Department of Ohio - Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Volume 6, Issue 4 October 2011 THE BUCKEYE BUGLE

130th National Encampment tradition, decisions, fun Brothers of the Sons of Union Brothers "gone to the final Veterans annually honor tradi- muster." A full day of busi- ions of the order, conduct ness followed. The evening official business, and enjoy "campfire" featured a repli- comradeship at their National cated 19th century magic Encampment. So it was August show and great camaraderie. 11-14 in Reston, Virginia at the Saturday's business includ- Order's 130th encampment ed national honors and elect- attended by more than 160 SUV ions. The Department of brothers plus family members. Ohio received the 2011 All business actions taken at Augustus P. Davis-Conrad the 2011 Encampment will be Linder Award for recruiting National Encampment posted on the national website the greatest number of new Medal commemorates at: http://suvcw.org/ftp.htm . members for the Order, Union monument built Sixteen Ohio Department receiving a plaque and a on Henry Hill in 1865 Brothers attended including the streamer for the department state's commander, senior vice, flag. Ohio SUV also was tration. Other national officers INSIDE THIS junior vice, council of admin- presented a framed certificate elected are: Commander in ISSUE: istration members, many recognizing the Department Chief Donald D. Palmer Jr.; SV appointed officers, and several for having recruited the most Donations Sought 2 CinC Perley E. Mellor; Secret- camp commanders. new members under age 40. ary Eugene G. Mortorff; Treas- Fearing Last Vets 2 Thursday activities included Ohio Brother Ken Freshley urer Richard Orr; Quarter- tours of Bull Run Battlefield of James A. Garfield Camp master Danny L. Wheeler; and Parrott Ceremony 2 and a talk concerning impact of 142 was elected National William Vieira, Council of the GAR on U.S. society by Junior Vice Commander in Administration to 2013; Robert Lytle Last Vet 3 Civil War historian Ed Bearss. Chief and Ohio Brother Don M. Petrovic, CofA to 2013; plus Sherman CW150 3 Friday's business session Martin of Enderlin Camp 73 both Tad Campbell and Steve opened with a memorial service to a three-year term on the Hammond, CofA to 2012 along History Education 4 commemorating a long list of National Council of Adminis- with Past CinC Brad Schall. Old Veteran 4 Historian educates and entertains during Bull Run tour On Thursday Aug. 11 as part of 35,000 began the long-await- civilians who had driven out the SUV National Encampment ed campaign to capture to watch the battle. In spite of a Point of interest: noted historian Ed Bearss led Richmond and end the war. stalwart rear guard, panic seized two special tours of Bull Run On July 21, at 5:30 a.m. a many soldiers and the retreat The 1st and 2nd Ohio Battlefield. His narrative Parrott gun signaled start of became a rout. July 22 found the Volunteer Infantry brought to life the bravery and the battle which ended in a defeated Union army back behind Regiments (Ohio Militia) blunders of the famous battle. defeat for the Union just after the defenses of Washington." were part of the Union rear guard at Bull Run As he described the scenario: 4 p.m. As Union soldiers re- And, afternoon Aug. 11, found commanded by Ohio's "Cheers rang out in the streets treated across Bull Run they well exercised SUV members Brig. Gen. Robert C. of Washington July 16, 1861 as found the road to Washington back in Reston to register and "Battling Bob" Schenck. Gen. Irvin McDowell’s army of jammed with carriages of attend committee meetings.

Preserving the Memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and our Ancestors who fought to preserve the Union page 2 The Buckeye Bugle

