The Man Behind the West Park Civil War Monument

WFMZ June 11, 2022
By Frank Whelan (CWRT Board Member)
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Almost every day many people, from school children to dog walkers, pass a statue of a soldier in Allentown’s West Park. On permanent guard duty since 1917, he represents a time, between the Civil War and World War I, when monumental art reflected the culture. This is a story of the artist behind the monument.

The First Defenders were disappointed. By 1916, of the Civil War era soldiers who had been the first troops in 1861 to answer President Lincoln’s call to come to Washington, D.C., only 43 out of the original 530 were still living. So, when the Pennsylvania Legislature agreed to allocate $1,500 for the erection of a tablet to honor them, they were thrilled. But it was only to have their hopes dashed. Governor Brumbaugh vetoed the request because the funds he said were just not available. Some felt doubly hurt because the governor was Pennsylvania German and widely popular in Dutch country.

That was when General Harry C. Trexler stepped in. Born in 1854 Trexler had been a child of 11 when the troops came home, and it was probably among his first memories. Whatever it was, by his later years Trexler had developed a profound knowledge of some of the most obscure skirmishes of the War Between the States, often shocking his business associates. He once surprised a southern executive with whom he was negotiating by noting his middle initial was a Z and that it was for a little-known Confederate officer named Zollicofer who died early in the war. “General, you are the first northerner I have ever met that made that observation,” he replied.

To help out his beloved veterans, Trexler announced he would donate not just for a plaque, but an entire statue dedicated in West Park to the veterans. He named a committee of three to supervise the project: Allentown Mayor Al Reichenbach, a Republican; former Mayor James L. Schaadt, a Democrat; and A. S. Weishampel, one of the city’s leading architects and a close student of the prevailing style known as Beaux Arts classicism. Trexler aide Nolan Benner would later note that a competition was held and that designs for a heroic statue flowed in from around the country. Finally a decision was reached. The winner was George T. Brewster of Tottenville, Long Island.

Any records that may have existed from the competition have vanished long ago. We don’t know what sort of role Trexler may have had in the selection, although it is hard to imagine he did not have a significant one. But as the only professional in the field of the arts on the committee, Weishampel must have had a decisive opinion. So as one of the best known and respected creators of monumental art in the country, Brewster must have been a logical choice. In the period between the Civil War and World War I in particular he was one of the most popular and prolific figures in the field. Only August “Gus” Saint Gaudens (1848-1907) was considered his superior.

Brewster was born on February 24, 1862 to Altheus Brewster and Mary S. Cushman in Kingston, Massachusetts, a seafaring town that was founded in the 17th century, shortly after the arrival of the Pilgrims. He could trace his lineage back to William Brewster, one of the leaders of the Mayflower Pilgrims. In a time when such things were considered more important than they are today, the fact that Weishampel’s wife was a Mayflower descendent whose family in the 18th century had relocated to Cape May, New Jersey may have given Weishampel entre to Brewster to take on the Allentown commission when his…
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June Meeting and Summary

Guest Speaker, Hampton Newsome, spoke about the little known raid which took place early in July, 1863, at the same time the battles at Gettysburg were being fought. The account is contained in his soon-to-be-published book called “Gettysburg’s Southern Front.”

Nicknamed the “Blackberry Raid” after the abundant blackberries which grew along side the path taken by the troops of Union Maj. Gen. Erasmus Darwin Keyes as they advanced from White House Landing, Virginia, in an attempt to destroy a number of bridges, including Bottom's Bridge on the Chickahominy river.

If they had succeeded, Keyes and the 6,000 men of the IV Corps would have prevented Confederate reinforcements from intercepting Lieut. Col. George Washington Getty's march to the South Anna Railroad bridge—a key component of General Lee's line of communication with Richmond.

Newsome spoke of the challenges and difficulties encountered, and ultimately the cautious and ineffective strategies Keyes employed. Keyes seemed to spend most of his energy during July manufacturing excuses for his failure. The campaign would mark the abolitionist's last field command; he would later fade into obscurity.

In addition to the regular book raffle, we also drew winners for the annual preservation raffle, both of which are pictured below.

Book Raffle Winners June 2022

Annual Preservation Raffle Winners - June 2022

Harper's Ferry Field Trip on June 5th

On Bolivar Heights at Harper’s Ferry NHP

CWRT of Eastern PA set out on a glorious Saturday in June to tour the Harper’s Ferry battlefields where the states of West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia converge. Claire Kukiekla did a fantastic job of coordinating the trip, our tour guide - the esteemed Dennis Frye, and even a buffet lunch at the local inn.

