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THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR

THE CLARION

CALL

VOLUME No. 10 ISSUE No. 1 Summer 2013

G.A.R.

1866

S.U.V.C.W.

1881

Contact the Editor at: THE CLARION CALL 20 Howland Terrace, Worcester, MA 01602 Email: [email protected]

WINNER OF THE 2005 MARSHALL HOPE AWARD FOR BEST DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER IN THE SUVCW!!!

131st Department of Massachusetts Encampment

Marlborough, MA: On Friday March 29, and Saturday March 30, the Department Encampment

was held. A new Department Commander emerged as George Maple, PDC turned over the helm to

newly elected Ed Norris. At the Marlborough Marriot the following members become department

officers:

Commander: Edward Norris (Camp 25), Senior Vice Commander Dexter Bishop (Camp 5), Junior

Vice Commander Conley Ford (Camp 3188), Secretary Richard Carter (Camp 26), Treasurer Daniel

Murray (Camp 5), Council Peter Rotando (Camp 25), Council Kevin Tucker (Camp 104), Council

George Maple (Camp 25), Patriotic Instructor Albert Smith (Camp 5), Chaplain Robert Knight

(Camp 15), Counselor Kevin Tucker (Camp 104), Graves Registration Officer Stephen Twining

(Camp 61), Civil War Memorials Officer Reynaldo Rodriguez (Camp 25), GAR Highway Officer

Robert Borden (Camp 50), Eagle Scout Coordinator Timothy Callahan (Camp 104), Historian

George Kane (Camp 15) and Camp Organizer Stuart Chambers (Camp 25).

2

Commander-in-Chief at a

Veterans Day Parade

Worcester, MA-On Sunday November 11,

2012, CinC Perley Mellor joined members

of Willie Grout Camp 25 in marching in

the Veterans Day Parade. Immediately fol-

lowing the parade, all who marched at-

tended a ceremony at the Sacred Heart

Church on recognizing the 50th anniver-

sary of a monument dedicated to the 9th

U.S. Infantry Division for its actions in

World War II.

Commander-in-Chief attends the

Clara Barton Military Nurses

Memorial Dedication Fitchburg, MA– On Sunday September 16,

2012, a ceremony coordinated by Bay State

Camp 61 Commander Steven Twining was held

at Monument Park. The ceremony began with a

march which included CinC Perely Mellor, the

department colors led by Peter Rotando, and the

15th MA infantry into the park. The monument

was transferred from the City Mayor Lisa Wong

to the SUVCW and after being rededicated, it

was transferred back to the city.

GAR HALL: SCITUATE Scituate, MA: In 1866, Joshua Jenkins of Scituate

spent $600 to purchase the Baptist Society Church

built in 1825. Jenkins built a stage and changed the

meeting house into a hall which he rented for social

and benevolent groups. By 1883, the building be-

came the George W. Perry Post #31 Grand Army of

the Republic Hall. The G.A.R. Hall became a loca-

tion where patriotic speeches and stories of the war

were retold by veterans of the Civil War. A Sons of

Union Veterans Camp, Charles F. Bates was formed

and met there. Other uses for the hall included high

school recitals, dances, minstrel shows, lectures, de-

bates, liberty loan drives, holiday pageants, auctions, and other events. The last G.A.R. mem-

ber, Civil War Veteran Francis M. Litchfield passed away in 1936 but the Hall continued in re-

membrance of the civil war being used by the Women’s Relief Corps and the Sons of Union

Veterans of the Civil War. In 1953 the town of Scituate took over the Hall and it continued to

be a useful piece of property. Unfortunately by 1997, like many old structures it fell into disre-

pair. The Scituate Historical Society purchased and saved the building and by July 26, 2008, the

oldest public building in Scituate reopened, refurbished and restored for it’s one hundred and

eighty-third year of use.

3

CHARLESTOWN MONUMENT

Charlestown, MA: On April 7,2013, in

Charlestown, the Civil War Monument was re-

dedicated. Brothers from Camp 5, Camp 61,

Camp 104, and Camp 3188 attended this annual

event. The members met at 12:30pm at the

American Legion Post No. 26 on Adams Street.

