Hardtack Regiment: 154th New York
26th annual decendent reunion.
This year's reunion program will be "Adventures of a Civil War Historian" by Mark Dunkelman, author of four books of 154th New York history (with two more on the way). Mr. Dunkelman will present an overview of his forty-plus years of work on the 154th, with an emphasis on unusual events that have occurred along the way. He will also show artifacts related to the stories. The Cattaraugus County Museum will have special Civil War displays on exhibit in conjunction with the reunion
Cattaraugus County Museum, 9824 Route 16, Machias, NY 14101
Saturday, 16 July at 2 pm
Friday, July 15, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Essential Fourth of July Trivia - Life123
Essential Fourth of July Trivia - Life123
Essential Fourth of July Trivia
By: Kristen Oliveri
This year, throw out some Fourth of July trivia to get your party started. You can cull the fun facts together ahead of time and print them out on red-, white- and blue- colored paper. Try pairing some music and food to go with your patriotic theme.
Fourth of July HistoryWe all assume that we know American history, but your trivia games can be a chance for people to brush up. For example, ask your guests who approved the Declaration of Independence. Nope, it wasn't George Washington. It was the Continental Congress who approved the declaration in 1776, and Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and, of course, John Hancock were among the signers.Barbeque and Fireworks Stats and StatisticsHave you ever wondered how many barbeques take place on Fourth of July? Or how many fireworks are sold across the country? More than 66 million people strap on the aprons and grill up hamburgers and hot dogs on the Fourth, and over $135.6 million is spent on fireworks. Are you also curious to know where all those American flags come from? Oddly enough, they're imported from China, more often than not. According to the Census Bureau, that made China $5.2 million dollars in 2002.
The finalized DOI was NOT SIGNED on July 4th but rather August 8th
Another fun fact to toss out to friends is that there are 30 places in the nation with "liberty" in their name. Try asking guests if they can name a few, and then wow them with answers like Liberty, Missouri, and New Liberty, Iowa.
Fourth of July Music TriviaOf course you want to listen to some patriotic tunes while you're celebrating America's favorite holiday, and you can use that music for a game. First, load up your mp3 player with tunes to play outside. Make sure to have these few on the top of the list: "The Star Spangled Banner," "God Bless the USA," "My Country -tis of Thee," "Born in the USA," "Philadelphia Freedom" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Many famous musicians have covered these songs and have put their own spin on them, so check out a few different versions before settling on a play list. Then, quiz your guests to find out how many of them really know all the lyrics to "The Star Spangled Banner" and other patriotic tunes.
Essential Fourth of July Trivia
By: Kristen Oliveri
This year, throw out some Fourth of July trivia to get your party started. You can cull the fun facts together ahead of time and print them out on red-, white- and blue- colored paper. Try pairing some music and food to go with your patriotic theme.
Fourth of July HistoryWe all assume that we know American history, but your trivia games can be a chance for people to brush up. For example, ask your guests who approved the Declaration of Independence. Nope, it wasn't George Washington. It was the Continental Congress who approved the declaration in 1776, and Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and, of course, John Hancock were among the signers.Barbeque and Fireworks Stats and StatisticsHave you ever wondered how many barbeques take place on Fourth of July? Or how many fireworks are sold across the country? More than 66 million people strap on the aprons and grill up hamburgers and hot dogs on the Fourth, and over $135.6 million is spent on fireworks. Are you also curious to know where all those American flags come from? Oddly enough, they're imported from China, more often than not. According to the Census Bureau, that made China $5.2 million dollars in 2002.
The finalized DOI was NOT SIGNED on July 4th but rather August 8th
Another fun fact to toss out to friends is that there are 30 places in the nation with "liberty" in their name. Try asking guests if they can name a few, and then wow them with answers like Liberty, Missouri, and New Liberty, Iowa.
