As I Remember

The book presents the collection of Lewis Cass White, a soldier in the 102nd Pennsylvania Volunteers. The collection includes several hand-written histories and reminiscences, notes from diaries from 1861, 1862, 1863 and 1865 and one original diary covering part of 1861. The collection includes related letters to and from other veterans and veteran associations, speeches, newspaper clippings and other related ephemera.

Rescued from an elderly relative's long-ignored basement in Bethesda in 2011, a bag of old paper material was salvaged from the moldy, water-logged debris. It contained historical documents dating back to the Civil War and the early 20th century. This material became the basis for As I Remember. The documents are transcribed and some reproduced in full color. Other elements are illustrated with Civil War era illustrations.

It is particularly exciting to bring to light several first-hand accounts of the Battle of Fort Stevens, the only time a sitting president has been under fire. White had asked for assistance from colleagues in memorializing this “small event” that he thought had large consequences. Materials include a diagram, reproduced in color, from Surgeon C.C.V. Crawford, who was wounded while standing close to Lincoln and a seven-page account from Lieutenant George Jewett, who stood close to Lincoln. Several items include quotes from President and Mrs. Lincoln. The events became a part of White's life after the war, joining and participating in the Grand Army of the Republic, and particularly memorializing the battlefield of Fort Stevens, where he took up residence.

White's reminiscences and histories give us a personal look at major historical events. His diaries define the daily life and thoughts of a Civil War soldier. He wrote a unit history that he shared with compatriots. They tell us how and what these people thought about their time and experience and how it shaped our nation in their eyes. Documents from several veterans show us they understood the historical impact of the events they had participated in and were proud of their participation. It was noted that the events had “elevated the people, enlarged their ideas and given them a clear and fairer conception of their relations and duties to each other than before passing through the fiery ordeal.” There was no bitterness, even though all of the correspondents had been through terrible ordeals and most had been wounded.

Enjoy the experience of traveling back in time and sharing the insights of heroes of another generation.

Designed and edited by Joseph Scopin, Jr. His career includes art direction and management at the Art Education Association, the Washington Star, the Washington Post, United Press International and The Washington Times.

Benjamin Franklin Cooling has provided assistance and introductions to the material. He is a noted Civil War historian who has published over 15 books and teaches at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. His latest release is The Day Lincoln Was Almost Shot: The Fort Stevens Story published in 2013 by Scarecrow Press. His Mr. Lincoln's Forts, revised and republished in 2009, is the premier historical reference and tour guide to the Civil War defenses of Washington, D.C.