The ceremony included a civil war guest

speaker, greetings from the mayor’s office and

participating organizations followed by G.A.R.

style wreath laying on Charlestown Training

Field. The Charlestown Soldiers and Sailors Monument (an monument by Martin Milmore) had

been recently been restored. Members from the Department were joined by other organizations

on a beautiful day to remember the past. One of the purposes of the ceremony is to bring atten-

tion not just to the rich “Revolutionary War” history of Charlestown but also its contribution to

holding the union together in the War of Rebellion.

4

Springfield, IL– Commander-in-Chief at Lincoln Monument

CIVIL WAR CINEMA

THE HORSE SOLDIERS

On April 24, 1863, Union General Benjamin H. Grierson

led a US Cavalry force that struck the Vicksburg-Meridan

rail route, tore up tracks and burned the depot at Newton

Station. This attack into Mississippi was one of the

planned incidents that preceded the siege of Vicksburg.

The event was actually portrayed in a movie only Holly-

wood could alter. In 1959, The Horse Soldiers staring John

Wayne and William Holden appeared in movie theaters

everywhere. The actual military action was known as Gri-

erson’s Raid. General Grierson led 1,700 troopers over six

hundred miles through hostile enemy territory from south-

ern Tennessee through Mississippi to Baton Rouge, Lou-

isiana. Other than tearing up railroad, the cavalry actually

freed slaves and inflicted ten times the casualties that they received. The cavalry

unit consisted of the 6th and 7th Illinois as well as the 2nd Iowa. The movie has

the raid led by Colonel Marlowe who is constantly at odds with the surgeon and a

captured southern belle. Although the movie is not entirely accurate, there are mo-

ments that are. The scenes of tearing of the railroads as well as a final skirmish at

a bridge. Also throughout the movie, the forces second in command, a political

officer repeatedly brags how the raid will help his political career. From becoming

the governor all the way to the White House. It might not be historically accurate

but take time to view this classic which has familiar civil war song. Later, do

some research on the real Grierson raiders.

5

Department of

MASSACHUSETTS

OFFICERS

2013-2014

Commander

Ed Norris

PH:978-365-7628

Email: [email protected]

Senior Vice Commander

Dexter Bishop

PH:978-887-2264

Email: genord9@comcast. net

Junior Vice Commander

Conley W. Ford


Treasurer

Dan Murray

PH: 603-340-6571

Email:[email protected]

Secretary

Richard Carter


Chaplin

Robert H. Knight, PDC

P.O. Box 384

Feeding Hills, MA 01030

(413-786-0730)

Council Member

Couselor

Kevin Tucker

(781)-662-7758


Council Member

George Maple Jr.


Council Member

Peter Rotando

76 Sterling Street

West Boylston,MA 01583

(508)-835-4896

Patriotic Instructor

Al Smith


Belchertown, MA

Graves Registration Officer

Stephen W. Twining

70 Sawmill Pond Road

Fitchburg, MA 01420-6041


Eagle Scout Award

Timothy Callahan


(781-848-5304)

G.A.R. Highway

Bob Borden


(781-878-4446)

Historian

George Kane


(413-592-2166)

Civil War Memorials Officer

Reynaldo Rodriguez


(508-793-8210)

Camp Organizer

Chip Chambers


(508-872-3163)

Signals Officer

Jack Manning


ROTC AWARD In 2012 eighteen ROTC awards were presented to cadets by members, Don

French, Tim Callahan, George Maple, and Dick Carter. So

far in 2013 the award has been given:

On May 3rd, Rey Rodriguez presented the ROTC Award to

Cadet Rafael Diaz at South High School in Worcester.

On May 9th, Don French presented the ROTC Award at

Taunton High School in Taunton.

On May 9th, Ken London presented the ROTC Award to

Cadet Ken Zou at North Quincy High School in Quincy.

The Next NERA (New England Regional Association) meeting

will be held at the Weirs in Laconia, New Hampshire on Saturday

July 20, 2013.

Recruiting While recruiting is a mission that every brother shares,

Brother Stuart “Chip” Chambers has been on a mission.

Within the last year alone he has been joined by Roy

Henry, Mal Grant, Rey Rodriguez, Tim Shea and others

at events throughout the state. Places like Rockland,

Uxbridge, Fitchburg, Worcester, Acton, East Bridge-

water and Grafton, Massachusetts have all found Chip

behind a table with his enthusiasm and welcoming ap-

proach to recruiting for membership.

