ASSOCIATION OF LICENSED BATTLEFIELD GUIDESGETTYSBURG, PA

Battlefield DispatchVol. 34 No. 3 September 2016

Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides717•337•1709The ALBG was founded in 1916 as

the official organization to represent and promote licensed guiding at Gettysburg.Interested individuals who do not hold guide li-censes may join the ALBG as Associate members by submitting annual dues of $25. Membership includes a subscription to the Battlefield Dispatch and covers the fiscal year July 1– June 30.

OFFICERSPresident ............................... Steve SlaughterVice President ...................... Larry KorczykSecretary ............................... Les FowlerTreasurer ............................... Jim CookeParliamentarian .................... Dave Hamacher

EXECUTIVE COUNCILRob Abbott • John BaniszewskiChuck Burkell • Stu Dempsey

Joe Mieczkowski • Deb NovotnyJim Pangburn

ETHICS COUNCILPaul Bauserman • Doug Boden

ALBG Battlefield Dispatchc/o ALBG, Inc.PO Box 4152

Gettysburg, PA 17325Newsletter .... Dave Joswick art-masters@comcast.net editor@gettysburgtourguides.org

The Battlefield Dispatch is the official com-munication of the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides, published in March, June, September, and December.Material for potential publication should be forwarded to the editor via e-mail or standard mail to the addresses listed above. Submission deadline is the 10th day of the month prior to the publication month. All items published will be credited with byline. Articles without byline are the editor’s work.© 2016 by ALBG, Inc. • All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be used or re-produced without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Photo by John Armstrong

LegaL NoticeThe Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides {ALBG) website and the written newsletter known

as the Battlefield Dispatch are the only official communication vehicles of the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides.

Any officially sanctioned document, publication, class material, class schedule, field presentation sched-ules and communications—public and private—contained in these communication vehicles are copy-righted for the exclusive use of the ALBG and its members. Any unauthorized use of said materials for any reason without the specific written permission of the Executive Council of the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides is strictly prohibited.

“The way to abolish slavery in America is to vote such men into power as well use their powers for the abolition of slavery.”– Frederick Douglass, March 26, 1860

iN this issue

Staff Report ...................................................... 1Engagement: September ALBG meeting ....... 2 Engagement: November ALBG meeting ....... 2Talkin’ Tombstones ......................................... 2GNMP Statistics .............................................. 3NPS Project Update ........................................ 4WWII Weekend Coming at ENHS ............... 4LeVar Burton is Nov. Keynote Speaker ........ 5Library Report .................................................. 7GNMP VC & Museum Fee Hike in 2017 .... 7New Series: Taverns & Hotels in the Area... 8Lincoln Conspirator ......................................... 9Eternal Peace Light Renovation ..................... 9

STAFF REPORTAs the sweltering, hot, humid months of our

summer guiding campaign come thankfully to a close, this certainly is a time of gratitude, recognition, and sincere thanks to all LBGs, Associate members, and friends of the ALBG who contributed and partici-pated in this summer’s many events. Your participation is the back-bone of our organi-zation.

The Association would like to sincerely thank all of the LBGs who have partici-pated in this year’s Tuesday Evening Walk Programs during the summer months of June, July, and August. Reportedly, all of the walks have been successful, with friends of the Association, Associate members, and LBGs in attendance, endur-ing the heat and humidity. The following guides should be recognized, and saluted, for their service, knowledge, and time for the Tuesday evening programs: John Archer, Chris Army, Chuck Burkell, Stu Dempsey, Jerry Hahn, Dean Harry, Fred Hawthorne, Britt Isenberg, Larry Korczyk, Phil Mus-kett, Richard Rigney, Bill Trelease, and Gary Vezza.

Well done gentlemen. Thank you so much!

Also, many thanks to John Fuss and all of the legion of guides who have provided National Cemetery

tours every night of the summer. Your dedication and spirit is quite commend-able, perhaps going over and above the call of duty. Many thanks to all of you.

Many thanks, too, to LBG Andie Donahue for her equestrian presenta-tion, Horse 101, prior to the ALBG business meeting on Tuesday, July 12th. We nev-er really gave much thought about how horses think and act. Now we know what Old Baldy and Traveler really had to go through! Just goes to show that LBGs can have fun, just horsing around!