Fourth of July Music TriviaOf course you want to listen to some patriotic tunes while you're celebrating America's favorite holiday, and you can use that music for a game. First, load up your mp3 player with tunes to play outside. Make sure to have these few on the top of the list: "The Star Spangled Banner," "God Bless the USA," "My Country -tis of Thee," "Born in the USA," "Philadelphia Freedom" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Many famous musicians have covered these songs and have put their own spin on them, so check out a few different versions before settling on a play list. Then, quiz your guests to find out how many of them really know all the lyrics to "The Star Spangled Banner" and other patriotic tunes.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Veterans Affairs Bans Mention of God at Funerals for Vets - Veterans Resources
Veterans Affairs Bans Mention of God at Funerals for Vets - Veterans Resources
HOUSTON, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Today, Liberty Institute, on behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars District 4, The American Legion Post 586, and the National Memorial Ladies, returned to federal court with new allegations of religious hostility and unlawful censorship by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and its director of the Houston National Cemetery. Last month, Liberty Institute successfully represented Houston pastor Scott Rainey in the same federal court after Houston VA officials tried to prevent him from praying in Jesus’ name at a Memorial Day ceremony.
“The hostile and discriminatory actions by the Veterans Affairs officials in Houston are outrageous, unconstitutional and must stop,” said Jeff Mateer, Esq., general counsel of Liberty Institute. “Government officials who engage in religious discrimination against citizens are breaking the law. Sadly, this seems to be a pattern of behavior at the Houston VA National Cemetery.”
Today, Liberty Institute amended its original lawsuit that states the Department of Veterans Affairs and its Director of the Houston National Cemetery, Arleen Ocasio, are engaging in religious viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, by adding new incidents of religious hostility including:
VA Forbids Mention of God at Funerals for Veterans and Requires Families to Submit Prayer for Approval to the Government: For 30 years, the VFW District 4 burial team, at the request of the family of the deceased, has honored veterans by performing the VFW burial ritual during private burial services at the Houston National Cemetery. For 20 years, The American Legion Post 586 has honored our veterans by performing its burial ritual for fallen veterans. On at least four separate occasions, government officials told the burial teams that prayer and religious speech could no longer be included in the burial ritual unless the family submits a specific prayer or message in writing to Director Ocasio for her approval. Government official Jose Henriquez also told the VFW Honor Guard Commander, Junior Vice Commander and Chaplain that the word “God” is forbidden.
VA instructs the VFW and a Private Funeral Home that they may not present the option of prayer to families: American Heritage Funeral Home, which sits next to the Houston National Cemetery and specializes in veterans’ funerals, was instructed by government officials that the funeral home may not inform the families that they have the option of requesting prayer in the VFW burial ritual.
VA Tells Volunteers to Remove “God Bless” from Condolence Cards to Grieving Families: About a year ago, Director Ocasio instructed the president of the National Memorial Ladies that the words “God” and “Jesus” are forbidden and that “God Bless” could no longer be written in condolence cards to families. Volunteers also were banned from speaking a religious message when talking directly to veterans’ families on cemetery grounds.
VA Closes Cemetery Chapel; Uses it for Storage: The chapel where families used to gather, pray and reflect has been closed and is now called a “meeting facility” and used for storage. The chapel cross and Bible have been removed and the bells that once used to chime are no longer used.
“On March 15, Director Ocasio told me that I couldn’t say ‘May God grant you grace, mercy and peace’ to grieving families,” said Nobleton Jones, Honor Guard Junior Vice Commander. “Today we ask the government to make it right.”
“All we wanted was to give honor to fallen soldiers,” said Inge Conley, incoming VFW District 4 Commander.
Today’s hearing took place before Federal District Judge Lynn N. Hughes who had granted the original temporary restraining order preventing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from censoring Pastor Rainey’s prayer in May. Judge Hughes gave the government until July 15 to respond to the new allegations and set a status hearing for July 21.
Liberty Institute works to uphold First Amendment freedoms in the courts, legislature and public square. Stay up to date on this case at www.libertyinstitute.org.
HOUSTON, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Today, Liberty Institute, on behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars District 4, The American Legion Post 586, and the National Memorial Ladies, returned to federal court with new allegations of religious hostility and unlawful censorship by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and its director of the Houston National Cemetery. Last month, Liberty Institute successfully represented Houston pastor Scott Rainey in the same federal court after Houston VA officials tried to prevent him from praying in Jesus’ name at a Memorial Day ceremony.
