Our April meeting was cancelled because of our trying times as we attempt to cope with the Corona virus outbreak. With the safety of our members at stake and the state regulation of our state prohibiting large groups from meeting, we could not have our meeting. Now, it looks as if I must once again say, that we will not meet in May because of the very same issues. I hope everyone will listen to the instruction of medical leaders and wash their hands, use sanitizers, and maintain a safe distance around people.
I want to see all of you at our round table meetings for the foreseeable future. Sadly, we will also cancel our May and June meetings at the Holiday Inn. I will let you know, in the near future, if we can re-schedule one final meeting of the campaign season for late June or early July. Also, I want to inform (remind) you that our annual field trip and brush cutting scheduled for April 18, 2020 Gettysburg was also cancelled. Further, after speaking with Dennis Frye and recognizing that the state of West Virginia has issued a stay-at-home order coupled with the knowledge that Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park is closed at the current time with no official tours, no restroom facilities available, no access to the parking lot, it just did made sense to cancel our plans for our May 30, 2020 field trip. So, to recap, no more field trips for the year and no May 05 or June 02 dinner meetings. We are crossing our fingers that we could possibly set up a later meeting in the summer, but we will have to see how things work out. For sure, we will be keeping you informed as to the feasibility of meeting at a later date this summer. We certainly hope you can join us. Until then, please stay safe.
Last month I informed you of a cemetery in Norristown. The Montgomery Cemetery where General Hancock and others notable civil war veterans are buried. Now, I want to inform (remind) you of a cemetery here in Bethlehem. That cemetery is Nisky Hill Cemetery located near the city hall. The notable Civil War veteran is General William Doster. He was born in Bethlehem on January 8, 1837. One of seven, he attended the Moravian school until age 14. Afterwards, he went on to Yale College graduating in 1857. In 1859 he graduated from Harvard Law School. When the war broke out he raised a company for Harlan’s Light Cavalry of which he was made captain. They were transformed into the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Doster was appointed Provost Marshal in Washington, D.C. He was appointed Brigadier General and return to the 4th Cavalry where he took command.
At Gettysburg, he served under General Pleasanton and was positioned on the federal left flank. Then on the 5th of July was ordered to chase the fleeing rebels. He fought Lee’s rear guard. He contracted malaria and was too ill to return to duty. Instead, he returned home to Easton and never returned to the war. As a lawyer he was assigned to defend Lewis Payne and George Atzerodt, two of the Lincoln conspirators. After the war, he returned to Northampton county and practiced law in Easton. Residing in Bethlehem, he was president of the Lehigh National Bank and the New Bridge Street Company. Doster died July 2, 1919 and was buried in Bethlehem at Nisky Hill Cemetery. Some of you may recall our work day at Nisky Hill on October 29, 2016 when we spent a Saturday performing clean up and light restoration at that cemetery.
Barry
