Details of February Presentation Announced

Andy Waskie “The Story of the Forgotten Hero of Emancipation:  Major Octavius V. Catto”

On Oct. 10, 1871, Octavius Valentine Catto was assassinated a few steps from his South Street home by political opponents of the Black community. It was Election Day, and Catto was protecting the right of African American citizens to vote. Catto was a brilliant scholar, professor, Renaissance Man and the highest-ranking Black US Army officer at the time, who was serving in the PA National Guard. A statue of this great military and emancipation hero now stands on the south side of Philadelphia’s City Hall.

 Short Bio:  CV Anthony (Andy)  Waskie, Ph.D.

  Professor Waskie was born in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and pursued a Languages/History major at Bloomsburg University, studying abroad in Austria, and Germany. He studied Slavic Linguistics in Prague on a Czech government scholarship and received an M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at New York University. He had experience with the State Department, and duty with the U.S. Army as an army linguist. He became a teacher of languages and history at Pennsbury School District, Bucks County, PA. He is a recipient of the Commendation Medal of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

          Waskie was an Associate Professor at Temple University for 20 years, retiring in 2019. He also taught at Rider University, N.J., and Holy Family University in Philadelphia, teaching Civil War history in the Civil War Institute. He now teaches online courses for Camden County College; Manor College; etc.

          Waskie is a Civil War historian, author, and preservationist. He specializes in the life of General George G. Meade, whom he portrays in a Living-History performance.  He is a member of the Union League of Philadelphia; Executive Council of the Civil War History Consortium of Philadelphia; and a co-founder and co-director of the ‘Civil War & Emancipation Studies program’ at Temple University. He has been a Pennsylvania ‘Commonwealth Speaker/Scholar’ from 2006 to 2018. Waskie serves as president of the General Meade Society; Board of the Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery; Historian and Board member of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Civil War Museum & Library; American Legion Post 405 at the Union League; Armed Services Council of the Union League; a founder and officer of the OV Catto Society; and of the ‘Dandy First’; Armory Museum, Drexel University Campus;  and other history related organizations and institutions.

From the Brigade Commander - February 2025

February is an important month in the history of emancipation in the U.S., as it marks the signing of the 13th Amendment, in 1865, and the issuance of a symbolic proclamation and practical step toward ending slavery, which allowed Black Americans to serve in the Union Army. February is also the month that remembers the surrender of Fort Henry, the Battle of Roanoke Island, and the inauguration of Jefferson Davis as President of the Confederacy.

In 1949, President Harry Truman signed a bill establishing National Freedom Day, observed each year on February 1, to commemorate the day Abraham Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery. Not surprisingly, February was also selected as Black History Month, established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926, and first officially observed by President Gerald Ford, in 1976, as a way to highlight the history, struggles, and accomplishments of African Americans.

Our February speaker will be Dr. Andy Waskie, who returns to the Civil War Round Table of Eastern Pa. stage to introduce a black man who became a Union soldier, emancipation hero and, later, a martyr. Hope you’ll be able to join us.

Barry

January Meeting Highlights and Photos

Ed Root

The January Meeting was highlighted by an unexpected change of speakers due to illness.

Our own Ed Root kept the attendees enthralled with a narrative about the life of General Benjamin Butler.

Butler was best known for his oft criticized command of New Orleans, which earned him the name of “The Beast” among others labels.

Ed described who he was visiting a military museum in New Orleans and got into a conversation with a staff member who said that Butler wasn’t all bad. That set him off on a mission to discover more about this Massachusetts lawyer turned soldier.

General Benjamin Butler

Ed described his quest and delighted us with what he found about this man who joined the war effort early on, but was noted more for the controversies which surrounded him than his military prowess.

We thank ed for his superior job!!

As usual we held our monthly book raffle to benefit our preservation efforts and the winners are depicted below.

From the Brigade Commander - January 2025

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued in January, 1863, was used as a military strategy to weaken the Confederacy by depriving it of slave labor and encouraging enslaved people to join the Union Army. It also added moral force to the Union cause. Inside the January Newsletter, you’ll find more about the forces of war, politics and the military during the Civil War era.

Also in the newsletter, you’ll also find our standard fare of new book releases, statistical highlights from last month’s meeting, an update on Civil War preservation efforts that took place/are taking place in multiple locations around the country, and, of course, information about the speakers and their planned presentation for our January 7th meeting.

According to Merriam-Webster, the first New Year’s resolution was made in 1671. These promises became so commonplace, in fact, that a Boston newspaper, in 1813, reported it believed folks made these promises to make up for having fully satisfied their sins the year before. Here at the Civil War Roundtable of Eastern Pa., we make the same resolution each year: To make a real difference in the fight to preserve battlefield land and the legacy of our nation’s defining conflict and to provide our members and the community at large with opportunities to develop a greater understanding of the Civil War.

Your membership dollars and other financial support and word-of-mouth advertising of our efforts is key—and greatly appreciated. Happy New Year 2025!

