Union Defender April 2012

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE APRIL MEETING?
1) Members discussed plans for the Mary Phelps marker dedication ceremony.
2) Members discussed a special activity for the July meeting (details TBA).

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

DUES ARE DUE:
It’s not too late! 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.

PHELPS GROVE MARKER DEDICTION CEREMONY:
The members of Phelps Camp are cordially invited to a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mary Whitney Phelps on Sunday, April 29. A new historical marker honoring the efforts of Mary Phelps to care for wounded Union soldiers, the body of General Nathaniel Lyon, and Civil War orphans, will be dedicated. The event will be held in Phelps Grove Park, at the corner of Brookside and Virginia in Springfield. Period craft demonstrations will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. that day, the Missouri State University Brass Quartet will play from 1:30-2 p.m. and the formal dedication ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 block west of the park.
All camp members are encouraged to attend (wearing membership medals, of course), and volunteers are still needed for a color guard. Please contact Jeff Patrick (tam1rn@juno.com) ASAP if you have a musket and Union uniform and are able to attend.

A BUSY MONTH FOR PHELPS CAMP:Members of Phelps Camp participated in two ceremonies in April, with a third (the Mary Phelps marker dedication) planned for the end of the month.
On April 14, member Steve Weldon spoke at the dedication ceremony for a new historical marker in Montevallo, Missouri, commemorating the skirmish fought there in 1862 (see attached photo). In addition, camp members Greg Wait, Kip Lindberg and Gary Riley participated in a ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas, dedicating a new headstone for a member of the 2nd Kansas Colored Infantry. Huzza!

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:April 29: Phelps Marker dedication, Phelps Grove Park, Springfield, 2 p.m. 

CAN DO!We made another successful “run” to the recycling center, so please bring your cans to the next meeting so that we can rebuild our stock.