2012 Marshall Hope Award For Most Outstanding Department Newsletter

Preserving the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and our ancestors who fought to save the Union 1861-1865.

Dates to Note:

November 11 – Veterans

Day

December 31 – Deadline

for submissions to the Winter newsletter

June 6, 2020 – 138th Department of Ohio

Encampment in Clintonville

August 13-16, 2020 – 139th National S.U.V.C.W.

Encampment in Atlanta, Georgia

THE BUCKEYE BUGLE

Department of Ohio - Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

2 – Stephenson Streamer 2 – Ohio Military Veterans

Honored

3 – Civil War Encampments 3 – Camps Present ROTC

and Eagle Scout Awards 4 – Old Greencastle

Cemetery Clean-up

4 – National Encampment 5 – G.A.R. Bean Dinner

5 – Spotlight on Civil War

Memorials & Monuments

6 – Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Award Presented

7 – Buffington Island

Memorial Service 8 – Civil War Prisoner of

War Uriah Huber 9 – G.A.R. History Lost

10 – Stephenson Certificate

Message From Commander Shane Milburn

Volume 11, Issue 1 Autumn 2019

Department of Ohio Brothers,

Greetings. As this is the first Buckeye Bugle issued since becoming Commander, I

wanted to thank everyone for this tremendous honor. I look forward to

working with everyone to keep the Department of Ohio going strong.

As we head into Fall, gladly saying goodbye to the HOT Summer we

had, I look forward to making the rounds to the Camps to perform Officer

installations for 2020. As of October 13th, I have received installation

dates for thirteen out of seventeen Camps. For those Camps that have

conflicting dates, I will arrange with your Camp Commander for a visit.

On July 20th, the Memorial Service for the Battle of Buffington Island

took place in Portland, Ohio. Brother James Oiler once again did an

excellent job organizing the event and the Brothers of Townsend Camp

#108, McClellan Camp #91, Fearing Camp #2, Cadot-Blessing Camp #126,

and Brooks-Grant Camp #7 participated in a variety of ways. Following

the service, all in attendance were invited to gather at the Portland

Community Center for lunch, where Steve Free provided musical

entertainment.

From August 8 to 11, Brothers from across the Nation converged on

Independence, Ohio for the 138th National Encampment of the Sons of

Union Veterans of the Civil War. Congratulations go out to the Cleveland

Encampment Committee, headed by PCinC Ken Freshley for a successful

Encampment. A lot of planning and preparation go into organizing an

event as large as this, and it was evident that the Brothers of Garfield

Camp #142, as well as a handful of others from across the State, put a lot

of hard work into making the Encampment something that all could enjoy

and the Department could be proud of.

The Department of Ohio received the Augustus P. Davis/Conrad Linder

Award at the National Encampment, recognizing the Department for the

greatest number of new members. This award was announced by General

Order #20 on August 10, 2019. Keep up the good work Brothers.

In closing, with the holiday season rapidly approaching, I want to wish

everyone health, happiness and safe travels wherever you may go.

In Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty,

Shane L. Milburn, Commander

Department of Ohio

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

The 14th annual graveside memorial service for Brig. Gen. William H. Lytle was held in

Cincinnati’s Spring Grove Cemetery on September 15, 2019 by the General William H

Lytle Camp #10. The service included introductions and remarks by Commander Todd

Mayer and reading of a poem by Brother Scott Freeman. Wreaths were presented by Sister

Kim Villalva, President of the Sister Anthony O’Connell Auxiliary, and Brothers Don Vogel

& Larry McCullough. The invocation and benediction were given by Brother Don Vogel.

Attendance was the largest in the history of the event. Brigadier General William H Lytle

was killed on September 20, 1863 at the Battle of Chickamauga leading his troops in a

charge against Lieutenant General James Longstreet's troops.

The Department of Illinois has been leading a fund raising campaign to make improvements to the memorial plaza around the Benjamin Stephenson Monument, located at Rose Hill Cemetery in Petersburg, Illinois for the past few years. During the most recent National Encampment, C-in-C Donald Shaw offered to issue a certificate and a streamer to those Departments who contributed $100 toward the project. Thanks to a Brother from General William H. Lytle Camp #10, who wishes to remain anonymous, the required funds were donated by the Department of Ohio.

The certificate reads: “Certificate of Appreciation” “For your Department’s generous donation to the restoration and improvement of the Benjamin F. Stephenson gravesite in Petersburg, Illinois.” In response to a Communication by C-in-C Mark Day in September 2017, several Camps in Ohio had previously donated funds for commemorative bricks creating a plaza surrounding the restored gravesite and monument. Funds for seven memorial benches were provided by the National Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and several of the Allied Orders.

