Q & A with John V. Quarstein

Question:
Catching a bit of your "The Civil War in Hampton Roads" again this evening reminded me that I wanted to write you a note. I grew up in Newport News on Westover Road and was a product of the education system back then. I went to Hilton Elementary and Warwick Junior and Senior High scholls. We were heavily propagandized to believe in the Cult of the List Cause and it has taken a lot of susequent study to realize how insidious that education was and how biased. Old Mrs Gilliam nevetr allowed us to call it the Civil War prefeing instead the War Between the States or the War of Secession. Which brings me to say that I was disappointed that your history really glosses over the way the War and the period affected the majority of the people who lived in Hampton Roads. I'd like to see you do a show or two on the black history of the area under slavery and how the War affected them. A good start would be to use the stories found in the book "Weevils In The Wheat" with an emphasis on the Hampton Roads stories. Or yes, and in the interest of disclosure, I had ancestors that fought for the Union during the Civil war and one of them was killed during the seige of Atlanta. I'm sure that there are a significant number of potential contributors to your station that would appreciate a balanced history.

Answer:
Thanks for your note.  Yes, I do understand what you mean about the old and new interpretations of the Civil War.  While I do strive to be as non-biased as I can with my interpretations of Civil War events, I tend to talk more about my favorite generals, etc. in a more dynamic fashion. 

The Civil War in Hampton Roads is a four part series dedicated to the events that occurred from 1861-1865.  This four part series is divided into these themes:

1861
Battle of the Ironclads
1862 Peninsula Campaign
1863-1865
When I planned creating this series I recognized that it would be very hard for me to tell the entire war’s story in a dramatic fashion in four hours.  Accordingly, I focused on the war’s events and decided not to present the pre-war history.  You are very right in assuming that this is very important history and hopefully I will be able to do a separate documentary about ante-bellum Hampton Roads.  This history is filled with contradictions: social change, economic advancement and revolution/counter-revolution.  Please note that while this series is a military history I fully expect to discuss the long range impact of the war at the end of the last episode.  What does it mean to us today and how did it make our nation better are just a few of the themes that I hope to express. 

I do agree with you that too many people are trapped in the Lost Cause ideology.  Whereas this theme is interesting to talk about, it is always more important to recognize that the Civil War in Hampton Roads is a tool to help people to learn about the Civil War events (like the Contraband of War decision, Battle of Williamsburg) that occurred throughout our region and to understand that the conflict truly defined our nation as a country based on freedom. 

I would be happy to talk about these themes in greater depth with you whenever you might like to do so.  Meanwhile, I have the honor to remain,

Your obedient servant,
John V. Quarstein

Question:
Was Hampton Roads itself evacuated at the time of the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac?

Answer:
When the C.S.S. Virginia (formerly the U.S.S. Merrimack) attacked the Union fleet on March 8, 1862, the Hampton Roads harbor was full of Union merchant ships, transports, gunboats and US Navy frigates.  The devastation wrought by the Virginia prompted most unarmed Union vessels to leave Hampton Roads.  When the U.S.S. Monitor entered the Chesapeake Bay late in the afternoon of march 8, Acting Assistant Paymaster William F. Keeler noted:
The shelling seemed to let up.  All manner of ships, sail and steam, were running out of Hampton Roads, leaving like a convey of frightened quails and their lights danced over the water in all directions. 

While these transports, etc. may have left Hampton Roads and anchored out in the Chesapeake Bay, many small boats actually moved out along the shoreline to get a closer look at events on March 8 and again on March 9.  The larger Union vessels stayed near Fort Monroe and the RipRaps (Fort Wool), however, several tugs, such as the U.S.S. Dragon, were supporting the stranded U.S.S. Minnesota.  Also, two French corvettes were anchored near the entrance to Hampton Roads and watched the entire two day engagement. 

The Confederates also had all of their gunboats operating in Hampton Roads throughout the battle.  C.S.S. Harmony (observing with Flag Officer French Forrest on board), two support armed tugs for the Virginia - C.S.S. Raleigh and C.S.S. Beauford, and the James River Squadron consisting of the C.S.S. Patrick Henry, C.S.S. Jamestown and C.S.S. Teaser. 

Between 20 to 25,000 people (sailors, soldiers stationed at Fort Monroe or Craney Island) watched the battle.  It is often amazing just to picture the scenes through their observations.  Individuals like Raleigh Colston at Ragged Island or William H. Osborne at Newport News left behind powerful statements about how naval warfare changed before their eyes. 

I trust that this information is of some assistance.  The Virginia War Museum sells a map of the battle of Hamptons which I helped create with National Geographic that might help you place into context ship movements, etc.  Do let me know if you wish to secure a copy. 

I appreciate all of your interest in the Monitor-Virginia engagement and if you have any further questions or comments, please contact me.  Meanwhile, I have the honor to remain,

Your obedient servant,
John V. Quarstein

Question:
My gradmothers family were Jacksons from Jackson's Mill Virginia (now West Virginia). Family stories are that Gen. Jackson wanted to march straight away on Washington after 1st Bull Run which would have ended the War of North ern Aggression, and won our Independence. Questions; do you think that if we had won that the Confederacy would have held together? Would it have grown to enclude Cuba, Mexico and the Western States? Would we have gone to war in Europe in 1918 or kept out of it? That war would have ended in a stalemate without USA intervention. Hense: no Hitler, no WWII, no war on the Jews, no State of Isreal etc.

