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.

Union Defender July 2011

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE JUNE MEETING?

1) Members discussed upcoming events, including 150th anniversary ceremonies for the battles of Carthage, Wilson’s Creek and Springfield (Zagonyi’s Charge), and the Wilson’s Creek battle reenactment.

BATTLE OF CARTHAGE CEREMONY
Several members of Phelps Camp participated in a ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Carthage on Saturday, July 9. After a formal commemorative ceremony, Phelps Camp member Steve Weldon introduced Carthage artist Andy Thomas, who unveiled preliminary sketches of the proposed German-American soldier memorial (see attached photos). Phelps Camp members will serve as official historical advisors on the monument project. Despite blistering heat, a large crowd was in attendance to remember those on both sides who fell on July 5, 1861.

NEXT MEETING Next month’s meeting will be rescheduled to coincide with the 150th anniversary activities at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield on August 10. Activities begin with period music at 6:30 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 7 p.m. We will have a short business meeting in the Visitor Center following the ceremony. Visitors are encouraged to park in the Visitor Center lot and ride a shuttle bus to the Ray House, where the ceremony will take place.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WILSON’S CREEK REENACTMENT Phelps Camp will have a recruiting/sales table at the Wilson’s Creek reenactment on August 12-14. We need volunteers to man the table on Saturday morning and afternoon (to back up those who have already volunteered), and on Sunday from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Please contact Jeff Patrick as soon as possible at 417-732-2662, ext. 226, or by e-mail (tam1rn@juno.com) if you are available. Again, here’s the schedule to date:

Friday, Aug. 12—Todd and Tim Wilkinson
Saturday, Aug. 13—Kirk Singleton and Richard Cochran
Sunday, Aug. 14—Open

CAN DO! Are we still collecting aluminum cans? You bet we are! Bring a bag of cans to the next meeting. Aluminum sales help support our camp, so keep drinking! UPCOMING

EVENTS

August 6: Parade in downtown Republic, followed by living history programs. Parade begins at 10 a.m.
August 7: Ceremony at Clever Middle School to commemorate the skirmish at Dug Springs, 2 p.m.

August 10: Battle of Wilson’s Creek anniversary ceremony, 7 p.m.

August 12-14: Battle of Wilson’s Creek Reenactment (www.wilsonscreek150.com)