WINTER 2010 THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR From Department Headquarters Jeffrey Albanese, Commander, Department of New York, SUVCW In a little over four months, we will begin the commemoration of perhaps one of the most momentous and most tragic periods in the history of our great country, the American Civil War. In 1998, Tom Brokaw wrote a book entitled The Greatest Generation about those Americans who grew up in the Great Depression and then fought in the Second World War. Certainly, those men and women demonstrated great courage and perseverance and contributed significantly to our great country. However, I have often felt that those Americans who fought for the Union in the American Civil War, which freed millions of black Americans, then went on to help build the transcontinental railroad, settle, and tame our great country may really have been the greatest of all generations. It is to those Americans that our Order is dedicated. During the last few months, I have had the opportunity to work with our own Department Sesquicentennial of the Civil War Committee. I must comment that under the leadership of our own Past Commander in Chief Danny Wheeler and with the hard work of Bob Pugsley, Ray LeMay III, Ray Wheaton, Lyman Baker and Paul Ellis-Graham tremendous strides have been made. Our website is up and running, a logo has been created and is available as a window decal for a donation of $5 or more, and a Sesquicentennial event 1 honoring Colonel Elmer Ellsworth has been planned for May 15, 2011. Please visit our website at suvcw. org/ny/deptny.htm and ask your friends and family to do likewise. By doing so, you can show support for your Order, your Department and also preserve the memory of your ancestors. During August, I attended the National Encampment of the Allied Orders in Overland Park, Kansas. It was both exciting to meet our brethren from all over the country and informative to attend such an event. I was pleased to see that Brother Danny Wheeler, PCinC was re-elected as National Quartermaster, Brother Jerry Orton received an award for Fraternal Relations and Brother Frank Scaturro received the Cornelius F. Whitehouse Award for Outstanding Brother. In addition, the Department of New York was determined to be the third largest Department in the Order only several brothers behind the Department of Ohio. However, not all is good news. The low interest rates have hurt the Orders investments and as consequence, the National Organization has had to dip into its reserves and significantly cut its expenses. Having not raised the national per capita in almost a decade, despite rising costs, the Encampment on its own from the floor voted to increase the dues by $5. Even with this increase, our dues are still significantcontinued Auxiliary s Brother of the Year At the National Encampment of the Allied Orders in August, Jerry Orton, PDC, received the Brother of the Year award from the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War for endless support to the Auxiliary and for his personal belief in the true meaning of the words, Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty. The award was presented by Nancy Greenwalt Hilton, immediate past National President. Standing with Jerry are Commander Jeffrey Albanese, PCC and Brother Danny Wheeler, PCinC, National Quartermaster, and Department of New York Counselor. Jerry currently serves as Department of New York Historian.
National Per Capita Increase The $5 National Dues Increase is effective immediately. All new members and renewing members need to include this additional $5 in their dues payment. In addition if your Camp Bylaws include the amount of annual dues they need to be amended and submitted to the Department Commander for approval. Associates, Juniors & Junior Associates If not already done, all Camps are encouraged to include Associates, Juniors and Junior Associates in their Bylaws. All Camp-approved Bylaw changes need to then be approved by the Department Commander. Camp Sesquicentennial Events Camps are encouraged to plan Sesquicentennial events locally and submit those events to the Department webmaster for inclusion on the Department Sesquicentennial website. Sesquicentennial Logo Window Decals For a contribution of $5 or more to the Department Sesquicentennial Committee a window decal bearing the New York Sesquicentennial of the Civil War logo will be sent free of charge. Please send your contribution to Danny Wheeler, PCinC, 5 Benny Lane, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850, and include your name and address. The Volunteer is the newsletter of The Department of New York Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Signals