Answer:
Thanks for your message and thought provoking question.

Yes, it is true that then Brigadier General T.J. Jackson stated that if he had 10,000 muskets (meaning men) he could capture Richmond.  President Jefferson Davis, who had just arrived at Manassas Junction, P. G. T. Beauregard and Joe Johnston demurred the thought.  They all concluded that the Confederate army was fortunate enough to have won the battle and that the men were just too exhausted for such a bold advance.  Manassas was a hard fought battle.  The confederates had won the first large battle of the Civil War thanks to Jackson's heroic stand atop Henry House Hill.  The Confederate army was disorganized and Davis feared that the triumph could have been threatened by a hast advance.  There was no doubt that the Federal army had been soundly defeated at Manassas, however, the defenses of Washington would have still been a difficult nut to crack.  

If Washington had fallen into the hands of the Confederates, I am not sure whether that event would have ended the war.  If Lincoln had not been captured, his commitment to preserving the Union was so great that the Federal capital would have merely prompted him to move the capital to Philadelphia or New York.  

Many people thought that the war would be a quick one, however, Manassas proved the resolve of North and South alike to achieve victory.  Nevertheless, had the Confederacy captured Washington Great Britain and France may have recognized and supported the South.  This factor would have given the South victory.

If the Confederacy had been victorious then I do believe that the South would have remained independent for only a few decades.  Conflict over western expansion, the annexation of Cuba and other areas and the issue of the Border States may have brought on another conflict.  Furthermore, slavery was  a dying institution and once it had been peaceable ended, there may have been an opportunity for compromise.  I also believe that North and South were destined to be one nation.  Despite the cultural, social, economic and political differences between the two regions, the dynamism of the 'Manifest Destiny' would have eventually held sway over the issues of separatism and states rights.  
   
Hopefully this all makes some sense to you and I would be very pleased to review these topics with you in greater detail.  Meanwhile, I have the honor to remain, |

Your obedient servant,
John V. Quarstein

Question:
What other ships were involved in the burning of Gosport Navy Yard and what happened to them? What came of Gosport Navy Yard and is Fort Norfolk now a part of Norfolk NOB? What happened to the RipRaps?

Answer:
Other than the U.S.S. Merrimack, there were 9 ships burned. The major vessels scuttled include: U.S.S. Columbia, U.S.S, Pennsylvania, U.S.S. Raritan, U.S.S. Plymouth, U.S.S. Germantown, U.S.S. Delaware, U.S.S. Columbus, U.S.S. New York, U.S.S. Dolphin. The U.S.F. United States was considered such a venerable relic that she was not destroyed. The ship was decommissioned by the Confederate Navy as the C.S.R.S. Confederate States and she was used as a receiving ship while the Confederates occupied Gosport Navy Yard. The C.S.S. Virginia's crew trained on the Confederate States' cannon. During the Peninsula Campaign she was moved down river and anchored to defend against any Union naval attack. When the Confederates abandoned Gosport Navy Yard on May 10, the C.S.R.S. Confederate States was burned. Gosport Navy Yard in now the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Fort Norfolk is across the Elizabeth River from the Portsmouth Naval Hospital and is not a part of Norfolk NOB. Fort Calhoun the RipRaps is now known as Fort Wool (stay tuned as you will learn how this happened in future episodes of 'The Civil War in Hampton Roads'). It is located right next to the HRBT. The dock was damaged during Hurricane Isabel so it is difficult to gain access.

Question:
Mr. John Quarstein. I watched the program and I enjoyed the program. One thing that bothered me was the guys playing the part of Union Soldiers had Confederate white Haversacks on and wrong Equipment. Why not he take advantage of using the 79th New York Reenactors ? They are based At Endview and most guys are local and they do only Union. Nothing looks worse than guys dressed in Union uniforms with not enough equipment or wearing the wrong equipment. Thanks.

Answer:
I am glad that you enjoyed the program despite the problems with the Union uniforms.  Mea Culpa. Since I have 3 more episodes to create in this series I can guarantee that Union troops will be properly portrayed.  Hopefully, we can utilize the excellent services of the 79th New York to help with segments studying the Peninsula Campaign and the Union occupation of the Hampton Roads region. 

I appreciate all of your efforts in behalf of Endview Plantation.  Meanwhile, I have the honor to remain, Your obedient servant,

John V. Quarstein

Question:
Sir I was wondering if there is any reference to the Union and Confederate lines of the Battle of Big Bethel using modern day landmarks. Thanks

Answer:
Most of the Big Bethel battlefield has been destroyed by the creation of the Big Bethel reservoir in the early 1900's and many recent housing developments.  The original road traces still join together at Big Bethel Road.  If you travel down Big Bethel Road from Todd's Lane in Hampton you will drive across the battlefield as your approach the reservoir (which was once Brick Kiln Creek or also known as the northwest branch of the Back River) you will see a monument to your left.  The monument marks the spot where Henry Lawson Wyatt was mortally wounded.  There is also a Virginia State Highway Historical Marker documenting the site and soon there will be a Virginia Civil War Trails sign interpreting this June 10, 1861 engagement.  When you park to view the Wyatt monument, if you walk 25 yards to you left along the shore you will find the only remaining earthwork from the battle. 
I have the honor to remain, Your obedient servant,

John V. Quarstein