The Union Defender October 2009

THE UNION DEFENDER

THE NEWSLETTER OF PHELPS CAMP NO. 66, SONS OF UNION VETERANS
OF THE CIVIL WAR

Springfield, Missouri, October 2009

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE OCTOBER MEETING?

Members discussed future camp projects, including another battle monument (perhaps one in southwest Missouri), restoration of an original Greene County, Missouri G.A.R. flag, and a memorial to St. Joseph resident and Battle of Shiloh hero Colonel Everett Peabody. A final decision on the next Phelps Camp fundraising project will be made soon.

Members discussed the new camp blog site (see address above), where members can go for the latest information about the camp, plus photographs of recent camp activities and some great historical information relating to the Phelps family, the G.A.R. and other Civil War topics.


CWRTO CONFERENCE

Phelps Camp was represented at the Civil War Round Table of the Ozarks Conference at the Clarion Hotel in Springfield on Saturday, October 10. Camp members manned a table, handing
out free literature and selling copies of the Chronicles and GAR book.

CAVE SPRINGS MONUMENT DEDICATION CEREMONY

Several members of Phelps Camp attended a wonderful monument dedication ceremony at Cave Springs, near Sarcoxie, Missouri, on Saturday, October 3. A large, impressive monument to the members of the 76th Enrolled Missouri Militia and the Union civilians who gave their lives during the Civil War was unveiled before a large crowd. Members of the camp presented a musket firing demonstration and participated in the memorial service at the adjacent cemetery. Camp Commander Wait spoke on behalf of Phelps Camp.
It is a little-known fact that many members of the 76th , along with pro-Union civilians in the area, perished while trying to protect their homes and families against guerrilla bands.
Photos of the monument and the event will be posted soon on our blog site.


NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of Phelps Camp will be on Tuesday, November 3 at 7 p.m. at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.