Shown here with Chip

are American Revolution

and Colonials. All on the

same mission to recruit

and more importantly

educate the public about

our shared HISTORY!

Civil War Fact: In addition to the infantry, artillery and cavalry units also devoted long

hours to drill; all soldiers had to be able to operate efficiently and quickly as a cohesive unit

on the battlefield.

6

Charles H. Bond Memorial

Cambridge, MA: On May 5, 2013, Charles H. Bond Camp 104 held their memorial service at

the Mount Auburn Cemetery for their camp’s founder and name sake Charles H. Bond.

The service began with Camp Commander Timothy Callahan, “Brothers, we have met

here as Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War to consign to that house prepared for us all the

living, the memory of a soldier of this country, Charles H. Bond. The march of this soldier is

over. Let us remember Comrade Bond here at rest the under blue skies of Heaven guarded by

the silent stars that in life watched over him when he bivouacked on the battlefields or lay down

weary and foot-sore on foreign soil…”

The service included words from Chaplain Richard Nichols, “God of the battles and

peace, ruler of the destinies of countries and of men: IN this silent camping ground of the dead

we come before Thee asking Thy blessing as we honor the memory of this defender of our

country’s honor Charles H. Bond…”

Brother Kevin Tucker added for the Unknown Dead, “Above their rest is no sound of

weeping, only the voice of song’ birds thrills the air; Unknown their graves, yet they are in

God’s keeping, There are none ‘missing’ from His tender care…”

Commander Callahan ordered, “Officer of the Day! Let the guard of honor set up the

symbol of the army, and let a soldier be detailed to guard it.”

Brother Kevin Tucker moved to the monument and placed a Springfield rifle with a

fixed bayonet, canteen and haversack hanging from it. He also placed a knapsack leaning

against the stock on to the monument. Brother Ken London placed a rose followed by Brother

George Rutter with another wreath.

Commander Callahan concluded the service, “Taps are sounded, Lights are out, the Sol-

dier sleeps.”

Picture from Ms. Marie Bond & Andrew Bond

7

The Gettysburg Pilgrim Club

By George Kane

Historian, Camp 15

On a cool fall evening in 1888, 150 ladies and gentlemen waited

to board a train at the Boston & Providence railroad station for an excur-

sion to the Gettysburg battlefield. All of these travelers were members of

the Gettysburg Pilgrim Club. All club members wore a blue ribbon with a

shepherd’s crook at the top and the inscription “GETTYSBURG / PIL-

GRIM CLUB / PILGRIMAGE OF / 1888”. At 6:30 pm, the train left the

station for Providence where 20 more pilgrims and 200 members of the

Association of the Seventeenth Maine Regiment would board the train

and accompany the club to Gettysburg. The train would make one more

stop at Jersey City, where 20 more pilgrims would also join the pilgrim-

age. Together, the two organizations would assist in the dedication of the

Seventeenth Main Regimental Monument in the “wheat field” of the Get-

tysburg battlefield.

The Gettysburg Pilgrim Club was the result of an 1886 merger of

two Boston area clubs that had previously journeyed separately to Gettys-

burg. The Gettysburg Club was formed in 1883 by civil war veterans and

friends who joined together to acquire favorable rates from railroads, ho-

tels, and restaurant. In 1885 there was an attempt to change the name of the club to the Gettys-

burg Veteran Association, but it was voted down. A similar organization that chose the name

Gettysburg Pilgrims was formed for an 1885 trip to Gettysburg.

In January 1886, Colonel Charles H. Hovey, President of the Gettysburg Club, was a

guest speaker of the Gettysburg Pilgrims annual dinner. His speech urged that the two clubs

merge. Sometime in 1886 or 1887 the two clubs united to from the Gettysburg Pilgrim Club.

The club would continue through at least 1938, when the last newspaper account of their trip

was printed. Although a pilgrimage was not held every year, the annual dinner was. The event

was held originally at the Quincy House but later at The Thorndike, two prominent Boston ho-

tels known for their restaurants. The pilgrimages were almost always completed by train. At

least one year, part of the voyage was completed by ship.

