MINUTEMAN T H E S O N S O F T H E A M E R I C A N R E V O L U T I O N

VOLUME XXVII : NUMBER 6 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Derek Brown with new members Rob and Austin Brannan, and Justin Cruff President’s Notes attended the Sacramento Chapter’s Constitution Day program. The speaker ongratulations. I think we had was a currently serving Judge. One item C a very good first meeting after he covered was the lack of civics the summer break. I was nervous at first education in the schools. I was disturbed when I saw the first reservations report when he related that civics is practically that indicated a low attendance. Then, being ignored in the current school wow, attendance shot up by meeting environment. We need to step up. The time. Chapter needs volunteers to work with I saw a couple of rough spots for the SAR youth programs. They do not improvement. We will go back to the require a huge commitment of time. long table format that was used before. Please take some time, and check Please make an effort to meet new out the new and revised Thomas members, their families, and other Jefferson Chapter web site. You will find guests. Do what you can to make them many interesting things there. Also, feel welcome. check out the State and National web The SAR has a strong youth sites for more details on SAR programs, education program. We need to take a and what is happening at those levels. more active part in these opportunities. I — Timothy Ernst, President Thomas Jefferson Chapter www.Battlefields.org. Officers for 2018 The film began with the British attempt to seize the Timothy L. Ernst, President 32 Monivea Place American weapons and gunpowder Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-2518 Secretary’s Notes (925) 937-0526 in Concord, Massachusetts, and the [email protected] he Thomas Jefferson American patriots who confronted Chapter had 27 members them at Lexington and Concord on Vice President/ T Knight Essay Chairman and guests at its September 22, April 19, 1775. The Americans vacant 2018 regular meeting at the Old fought them on their retreat back to

Stephen R. Renouf, Secretary/Editor Spaghetti Factory in Concord, Boston. The Americans were 16123 Paseo del Campo California. President Tim Ernst fighting the tyranny of the British San Lorenzo, CA 94580-2311 (510) 276-8946 called the meeting to order, and Empire to protect their God-given [email protected] introduced California Society right to peaceably assemble, right to

William E. Rood, Treasurer President Derek Brown; Past Vice free speech, right to trial by jury, 2107 Dunblane Court Presidents General Bob Ebert and right of taxation only by their own Walnut Creek, CA 94598-3325 (925) 937-8659 Stephen Renouf; Past Chapter representatives, and the right to President Don Gurley; Chapter carry arms. As the American militia Donald H. Gurley, Registrar 2921 Encina Camino Treasurer Bill Rood; DAR members companies surround the British in Walnut Creek, CA 94598-3503 Virginia Rood and Sally McNamera; Boston, the Green Mountain Boys (925) 943-1960 [email protected] new Dual Member Geoffrey Thorpe; seized Fort Ticonderoga in New and new members Rob Brannan York. The Continental Congress, Charles E. Doolin, Chaplain (and wife Anna Brannan), Austin meeting in Philadelphia, created the 1700 Broadway Street #132 Concord, CA 94520-2609 Brannan, and Justin Cruff; applicants Continental Army, and gave (925) 228-3494 Steve Main, Jason Saunders (and command of the army to General

Ryan T. Prindiville, Historian wife Eran Saunders), Mitchell George Washington, who took his 20 Saint Tropez Court Saunders (and sisters Aubrey and forces to Cambridge, Massachusetts, Danville, CA 94506-6161 (925) 408-2176 Catelyn Saunders), and Richard to confront the British. Henry Knox [email protected] Sperling. removed the cannon from Fort

Sergeant at Arms Following lunch, President Ticonderoga, and brought them to vacant Tim Ernst presented a film called Washington. In March 1776, the

