Post by John Christiansen on Jul 18, 2003 18:37:10 GMT -5
Fellows,
Last semester I was involved in a research stuudy for a proposed new national park in Beaufort, SC, that will interpret the story of the Reconstruction era. Beaufort has been selected because it was the site of early experiments concerning the new status of freedmen. This was called the Port Royal Experiment. Also, the area was the headquarters of the Department of the South of the Federal army. Early efforts to arm black troops were conducted here (most notably the 1st SC/ 33rd USCT), and the area was a major staging ground for black troops. This experience will all be part of the story. Also, Reconstruction programs were more successful in Beaufort because of a strong African-American community that deveoloped there during and afdter the war. Harriet Tubman conducted spy operations for the Union army here, and Robert Smalls of The Planter was of Beaufort and later the towns representative in Congress.
This study and proposed legislation is meeting with heavy opposition from the SCV. Please read the attached message from Dr. paige Putnam-Miller, one of the project leaders and a former lobbyist for the American Historical Association:
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July 18, 2003
To: Reconstruction Working Group
From: Page Miller
I met yesterday with Representative Joe Wilson's staff in Beaufort and understand that his office has received over 800 letters (probably only 50 from Beaufort County and most from out of state) in support of the Sons of Confederate Veterans' resolution opposing our Reconstruction working group and the legislation for a special resource study on Reconstruction in Beaufort County. Because this resolution is full of false statements, it is important for us to help to set the record straight. The "whereas" section of the resolution that is absolutely wrong is that "if this bill passes, the Beaufort arsenal will be turned over to the national park service." However, other sections are also full of misinformation. See the full text at the end of this message.
Money has already been secured in last years appropriations bill for this special study, but release of that money is pending authorization. S. 500, Hollings bill titled Beaufort County Study Act, provides authorization. S. 500, has passed the Senate by unanimous vote and has been sent to the House for consideration.
What is needed now is for Representative Wilson to urge the House Resources Committee to hold a hearing on S. 500 and to recommend it to the House floor for a vote. Because this bill deals with a project in Representative Wilson's district, it is essential that he push for action on S. 500. The Senate bill is very similar to the bill that Wilson introduced in January. It is too late in the session for Wilson to realistically secure passage of his own bill, H. R. 332, and thus if he wants Beaufort County to receive $350,000 for this study, he needs to seek passage in the House of S. 500, the Beaufort County Study Act.
You may contact Wilson's office by e-mail at: Joe.Wilson@mail.house.gov or call his Washington office (202) 225-2452; fax his Washington office (202) 225-2455 or call his Beaufort office (843) 521-2530; or write his Beaufort office: Lowcountry Office, 903 Port Republic Street, Post Office Box 1538, Beaufort, SC 29901.
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Boys, any support you'd be willing to lend this effort would be much appreciated. And if you know of any other Union men that would be interested, please pass it along.
Let's not win the war and lose the peace!
Last semester I was involved in a research stuudy for a proposed new national park in Beaufort, SC, that will interpret the story of the Reconstruction era. Beaufort has been selected because it was the site of early experiments concerning the new status of freedmen. This was called the Port Royal Experiment. Also, the area was the headquarters of the Department of the South of the Federal army. Early efforts to arm black troops were conducted here (most notably the 1st SC/ 33rd USCT), and the area was a major staging ground for black troops. This experience will all be part of the story. Also, Reconstruction programs were more successful in Beaufort because of a strong African-American community that deveoloped there during and afdter the war. Harriet Tubman conducted spy operations for the Union army here, and Robert Smalls of The Planter was of Beaufort and later the towns representative in Congress.
This study and proposed legislation is meeting with heavy opposition from the SCV. Please read the attached message from Dr. paige Putnam-Miller, one of the project leaders and a former lobbyist for the American Historical Association:
-----
July 18, 2003
To: Reconstruction Working Group
From: Page Miller
I met yesterday with Representative Joe Wilson's staff in Beaufort and understand that his office has received over 800 letters (probably only 50 from Beaufort County and most from out of state) in support of the Sons of Confederate Veterans' resolution opposing our Reconstruction working group and the legislation for a special resource study on Reconstruction in Beaufort County. Because this resolution is full of false statements, it is important for us to help to set the record straight. The "whereas" section of the resolution that is absolutely wrong is that "if this bill passes, the Beaufort arsenal will be turned over to the national park service." However, other sections are also full of misinformation. See the full text at the end of this message.
Money has already been secured in last years appropriations bill for this special study, but release of that money is pending authorization. S. 500, Hollings bill titled Beaufort County Study Act, provides authorization. S. 500, has passed the Senate by unanimous vote and has been sent to the House for consideration.
What is needed now is for Representative Wilson to urge the House Resources Committee to hold a hearing on S. 500 and to recommend it to the House floor for a vote. Because this bill deals with a project in Representative Wilson's district, it is essential that he push for action on S. 500. The Senate bill is very similar to the bill that Wilson introduced in January. It is too late in the session for Wilson to realistically secure passage of his own bill, H. R. 332, and thus if he wants Beaufort County to receive $350,000 for this study, he needs to seek passage in the House of S. 500, the Beaufort County Study Act.
You may contact Wilson's office by e-mail at: Joe.Wilson@mail.house.gov or call his Washington office (202) 225-2452; fax his Washington office (202) 225-2455 or call his Beaufort office (843) 521-2530; or write his Beaufort office: Lowcountry Office, 903 Port Republic Street, Post Office Box 1538, Beaufort, SC 29901.
-----
Boys, any support you'd be willing to lend this effort would be much appreciated. And if you know of any other Union men that would be interested, please pass it along.
Let's not win the war and lose the peace!