Department of - Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Volume 5, Issue 1 August 2010 THE BUCKEYE BUGLE

INSIDE THIS Reeves issues challenges ISSUE: “My first challenge is that Commander Reeves also New dept. leaders 2 llengesmaeach camp conduct at Commander least Reevesstrongly encourageissuess all Ohio one last veteran ceremony in department members to fully C in C's challenges 2 memberthe next 12 months,” challengesnder stated Reevesinvolve themselves issues in camp programs and projects. “Your Memorial University 2 new department commander memberChuck Reeves. “Brothers,challenges counsel and advice, and help Greene Co. event 3 Ohio has 88 counties so we with your camps, and your have a long way to go but if example of participation are Buffington Island 3 every camp holds a needed. Only by participation will we retain both our new ceremony in at least one “Our department graves Civil War 150 4 and old members and attract county in their suggested registration officer, Kent new members,” he noted. The Mission statement 5 area of responsibility every Dorr, has a list of Civil War Sesquicentennial of the Civil year during the next five veterans’ graves that need to War is 2011-2015 and is a Patriotic instruction 6 years, we can come close to be checked at the site of the golden time for the SUVCW completing the task. If your individual’s cemetery.” The to lead not follow organizing camp has completed your list is available from Br. commemoration activities. area of responsibility, then Dorr. “Put together a group “Brothers, this is our oppor- help a neighboring camp of brothers and let’s clean up tunity and those are my complete theirs,” he added. these outstanding veterans’ challenges to you,” concluded As his second challenge graves and get them entered Hall of Fame chooses . . . Commander Reeves. Commander Reeves noted, upon the national web site. PCinC Medert Encampment delegates work, act, elect Ohio's Veterans Hall of Camp #66), Charles memorials. The annual Fame elected SUVCW Past Corfman (Given Camp budget was approved. Commander in Chief, and #51), and Herbert Webb Delegates to the National Past Ohio Department (Sherman Camp #93) were Encampment were chosen. Commander, David Medert honored during a Memorial Immediate Past Commander for induction Nov. 5 in Service. Bylaws amend- Robert Davis expressed Columbus. ments concerning secretary gratitude to his outgoing A transcript documenting Medert and his fellow duties and junior associates staff. Officers for 2010-11 business conducted during honorees are veterans who passed as did a resolution to were nominated and elected. the Department of Ohio’s honorably served the United support keeping President Commander in Chief 128th State Encampment States through military Grant's picture on the $50 Kennedy installed newly June 12 is posted in the service and then continued to banknote. Reports by elected officers. Dept. Ohio department web site's serve and inspire Ohioans elected and appointed Commander Reeves made “members only” section of through their lifetime deeds department officers and staff appointments. Reeves www.suvohio.com . and accomplishments. several camps were shared. also encouraged camps to Departed Brothers Vance Funds were approved in support Sesquicentennial of Champion (McPherson support of monuments and the Civil War activities.

