Union Defender January 2012

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE JANUARY MEETING?

1) Members enjoyed a pleasant visit from Missouri Department Commander Chris Warren. Chris shared his plans for the future and complimented the members of Phelps Camp for their efforts to honor the “boys in blue.” He also thanked the members for their hospitality.

2) Members discussed plans for the Pea Ridge 150th anniversary and the February meeting. 3) Camp elections were held, and the 2011 officers were unanimously elected for 2012.

4) Camp members unanimously agreed to take part in the Branson Veterans Parade on Sunday, November 11.

NEXT MEETING The February meeting of Phelps Camp will be held at the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center on Tuesday, February 7 at 7 p.m. We will perform the SUV ritual (don’t worry about memorizing anything, we will provide scripts!). Following the ritual, camp member John Sutton will present a program on Union Army handguns, and will bring examples for members to examine.

DUES ARE DUE Yes, it’s that time again! Dues are still $30 (the same as 2011). Please make your check or money order payable to “Phelps Camp No. 66, SUVCW” and mail to:

John Rutherford

1329 S. Meadowview Ave.
Springfield, MO 65804

With many more 150th anniversary events on the horizon, we need the men of Phelps Camp to “re-enlist” and help the public remember those who fought and died to save the Union.

CIVIL WAR COMMEMORATIVE “CHALLENGE COINS” AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE The camp has purchased several SUVCW “Challenge Coins” for resale. Two designs are available—one for the Civil War 150th anniversary and one for the Grand Army of the Republic anniversary. Check out the designs: www.suvcw.org/SUVMerchandise/SUVOS_Sesqcoins.htm. These are priced to move at only $10 each! Jeff Patrick will have them available at upcoming meetings.

UPCOMING EVENTS March 9-11: Pea Ridge Battle Anniversary Living History/Commemorative Program (see attached schedule).

CAN DO! We are gathering cans for another “run” to the recycling center, so it’s time to bring your cans to the next meeting.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE LATEST “UNIONIST”? Check out the November issue of the Missouri Unionist (Department of Missouri newsletter) at:

www.suvcwmo.org/newsletter.php

Union Defender December 2011

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE DECEMBER MEETING? Camp members enjoyed good food and fellowship at our holiday dinner at Ruby Tuesday in Republic. Camp Commander Wait wished all members of Phelps Camp and their families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

NEXT MEETING The January meeting of Phelps Camp will be held at the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center on Tuesday, January 3 at 7 p.m. We will discuss plans/activities for 2012. Missouri Department Commander D. Christopher (Chris) Warren will be our special guest. All camp members are encouraged to attend and meet our department commander.

CIVIL WAR COMMEMORATIVE “CHALLENGE COINS” AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE The camp has purchased several SUVCW “Challenge Coins” for resale. Two designs are available—one for the Civil War 150th anniversary and one for the Grand Army of the Republic anniversary. Check out the designs: ww.suvcw.org/SUVMerchandise/SUVOS_Sesqcoins.htm. These are priced to move at only $10 each! Jeff Patrick will have them available at upcoming meetings.

UPCOMING EVENTS March 3-4: Pea Ridge Battle Anniversary Living History/Commemorative Program (details TBA).

CAN DO! We are gathering cans for another “run” to the recycling center, so it’s time to bring your cans to the next meeting.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE LATEST “UNIONIST”? Check out the November issue of the Missouri Unionist (Department of Missouri newsletter) at: www.suvcwmo.org/newsletter.php

Union Defender November 2011

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING?

1) Members discussed the Zagonyi’s Charge ceremony on October 22. Michael Price will submit an article about the event to The Banner and the Missouri Unionist.

2) Members agreed that our December meeting should be a dinner meeting (see notice in this newsletter).

3) Members discussed conducting a memorial ceremony at Pea Ridge National Military Park in March 2012, to honor the men of Phelps’ Regiment.

4) Jeff Patrick reported that the Mountain Grove Community Foundation did not approve our grant request to restore the Civil War soldier monument in Mountain Grove. Camp members are now exploring other funding opportunities.

