Union Defender April 2011

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE APRIL MEETING?

1) Gary Riley and David Coffman reported that they have approached several community organizations in Mountain Grove about funding the “Soldier Monument” restoration there. Phelps Camp has been asked to submit a formal request to the Community Foundation of Mountain Grove, and Gary and David will continue their efforts to obtain funding for this worthwhile project.

2) Members were reminded that the Civil War Round Table of the Ozarks meets on the second Wednesday evening of each month at the Springfield-Greene County Library Center.

3) Members were reminded about that the latest issue of the Missouri Unionist may be downloaded at http://www.suvcwmo.org.

4) Jeff Patrick reported that planning continues on the Zagonyi’s Charge program, scheduled for October 22.

5) Members enjoyed a fine presentation by John Rutherford on the life of John Hutchison, who was honored as Missouri’s last Civil War veteran by the state legislature shortly before his death in 1951.

NEXT MEETING The May meeting will be held at the Visitor Center at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 7 p.m. Phelps Camp member John Sutton will present a program on Civil War carbines, and will bring a number of reproduction carbines for members to examine.

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, so if you’re available any time between Friday morning (the 12th) and Sunday afternoon (the 14th), please contact Jeff Patrick as soon as possible at 417-732-2662, ext. 226, or by e-mail (tam1rn@juno.com).

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 April 30-May 1: Camp Jackson living history event, Jefferson Barracks County Park, St. Louis.May 14-15: Battle of Carthage reenactment.
August 6: Parade in downtown Republic, followed by living history programs
August 10: Battle of Wilson’s Creek anniversary ceremony, 7 p.m.
August 11: Possible event to commemorate the skirmish at Dug Springs, near Clever

The Union Defender March 2011

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE MARCH MEETING?

1) Members performed the SUV ritual ceremony and inducted several new members, including Larry Toll, Bob Drake, and Eddie Cox.

2) Jeff Patrick reported that an estimate on the restoration cost for the Mountain Grove soldier’s monument would be ready by mid-March.

3) Members were reminded about the Pea Ridge anniversary ceremony on March 5

4) Jeff Patrick reported that a brick/paver has been purchased in honor of Union soldiers, sailors and marines for the planned Republic Veterans Memorial.

5) Members discussed the John Hutchison event at Isabella, Missouri on March 20.

AFTER-ACTION REPORT: PEA RIDGE

On Saturday, March 5, several members of Phelps Camp braved very cold temperatures in order to honor the men of the Army of the Southwest at the Pea Ridge Battle Anniversary Ceremony. Commander Wait gave a short talk on behalf of the SUVCW, and the members of Phelps Camp performed musket firing demonstrations and gave “soldier life” talks the rest of the day. See attached photos, courtesy of Bob Drake, camp photographer.

AFTER-ACTION REPORT: ISABELLA

On Sunday, March 20, members of Phelps Camp honored the last recognized Missouri Civil War veteran, John Hutchison, and Medal of Honor recipient Harrison Collins at the Isabella, Missouri cemetery. A crowd of approximately 70 people were there to hear remarks by Commander Wait, Secretary John Rutherford and Daughters of Union Veterans Commander Sally McAlear. Phelps Camp members formed a color guard, presented a memorial wreath, and fired a musket volley to conclude the ceremony (see attached photos).

NEXT MEETING The April meeting will be held at the Visitor Center at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield on Tuesday,
April 5, 2011 at 7 p.m.

2011 DUES ARE NOW DUE Yes, it is time to “re-enlist,” for we will soon need to drop members because of unpaid dues. With the 150th anniversary of the Civil War fast approaching, we need every member of the camp to rejoin and help mark this important occasion. Please send a check or money order payable to “Phelps Camp No. 66, SUVCW” to:

John Rutherford
1329 S. Meadowview Ave.
Springfield, MO 65804

UPCOMING EVENTS

Phelps Camp member Ted Hillmer would like to remind members about some upcoming events:

June: Possible event in downtown Springfield to commemorate the arrival of Union forces in 1861.
August 6: Parade in downtown Republic, followed by living history programs
August 10: Battle of Wilson’s Creek anniversary ceremony, 7 p.m.
August 11: Possible event to commemorate the skirmish at Dug Springs, near Clever

The Union Defender February 2011

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE FEBRUARY MEETING?

1) Members agreed to purchase a brick/paver in honor of Union veterans at the planned Veterans Memorial in Republic, Mo.

2) Greg Wait, Jeff Patrick, David Coffman and Gary Riley agreed to meet on Sunday, February 20, to photograph and measure the Mountain Grove, Missouri soldier’s monument. That material will then be submitted to the monument restoration company in order for them to formulate an estimate and restoration plan.

