Talkin’ Hatteras and Alabama

Posted in Memory by Andy Hall on September 23, 2013

On Thursday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m., I’ll be speaking at the Brazoria County Historical Museum on the fight between U.S.S. Hatteras and the famous Confederate raider Alabama, as well as the NOAA-led project to map the remains of the Union warship in 2012. Hatteras holds the unfortunate distinction of being the only Union warship sunk in action in the Gulf of Mexico, and her destruction had (as Ed Cotham and I described earlier this year in the Civil War Monitor) a profound effect on the subsequent history of the Civil War in Texas. Come out on the 17th and I’ll explain exactly why that is.

My talk is being done as part of the BCHM’s annual programming for Texas Archaeology Awareness Month. They have some other great programming lined up, as well:

Thursday, October 3rd at 6:30pm: Alamo Artillery: Ampudia and a Real Cannon. Dr. Gregg Dimmick will work to convince the audience, through historical data, that the brass cannon currently on loan to the Alamo from San Jacinto Battleground was actually at the Alamo in March of 1836.

Thursday, October 10th at 6:30: Prehistoric Appetites. Jack Johnson will explore the life of prehistoric hunter gathers as it relates to weapons, edible plants, processing and cooking techniques. Artifacts and demonstrations will help bring to life the realities of our prehistoric ancestors.

Thursday, October 24th at 6:30pm: Discovering the Bernardo Plantation. Charlie Gordy will reveal the latest excavation discoveries made at Bernardo Plantation, former home of Jared E. Groce and site of the Texas Revolution encampment of the Texian Army before the Battle of San Jacinto.

There’s one other talk coming up soon at BCHM, that I would recommend:

Tuesday, October 1st at 6:30pm: Rhiannon Meyers presents “Infinite Monster.” Author Rhiannon Meyers will share an in-depth look at the stories of one of America’s largest hurricanes, Hurricane Ike, through the voices of those who lived it: grief-stricken families, heroic helicopter pilots, courageous survivors, and more.

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Infinite Monster by Leigh Jones and Rhiannon Meyers, both reporters for the Galveston County Daily News at the time, is the best re-telling of the story of Hurricane Ike I’ve read. Having gone through Ike (five years ago this month), It’s not a happy subject, but this book is really worth your time.

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GeneralStarsGray

4 comments

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Pat Young said, on September 23, 2013 at 3:11 pm

Hope you’ll mention that not everyone on the ships was born in the US. http://www.longislandwins.com/columns/detail/student_asks_why_dont_we_learn_more_about_immigrants_in_the_civil_war

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- Andy Hall said, on September 23, 2013 at 3:15 pm
  
  Oh, yes, I plan to explain how Hatteras’ crew was composed mainly of Hessians, drunk Irishmen and others of Lincoln’s mercenaries who had no idea what they were fighting for.
  
  😉
  
  Reply
  - Pat Young said, on September 23, 2013 at 3:20 pm
    
    Don’t forget Karl Marx’s bastard son conceived in an unsanctified bed with Mary Lincoln.
    
    Reply
    - Andy Hall said, on September 23, 2013 at 3:20 pm
      
      True, but my speaking time is limited. Also, it’s a family-themed event. The magic lantern slides of Karl and Mary will have to wait for another time.
      
      Reply