Page 2

Lytle Camp Remembers Namesake

THE BUCKEYE BUGLE

OHIO MILITARY VETERANS HONORED

Above: A representation of

Army uniforms from every major United

States conflict. Bottom: Highland

County Hall of Fame members Ohio Governor Allen

Trimble (l) and Civil

War MOH recipient William J. Carson.

Two communities, one in Clinton County and one in Highland County, conducted

their annual God and Country programs this summer honoring all those who have served

in the American armed forces. Members of SVR Company C, 20th Ohio Volunteer

Infantry commanded by Ohio Department Commander Capt. Shane L. Milburn were

invited to represent the Union Civil War soldiers. The National Commander of the Sons

of Veterans Reserve (SVR), Major General Robert E. Grim, PCinC, represented soldiers of

the American Revolution. He is a member of the Ohio Society Sons of the American

Revolution (SAR) Color Guard.

Twentieth century soldiers were represented by members of the American Legion

who also served as the Color Guard for the programs and fired a 21 gun salute. All

military veterans attending the events were presented a certificate honoring them for

their military service.

Pictured to the immediate left at a display featuring local members of the Ohio

Veterans Hall of Fame are members of the 20th OVI who participated in the programs.

From left to right are: Shawn A. Cox, PDC; Terry Thevenin, Commander Henry Casey

Camp 92; Robert E. Grim, PCinC, a U.S. Air Force veteran and member of the Ohio

Veterans Hall of Fame; James L. Grim, U. S. Air Force Vietnam War veteran; Ohio

Department Commander and 20th OVI Commander Capt. Shane L. Milburn, who is also

Adjutant of the 3rd Military District and a U. S. Marine veteran; and Terry Cochren,

PCC and an Army National Guard veteran.

Highland County has three veterans in the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame: two Civil

War Medal of Honor recipients and a War of 1812 veteran who served as Governor of

Ohio. Clinton County has five veterans in the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame: four Civil War

veterans; two of them Medal of Honor recipients, and Past Commander-in-Chief Robert

E. Grim a U. S. Air Force Vietnam War veteran.

Department Receives Streamer

Above: Brothers and Sisters gather in front of Brig. Gen.

William Lytle’s Monument following the annual

memorial service. Below: Image of the streamer

the Department received for our support of the Benjamin

F. Stephenson Memorial. project.

The 32nd annual McConnelsville & Malta Civil War Encampment Days commemorating

the 155th Anniversary of Morgan’s Raid was held on July 12-14, 2019 at the Morgan

County Fairgrounds. Numerous reenacting groups, Civil War enthusiasts, and sutlers set

up during the weekend event providing historic military exhibits, live canon fire

demonstrations, battle reenactments, and period displays. The live firing of period cannons

across the river at night was a highlight of the annual event. Saturday’s events concluded

with a Civil War ball featuring live entertainment and dancers in period dress.

Some of the units involved were Carlin’s Battery D, First West Virginia Light Artillery;

Battery I, First Ohio Light Artillery; and Battery M, First Ohio Light Artillery. Brothers

from John S. Townsend Camp #108 also participated in the event.

Major Donald Grant, Chief of Staff, 3rd Military District Sons of Veterans Reserve and

Past Department Commander, Department of Ohio, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil

War participated with Battery I and set up his Command Tent which can be seen to the

right. It included reproductions of period maps on the table. According to Brother Grant:

“It was hot and muggy but it was a great weekend to renew old friendships and (make)

new ones as well.”

Sherman Camp #93 Eagle Scout Coordinator Mike Spauding, PCC presented the SUVCW Eagle Scout Certificate to four new Eagle Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 516 in Centerville on October 13. The Scouts pictured to the immediate right with Brother Spaulding are: (L-R) Alexander King, Justin Hopwood, DSVC Mike Spaulding, Rishi Bahubalendruni, and Stephen Quick.

Jacob Parrott Camp #33 Camp Commander David Rish presented the SUVCW ROTC Medal and certificate to Cadet Haley Keckler during the annual Kenton High School banquet in May.

Lytle Camp #10 Camp Commander Todd Mayer presented the SUVCW ROTC Medal and certificate to Cadet Ian P. Franzen at Xavier University.

Lytle Camp #10 Brother Zac Haines presented the SUVCW ROTC Medal and certificate to Midshipman First Class Ryan Thaxton and Cadet Sean P. Brandabur at Miami University in Oxford.

Lytle Camp #10 Senior Vice Commander Woody Cook, PCC presented the SUVCW ROTC Medal and certificate to Cadet/First Lieutenant Travis Ramey during the annual Lincoln Dinner at Diamond Oaks. Ramey enlisted in the U.S. Army and reported to basic training in June 2019.