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Department chooses 2010-11 leaders Ohio Department elected Robert Davis; Patriotic Robert Davis; Buffington officers for 2010-11 are: Instructor Shawn Cox; Island James Oiler and State Commander Charles Graves Registration Kent Danny Hinton; Ohio Reeves; Senior Vice Dorr; Eagle Scout Veterans Home Jon Silvas; Commander Don Martin; Coordinator Bradley Tilton; Dept. Encampment Site and Elected officers (l-r) Junior Vice Commander Signals Officer Ken Planning Comm. Jonathan Martin, Lynch, Reeves, Fred Lynch; Secretary- Freshley; CW Memorials Davis, Henry Shaw, and CinC Kennedy, and Howie Treasurer Allan Howey; and, Officer John Bowling; Andrew Rose. Department Department Council of Newsletter Editor Fred Monuments and Memorials Administration Ray Nagel, Lynch; Historian Jonathan Comm. Don Martin, John Donald Grant, and Robert Davis; Genealogist John Bowling, Kent Dorr, Robert Davis. Ward; Chaplain Kerry Grim, and Kenneth Wilson. Staff appointments are: Langdon; Guard James Dept. By-laws Comm. Don Personal Aide James Oiler; Color Guard Chris Martin, Allan Howey, Henry Houston; Chief of Staff Sparks; GAR Records Shaw and Robert Grim. Jonathan Davis; Counselor Officer Charles Reeves; Forty-eight voting delegates GAR Highway Officer Peter from 12 camps conducted 2010-11 Dept. staff members Robert Grim; Asst. Sec. Hritsko; Camp Organizer business at Encampment. Commander in Chief issues challenges "Ohio has registered more “documenting all Civil War Civil War veterans’ graves monuments and memorials.” “The national issues camps challenges than any other SUV Many are already recorded graves registration department, but thousands of and being cared for, however graves still need to be many others are in obscure project is one of registered,” Commander in locations and victims of the most important Chief Kennedy commented vandalism and neglect. SUV at Ohio's June Encampment. camps have a special duty to efforts of the He challenges brothers to help preserve the monuments Order.” continue their good work and the tribute to Civil War supporting the program and soldiers they represent. GAR Section - Woodland Cemetery - Dayton Ohio - . . . SUV C in C adding to the national And, last, he urges all registration data base. camp patriotic instructors to Memorial Day 2010 Kennedy Next priority for all camps, provide a short patriotic he added, should be message at each meeting. C in C lauds Memorial University, Ohio grads During Encampment June Chief Leo Kennedy noted recognition pin. Information grads12, Brothers Andrew Rose, that, “The Department of concerning the program is Mark Allex, Chris Sparks, Ohio has the most graduates available on the SUVCW Charles Reeves, Fred Lynch, of all the Order’s National website. Ray Nagel, Ken Freshley, departments.” The Memorial University and Don Martin received The C in C strongly program prepares potential certificates honoring their encourages all brothers to leaders for a more active role completion of the SUVCW complete the Memorial in the Sons of Union Veterans

Memorial University Officer University course. Members and its efforts. More than 50 C in C Kennedy presents Training course. completing the Officers members nationwide have Memorial Univ. diploma to While presenting the Training Course's 12 parts completed the course. Br. Chris Sparks diplomas, Commander in earn a diploma and page 3 The Buckeye Bugle

SUVCW, Greene Co. honor Union soldiers Flags, veterans of several Courthouse in Xenia. and rendered military honors. wars, dignitaries, and a large Sherman Camp Brother The original 10th Ohio patriotic crowd honored Grant Bates was master of Artillery was formed in Xenia. Greene County’s Union ceremonies. Ohio Dept. The Sherman Camp Color Army soldiers May 30 Commander Bob Davis, Guard presented colors. during dedication of a Sons of Veterans Reserve SUVCW Brother Steve Ball memorial commending their commander Robert Grim, entertained with Civil War service 1861-65. and Camp #93 commander songs. Sponsored by SUV Fred Lynch were among key More than three years of Sherman Camp #93 in speakers. planning, fund-raising and Dayton and the Greene Civil War reenactors of the work culminated in the SUVCW Brothers (l-r) Steiner, County Civil War 10th Ohio Artillery and 6th ceremony. Sherman Camp and Bates, Davis, Grim, Allex, and Discussion Group, the Ohio Volunteer Infantry the Dept. of Ohio were among Lynch (front) at Greene Co. CW monument is located on represented Union soldiers financial contributors. Memorial dedication ceremony grounds of the County Memorial Day weekend 2010 SUVCW memorializes Buffington Island battle Ohio Dept. Commander Brother Dan Hinton shared USS Moose blocked the Chuck Reeves helped history of the Meigs Co. crossing. Morgan and 400 commemorate the 1863 battle with attendees. men escaped to the north, but victory at July 13–14, Confederate the rest of his force Buffington Island, the only soldiers commanded by surrendered. Civil War Battle raider Union soldiers present at fought in Ohio, June 17. The passed north of . the battle included three Ohio Department, Fearing As they rode east, numbers future U.S. presidents: Camp #2, Cadot-Blessing dwindled. Hayes, Garfield, and Buffington Is. tribute ceremony Camp #126, the Auxiliary to On July 18 the exhausted McKinley. Rebel soldiers July 17. Ohio Cmdr. Chuck Reeves and camp representatives Ohio Dept. SUVCW, and Rebel cavalrymen reached captured at Buffington Island commemorate the victory. McCook Circle #104 of the Portland, a ford at were taken via steamboat to Ladies of the GAR Buffington Island across the Cincinnati as prisoners of The Battle of Buffington Island sponsored the July 17 Ohio River from (West) war, including most of the was an ceremony. Virginia. Union infantrymen wounded. Morgan and most engagement in Meigs County, A memorial wreath was held the ford. When the of his officers were confined Ohio, July 19, 1863. placed before the stone Confederates tried to cross at the Ohio Penitentiary in marker noting the battle. the river July 19, guns of the Columbus. Ohio CW Sesquicentennial supports SUV Department of Ohio concerning Ohio’s role the War, efforts of Ohio Commandersupports Charles SUVCW Reeves dur ing the Civil War. The soldiers, and state-wide Ohio Calendar . . . is a member of the Ohio five-year effort is also an activities. Through the web Civil War Sesquicentennial opportunity for SUVCW site, SUVCW camps and  Dept. Mid-Winter Meeting Commission. As such, he camps to promote activities members are able to submit o Jan. 15, 2011 helps ensure SUVCW and publicize related events information directly to the  Dept. 129th Encampment members are represented in to a state-wide audience. The calendar, discussions, and o June 11, 2011 the state’s efforts 2011-15. Ohio Historical Society links pages. In addition, Commonly called CW 150, launched their multifaceted people can submit pictures,  National Encampment the celebration is an www.ohiocivilwar150.org event summaries, and links o August 2011 opportunity to both share web site to share information relating to a local historical Reston, Va. information and learn related to the anniversary of event or commemoration.