Brothers seek help to honor fallen heroes Lytle Camp 10 and the 1863 appearance, renovate recipients, nearly 5,000 dead, 4 Friends of Chickamauga and the access trail to the spot, Generals, and the 50,000 plus Chattanooga National Military and rededicate the site. A Union Veterans of the Civil Park are seeking donations to $200 gift will fund one War who were Canadians. restore the vandalized General cannonball. The group is working to William H. Lytle Monument on Contributions may be sent place a monument in Canada the Chickamauga battlefield. to Friends of the Park. For honoring her sons who served Gen. Lytle Monument The partnership plans to more information: the U.S.A during the American 1909 complete the project during http://www.chickchatt.org/article.php Civil War. Donations payable 2013, the 150th anniversary of ?story=20100920123510264&query to “Canadian Union Veterans =Lytle the Battle of Chickamauga and Monument” may be sent to 0 In addition, the SUVCW of Gen. Lytle’s death in battle. Canadian Union Veterans SUVCW National Treasurer, The partners plan to restore Recognition Monument 153 Connie Drive, Pittsburgh, the monument's cairn of 323 National Committee seeks to PA 15214. Information is at: http://suvcw.org/CanadianMonument/ cannon balls, return the honor the 29 Medal of Honor surrounding area closer to its CanadianMonument.htm Fearing Camp honors Monroe, Noble Co. Last Veterans Gen. Lytle Monument By Dan Hinton, Camp Commander, Gen. Benjamin Fearing Camp 2011 Fearing Camp 2 Brothers gath- ered Oct. 15 at Clarington Cemetery to honor with a cere- As an Ohio mony and granite in-ground Department marker Private John T. Landis, th project, all 20 Co. A, 77 OVI. Pvt. Landis, last Union veteran from Monroe Co., SUVCW camps was born 1844 and died in 1940. are to honor Speakers to 50 guests included the Last Civil Ohio Junior Vice Cmdr. Jonathan Davis and Monroe Co. Historical War Veterans Oct.22, the camp dedicated a The closing prayer was read and Genealogical Society repres- Noble Co. Last Veteran marker by Chaplain Andy Francis buried in each entatives. Camp members present in Olive Cemetery to honor from the 1911 version of the of the state's included Dan Hinton, Marvin Private Jacob McBride, Co. G, Sons of Veterans Memorial 88 counties. Miracle, Andy Francis, Charlie 186 OVI. Speakers and 40 guests Service. Camp members in Miller, Ken Reynolds, Bruce Fox, included Caldwell Mayor Dan CW uniform fired a rifle and Paul Warren. Shaw, and McBride descendents. salute followed by "Taps." Parrott Camp promotes involvement, patriotism Ohio SUV Calendar: By Bradford Bailey, Secretary-Treasurer, Jacob Parrot Camp Involvement was the name Honor for his participation each year as Memorial Day.  Dept. Mid-Winter Meeting of the day in Hardin County with the Andrews Raiders in  Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 at Parrott Camp's Memorial the 1862 "Great Locomotive  Columbus, Ohio Day ceremony. Keynote Chase." Camp 33 Comm- speaker at Grove Cemetery ander Vern I. Woodruff III  Dept. 130th Encampment was Michael P. Kasler, Camp spoke at the end of the  Saturday, June 9, 2012 33 Junior Vice Commander. ceremony in Civil War per-  Columbus, Ohio "It was a stirring account of iod uniform to deliver the patriotism if ever I heard famous “Logan’s Order.”  National Encampment one," noted an attendee. Grand Army of the Rep-  August 9-11, 2012 Civil War Union Army ublic General Order 11 was  . Los Angeles, Calif Second Lieut. Jacob Parrott is the charge by Gen. John  www.suvpac.org/2012.html buried in Grove Cemetery in Logan, GAR Commander in Parrott Camp Commander Vern I. Kenton. He was awarded the Chief, designating that May Woodruff III speaks Memorial Day. first Congressional Medal of 30 be celebrated nationwide . The Buckeye Bugle page 3

