"MARYLAND VOICES OF THE CIVIL WAR" History Comes Alive !

Are our times unique, without precedent and more challenging than any other periods of history? The answer might be a fast "yes" from many of us:
9/11 and terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center & Pentagon, Bush/Gore and a disputed election.

In Maryland: A $1.6 billion debt billion deficit, blamed by Governors and a spending Legislature on each other; blasts between City & Counties ; Ehrlich & O'Malley when Glendening still hides; Dangers to the greatest inland body of water in America -- the Chesapeake Bay; Continued excess of trial lawyer abuse on healthcare and good doctors trying to stay in practice

Was it ever any worse, or times more challenging? Again, many of us might say "No!" --- but I am re-thinking that instinctive reaction. How is that possible?

For me and Maryland , it became possible by getting an enlarged perspective on the "Free State's" challenging times. It happened at a recent celebration of the publication of "Maryland Voices of the Civil War", published by The Johns Hopkins Press and edited by Charles W. Mitchell, respected executive with medical publisher Lippincott,Williams & Wilkins. I have known Charley and his family -- first, during his growing-up years in Ruxton and subsequently when we worked together at the national land conservation organization --The American Land Trust and subsequently during the first 2 years as Wills & Associates, public affairs- communications counsel, began its 30-year run and now under the daily management of partner/CEO Brad Wills.

Charley was drawn by the writing magnet -- and per "Maryland Voices" what a break for all who like action and the "people part of history". This remarkable book "came alive" during his dramatic rendering of how the Civil War affected the daily lives of Marylanders and their families -- many of which were divided between advocacy of slavery/ even the business or slave trade and being fierce abolitionists,committed to freedom and, such movements as the "Underground Railroad".

These thoughts are not a complete "Preview of Coming Attractions " -- but a sense of just how divided and yet, interspersed with genuine and even heroic moments, were the 5+ years of the late 1850's and the 4 years, 1860-'65 as the nation plunged into a war that still hold many tragic records of death and injury on the Union & Confederate sides. Maryland was a microcosim of the nation, but even more challenged than most states: we were geographically "in the middle", and that is were "Maryland Voices of the Civil War" the most dramatic anthology of people and places of history . For this history afficiando,it is getting "hooked"!

How did editor Charley Mitchell do it? The best answer is found by reading this collection of real events through real people -- those of us who heard Charley's talk to a packed audience at Evergreen House had the benefit of a "live" rendering with excitement, sadness,drama, and even humor .

First, Charley acknowledged many who helped him -- but 3 whom I know , stand out: His Dad and longtime editor Braxton Mitchell, whose intellect, persistance and humor must have been a secret resourse; Goucher professor and historian Dr. Jean Baker -- author of the best biography ever written about Mary Todd Lincoln; and historian /history editor Robert Brugger, History Editor of the Johns Hopkins, a remarkable publishing house with talent on every floor of its North Charles St. headquarters -- his wife Betsy whose professional and editorial talents were another big asset behind the scenes, in this remarkable 476 pages. The spirit of Charley's late Mom, Polly, was described by as the one -- along with "Braxton,who gave me the push" -- as "Polly , who gave me the paint" . (As a watercolorist by avocation, I found learning creative art from Polly, is founded -- like writing -- by real discipline!)

Don't shrink when you see that number of pages! As a 2 -week owner of the book (first run sold out on Charley Mitchell's June 12 "opening" night lecture/reception and signing) , I have already started tracking into those pages, from notes taken as Charley spoke and in finding some stories adjacent to a fascinating anthology of photographs of faces from history have become real people! Just a sampling:

The parts of "Maryland Voices" break down into "Indecision" -- late 1860 and into the first 9 months of the War; "Occupation " by Federal troops and the corresponding concern of the adjacent Union government/its President Abraham Lincoln, in Washington; "Liberation" -- the tension of and emancipation/ ending of slavery in Maryland, even the recruitment of just-freed slaves as Union soldiers.

Charley Mitchell's power point presentation brought Md. Civil War history to life:

The "Pratt Street Riots" ; Under the command of Isaac Ridgeway Trimble, the drama of Union troops moving through President's Street Station south to Washington. Baltimore Mayor Brown trying to keep order in tense city.

With accompanying photographs -- Baltimore businesses, flying the Union flag and largely opposed to any thought of secession of by Maryland; the "steam gun" -- literally, a machine gun that operated on steam power; the "Monument Street Girls" -- not a group of night club entertainers, but a group of women who secretly made clothing for young Marylanders sneaking off to join the Confederate Army.

"Special Sessions" of the Legislature : not just a 21st century device! Gov. Hicks was pressured to and did call a special session to deal with the secession and other tensions. Guess what: Where was the session held? Answer: NOT Annapolis, but Frederick , Maryland!

Parts of the diary of Elizabeth Blair Lee -- ancestor of a respected Maryland Gov. Blair Lee in the 2nd half of the 20th century and columnist Blair Lee who gives weekly life to political commentary in the "Montgomery Gazette".

Divided families: the famous Shriver family of Union Mills -- one of its members stating firmly that "we southerners prefer to live under the Queen of England (Victoria , during the Civil War) than Lincoln"! (Reminds me of my grandfather for whom I am named, George Stockton Wills -- North Carolinian who, after moving his family to Maryland to continue his academic /teaching career at then Western Maryland/ now McDaniel College. As little kid, I remember and cherish his quiet humor when he, from an anti-slavery family, often quietly said " It was hard moving to a NORTHERN state"!

Photographs and diary entries that make "history come alive": Confederate troops going through Federal Hill; Union soldiers storming the historic Maryland Club; Sgt. John Murphy -- ancestor of the famous family that established the "Afro American" daily newspaper.

To Charley Mitchell: Thank you for linking Maryland's present to a dramatic part of our past . Bob Brugger of the Hopkins Press , said it well , as he introduced Charley to a the large audience at Evergreen House "

" LET VOICES COME ALIVE ! "

That is just what "Maryland Voices of the Civil War" does more than 150 years after this nation's division and reunification , with a century of ripple effect that was still felt in the civil rights era of the 1960's . Charles Mitchell , the Hopkins Press and Marylanders of 150 years ago , prove that "history still lives".

Labels: Civil War, Maryland

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