From the Brigade Commander - September 2017

Summer has a way of passing all too quickly and this one was no exception. Hopefully everyone is rested and ready to begin Campaign #40 on September 5th.  This is a big year for us and we hope to have fun reminiscing about the past and planning new adventures for the future. Along those lines please look for any photos for days gone by and contact me so we can share them. Also, please consider writing some personal thoughts about people, places or events that struck a chord with you.  We’ve had some great times so share those gems.

Some housekeeping items from last Campaign:

     We have great folks who volunteer his or her time and talents. Additionally a number of you have been very generous with financial donations over and above membership dues. This is extremely important as we provide speakers with mileage reimbursement and rooms at the Holiday Inn. Even though our friends at the Inn give us an excellent rate, the cost adds up over the course of the year. As we continue to try and keep dues as affordable as possible this extra income certainly helps covers expenses and affords a greater impact for historic preservation donations. Please know that your support is greatly appreciated.

     Bob McHugh has been doing double duty as Program Chair and Publicity Chair. As that’s not very fair to him we’d really love for some kind soul to step up and help. Bob will still provide the program notes. We just need someone to help get the information to the right people and follow up. It’s very important. Please contact me or see Bob or me at any meeting.

     Because of the generosity of our membership as well as the success of our Americans at War Conference we ended our year with a $4000 donation to the Civil War Trust. Because of matching grants that $4000 morphed into much much more. Please see Jim Duffy’s report elsewhere in this newsletter. There are no losers when it comes to historic preservation donations. We all carry away with us the satisfaction of doing our share to help preserve America’s historic sites and collections.

Some thoughts going into this 40th Anniversary Campaign:

      We’ve had a year and a half under our belt now at the Holiday Inn and all reports have been outstanding concerning both the venue and the food. Please join us for dinner and conversation if at all possible. If not, walk-ins for just the program are always welcome with open arms. Bring a friend, acquaintance or even someone you don’t know, but bring someone! He or she will certainly thank you.

     We have held our annual print raffle for preservation with great success over the years. This year you will have two chances to win nice artwork. Barry Arnold has generously donated an item for which we will draw a winner at our December meeting. We will also hold our end of year raffle in June. ALL tickets will be eligible for the June raffle so it will be a bonus for anyone buying tickets early as you’ll have two opportunities to win a great prize.

     Claire Kukielka and Barry Arnold have been hard at work planning possible field trip ventures! See their report elsewhere in this newsletter.

     We are working with the folks at Union-West End Cemetery in Allentown about a joint conservation effort and tour. Our work last year at Nisky Hill Cemetery in Bethlehem was very successful. Stay tuned for developments!

     SAVE THE DATE: Our annual brush cutting venture at Gettysburg will be Saturday, April 21st. The NPS is always grateful for our support and we will again reward our volunteers with a special treat/tour after the work day is over. No excuses SAVE THE DATE!!

     Check our website often. Many items of interest and information are added that cannot make the newsletter due to the timetable.   Paul Bartlett is doing a wonderful job keeping things fresh. http://www.cwrteasternpa.org/

     See you September 5th – Ed Root, Brigade Commander, sartilly@hotmail.com 610-417-6673

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Newsletter Mailing Update

Fellow Civil War Round Table members,

     For many years now we have distributed our newsletter via email. A small number of folks still receive the newsletter via the USPS. We cannot continue to do this for a number of reasons. The first is cost: additional cost to copy, cost for stamps, cost as well as time for someone to physically run to make copies and run to the Post Office. I hope you understand and can provide us with an email address as we will no longer provide newsletters via USPS after December, 2017
    I will be happy to discuss the matter further if you wish to contact me.

Sincerely,
Ed Root, Brigade Commander
sartilly@hotmail.com        610-417-6673

Annual Karl Lehr Dinner: A legacy of honor, commitment and generosity.

September 05, 2017
Annual Karl Lehr Dinner: A legacy of honor, commitment and generosity.

Annual Karl Lehr Dinner: A legacy of honor, commitment and generosity.

As we enter our 40th year we remember Karl Lehr who was truly a renaissance man. He was a teacher, veteran of World War II, a preservationist and a philanthropist. During his time as a member of our Round Table he served our organization in many capacities. His commitment to historic preservation was accomplished through voice, labor and monetary contributions. Karl led a full life and his passing in 2009 at the age of 93 years generated a final gift that will continue to benefit future generations of our great land. A combination of his bequest to our Round Table and matching grants from leading Civil War preservation organizations brought $463,000 to the cause of historic preservation in 2011. It is because of people like Karl Lehr that our organization became well known and respected in historic preservation circles. We honor Karl’s memory tonight at our “Karl Lehr Memorial Dinner.”   