Jeffrey H. Brown, Eagle Scout Chairman “The Entire Revolutionary War: April artillery was in place for an assault (925) 360-3647 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783.” It on the besieged British, and they [email protected] was produced by the American decided to evacuate Boston. Derek J. Brown, Awards Chairman Battlefield Trust, a tax exempt Washington knew that they would (925) 672-2055 [email protected] organization created by the Civil return in greater numbers. War Trust to preserve America’s The Americans succeeded in Stephen A. Tucker, Past President hallowed battlegrounds, and getting the French King to secretly 5261 Crystyl Ranch Drive Concord, CA 94521-5444 educate the public about what provide arms to the Americans, and (925) 586-5977 happened on the battlefields and on July 4, 1776, the Continental [email protected] why it matters. Their mission is to Congress issued the Declaration of protect battlefields of the Independence. Washington moved The Thomas Jefferson Chapter Minuteman is Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, his Continental Army from Boston to the official newsletter of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter of the California Society Sons of the and the War Between the States New York. On August 22, 1776, the American Revolution. The opinions expressed herein are the opinions of the authors, and not 1861-1865. You can find more British landed on Long Island and necessarily those of the Chapter or the SAR, unless specifically stated. information on the American drove the Americans from CIVIS AMERICANUS SUM Battlefield Trust on their website: Manhattan. Washington withdrew to White Plains, and left forces at from General Morgan, and led a Fort Washington and Fort Lee strategic retreat through North astride the Hudson River. The Carolina to the Dan River. On British defeated Washington at by Baron Von Steuben into a well- February 14, 1781, General Greene White Plains, and then captured disciplined army. On February 6, crossed the Dan River, and the Forts Washington and Lee, forcing 1778, the French King signed the British, lacking boats, could not General Washington to retreat Treaty of Alliance with the United follow. After being reinforced, across New Jersey and the Delaware States. The British decided to General Greene re-crossed the Dan River into Pennsylvania. On abandon Philadelphia, and move River and fought the British to a December 25, 1776, Washington their forces there back to New York stand-still at Guilford Courthouse on crossed the icy Delaware River in the with the French threat. Washington March 15, 1781. After the battle, dead of night, and attacked the pursued the retreating British, and Cornwallis was forced to retreat to British in Trenton, New Jersey. It fought them inconclusively at Wilmington, North Carolina, and was a spectacular victory, with Monmouth, New Jersey. The British General Greene moved his forces to Washington capturing cannon, forces reached New York, and Camden, South Carolina. Cornwallis Hessian soldiers, and supplies. He Washington maintained pressure on then moved north into Virginia, then moved on to Princeton, and the British at New York. trying to stop the flow of men and captured around 200 British The British then shifted their supplies to Greene’s Southern regulars. Washington then settled in strategy to the Southern colonies, Patriot Army. With Cornwallis gone, Morristown, New Jersey, for the where skirmishes had been fought General Greene battered the British winter. since 1775. On December 29, 1778, at Eutaw Springs on September 8, In Spring 1777, the British the British established a foothold in 1781, forcing the British to withdraw planned to separate the New the Southern colonies by capturing to Charlestown, South Carolina, England colonies from the other Savannah, Georgia. French and where they were trapped for the colonies by sending three columns American forces attempted to remainder of the war. of soldiers to Albany, New York. retake Savannah, but they were With a stalemate in the General St. Leger’s column was defeated by the British. On May 12, north and the south, Cornwallis stopped at Fort Stanwix. Another 1780, British forces seized attacked the middle colonies. He column under General William Howe Charlestown, South Carolina, and moved his forces to Yorktown, defied orders, and advanced on captured 5,000 American soldiers. Virginia, where he could be re- Philadelphia – defeating the American General Horatio Gates supplied by sea. On September 5, Americans in the Battle of moved on Charlestown, but was 1781, French Admiral François Brandywine, and capturing the stopped and defeated in the Battle Joseph Paul, the Marquis de Grasse, American Capital of Philadelphia. of Camden by General Cornwallis. and British Admiral Thomas Graves, Washington attempted to recapture The southern countryside was 1st Baron Graves, fought in the Philadelphia, but was defeated at involved in a vicious partisan war Battle of the Capes. The French Germantown. Washington was between Patriots and