Major William Anderson McTeer Camp No. 39 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Maryville, Tennessee Winner of the 2014- 2015 Commander- in- Chief’s Award Vol 3 Issue 3 Mar 2016 Preserving the memory of the McTeer’s Loyal Grand Army of the Republic and our ancestors who fought to preserve Mountaineers the Union 1861- 1865! 21st Department of Tennessee Encampment a Success

Our own department, ganization was Junior ment were pulled Inside this issue: the Department of Vice Commander-in- pork with either Tennessee, held its Chief Mark Day of the sweet and/or hot 21st Annual Encamp- Department of the and spicy sauce, ment on 20 February Chesapeake. Depart- buns, beans, slaw, potato salad , deviled 21st Department En- 2 —3 2016 at the Tennessee ment Commander Genealogical Society Michael Downs pre- eggs, and choice of campment Contin- water or iced tea. All ued in Germantown, TN. sented JVC-in-C Day More than 20 mem- a copy of the book he for $10! bers from 3 states at- compiled, The Civil From the Com- 4 Dr. Curt Fields pro- mander tended. War Diary of Col. Al- fred B. Wade. vided to the En- The Sultana Camp McTeer Camp Com- campment an enter- Interested in Join- 5 No. 1, based in Mem- mander David taining and histori- ing? phis, hosted the En- McReynolds pre- cally accurate por- campment and did an sented him, on behalf trayal of General Ulysses S. Grant. He From the Book Rack 6—7 excellent job. On the of our camp, the me- Friday evening prior dallion that was com- stayed in character to the Encampment, missioned for the throughout the day McTeer members Mi- 2015 Tennessee Sig- and provided a num- Biographies of our 8 chael Downs and nature Sesquicenten- ber of photo oppor- Ancestors David McReynolds nial Event, the Blue tunities. attended a Sultana and Gray Reunion The Memphis Race 10— camp meeting held at and Freedom Jubilee Several “Certificates Riots of 1866 11 the beautiful Marriott which was held in of Commendation” Courtyard Hotel in Knoxville 30 April were handed out to Collierville, TN, the 2015 through 3 May members for out- Calendar of Impor- 13 host hotel for the 2015. standing service over tant Dates weekend. At the the past year. These meeting, camp offi- Lunch was catered by included one to cers were installed for the Germantown Brother Ben Jones 2016-2017. Commissary, a re- for his overall organ- nowned Memphis izational abilities in Representing the BBQ restaurant. Pro- making the Encamp- SUVCW National Or- vided to the Encamp- ment a success,

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Brother Sam Gant for his continuing efforts in the preservation of the Franklin Battlefield and Brother Geoffrey Hintze for his work over many years as the Department’s Secretary- Treasurer. Also, special recognition was give to the McTeer Camp and its Commander, David McReynolds, for its excellent work which led them to being awarded the 2014-2015 Abraham Lincoln Commander-in-Chief’s Award as the most outstanding camp in the SUVCW! Brother Doug Fidler was presented “possession” of the Department’s Grant Cup for his excellence in recruiting new members over an extended period of years.

Polly Toole Auxiliary President Cindy McReynolds surprised CC David McReynolds with a special award, Colonel—Aide de Camp, Governor’s Staff, State of Tennessee, the highest award the State of Tennessee may bestow upon an individual. It may be awarded to a Ten- nessee citizen for outstanding achievement. The honor is only awarded at the request of a member of the Tennessee General Assembly. Individuals who receive this award are recorded by the Secretary of State of Tennessee with those who have been commissioned into the State Guard and Tennessee National Guard. This award is considered equivalent to actual military commissions and the recipient is commissioned as full Colonel. In this case, State Senator Doug Overbey sponsored McReynolds’ review by Governor Bill Haslam. In Senator Overbey’s letter to Governor Haslam he states: “Mr. McReynolds is a strong advocate for the state of Tennessee. He has suffered a number of medical issues. Despite his conditions, he has a strong passion for being involved with the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Major William A. McTeer Camp No. 39 and many other genealogical organizations. Major William A. McTeer Camp No. 39 received the 2014-2015 Abraham Lincoln Commander-in-Chief’s Award.”