“The hostile and discriminatory actions by the Veterans Affairs officials in Houston are outrageous, unconstitutional and must stop,” said Jeff Mateer, Esq., general counsel of Liberty Institute. “Government officials who engage in religious discrimination against citizens are breaking the law. Sadly, this seems to be a pattern of behavior at the Houston VA National Cemetery.”
Today, Liberty Institute amended its original lawsuit that states the Department of Veterans Affairs and its Director of the Houston National Cemetery, Arleen Ocasio, are engaging in religious viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, by adding new incidents of religious hostility including:
VA Forbids Mention of God at Funerals for Veterans and Requires Families to Submit Prayer for Approval to the Government: For 30 years, the VFW District 4 burial team, at the request of the family of the deceased, has honored veterans by performing the VFW burial ritual during private burial services at the Houston National Cemetery. For 20 years, The American Legion Post 586 has honored our veterans by performing its burial ritual for fallen veterans. On at least four separate occasions, government officials told the burial teams that prayer and religious speech could no longer be included in the burial ritual unless the family submits a specific prayer or message in writing to Director Ocasio for her approval. Government official Jose Henriquez also told the VFW Honor Guard Commander, Junior Vice Commander and Chaplain that the word “God” is forbidden.
VA instructs the VFW and a Private Funeral Home that they may not present the option of prayer to families: American Heritage Funeral Home, which sits next to the Houston National Cemetery and specializes in veterans’ funerals, was instructed by government officials that the funeral home may not inform the families that they have the option of requesting prayer in the VFW burial ritual.
VA Tells Volunteers to Remove “God Bless” from Condolence Cards to Grieving Families: About a year ago, Director Ocasio instructed the president of the National Memorial Ladies that the words “God” and “Jesus” are forbidden and that “God Bless” could no longer be written in condolence cards to families. Volunteers also were banned from speaking a religious message when talking directly to veterans’ families on cemetery grounds.
VA Closes Cemetery Chapel; Uses it for Storage: The chapel where families used to gather, pray and reflect has been closed and is now called a “meeting facility” and used for storage. The chapel cross and Bible have been removed and the bells that once used to chime are no longer used.
“On March 15, Director Ocasio told me that I couldn’t say ‘May God grant you grace, mercy and peace’ to grieving families,” said Nobleton Jones, Honor Guard Junior Vice Commander. “Today we ask the government to make it right.”
“All we wanted was to give honor to fallen soldiers,” said Inge Conley, incoming VFW District 4 Commander.
Today’s hearing took place before Federal District Judge Lynn N. Hughes who had granted the original temporary restraining order preventing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from censoring Pastor Rainey’s prayer in May. Judge Hughes gave the government until July 15 to respond to the new allegations and set a status hearing for July 21.
Liberty Institute works to uphold First Amendment freedoms in the courts, legislature and public square. Stay up to date on this case at www.libertyinstitute.org.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Western Virginians Meet to Form a New State; War Against Missouri | Civil War Daily Gazette
estern Virginians Meet to Form a New State; War Against Missouri Civil War Daily Gazette
Following the defeat of the Rebels at Philippi, the movers and shakers in western Virginia politics met to decide the fate of their counties. They had met previously in May and resolved to hold a secession convention of their own, should Virginia leave the Union. Over 400 delegates met on May 13, many desirous for a state of their own. A contingent from Wood County flew a banner that read, “New Virginia, Now or Never!” Others, however, thought it best to wait, fearing they would be committing “triple treason” first against the United States, then Virginia and then the Confederate States.
At the First Wheeling Convention, a compromise was agreed upon. They would adjourn, wait for Virginia’s secession and, if it came, they would elect delegates to meet again on June 11
The thirty-nine counties of western Virginia were represented by seventy-seven representatives. Of the 44,000 western Virginia citizens who voted on June 4, 40,000 were against secession. In some counties along the Ohio River, the ratio was 22:1 against. Since Virginia had already left the Union, the only thing to do would be for western Virginia to form a new state and rejoin it.
