Union Defender November 2010

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING?

1) Jeff Patrick reported that the headstones for the two graves in Kirksville have been set (see attached photo). We are now planning an official dedication ceremony for next April.

2) Members were again encouraged to read and contribute material to the Phelps Camp blog (www.phelpscamp.blogspot.com).
3) Herb Jackson reported that male living history volunteers are needed for the annual Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site on Friday and Saturday, December 3-4. If you are able to help, contact Galen Ewing at 620-223-0310.

4) Members were asked to think about a possible camp publishing project for the Wilson’s Creek 150^th anniversary reenactment next August.

5) Members enjoyed the second of a two-part presentation on the history of the Grand Army of the Republic.

FOR LINCOLN AND LIBERTY!

Camp members Greg Wait, Kip Lindberg and Jeff Patrick participated in ceremonies marking the 150^th anniversary of the election of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. A crowd of approximately 300 people, led by living history “Wide Awake” Lincoln supporters, escorted Mr. Lincoln (Lincoln impersonator Fritz Klein) from the Old State Capital to the Lincoln Home, where Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln welcomed well-wishers.

NEXT MEETING

The December meeting will be a dinner meeting. All members and spouses are encouraged to join us in fellowship at Ruby Tuesday’s in Republic (on Highway 60, across from Wal-Mart) at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7. Please RSVP to Jeff Patrick by December 6, either by e-mail (tam1rn@juno.com) or by phone (732-2662, ext. 226).

Union Defender October 2010

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE OCTOBER MEETING?

1) Jeff Patrick reported that the headstones for the two graves in Kirksville have been delivered, and payment for their installation has been sent to the monument company. We are now planning an official dedication ceremony for next April. Union veteran Dr. A.T. Still, the father of osteopathic medicine, is buried in the same cemetery, so we will mark his grave as well.

2) Members were again encouraged to read and contribute material to the Phelps Camp blog (www.phelpscamp.blogspot.com).
3) Steve Weldon reported that the Carthage Park Board has approved our proposal to erect a monument in Central Park. The proposal will now go before the Carthage City Council. A prominent southwest Missouri artist has agreed to design the monument. More details TBA.

5) Members were asked to think about a possible camp publishing project for the Wilson’s Creek 150^th anniversary reenactment next August.

6) Camp members Gary Riley, David Coffman, Greg Wait and Jeff Patrick represented Phelps Camp at the Pioneer Descendants Festival in Douglas County on October 2. While there, they discovered that the headstones of two Union veterans buried in nearby Yates Cemetery need to be replaced. New stones will be ordered this winter.

NEXT MEETING

The regularly scheduled monthly meeting was postponed due to Election Day, so the next meeting of Phelps Camp will be on Tuesday, November 9 at 7 p.m. at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. We will have the conclusion of a special program about the history of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.)