Lytle Camp honors Private Pittenger, Brown County's Last Veteran By Jim Houston, PDC, Gen. William Lytle Camp On October 2 the William represented Byrd Township. ated in battles in the Chattan- Peter Sturdevant, and Jim Houston. H. Lytle Camp 10 honored Relative Keith Moore and Br. ooga area, the William Pittenger, the last Peter Sturdevant recalled their Campaign, and final battles in Union veteran of Brown memories and stories of North Carolina. County Ohio, at a ceremony William Pittenger. Dr. Ned After the war, Pvt. Pittenger and plaque dedication in Lodwick, Brown Co. Civil was active in veteran’s affairs Decatur Cemetery in War historian, recounted in Brown County until his southern Brown County. activities of Pittenger’s 70th death. He was a member of the Over 100 guests attended Ohio regiment during the War. C. B. White Post #232 of the the event, including 25 of Wreaths were presented by GAR in Georgetown. Pvt. Pittenger’s relatives. In Lytle Camp Commander Kerry Costs of the program were addition to Lytle Camp Langdon, and Jonathan Davis, underwritten by contributions Brothers, participants Ohio Department Jr. Vice from the SUVCW National and included color guard units Commander. Pittenger great Department of Ohio Memorials from American Legion Post grand children Helen Hansel- and Monuments Fund, the 394, Russellville; the 70th man and Gary Pickerill un- Brown County Veterans L - R: Brothers Larry Collins, Ohio Volunteer Infantry Re- veiled the memorial plaque. Service Commission, and Lytle Richard Davis, Peter enactors, Georgetown; and Pvt. Pittenger was born in Camp. Sturdevant, CC Kerry Langdon, VFW Post 9772, Mt. Orab. Decatur and died there in his The ceremony was planned PDC James Houston, Richard County Commissioner 99th year in 1945. He joined by a committee consisting of Foy, PDC Charles Reeves, Roger William Geschwind spoke Co. A, 70th Ohio Volunteer Keith Moore, Pvt. Pittenger's Poppel, Dept. JVC Jonathan Davis, and PCC Dennis Brown on behalf of Brown County Infantry in 1863 at age 16 and great grandson, and Lytle and Pvt. Pittenger marker. and Trustee Dallas Huff served until 1865. He particip- Camp Brothers Roger Poppel, Sherman Camp hosts "Hear the Silent Speak" Signature Event By Fred Lynch, Camp Commander, Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman Camp Ohio played a pivotal role War veterans buried at Dayt- sites including those of both during the on's Woodland Cemetery General and Admiral with about 320,000 men serving including: Private George Schenck, and of Copperhead in 230 regiments. Nearly all Washington Fair, Civil War Clement Vallandigham, cond- were volunteers; only 8,750 veteran and model for the ucted by historian Sherry were drafted. There were more soldier figure atop Dayton's Pesut. Camp Brother Tom than 5,000 African-American Civil War monument; First Brickner accompanied by ACW soldiers and sailors from Howard Forrer, Dept. Commander Don Ohio. Over 200 Ohioans 63rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Martin placed U.S. flags on reached the rank of general or officer killed leading a charge graves of Civil War veterans admiral. during the 1864 Battle of visited during the tour. L - R: Brothers Lynch, Howey, Examples from all these Decatur, Ga.; Colonel Hiram Brothers contributing as and Allex share camaraderie. veterans' categories are buried Strong, Commander of the living historians were Al in Dayton's Historic Woodland 93rd Ohio Infantry Regiment Howey, Mark Allex, Del Cemetery. Their voices were recruited in Dayton killed in Steiner, Brent Davidson, and long silent and their contrib- action during the 1863 Battle Fred Lynch. Mrs. Barbara utions long forgotten until of Chickamauga, Ga.; Two Lynch represented her Civil Dayton's Sherman Camp 93 soldiers representing the War "waiting wife" ancestor hosted more than 230 people many Dayton Civil War Mrs. Barbara Hill. Oct. 2 for "Hear the Silent veterans buried in Woodland The event received SUV Speak," a SUVCW CW150 Cemetery's GAR Section; and Signature Event and Ohio Signature Event. a "lady of good family" repre- Historical Society Civil War In addition to a small CW senting soldiers' wives, Sesquicentennial Advisory campsite and recruiting office, mothers, and sweethearts that Committee recognition as throughout the event trained, waited back home 1861-65. well as support from the People listen as Sherman historically attired living In addition, the day also Lincoln Society of Dayton Camp Brothers give voice to historians represented Civil featured a tour of 18 grave- and area historical societies. CW veterans at Dayton's Woodland Cemetery.

