From the Brigade Commander - March

From the Brigade Commander

This month, I will forego the usual banter and, instead, share a message of educational interest and urgency. On Tuesday, March 2, this CWRT will hold its fifth monthly meeting/presentation of Campaign 43 using an internet tool called Zoom, as in-person meetings are not yet permissible.

I know some folks are uncomfortable using the internet. But since we want you to get the most from your membership, and because continuing support from our members is fundamental to our organization’s survival, I want to remind you that Zoom also offers a “listen only” mode via telephone. And while listen-only limits the learning experience, it does offer a way to remain a continuing student of the American Civil War.

After you respond to the email invitation (to indicate your attendance), you will receive (also via email) the information you will need to access the meeting space. About five minutes before the start time for the meeting, dial one of the phone numbers listed on the meeting access email. (You may also be asked to enter the Meeting ID and the Passcode that will also be listed on the invite.) Once you are connected, Jim Duffy, our meeting moderator, will admit you to the secure meeting space.

If you’d like to ask the speaker a question, simply email your question to Jim (Duffysocwk@aol.com), and he will forward your question on. We hope that you’ll be able to join us for what should be a terrific presentation. You can read more about the speaker and the presentation on page 2.

NOTE: If you don’t receive a meeting invitation to your inbox, be sure to check your spam or junk folder. Sometimes, PCs and smartphones send emails to these folders in error.

Questions? Contact Jim Duffy (Duffysocwk@aol.com)

Zoom Questionnaire

Zoom Questionnaire
For a print copy click here

As you are painfully aware, our Round Table has not met in person for a regular monthly meeting since last March. In an attempt to have some sense of normalcy we started Zoom meetings in November. The four meetings were fun and informative and on March 2nd we are excited to have Donald Miller speak on his new Vicksburg book.

While we wait for the “green” light to resume normal activities at the Holiday Inn we will continue to hold meetings via the Zoom platform. Our attendance has been steady, but frankly not as high as we would desire.

Please take a few moments to answer these few questions:

1.     Have you attended any of our Zoom meetings?

2.     If so, please comment on the experience and give any suggestions you feel would improve the experience.

 3.     If not, kindly advise any and all reasons why you have chosen not to attend. We want to do all possible to increase the number of attendees.

 4.     Are you aware that you can attend the meeting via your phone? With this method you will not see the speaker or any slides, but at least you will hear all the discussion.

 5.     Once we have the ability to meet in person will you attend our dinner session?

 6.     Have you renewed your membership for this Campaign? We continue to support historic preservation and need your support.

 Your opinion is important and will help us plan and improve as an organization in the coming weeks. It is imperative that we keep our Round Table vibrant so that when health and venue restrictions enable us to meet in person, we can not only resume our activities, but be stronger than ever.

 Please respond to: Ed Root at sartilly@hotmail.com

Feel free to call Ed at 610-417-6673 if you wish to discuss further.

 Jim Duffy has been our moderator and Zoom master so feel free to contact him for any technical questions at duffysocwk@aol.com or 610-253-4549

 Please check our website frequently for information and updates.  www.cwrteasternpa.org

February Zoom Presentation on the North Carolina Coastal Operations in 1864

On February 2nd, CWRT participants were treated to a presentation by Ransome Newsome on the operations along the North Carolina Coastal region centered around New Bern in 1864.

2021 Gettysburg Workday Officially Cancelled

We. received the following note from Gettysburg NMP today officially cancelling the work day we had hoped might be able to take place in April (or later this year). The AAP Program was the oversight for our annual day in the park. We will look forward to 2022.

Due to the continuing COVID restrictions and cautions, the 2021 Adopt-A-Position (AAP) has been cancelled.  The park had to make a decision on the year as a whole because there are staff brought in specifically to handle this program, which without this program would not otherwise be needed.  Thank you for your continued interest and dedication to the AAP program, we will communicate any additional updates or volunteering opportunities as they arise.

 ___________________________

Randall Hill
Supervisory Facility Operations Specialist
Gettysburg National Military Park / Eisenhower National Historic Site

Death of Longtime Member Eli Lambert

Eli D. Lambert Jr. 92, a retired Civil Engineer and Professional Engineer from Catasauqua, PA. passed away peacefully on January 20th, 2021 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital from complications related to the Covid Virus. He was married to Lucille (Hudsco) Lambert, the love of his life, who passed away in 2009. He married Lucille in August 1953 and spent 55 years happily married to her.