Thank you Deb Novotny for all of your time, effort, and preparation, once again, making this year’s ALBG Picnic, held on Friday, July 22nd, a success. Approxi-

mately 20 guides were in at-tendance, with a total party of 30 some people enjoying the evening. Thanks to LBG Jim Kralik and his very generous hospitality, allowing us to use the meeting pavil-ion at the Artillery Ridge Campground. And thanks to all who contributed many delicious covered dishes and delicacies to be enjoyed by all. No mess cook in the AOP or ANV could have done any better!

This year’s Fall Seminar, Cemetery Hill–The Critical High Ground, was held on September 9th and 10th. Thanks to Phil Lechak and his Seminar Committee for organizing and promot-ing this worthwhile event. Thanks to our event speak-

Don’t forget to like ALBG on Facebook!

See STAFF REPORT cont. on pg. 2

2 Battlefield Dispatch

Tales of a Civil War Grave Hunter

Contributed by LBG Bob Gale

Talkin’Tombstones

See TALKIN’ TOMBSTONES cont. on the next pg

ers, LBGs Stu Dempsey, Dean Harry, and Bobby Housch, for your time and knowledge. A special thanks to Phil Lechak for serving as Chair of the committee, as he is stepping back and down from the committee following this season. Many thanks for your leadership Phil!

Welcome and congratulations to new LBGs Chris Bagley, Tom Clark, Fran Feyock, Eric Lindblade, and Rick Schrader. Please introduce yourselves and say hi to these guys in the guide room or at the next ALBG business meeting. Well done gentlemen!

During the summer, members of the ALBG Executive Council have been working hard, discussing and deliberat-ing ways, methods, and means to strengthen and support the ALBG and to keep the organization moving in a positive

STAFF REPORT continued from page 1

and beneficial direction. Through the fall and winter, the Council will continue to work on this mission leading the ALBG forward.

As the air begins to cool down and the leaves on the trees around the battlefild begin to display their many fall colors, we wish the very best of luck and success to all of our LBGs, Associate members, and friends of the ALBG. May you, your families and loved ones, enjoy the up-coming fall season!

PLEASE NOTE: The next ALBG Business Meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 13th, 6:30PM, at the GAR Hall.

Respectfully,Steve SlaughterALBG President

I have just returned from a trip to central

and western New York in which many cem-eteries were visited and over 200 pictures were taken. I do owe a debt of gratitude to the brains of the family, my wife Catherine, for her great sense of direction in locating both some hard to find cemeteries and bodies.

Our first journey in my travels took me to Cherry Valley, New York in search of an officer who had been on my buck-et list for a number of years, Captain Charles D. McLean,

Company D, First United States Sharpshooters. Captain McLean is buried in Cherry Valley Cemetery, along with many veterans from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War. Captain McLean was part of a reconnaissance around noon time on July 2, 1863, when he was struck in the leg by an Alabamian in Wilcox’s Brigade. Captain McLean was attended to by Private Peter H. Kipp until both were captured by the Confederates. A Confederate surgeon amputated McLean’s leg from which he did not recover, dying in Confed-erate hands. The Confederates must Grave marker of Capt.

Charles D. McLean, Co. D, 1st U.S. Sharpshooters

Engagement -September 16ALBG MEETING

The First World War produced no finer corps-

level combat unit than the Canadian Corps, a fact ac-knowledged at the time and after by those who fought with it and against it. It was a remarkable achievement, given that Canada had been as unprepared as a country

The Canadian Corps in the Great Warand a people could be when the conflict began in 1914. You are invited to sample the history of this storied unit with LBG Stuart R. Dempsey.

Stuart Dempsey has been a licensed battlefield guide at Gettysburg since 2004 and also

owns the business Battleground Tours whereby at least twice a year he travels with groups to Europe and gives tours of historical signifi-cance, i.e. battlefields, muse-ums, and historic towns and cities. He currently lives with his wife in Fairfield, PA.

November 18 speaker will be LBG Britt Isenberg and he will be speaking about Corps badges and showcasing his collection.

Canada's Hundred Days was a series of at-tacks made along the Western Front by the Canadian Corps during the Hundred Days Offensive of WWI.