In Department business, two committees were appointed in order to look at two important issues. The first committee will look at the possibility of a name change for the Department. Officially, the name of the Department is the “Department of Tennessee.” However, to be re- spectful, we have usually presented ourselves as the “Department of Tennessee with Missis- sippi and Alabama,” which can be a mouthful at National Encampments and other events. The second committee will look at the feasibility of our Department hosting a future National Encampment including the evaluation of possible locations. The Encampment authorized the officers to submit an application to host a future encampment if deadlines required a submit- tal prior to the next Department of Tennessee Encampment in 2017. George Huttick, Depart- ment Signals Officer, made two motions to improve our social media and web presence. The first motion was to authorize him to do a complete overhaul and update of the Department’s current web site. It needs to be updated and made more user friendly. The second motion was to establish a Department Instagram account so that we might make more effective social media contact with a younger age group. Brother Fidler made a motion to name the Depart- ment’s “Brother of the Year” award the “Charles Engle Brother of the Year” award in memory of past Department Commander Charles Engle who passed away in 2015. During 2015, the Department lost one camp—the Camp No. 6 which turned in its charter—but gained another camp—the Army of the Tennessee Camp No. 64, which is located in the Mur- freesboro, TN area. It was also announced that next year’s Department Encampment will be hosted by the Army of the Tennessee Camp No. 64.

Mark Day, the National JVC-in-C, traveled many miles from his home in Virginia to spend the day with us. He updated us on the health of our National Commander-in-Chief Eugene Mor- torff, who recently suffered a mild stroke. It would seem that a full recovery is expected.

McTeer’s Loyal Mountaineers Continued from Page 2 Page 3 March 2016

Brother Day also presented the latest status report concerning the Banner magazine and told us to expect a copy to arrive soon.

To conclude the Encampment, there was the election and installation of officers. With strong support, the existing (2015-2016) slate of officers for the Department were re-elected unanimously for another term (2016-2017). Therefore, McTeer Camp members Michael Downs will continue as Department Commander and David McReynolds will continue as Department Junior Vice Commander.

Department Commander Michael Dr. Curt Fields as General Ulysses S. Grant Downs

Polly Toole President Cindy McReynolds presenting CC David McReynolds with National Junior Vice Commander-in- the Tennessee Colonel Aide-de-Camp Chief Mark Day Award

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From the Commander

Dear Brothers,

I don’t know if you think of it the same way that I do, but we have a very special mission as brothers in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. That mission or purpose is to continue to preserve the memories and history of our ancestors—those brave men who fought and died or were gravely wounded but survived in a great war to preserve our Union. If we had failed, the great experiment in liberty and democracy known as the United States of America would have failed. But why did our ancestors get together in the first place as the Grand Army of the Republic? The SUVCW web site on the history of the GAR states: “But probably the most profound emotion was emptiness. Men who had lived together, fought together, foraged to- gether and survived, had developed an unique bond that could not be broken. As time went by the memories of the filthy and vile environment of camp life began to be re- membered less harshly and eventually fondly. The horror and gore of battle lifted with the smoke and smell of burnt black powder and was replaced with the personal rain of tears for the departed comrades. Friendships forged in battle survived the separation and the warriors missed the warmth of trusting companionship that had asked only total and absolute commitment. With that as background, groups of men began joining together — first for camaraderie and then for po- litical power. Emerging most powerful among the various organizations would be the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), which by 1890 would number 409,489 veterans of the ‘War of the Rebellion’.”

We don’t enjoy that political power today. We are a relatively small organization. But our purpose is no less worthy. I encourage each of you to further research the story of your ancestors who fought to pre- serve the Union. I hope that we as a Camp may continue to protect and preserve the grave sites of all Union soldiers and make it so that our children and grandchildren may know the sacrifices that they made so that we continue to enjoy the liberties that make our nation so special.

In Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty,

David McReynolds

David McReynolds, Camp Commander

McTeer’s Loyal Mountaineers Page 5 March 2016 Interested in joining?

For more information, just visit our web site at www.mcteer39.org or the national web site at www.suvcw.org.

Also see the information on the back page of this newsletter. Or, you may contact us directly. Here are two people who would be very happy to help you.

Camp Commander David McReynolds 4323 Near Shore Drive Louisville, TN 37777 (865) 981-2854 [email protected]

Camp Secretary/Treasurer Doug Fidler 4033 Cave Mill Road Maryville, TN 37804-3181 (865) 681-4717 [email protected]

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While attempting to maintain would expose his real views of an outwardly neutral position the South which in turn could and cultivating the friendship lead into physical retaliation of the leaders of the drive to against him and his family. destroy the Union he wrote ob- (Note – it was not unusual for jective reports back to the Brit- the United States Mail to be ish Foreign Office quoting what opened and read by postmas- the secession leaders were ters at that time looking for commenting on among them- supposedly subversive aboli- selves. He constantly heard tionist literature.) In a rather them say that the reason they ironic twist it was actually wanted to leave the Union was Secretary of State William the issue of slavery and the Seward who forced the Crown need to expand that institution Government to recall Bunch if it were to survive. Secondly, in the mistaken belief that he Our Man in Charleston – Brit- he observed that their conver- was too close to the fire ain’s Secret Agent in the Civil sations would enlarge to what brands and was acting as a War South by Christopher many whites felt was the need spy in their behalf. The good Dickey is the subject of this to reopen the slave trade with British envoy left the States in month’s review. The book is a Africa. Bunch also overheard 1863 never to return while true story about the life of at least two plans to smuggle in being awarded for his very Robert Bunch and the time he new slaves from the Congo and dangerous work by the Brit- spent in Charleston, South while one of these attempts was ish government’s Foreign Of- Carolina, as the head of the Brit- actually successful the second fice to several postings as am- ish Consulate office. Bunch was intercepted by the United bassador to countries in spent ten years living in the very States Navy. Another common South America. heart of the area where the drive theme that he commented on The hard facts of the for secession was at its peak was the issue of taking control book are that it is 327 pages while becoming acquainted with of Cuba to add to the Southern long with academic footnot- such individuals as Robert sphere of influence. ing, however the notes are Barnwell Rhett, Edmund Ruffin, Bunch had his family listed by the page on which John Slidell, Leonidas Spratt, with him while in Charleston they occur. This makes it Robert Toombs, Howell Cobb, and he lived in constant fear easier to refer back to the William Trescot and other lead- that through some slip of the text. Additionally, many of ing “fire-eaters” of the time. tongue or a mail intercept he

From the Book Rack— continued on page 7 ===>

McTeer’s Loyal Mountaineers Page 7 March 2016 From the Book Rack—continued from page 6 the notes add further insight into the point of interest rather than merely listing a reference. I found the bibliography very useful, has an adequate index and a very interesting, four-page, acknowledge- ment section. The author has a varied background, having written for The Daily Beast, Newsweek and the Washington Post, and has authored several prior books, both fiction and factual. Mr. Dickey’s book is available at the Knox County Library, our local Barnes and Noble and on line at Amazon.

*****

Above is a leaf from the January 26, 1861 edition of Harper's Weekly. This leaf presents a view of Charleston, South Carolina just as the Civil War was about to begin. The illustra- tion includes images of Broad Street, the Mercury Office, the Custom House, Castle Pinckney, and Fort Moultrie. All these are of incredible historical importance.

Source: http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/major-anderson-ft- sumter_Dir/civil-war-charleston-south-carolina.htm

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Tenth in a Series—Biographies of our Ancestors

Corporal Landon Lyon Direct Ancestor of CC David McReynolds, Camp Counselor Joseph McReynolds and Junior Member Padraig Fitzsimons

Landon Lyon enlisted as a Union soldier 5 Aug 1864 and was discharged 5 Sep 1865 after serving one year and one month. He was discharged in Washington County, Tennessee, due to the disability incurred from an ankle injury caused when his horse fell jumping a fence in the Bull's Gap fight.

