Home

NEXT MEETING

Saturday April 5, 2025 at 3 PM

THE LAST DAYS OF THE CONFEDERACY ... AND THEN?

Lecture by Marc Vandeplas: The last days of the Confederacy ... And then? In the first part of this lecture, Marc will guide you through the pivotal events of April 1865: the evacuation and burning of Richmond, the Battle of Appomattox on April 8th and 9th, General Lee's surrender, and the tragic assassination of Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre six days later. You will also revisit the final military moments of the Civil War, with special attention to the remarkable journey of the CSS Shenandoah, whose exploits across the globe left an indelible mark on history. In the second part, Marc will fast-forward to April 2024, embarking on a road trip along the East Coast of the United States in search of the Confederacy’s lingering legacy. Starting in Miami’s iconic Art Deco district, the journey continues to Key Largo for an unexpected boat ride. From there, you’ll explore Daytona Beach, a haven for car racing enthusiasts, before moving on to St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in North America, founded by the Spanish in 1565. Next, the trip takes you to Savannah, Georgia, now a popular destination for film productions, and Charleston, South Carolina, where you’ll be greeted by the Daughters of the Confederacy. The journey proceeds to the Manassas battlefield, renowned for its statue of Stonewall Jackson, and culminates in Washington, D.C., where you’ll explore the capital’s majestic monuments and free museums. The final stop will be Arlington, reflecting on the legacy of Robert E. Lee and the profound dilemmas that shaped his life.

Saturday May 10, 2025 at 9.45 AM

EXCURSION TO MONS

Excursion organized by Dominique De Cleer to Mons. The capital of the province of Hainaut, Mons is a city rich in history dating back to the 7th century. A few centuries earlier, the Belgian Nervian tribe had settled there, and a Roman garrison had been established. Over the centuries, Mons fell under Spanish rule (1515-1713), Austrian rule (1713-1795), French rule (1795-1815), and Dutch rule (1815-1830).

On August 23, 1914, the British Expeditionary Force, 80,000 men strong, occupied a defensive position along the Mons-Condé Canal. Opposing them, the German 1st Army, with twice the numbers, bombarded the British positions and sought to seize the canal bridges. At 9 a.m., four German battalions attempted to capture the Nimy bridge, defended by a single company of the Royal Fusiliers. Advancing in tight ranks, the German soldiers were shot down like rabbits by the Tommies. By 2 a.m. the next day, the British troops withdrew along the Valenciennes-Maubeuge axis.

On September 2, 1944, the U.S. 3rd Armored Division, Spearhead, entered the city of Mons, making it the first to be liberated. From September 2 to 6, the fighting in the Mons Pocket resulted in 3,500 German casualties, while the American forces lost only 89 men. The GIs took 25,000 prisoners, including four generals.

The programme of the day will include a visit to the George Lawrence Price Memorial, the Mons Memorial Museum, the Doudou Museum and the St-Symphorien Military Cemetery.

The price of the excursion is 50 €. More details on the French page of this website or upon request. Reservation a must before May 1 at the latest by email to d.decleer@scarlet.be or tel. at 0475/77 34 60.

Saturday June 14, 2025 from 11.30 AM

ANNUAL CHAB BANQUET

As in previous editions, the CHAB barbecue will take place at the club house of the Hoegaarden hockey club. This year, Hubert Leroy and Dominique De Cleer will prepare aMexican menu. Margarita – Tortilla con carne – Enchilada con pollo – Salad, tomatoes, Jalapeños – Mangu pudding – Coffee/Tea. Price of the meal (drinks not included): CHAB members: €35 – non-members: €45. Please register with our secretary Dominique De Cleer by email at d.decleer@scarlet.be or by tel. at 0475/77 34 60, and pay the amount of your meal to account BE90 3100 9059 2632 with the mention CHAB Dinner, before June 4 at the latest.