September 2016 3

GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK

STATISTICS – NOV. 2015 – MAY 2016NOTE: This is the partial period as the NPS transitions to a new year June – May

contributed by LBG John Fuss

Visitor Center CountDoor counter ........................... 532,719 ....................... + 3,025 ....................... + 0.6%

Car and van tours .................... 5,410 ....................... - 188 ....................... - 3.4%Bus tours ................................. 3,649 ....................... + 74 ....................... + 2.1%Cemetery Walks, etc. ............... 14 ....................... + 1 ....................... —

Total tours .............................. 9,073 ........................ - 113 ........................ - 1.2%

Self-bookings are down 48 or 4.3%. Foundation tours are down 5 or 0.0%.

Grave marker of Capt. Robert Story, Co. B, 76th NY Vol. Inf.

TALKIN’ TOMBSTONES continued

See TALKIN’ TOMBSTONES continued on the next page 6

have marked his grave since the family was able to obtain the remains and bring them back to Cherry Valley. McLean was laid to rest next to his brother William, who was mortal-ly wounded at Second Manassas. I recently found out where Captain McLean was buried and the grave is well marked. Captain McLean enlisted in Cherry Valley on October 24, 1861, as 1st Lieutenant of Company D. He was captured early in the war and was exchanged on September 21, 1862 at Aiken’s Landing, Virginia. McLean was promoted Captain on October 2, 1863.

Buried not far from Captain McLean is the grave of Captain Robert Story of the 76th New York. Born October 17, 1832, Story was engaged in farming until he entered the service. He was chosen 2nd Lieutenant on Octo-ber 22, 1861, as part of the militia regiment for Cherry Valley. On February 22, 1863, he was com-missioned Captain for meritorious conduct at South Mountain and bravery at Fredericksburg. He was assigned to Company B. Entering the fight at Gettysburg on July 1st, a cannon ball passed between his legs. Within the first half-hour of the engagement, Captain Story was struck in the left thigh by a

Minnie ball which fractured the bone. The ball was split into three pieces, two which were removed by Federal surgeons. Captain Story was removed to the home of Mrs. William Culp where he was kindly treated by her and Horace Fabian, a member of his company. Captain Story’s wife and sister hurried to Gettysburg and remained with him doing all that was possible until Captain Story passed away from his wound on August 6, 1863. His remains were taken home and, by a sympathizing group of tearful neighbors, and the Lodge of Odd Fellows, consigned to their resting place in the family

burying ground. The impressive monument has the inscrip-tion: Capt. Robert Story, Co. B 76 NY Vols, Wounded in Battle at Gettysburg July 1, 1863. Died Aug. 6, 1863. Aged 30 yrs. 9 months, 20 days.

After checking out the other graves in Cherry Valley, I rode over to Oneida, New York to find the grave of Lieutenant Colonel Francis C. Miller, of the 147th New York in Glenwood Cem-etery. Miller was born in Herkimer County, New York in 1830. Before the war, he was a carpenter and joiner in Oswego at the time of his enlistment on May 1, 1861, as Captain of Company C, 24th New York Infantry. Miller was dis-charged for promotion on Novem-ber 4, 1862 to accept the position of Major of the 147th New York. Miller was promoted Lieutenant Colonel on February 24, 1863 and Colonel on November 5, 1863. Wounded and captured at the Wilderness on May 5, 1864 and paroled. Miller mustered out on June 7, 1865 at Washington, D.C. At Gettysburg on July 1st, 1863, Lt. Colonel Miller was wounded in either the head or throat before he could give the command to his men to retreat as his frightened horse carried him away. Miller’s pension file has his wound listed as a scalp wound on the top of his head. This was a bigger cemetery than I thought and as I stopped the car to look around, Colonel Miller’s large stone was right next to me.

Traveling over to the college town of Geneseo, New York with a slight drizzle in the air, I was heading to Temple Hill Cemetery, and the grave of General James Wadsworth.

Grave of Col. Francis C. Miller, 147th NY.

4 Battlefield Dispatch

GNMP& ENHS NEWS

Cou

rtesy

of t

he N

PS.

NPS Project Update – Rehab of Cemetery Ridge as of 9/12/16

Work started in early July and is now 45 percent

complete. Completed work includes tree and stump removal, demolition and removal of the existing parking lot and concrete sidewalks, and cutting and filling to the required elevations. Grade changes now reflect the historic ravine and historic Hancock Avenue. Work is proceeding on underground storm water system, to be followed by curb and side walk installation over the next few weeks. Park staff will be working simultaneously on site to reconstruct the 1923 Hancock Gate at Taneytown Road. The new parking area and features are expected to be completed and ready for Nov. 19th Gettysburg Address anniversary events.

