Falling Waters - An After Report

Many students of the Gettysburg campaign mark the close of fighting with the Confederate withdrawal from Cemetery Ridge following Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863.  However, that high water mark was soon followed by the high waters of the Potomac and an opportunity to trap Lee’s army and allow General George Meade’s victorious troops to finish the job.  On April 1st fifteen resolute members of the round table traveled to western Maryland to join George Franks on a journey to discover the real end to the Gettysburg campaign on the banks of the Potomac River.  The first stop of the tour took us to Williamsport, along the old Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.  Here George related the pursuit by Union forces and the rebel preparations for defense.  Meade decided to consult his corps commanders before pushing forward and this slight delay allowed Ewell’s 2nd Corps to ford the Potomac at its confluence with the Conococheague Creek. 

 Not far from Williamsport we joined Bob Harsh, a local farmer and preservationist, who gave us a tour of his recently acquired property.  He discussed the history of the area and plans to protect some of the surrounding countryside.  The highlight was the presence of remnants of rifle pits and entrenchments.  We then proceeded to the home of George Franks, built in 1830 and situated on a hill that witnessed the largest rearguard action of Lee’s retreat.  Our small company braved the chill winds as George described the cavalry charge of 100 troopers from the 6th Michigan against a line of surprised Confederates from A.P. Hill’s 3rd Corps.  Here, literally in George’s backyard, we heard the story surrounding the mortal wounding of Brig. Gen. J. Johnston Pettigrew and the fate of his Union assailant, who was killed by a rebel using a boulder as his weapon of choice.  The final leg of the tour took us, after a healthy hike, to the banks of the Potomac at Falling Waters.  The last of the rebel forces escaped on a pontoon bridge and the Gettysburg campaign concluded just as it began, with John Buford’s Union cavalry facing off against Heth’s Confederates.  At this point we expressed our gratitude to George Franks for an outstanding tour and decided to make another donation to his foundation to encourage future excursions.  The tour was a great success and we all agreed to plan another day trip next spring.  

Thanks to those who contributed the pictures shown below. 

Nisky Hill Cemetery - Bethlehem

Saturday morning, October 29th, was as beautiful a fall day as could be imagined or                    desired.Our eleven intrepid workers mustered at 10AM and immediately began lightly sandingand then painting the Dahlgren cannon and stacked cannon balls placed in the midst of the flag covered graves of 59 Union veterans. The previous Saturday had originally been the target, but the heavens cried and the winds howled and our volunteers regrouped! Morning Call reporter Scott Kraus joined us and did a nice story on our work which was completed before noon. Ongoing research into the war time service and post war lives of these men has given us a glimpse into the trials and tribulations of living and dying in the 19th and early 20th centuries. We hope to end up with a permanent record of the lives of these gallant men who helped save the Union.

Thanks to Barry Arnold, Chuck Cannon, Bill Frankenfield, Jeff Heller, Claire Kukielka, Alan Lowcher, Emily, Stu, Nick and Lanie Schenkel for participating.

Ed Root – Brigade Commander

From the Brigade Commander - May 2017

The book shelves of most Civil War historians, buffs and libraries are filled with Robert E. Lee, Ulysses Grant, T.J. Jackson, William T. Sharman and others. Books about the life and career of George Gordon Meade are few. We are gratified that Tom Huntington not only searched for George Meade, but found him. It was an informative and enjoyable evening and we are pleased that Tom and his wife Beth Ann joined us at our April meeting. A donation of $50.00 was made to the Civil War Trust in Tom’s name as a token of our appreciation.

Our trip to Falling Waters with George Franks was a great success. Much thanks is due to Bob McHugh for all his hard work planning the day.

By the time you receive this newsletter we will have been to Gettysburg on April 22nd for our annual conservation and preservation effort.  I will report on the day at the May meeting.  (See Pictures Below)

On Wednesday, May 3 the unveiling of the refurbished Post 182 G.A.R. Monument will take place in Bethlehem’s Rose Garden at 2PM. It will be a grand event with Mayor Donchez, City and School District officials and the Nitschmann Middle school students and band in attendance. Peter Maugle, Bethlehem native and NPS ranger at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP will be our keynote speaker and I will present about Captain Jonathon Taylor for whom the Post was named. The public is invited.

The deadline for payment for our Americans At War Seminar is May 2nd. I sincerely hope you will join us for this exciting event. We will again have a Book Sale table outside our meeting room this month. All sales go toward defraying Conference costs.

Stop by and see Jim Duffy and Kay Bagenstose on your way into the room on every meeting night. Check out Jim’s graph on the progress of this year’s preservation fund raising effort and make sure to purchase your raffle tickets for our big June Preservation Raffle.

May 2nd is election night for those volunteers who maintain our fine organization. Please offer a hearty thank you to all who serve and also to Joe Riggs for his role as Nominating Committee Chair.

Mike Cavanaugh has over the years been bringing the 4 volume set of The Rosters of the Union Army 1861-1865, Pennsylvania to meeting. These books contain over 300,000 names gleaned from the National Archives and indicate the veterans rank and unit. If you’re looking for info about a Pennsylvanian this is the place to start. Ed Oechsle will now be bringing these books to each meeting. Check them out at the back of the room. Thank you gentlemen!

 Don’t forget to check out our website www.cwrteasternpa.org

 See you on May 2nd for Kathleen Thompson’s presentation, “To the Breaking Point, The Toll of War on the Civil War Soldier.”