Loyalists. On defeated the British and forced forced to move to Valley Forge for October 7, 1780, Patriot militia them to retreat back to New York the winter. The third column, led by forces defeated Loyalist militia without resupplying General General John Burgoyne, came down forces in the Battle of King’s Cornwallis. General Cornwallis was the Hudson River, and was defeated Mountain in South Carolina. On then caught between the American by the Americans at Saratoga on January 17, 1781, Brigadier General forces on land, and the French fleet October 17, 1777. Daniel Morgan defeated British Lt. at sea. General Washington and While Washington’s Army Colonel Banastre Tarleton in the General Jean-Baptiste de suffered through the winter at Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina. Rochambeau marched 680 miles Valley Forge, his men were trained Nathanael Greene took over from Rhode Island to Yorktown to confront Cornwallis. Cornwallis was Brown discussed the mentoring, defeated at Yorktown, Virginia, and recruitment, and retention of new surrendered his British Army (about members. It is important that we one-fourth of all British forces in the introduced and presented a welcome new members, and get United States) to General George membership card to new Dual them engaged in our programs. Too Washington on October 19, 1781. Member Geoffrey Thorpe, who is a often, we swear in members, and In February 1782, the British primary member of the Idaho then never see them again. We Parliament adopted a resolution to Society, SAR. Geoffrey Thorpe need to do a better job of cease further prosecution of the war joined the Sons of the American welcoming new members, and in North America, and negotiations Revolution on the service of his encouraging them to regularly began to end the war. In September Patriot ancestor Patrick Henry (1736 attend our meetings. He noted that 1783, the Peace of Paris was signed -1799), Commander-in-Chief of the CASSAR Fall 2018 Board of ending the Revolutionary War – the Virginia forces (September 1775- Managers Meeting will be held at longest war fought in North February 1776), and the first Lake Natoma. Please register and America. The Independence of the governor of Virginia (1776-1778). represent our chapter at the United States was recognized by the We are looking forward to seeing meeting. British Empire. him at future meetings! President Ernst announced The film clip was a great Secretary Stephen Renouf that the next meeting will be on overview of the Revolutionary War. presented the SAR 25-Year Pin to October 27, 2018 at the Old The website has other videos, and Ralph Dean and his son Jeffrey Dean. Spaghetti Factory. Our speaker will you can explore them at Ralph accepted the 25-Year Pin for be Dr. Matthew Bowdish, the www.Battlefields.org/learn/videos. his other son, John Dean. Secretary CASSAR Surgeon. He will speak on There are almost 50 videos on Renouf noted that Ralph Dean was “George Washington’s Health.” various Revolutionary War battles. one of the first compatriots he met President Ernst requested that Registrar Don Gurley when he joined the Sons of the members print out and display a flag installed three new members into American Revolution in 1994. We of the colony that their patriot the Thomas Jefferson Chapter. thank Ralph Dean and his two sons ancestor served. Robert Brannan and his son Austin for their 25 years of membership! President Ernst adjourned Brannan (a Cub Scout) joined the Secretary Stephen Renouf the meeting, and Registrar Don Sons of the American Revolution on encouraged all members to visit the Gurley led the compatriots and the service of their Patriot Ancestor new Thomas Jefferson Chapter guests in the singing of God Bless Josiah Espy (c. 1727-1801), who was website: www.tjsar.org. Compatriot America. a member of the Committee of Gary Bohannon has done an — Stephen Renouf, Secretary Safety in Pennsylvania. Robert incredible job in creating a modern Brannan’s mother and grandmother website for our chapter. He noted Dues Notices 2019 were members of the Daughters of that we have twelve patriot ancestor ues notices for 2019 went the American Revolution. Justin biographies for the ancestors of D out in September. Anyone Cruff joined the Sons of the Gary Bohannon and Secretary unpaid by December 31, 2018 will American Revolution on the service Renouf. All members are be reported as dropped for non- of his Patriot Ancestor Lewis Redden encouraged to submit a short payment. Cruff (1754-1813), a staff officer biography on their patriot ancestor Please remit your dues as prizemaster on the ship Franklin. He to Secretary Renouf for inclusion on soon as possible. You can pay your also served as a soldier in the website. At a future meeting, spouse or female relative’s Ladies Massachusetts under Captain John Gary Bohannon will demonstrate the Auxiliary dues of $25 with your dues. Merrill. new website. Also, there is a $10 fee if you want a Secretary Stephen Renouf CASSAR President Derek printed copy of the state newsletter. Chapter Meeting Concord, California