3) Members discussed the “Zagonyi’s Charge” event at Zagonyi Park in Springfield on Saturday, October 22, to mark the 150th anniversary of the charge and the recapture of Springfield.

4) As some applications for new members are still pending, it was decided to postpone the ritual/initiation ceremony until the March meeting.

NEXT MEETING The March meeting will be held at the Visitor Center at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 7 p.m. SPECIAL NOTE: We will perform the SUV ritual ceremony that night in order to welcome our new members into the organization. If you are a new member and have not been initiated, please attend. If you have been initiated, we need members to help perform the ritual. Don’t be frightened—there’s nothing to memorize (you’ll have a script to follow), and there’s no physical pain or embarrassment!

2011 DUES ARE NOW DUE Yes, it is time once again to “re-up”! Unfortunately, due to a recent national dues increase, the members of Phelps Camp voted to increase yearly dues from $25 to $30, the first dues increase in MANY years. With the 150th anniversary of the Civil War fast approaching, we need every member of the camp to rejoin and help mark this important occasion. Please send a check or money order payable to “Phelps Camp No. 66, SUVCW” to:

John Rutherford
1329 S. Meadowview Ave.
Springfield, MO 65804

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 27: Sherman Day ceremony, Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis, 2 p.m.
March 5: Battle of Pea Ridge Anniversary Ceremony, Pea Ridge National Military Park, 9 a.m.
March 20: Special ceremony in Isabella, Missouri to honor John Hutchison, last surviving Missouri Civil War veteran, 1:30 p.m. More details to follow.

Meeting Postponed

Due to threat of more winter weather, the Phelps Camp meeting has been postponed. We will meet on Tuesday February 15 at 7 P.M. at Wilson's Creek. Members will make plans for carpooling to St. Louis on Sunday February 27 for the annual ceremony honoring General William T. Sherman.

Meeting Postponed

With a major winter storm approaching the Springfield area, we have decided to postpone the February meeting of Phelps Camp. We hope to see everyone at Wilson's Creek on Tuesday February 8 at 7 p.m.

The Union Defender January 2011

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE JANUARY MEETING?

1) Camp elections were held, with the 2010 officers unanimously elected for 2011.

2) Members agreed to perform the SUV initiation ritual at the February meeting.

3) Jeff Patrick announced that the Carthage monument proposal has been approved by the Carthage City Council. Once the selected artist/designer has finished a few other projects, he will submit a preliminary design of the proposed monument to the camp.

4) Jeff Patrick agreed to contact a monument restoration company re: the Mountain Grove, Missouri soldier’s monument. The monument is in need of cleaning/restoration. Jeff will ask the company about any travel fees they may charge in order to examine the monument and furnish an estimate for the restoration.

5) Members agreed that the camp should host a “Zagonyi’s Charge” event at Zagonyi Park in Springfield on Saturday, October 22, to mark the 150th anniversary of the charge and the recapture of Springfield.

6) Member Bob Drake alerted members to the new Civil War 150th day-by-day site maintained by the New York Times (http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/category/disunion).

NEXT MEETING The February meeting will be held at the Visitor Center at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 7 p.m. SPECIAL NOTE: We will perform the SUV ritual ceremony that night in order to welcome our new members into the organization. If you are a new member and have not been initiated, please attend. If you have been initiated, we need members to help perform the ritual. Don’t worry—there’s nothing to memorize (you’ll have a script to follow), and there’s no physical pain or embarrassment! Following the ritual, we will watch a new National Park Service video on the early life and career of Abraham Lincoln.

2011 DUES ARE NOW DUE Yes, it is time once again to “re-up”! Unfortunately, due to a recent national dues increase, the members of Phelps Camp voted to increase yearly dues from $25 to $30, the first dues increase in MANY years. With the 150th anniversary of the Civil War fast approaching, we need every member of the camp to rejoin and help mark this important occasion. Please send your dues payment (check or money order payable to "Phelps Camp #66 SUVCW") to:

John Rutherford

1329 South Meadowview

Springfield, Missouri 65804

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 27: Sherman Day ceremony, Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis, 2 p.m.

March 5: Battle of Pea Ridge Anniversary Ceremony, Pea Ridge National Military Park, 9 a.m.

March 19 or 20 (to be determined): Special ceremony in Isabella, Missouri to honor John Hutchison, last surviving Missouri Civil War veteran. More details to follow.

Union Defender December 2010

What Happened At The December Meeting?

1) Members and their wives enjoyed fine fellowship and food at Ruby Tuesday’s in Republic (see attached photo, thanks to Bob Drake).

NEXT MEETING

The January meeting will be held at the Visitor Center at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 7 p.m.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Holidays to the members of Phelps Camp and their families, and best wishes for 2011!