Company H with 99 men was raised in Carter County, Tennessee. During Landon Lyon’s service in the Thirteenth Cavalry, he was trav- eling with the Eighth and Ninth Tennessee Cavalry under General Alvan C. Gillem as a part of the Tennessee Governor's Guards. Shortly after his enlistment, this brigade traveled to Greeneville, Tennessee. Here they killed the Confederate raider on 4 Sep 1864. This brigade was part of Stoneman's raid to Marion, Virginia, in late 1864. This brigade was in continuous fighting in East Tennessee with the forces of General Vaughn and others from September 1864 until the end of the year, with the largest being the Battle of Bull's Gap.

In November 1864, Confederate Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge undertook an expedition into East Tennessee, anticipating that Confederate sympathizers would join his force and help drive the Yankees from the area. The Union forces initially retired in front of this force and, on 10 Nov, were at Bull’s Gap on the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad. The Confederates at- tacked on the morning of the 11th but were repulsed by 11:00 am. Artillery fire contin- ued throughout the day. The next morning, both sides attacked; the Confederates sought to hit the Union forces in a variety of locations but they gained little. The next day, firing occurred throughout most of the day, but the Confederates did not assault the Union lines because they were marching to flank them on the right. Before making the Confederate’s flank attack, the Union forces who were short on everything from ammunition to rations withdrew from Bull’s Gap after midnight. Breckinridge pursued them but the Union received reinforcements and

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foul weather played havoc with the roads and streams. Breckinridge, with most of his force, retired back to Virginia. This victory was a temporary Union setback in the Federal plans to rid East Tennessee of Confederate influence. The Battle of Bulls Gap was a victory for Confederate soldiers who repelled the Union forces of whom Landon Lyon was a mem- ber. Approximately 2400 soldiers fought in the battle and 241 men died at Bulls Gap in No- vember 1864.

Pension Record shows soldier as Landon Lyon, service as 13th TN Guard, date of filing 10 Dec 1890, name of dependent Catherine Lyon, date of her widow’s filing 6 Apr 1911, attorney J. D. Morrell.

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The Memphis Race Riot of 1866

By Bobby L. Lovett, Tennessee State University

As published on The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture

https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=900

On May 1-2, 1866, Memphis suffered its worst race riot in history. Some forty-six African Americans and two whites died during the riot. A Joint Congressional Committee reported seventy-five persons injured, one hundred persons robbed, five women raped, ninety-one

homes burned, four churches and eight schools burned and destroyed, and seventeen thou-

sand dollars in federal property destroyed. Hundreds of blacks were jailed, and almost all other freedmen fled town until the disturbance ended. For two days, white mobs, which in- cluded policemen, firemen, and some businessmen, attacked the freedmen's camps and

neighborhoods.

The riot started after an alarm went out that African American soldiers from Fort Pickering,

on the south boundary of downtown Memphis, had killed several policemen who tried to ar-

rest a black soldier. In response to the reports, Union General George Stoneman disarmed the soldiers and locked them in their barracks, leaving nearby freedmen's settlements vul- nerable to the white mobs that soon attacked women, children, and defenseless men, as well

as the northern missionaries who served as ministers and teachers for the freedmen.

The Memphis riots reflected the anger and frustration felt by many white citizens and par-

ticularly former Confederates, who had suffered the agony of a bitter defeat at the hands of a black and white .

Irish immigrants, who had sided with the Confederacy, especially hated the freedmen who dominated the skilled and unskilled jobs that had previously served as a mechanism for up- ward mobility in the Irish community.

Some downtown businessmen participated in the mob because they resented the hordes of penniless freedmen on the streets. Other rioters wanted revenge for the Union occupation.