BARRY

Details of the January 7th Program Announced

James Lamason and Gerard Myers  present “Into the Vortex of Fire”

On the afternoon of July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pa, the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteer Infantry regiment found itself in a literal vortex of fire.

Come and hear co-authors James (Jim) Lamason and Gerard E. (Gerry) Mayers as they share the hows and whys the Eleventh NJVI found themselves in a key position on the bloody battlefield of Gettysburg.

Speakers:

Jim Lamason- For the last 25 years he has independently studied and researched New Jersey at Gettysburg, especially the 5th , 8th and 11th New Jersey at the battle. .

In addition to the above he is in the process of researching and writing a book on the 12 th New Jersey with Gerard, along with books on the III Corps of the AOP, E Clarke Cline, and the life of Major General G.K. Warren. Also considered the biographer of Robert McAllister and the go to person on the units noted above.

He has contributed in various ways to several of other historical projects including editor and proof reader of a released on Kindle books and in paper back, “Nothing but heros” by Mr. Gerald Mayer , a recently released work “A little hill over yonder” by Mr. Paul Knoke and contributed to Dr David Martins guide book on New Jersey at Gettysburg.

He has also spoken on G.K. Warren and Robert McAllister to several Civil War Round tables and at the Warren statue on Little Round Top to several other Round tables. In addition he has lead volunteer battlefield walks at Gettysburg in the Wheatfield and at the Klingle Farm.

During the 150 Commeration he led the re-dedication of the 5th , 8th and 11th New Jerseys monuments at Gettysburg.

He was also a Trustee for the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association, and where was also the past president After a 30 year career in information technology, and 22 years with Home Depot, he has retired.

He is married to Mrs Beverly A. Lamason, has two adult children Heather and Steve and his wife Sraci . He resides in Middlesex NJ.

Gerard “Gerry” Mayers has been a life-long Civil War buff but credits both the Ken Burns mini-series The Civil War and the Ted Turner Pictures Gettysburg movie with rekindling his interest. He holds degrees in both English and History (with Honors) from St. John’s University, New York. Active with the Bucks County Civil War Roundtable (Doylestown, Pa.), he is the program chairman for that organization as well as an At-Large Member of its Board of Directors. He is also involved with Civil War reenacting and living history. An alumnus member of the Civil War Heritage Foundation (where he portrayed John W. Fairfax of Lt. General James Longstreet’s staff), he currently belongs to Company C, 44th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry as a re-enactor. In that organization, he portrays a member of the original Company C of the regiment.

Mayers has previously published an historical fiction novel about the Confederate side of the September 1862 Maryland Campaign, culminating in the horror that was Antietam/Sharpsburg. Titled None But Heroes, the book is presently available on Amazon Kindle. (A companion novel, dealing with the Union side of the same campaign, remains in the works.) This book is his second historical fiction project. In conjunction with Scott Mingus, Sr., he co-authored Erin Go Bragh: Human Interest Stories of the Irish in the American Civil War, 1861-1865.

Mayers’ maternal two times great-grandfather, Patrick Bracken, was a veteran of the Mexican-American War; his maternal great-grandfather James T. Bracken served with Battery E, First N. J. Light Artillery; and his maternal great-granduncle John G. Bracken served with the Twenty-first Regiment, N. J. Volunteer Infantry,

December Meeting Highlights and Photos

Dr James Hedtke, who taught history and political science at Cabrini University for fifty years, presented the fascinating story of Ely Parker - a Seneca Indian from Genesee County, NY. Parker was one of 8000  Native Americans to fight for the Union in the American Civil War. He joined General Grant’s staff in the summer of 1863 and quickly became an invaluable aide to the General because of his legal training and engineering skills. Parker became the most famous and highest-ranking Native American in the Union Army. 

Hedtke spoke how Colonel Parker penned the surrender agreement at Appomattox Court House. After the Civil War, Parker was promoted to brigadier general and remained on Grant’s staff. Parker negotiated several treaties with Indian tribes in the American west and during the Grant administration became the first Native American to head the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

 Hedtke gave examples of how Parker faced racial prejudice that left him straddling the world of his Seneca heritage and the world of the white man. Despite this racial divide, General Parker faithfully served the country that denied him citizenship.

We thank Dr Hedtke for filling in on only a few days notice and making a brilliant presentation.

Pictured below are the winners of the December Preservation raffle.

Details of **CHANGE** in December Program

When our previously scheduled speaker was unable to attend,
James Hedtke graciously agreed to a last minute presentation. THANK YOU!!

James Hedtke Presents Ely Parker/One Real American

              Ely Parker was a Seneca Indian from Genesee County, NY. Parker was one of 8000  Native Americans to fight for the Union in the American Civil War. He joined General Grant’s staff in the summer of 1863 and quickly became an invaluable aide to the General because of his legal training and engineering skills. Parker became the most famous and highest-ranking Native American in the Union Army.  Colonel Parker penned the surrender agreement at Appomattox Court House and had a memorable, as well as controversial, exchange with General Lee in the McClean house.