Funding for this project was provided by the Gettysburg Foundation and National Park Service Centennial funds.

“I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle...We will accept nothing less than full Victory!”

– General Dwight D. EisenhowerMessage to the Allied Forces, June 1944

World War II Weekend, September 17-18 at ENHS

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander of the European Theater in World War II, was the man who led the Allies to victory over

Nazi Germany. However, he expressed the view that the real hero of that war was the common soldier, GI Joe. The Eisenhower National Historic Site hosts this special annual World War II living history program to commemorate and honor the sacrifices made by those who served.

SPECIAL PROGRAMSWalk through a living history encampment featuring WWII military units,

open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Listen to interpretive talks on military life and the home front offered every half-hour 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Join the members of an infantry platoon or squad as they go out on patrol (offered at certain times with a limit on the number of park visitors allowed to go along) and learn how patrols were conducted.

Experience the war through the stories of World War II veterans and authors as they tell their stories and sign books. See the list of speakers and program times on the reverse side of this flyer.

See demonstrations of a captured German Enigma Code machine presented by former National Security Agency employee Rick Henderson.

Learn the remarkable stories of some of the World War II dead buried in the National Cemetery. Tours at 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday. Meet the guide inside the Taneytown Road entrance. Free.

FEES, FOOD, AND SHUTTLE Lunch may be purchased at the site

courtesy of Heidlersburg Fire Com-pany.

Access to the site is by shuttle bus from the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.

Shuttles run between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Weather permitting, this weekend only there will be onsite parking. Fees are Adults, $7.50, Chil-dren ages 6-12, $5.00. Children age 5 and under, free.

Details can be found on the Eisen-hower National Historic Site website: www.nps.gov/eise.

Construction continues heads of schedule along Taneytown Road, within Gettysburg National Military Park, Sep-tember 8, 2016 photo.

September 2016 5

GNMPNEWSGNMPNEWS

LeVar Burton, actor, director, producer,

writer, and speaker, will deliver the Dedi-cation Day keynote address on November 19, 2016, in Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg National Military Park. When asked to speak at the 153rd Anniversary of the Gettysburg Ad-dress, Burton respond-ed: “I am both delight-ed and honored to be this year’s Dedication Day speaker. Lincoln is and always will be a towering figure in

the story of America and his Gettysburg Address, one of the most enduring and eloquent testimonies to the true purpose of our Democracy.”

On November 19, each year since 1938, the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania has commemorated Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and rededicated Soldiers’ National Cemetery, Gettysburg National Military Park where Lincoln spoke. In the intervening years this annual event has grown and is now co-sponsored by the National Park Service, the Gettysburg Foundation and Gettysburg College. It is present-ed outdoors on the historic rostrum located in the cemetery, near the very site where Lincoln delivered his address in 1863. Stephen Herr, President of the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania, stated:

“LeVar Burton’s scope and depth of work, his passion to ignite the love of learning in both children and adults, and his commitment to addressing significant issues in our society all contribute to making him an outstanding selection as the speaker for Dedication Day 2016. The Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania and our partners are honored to welcome Mr. Burton who has devoted his career to advocating for children’s literacy and helping television viewers and movie goers around the world explore challenging issues. We look forward to his voice and perspective on the significance of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and its meaning in the context of contemporary America culture and life.”

Burton, the recipient of 12 Emmy Awards, a Grammy and 5 NAACP Awards, is perhaps best known for his ground-breaking role of Kunta Kinte in the landmark television

LeVar Burton to Present the Keynote Address at the 153rd Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address

series “Roots,” and as Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge in the iconic “Star Trek: The Next Generation” television series and feature films. His most enduring achievement has been as host and executive producer of the beloved PBS children’s series “Reading Rainbow”—one of the longest-running chil-dren’s television shows in history, earning over 200 awards including multiple Emmys and a Peabody. Always committed to improving children’s education through innovative uses of storytelling, in 2012 Burton launched RRKIDZ, a digital educational publishing company, with the goal of inspiring a new generation of children to love reading. With over 16 million books and videos enjoyed since launch, Reading Rainbow is the number one educational app on iTunes and recipient of numerous awards. And, in October 2014, Read-ing Rainbow published Burton’s first children’s book, The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, a powerful and uplifting story to help children cope with the difficulties of everyday life.