Officer Editor Donald G. Zeilman Copyright 2010 continued from page 1 ly less than those of our brothers to the South who belong to the Sons of Confederate Veterans. I have heard from some that they believe this increase will lead to brothers leaving the Order but I am confident that our mission and our obligation to keep the memory of our ancestors who served the Union during its greatest crisis will far outweigh a $5 bill. I have also been asked what can be cut in order to prevent this from happening again, but in my mind the answer is not to cut more of our programs but to recruit more members. More members will mean more dues and the time to increase our membership is now, during the Sesquicentennial. Now for some announcements, Camps should notify the Department Chaplain, R. Stuart Smith, PCC at rstuartsmithjr@yahoo.com in the event a member passes and send a notification on CSR form 30 to the Department Secretary Michael Bennett. In addition, the Camp Patriotic Instructor needs to respond to the Department s Patriotic Instructor s request for information and/or submission of the National Patriotic Form when requested. Our Department Patriotic Instructor is Lyman Baker, PCC and he may be reached at lbaker9@twcny.rr4.com Two other projects of the Department bear mentioning. The Department has decided to support the preservation of Grant s Cottage at Mount McGregor. It is my belief that this is one of the most significant historic sites in the State of New York commemorating a Civil War era historical figure of monumental importance. While a state historic site, it receives little if any state support despite its historical significance as the location where Grant finished his memoirs and died. Our Department support has been in the form of urging our membership to write or call their state political leaders and advocate that they support this site in both word and deed. In addition, we encourage our membership to become members of the Friends of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage, Inc. the not-for-profit that currently provides the majority of support for the site. The Department has become a member of this organization and I have been informed that at least one camp, the Admiral Worden Camp 150 has also become a member. I am happy to report that recently, both through contributions and through volunteer labor, the Cottage itself has been painted and has had its drainage issues addressed. Congratulations to the Friends for all their hard work. In addition, the Department has adopted the gravesite of General George Thomas, the Rock of Chickamauga in the Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York. Please keep your eye out for announcements for work details to work at the site during the spring. In closing, as I wrote in my last article of the Volunteer, it is of the utmost importance that we, and all the Allied Orders, work together to inspire in our fellow Americans an appreciation of the service and sacrifice of our ancestors who served so valiantly and sacrificed so much in order to preserve the Union. It is equally important that we work to instill in those same fellow Americans a proclivity to preserve the memories, monuments, memorials, and battlefields of our ancestors so that all future generations will know what they did to preserve this great country. Yours in Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty, Jeffrey Albanese 2
AJ Myer Mausoleum Rededicated in Buffalo On Remembrance Day, November 20, the Brothers of Colonel John B. Weber Camp No. 44 held a formal ceremony rededicating the mausoleum of Brigadier General Albert James Myer in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York. The graveside rededication ceremony was adapted from a 1917 service used by the GAR to dedicate a member s headstone. Administering the ceremony were Camp Commander Bill Tojek, Chaplain Bob Wiltshire and Brothers Mike Erb, Mark Hageman Jr., Mark Hageman Sr. and Jim Pace. The ceremonial salute was done by a rifle squad composed of reenactors from the 155th New York Volunteer Infantry Re-enactment Regiment under the command of Captain Dave Bertuca. In keeping with tradition, the Remembrance Day Service began promptly at noon when the participants marched from the main entrance to the mausoleum. The Union Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps played the marching music. The re-dedication Left, Col John Weber (Bill Tojek, CC) and BG Albert Myer (Bob Gilbert) lead the march. ceremony was part of a service that included placement of flowers at the mausoleum by representatives of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War and P. G. Cook Camp 223, SUVCW. Also participating in the service