LATEST PAINTINGS OF JOHN PAUL STRAIN

NASHVILLE NIGHT PATROL

ROAD TO ROMNEY

After escaping General Grant’s encirclement of Fort Donelson, Lt. Colonel Forrest led his men on a snowy two-day 75-mile trek to Nashville. Rain and warmer temperatures had melted much of the snow as Forrest arrived in Nashville, and reported to General Floyd, who was then commanding the city. Word had spread through the populace that Fort Henry and Fort Donelson had fallen to Union forces. And with news of the approach of US General Buell’s army, a great panic spread throughout the city like a wildfire. A witness later wrote, "A reign of terror and confusion ensued, the like of which was never witnessed in Nashville." Government officials and citizens fled the chaotic scene. Violent plundering mobs were stealing anything of value, attacking anyone who resisted. General Floyd authorized Forrest to take command of the city. Immediately Forrest sent a company of men to secure the public commissary. Forrest then rode with his troops directly into the plundering mob. Those who refused to disperse were met with sabers on their heads and shoulders. One of the drunken ring leaders of the degenerates, charged at Forrest. The man was quickly knocked unconscious by the butt of Forrest’s revolver like a sack of potatoes. The man’s followers realized their situation had changed and reluctantly dispersed. Forrest and his cavalry moved throughout the city restoring some semblance of order. For a week, Forrest’s next task was to try and save as much military equipment and supplies as possible. Every available wagon, horse, or mule left in Nashville was used to remove valuable stores to the depot of the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad. Large quantities of military supplies from the Confederate quartermaster’s department, including hundreds of wagonloads of meat were saved by Forrest and his soldiers. The exodus from the city continued for days with men riding on the top of railroad cars packed with women and children. At night, Forrest and his men patrolled the streets of Nashville, protecting those still remaining in the city. When Buell’s Union army reached the outskirts of Nashville, Forrest and forty of his men were still looking after the transport of supplies. Being the last to leave, Forrest finally headed to Murfreesboro. The Federals entered the city of Nashville on February 25th, which became the first captured Confederate Capital of the war. The city would be occupied by Union forces until 1867. But the Union army had not heard the last from Nathan Bedford Forrest.

By the end of December 1861, the Governor of Virginia had provided new state flags for all the Virginia regiments. On New Years Eve, Stonewall Jackson’s regiments received orders to prepare for action, draw ammunition, five day’s rations, and arise at 3 A.M. to begin a march, which would later be called the Romney Expedition. Around 9 A.M. the next day Jackson's army of 8500 men filed out of Winchester waving their new flags, headed for Berkeley Springs (Bath) in mild weather conditions. Jackson was leading four brigades that afternoon when they were hit by a severe northwestern wind, which dropped temperatures below freezing. By the next day the army was fighting a blinding snowstorm as Lt. Col. Turner Ashby and his cavalry led the way, followed by Jackson’s brigades. But General Jackson was not deterred, pushing the soldiers ever forward through the icy snow-covered roads. On January 4th Jackson attacked the Federals at Berkeley Springs (Bath) forcing them to retreat and quickly occupied the town. He then ordered his artillery to shell the enemy positions in Hancock, Maryland. Snow continued to fall on January the 5th when Stonewall turned his attention to the Federal garrison at Romney. Jackson then gathered his brigades and headed back the way they had come towards Romney. After a long and arduous march, the cold and exhausted army arrived at Unger’s Store the night of the 7th. Jackson was invited to rest at Oakleigh Manor, the home of Washington Unger. The sky was beginning to clear on the morning of the 8th, as Jackson and his staff rode along the hills assessing the condition of his army. It was decided that the men would need a number of days to reorganize, refit, and recoup before their move on the garrison at Romney, thought to be 18,000 men strong. But news came that 2000 Federals had overwhelmed a 700 militia outpost at Hanging Rock near Romney. Jackson sent several raiding elements in different directions to probe the enemy strength and locations, to tear up telegraph and railroad lines, and to confound and confuse the enemy while his army recuperated. Despite the winter conditions, Jackson’s men destroyed a great number of telegraph lines and over 100 miles of B&O railroad track, earning Jackson the nick name “The Old Railroad Wrecker.” Back at camp, the milder weather began to melt the snow, turning their bivouac into what the men called “Camp Mud.” On January 13th General Jackson, and only about two-thirds of the men he had started with began their march to take the garrison at Romney. The next day Jackson’s brigades were hit with another heavy snowstorm. When one of Jackson’s brigade commanders questioned whether his men could continue under these circumstances, Jackson replied, “I have never found anything impossible with this brigade.”

For information or online orders: