The California Column

Volume IX Issue 1 CALIFORNIA • NEVADA • HAWAII April 2010

Department of California and Pacific Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

A Message from Commander Mabie

Dear Department Brothers:

This is an exciting time, as the Department of California and Pacific continues to be recognized as “movers and shakers” within the National order. We do more on the West Coast than many Departments that have remained active for decades. As the continuing Department Commander, I would like to take some time to reiterate my personal expectations about the Order and goals for the upcoming year. Although I live in Northern California, I am always just a phone call or email away, and would like to maintain contact with all of the members in our Department. As I said at the Encampment, my biggest expectation is that all Camp and Department business will be conducted with Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty. This is the measure that is applied to all that we do. I think that part of our success is in shared activities. I have asked TAD CAMPBELL to establish an on-line calendar on the Department website, and I would like all camps to send their activities, meetings, etc, to TAD to be posted. This will facilitate all of us joining together and supporting the camps of our Department. Also, utilize the officers in the Department. They are a resource for all of us. Have questions about grave registration, memorials, how to put together a color guard, membership retention, etc? There are experienced, skilled, and willing people out there, ready to assist you and your camp. Additionally, please look at the list of special committees on the Department website. If any of you are interested in serving, please let me know. Most important is for your Camp to define what you do! A Camp that meets without a purpose will have trouble recruiting and/or retaining members. Do you have uniformed members that like parades, color guards, or reenacting? Do you have a contingent of genealogists? Is grave registration a passion of some members? Do others like making presentations to students? Or do you just having meetings with presentations, like Civil War Roundtables? You need to determine what your membership wants to do, and than do it with passion and conviction. And sometimes, less is more. A few well-planned and attended events are often better than a busy schedule that stretches your Camp’s resources and personnel.

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In closing, if, as a Camp, you can define your purpose and activities based upon the needs and abilities of your membership, your contributions will strengthen both your future, as well as the Department and the National Order. Keeping forever green the memory of the Boys in Blue and the Grand Army of the Republic. In Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty, Charles W. Mabie Commander Department of California and Pacific

It was with great honor and pleasure that the Brothers at the 124th Annual Encampment of the Department of California and Pacific unanimously adopted a Resolution supporting PDC D. Brad Schall for the position of National Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War at the 129th National Encampment in Overland Park, Kansas.

Bro. D. Brad Schall announces his candidacy for the office of Commander-in-Chief while current C-in-C Leo Kennedy and Dept. Chaplain Tom Helmantoler look on. (Photo courtesy of Bro. Dean Enderlin)

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Brother Schall currently serves as the National Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, being elected to that post at the 128th National Encampment at Louisville, Kentucky. He is a member (and founding commander) of the General Alfred Pleasonton Camp No. 24 as well as three other Camps. Brad has held elected or appointed positions in the Department of California and Pacific for the past 13 years, including two years as Department Commander. Additionally, he has served on nine different national committees, on top of being appointed by then Commander-in-Chief Kuhn as National Patriotic Instructor.

Veterans Honored Members of Camp Nos. 4, 10, and 24, Auxiliary No. 52, Tent No. 89, and the American Civil War Association made an impressive showing at the annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown San José, California on November 11, 2009.

San Jose’s Veterans Day Parade

The group mustered 26 members, including nine muskets to fire a salute in front of the reviewing stand. As in past years, the SUVCW contingent is the only entry in the parade that is allowed to stop in front of the reviewing stand to “perform”. The thunderous sound of the muskets echoing off the downtown skyscrapers has turned into a perennial crowd favorite. Other crowd-pleasing aspects of the group were several musicians, followed by Camp Commander FRANK AVILA pushing an aging G.A.R. veteran (portrayed by ROBERT KADLEC, PCC) in a period wheelchair, and ladies of the Auxiliary in period dresses, accompanied by 17-month old EMELIA CAMPBELL, also in period attire. The group was honored to have present Department Commander CHARLIE MABIE, who carried the Department Flag.

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While Camps 4, 10, and 24 marched in downtown San José, Brothers and Sisters of the Col. Elmer Ellsworth No. 23 and Ivy Stiers Auxiliary No. 23 participated in Petaluma’s Veterans Day Parade. This was the largest parade in Petaluma history with 20,000 spectators!

Camp & Auxiliary 23 Veterans’ Day Parade 2009 Petaluma, CA

Department Orders

DEPARTMENT ORDER No. 9 Series 2009-2010 PASSING OF PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CHARLES W. CORFMAN

By the authority vested in me as Commander of the Department of California and Pacific, by the Department Bylaws, the National Constitution and Regulations, and National Policies, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1: On September 30, 2009, Brother Charles W. Corfman of the Given Camp No. 51, Department of Ohio, passed away. Section 2: He was a Charter Member of Camp No. 51, having joined the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in 1974. Section 3: Brother Corfman was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War at the 108th National Encampment at Stamford, Connecticut in 1989. Section 4: In addition, Brother Corfman served as Commanding General of the Sons of Veterans Reserve. Section 5: Brother Corfman was a regular attendee at National Encampments and his presence will be greatly missed. Section 6: The Department and all Camp Charters are to be draped in black for a period of thirty (30) days. Section 7: All Department Brothers are respectfully directed to attach a black mourning ribbon to their membership badge (pursuant to C&R, Article III, Sec. 9) for a period of thirty (30) days. Section 8: The Department of California and Pacific extends its sincere condolences to the family of PC-in-C Corfman and to the Brothers of his Camp and Department. The foregoing Department Order is proclaimed this 30th day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-fourth, in the City of Newark, County of Alameda, State of California by Charles W. Mabie, Commander of the Department of California and Pacific, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

ATTEST By Order of: Charles W. Mabie By: Phillip L. Caines, PCC Department Commander Department Secretary-Treasurer Department of California and Pacific

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DEPARTMENT ORDER No. 10 Series 2009-2010

PASSING OF Brother Robert “Bob” Figenshu

By the authority vested in me as Commander of the Department of California and Pacific, by the Department Bylaws, the National Constitution and Regulations, and National Policies, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1: Brother Bob Figenshu passed away peacefully at home due to heart failure on November 24, 2009 Section 2: He was a long standing member of Alfred Pleasonton Camp 24, and his presence will be greatly missed. Section 3: Bro. Figenshu claimed membership through his great-grandfather, Lawrence Fiegenshuh of Co. L, 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Bob was especially proud of how he was able to re-acquisition his great-grandfather’s government issued Colt revolver from a collector in England. Section 4: The Department and all Camp Charters are to be draped in black for a period of thirty (30) days. Section 5: All Department Brothers are respectfully directed to attach a black mourning ribbon to their membership badge (pursuant to C&R, Article III, Sec. 9) for a period of thirty (30) days. Section 6: The Department of California and Pacific extends its sincere condolences to the family of Brother Figenshu and to the Brothers of his Camp and Department. The foregoing Department Order is proclaimed this 28th day of December in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-fourth, in the City of Newark, County of Alameda, State of California by Charles W. Mabie, Commander of the Department of California and Pacific, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

ATTEST By Order of: Charles W. Mabie By: Phillip L. Caines, PCC Department Commander Department Secretary-Treasurer Department of California and Pacific

DEPARTMENT ORDER No. 11 Series 2009-2010 PASSING OF BROTHER LUTHER THOMAS “TOM” COOK, JR.

By the authority vested in me as Commander of the Department of California and Pacific, by the Department Bylaws, the National Constitution and Regulations, and National Policies, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1: Brother Luther Thomas “Tom” Cook, Jr. of Salinas, California, a dual member of Gen. W. S. Rosecrans Camp No. 2 and Lincoln Camp No. 10, and a Life Member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, passed away December 31, 2009. Section 2: Brother Cook was born July 20, 1924 in Portsmouth, Virginia. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1945 and later served in the U.S. Army, becoming a veteran of both World War II and Vietnam. After retiring from the military in 1970, he worked as a fireman at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Section 3: The Department and all Camp Charters are to be draped in black for a period of thirty (30) days. Section 4: All Department Brothers are respectfully directed to attach a black mourning ribbon to their membership badge (pursuant to C&R, Article III, Sec. 9) for a period of thirty (30) days. Section 5: The Department of California and Pacific extends its sincere condolences to the family of Brother Cook and to the Brothers of his Camps and Department. The foregoing Department Order is proclaimed this 8th day of February in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-fourth, in the City of Newark, County of Alameda, State of California by Charles W. Mabie, Commander of the Department of California and Pacific, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

ATTEST By Order of: Charles W. Mabie By: Phillip L. Caines, PCC Department Commander Department Secretary-Treasurer Department of California and Pacific

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DEPARTMENT ORDER No. 1 Series 2010-2011 ELECTION, APPOINTED OFFICERS, & DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS

By the authority vested in me as Commander of the Department of California and Pacific, by the Department Bylaws, the National Constitution and Regulations, and National Policies, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1: Having been duly re-elected Department Commander by the 124th Annual Department Encampment in regular session at San Luis Obispo, California, it is with sincere appreciation for the support and confidence shown to me that I resume command of the Department of California and Pacific for the term, 2010-2011. I, along with my officers, will strive to bring honor to the memory of our Union ancestors through the good works of our Order during the coming year. I hereby establish my residence in the City of Newark, County of Alameda, and State of California as the Department Headquarters. Correspondence on any matter is most welcomed and may be sent to my home address, 7788 Peachtree Ave., Newark, CA, 94560, or to my e- mail address, [email protected]. Camp reports and dues shall be sent to the Department Secretary-Treasurer at 704 Virginia Street, El Segundo, CA 90245. Section 2: Department Brothers who were duly elected and installed by Commander-in-Chief Leo F. Kennedy at the 124th Annual Department Encampment on March 13, 2010, are as follows: • Commander - Bro. Charles W. Mabie, PCC • Sr. Vice-Commander - Bro. Glen Roosevelt, PCC • Jr. Vice-Commander - Bro. Timothy P. Reese, PCC • Secretary - Phillip L. Caines, PCC • Treasurer - Phillip L. Caines, PCC • Council - Bro. Tad D. Campbell, PDC • Council - Bro. Jerry R. Sayre, PDC • Council - Bro. Owen R. Stiles Section 3: Department Brothers are appointed as follows: • Chaplain - Bro. Thomas E. Helmantoler, PCC • Patriotic Instructor - Bro. Dean A. Enderlin • Counselor - Bro. Tad D. Campbell, PDC • Historian - Bro. David A. Davis, PCC • Guide - Bro. Charles J. Gardali • Guard - Bro. Floyd L. Farrar • Signals Officer - Bro. Tad D. Campbell, PDC • Color Bearer - Bro. Jerry R. Sayre, PDC • Graves Registration Officer - Bro. Joseph C. Marti • Civil War Memorials Officer - Bro. Kirby R. Morgan • GAR Highway Officer - Bro. Thomas P. Chumley, PCC • Eagle Scout Certificate Coordinator - Bro. Alan E. Peterson, PDC • The California Column Newsletter Editor - Bro. Daniel R. Earl, PCC Section 4: The following new appointed positions are hereby created: • Color Guard Coordinator, who shall be responsible for assisting Camps and the Department in the formation and conduct of Color Guards. • ROTC Coordinator, who shall be responsible for the coordination of the ROTC / JROTC Recognition Program within the Department. Section 5: The following Brothers are appointed as follows: • Color Guard Coordinator - Bro. Paul E. Lavrischeff • ROTC Coordinators - Bro. Thomas E. Helmantoler, PCC (Southern California & Southern Nevada); Bro. Owen R. Stiles (Northern California & Northern Nevada); and Bro. Jeffrey Malone (Southern & Central California). The foregoing Department Order is proclaimed this 15th day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-fourth, in the Town of Newark, County of Alameda, State of California by Charles W. Mabie, Commander of the Department of California and Pacific, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

ATTEST By Order of: Charles W. Mabie By: Phillip L. Caines, PCC Department Commander Department Secretary-Treasurer Department of California and Pacific

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Floyd L. Farrar (left) Christmas 2009 Gens. Sedgwick-Granger Camp No. 17

DSVC Glen L. Roosevelt, PCC (left) DST Phillip L. Caines, PCC (right)

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Remembrance Day 2009 GAR Plot, Oak Hill Cemetery, San José, CA Sheridan Camp 4 and Ellsworth Camp 23

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Fort Alcatraz Island

Lt. Chuck Gardali and Capt. Brad Schall Greet Visitors at Alcatraz Island in San Francisco

by 2nd Lt. Don Wilt Adj. Co. B, 8th Reg. CA Inf., SVR

DECEMBER 30, 2009 –ALCATRAZ ISLAND, SAN FRANCISCO. The U.S. Army celebrated the 150th anniversary of Capt. JOSEPH STEWART and 86 men of Company H, 3rd U.S. Artillery who took command of the Garrison on Alcatraz Island on December 30, 1859. Alcatraz National Parks Service Acting Deputy Superintendent CRAIG KENKLE delivered the opening remarks and welcomed the 250 people attending on behalf of the National Park Service. Ranger KENKLE then introduced Major General ELDON P. REGUA of the 75th Division who gave the keynote address on the Army performance on Alcatraz Island. Members of the 75th Division acted as Honor Guard and honored those who served with a rifle salute; the bagpiper and bugler played Ruffles and Flourishes, and Taps. JOHN MARTINI, JOHN NEVINS and BRAD SCHALL lead walking tours of Fortress Alcatraz for members of the 75th Division and their families. Captain SCHALL, Commander of Co. B, 8th Regiment California Infantry, SVR and 1st Lt. CHUCK GARDALI of the 8th California represented the SVR at the ceremony. JAYSON VANCE, lead NPS Ranger for the event commented, “Our intention today was to honor the many sacrifices of the Army personnel and families to the history of our nation.

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Annual Department Encampment a Success

by Tad D. Campbell, PDC The Annual Encampments of the Department of California and Pacific for both the Sons and Auxiliary were held in at Camp San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, California on March 12-13, 2010. Both organizations were honored with a number of attendees from the National level of their respective orders. Present with the Sons were Commander-in-Chief LEO F. KENNEDY, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief D. BRAD SCHALL, National Council of Administration Members PERLEY E. MELLOR and TAD D. CAMPBELL, and National Color Bearer JERRY R. SAYRE. National-level officers of the Auxiliary present included National President NANCY GREENWALT HILTON, National Personal Aide DIANE MELLOR, National Press Correspondent RACHELLE M. CAMPBELL, and Past National President BETTY WOERNER-DOWNS. Much significant business was conducted by both organizations, and all was done in the spirit of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty. The evenings were characterized by much camaraderie, with the rekindling of old friendships and the establishment of new ones.

Installation of Department Officers by C-in-C Leo Kennedy

The Auxiliary, celebrating its Centennial Anniversary, successfully passed new Department Bylaws (the existing ones apparently not having been updated since the 1950s!). Several important resolutions were passed, which will be brought onto the floor of the National Encampment in August. Department President RACHELLE M. CAMPBELL was endorsed for the office of National Council. Department Commander CHARLES W. MABIE was unanimously re-elected for a second term. Published by the Department of California and Pacific, SUVCW, Inc., at San José, Calif. Copyright © 2001-2010 by the Dept. of CA & Pacific, SUVCW, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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(photo courtesy of Sister Cindy Eddy (Aux 23/52) back: T. Campbell (PDC), D. Davis (PCC), D. Enderlin, T. Helmantoler, J. Malone middle: J. Sayre (PDC), D. Earl (PCC), J. Marti, P. Lavrischeff, F. Farrar, R. Gray, T. Reese (PCC), O. Stiles front: L. Kennedy (CinC), P. Caines (PCC), C. Mabie (DC), K. Morgan, G. Roosevelt (PCC), A. Peterson (PDC)

Auxiliary banners created by Department Auxiliary Vice President Melinie Prosk-Caines

Auxiliary Sisters of the Department of California and Pacific

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Patriotic

Paragraphs

by Dean Enderlin Department Patriotic Instructor

As DC CHARLIE MABIE often reminds us, our organization succeeds by adhering to three guiding principles: Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. Those watch words go back to the earliest days of the Grand Army of the Republic (the GAR), and we value them as much today as our forefathers did long ago. In this first of two articles, I thought it would be appropriate to take a deeper look into how these principles came about, what they meant to the GAR, and what they mean to us as members of the SUVCW. To start, let’s review a little history... At a special session of the national encampment of the GAR – held in October 1869 – the Council of Administration recommended a new and improved design for the badge of the Order. It replaced an older shield design with one that included the now-familiar bronze star. The central design of the badge was described in a circular published in February 1870 as follows:

In the center of the badge is the figure of the Goddess of Liberty, representing LOYALTY; on either side a soldier and a sailor clasping hands, representing FRATERNITY; and two children receiving benediction and assurance of protection from the comrades, representing CHARITY.

In the years that followed, each GAR man would wear the star-shaped bronze badge with those central symbols of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty next to his heart. Those “glorious and world-wide embracing” founding words carried the GAR through the difficult years of the 1870’s and continued to guide the organization until the death of the last member in 1956. It is for us to perpetuate those principles, now that the Boys in Blue are gone. Let’s take a closer look at the first principle.

FRATERNITY

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At the National Encampment in 1869, the GAR resolved that, “it is through this organization alone that the bonds of fraternal feeling can be successfully sustained and strengthened, and the electric currents of sympathy and brotherly affection, born of common toil and danger, be evolved and hastened in their courses through the thousand hearts scattered over the wide expanse of our ever growing empire.” Unlike most other lodges of the day, the members of the GAR held a unique fraternal bond as former comrades-in-arms. They had served their country and preserved the Union, and they knew that each shared a special place in the history of our great nation. For this reason, fraternity became one of the key objectives of the GAR, defined in Chapter I of the rules and regulations of the Order. Perhaps one of the most beautiful explanations of those fraternal bonds was written by PPC Albert Charles Leonard in his G.A.R. Hand Book (Dept. of PA, 1884):

Fraternity, not as the world understands the term, but that spirit of fraternity which first budded when our names were written on the muster roll in response to the Country’s call to arms, and which increased as we touched elbow to elbow, and grew as the days and years went by. On the march, in the foraging expedition, during the skirmish, amid the clash of arms, in the prison pen, all along the way this spirit of Fraternity existed, and under its influence those who wore the blue became as dear to each other as brothers. Time has failed to diminish this spirit, and to-day it exists in the Grand Army of the Republic as nowhere else. This principle of Fraternity calls up recollections that inspire the soul and make all who marched beneath the old flag Comrades forever. It matters not whether we served in the same company, regiment, brigade or corps, the mere fact that we wore the blue is enough to create an enduring bond of esteem and affection. Fraternity then, in its broadest sense, is a cardinal principle of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Those bonds of esteem and affection live on in us, their “Sons.” When we gather in our Camps, we are not just enjoying and strengthening our personal friendships, we are perpetuating their memory and principles through our own close bonds. What a wonderful thing that is! In the next edition of The California Column we’ll explore the other guiding principles of our Order. Until then, I remain, yours in Fraternity, Charity & Loyalty!

U.S. Colored Troops Remembered by Camp 22

Located in the heart of gold country is the Jenny Lind IOOF Cemetery. Situated in the middle of Calaveras County (population 47,000 in 2008), the cemetery is on a hill overlooking the town of Jenny Lind. On 7 November 2009 Brothers of the General George Wright Camp No. 22 conducted a memorial service with the Calaveras Historical Society in honor of Sgt. JOHN W. DAWSON of the U.S. Colored Infantry. (Pictured in the background are descendants of Sgt.DAWSON.) DAWSON enlisted as a sergeant and was mustered into Company “C “of the U.S. Colored Troops 22nd Infantry. This regiment was organized at Camp William Penn, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Published by the Department of California and Pacific, SUVCW, Inc., at San José, Calif. Copyright © 2001-2010 by the Dept. of CA & Pacific, SUVCW, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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DAWSON mustered out in Philadelphia on 16 October 1865. His regiment was originally part of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, later merging with the Army of the James. The regiment was initially ordered to Yorktown, Virginia. Soon after they saw action south of James River and against Petersburg and Richmond. In April 1865, they moved to Washington, D.C., and participated in the obsequies of President Lincoln.

DJVC Speaks to Genealogists

Brother TIMOTHY P. REESE (PCC), Department Junior Vice Commander, made a presentation to the Monterey County Genealogical Society on April 1, 2010, held at the Family History Center in Seaside. The topic of his presentation was to educate the community about the California Genealogy and History Archives website (www.calarchives4u.com), the SUVCW website (www.suvcw.org/), and specifically the SUVCW National Graves Registration Database (www.suvcwdb.org). Published by the Department of California and Pacific, SUVCW, Inc., at San José, Calif. Copyright © 2001-2010 by the Dept. of CA & Pacific, SUVCW, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Cloverdale Citrus Parade submitted by Camp Commander Dean Enderline

Thanks to reinforcements from Phil Sheridan Camp No. 4, Dr. Mary E. Walker Auxiliary No. 52, and our friends in the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry, Col. Elmer Ellsworth Camp No. 23 and Ivy Stiers Auxiliary No. 23 received the Parade Sweepstakes Award (the top parade award) for our entry in the 2010 Cloverdale Citrus Fair parade. The event took place on Saturday, February 13, at Cloverdale (Sonoma County). The theme for this year’s parade was “Salute to the US Military.” This was our first time marching at Cloverdale.

Front Row (ladies): Elaine Christian (Aux. #23), Ann Schleeter (President, Aux. #23), Cali Debevoise (Aux. #23), Cindy Eddy (Aux. #23 & #52), Elisabeth Gray (Aux. #52, also 20th Maine member), Katherine Cannon (Aux. #23), Rachelle Campbell (Aux. Dept. President, Aux. #23 and #52 member) and Back Row (gentlemen): Dan Cheli (20th Maine), Dave Schleeter (PCC, Camps #4 and #23), Dean Enderlin (Commander, Camp #23), Frank Avila (PCC, Camp #4 and 20th Maine member), Richard Gray (Camp #4 and 20th Maine member), Ron Cannon (PCC, Camp #23), and Tad Campbell (Camp #4, PDC) holding daughter Emelia Campbell

Black Union Vet’s Story Set Straight 86 Years After Dying In Vallejo

by Jessica A. York

(reprinted with permission of the author and the VALLEJO TIMES-HERALD in which this article originally appeared on 21 March 2010)

For 40 years, one-time slave Samuel Brown unsuccessfully battled with the federal government for a pension from his stint as a Civil War soldier in Georgia.

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And in an unfortunate echo of his lifetime struggle, Brown’s gravestone at Vallejo’s Sunrise Memorial Cemetery pays homage to an infantry soldier in a “Cld” (colored) regiment of the “Confederate States Army.” Brown joined the Union army in Georgia in 1865. Nine months later, his regiment was disbanded. Now, more than 86 years after his death, interest in Brown’s past has surfaced anew among historians and relatives after the headstone mistake was uncovered.

Joe Marti, SVC, Phil Sheridan Camp No. 4 uncovers the mismarked gravestone of Samuel Brown, a black soldier in the civil war, The gravestone indicates Brown served in the Confederate Army when he actually served on the side of the Union. (photo by Chris Riley/ Times-Herald)

How the mistake was made is unclear, though it is likely the stone was commissioned by Brown’s family, rather than the government, a historian said. Even in his 1923 obituary, Brown is simply referred to as “a veteran of the Civil War,” with no reference to the side on which he fought. A few years before his death, Brown offered some explanation. “I was then grown and was grown when emancipation came, oh, but I did not get in the army till the Northern soldiers came through,” reads an affidavit typed for Brown in September 1918, when he was 86. “They came through where I lived and I went to Macon (Ga.) with them and five days after I got there I enlisted. . . . We staid [sic] right in or around Macon while I was in the army. About eight miles out was as far as we got.” At the time he joined the Union army, he was a 23-year-old farm laborer who could neither read nor write, was unmarried and had no children. “I was born on the 20th of February 1833, so I have always been told,” Brown’s statement reads. “I was a farmer till I quit work ... I was a slave and was owned by Bill Brown.” Following the death of his wife Jane in about 1912, Brown followed the eventual migration of six of his nine children to Vallejo, where he lived for 11 years, “prominent in negro circles,” according to his obituary. While Brown’s struggle to verify his identity in order to garner a military pension was not necessarily atypical of the times, the mismarked gravestone discovered 86 years later, is, said Vallejo’s Sunrise Memorial Cemetery operator Buck Kamphausen.