Lytle Camp #10 Chaplain Jim Cobb and Past Camp Commander Larry Collins presented the SUVCW ROTC Medal and certificate to Cadet Christopher Love during a program at Scarlet Oaks.

McConnelsville Civil War Encampment

Page 3 THE BUCKEYE BUGLE

Camps Present Awards to Local Students

Above – Flags from Battery I,

First Ohio Light Artillery fly outside the tents.

Below – Interior of the Command Tent set up during

the McConnellsville Encampment.

Glendower Historic Mansion Encampment

Located on a hill overlooking downtown Lebanon, Glendower is one of the finest examples of residential Greek Revival architecture found in Ohio. This historic mansion was erected in 1845 and was given the name “Glendower” by its original owner, John Milton Williams, to honor the Welsh prince and hero Owen Glendower. The house has had other illustrious owners, most notably Durbin Ward, a distinguished attorney, statesman and Civil War general. The Civil War Encampment at Glendower Mansion and Gardens took place September 21 & 22, 2019. The Ohio Valley Civil War Association camped on the lawn of Glendower offering a “first hand” account of what a soldier’s life was like during the American Civil War. Thanks to the men who helped at Glendower Saturday and Sunday. Lytle Camp #10 Brothers Bill West, Larry Collins, Scott Freeman, Don Vogel, and Denny Brown all manned the booth. Several people expressed interest in possibly joining the organization. The days were profitable for telling the visitors about the Civil War, the Lytle Camp, and the SUVCW in general.

Above: Brother Michael

Spaulding presents four Eagle Scout awards.

Middle: Brother David Rish presents the ROTC

Medal to Haley Keckler. Bottom: Brother Todd

Mayer presents the ROTC Medal to Ian Franzen.

Below – A view of the

demonstrations set up during the Civil War

encampment at the Glendower Mansion.

Sons of Union Veterans

of the Civil War Department of Ohio

The Buckeye Bugle is the

unofficial newsletter

published quarterly to inform and educate

members of the SUVCW Department of Ohio.

Articles for possible

publication should be sent by email to the Editor at: curator@wyandothistory.org

Ronald I. Marvin, Jr. Editor

Greencastle Cemetery Clean-up Day

Page 4 THE BUCKEYE BUGLE

Department of Ohio at the National Encampment

The 138th National Encampment of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

was held in Independence, Ohio on August 8-11, 2019. A huge Thank You! for the

efforts of the Brothers of Garfield Camp #142 and the members of the National

Encampment Committee led by PC-in-C Ken Freshley. Numerous Sisters from the Allied Orders joined the Brothers for a very successful Encampment. The

Department of Ohio had 34 delegates with several alternatives in attendance. Despite

being on the opposite end of the state, the General William H. Lytle Camp #10

provided the largest delegation from any Camp in Ohio with ten Brothers including

five Past Department Commanders. Congratulations are in order for Sister Wanda Langdon who was elected

President of the National Auxiliary to the SUVCW during the 2019 National

Encampment. In 2013 she was one of the founding Sisters and is still an extremely

active member of the Sister Anthony O’Connell Auxiliary #10, ASUVCW which is the

official Auxiliary to the General William H. Lytle Camp #10 in Cincinnati and the

Major William T. Sherman Camp #93 in Dayton. Sister Wanda is a Past President of the Department of Ohio Auxiliary to the SUVCW and has received much praise and

acknowledgements of her efforts to help honor the Boys in Blue.

Shown on the bottom left is an image of the 2019 National Encampment Color

Guard which consisted of: (left to right) Pvt. Jared Robinson, William T. Sherman

Camp #93, member of Co. C, 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Sons of Veterans Reserve (S.V.R.); Color Sgt. Edgar Dowd (National Color Bearer), Crapo Camp #145

(Michigan), member of 14th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, S.V.R.; 1st. Lt. Paul Davis,

U.S. Grant Camp #67 (Michigan), Adjutant of Co. A, 14th Michigan Volunteer

Infantry, S.V.R; Pvt. Jordan Milburn, Henry Casey Camp #92, member of Co. C, 20th

Ohio Volunteer Infantry, S.V.R.; Pvt. Shawn Cox, Henry Casey Camp #92, member of

Co. C, 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, S.V.R.; and Capt. Shane Milburn, Henry Casey Camp #92, Adjutant of 3rd Military District, S.V.R.