were David Kreutz portraying President Lincoln; members of the 155th NYVI Re-enacting Regiment under the command of Captain Bertuca drilling the silent mourn from the 1861 Army Regulations; Chaplain Wiltshire of the Weber Camp offering a prayer to recognize the active Armed Forces; and finally, Brother Jim Pace of the Weber Camp commemorating all veterans. Brother Bob Gilbert, portraying BG Myer, was the Officer-of-the-Day responsible for introductions and explanations. On Thursday, November 18, Kevin O Neill s Celebrating Western New York segments during the Daybreak television show promoted Weber Camp s Remembrance Day Service. Four segments were broadcast live from the meeting hall. The initial segment featured O Neill interviewing Commander Tojek as they discussed the origins and purpose of the Sons as well as the background of Remembrance Day. Additional segments introduced each individual participating in the morning broadcasts. The final broadcast featured a rifle salute in front of the hall next to the war veterans monument. The salute also featured Bugler Tojek. Everyone present enjoyed the experience with Kevin O Neill and well understood how these broadcasts brought attention to our organization and Remembrance Day in particular. Two local television stations videotaped the Remembrance Day Service as a result of the advance publicity. These videos were featured during their respective weekend newscasts on Saturday night and Sunday morning. As reported in the Summer issue of The Volunteer, Albert Myer enlisted in the United States Army as 3 Courtesy Nancy Cardillo Remembrance Day The rifle salute by the 155th NYVI Re-enacting Regiment under the command of Captain Bertuca an Assistant Surgeon. He was commissioned into the United States Signal Corps in June 1860. While assigned to the Army Signal Corps he was ultimately brevetted as a Brigadier General in 1865. He became a permanent Brigadier General in 1880. Albert Myer died on August 24, 1880. Post Number 236 of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized in his honor after his death in Buffalo, New York. Brigadier General Myer was the first Chief Signal Officer of the Army Signal Corps. Albert Myer is recognized as developing the signaling system used to provide communications between unit commanders during the Civil War.
Sesquicentennial Update Sesquicentennial Committee Reports Progress and Notes Events In June of 2010, the Department of New York SU- VCW created a Sesquicentennial Committee to do what the State of New York has not that is, to commemorate the contributions of New Yorkers in the American Civil War. New York contributed more men to the service of the Union than did any other state in the Union and much of its treasure. Our ancestors who served deserve to have their sacrifice and their service remembered. In furtherance of that obligation, the Department Sesquicentennial Committee has been hard at work. The New York Sesquicentennial of the Civil War logo has been adopted and it is now available as a vehicle or window decal for a donation of $5 or more to the Committee. All donations will be used to promote the Sesquicentennial throughout the state. Please remember that the logo as adopted is not SUVCW specific but is designed to appeal to New Yorkers and others in general as our state has chosen not to do so as a state venture. For further information, please contact the Committee Chairman Danny Wheeler, PCinC at Dwheel2@twcny.rr.com. The Colonel Elmer Ellsworth Sesquicentennial event is on track and will take place in Mechanicville, New York on May 15, 2011 almost 150 years to the day of his untimely death as the first Union officer killed during the war. A promoter of the Zouave military unit, master of precision drill and confident and body guard of President Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Ellsworth was killed while removing a Confederate flag from a hotel in Alexandria Virginia on May 24, 1861. The event will consist of a re-creation of his funeral service at his graveside in the Hudson View Cemetery in Mechanicville, New York to be followed by a tour of some of his artifacts at the New York Military Museum. The Department Sesquicentennial of the Civil War website has been created and you can access it through the Department website at: http://www. suvcw.org/ny/deptny.htm Please check it out for information and encourage your fellow Brothers to do likewise. In addition, the site will be listing Camp Sesquicentennial of the Civil War events. Currently the Admiral Worden Camp 150 has an event planned for March 10, 2011 and the Colonel Ellis Camp 124 has an event planned for July of 2014. These events can be ones you regularly commemorate if they