On this date, they met in Washington Hall. While they officially met on June 11, no business, not even that of electing a Convention President, was decided. That would come the next day. For the time being, however, it was enough that they were in Wheeling, ready to secede from secession.2
__________________
This Means War!
While those in western Virginia wanted their part of Virginia as their own state, in Missouri, Union General Nathaniel Lyon wanted the whole state. After he wrangled General Harney out of his position as Commander of the Department of the West, Washington decided that Missouri would fair better as part of the Department of the Ohio, under General McClellan.
Though Lyon was still the new commander of the Department of the West, in Missouri, he was under the command of General McClellan. On this date, however, he was unaware of such a change.
After Missouri secessionist General Sterling Price learned of Harney’s removal, he sought a meeting with General Lyon to learn what his opinion upon the established truce between Union and Missouri forces.
Missouri’s Governor Jackson, an open secessionist, and General Price met with Lyon and Col. Francis Blair, brother of Postmaster General Montgomery Blair, on this date in St. Louis at the Planter’s House hotel. The conference lasted for four hours.
Governor Jackson stated that he wanted a disarmament on both sides, for Missouri to be neutral and for Union troops to leave the state. However, General Price had already requested the Governor to seek Confederate help. The secessionist Missouri State Guard, at this point, was no match for the 11,000 Union troops under Lyon. The only way to avoid defeat was to avoid conflict.
Lyon countered Jackson’s proposal, saying that if the United States forces were removed, the secessionists would take over Missouri, and the rebellion would go unopposed in a supposedly “neutral” state. He then proposed that the only way to truly have peace was for both the State and Federal governments to join together to put down the insurrection. He, of course, knew that would never happen.
The Governor proposed that the meeting should adjourn and they should continue this discussion through written correspondence. Lyon, however, refused and stood up to leave.
As he was walking out, he turned around and said to Jackson and Price:
Rather than concede to the State of Missouri for one single instant the right to dictate to my government in any matter however important, I would see you, and you, and you and you, and every man, woman and child in the State, dead and buried! This means War!
Lyon stormed out. The Governor and General Price returned to Jefferson City.3
__________________
Don’t Forget Lew Wallace
Meanwhile, back east, Union Col. Lew Wallace (later author of Ben Hur) and his 11th Indiana Zouave Regiment, over 800 strong, arrived in Cumberland, Maryland from Grafton, western Virgina. Though there was a secessionist militia rumored to be near, he found his regiment to be “kindly and hospitably received.”
Because he was well in advance of the rest of General McClellan’s command, he wrote to General Patterson in Chambersburg, southern Pennsylvania, informing him of his whereabouts and plans. His men, said Wallace, were “keen for the contest.”
Worried that since his Zouaves were not under Patterson’s direct command, Wallace wrote “with an earnest expression of the hope that you will not forget me when you advance upon Harpers Ferry and Richmond, if such be your aim.”4
Semi-Centennial History of West Virginia by James Morton Callahan, 1913. [↩]
History of West Virginia by Virgil Anson Lewis, Hubbard Bros., 1887. [↩]
Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, and Missouri in 1861 by James Peckham, 1866. This book is very pro-Lyon to the point of worship. However, the report from the meeting can probably be trusted. The quote at the end, however, comes from Wilson’s Creek by Piston & Hatcher. [↩]
Official Records, Series 1, Vol. 2, p676. [↩]
Following the defeat of the Rebels at Philippi, the movers and shakers in western Virginia politics met to decide the fate of their counties. They had met previously in May and resolved to hold a secession convention of their own, should Virginia leave the Union. Over 400 delegates met on May 13, many desirous for a state of their own. A contingent from Wood County flew a banner that read, “New Virginia, Now or Never!” Others, however, thought it best to wait, fearing they would be committing “triple treason” first against the United States, then Virginia and then the Confederate States.
