June 2014 Newsletter
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Old Baldy Civil War Round Table of Philadelphia June 12, 2014, The One Hundred and Fiftieth Year of the Civil War “A Salute to Old Glory: The Story of the American Flag” Betsy Ross July 1863 Grand Union Star Spangle Banner 48 Star 50 Star Join us on Thursday, June 12th at 7:15 PM at Cam- den County College, Blackwood Campus, Connector Notes from the President... Building - Room 101 when we shall have the privilege of a Hope everyone had a safe and memorable Memorial Day presentation by Kerry Bryan on “A Salute to Old Glory: weekend. Thank you to all who joined us at the wreath The Story of the American Flag” laying event at General Hancock’s grave, especially Bill Holdsworth. We will be sending the rest of the funds we Having needed some 40 years to recover from the effects raised for the roof replacement soon. To learn more about of a really BAD high school history teacher, Kerry Bryan OBCWRT and the Hancock tomb, go to our web page and did not discover a love of historical research until she was a reference the July 2012 newsletter in which Mike Cavana- candidate for a Master of Liberal Arts degree at the Univer- ugh explains the connection. The New Jersey History Fair sity of Pennsylvania. Kerry has been a member of the Old was a success and we expect to see some new local visi- Baldy Civil War Round Table since tors at our meetings. Thank you to Joe Wilson and Gerri July 2009, and she belongs to nu- Hughes for displaying the artifacts and to all who came to merous other local historical insti- visit our table. Be sure to read Bob Russo's article on the tutions and societies. She is also event in this newsletter. an associate member of American Legion Post 405 - the Benjamin Last month, David O. Steward presented an overview of Franklin Post, which meets at the the Lincoln Assassination, the Booth Conspiracy and what Union League of Philadelphia. led him to write his book, tempting those present to get the book and learn its secret. All present at the May meeting At the June 12th Old Baldy enjoyed the documents Bill Sia and Ed Komczyk shared meeting, which falls just two with members after the meeting. This month our own days before Flag Day, Kerry Kerry Bryan will share her research on our National Flag, will offer a reprise of her Power- its evolution in design and how it became the patriotic Point program, “A Salute to Old symbol for the Union. Bring a friend on the 12th for an Glory: The Story of the Ameri- informative and entertaining presentation. can Flag,” which some round table members may have seen in As mentioned at the May meeting, Blair and Carol Thron 2012 when she presented it at the had to resigned from our Board, I am pleased to report Union League. The 2014 pro- Continued on page 2 gram will include some updates. Kerry Bryan Come join us on June 12 when we learn Please join us at not only about the history of the American fl ag, but also 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 12th, about that of our national anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, at Camden County College, Blackwood Campus, Flag Day, and more. Connector Building - Room 101. Continued from page 1 - "Notes" Rosemary Viggiano has agreed to fi ll one of their posi- 99. The big draw to our area was the incredible artifacts tions for the rest of this year. She already has done much display set up by Joe Wilson. His artifacts along with his research on locations for our luncheon in January. The knowledge of those relics and his personal experience committee is making progress on the luncheon and more with Andersonville Prison allowed many people to walk details will be announced at the meeting. We hope to send away from our location with a bit of a “wow” factor in their out save the date notices for January 17th soon after it. mindset. That was pretty special and something I enjoyed hearing and watching throughout the day! Joe’s help and Our Board met last month to discuss the issues and op- that of Gerri Hughes, who also worked very hard all day, portunities available to the Round Table. The Fall lectures were critical to the success of the day. Thank you Joe and and Spring classes are being investigated by Board mem- Gerri. bers. Look for details as plans are settled. The Member Profi les will resume in our newsletter and website. Bob will It seems that every event has a Rich Jankowski sighting be polling the membership on their interest in activities and and this was no different. Once again, Rich was working events. Expect to hear more “behind the scenes” informa- his magic to bring people to our table. Rich’s son Joe was tion at upcoming meetings. with us again this year. Just like last year I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with Joe. He is a great pleasure Upcoming events include the “1864 Turning Point” lecture to be around and he had me laughing early and often. by Dr. David Martin at 7:30 on June 18th in Civic Hall at Thank you Rich and Joe. Also Don Forsyth and Kathy the College; the 150th events at Monocacy on July 5th and Clark came by the table to support, visit and share the Old the Summer session of classes at Manor College. Travel Baldy message with visitors. safely in your adventures, continue to spread the Old Baldy message and write a blurb for the newsletter when you We spoke to many hundreds of visitors throughout the return. day. Many people were captivated by the story of our namesake and his history. That opened the door for us to See you on the 12th. continue conversations and extend invitations to come out Thank you for helping our Round Table prosper. and meet us at a future meeting or to check out our web- Rich Jankowski, President site. We did talk with quite a few visitors from Burlington, Gloucester and Camden Counties. 2014 New Jersey History Fair Once again, Don Wiles foam board display and his beau- tifully designed brochures, found their way into many On May 10 the threatening weather forecast caused some hands. The display did take a direct hit from a sudden concern for the 2014 Spirit of the Jerseys State History burst of wind and I will be making some repairs to it in the Fair at Washington Crossing State Park. However, it didn’t near future. At various moments throughout the day the spoil the 10th anniversary of the Fair or the 350th birthday sound of drums, bugles and musket fire boomed across for New Jersey and the many thousands of people who the fields. came out despite the weather concerns had a great day. During the day visitors were also able to meet, Walt If anything the weather was a little too warm and the sun Whitman, Abraham Lincoln, Sojourner Truth, Benjamin a bit bright at times. Despite the one person whom I met Franklin, George Washington, and Molly Pitcher, along with who seemed to be hoping for rain, that rain held off, and many others. We had the extra-added attraction of the all enjoyed a great day. Libby Prison Minstrels being set up right across from us. About 185 exhibitors were scheduled to appear at the Fair Hearing their music was enjoyable. Continued on page 8 with over 800 vol- unteers working the displays. Although it appeared that a few exhibitors did not show up, most did. Old Baldy Civil War Round Table proudly exhibited our Civil War pas- Photos of the the Old Baldy Display at the New Jersey History Fair sions from location number Photos by Gerri 2 about the grave of Jackson's arm decided she would visit Here Lies it. Ellwood had been sold to local attorney Hugh Evander Stonewall Jackson's Arm Willis. Willis told General Butler about the grave. Butler ordered that the arm be dug up. An arm bone was found On May 2, 1863 when Lieutenant General a few feet down. Butler ordered it reburied and a bronze Confederate General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson plaque placed on the stone. Thomas “Stonewall” It is unclear if the bone was buried in a box or in cloth. Jackson was returning An effort years later, using a metal detector, failed to fi nd from a nighttime recon- the arm. Though Butler “supposedly made a full report of naissance ride near the incident,” NPS historians have never found it. A 1998 Chancellorsille, Virginia, archaeological work, using metal detectors, didn't turn up he was mistakenly shot anything either. The 5-by-8-inch bronze plaque which had by his own camp's fallen off the picket guards. During marker due the night Jackson's left to erosion is arm was amputated. On in the park's May 3 Jackson's chap- curatorial col- lain, Beverley Tucker lection. No Lacy, spotted a small records exist bundle outside the tent: of when the Jackson's arm, swaddled plaque was in cloth by doctors who attached to had set it aside for burial the monu- in an unmarked ditch, Bronze Plaque ment or when along with thousands of it fell off. It is other severed limbs. Lacy not known if Smith intended to mark the grave itself, or if believed that Jackson's he intended simply to commemorate the burial in the cem- arm didn't deserve such an ignoble end, so he took it with etery.