ZAGONYI’S CHARGE CEREMONY Members of Phelps Camp were joined by more than 40 visitors in commemorating the 150th anniversary of “Zagonyi’s Charge” (the first battle of Springfield) on Saturday, October 22 at Zagonyi Park in Springfield. Camp members Herb Jackson, Steve Weldon, John Rutherford, Jeff Patrick, Kip Lindberg and Larry Toll made remarks, along with Sally McAlear of the Phelps Tent, Daughters of Union Veterans. The Wilson’s Creek artillery crew ended the 45-minute ceremony with a dramatic (and very loud) shot from their 6-pounder cannon. Thanks to all the members of Phelps Camp for attending this important ceremony to honor the men of Fremont’s Body Guard and White’s Prairie Scouts who fought and died at Springfield.

NEXT MEETING The December meeting of Phelps Camp will be our traditional holiday gathering. We will gather for dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s in Republic (Highway 60, across from Wal-Mart) on Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m. All camp members, spouses and other family members are cordially invited. Please RSVP to Jeff Patrick (417-732-2662, ext. 226 or e-mail tam1rn@juno.com) no later than Sunday, December 4.

CIVIL WAR COMMEMORATIVE “CHALLENGE COINS” AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE The camp has purchased several SUVCW “Challenge Coins” for resale. Two designs are available—one for the Civil War 150th anniversary and one for the Grand Army of the Republic anniversary. Check out the designs: ww.suvcw.org/SUVMerchandise/SUVOS_Sesqcoins.htm These make excellent holiday gifts, and are priced to move at only $10 each! Jeff Patrick will have them available at the holiday dinner meeting on December 6.

CAN DO! We just made a “run” to the recycling center, so now it’s time to rebuild our “stock.” Please bring your cans to the next meeting.

New Tombstones In Kirksville

Members of Phelps Camp No. 66, Department of Missouri, recently visited the graves of Jacob and Sitha Sholley in Forest-Llewellyn Cemetery in Kirksville, Missouri. The camp ordered and installed headstones for Jacob, a member of the 11th and 2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry regiments, and Sitha, who served in her husband's regiments as a nurse. Pictured, left to right, are Jeff Patrick, Greg Wait, Gary Riley and David Coffman.

Union Defender October 2011

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE OCTOBER MEETING?

1) Members discussed final arrangements for the commemorative ceremony for “Zagonyi’s Charge on October 22.

ZAGONYI'S CHARGE CEREMONY

About fifty people joined the members of Phelps Camp in commemorating Zagonyi's Charge. Phelps Camp wishes to thank the Springfield-Greene County Park Board for its cooperation in this important program. Additional photos are available in the gallery at the top of the page.

DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS MARKER CEREMONY

On Friday, September 30, members of Mary Whitney Phelps Tent, Daughters of Union Veterans dedicated a new historical marker honoring the achievements of Mary Phelps in establishing an orphanage for the children of fallen Union soldiers in 1865. The event took place at Sunshine Elementary School, on the corner of Jefferson and Sunshine in Springfield. Greg Wait, Jeff Patrick and Gary Riley volunteered for the color guard, and a large crowd of spectators (and MANY students) turned out for the program and monument unveiling. The weather was perfect as the men of Phelps Camp presented the colors for the pledge of allegiance and fired a musket volley during the unveiling. Congratulations to the ladies of Phelps Tent for their successful efforts to honor Mary Phelps. Be sure to have a look at the beautiful marker if you’re in the area.

NEXT MEETING

The November meeting of Phelps Camp will be held at the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center on Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m.

CAN DO! We just made a “run” to the recycling center, so now it’s time to rebuild our “stock.” Please bring your cans to the next meeting.

Union Defender October 2011

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING?

1) Members discussed plans for the commemorative ceremony for “Zagonyi’s Charge on October 22.

2) Members discussed upcoming plans for the Lexington battle reenactment.

3) Jeff Patrick announced that a grant application would be submitted by the end of September to the Mountain Grove Community Foundation, seeking funds for the restoration of that city’s Union soldier monument.

4) Members were encouraged to attend the DUV marker dedication ceremony on September 30 (see below).

DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS MARKER CEREMONY

On Friday, September 30, the members of Mary Whitney Phelps Tent, Daughters of Union Veterans will dedicate a new historical marker honoring the achievements of Mary Phelps in establishing an orphanage for the children of fallen Union soldiers in 1865. The event will take place at Sunshine Elementary School, on the corner of Jefferson and Sunshine in Springfield. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. All members of Phelps Camp are urged to attend, and we still need 2 or 3 members who have a Union uniform, accouterments and weapon to help with the Phelps Camp color guard. If you are available that afternoon, please contact Jeff Patrick (417-732-2662, ext. 226 or tam1rn@juno.com) as soon as possible. Limited parking is available at the school, with more parking in the Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church lot.

NEW MEMBER
Phelps Camp is pleased to announce that we have a new member, Donald Lancaster of Mountain View, Missouri. His great-great grandfather was St. Clair Lancaster of Company I, 7th Maryland Infantry Regiment. Private Lancaster served his country from September 1862 through May 1865. The 7th Maryland's war service was in Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. Welcome to Phelps Camp!

NEXT MEETING The October meeting of Phelps Camp will be held at the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center on Tuesday, October 4 at 7 p.m. Jeff Patrick will present a brief program about his recent visit to the grave of Captain David Van Buskirk, the “biggest Yankee in the world.”

CAN DO!

Are we still collecting aluminum cans? You bet we are! We are ready to make another “run” to the recycling center, so please bring your cans to the next meeting.

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 30: DUV dedication of Civil War Orphans’ Home historical marker, 1 p.m.

October 22: “Zagonyi’s Charge” 150th anniversary ceremony, 2 p.m.

Union Defender August 2011

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE AUGUST MEETING?

The August meeting was postponed until August 10 so that members could attend the program commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek (see below).

A VERY BUSY AUGUST August was a very busy month for Phelps Camp. On August 10, camp members attended the ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. Due to the threat of thunderstorms, the event was moved from the battlefield to the Republic High School. A number of camp members were present in the audience for the two-hour program, and three of the four Civil War soldiers in the official color guard were Phelps Camp members! Two days later, the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation hosted the official 150th anniversary battle reenactment on land near the battlefield. Once again, Phelps Camp members “stepped up to the plate” and manned a recruiting/information table all three days. We talked with many visitors and sold books and other items. Thanks to the generosity of camp member Brian Shay, we were able to add funds to the camp treasury. Brian, who has retired from Civil War reenacting, sent us a large amount of reproduction uniform pieces and equipment to sell at the reenactment. Thanks, Brian! All in all, it was an excellent week to remember the sacrifices of our ancestors, and to get the word out about Phelps Camp and the SUV.

Our thanks to Greg Wait, Herb Jackson and Larry Toll for participating in the August 10 ceremony, and to Tim Wilkinson, Gary Brimmer, Kirk Singleton and Richard Cochran for manning the information table!

DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS MARKER CEREMONY
On Friday, September 30, the members of Mary Whitney Phelps Tent, Daughters of Union Veterans will dedicate a new historical marker honoring the achievements of Mary Phelps in establishing an orphanage for the children of fallen Union soldiers in 1865. The event will take place at Sunshine Elementary School, on the corner of Jefferson and Sunshine in Springfield. The reception begins at 12:30 p.m., and the dedication at 1 p.m. All members of Phelps Camp are urged to attend, and we still need 2 or 3 members who have a Union uniform, accouterments and weapon to help with the Phelps Camp color guard. If you are available that afternoon, please contact Jeff Patrick (417-732-2662, ext. 226 or tam1rn@juno.com) as soon as possible.

NEXT MEETING

The September meeting of Phelps Camp will be held at the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center on Tuesday, September 6 at 7 p.m. CAN DO! Are we still collecting aluminum cans? You bet we are! We are ready to make another “run” to the recycling center, so please bring your cans to the next meeting.

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 17-18: 150th Lexington battle reenactment

September 30: DUV dedication of Civil War Orphans’ Home historical marker, 1 p.m.

October 22: “Zagonyi’s Charge” 150th anniversary ceremony, 2 p.m.