JEFFREY DEAN AND RALPH DEAN RECEIVE 25-YEAR PINS FROM SECRETARY RENOUF

NEW DUAL MEMBER GEOFFREY THORPE WELCOMED TO THE CHAPTER BY SECRETARY RENOUF MITCHELL, ERAN, AUBREY, CATELYN AND JASON SAUNDERS (SAR APPLICANT)

NEW MEMBERS ROBERT AND AUSTIN BRANNAN, SALLY McNAMERA, AND ANNA BRANNAN Fall Leadership Meeting Louisville, Kentucky

PRESIDENT GENERAL WARREN ALTER ADDRESSES THE FALL LEADERSHIP MEETING

NATIONAL SOCIETY COLOR GUARD ON THE MARCH JAMES FOSDYCK, PRESIDENT GENERAL WARREN ALTER, AND SAM POWELL

CASSAR PRESIDENT DEREK BROWN, AND PAST PRESIDENT STEPHEN RENOUF PG WARREN ALTER PRESENTS GIFT TO KEVIN GRAFFAGNINO, DIRECTOR OF THE CLEMENTS LIBRARY IN MICHIGAN

CALIFORNIA SOCIETY DELEGATION TO THE SAR LEADERSHIP MEETING NATIONAL SOCIETY TRUSTEES MEETING AT THE BROWN HOTEL OCTOBER 2018

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING Saturday, October 27, 2018 the old spaghetti factory

1955 Mount Diablo Street, Concord, CA

11:30AM—Pre-Meeting Noon to 2:30PM—Meeting Social

Programme: Matthew S. Bowdish, MD. Dr. Bowdish is an allergist and clinical immunologist, who is currently serving as Surgeon of the California Society SAR. He will present a program on George Washington’s Health. Come join us for a great meeting!

MENU

Spaghetti with Mushroom Sauce, Fettuccini Alfredo, Chicken Parmigiana, or Baked Lasagna $20 per person

Deadline: 24 October 2018 Questions? Contact Stephen Renouf at [email protected] Please make check payable to THOMAS JEFFERSON CHAPTER, enclose this reservation slip, and mail to: Secretary Stephen Renouf, 16123 Paseo del Campo, San Lorenzo. CA 94580 Name: Entrée choice: Spaghetti Fettuccini Chicken Lasagna

Guest: Entrée choice: Spaghetti Fettuccini Chicken Lasagna

Guest2: Entrée choice: Spaghetti Fettuccini Chicken Lasagna Quote of the Month “When innocence itself, is brought to the bar and condemned, especially to die, the subject will exclaim, it is immaterial to me, whether I behave well or ill; for virtue itself, is no security. And if such a sentiment as this, should take place in the mind of the subject, there would be an end to all security what so ever.” THOMAS JEFFERSON CHAPTER — John Adams, 1770

SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Timothy L. Ernst President Visit us on the web:

Stephen R. Renouf TJSAR.ORG Secretary

William Rood Treasurer

You can download the full version of the Minuteman at http://www.tjsar.org/index.php/minuteman/minuteman-archive

The Thomas Jefferson Chapter MINUTEMAN Stephen R. Renouf, Editor 16123 Paseo del Campo San Lorenzo, CA 94580-2311