The Civil War: Strange, odd, unusual or ironic facts (Mexico, Washington, biggest)

[stillkit]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

And his lawyer who came up with the notion was Edward Stanton, later Lincoln's very capable Secretary of War

Isn't Stanton the one who came up with the phrase "The Original Gorilla" to describe Lincoln?

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by stillkit

You're right. I should have checked my memories before posting.

Do you know what ultimately happened to the table?

Grant's table is in the Smithsonian and Lee's table is in the Chicago History Museum.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by stillkit

Isn't Stanton the one who came up with the phrase "The Original Gorilla" to describe Lincoln?

I think so though Stanton became very dedicated to Lincoln. It was that way with many people, rating him low at first and the growing admiration.

[thriftylefty]

Jefferson Davis's Plantation was sold to a slave for $300,000 ? (read it a book of strange facts)

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

And his lawyer who came up with the notion was Edward Stanton, later Lincoln's very capable Secretary of War

Hey, thanks guys. I knew this story but not with the additional information.

To everybody who posted on this thread so far--great stuff, I love it!

More more more.

[skinem]

A relatively NEW development that is Civil War related and ironic...

General Grant's papers are now housed, as of the last few months, at Mississippi State University..

Birney Imes: The hero of the Union returns to Mississippi - The Dispatch - Columbus, Starkville & The Golden Triangle

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

I think so though Stanton became very dedicated to Lincoln. It was that way with many people, rating him low at first and the growing admiration.

Indeed he did. He was at Lincoln's death bed for almost the entire time, setting up his office in the front room of the house. (Across the street from Ford's Theater and I've been told is now a Lincoln Museum.) He headed up the hunt for Booth and his accomplices, and even ran the country for a short time until the Vice President could be reached.

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer (Amazon link,) is a great book that details the last days of Lincoln's death, the hunt for Booth and Stanton's role. It was a highly enjoyable read.

[Sandhillian]

I have always heard that lullabies were used in the Civil War as a way to spread messages under the enemies noses. Is there any truth to this?

[stillkit]

One more oddity of the Civil War:

The two greatest Union Admirals, James Farragut and David Porter, were raised in the same household as nearly half-brothers. Jorge Farragut took in the orphaned son of his protege and raised David (whose original name was James) as his own.

Farragut became the blue-water Navy commander and captured both Mobile, AL and New Orleans, while Porter was the Commander of the river boat flotilla which aided in the reduction of Vicksburg, MS.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by stillkit

Farragut became the blue-water Navy commander and captured both Mobile, AL and New Orleans, while Porter was the Commander of the river boat flotilla which aided in the reduction of Vicksburg, MS.

Farragut captured Mobile Bay and put paid to the rebellion's use of Mobile as a port but the city itself was captured late in the war by General Canby after a siege and some hard fighting.

At Blakely outside the city are some very well preserved defensive fortifications and Federal siegeworks.