The use of African American soldiers as patrolmen with power to order whites to "move on" was especially galling to many. Finally, the riots reflected the attitudes of most white citizens toward the former slaves who were then free and soon demanding equal rights.

Continued on Page 11 ===>

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One outcome of the Memphis riot (and a similar riot in New Orleans) was the congressional move toward Radical Reconstruction. The passed a Civil Rights Bill and the Fourteenth Amendment, guaranteeing citizenship, equal protection of the laws, and due process to former slaves.

Tennessee was forced to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment before being allowed to return to the Union (July 1866). Paradoxically, the former slaves became citizens, voters, and office- holders in part due to the passed in response to the race riots in Mem- phis and elsewhere.

Source: http://www.blackpast.org/aah/memphis-riot-1866 Image ownership: Public Domain

*****

McTeer’s Loyal Mountaineers Page 12 March 2016

Sultana Descendents Association Annual Reunion Knoxville, Tennessee 22—23 April 2016 “The greatest maritime disaster in U.S. history.”

Source: http://www.knoxmercury.com/2015/04/29/knoxvilles-nearly- forgotten-memorial-to-americas-deadliest-maritime-disaster-the-sultana/

McTeer’s Loyal Mountaineers Page 13 March 2016

Preliminary Schedule of Events

Friday, 22 April 2016

At Mount Olive Baptist Church, 2500 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920.

3:00 p.m.— The downstairs Fellowship Hall will be open to set up personal displays related to the Sultana story. A time to mix and mingle. We, the McTeer Camp will be represented.

7:00 p.m.—Upstairs sanctuary. Short talks, video presentations, singing and music, an- nouncements. Planned to conclude between 9 and 10 p.m.

Saturday, 23 April 2016

8:00 a.m. to approximately 3-4:00 p.m.—Tour of Knoxville Civil War sites.

Cost is $20.00 per person. The coach bus will load and leave from the host hotel, the Holiday Inn—Cedar Bluff. Among the stops will be two authentic fortifications, Fort Dickerson and Fort Higley; the Knoxville National Cemetery with the Union Monument; and the Confederate Cemetery with its monument.

The Confederate Cemetery is owned by the Mabry-Hazen Foundation, a not-for-profit entity. The Mabry-Hazen House was built prior to the Civil War and has a rich history. Depending on time, there may be a tour of the home. Cost is $5.00 per person.

The tour will end with a special ceremony at the beautiful Sultana monument and memorial to celebrate its 100th anniversary. It was initially dedicated on 4 July 1916. It was re-dedicated last year as part of the Tennessee State Sesquicentennial Event, the Blue and Gray Reunion and Freedom Jubilee held in Knoxville. We, the Major William A. McTeer Camp No. 39, SUVCW, (who did the re-dedication last year) will play a lead role in this year’s event. It should be a wonderful experience that includes a color guard, period music by the fife and drums of the 79th New York Highlander re-enactors, a firing salute and a solo medley by local historian, re- enactor and musician, William Beard.

During the tour, there will be a stop at the S&S Cafeteria on Kingston Pike in Knoxville, a cafe- teria style restaurant. Cost of lunch is on your own.

7:00 p.m. - 10 p.m.—Saturday evening banquet at the Bearden Banquet Hall.

There will be a buffet style meal followed by singing, announcements and then concluding with a moving candlelight memorial service. Cost is $22.00 per person.

For more information contact Norman Shaw at [email protected]

McTeer’s Loyal Mountaineers Page 14 March 2016

McTeer’s Loyal Mountaineers Page 15 March 2016

Calendar of Important Events

Be sure to visit our Camp Camp Mess will continue to be the second Tuesday : Web Site at We hold a monthly Camp Mess meeting on the second Tuesday of each www.mcteer39.org. month at Calhoun’s on the Creek Restaurant in Maryville, TN, starting at There is a page with a 12:30 p.m. Our March meeting with be on 8 March 2016 and our April complete Calendar of meeting will be on 12 April 2016.

Events that is updated 20 March 2016: First camp quarterly meeting of 2016! We will meet at regularly. Check back the East Tennessee History Center and Museum in Knoxville. The educa- often for new events or tional and business meeting will start at 2:30 pm with an Officers’ Meeting for changes in time or preceding that meeting starting at 2 pm. Noted historian and author David Madden will provide the educational program. Please see the cover story in place! the February edition of our newsletter for more information. On the oppo- site page is a map of downtown Knoxville with directions to the East Ten- Reminder! nessee History Center for anyone who needs them.

Try to keep your weekends free as 22-23 April 2016: Thompson-Brown House Heritage Fest / Civil War we will need volunteers to help us Reenactment / Living History weekend! do headstone dedications and cleanings throughout the year. 22-23 April 2016: Sultana Descendant’s Association annual reunion at

26 March 2016—Cleaning of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Maryville. 100th anniversary of Sultana Sultana Monument at Mount Olive monument. We will once again re-dedicate this monument in honor of Cemetery. We will meet at the those who lost their life on the way home from war in 1865 in what remains cemetery at 10 am. the greatest maritime disaster in United States history.

National Notes! 30 May 2016: activities at Knoxville National Cemetery.

The Abraham Lincoln Hilton Hotel 19 June 2016: Second quarterly meeting of 2016! We have planned a Fa- is now accepting reservations for ther’s Day program on fathers and sons who served together during the the 2016 Encampment in Spring- Civil War! field, IL. The direct number to the hotel is 217-544-8800 and the Na- 24 July 2016: 150th anniversary of the re-admission of Tennessee to the tional Reservation phone number Union. We will conduct headstone and memorial re-dedications at Old is 866-788-1860. The rate is Gray Cemetery and at Knoxville National Cemetery including re-enactors $106.00 not including taxes. and invited speakers.

All are invited to participate in the 10—14 August 2016: 135th Encampment of the Grand Army of the Re- 60th Annual Lincoln Tomb Cere- mony, sponsored by the SUVCW public and its Allied Orders at Springfield, Illinois. and MOLLUS, commemorating the 151st Anniversary of President 30 September—1 October 2016: Central Region Association of the Al- Abraham Lincoln’s death. It will be lied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic Annual Meeting. The first held at the Lincoln Tomb in Oak time that the Department of Tennessee has hosted. Hotel arrangements Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, have been made with the Comfort Inn in Franklin, TN. Meetings will be Illinois at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, held at Fort Negley in Nashville. April 16, 2016. Check the national web site for the form to RSVP at- tendance.

MCTEER’S LOYAL MOUNTAINEERS Page 16

David McReynolds, Editor 4323 Near Shore Drive Louisville, TN 37777

To: We are on the Web!!!

National Organization: www.suvcw.org

Department and camp websites may be accessed by clicking “Depts. & Camps” on the national website.

Look for us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/McTeerCamp No.39/

Visit our Camp Website at www.mcteer39.org!

How to Join the SUVCW

 It’s easy to join the SUVCW. Hereditary membership is available to a male descendant over age 14 of a Union soldier, sailor, marine or member of the Revenue Cutter Service between 12 April 1861 and 9 April 1865. You may either be a direct descendent or descended from a brother or sister of the person who served.  Associate membership is available to men who do not have the ancestry to qualify for heredi- tary membership.  Junior hereditary or associate memberships are also available to males 6-14 years old.  One option is go to the national website (www.suvcw.org), click on the “Membership” tab and follow the directions to access and submit an application. Be sure to include your interest in our camp—Maj. Wm. A. McTeer Camp No. 39, Department of Tennessee.  Or, you can go to our Camp Website, www.mcteer39.org, fill out a Camp Application, print it and follow the directions to submit it directly to our camp for rapid processing.  Or you can message us on Facebook or just express your interest to any current SUVCW mem- ber. They will be glad to help you.  Or, simply contact our Camp Secretary Doug Fidler at [email protected]. This method is likely the most efficient and economical path to membership.