              After the Civil War, Parker was promoted to brigadier general and remained on Grant’s staff. Parker negotiated several treaties with Indian tribes in the American west and during the Grant administration became the first Native American to head the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

              Throughout his life, Parker faced racial prejudice that left him straddling the world of his Seneca heritage and the world of the white man. Despite this racial divide, General Parker faithfully served the country that denied him citizenship.

James Hedtke, Ph.D.

  Hedtke earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from Saint Joseph's University, a master's in political science from Villanova University, and a Ph.D. in political science from Temple University. He taught history and political science at Cabrini University for fifty years. His research interests include the American presidency, the United States Civil War, and World War II, as well as research on the Freckleton Air Disaster, which took place in 1944 when a United States Army Air Force B-24 Liberator crashed into the center of the English village of Freckleton, Lancashire. His research resulted in a new book, The Freckleton, England Air Disaster published by McFarland in 2014.

Hedtke’s latest work is American Civil War: Facts and Fictions (ABC-CLIO, August, 2018). He is also working on a book focusing on the World War II letters of Colonel J. Bradley McManus, an 8th Army Air Forces fighter pilot.

Hedtke has authored two other books, Lame Duck Presidents: Myth or Reality, and Civil War Professional Soldiers, Citizen Soldiers and Native American Soldiers of Genesee County, New York: Ordinary Men of Valor, the latter of which he edited and researched with students. Hedtke also co- authored two text books, The American Saga, Vol. I. & II. He writes book reviews for Choice, a higher education magazine, and is a member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education (SEPCHE) Speaker's Bureau. He also has made numerous presentations to area and national audiences on the presidency, terrorism, and the American Civil War, including one at the Pennsylvania Civil War Road Show commemorating the war's 150th anniversary.

A native of Batavia, N.Y., Hedtke has a passion for baseball, gardening, and traveling. He also maintains an intense curiosity about the American Civil War. He is married and lives with his wife, Judy, in Broomall, Pa. They have three daughters.

Wreaths Across America In Allentown on Dec 14th at Noon

The Union & West End Cemetery was consecrated in 1854 and is the resting place of at least 714 Union soldiers and includes a GAR section and two well-preserved Union siege howitzers. Details about the event can be found in the attached letter. The Association needs as many dedicated history seekers (like you) as possible to lay balsam fir wreaths (many are already sponsored, but more need sponsoring) on the headstones of our fallen heroes.

  This event fits with the UWE's mission to "Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve and their families, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom."

  The event will begin at noon on December 14th with an inspiring ceremony and honor guard, after which individuals will carry the wreaths to their chosen gravesites, say the soldier's name, thank him for his life and service, and say a prayer of their choosing or other dedication. The site is completely handicapped accessible, rest room facilities will be available, and light refreshments will be served. 

  You'll find details in the letter printed below, including contact information for the Association President.

From the Brigade Commander ~ December 2024

M Chris Bryan

Taxes imposed by the government on imported goods to raise operating funds, more familiarly known as tariffs, have been around since the late 1700s and are a current topic of heated debate. In the December Newsletter, you’ll learn about a tariff imposed by President Lincoln on a commodity thought to be a crucial factor for victory. See newsletter page 3 for more.

Speaker and military veteran M. Chris Bryan will return to our Round Table stage on Tuesday, December 3, to tell the little studied story of the Corps that never lost a color or a gun. See newsletter page 2 for dinner signup information and a synopsis of Mr. Bryan’s presentation.

History suggests that General William Tecumseh Sherman is to be thanked for the Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. Back then, cowpeas, as they were known, were relegated to animal feed. But after Union soldiers raided Confederate food supplies (legend says they took everything except the peas and salted pork), the peas became a symbol of luck in the South. And so, if it be your wish to ‘rebel’ against the New Year’s Day (German) tradition of pork and sauerkraut, you’ll find lots of black-eyed peas and ham recipes online. Here’s a wish for all the joy of the coming season!

Barry

November Meeting Highlights and Photos

Our November speaker, Leon Reed presented “Gettysburg Monuments, the Stories the Veterans Told, the Artists Who Made Them, … and a Quick Look at the Civil War Monuments Around the Keystone State”.

Reed spoke about and showed examples of the regimental monuments at Gettysburg which were primarily erected around the time of the battle’s 25th anniversary. He said that the soldiers thought that this was their one chance to tell future generations what was on their minds.

He touched on the Civil War monuments of Antietam, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and around the state of Pennsylvania.

 Reed is a retired US Senate aide, defense consultant, and US History teacher. He lives in Gettysburg with his wife Lois. He spends much of his time writing, mainly military history. He has written three books on Gettysburg monuments and three World War II soldier memoirs.

As always, we held a book raffle and the winners were not only those pictured below, but our preservation efforts.