The anniversary of the Gettysburg Address and the Dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery was formally designated as Dedication Day, by a joint resolution of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, on November 19, 1946. Over the years, many influential and noteworthy national figures including: Harry Truman, Dwight Eisen-hower, Tom Ridge, John Hope Franklin, Shelby Foote, Carl Sandburg, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Stephan Lang, Sandra Day O’Connor, Ken Burns, Steven Spielberg, Garrison Keillor and others have spoken at the ceremony to help all of us remember Lincoln’s words and to rededicate ourselves to the ideals Lincoln conveyed there in 1863.

At 9:30 a.m., the day’s events will begin with the wreath-laying ceremony at the Soldiers’ National Monument, followed by the Dedication Day Program at 10:00 a.m. at the rostrum in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, Gettysburg National Military Park. Lincoln portrayer George Buss will recite the Gettysburg Address and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service will hold a naturalization ceremony for citizen candidates.

This event is free and open to the general public. There will be some chairs available to the general public, so feel free to bring lawn chairs. We also strongly recommend visitors park at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center in Lot #3 and take the free Gold Line Shuttle to the Cemetery. The Gold Line will operate from 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. For more information visit www.lincolnfellowship.org.

In the event of severe inclement weather, the program will relocate to the Gettysburg College Union Building Ball-room on West Lincoln Avenue.

6 Battlefield Dispatch

TALKIN’ TOMBSTONES continued from page 3

in Company F. He was soon after promoted to Orderly Sgt. He was promoted 2nd Lieutenant on December 10, 1861. 2nd Lieutenant and promoted 1st Lieutenant on July 22, 1862. He was promoted Captain on December 30, 1862. At Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, Captain Fuller was hit in the leg during an encounter with Semmes Georgia Brigade. Private George Whipple of Company F attempted to carry Fuller off the field when Fuller was mortally wounded by a shot in the back. Fuller died soon after near Plum Run and Whipple was captured. Fuller’s body was recovered on July 4th and taken home to Little Valley where today his old stone is still quite readable. The cemetery is small but in good condition with Captain Fuller surrounded by many Civil War veterans. To-day in the Wheatfield ravine is a small monument to Cap-tain Fuller which was dedicated by the surviving members of his company in July, 1894.

Our last stop on this trip is the small town of Parma Cor-ner, New York and the grave of Major Joshua Palmer, 66th Ohio Infantry. I was advised by LBG Denny Forwood that I better find Palmer’s grave or not to show my face again in the guide room. Before the war, Palmer was a dentist from Urbana, Ohio. Palmer enlisted on April 29, 1861 as a Corporal and mustered into Company K, 2nd Ohio. He mustered out at Columbus on July 31, 1861 and was commis-sioned Captain of Company B, 66th Ohio on October 1, 1861. He was promoted Major on December 5, 1862. He was captured early in the war at Port Republic and was eventu-ally exchanged. During the Battle of Gettysburg, the 66th was placed on Culp’s Hill. Palmer was on the left end of the line with his field glasses reviewing the landscape when he was struck through the left lung. Four members of Company B carried Palmer back to the main line. Private Houtz noticed that Palmer was “breathing through the hole the ball had made.” Houtz stated that he applied to the wound a silk handkerchief he had wet with canteen water. Houtz stated that Palmer replied, “Oh, that did me so much good.” Houtz stated as he went back to the firing line, he heard Palmer yell, “Stay with them boys. I will soon be back with you.” Houtz stated that he with an-other man from the 66th located and shot the sharpshooter they deemed responsible for the major’s wounding. After Palmer’s death from his wound a week later, Houtz stated, “Brave Major Palmer, how we loved him. He was the soul of honor and brave as steel. Palmer died on July 10, 1863 at the 2nd Division, XII Corps Hospital. He was 34 years old. Palmer’s body was shipped to his parents home for burial at Parma Corner.

Next issue will feature a bunch of soldiers from Willard’s Brigade or LBG Jerry Hahn told me that Jim Roubal will need to take my pictures in the future.

Grave marker of Maj. Joshua Palmer, 66th Ohio Infantry.