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About the SUVCW … The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is a volunteer, non-profit,

charitable, fraternal, patriotic and educational organization similar to the

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War - Department of Ohio Grand Army of the Republic. The GAR was the largest Union Army Civil War

The Buckeye Bugle is an unofficial newsletter published periodically on veterans’ organization. The SUVCW is the GAR’s legal successor and is behalf of members of the SUVCW Department of Ohio. chartered as such by Congress and Public Law. Photos in this issue courtesy of Dennis Brown and Barbara Lynch

Items for possible publication should be sent by email to: [email protected] Patriotic Instructor's message . . . Fred Lynch, Editor

THE FIGHTING McCOOKS "The Tribe of John" Donald L Martin, National Patriotic Instructor

Daniel McCook's younger brother John (1806 - 1865) was a 55 year old Ohio doctor when the Civil War started. He volunteered as an army surgeon. He was born and educated at Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, the home of Jefferson College. His wife Catherine Julia Sheldon was from Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. McCook practiced medicine for many years in New Lisbon, Ohio before moving to Steubenville, Ohio. He died in October, 1865 while visiting his son, Brigadier General Anson George McCook, at his headquarters in Washington DC. John and his five sons all served as Union officers during the Civil War. The "Tribe of John" combined with the "Tribe of Dan" provided fifteen "Fighting McCooks" during the Civil War.

Edward Moody McCook (1833 - 1909) the oldest son of John McCook was a lawyer who had served in the Kansas legislature before the war. For his work as a secret agent of the government he was commissioned a 1st lieutenant of cavalry just before the war. When the war started he was appointed major of the 2nd Indiana cavalry. He saw action at Shiloh, Perryville, Chickamauga, and rose to the rank of major general. He resigned from the army in 1866 when he was appointed Minister to Hawaii. When General Grant became President of the he appointed him twice to serve as Governor of the Colorado Territory. Anson George McCook (1835 - 1917) the second son of John McCook started as a captain in the 2nd Ohio Volunteers and ended the war as a brigadier general. He moved to New York City after the war and served six years in the United States House of Representatives and became secretary of the United States Senate.

Henry Christopher McCook (1837 - ?) the third son of John McCook was a chaplain. He was a Presbyterian minister before the war. He served as a 1st lieutenant and chaplain for nine months during the war in the 41st Illinois Regiment. Roderick Sheldon McCook (1839 - 1886) the fourth son of John McCook graduated from Annapolis in 1859. He fought in battles on the James River and along the coast of North Carolina. He retired from the Navy in 1885. He reached the rank of Commander in 1873. His death was caused in 1886 when he was thrown from his buggy and landed on his head. John James McCook (1842 - ?) the fifth and youngest son of John McCook served as a 1st lieutenant in the 1st (U.S.) Virginia Volunteers. Most of the members of this unit were from Ohio and fought in West Virginia. He became a professor and an Episcopal minister. He wrote several books. He taught Modern Languages at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut.

The Ohio McCooks acquired a wide and popular reputation during the Civil War as the "Fighting McCooks."