly
elected Fellows, Class of 2001.
After dinner,
an auction of Company-owned original artwork (created by artists
well-known to MUIA subscribers) was held in the Chesapeake
Ballroom. The bidding was spirited and often humorous.
Each
registrant was requested to complete a post-meeting evaluation. To date,
fifty-three have been received. The results will be evaluated and the
information used in planning future meetings.
2001
Robert L. Miller Award
The winner of the 2001 Miller Award was Juanita Leisch for her excellent
display, "An Army of Women in Wartime Service." David C. Cole's
display, "One Family's Military History," was the runner up and
received an Honorable Mention Award.
Other exhibitors were Fred Gaede, "The Embossed Eagle Cartridge Box, 18281830"; James L. Kochan, "Imported Swords and Military Ornaments Used by War of 1812 Regular Army and Navy Officers"; Ted Gewirz, "Presentation Swords"; and Phil Leveque, "The Regulation Springfield Rifles: Caliber 45-70, 1873-1888."
The thanks of the Newport News Annual Meeting Host Committee and The Company are extended to all who participated.
Philip
M. Morton
A note From the Winner of the 2001 Robert L. Miller Award
I opened the small brown box of the Miller Award and was struck to
see a friendly and familiar face: a remarkable likeness of Bob Miller
exactly as I remember him. And I was flooded with memories that may have
relevance for others in The Company. Allow me to take the liberty of
sharing them with you.
When I was a
child my mom and dad and I occasionally visited Bob Miller and his wife
Adrian at their home, Head Acre. During one or two of those visits, as I
recall, Bob or Adrian or their daughter Dody professed curiosity about
some bit of information about women or children or clothing of the Civil
War.
Between the
visits, my parents would now and then ask if I'd yet found the answer to
whatever it was that Bob or Adrian or Dody wanted to know. And so I began
investigating the answers, not realizing I was learning to do research. I
don't ever remember actually reporting back, but I do remember that the
process never really ended because, of course, every answer leads to
another question.
In later
years, it has occurred to me that one or all of them probably knew quite
well the answer to the questions before I ever started. And it has
occurred to me how skillfully they kindled sparks of my curiosity about
history.
It is this concept -- of attracting new people to research by
encouraging their curiosity -- which, I believe, has relevance to The
Company of Military Historians. The strength and the future of The Company
are its members and their joint interests. The hallmark which sets The
Company of Military Historians apart from every other organization, is the
freedom and willingness of its members to share information.
In my
opinion, the future of The Company can and will be assured if we each take
the time to fan the flames of curiosity about military history whenever
and wherever we encounter it (even among those we see only occasionally).
Our relatives and friends are already getting the word but the fertile
fields of potential members may be among those we've never before invited,
and even among the children of our friends.
I am honored
and humbled to receive the 2001 Robert L. Miller Award for my exhibit,
"An Army of Women in Wartime Service." I am new to The Company,
and am basking in the welcome and encouragement you have given me. Thank
you.
-
Juanita Leisch
Whereas
Peter F. Copeland has been a member of The Company of Military Historians
since 1965, and a
a
Fellow since 1964 and:
Whereas he has contributed more than forty plates to Military Uniforms in
America and;
Whereas he has
served as a consultant to the Military Uniforms in America plate series
since becoming a member of The Company and;
Whereas
he has served as assistant editor of Military Uniforms in America since
1995 and;
Whereas he has given freely of his time and expertise to other
contributing artists to the Military Uniforms in America plate series;
Be it therefore known that the Governors of The Company of Military
Historians, acting in the name of The Company, do hereby present to
PETER F. COPELAND
Whereas
Donald M. Londahl-Smidt has been a member of the Company of Military
Historians since 1965, and a Fellow since 1978 and;
Whereas he has made numerous contributions to the Journal of The Company
of Military Historians and;
Whereas his detailed research of Company records created a valuable
archive of Company activities, contributing to a revision of the By-laws
and;
Whereas he served as an assistant editor for the Journal of the Company,
editing three special 18th century issues and;
Whereas he has consistently assisted other individuals and organizations
in the study of military history;
Be it therefore known that the Governors of The Company of Military
Historians, acting in the name of The Company, do hereby present to
DONALD M. LONDAHL-SMIDT
The Distinguished Service Award of The Company of Military Historians
at Newport News, Virginia, this 28th day of April, 2001