can be connected to the Sesquicentennial. If you want your events posted, please contact the Department Webmaster, Robert Pugsley at flycar@ frontiernet.net. Finally, in October 2010 the State of New York began to stir. Under the leadership of the State Historian, the Capital District Civil War Roundtable, the SUVCW Department of New York, several county historians, Marist College, the College of St. Rose, the 125th Regimental Association and other historical groups a website was created as a clearinghouse to list upcoming events of note in the State of New York commemorating the 150 anniversary of the American Civil War that website may be found at: http://www.nycivilwar150.org/ Webmaster s Update Department website has much to offer Robert Pugsley, PCC Greetings from the Department Webmaster, In this age of electronic communication, it is much easier to stay in touch and informed. Hopefully you check the Department website often to keep up with the latest news and events. Visit it often to see what our Department has to offer, what your fellow Brothers are doing, what your fellow Camps are doing, and sadly which members have answered their final muster. If you look at the site, then you can see that we have a lot of features to which you can contribute. If you have a photo of your ancestor s grave, or a photo of him, send it to me and I will put it on the site. I also am trying to get photos of the graves of every Camp s namesake. Let me know so that I can put your events on the website so that all of our Brothers know what you are doing. Remember, it does no good to wink in the dark. Also keep on sending in the photos of Monuments. Camp Commanders, please review the Camp s site attached to the Department site to make certain that all the Officers information is correct. A major addition to the Website has been a section dealing with the Civil War Sesquicentennial. We stand on the edge of a very exciting time in our history. These next four years give us an opportunity to promote our Organization, promote the memory of the GAR, and knowledge the War. Please inform me of any events your group may be doing to observe this unique event. 4
Final Muster Brother C. Edward Montford David G. Caywood Camp 146 Ovid Brother C. Edward Montford, 95, died July 17, 2010. Ed was born on the family farm in Romulus. He attended a two-room schoolhouse from the first through the fourth grades. Later he attended the new Union Free School. He graduated in 1932, the Valedictorian of his class of 11 students. Ed was in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1934. He returned to work the family farm with his father. He met his wife, Emily Cutler in 1939, and they were married in 1940, when they also acquired the family farm. In 1941 he received notice from the Federal Government that their farm would be taken for the Seneca Army Depot. They then acquired a farm near Stanley, where they lived until 1958. He was hired in 1945 by the New York Artificial Breeders Cooperative as a technician. In 1958 the family moved to Arcade when he became a supervisor in the company. In 1966 he was relocated to Geneva. He retired in 1976. After retirement Ed enjoyed the out of doors and was an avid fisherman. He also became a skilled tinsmith. He was highly interested in history, and especially his ancestors involvement in the American Revolution and the Civil War. This led to his writing a book about his grandfather s experiences in the 50th New York Engineers during the Civil War. He was working on another book about his relatives who were in the Revolutionary War when he passed away. Ed was active in The Presbyterian Church in Geneva, was a member of the Geneva Historical Society and a member of the David G. Caywood Chapter 146, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Brother Ed was a long-time member of Caywood Camp and his family had strong ties to the Sons, Auxiliary and GAR. His mother was a founding member of Caywood s Auxiliary and they just celebrated their 85th anniversary being formed in 1925. At his funeral his family related that after a long active life of 94 years, he felt proudest of his membership in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Brother Thomas L. Crounse Col. David Ireland Camp 137 Binghamton Brother Thomas L. Crounse, 71, of Endicott passed away on October 25, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol, and his children. He was an active member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Endicott. Tom was the Commander of Camp David Ireland 137 SUVCW and the Dickenson s Light Artillery #16 unit. He was also a member of the Sons of the Revolutionary War. Tom enjoyed coaching for many years in the Vestal and Endicott