James Wadsworth was born in Geneseo, New York on Oc-tober 30, 1807. His father was becoming one of the largest land owners in New York. He studied law at Harvard and

was admitted to the bar. Wadsworth did not practice law but instead entered politics. At first a Democrat, he was one of the organizers of the Free-Soil party which joined the Republican fold in 1856. In 1861 he was a member of the Washington peace conference which was an unofficial gather-ing of Northern and Southern moderates whose goal was to avert

war. When war broke out, Wadsworth served as a volunteer aide to Irvin McDowell at First Manassas. McDowell rec-ommended his appointment to brigadier general which was completed on August 9, 1861. He became military governor of the District of Columbia in March, 1862. Seeing no field duty under McClellan, Wadsworth allowed his supporters to run him for governor on the Republican ticket. Wadsworth did not win the election and following the battle of Freder-icksburg, was placed in command of the 1st Division of the 1st Corps. While not seeing much action at Chancellorsville, Wadsworth’s division fought hard at Gettysburg and suffered heavy losses. At the start of the Overland campaign, Wad-sworth was assigned to command a division in Warren’s V Corps. During the Battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864, Wadsworth was leading his men in an attempt to repel an assault when he was shot off his horse, a bullet entering the back of his head and lodging in the brain. He was taken to a Confederate field hospital where he died two days later without regaining consciousness. His body was returned to Geneseo where he was buried under an impressive monu-ment in the Wadsworth family plot. He was posthumously promoted to major general to rank from the day he was mortally wounded. His son Craig Wadsworth who also saw action at Gettysburg, is buried next to him.

On the way to Little Valley, New York, to find the grave of Captain Henry Fuller, Company F, 64th New York Infantry at the Little Valley Rural Cemetery. Fuller was born on February 16, 1841. He was married on December 24, 1860. Before the war he was employed as a lumber manufacturer. He en-listed on September 10, 1861 at Little Valley as a private

Grave marker of Gen. James Wadsworth.

Grave marker of Capt. Henry Fuller, Co. F, 64th NY Infantry.

September 2016 7

The ALBG Library has added a large number

of books this year. These books were acquired through purchase and do-nations, and are primarily regimentals, biographies, and non-Gettysburg cam-paign books. Additionally, many duplicate books have been added to our “Branch Library” at the Visitor Center, which now has more than 300 titles. We wish to thank LBG Mike Vallone for his recent donation of 90 books to our library.

All books, bound periodicals, and current magazines, may be signed out for a month, with renewals permitted from the main library in our office on Steinwehr Avenue. All Li-censed Guide members of the ALBG may obtain a key that allows access to our library 24 hours a day.

Anyone interested in helping out in the library should join the Library Committee. Please contact either Mike Strong or Jim Clouse

We now have bound copies of the following periodicals: Blue and Gray Magazine (1983-2015), Civil War Times (1962-2015), America’s Civil War (1988-2015), North and South (all 14 volumes), Civil War Magazine (1983-1999, all 74

Library Report

Submitted by Jim Clouse

Library Report

issues), Civil War Regiments (1990-2000), Military Images (1994-2014, except the May/June 2006 issue which we are missing), Artilleryman (1995-2014), Civil War Monitor (2011-2015), and Hallowed Ground (1998-2013). We also have the monthly newspaper Civil War News with back issues for over twenty years. These periodicals are a great resource for study and are available in your library.

Any member who believes we should add a particular book to our collection should bring it to our attention.

On a lesser note, I regret to notify our membership of some books that have disappeared from our stacks without being signed out. Whoever has these books should return them as soon as possible. Books noted as missing this year include:

• Bound copy of ALBG Seminar #18• Staff Officers in Army of Northern Virginia • Buff Facings and Gilt Buttons: Staff and HQ

Operations in Army of Northern Virginia• History of 125th New York• In the Bloody Railroad Cut at Gettysburg• Iron Maker to the Confederacy, Joseph R. Anderson

and Tredegar• The Beau Ideal of a Soldier, Col. Patrick Henry O’Rorke

M o r eGNMPNEWS

The National Park Service has approved a proposal by the nonprofit Gettysburg Foundation to increase fees for museum

exhibits, the film, and the Cyclorama painting at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center beginning in January 2017.

Fees for tickets are collected by the nonprofit Gettysburg Foun-dation, which is responsible for operations of the museum facility. The fee increase provides sustainability for the park’s primary part-ner, the Gettysburg Foundation, and helps fund preservation and education programs at Gettysburg and Eisenhower parks.