From the Brigade Commander Ed Root ~ July 2017

     We ended our 39th Campaign year on a high note with good friend Eric Campbell. It’s always a special evening when one of our many National Park Service friends pays us a visit. The campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley continue to fascinate all Civil War “life time learners.” Thanks to Eric our knowledge and understanding of Jubal Early’s October 19, 1864 assault at Cedar Creek was greatly increased.
     Thanks to Round Table members who volunteered on both June 17 & 18 at the Lehigh Valley Civil War Days in Whitehall. Barry Arnold, Kay Bagenstose, Jim Duffy, Bill Frankenfield, Tony Major, Ed Oechsle and Roger Tice all gave up all or parts of their weekend to help spread the word about the CWRT of Eastern Pa, Inc. and our activities. Neil and Kathy Coddington and all the folks at the Friends of Camp Geiger work hard every year to bring this event to the Lehigh Valley.
     Our organization’s 40th year is upon us! Bob McHugh has a wonderful lineup of speakers set for the 2017-18 year. You will not want to miss any of these programs! We start off the year at the Holiday Inn on September 5th when Bruce Venter will present Kill Jeff Davis; The Kilpatrick-Dahlgren Raid on Richmond, 1864. I’ve heard this program and it is excellent! Bruce’s book is top notch scholarship as is his presentation.
     Have you checked our website recently? If not, you are missing out on much. Paul Bartlett is doing a super job keeping the site fresh with news and information. Do yourself a favor and visit it frequently. We’ve also added to our research section which will help answer many of your questions about people, places and events during those turbulent years. http://www.cwrteasternpa.org/
     Our next Executive Board meeting will be held at the Southern Lehigh Public Library at 3200 Preston Lane in Center Valley on Tuesday, August 1st at 7PM. All members are invited.
Many of you will travel over the summer visiting our country’s many fascinating historic sites. Please consider writing a short review to share with your fellow history buffs. We can all learn from each other so let us all benefit from your knowledge and experience. Contact me at sartilly@hotmail.com
     Membership dues for our 40th campaign are due! Avoid the rush and send your $25.00 to CWRT of Eastern PA at Post Office Box 333, Allentown, PA 18105. Spread the word and enlist a friend. They’ll thank you and you’ll make Enlistment Officer Jeff Gates’ job a tad easier in September!
     Have an enjoyable and safe summer; see you on September 5th!!

In Memoriam ~ Warren "Denny" Beach (1940 - 2017)

In Memoriam

We lost a good friend on April 27th. Warren had moved to Texas last summer to be with family. where he passed at age 76. He is remembered as a kind and gentle man, the quintessential “gentleman.”

Warren was born in Kankakee, IL on May 17th, 1940 and raised in Richmond, IN where he graduated from Earlham College (62") after study in Oxford, UK. He then joined the National Park Service in 1962 and served in the U.S. Army in 1963-65. He served 14 National Parks, notably Valley Forge and Washington's HQ. He was named Superintendent of the Year for 1983 and also received the Meritorious Service Award/Dept. of the Interior for 1995. He retired in 1999 as Associate Regional Director of NPS covering from Maine to VA. A Civil War scholar and student, Warren spoke to our Round Table in January 2012 on his ancestor, George P. Beach of the 36th Indiana Volunteer Infantry at Shiloh. His quiet sense of humor was evident as he wore a hat when speaking the words of his ancestor and taking it off when he returned to his own commentary. He served the CWRT of Eastern PA as a two term Brigade Commander and was also a charter Member of Hamilton Day & J. Simpson Africa Masonic Lodge(s).