Frye’s most recent volume about Harper’s Ferry, entitled “Confluence” was available in the visitor center and also online

We gathered at the Washington County, WV Visitor’s Center and made our way to Bolivar Heights for our first stop. Dennis Frye, retired chief ranger at Harper’s Ferry for many years, dramatically retold the story of the battle as we caravanned from one battle location to another throughout the day.

After a brief pause for refreshment at the Clarion Inn, we drove a short distance and went back in time from 1862 to 1859 and stopped at the Allstadt House and Ordinary. Frye explained that this was one of the home attacked by John Brown’s raiders to seize hostages and free enslaved people in an effort of begin an overthrow of slavery in the US.

We then resumed the tour beginning to understand the complexity of Lee’s Special Orders 191, and the incredible feat of actually carrying them out, in spite of the discovery of a copy of the orders by Federal Troops.

Frye explained how the Union Commander defending Harpers Ferry, performed well, in spite of later criticism of his actions. His ability to hold onto the battlefield, eventually delayed Lee’s incursion into Pennsylvania, where Lee hoped to influence the 1862 mid-term elections.

As we drove to each location, we could visually imagine the challenges of both defending against the Confederate advance, and the obstacles encountered by the Confederates themselves.

Our final stop was the church which served as HQ for Confederate Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws charged with taking Maryland Heights.

It was a day of learning, insights and understanding. Thank you Dennis Frye, and Claire for each making it a memorable day.

Some photos of the day are below in a slide show.

From the Brigade Commander - June 2022

I’ve heard that those who attended the Lincoln Funeral Train Commemorative event were very pleasantly surprised. In fact, word has it that several people have already expressed interest in attending next year’s event. Thanks to Claire Kukielka for pulling this trip together for us on fairly short notice.

Speaking of Claire, it’s not too late to contact her and sign up for what will be a fabulous day trip to Harpers Ferry NHP on June 4. Some trip details, which you’ll find if you click here, will be useful to anyone already signed up—or thinking about signing up.

June 7 is our last Campaign 44 meeting, and we’ll be welcoming back Hampton Newsome as our speaker for the evening. He will share his research about a little-remembered military action that took place in Virginia while the Battle of Gettysburg raged. On page 2 of the June Newsletter, you’ll find an overview of his presentation and dinner sign-up information.

Prizes for our annual print raffle will be picked at the start of the meeting. There’s still time for you to make a purchase through the mail OR when you arrive for the June meeting. You’ll find a list of Campaign 44 prizes on page 7 of the newsletter.

Saving the best for last … the American Battlefield Trust (ABT), having recently celebrated its annual Victory Week, announced that, thanks to many of you and organizations like our CWRT, 659 battlefield acres have been saved in the last 12 months, raising the total battlefield acreage saved by the ABT to 55,000!

I hope you’ll consider coming out for our June meeting so that we can celebrate our role in preserving our nation’s history together.

Barry

May Meeting Summary and Photos

Jane Peters Estes treated us to a fascinating presentation about Vivandieres - the women who served with both Union and Confederate armies. These women actually shared the dangers of the battlefield in order to aid the men in their regiments. Two of these women received medals for “bravery under fire.”

These women wore uniforms - often of their own making, or purchased with their own funds. They wore skirts, but also pants to allow ease of service.

They served as water bearers, nurses, color bearers, and even rallied the troops in times of hesitancy. Some were skilled riders on horseback.

Regular army regiments were reluctant to allow them to serve with them, therefore almost all served with the volunteer regiments for the various states, Including the 25th PA from our own region.
She highlighted the lives of a number of the women, some of whom blended into the troops, as well as others who were colorful and much beloved.

Pictured below is also our May book raffle winners.

From the Brigade Commander - May 2022

The May CWRT newsletter (click here to view) offers some great Civil War stories—one that, in its time, made front-page news and created a national sensation for years afterwards—and one that was rarely spoken of, even while the battles were raging. The latter story, which tells of the vital contributions made by vivandieres, is the topic for our May 3rd meeting.

You’ll find a teaser on page 2—just enough information to pique your curiosity and get you to come out and join us for the lecture and maybe for dinner, too.

If you’re still on the fence, know that it’s not too late to sign up for the group day trip to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in June. Because our guide is none other than retired National Park Service historian and founder of the modern Civil War battlefield preservation movement, Dennis Frye, the trip will be an incredible experience. And, you never know—this may be the last opportunity you’ll ever have to be held spellbound by Frye’s masterful storytelling skill and extensive Harpers Ferry battlefield knowledge. Visit newsletter page 5 for more.