The agreement between the National Park Service (NPS) and the Gettysburg Foundation requires NPS approval of fee increases. As part of best management practices the park conducted a civic engagement process. This process included a park news release dis-tributed to media, partners and the public; briefings with stakehold-ers; outreach through social media; and a 30-day public comment opportunity during which the park received 19 comments. In addi-tion, the April 2016 meeting of the Gettysburg National Military Park Advisory Commission included a discussion of the proposal and was attended by 55 members of the public

The park received 19 written public comments on the proposal. 21 percent supported the fee increase; with others opposed. Sev-eral comments expressed interest in a museum only ticket. At the request of the NPS, the Gettysburg Foundation will better inform visitors of this ticket. Comments also expressed concern that the fees would be too high for the market. The Gettysburg Foundation conducted a price sensitivity survey that determined an adult fee under $20 would not substantially reduce the likelihood of purchas-ing a ticket for the majority of visitors.

“As with any strong partnership, we expect to continue to work

collaboratively on operations at the Museum and Visitor Center, with the shared goal of long-term financial sustainability,” said Ed W. Clark, Superin-tendent of Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site. “We thank the public and our stakeholders for participating in a

public engagement process.” The Gettysburg Foundation uses revenue from ticket sales, the

bookstore, and food services in the facility to pay for operations and meet its other financial obligations, including an annual donation to the National Park Service that funds preservation and education programs on the Gettysburg battlefield.

Beginning on January 2, 2017, the new fees at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center will be:

Adult (ages 13) ...............................$ 15.00 Seniors & AAA ..............................$ 14.00 Youth (ages 6-12) ...........................$ 10.00Museum only ticket ........................$ 9.00Child (ages 5 and under) ..................... FreeActive Duty U.S. Military ................... FreeGroup: Adults ..................................$ 13.00 Group: Students (K–12) .................$ 9.00

The Park and the Foundation will continue to welcome Adams County residents for free on four Community Appreciation days each year on Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, and Ford Family Day in August.

Free Opportunities at Gettysburg National Military Park. Get-tysburg National Military Park has no entrance fee. The self-guided auto tour of the battlefield is free. Throughout the spring, summer and fall Park Rangers offers free programs on the battlefield, in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery and in the Museum and Visitor Cen-ter. NPS student education programs, Junior Ranger activities, use of the resource room, library and many other activities are free.

8 Battlefield Dispatch

TheEagle HotelIntroducing a new series ef articles, researched and written by LBG John Winkelman, on the taverns and hotels in Adams County and surrounding area.

In 1813 William Garvin built a two story brick building on Lot 74 in Gettysburg. An early ad stated this build-ing was 64 feet wide and 70 feet deep and had 22 rooms

making it ideal for a tavern and inn. The Inn had several proprietors, but in 1833 James A. Thompson purchased the property and it became the Eagle Hotel. Thompson also used

the Eagle as a hub for the stage lines he ran to Chambers-burg and Harrisburg.

John L. Tate purchased the Eagle in 1850 and in 1857 he added a third story and veranda, this was the appearance of the Eagle at the time of the Civil War. On the night of June 30, 1863 the Eagle served as Headquarters for General John Buford. Buford, whose Union cavalry

had entered Gettysburg earlier that day, was receiving intelligence reports from his scouts and pickets, and would also meet with Lt. Col. Joseph Dickinson there that night. Dickinson, a member of General Meade’s staff, had ridden to Gettysburg to get the latest intelligence from Buford.

After the meeting Dickinson rode back to Army Headquarters that night and briefed General Meade.

On July 1st, after defeating the Union Army and occupying the town, the Confed-erate army freely helped themselves to Mr. Tate’s liquor.

Alfred Smith, who lived across the street and who was a witness to Tate’s later

damage claim, stated that he saw the rebels rolling whiskey barrels out of the Eagle’s cellar and onto wagons. Mr. Tate was not paid by the rebels, nor would he be reimbursed for his damage claim.

John Tate sold the Eagle in 1876 and it had several proprietors up to the 1890s. On January 12, 1894 fire broke out in the hotel’s stables on the west side of Washington Street. Due to the gale force winds the fire quickly spread to

the other stables and finally to the hotel itself. Fires broke out as far as two blocks away from the stables but thanks to the firefighters, some of whom were brought in from Waynesboro, Hanover, and Hag-erstown, a catastrophe was averted. The Eagle however was badly damaged, the roof was burnt off and the second and third floors were sagging due to water damage. On the plus side the bar and wine cellar were untouched.