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Published in Morning Call on May 7, 2017:

Warren Dennis "Denny" Beach, 76, of Moore Twp., PA, died Thursday, April 27, 2017 in Corpus Christi, TX. Born in Kankakee, IL on May 17th,1940 to Corwin and Eloise (Cloud) Beach and raised in Richmond, IN where he graduated from Earlham College ('62) after study in Oxford, UK. He then joined the National Park Service in 1962. Army 63-65. He served 14 National Parks, notably Valley Forge and Washington's HQ. Superintendent of the Year (83), Meritorious Service Award/Dept. of the Interior (95). Retiring in 1999, Denny was Associate Regional Director of NPS from Maine to VA. A Civil War scholar & 2 term Pres. of The Civil War Roundtable of E. PA and Charter Member of Hamilton Day & J. Simpson Africa Masonic Lodge(s).Denny was predeceased by his beloved wife, Tresita. Survivors: Daughter Cheryl Beach of Sparta, NJ, son David Beach (Leti) of Corpus Christi, TX & granddaughters Chiara & Kristi; 2 stepsons & families of VT. Services were held Sat., May 13, 2017 St. Peter's UMC in Saylorsburg.  Contributions: Cure Multiple Myeloma www.themmrf.org.

Annual George Seligman Installation Dinner ~ June 6, 2017

June 6th is our annual Seligman Dinner. As George Seligman passed away in 1985, many of you never had the pleasure to have known George. Every organization has one member who leaves an indelible imprint. George was an Air Force veteran and was in the insurance business. He was always cheerful and didn’t have a shy bone in his body. It was George who led a small group of Civil War history enthusiasts from the rather formal setting of the Lehigh County Court House to the promised land of monthly dinner meetings and a membership that grew from dozens to hundreds. George, while our gregarious leader, always prodded others into the front, always encouraged others to step up and share the responsibility and the fun of being part of this wonderful round table. George loved to keep things loose and nary a meeting went by without someone being picked on in a loving and caring manner. In fact, it was an honor to be so chosen. He made it clear that we were all students of history, that some may be very knowledgeable and others novices, but the point was that even the most serious and knowing could and did learn from the novice. George loved the story of Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine at Gettysburg in a time long before the Ken Burn’s series made him a household name. Our success over the years is due in great part to the foundation and standard that George set. Tonight we remember and honor him.

Gettysburg "Brush" Cutting - Saturday April 22, 2017

 Chuck Cannon   Alyce Evans  Dick Jacoby

Our conservation effort at Gettysburg NMP in April will be certainly something different but also very exciting. We are giving brush cutting a whole new definition. On November 3rd Chuck Cannon, Dick Jacoby and I met with Alyce Evans who is responsible for conservation planning and work at the park. As you know, our Round Table has always been had a special role in the work there. We have been the Park’s group that always rushes in to do whatever is needed regardless of where. This year our brush work will be literally be with brushes, paint brushes to be specific. We will be painting newly installed fences on the Eisenhower Farm. These fences have just replaced worn and rotted fences and have received a primer coat to get through the winter. The finish coat is up to us. The park will supply all needed materials. So whether you’re young or old, short or tall there will be a section of fence just waiting for you.

As always we try to have a program for our volunteers as an extra reward for your work. Alyce was a seasonal ranger at the Eisenhower Farm for 12 years and knows all things about the general, his time in Gettysburg in WWI and the farm and his life after WWII. Her Master’s work was entitled “Regrettable Epidemic, The 1918 Influenza in Gettysburg and Camp Colt.” We expect a large group and want to plan for a tour of the farm house after we finish work so please let me know of you interest in participating. All of us have been to the battlefield many times over the years. We feel many of you may have never taken the time to explore and learn about Eisenhower and his farm. This is your opportunity!!

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Editor's Note:

     The day was a great success. Thank you to all who participated. Here are some pictures of  the day of "brushing" at the Eisenhower Farm and the tour of the house.

Falling Waters - An After Report

Many students of the Gettysburg campaign mark the close of fighting with the Confederate withdrawal from Cemetery Ridge following Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863.  However, that high water mark was soon followed by the high waters of the Potomac and an opportunity to trap Lee’s army and allow General George Meade’s victorious troops to finish the job.  On April 1st fifteen resolute members of the round table traveled to western Maryland to join George Franks on a journey to discover the real end to the Gettysburg campaign on the banks of the Potomac River.  The first stop of the tour took us to Williamsport, along the old Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.  Here George related the pursuit by Union forces and the rebel preparations for defense.  Meade decided to consult his corps commanders before pushing forward and this slight delay allowed Ewell’s 2nd Corps to ford the Potomac at its confluence with the Conococheague Creek. 

 Not far from Williamsport we joined Bob Harsh, a local farmer and preservationist, who gave us a tour of his recently acquired property.  He discussed the history of the area and plans to protect some of the surrounding countryside.  The highlight was the presence of remnants of rifle pits and entrenchments.  We then proceeded to the home of George Franks, built in 1830 and situated on a hill that witnessed the largest rearguard action of Lee’s retreat.  Our small company braved the chill winds as George described the cavalry charge of 100 troopers from the 6th Michigan against a line of surprised Confederates from A.P. Hill’s 3rd Corps.  Here, literally in George’s backyard, we heard the story surrounding the mortal wounding of Brig. Gen. J. Johnston Pettigrew and the fate of his Union assailant, who was killed by a rebel using a boulder as his weapon of choice.  The final leg of the tour took us, after a healthy hike, to the banks of the Potomac at Falling Waters.  The last of the rebel forces escaped on a pontoon bridge and the Gettysburg campaign concluded just as it began, with John Buford’s Union cavalry facing off against Heth’s Confederates.  At this point we expressed our gratitude to George Franks for an outstanding tour and decided to make another donation to his foundation to encourage future excursions.  The tour was a great success and we all agreed to plan another day trip next spring.  

Thanks to those who contributed the pictures shown below. 

Nisky Hill Cemetery - Bethlehem

Saturday morning, October 29th, was as beautiful a fall day as could be imagined or                    desired.Our eleven intrepid workers mustered at 10AM and immediately began lightly sandingand then painting the Dahlgren cannon and stacked cannon balls placed in the midst of the flag covered graves of 59 Union veterans. The previous Saturday had originally been the target, but the heavens cried and the winds howled and our volunteers regrouped! Morning Call reporter Scott Kraus joined us and did a nice story on our work which was completed before noon. Ongoing research into the war time service and post war lives of these men has given us a glimpse into the trials and tribulations of living and dying in the 19th and early 20th centuries. We hope to end up with a permanent record of the lives of these gallant men who helped save the Union.

Thanks to Barry Arnold, Chuck Cannon, Bill Frankenfield, Jeff Heller, Claire Kukielka, Alan Lowcher, Emily, Stu, Nick and Lanie Schenkel for participating.

Ed Root – Brigade Commander

From the Brigade Commander - May 2017

The book shelves of most Civil War historians, buffs and libraries are filled with Robert E. Lee, Ulysses Grant, T.J. Jackson, William T. Sharman and others. Books about the life and career of George Gordon Meade are few. We are gratified that Tom Huntington not only searched for George Meade, but found him. It was an informative and enjoyable evening and we are pleased that Tom and his wife Beth Ann joined us at our April meeting. A donation of $50.00 was made to the Civil War Trust in Tom’s name as a token of our appreciation.

Our trip to Falling Waters with George Franks was a great success. Much thanks is due to Bob McHugh for all his hard work planning the day.

By the time you receive this newsletter we will have been to Gettysburg on April 22nd for our annual conservation and preservation effort.  I will report on the day at the May meeting.  (See Pictures Below)

On Wednesday, May 3 the unveiling of the refurbished Post 182 G.A.R. Monument will take place in Bethlehem’s Rose Garden at 2PM. It will be a grand event with Mayor Donchez, City and School District officials and the Nitschmann Middle school students and band in attendance. Peter Maugle, Bethlehem native and NPS ranger at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP will be our keynote speaker and I will present about Captain Jonathon Taylor for whom the Post was named. The public is invited.

The deadline for payment for our Americans At War Seminar is May 2nd. I sincerely hope you will join us for this exciting event. We will again have a Book Sale table outside our meeting room this month. All sales go toward defraying Conference costs.

Stop by and see Jim Duffy and Kay Bagenstose on your way into the room on every meeting night. Check out Jim’s graph on the progress of this year’s preservation fund raising effort and make sure to purchase your raffle tickets for our big June Preservation Raffle.

May 2nd is election night for those volunteers who maintain our fine organization. Please offer a hearty thank you to all who serve and also to Joe Riggs for his role as Nominating Committee Chair.

Mike Cavanaugh has over the years been bringing the 4 volume set of The Rosters of the Union Army 1861-1865, Pennsylvania to meeting. These books contain over 300,000 names gleaned from the National Archives and indicate the veterans rank and unit. If you’re looking for info about a Pennsylvanian this is the place to start. Ed Oechsle will now be bringing these books to each meeting. Check them out at the back of the room. Thank you gentlemen!

 Don’t forget to check out our website www.cwrteasternpa.org

 See you on May 2nd for Kathleen Thompson’s presentation, “To the Breaking Point, The Toll of War on the Civil War Soldier.”