BARRY

April Meeting Summary and Photos

Gordon Calhoun

The Battle of Hampton Roads: The ships that sank, the ships that prevailed and the New Bedford-born men who were the junior officers in the newly expanding Navy were among the topics of our April Meeting.

  Presented by Gordon Calhoun, who has 25+ years of experience working for the U.S. Navy’s Museum system, including 20 years at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, we learned about this famous battle between the USS Cumberland, and the newly ironclad CSS Virginia (aka Merrimack).

We learned of Acting Master William P. Randal, a whaleman who joined the Union Navy in 1861 and, later, gained lasting fame for the role he played during the battle—refusing to surrender and, as the on-the-sail sloop-of-war USS Cumberland sank, taking over the firing of the pivot guns.

  We saw images of the sunken skeleton of the Cumberland which still rests on the bottom of the harbor. We learned that the Virginia used its ram to sink the Cumberland, and despite reports that the ram broke off and sank with the frigate, no trace of such iron can be found today.

We also had our usual book raffle for preservation and the lucky winners below received the book selected for this month’s topic.

Additional Filed Trip Planned for April 23

We have an additional all-day field trip opportunity in Elizabethtown, Pa on Sat April 23rd. Summary below, but click here for complete info sheet distributed at the April Meeting.
Contact Claire Kukielka ASAP if interested.

Take a step back in history to April 1865 as we commemorate 157 years since the Lincoln Funeral Train crossed Stone Gables Estate! Witness and participate in this one-of-a-kind living history event!

  • Commemorate 157 years since the original Lincoln funeral train, the “Lincoln Special, “crossed the Stone Gables Estate property!

  • Ride aboard narrated and period-correct passenger car replicas on the Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad. Walk through the world’s only full-scale replica of President Lincoln’s Funeral Car, “United States.” *Train tickets may be purchased at the train site on the day of the event: * $15 (adults); $10 (ages 3 – 17); Ages 2 and under: free. Times: Every 40 minutes, from 1:00 to 6:20 p.m. (The last ride is at 6:20 p.m.)

  • Hear the roar of the authentic Civil War-era cannon.

  • Visit a Civil War Encampment and learn what life was like for Civil War soldiers and civilians from presenters, reenactors, and historians.

  • Dressed soldiers on War Horses.

  • Photo Opportunities with Abraham Lincoln and U.S. Grant throughout the day.

  • Food Vendors

  • Historical Exhibits & Craft Vendors

  • The New Holland Band will be performing!

  • Sutler's Village in the Encampment

  • Stone Gables Estates very own Steam Cream Ice-cream

  • Souvenirs and gifts available for purchase in The Sower & The Seed Shoppe

-Walk through the Carriage House where John Diener’s Village of historic Lancaster County buildings will be on display.

  • Explore the estate at Ironstone Ranch, St. Michael’s Vineyard, Herr’s Mill Covered Bridge and more.

  • Pony Rides for all.

  • Fun activities for the children to see and participate in!

  • Experience all this and more!

Reluctant Confederate

History's Headlines: The reluctant Confederate

It was the first week of March in 1861 and no one had to tell Secretary of the Treasury John A. Dix that his days in that office were numbered. Dix, a Democrat and New York politician who would later become a Union General and Republican, had been appointed by President James Buchanan in January to a post that was clearly temporary. Now Buchanan was headed for retirement at “Wheatlands,” his Lancaster County, Pennsylvania estate. With the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln on March 4th his time was almost over. But there was one piece of business Dix had to take care of. Three Treasury revenue officers, a captain and two lieutenants in New Orleans, had surrendered their ship to the state of Louisiana, aka the rebel government. Assuming they had joined the Confederacy, “it is hereby directed by order of the President of the United States that their names be stricken from the rolls of said service.”

In its March 9th issue, Harper’s Weekly, which was featuring a serialization of Charles Dickens’ latest novel “Great Expectations,” printed a small copy of Dix’s order. But in it the name of one of the lieutenants was misspelled, either a mistake by Dix or Harper’s, as Thomas D. Foster. Thomas D. Fister was the man’s actual name and he was a native of Kutztown, Berks County.

It was many years later in 1912, long after he had returned to Kutztown and became prominent in local politics as Col. Thomas Fister, and while he was recovering from a prolonged illness at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Minnesota that he decided to tell his story to the local press. It appeared under the headline “Col. Fister Tells Why He Was A Fighter In Confederate Army.” Somehow the headline writer confused the Confederate Navy in which Fister served with the Confederate Army. Fister’s testimony did not…
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