The hotel was rebuilt in 1894 and in 1896 George Eberhart purchased it. He added a fourth floor and expanded the hotel so that by 1907, it would have 165 rooms. The Eagle was a very popular hotel for returning veterans and on May 16, 1913, the hero of Little Round Top, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, stayed at the Eagle. It was his last visit to Gettys-burg.

The Eagle continued to serve the public into the mid 20th Century, sometimes known as the Adams House and the Eb-erhart Hotel, until it was finally converted into apartments. On June 30, 1960 another blaze destroyed the old hotel and the remains were torn down in 1961. Today a convenience store occupies the location.

Cou

rtesy

AC

HS

The Eagle Hotel after third story added in 1857.

The Eagle Hotel after the 1894 fire.

Cou

rtesy

AC

HS

September 2016 9

Lincoln Conspiratoredited by LBG Joe Mieczkowski

German-born George Atzerodt immigrated to the United States in 1843, at the age of eight. He settled in Maryland. Atzerodt opened a carriage repair business in Port Tobacco. An acquain-

tance would later describe him as “a notorious coward.”

During the Civil War, Atzerodt helped Confederate agents. He knew the southern Maryland back roads and shuttled Confederate spies back and forth across the Potomac.

Atzerodt met John Wilkes Booth, who persuaded him to partici-pate in his plan to kill President Lincoln. Booth assigned Atzerodt the job of killing Vice-President Andrew Johnson. On the morn-ing of April 14, Atzerodt (using his own name) checked into room 126 of the Kirkwood House in Washington, the same hotel in which the Vice President was staying. At ten o’clock, when he was supposed to begin making his move against Johnson, Atzerodt was building up his courage by drinking at the hotel bar. He never got any further, and spent the next several hours wandering aim-lessly around the streets of Washington.

Atzerodt had aroused suspicion by asking a bartender about the Vice President’s whereabouts. The day after Lincoln’s assas-

sination, a hotel employee contacted authorities concerning a “suspicious-looking man” in “a gray coat”. Police visited the hotel on April 15 and conducted a search of Atzerodt’s room. The search revealed that the bed had not been slept in the previous night. Police discovered a loaded revolver and a bowie knife. They also found a bank book of John Wilkes Booth. The search of Atzerodt’s room made him in the a suspect. Atze-rodt’s arrest came on April 20.

When Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in April, 1865, Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War called for the conspirators to be tried by the military commission. The new president, Andrew Johnson, agreed and ordered the formation of a nine-man military commission. This included General Albion Howe who had fought at Gettys-burg. At his trial the prosecution showed that Atzerodt had met frequently with Booth.

The Commission found Atzerodt guilty and sentenced him to death. Atzerodt, along with three other convicted conspirators, was hanged in Washington on July 7, 1865. Atzerodt offered his last words, “May we all meet in the other world. God take me now.”

His brother claimed the body and had it buried in an unmarked grave to dissuade visitors. Later he had the body moved to St. Paul Cemetery in Baltimore where it is likely buried under a ficti-tious name.

George Atzerodt’s younger brother Henry served in the Confederate 2nd Maryland Infantry Regiment which saw action on Culp’s Hill in Gettysburg. Henry is buried in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hanover, PA.

Sources http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/lincolnconspiracy/atzerodt.html

http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln27.html

George Atzerodt

The grave stone of Henry Atzerodt, brother of George, in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hanover, PA.

2nd MD infantry monument located on Culp’s Hill.

Preservation project at Gettysburg’s Eternal Light Peace Memorial underway

As of September 6, the Eternal Light Peace Memo-rial at Gettysburg National

Military Park is closed for a months-long preservation project. National Park Service preservation experts from the Historic Preservation Training Center will dismantle and reset all plaza stones, granite capping stones, stairs, and flagstone walkways; selective repoint-ing of the memorial shaft; and cleaning of all masonry on the monument and its bronze urn.

During the majority of the work, the gas flame will continue to burn, with some planned outages.

Park visitors may continue to park at the Peace Light but the area immediately surround-ing the memorial will be closed through the rest of 2016.

The memorial was dedicated in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the 75th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg. For more informa-tion please contact 717/ 334-1124, or visit www.nps.gov/gett.