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!

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.)

Condolences

The members of Phelps Camp wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Jeff Patrick and his family. Jeff's father, Grover Patrick, passed away in Indiana on Tuesday. Mr. Patrick was a World War II veteran and former mayor of Ligonier, Indiana. Please keep the Patrick family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Union Defender September 2010

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING?

1) Jeff Patrick reported that the headstones for the two graves in Kirksville have arrived. Despite our instructions, one was delivered to Kirksville and one to Republic! Jeff and Greg Wait will deliver the stone to Kirksville on Friday, September 10.

2) Members were again encouraged to read and contribute material to the Phelps Camp blog (www.phelpscamp.blogspot.com).
3) Larry Toll reported that a required IRS “EIN” number has been secured for our SVR unit, and all the necessary paperwork has been submitted.
4) Steve Weldon reported that the Carthage Park Board will consider our proposal to erect a monument in Central Park at their monthly meeting on October 4. Jeff Patrick will attend and represent the camp.

5) Interest has been expressed in attending the Springfield Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 6. Greg Wait will contact parade officials to obtain more information.

6) Members examined a copy of the new Daughters of Union Veterans book, MARKING CIVIL WAR HISTORY IN THE OZARKS: A Guide to Civil War Markers and Monuments in Twenty-Four Southwest Missouri Counties. Ordering information is available on the DUV website: http://duvmissouritent22.org.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of Phelps Camp will be on Tuesday, October 5 at 7 p.m. at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. We will have a special program about the history of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.)