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GrandArmyScoutNewsletterSummer2012 Final
GrandArmyScoutNewsletterSummer2012 Final
Newsletter of the
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
ERIC J. SCHMINCKE
Executive Director
HUGH BOYLE
Vice President
ANTHONY WASKIE, PH.D.
Treasurer
MICHAEL E. PETER
Secretary
MARYANN HARTNER
President Emeritus
ELMER F. ATKINSON
MARGARET E. ATKINSON
ALBERT EL
KATHLEEN M. SMITH
EDMUND J. ZONGOLOWICZ
BOARD OF ADVISORS
EDWIN BEARSS
DR. GARY GROVE
ROBERT E. HANRAHAN, JR.
LEON KING, ESQ.
JAMES M. Mc PHERSON
EDWIN MOORE III, ESQ.
JOHN RUAN
DR. RICHARD A. SAUERS
Bob Campbell
(The late) Bill Bennett
Laurie & Kelly Parkhills
MOLLUS
Dr. Andy Waskie
Fred Maurer
Bob Fenner
On May 5, 1868, the G.A.R. designated May 30th as Memorial Day, in memory of all veterans who have made
the supreme sacrifice. Americans have celebrated this holiday ever since with parades and memorials.
At the end of the Civil War, the bond between many musicians grew stronger, leading to the growth
g
of the
fife and drum Corps movement in the United States. A spin-off
spin off from the G.A.R., the National Association of Civil
War Musicians, published the American Veteran Fifer in 1905.
Pocket-size,
size, this wonderful book contains 158 fife tunes, camp duties
duties and calls that are often played today by
Civil War reenactors and Ancient-style
style fife and drum corps musicians alike. It was a principal music source
during the fledgling days of the fife and drum corps movement and still is today. Taking the time to peruse
pe
the
pages, one can view not only the music, but the names and units of the musicians who contributed the various
pieces. For example: Haste
Haste To The Wedding and White Cockade
Cockade were "donated" by John Benjamin, Co. G.,
30th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. One
ne of my life
life-long favorites, The
The Dashing White Sergeant,
Sergeant was contributed
by E.G.H. Higgins, Springfield, Ohio, Orderly Sergeant, Co. A., 184th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Biddy Oats and
Montezuma came from J.E. Blatchley, of Co. E., 2nd New York Heavy Ar
Artillery.
tillery. Taken from the recollections of
actual Civil War musicians, these tunes are easily certified to be authentic to that conflict and some from much
earlier times.
The final encampment of the G.A.R. took place in Indianapolis in the year 1949. The last surviving member,
Albert Woolson, died in 1956 at the ripe old age of 109. During the Civil War, he was a drummer boy who
undoubtedly had played
yed many of the tunes that were later
later published in this book.
At its heyday, there were thirtythirty-six (36) Posts of the Grand Army in
Philadelphia alone. This is part of a continuing series on GAR Posts and GAR
History that will appear in the Grand Army Scout.
'Bill Bennett'
William R. Bennett, born November 26,
1956 in Abington, PA died on June 15,
2012. Preceded in death by his wife,
Madeline Gager Bennett.
He is survived by his stepdaughter
Karen Chris Stanwood and
granddaughter Nora. Also survived by
his mother, Dolores Bennett, sister
Joanne Lou, nieces Kim Troy and Tina
Greg, and nephew Lou Amanda.
In upcoming issues of the Grand Army Scout each of our Board members will be profiled.
Hi! I am Mary Ann Hartner. I am a member of the Museum's Board of Directors, serving in the
capacity of Corresponding Secretary.
The GAR Museum has held a special place in my heart for many years. Since the first time I arrived
on a trip to the Museum with fellow members of the Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table there
was no turning back, I was hooked! We had been recruited to help with a painting project but when
I began walking around and marveling at the exhibits I knew that I wanted to do more than just
paint a couple walls. I soon signed on as a regular volunteer and a member of the GAR Museum
and eventually joined the General Meade Society as well. Several years ago, I was asked if I was
willing to serve on the Museum Board. So honored and moved at this offer, I didnt hesitate to answer affirmatively.
I have been interested in history and historical subjects for most of my life. Ive often tried to recall what initially sparked
my interest. My earliest recollection was of watching a particular episode on the Wonderful World of Color, (Walt Disney)
that highlighted the bravery exhibited by a young drummer boy who faced the turmoil of war while men he looked up to
died all around him. Another spark was reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. She had had served as a nurse in
the Civil War. The book was initially published shortly after the war. The hardships faced by the girls in the novel and the
sacrifices that young girls like me, were expected to make in the name of the Cause had an impact on me. Even then, I
began to appreciate what our soldiers and heroes, men and women of all ages, have sacrificed for our Country and our
families, throughout history.
Growing up in Philadelphia only helped reinforce my burgeoning appreciation of this subject. Living in a city so steeped in
history, I had the opportunity to visit historical sites and museums with my family. I fondly remember attending Memorial
Day parades with my grandfather, who is a Pearl Harbor Survivor. He would crisply salute our flag while always checking to
ensure that I had properly placed my hand over my heart as our flag passed by.
On a personal note, my husband, John and I share a strong commitment to volunteerism and a deep appreciation for
history. John has served as a Boy Scout Leader for many years. Together and sometimes separately, we donate much of
our time and labor to a host of worthwhile causes. We have raised three sons, two of whom have served in the military.
Over the years, we have done our best to pass on to them an appreciation for our Nations rich history by visiting
museums, Forts and National Parks, across the Country.
Start your own legacy, come visit the Museum with your families and share your enthusiasm and love of history with
Mary Ann
them.
The Sons, created a new award to honor women who have done the most to assist the
Sons over the years. They selected Margaret Atkinson to receive the first award.
Margaret was presented with a gold medallion with an engraving of Dr. Mary Edwards
Walker on the front and a message on the back.
We congratulate both Bud & Margaret on their well deserved honors!
At Goldsborough, N.C., he obtained leave of absence, and coming north reached Philadelphia on April 14 just a few hours
before John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln in Washington. He then proceeded to Hazleton, and was married, April 25, 1865, to
Miss M. A. Carter, daughter of William Carter, a coal operator of Beaver Meadow. Twelve days later he was back in the
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Army on May 7 . He took part in the review of Sherman's command in Washington, and was mustered out with his regiment
during the latter part of July, same year. He then settled in Hazleton, where he has practiced medicine ever since. On March
5, 1874, the Doctor was commissioned surgeon of the old Ninth Regiment, N.G.P., and served until the regiment was
disbanded; was with his command during the riots of 1874. In June 1890, he was commissioned surgeon of the Ninth
Regiment Infantry, Third Brigade, N.G.P.
He was a member of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Loyal Legion; Robinson Post No. 20, G.A.R.; Class 1 Insignia
4949. He had various degrees of Freemasonry; the Luzerne County Medical Society; the Carbon County Medical Society;
the Lehigh Valley Medical Association, the State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Politically he has
always been a Republican, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860.
1:30PM start.
Oct. 14th Rev. Joe DiPaolo - Colonel McCarter, the Fighting Parson of the 93rd PA Reg. - *Note date change*
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Nov 4
Rich Wagner on the Civil War era breweries of Philadelphia
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Dec 2
28th PA Reg. Brass Band Playing the music of Christmas at the Front in 1862
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