The 150th anniversary of the Civil War is being remembered throughout the nation. Learn more about what happened around the country and in our hometown of Monroe...
October 1, 1864 - Death of Confederate spy Rose O'Neal Greenhow - Greenhow drowns in a capsized row boat after the blockade runner she is in runs aground.
October 9, 1864 - Battle of Tom's Brook - Union Cavalry Commander General Phil Sheridan commands his forces to "whip the enemy or get whipped themselves". As the cavalry forces clash at Tom's Brook, Virginia, West Point room-mates George Custer and Confederate Tom Rosser find themselves pitted against each other. The Union Cavalry rout the Confederates and cause them to flee up the valley. This shakes the Confederate Cavalry's morale for the rest of the war.
October 19, 1864 - Battle of Cedar Creek - Confederate's under Jubal Early launch a surprise attack against the encamped army of Union General Phil Sheridan. Although several Union units are forced back, Early pauses in his attack and Sheridan rallies his forces against the Confederates, and successfully counter attacks.
October 19, 1864 - Confederate raid on St. Albans - A small band of Confederate raiders put into action their plan to sneak across the border of Canada into Sr. Albans, Vermont to rob banks in retaliation for the Union Army burning Southern cities. They succeed in robbing the town's three banks. The raiders escape to Canada. Canadian authories arrest the raiders but refuse to extradite them. Canada does return the $88,000 they recover from the raiders. This was the northern most land action of the Civil War.
October 28, 1864 - Last Confederate offensive in MIssouri - Major General Sterling Price's raid through Missouri ends at the Second Battle of Newtonia. The remants of his units are forced into Indian Territory. The Confederate failure in Missouri secures a Fedral stronghold there.
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Paging through the Civil War Book Club - This is a history book club that focuses on the American Civil War. We are currently reading Gettysburg: The Last Invasion by Allen C. Guelzo. We will be meeting for a book discussion on Thursday, November 20, at 7pm at the Ellis Library and Reference Center. For more information please call Charmaine Wawrzyniec at 734-241-5277.
Learn more about the Civil War - The Monroe County Civil War Round Table, sponsored by the Friends of Ellis, meets the second Thursday of every month from September through May at the Ellis Library and Reference Center. Each month a new speaker is invited to share his or her knowledge about specific Civil War events. This month, on Thursday, October 9, owner and renovator, David Carleton will speak on the History and Rebirth of the Detroit G.A.R. Building. Please join us at 7pm at the Ellis Library and Reference Center. For more information please call Charmaine Wawrzyniec at 734-241-5277.
16th Annual Custer Week in Monroe - Enjoy the many events in Monroe that celebrate the life of Monroe's boy General, George Armstrong Custer!
Sunday, October 5, 1 pm - The Woodland Cemetery Civil War Walking Tour - Take a tour of Monroe's Woodland Cemetery with Monroe historian and author Dave Ingall and General George A. Custer (Steve Alexandar). Tickets can be purchased at the Monroe County Historical Museum.
Tuesday, October 7, 7 pm - "Is it hero? Is it villain? No....It's Custer in Comics! How Comic Book Art has Contributed to a Legend" - Noted Custer historian and author, Fr. Vince Heier looks at Custer through the lens of popular culture. Free event at the Monroe County Historical Museum.
Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 - Music and a Movie- 7th Cavalry - Steve Charpie from the New Custer Band will provide a musical introduction to the movie 7th Cavalry starring Randolph Scott and Barabara Hale. Free event, open to the public. Donuts and cider provided by the Monroe County Historical Society. Music will begin at 6:30 with the movie starting at 7:15.
Thursday, October 9, 7 pm - Michigan Civil War Sites and Stories - Author and historican Dave Ingall will share stories from his book Glory, Valor and Sacrifice: Michigan Sites Significant to the Civil War. Please note: The History and Rebirth of the Detroit G.A.R. Building has been cancelled and rescheduled.
October 7-31 - Comic-con-Custer Style Exhibit - From dime novels to comic books and graphic novels, General George Custer as you have never seen him before. Items from the exhibit are from the Lawrence A. Frost Collection of Custeriana of the Monroe County Library System. Visit the exhibit in the Reference Department of the Ellis Library and Reference Center. Tours of the Lawrence A. Frost Collection will be offered during Custer Week.