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“That’s the first that I’ve heard of someone trying to change a stone that old,” said Kamphausen, who owns several area cemeteries. “It’s amazing that nobody caught it after all this time. It’s certainly something that we don’t know.” This historical slight went undiscovered until late last year, when a member of a Civil War history service organization became interested in Brown’s story. A news report of a Civil War-era cannon stolen in November from Sunrise led Joe Marti, senior vice commander for the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (Phil Sheridan Camp 4, www.suvpac.org/ camp4.html), to visit the cemetery. During Marti’s visit, he stumbled across Brown’s grave, one of the few Civil War veterans buried there. “A colored infantry is unusual with the Confederate Army,” Marti, of Vallejo, explained a s he revisited the stone with a reporter. “I went home and looked (the 137 Regiment Colored Infantry) up, and couldn’t find that regiment in the Confederate Army. His headstone is about as wrong as it can get ... Also, there never was a ‘colored regiment’ of any kind in the Confederacy, although some blacks did serve.” Marti later confirmed his suspicion through records from the National Archive in Washington, D.C. Much of Brown’s history is spelled out in the various documents submitted over the years he fought for his pension. Marti said that to his knowledge, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs only issued stones with “C.S.A.”, abbreviation for Confederate States of America, not Confederate State Army, as the stone reads. Marti said the problem in correcting the stone lies with ownership -- whether it was a Veterans Affairs-issued stone, or a private one. Government headstones older than 50 years can’t be altered, but private stones can be changed with permission of the family, he said. Kamphausen said his cemetery employees can sandblast a line of text off a granite grave marker and re-etch it, if that is desired. According to the stone, Brown died on Dec. 21, 1923. His obituary, listed in the now defunct Evening Chronicle, said funeral services were held at the Second Baptist Church, and that he would be buried at the Masonic and Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery. Mary Johnson of Vallejo, daughter of Brown’s son Green, said she knew that her grandfather was buried in Vallejo, but information about the incorrect stone was unexpected. “We’re excited that interest is being shown and taken to correct this,” Johnson said. “The fact that it said Confederate was a surprise to me. I knew that he was here, but I’d never gone out to check it.”

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Merrie Freed and Department CWO Kirby Morgan at the newly set headstone of CW Veteran Thomas Ely Boyd Winters, Yolo County, California

Arlington National Cemetery Event

Plans are still underway for PDC AL PETERSON of Camp 12 to travel to Arlington National Cemetery and speak at the annual Memorial Day event on May 30th. This event is sponsored by the Department of Maryland. The Committee to Restore Memorial Day, back to its original May 30th encourages everyone to conduct a program at your local cemetery on the 30th of May each year.

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Department Officers Newsletter Mailing Address

Commander — Charles W. Mabie [email protected] The California Column

Sr. Vice Commander — Glen L. Roosevelt, PCC Department of California and Pacific [email protected] c/o Daniel R. Earl, PCC Jr. Vice Commander — Timothy P. Reese PCC [email protected] 3012 Lake Estates Court

Secretary-Treasurer — Phillip L. Caines, PCC San José, CA 95135-1366 [email protected]

Department Council — Department Websites Tad D. Campbell, PDC (chair) WWW.SUVPAC.ORG [email protected] WWW.SUVPAC.ORG/AUX/DEPT.HTML Jerry R. Sayre, PDC [email protected] Owen R. Stiles [email protected]

Patriotic Instructor —Dean A. Enderlin [email protected]

Chaplain Thomas E. Helmantoler [email protected]

Historian — David A. Davis, PCC [email protected]

Counselor — Tad D. Campbell, PDC [email protected]

Guide — Charles Gardali, PCC [email protected] Fraternity ∆ Charity ∆ Loyalty

Color Bearer — Jerry R. Sayre, PDC [email protected] 1 May 2010 Guard — Floyd L. Farrar “Loyalty Day” [email protected]

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