Youth Baseball leagues. He also served on EYB s Board of Directors. He was also an active member of The Spirt of 76 Fife and Drum Corps and enjoyed working alongside his wife in the family business, Louckes & Crounse Associates. Tom was a true American, honest business man, devoted husband, loving father, true Christian, and a great believer in the Sons. His giving character was present at every event in which his Camp and SVR unit participated. As a gentle giant of a man, his smiling face and positive aura will be mourned by many and missed by all. Brother Jack Hilyer David G. Caywood Camp 146 Ovid Brother Jack Hilyer, 76, died on October 29, 2010. Jack was born on April 27, 1934. He was a retired State of New York employee from Willard State Hospital, as a L.P.N., served in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War and was a member of D.G. Caywood Camp 146 in Ovid since November 1983. He was a long time Commander of the Camp and had held many offices over the years. Jack was also a member of the Geneva Masonic Lodge 965 F&AM, Waterloo American Legion post 435, Waterloo V.F.W. Post 643, and the 148th NY Vol. Infantry Regiment. Jack is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janet; three children; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He will be missed. 5
General Orders of the Department Commander General Order No. 3 1. It is with regret that I accept the resignation of Past Department Commander Peter Lindeman as chairman and member of the Department of New York Sesquicentennial Committee. I thank him for his service to the Order. In accordance with the authority vested in me by the 127th Encampment of the Department of New York in forming the Sesquicentennial Committee I hereby appoint Past National Commander in Chief Danny Wheeler as a voting member of the Sesquicentennial Committee. I hereby appoint Brothers Paul Ellis-Graham, PCC and Lyman Baker, PCC as non-voting members of the Sesquicentennial Committee. Brother Wheeler has been elected chairman of the committee. I direct that the Committee continue its good work. So Ordered this 22nd day of September, 2010 Jeffrey Albanese, Department Commander, Department of New York SUVCW General Order No. 4 1. In furtherance of the resolve of the 127th Encampment of the Department of New York, I respectfully request that all Brothers contact their legislators and other state and local officials to urge them to support and protect that historic site of national importance known as Grant s Cottage. Located on Mt. McGregor in Wilton, New York it served as the last residence and place of death of that savior of the Union and the 18th President of the United States, General Ulysses S. Grant. In addition, I urge all Brothers and Camps to support the efforts of the not-for-profit organization known as the Friends of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage, Inc., in their efforts to preserve this national treasure. In furtherance of this resolve on this date the Department of New York, SUVCW will make a donation at the Patron level to the Friends of Ulysses S. Grant Cottage, Inc. So Ordered this 20th day of October, 2010 Jeffrey Albanese, Department Commander, Department of New York SUVCW General Order No. 5 1. It was reported at the 127th Encampment of the Department of New York SUVCW, that the gravesite of Major General George Henry Thomas, located at the Oakwood Cemetery, Troy New York, is in need of maintenance. General Thomas, a native Virginian, served the Union with great distinction in the American Civil War. On September 19, 1863 at the Battle of Chickamauga, his stubborn defense of Snodgrass Hill saved the Union Army from a rout and earned him the sobriquet The Rock of Chickamauga. In addition, he was in command of the Union forces that smashed and destroyed the Confederate Army of Tennessee at the Battle of Nashville, Tennessee on December 15 and 16, 1864, one of the most decisive victories of the war. Considered one of the top Union generals of the American Civil War it is important that his gravesite receive appropriate care. Investigation has revealed that it is possible to adopt a gravesite as the Oakwood Cemetery without cost, to do maintenance at a gravesite. In accordance with the resolve of the 127th Encampment, it is directed that the Secretary of the Department, Michael Bennett, contact the Oakwood Cemetery and, if permissible and if at no cost to the Department, adopt the gravesite of Major General George Henry Thomas in the name of the Department of New York, SUVCW. In addition, it is directed that upon the adoption of the gravesite that efforts then be undertaken to arrange for workdays for the Brothers of the Department to conduct any necessary maintenance beyond that which is normally provided by the cemetery. So Ordered this 22nd day of October, 2010 Jeffrey Albanese, Department Commander, Department of New York SUVCW Eagle Scout Awarded Eagle Scout Cody Jordan receives his Eagle Scout Certificate from Dale Theetge, PDC at his ceremony in Sodus Center, N.Y. Cody is one in a long line of Eagle Scouts who have received their Eagle Scout Certificate in person from Theetge. Theetge is the Eagle Scout Coordinator for the Seneca Waterways Council and is averaging about one Eagle presentation a month. Congratulations, Cody! 6
