The Union Defender The Newsletter of Phelps Camp No. 66, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
August 2014 WHAT HAPPENED AT THE AUGUST MEETING?
BATTLE OF WILSON’S CREEK ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY
1) Members discussed plans for the anniversary program at Wilson’s Creek. 2) Members discussed the Last Soldier Project and preparations for the “Parade of the Soldier” program at Fort Scott in September.
The 153rd anniversary of the battle was remembered in a ceremony on Sunday, August 10. Phelps Camp members provided the color guard, presented the memorial wreath, and were present in the audience for the program. Good work, gentlemen!
NEXT MEETING
The next camp meeting will be TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 at 7 p.m. in the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center.
NEW MEMBER
Our newest camp member is Gary “Stubby” Kyle, also a volunteer at Wilson’s Creek Battlefield. Stubby’s ancestor was 1st Lt. James Southard of the 46th Missouri Infantry. Welcome, Stubby! .
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VETERANS MEMORIAL DEDICATED The Republic (MO) Veterans Memorial was dedicated last month. Here are photos of the memorial, and the brick donated by Phelps Camp:
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HISTORICAL NOTES In late August 1864, General William T. Sherman moved to cut the last two Confederate railroads leading into Atlanta. With those supply lines lost, General John Bell Hood would be forced to evacuate the city. Hood sent two army corps to stop Sherman, and in bloody fighting near the town of Jonesborough on August 31 the Confederates were repulsed. The next day, September 1, the Federals routed Hood’s men at Jonesborough, and the Confederates evacuated Atlanta that night. Byron Dunn watched the fighting on September 1, and wrote this account in the 1880s: “About three o’clock I was sent out on the flanking line. There were thick woods on our left, and the flankers being scattered, I passed through them. I went so far, that I was afraid I had passed beyond our lines, and proceeded cautiously. I soon came to an open field, and about half-a-mile in front I discovered a flanking line of the enemy moving rapidly southward. I fell back in good order. It was now nearly five o’clock, and rapid cannonading and heavy musketry could be heard to the right. Orders came to stop tearing up the railroad, and to hurry forward to the scene of action. The flanking line was in the woods, and we could see nothing, but we double-quicked for about two miles over logs and through brush. In the meantime the firing had been growing heavier and heavier on the right. Shells began to burst overhead, and once and a while the whizz of a minnie could be heard. We received orders to hold our position, and watch the flank. Where the brigade or regiment was, we did not know. Louder and louder grew the roar of conflict. Suddenly wild cheering rolled through the forest, and crashing volleys of musketry rent the air. We held our breath. We knew our men were charging. Oh, that we could see! For five or ten minutes the din was terrible. 3
The thunder of cannon, the wild cheering, the roll of musketry rent the very sky. Then came triumphant shouts of victory, and we knew the charge had been successful.”
HEADSTONE DEDICATION SCHEDULED The Mary Whitney Phelps Tent, Daughters of Union Veterans will dedicate a new headstone for James Henry Robinson, 16th Missouri Cavalry, on Sunday, August 31 at 3:30 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the Shields Cemetery near Marshfield. Here are directions: Go east of Marshfield on East Highway 38. Go about 5 miles. After you pass “P” Highway you will cross a bridge. Look for a “School Bus Stop Ahead” sign. Just after the sign there is a driveway on the right. This is the parking area for the ceremony. The cemetery is located on the opposite side of Highway 38, down a lane. You cannot see the cemetery from the highway. Those attending the ceremony must walk a short distance to the cemetery.