Eli was a graduate of the Catasauqua High School Class of 1946 and was a 1950 graduate of Lafayette College with a BS degree in Civil Engineering. Eli's first job as an engineer was working for Greiner Construction Company on the southern portion of the New Jersey Turnpike. He spent the next 40 years working at the Fuller Company in Catasauqua, PA. His many assignments for Fuller included Chief Engineer of Greer Marine; Catasauqua Plant Manager; Assistant Manager of the Allentown Plant; Assistant to the Executive Vice President and Chief Engineer of Plant Engineering. He retired in 1990.

Eli was a dedicated member of St Paul's Lutheran Church where he served many years on church council and the financial committee. He was a member of the Civil War Roundtable of Eastern PA.. He served on the Catasauqua Borough Council in the 1950's and again in the 1970's. He was a member of the Catasauqua Exchange Club for over 50 years and was a recipient of the prestigious Good Deed Award. He was a loyal supporter of the Catasauqua Rough Riders and Lafayette College sports.

Eli was born in Allentown, PA in 1928 to the late Eli and Evelyn (Wolf) Lambert. He is survived by his children, Jane Lambert of St. George Utah, E. David Lambert III husband of Cecilia Gervasi of Richboro, PA. and Lisa Kirchner wife of Albert Kirchner of Annapolis MD; grandchildren Mathew McArdle, Eric Lambert, Gretchen Lambert, and sister Paulina Tyson of Duxbury MA. Eli was preceded in death by his daughter Rebecca Lambert in 2008.

The viewing will be private at Brubaker Funeral Home, Chestnut St., Coplay, PA. followed by burial at Fairview Cemetery. A memorial service will be scheduled later in the year to be determined. Online condolences for the family may be recorded at www.brubakerfuneralhome.com

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 604 4th Street Catasauqua, PA 18032.

Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. of Catasauqua, PA. is entrusted with arrangements.

Published in Morning Call on Jan. 24, 2021.

From the Brigade Commander - February

From the Brigade Commander

A belated, but nonetheless heartfelt Happy New Year to you all!

Last month, during the third meeting of Campaign 43, we heard an alternative history account of the Battle of Antietam, shared by speaker Gene Schmiel, author of “Lincoln, Antietam, and the Northern Lost Cause.” The book’s point of divergence centers on timing and execution: Had every move been executed well and the timing for each move been just right, the American Civil War would have ended at Antietam. Obviously, this was not to be. But, that’s the fun of speculating about history.

During our February program (scheduled for February 2), we’ll hear about Confederate efforts to recapture key coastal positions in North Carolina. Look inside for more details, including instructions for signing up for the “virtual” (Zoom) meeting. Our attendance is holding steady, but we’d love to see and hear from more of you. And so, I hope you will join me for an evening of “alternative fellowship” and discovery.

We are slowly creeping up in terms of Campaign 43 membership renewals, and I’m grateful to those who have already renewed. You’ll find additional “by the numbers” updates inside. Remember that your membership dollars help fund the informative and diverse programming we bring you each month. And, although we can’t be together, we can still enjoy the fellowship that comes from seeing each other, even if only in a virtual way.

BARRY

"WHAT IF... ??" - Would there have been a Union "Lost Cause"?

Gene Schmiel presented an interesting topic based on the conjecture, “What if, even after the Union had won the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery had remained legal in the United States?”

He described how one changed decision at the Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, could have created a "Civil War butterfly effect" and irrevocably changed American history.

Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation gave Confederate states one more chance to re-join the Union, whether or not they abolished slavery. The presentation explained how, as a result, slavery might not have ended despite a Union victory.

The failure to abolish slavery would have become "the Northern lost cause". Abolitionists and black leaders would be bitter that despite the bloodshed, victory had not brought the cherished goal of slavery.

An interesting evening.

A gallery of photos is posted below, including many with headlines that are not historical, but in the spirit of the evening, “What if…?”

Death of CWRT Member Leonard French, Sr.

Leonard J. French Sr., 74, of Lower Saucon Twp. died Sunday, December 27, 2020 at St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill. He is the husband of Diane C. (Burg) French. Len was born in Clark, NJ on February 20, 1946 to the late William A. and Mary A. (Paulikus) French. He was an owner/operator of AB Tube, Allentown which was a manufacturer of Small Diameter Stainless Steel Tubing.

He was a Proctor for 18 years at SV School District and Athletic Manager at the SV High School and co-chairman of the SV High School Student Government Association. Len was faith-filled member of First United Church, Hellertown and Deacon at the church. A graduate of Arthur J. Johnson Regional High School, Clark, NJ where he was a center for the football team and made All-County. Len is a graduate of Somerset County College Welding Program. He was also an equipment manager for the Greater Bethlehem Soccer League for 10 years; an active Boy Scout Leader Troup 349; served on the Eagle Scout Review Committee. One of Len's proudest moments was when his son became an Eagle Scout.