Link to the Past Plaque dedicated in former GAR meeting room at Albany County Courthouse Albany County Executive Mike Breslin joined with members of the Col. George L. Willard Camp 154, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War on November 18, 2010 for a special ceremony to unveil a plaque honoring the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Room at the historic Albany County Courthouse. Also, four picture portraits, and a GAR badge relief were installed. The Albany County Courthouse historically served as the Camp s headquarters, where the GAR maintained a private entrance to the building off of Elk Street. Honoring this history, the Willard Camp will reclaim use of the GAR Room for meetings and special events. Stay tuned for the complete story in the Spring issue of The Volunteer. County Executive Mike Breslin with Raymond W. LeMay III, PCC, after unveiling the GAR plaque Brothers of the Col. George L. Willard Camp 154 at the unveiling ceremony, including Assemblyman and Camp member Jack McEneny (far left, back row) Living History Events Getting the Word Out Fulfilling our educational mission, promoting our Order and preparing for the Sesquicentennial are all great reasons to continue and expand our good work of making Civil War history vital and better known. Elements of Co.D, 7th NY Cav, SVR held a living history event for kids and their parents at the Ovid Library in Ovid NY. Participants were 7th members Bobby Decker, Catlin Camp; Phil Swaney, Commander Sydney Camp and Dale Theetge, PDC, Commander Caywood Camp. Over 30 kids and parents attended the presentation that included drill and hands-on Civil War items along with relevant information. At the Port Byron, New York Heritage Days celebration on July 31, 2010, representatives of all five of the allied orders of the Grand Army of the Republic were gathered under one tent. The day was spent showing Civil War soldiers gear, food carried and eaten, muskets and pistols that were used in the rebellion. At high noon, the cannon was fired and the echo sounded for miles. The Auxiliary showed off Civil War badges and ribbons, and handed out fact sheets about various Civil War subjects. SUVCW participants included Senior Vice Commander Douglas E. Deuel, Patriotic Instructor Lyman E. Baker, and Department historian Jerry Orton. Also participating were Gloria Fisher, New York Department Auxiliary President; Althea Cratsely, Past President of the Auxiliary; Lorriane Orton of the Women s Relief Corps; and Living History performer Eileen Patch secretary of the Mrs. Benjamin Harrison Tent #2 in Broome County. Members of the allied orders were joined by Dawn Roe, Port Byron Historian, who invited the group to the event. Brothers Bobby Decker, Phil Swaney and Dale Theetge at the Ovid Library presentation 7
Department of New York Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Commander Jeffrey Albanese PCC Archivist Michael S. Bennett PDC Sr. Vice Commander Douglas E. Deuel PCC Patriotic Instructor Lyman E. Baker PCC Jr. Vice Commander Robert L. Pugsley PCC Historian Jerome Orton PDC Secretary / Treasurer Michael S. Bennett PDC Chaplain R. Stuart Smith, Jr. PCC Counselor Danny Wheeler, PCinC Council Lyman Baker PCC Raymond W. LeMay III, PCC Todd A Shillington PDC GAR Highway Officer Matthew J. Hereford PCC Webmaster Robert L. Pugsley PCC 128th Encampment Make your plans now to be in Albany on May 13 15, 2011 Accommodations:»» Best Western Albany Airport Inn, 200 Wolf Road, Albany, New York»» Room rates: $79 per night double occupancy (taxes excluded)»» Hotel information may be found at: www.bwalbanyairport.com (mention Allied Orders of GAR) Sesquicentennial Program On Sunday, May 15, at 8:30 am, there will be a ceremony in Hudson View Cemetery, Mechanicville, Saratoga County, honoring Colonel Elmer Ellsworth of the 11th New York Fire Zouaves, and the first officer to die in the Civil War. A tour of some of his artifacts at the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center in Saratoga Springs follows the gravesite ceremony. SUMMER 2010 THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR