Washington Arsenal Explosion Commemoration

[L Verge]

Those who are members of the Surratt Society know that my friend and colleague, Joan Chaconas, recently did an article for the Courier related to the June 1864 explosion at the Washington Arsenal that killed so many female workers.

I just received this invitation to a commemoration ceremony: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall is commemorating a Civil War Sesquicentennial anniversary and a somber moment in its history at a ceremony being held to honor the lives of 21 young, women war-workers who were killed in an explosion at the Washington Arsenal (now Fort McNair) while making ammunition for the Union Army in June of 1864.

Joint Base Commander Col. Fern Sumpter is honored to invite you to join her at this ceremony being held on the grounds of Fort McNair in southwest Washington D.C.

Unfortunately, this is by invitation only, but it is so nice to see the history of the Fort McNair area being remembered. It's a grand old post - second only (I think) to West Point in years as an army post.

[BettyO]

I also received an invite - and am planning on attending. McNair does have a wonderful history -

[LincolnToddFan]

I remember reading about this tragedy. I can't think of a more horrific death than what those women and girls suffered. I think I remember reading that President Lincoln attended their mass funeral and burial.

Laurie and Betty, you ladies are just so fortunate to live in the East, so redolent with our country's earliest history and culture.

All I seem to have out here in Southern California is sunshine, the beach, and the Academy Awards!

[Gene C]

(05-29-2014 05:36 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote:  Laurie and Betty, you ladies are just so fortunate to live in the East, so redolent with our country's earliest history and culture.

All I seem to have out here in Southern California is sunshine, the beach, and the Academy Awards!

Laurie and Betty also make their own sunshine

[RJNorton]

(05-29-2014 05:36 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote:  I think I remember reading that President Lincoln attended their mass funeral and burial.

Good memory, Toia! Lincoln Day By Day says Lincoln attended the funeral during the afternoon of June 19, 1864.

There is an article about this tragedy here.

[BettyO]

Richmond, Virginia had it's own Arsenal explosion in March of 1863. About 75-80 girls died in the explosion or of their wounds; some drowned when they raced down to the edge of the James River and jumped in to douse their flaming clothing.

http://rgkellerman.blogspot.com/2011/02/...erate.html

[Eva Elisabeth]

(05-29-2014 05:36 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote:  All I seem to have out here in Southern California is sunshine, the beach, and the Academy Awards!

Though not in the south, but you have the Yosemite Park that A. L. founded (well, sort of founded).

[LincolnToddFan]

Yes, Eva E.,...and Yosemite is gorgeous! San Francisco has also has quite a few places associated with the Civil War and is one of the most beautiful cities in America.

There are of course also the famous mission churches and cemeteries.

But it doesn't compare with the Midwest and the East, imo.

---

(05-29-2014 06:05 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(05-29-2014 05:36 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote:  I think I remember reading that President Lincoln attended their mass funeral and burial.

Good memory, Toia! Lincoln Day By Day says Lincoln attended the funeral during the afternoon of June 19, 1864.

There is an article about this tragedy here.

I want to read "Day By Day....thanks Roger!

[L Verge]

(05-29-2014 06:21 PM)BettyO Wrote:  Richmond, Virginia had it's own Arsenal explosion in March of 1863. About 75-80 girls died in the explosion or of their wounds; some drowned when they raced down to the edge of the James River and jumped in to douse their flaming clothing.

http://rgkellerman.blogspot.com/2011/02/...erate.html

I think I'm going to be tracking the author of this down to get permission to carry it in the Surratt Courier as a sequel to our earlier Washington Arsenal article.

[Rsmyth]

There is a great series of posts on the event and aftermath at this site:

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/thomas-b...nal.28393/

[Linda Anderson]

Here is an article from the NY Times about the arsenal explosion.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/201...c=rss&_r=0