SURVIVORS: In addition to loving wife of 50 years last March; son: Leonard J. Jr. (Kayleigh) of Luxembourg; 2 granddogs: Ilsa & Niko; brother: Richard C. (Barbara) of Laguna Hills, CA. Predeceased by brother: William A.

SERVICE: Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. Len has requested no services. Online expressions of sympathy can be recorded at: www.heintzelmancares.com. Arrangements are by the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc. – Hellertown.

CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, memorials to the General Fund of the First United Church of Christ, 501 Northampton St. Hellertown, PA 18055.

Death of CWRT Member Claude Kohl, Jr.

Claude E. Kohl, Jr., died on New Year's Day after a long illness. He was born on April 7, 1932 to Claude E. and Edna (Woodland) Kohl He was married to Lenore (Carlier) Kohl and to the late Annabelle (Weaver) Kohl. Claude was a graduate of Allentown H.S., class of 1950. He was also a graduate of the first Fire Science class of Northampton CCC. He later served as an Adjunct Professor and taught Fire Science classes at NCCC. He taught many fire chiefs in the Lehigh Valley. Claude was a member of the Allentown Fire Department for 35 years rising through the ranks to Asst. Chief when he retired in 1994. He was a former member of the Governor's Safety Council and was a member of several safety committees, including LEPC and LCTI. Claude was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, where he served as a Crypto Analytics Specialist and translated Russian and Chinese codes. He was a member of American Legion Post #576, Allentown. Claude was a member of the Boy Scouts for 75 years. He was an Eagle Scout who was honored to be named Alumnus of the Year by Minsi Trails Council in 2016 and NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout in 2018. He was a founding member of the Burn Prevention Network and served on its Executive Board for many years. Claude was active in the PTA locally and was elected PA State President in 1988 and served on the National Board of Managers for two years. He was a member of Emmanuel U.C.C., Allentown serving on the Consistory and several committees. Claude was a former member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Allentown, where he was a Council President. He worked part-time for the Allentown School District.

Claude is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lenore, as well as his three children, Claude E. Kohl III and wife Tracy of Allentown, Laurie Christman and husband Rodney of Lehigh Township and Sherri Marks and husband Earl of Jacksonville, FL. Five grandchildren, Caitlin Kohl, Elizabeth Kohl, Chelsea Kohl, and Rodney, Jr. and William Christman. He is also survived by brothers Rev. Richard Kohl (Mary), Summerville, SC, Dr. John Kohl (Nancy), St. George, Utah and sister Cindy Kohl, Willow Street, PA and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be at the convenience of the family. A Celebration of Life will be held when a gathering is safe. Arrangements by Stephens Funeral Home, Inc., www.stephensfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Minsi Trails Council (Boy Scouts of America), 991 Postal Rd, Allentown PA 18109 or Burn Prevention Network, 236 N. 17th St, Allentown PA 18104

From the Brigade Commander ~ January 2021

From the Brigade Commander

Earlier this month, we hosted the second meeting of our 43rd Campaign. Ron Kirkwood, a retired journalist and Gettysburg Foundation guide at the George Spangle Farm Civil War Hospital, revealed the many critical roles that the Spangler Farm played during the Battle of Gettysburg: A Union command center, a communications hub, an artillery reserve and a field hospital. Knowing most CWRT members hail from the greater Lehigh Valley area, he also incorporated stories about members of the 153rd PVI who fought at Gettysburg—something that greatly touched my heart. Attendance for the December meeting was 26, a slight increase over November. My thanks to those who joined us.

Thanks also to Bob McHugh and Laura Kleinschmidt for their efforts to find speakers that share interesting, informative Civil War tales from varied perspectives.

We began Campaign 43 by hosting a preeminent authority on Philadelphia history who spoke about a little-known document of great historic importance—and the man who wrote it. We then followed with a speaker whose talk strongly hinted at his journalism background. On January 5th, we’ll hear from a former U.S. Department of State officer who began his adult life as a student of 19th century history. Look inside for details about our January lecturer, his lecture topic, and meeting signup instructions.

If you’re like me, you’re more than ready to move to a new year but, unfortunately, the pandemic is going to follow us. And so, for the foreseeable future, we’ll continue meeting virtually.

With the holiday season now here, and from all of us here at the Round Table, best wishes for a wonderful holiday season. Stay safe. Be smart. Happy New Year!

Barry Arnold