From the time of the merger until his death in 1906, the club would be headed by James

H. Cruff. Cruff, a veteran of the 11th Massachusetts Infantry, had enlisted in June 1861 and was

captured at the first battle of Bull Run. After he was exchanged, he returned to his regiment,

fighting in most of the major battles in the East, including Gettysburg. He was discharged in

1864, returning to Boston. The Connecticut native would become a successful real estate agent

in Roxbury. He was also appointed a constable with the duties of a process server. He was a

member of the Stevenson GAR Post No. 25 of Roxbury. After his death in 1906, there is little

mention of the club until the 1938 pilgrimage. No other mention of the club would be found in

local papers, except for “This date in History” columns in 1963 and 1988. For at least 55 years,

the club had traveled to worship at the altar of the greatest battlefield in American history, an

enviable record of devotion. It also lobbied the Massachusetts legislature and the US Congress

for funds to erect and maintain civil war monuments and battlefields.

8

Frank Harlow Day East Bridgewater, MA: On May 4, 2013, a living history was held on the town common and

included drilling, marching, local history displays, music and lot of interaction with spectators.

A memorial program was held with a parade to the grave site of Frank Harlow. The event

which was held from 10:00am to 4:00pm included a table set up by General George L. Hartsuff

Camp 50.

Among those

who attended

and staffed the

table were Roy

Henry and Stu-

art Chambers.

REFUSED TO SURRENDER!

On March 25, 1865, First Sergeant Calvin Francis

Harlow of the 29th Massachusetts Volunteer In-

fantry Regiment who had joined on March 18,

1861 for a bounty of $125.00 found himself sur-

rounded by Confederates. The regiment fought in

the Battle of Fort Stedman, the Confederate’s final

offensive during the Siege of Petersburg in Vir-

ginia. The Rebel Army had occupied the fort and

engaged the 29th in hand-to-hand combat. The

battle itself lasted four hours. In the end the regi-

ment lost 10 killed and First Sergeant Harlow was

among them. During the fight he found himself

surrounded by Confederates and refused to surren-

der. He and the Rebel Officer who demanded his

surrender fired a shot at each other at the same

time. The shot that hit him was fatal.

http://www.massachusettsareaparanormalsociety.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=151350373

9

War of Words Propaganda is the spreading of information, ideas, or rumors to

help a cause-or hurt an opposing cause. During World War II,

Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party were ingenious with their use of propa-

ganda through motion pictures. Although the medium was new,

propaganda wasn’t. The Civil War was a bitter and bloody con-

flict which included propaganda. One of the causes was the anti-

slavery sentiment pushed by abolitionists in various media form.

Two forms which were highly popular were books and newspa-

pers. One well known book used was Harriet Beecher Stowe’s

Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a newspaper included William Lloyd Garri-

son’s The Liberator and a magazine like Harper’s Weekly. While

the North had its propaganda, so did the South. Other forms used

by both sides were broadsides, political cartoons, photographs and

speeches. A popular cartoonist was German born Volck who used

cartoons to arouse Southern patriotism and rekindle soldier’s en-

thusiasm for the cause. To show how valuable propaganda can actually be, most of the Southern

propaganda helped to gain some support from foreign nations like Great Britain. Although

Great Britain ultimately did not send military support to the South, it did send its sympathies

which is the emotional response propaganda creates.

PICTURES FROM CAMP 50

SUVCW Table at Rockland GAR Hall being staffed by

Brother Stuart Chambers. (Right)

A General George L. Hartsuff Camp 50 Service held for a

member who passed away. (Below)

VISIT THE DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS WEBSITES AT:

www.suvmass.org and www.facebook.com/suvcwmass The Clarion Call 20 Howland Terrace

Worcester, MA 01602

The Clarion Call is published quarterly by the Department of Massachusetts Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. The publication is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in

whole or part, in any manner without the expressed written consent of the Department of Massachusetts, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

The Clarion Call Newsletter of the Department of Massachusetts

SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR

G.A.R. S.U.V.C.W.

1866 1881

Final Muster Brother William Chandler of LA Tift Camp 15 passed away on April 29, 2013.

Brother David L. Judd of LA Tift Camp 15 passed away on May 25, 2013.

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