At the First Wheeling Convention, a compromise was agreed upon. They would adjourn, wait for Virginia’s secession and, if it came, they would elect delegates to meet again on June 11
The thirty-nine counties of western Virginia were represented by seventy-seven representatives. Of the 44,000 western Virginia citizens who voted on June 4, 40,000 were against secession. In some counties along the Ohio River, the ratio was 22:1 against. Since Virginia had already left the Union, the only thing to do would be for western Virginia to form a new state and rejoin it.
On this date, they met in Washington Hall. While they officially met on June 11, no business, not even that of electing a Convention President, was decided. That would come the next day. For the time being, however, it was enough that they were in Wheeling, ready to secede from secession.2
__________________
This Means War!
While those in western Virginia wanted their part of Virginia as their own state, in Missouri, Union General Nathaniel Lyon wanted the whole state. After he wrangled General Harney out of his position as Commander of the Department of the West, Washington decided that Missouri would fair better as part of the Department of the Ohio, under General McClellan.
Though Lyon was still the new commander of the Department of the West, in Missouri, he was under the command of General McClellan. On this date, however, he was unaware of such a change.
After Missouri secessionist General Sterling Price learned of Harney’s removal, he sought a meeting with General Lyon to learn what his opinion upon the established truce between Union and Missouri forces.
Missouri’s Governor Jackson, an open secessionist, and General Price met with Lyon and Col. Francis Blair, brother of Postmaster General Montgomery Blair, on this date in St. Louis at the Planter’s House hotel. The conference lasted for four hours.
Governor Jackson stated that he wanted a disarmament on both sides, for Missouri to be neutral and for Union troops to leave the state. However, General Price had already requested the Governor to seek Confederate help. The secessionist Missouri State Guard, at this point, was no match for the 11,000 Union troops under Lyon. The only way to avoid defeat was to avoid conflict.
Lyon countered Jackson’s proposal, saying that if the United States forces were removed, the secessionists would take over Missouri, and the rebellion would go unopposed in a supposedly “neutral” state. He then proposed that the only way to truly have peace was for both the State and Federal governments to join together to put down the insurrection. He, of course, knew that would never happen.
The Governor proposed that the meeting should adjourn and they should continue this discussion through written correspondence. Lyon, however, refused and stood up to leave.
As he was walking out, he turned around and said to Jackson and Price:
Rather than concede to the State of Missouri for one single instant the right to dictate to my government in any matter however important, I would see you, and you, and you and you, and every man, woman and child in the State, dead and buried! This means War!
Lyon stormed out. The Governor and General Price returned to Jefferson City.3
__________________
Don’t Forget Lew Wallace
Meanwhile, back east, Union Col. Lew Wallace (later author of Ben Hur) and his 11th Indiana Zouave Regiment, over 800 strong, arrived in Cumberland, Maryland from Grafton, western Virgina. Though there was a secessionist militia rumored to be near, he found his regiment to be “kindly and hospitably received.”
Because he was well in advance of the rest of General McClellan’s command, he wrote to General Patterson in Chambersburg, southern Pennsylvania, informing him of his whereabouts and plans. His men, said Wallace, were “keen for the contest.”
Worried that since his Zouaves were not under Patterson’s direct command, Wallace wrote “with an earnest expression of the hope that you will not forget me when you advance upon Harpers Ferry and Richmond, if such be your aim.”4
Semi-Centennial History of West Virginia by James Morton Callahan, 1913. [↩]
History of West Virginia by Virgil Anson Lewis, Hubbard Bros., 1887. [↩]
Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, and Missouri in 1861 by James Peckham, 1866. This book is very pro-Lyon to the point of worship. However, the report from the meeting can probably be trusted. The quote at the end, however, comes from Wilson’s Creek by Piston & Hatcher. [↩]
Official Records, Series 1, Vol. 2, p676. [↩]
Monday, June 6, 2011
D-Day June 6, 1944
D-Day June 6, 1944
The D-DJune 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot- hold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high -more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded -- but more than 100,000 Soldiers began the march across Europe to ay cost was high -more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded
The D-DJune 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot- hold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high -more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded -- but more than 100,000 Soldiers began the march across Europe to ay cost was high -more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)