page 4 The Buckeye Bugle

U.S., Ohio history standards need radical overhaul Courtesy of Amy Fagan, Thomas B. Fordham Institute

According to a February Academic standards such as The strongest history standards 2011 Thomas B. Fordham these set forth what the state’s generally provide coherent, Institute study, twenty-eight young people are expected to chronological views of historical states - - including Ohio - - learn in a given subject as they content rather than themes; they deserve D or F grades for their pass through grades K-12. systematically identify real people Sons of Union Veterans of the U.S. history standards for Sadly, only one state in five and specific events, explaining Civil War - Department of Ohio primary-secondary schools. gets honors marks for their K- their significance; they honor The average grade across all 12 history standards. The historical balance and context. The Buckeye Bugle is an unofficial states, is a dismal D. majority of states are mediocre By contrast, the weakest newsletter published periodically South Carolina is the only to awful in this field. standards generally ignore on behalf of members of the state to earn a straight A for its “These bleak findings tell us chronology in favor of social SUVCW Department of Ohio. standards, according to the what we already suspected - - studies themes; minimize real review by the Fordham U.S. history standards across people and specific events in favor Photos in this issue courtesy of Institute. Six other states - - the land are alarmingly weak,” of broad generalizations; seek to Jim Converse, SUVCW, and Lytle, Alabama, California, Indiana, said Fordham Institute Presi- mold students toward specific Fearing, and Sherman Camp Massachusetts, New York and dent Chester E. Finn, Jr. “No political outlooks rather than to members. the District of Columbia - - wonder so many Americans encourage historical compre-

Items for possible publication earn A-minuses. And, three - - know so little about our hension or independent critical should be sent by email to: Oklahoma, Georgia and nation’s past. Yet this subject thought. For more info go to: [email protected] Michigan - - are in the B is essential to an educated http://www.edexcellencemedia.net/publicat ions/2011/20110216_SOSHS/SOSS_USHi range. citizenry," he concluded. story_Ohio.pdf Fred Lynch, Editor Patriotic Instruction - Br. Don Martin, National Patriotic Instructor

The Old Veteran: Always honor them Veterans Day by Donald Purvis, Sergeant Major (US Army Ret.) Copyright 2001 He sits on the chair by the they noticed the small “ruptured stopped coming years ago. If it window. There are things to see duck” you wore in your lapel. wasn't for the morning paper he out there but not for him. Not Everybody wore one back then. wouldn't know what was today. Today he remembers the His “Duck” now rests in the happening outside of his room. war, and all of its horror. He drawer of the nightstand. He Another lonely veteran, remembers his friends, those stopped wearing it the day living alone, in a lonely world. that came back, and those that someone pointed at it and asked didn't. In his mind he hears the what it was. How could he explain thunder of the bombs around that? There just weren't enough him, the ungodly quiet, and the words. screams. He tries to forget but He notices there aren't many his mind won't let him. flags on the street today. His mind In all things, ask the He strains to listen for the drifts back to the times when the music they play as they marched GAR Civil War question . . . flag was displayed on every corner Veteran Badge down the street in the annual of his town. People honored it “What does this parade, forgetting that the city then. It wasn't something that was stopped the parades years ago. hidden in a garage, or the attic. do for the good The people who ran things in the No, the old days were gone now. of our Order?” city didn't think the wars should Gone like the days when it was be honored any more. patriotic to serve, patriotic to vote, Don Martin He remembers marching down and patriotic to help a neighbor. that street the year he came back. World War II Honorable Commander, The old man sighed, and for a Service Lapel Pin Soldiers were heroes then. The moment wished the olden days Department of Ohio adults cheered and the little kids would come back. The life he had waved their little flags. Times lived back then was so different. were so different. There had been a family then. Now Vietnam Wherever you went people it was just him, and the window, Service smiled and shook your hand if and the quiet. The visitors had Ribbon