On August 24th, nineteen volunteers gathered at the Old Greencastle Cemetery in Dayton to mow the

grass, pick up tree limbs, sticks, other debris, and weedwack around the tombstones. Over the course of

about three and a half hours roughly seventy-five percent of the grass was moved giving the cemetery a

crisp, clean appearance for visitors. Local organizations, friends of the cemetery, area residents, and

neighbors gather once a month during the warmer months to clean and work on the cemetery. These

efforts have replaced and restored numerous military grave markers and received local awards and

recognition. This month the Friends of Old Greencastle Cemetery were joined by The Buffalo Soldiers; Boy

Scouts and leaders from Scout Troop 516; Brothers from the Major William T. Sherman Camp #93, Sons of

Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp; along with spouses and other interested persons. It was a very

busy yet productive day and the final workday for the year was scheduled to take place on October 19th.

Much work has been accomplished since April and we thank you for your continued clean-up efforts.

WE NEED YOUR INFORMATION!! In order to share the great work our Camps are

doing and to promote their upcoming events we need your assistance. Please send your program information with dates to Brother Brian Brown who is serving as the Department Signals Officer. The programs will be listed on a calendar on our Department website and be forwarded to Brother Ronald Marvin, Jr. to be included in the next newsletter. Brother Brown can be contacted by email at webmaster@OhioSUV.com. Thank you in advance for your assistance. We can only highlight or promote what we know about.

Before and after views of the

cemetery grass.

Above: Department of

Ohio attendees at the 2019 National Encampment.

Below: C-inC Donald Shaw installs the

Department officers during the Department

Encampment in June.

Annual G.A.R. Bean Dinner

THE BUCKEYE BUGLE Page 5

Spotlight on Civil War Memorials & Monuments

New Castle hosted the 152nd annual G.A.R. Bean Dinner on August 18th at McElwee Park. The dinner is held annually in commemoration of the Grand Army of the Republic Charles C. Nichols Post 394, organized in 1867. Many members of the Post reportedly served with the 97th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Traditionally, it was held on the Nichols Farm west of New Castle until the bequest of land which became McElwee Park over one hundred years ago. The dinner was subsequently moved to the park and continues there to this day.

The day-long event began in the morning with church services by The New Castle Ministries and a flag-raising by the Mohawk Valley 4-H Club. The meal was served starting at 11:30 AM with some beans being cooked traditionally over an open fire in cast iron kettles. Music and entertainment was provided by Brad Fuller and the Walhonding Rube Band. Local historian Chris Hart presented a program featuring his Civil War era character. The Walhonding Valley Museum provided historical displays and information about the area. Brothers from the General William McLaughlin Camp #12, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War were in attendance as well to share the history of the Boys in Blue, the McLaughlin Camp, and the SUVCW.

One of the earliest Civil War monuments in Ohio to feature a soldier statue was erected in Springfield just five years following the end of the conflict. Local taxpayers raised $10,000 to pay for a twenty-five foot tall granite and bronze monument. The nine foot tall bronze statue designed by Henry H. Lovie of Philadelphia in 1869 was modeled after the likeness of J. A. Bailey. It looks similar to the more common Soldier at Parade Rest statues but is more accurately described as Stand on Your Arms, Reversed. This position differs from parade rest as the firearm muzzle faces down with the soldier’s hands resting on the butt-plate of the gun. In parade rest the muzzle faces up.

The statue was inscribed “Union Soldiers Monument. Erected by Clark County, Ohio. 1869.”and dedicated on May 30, 1870. It was originally erected in Springfield’s Memorial Park but was moved to Ferncliff Cemetery sometime after 1909. The monument was placed in the center of the Grand Army of the Republic Mound (also known as Veterans Circle) and was flanked by four Civil War era cannons, one on each side facing away from the monument. Approximately 210 Civil War and other earlier era veteran headstones surround the monument on the gently sloping hill. The G.A.R. Mound was the centerpiece of the new cemetery despite the fact it had no veterans’ monument at the time the cemetery was dedicated in 1864.

Ferncliff Cemetery was established in 1863 when a tract of seventy prime acres of land near Springfield were purchased with $300 from each of the founding members of the cemetery for a total of $10,000. It is still an active cemetery with several additions, including one area shown on maps as the World War II Addition.

Above – Circa 1908 postcard

showing the Soldier’s Monument in its original

location in Memorial Park. Below – Circa 1935 picture

showing the monument on the G.A.R. Mound surrounded by four Civil War era cannons and veteran headstones in

Ferncliff Cemetery. Bottom – Circa 2005 image showing the monument and

surrounding cannons.

Page 6 THE BUCKEYE BUGLE

DR. MARY EDWARDS WALKER AWARD

Department Order No. 4 Series 2019-2020 August 19, 2019

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Award

The Department Commander of Ohio, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, takes great pleasure in presenting the Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Award to Sister Judy Morgan, PDP, Department of Ohio, Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Sister Judy Morgan has been a member of the Auxiliary to the SUVCW for over 50 years and is a member of the John S. Townsend Auxiliary #108. Sister Morgan has been an active Auxiliary supporter of the programs and events conducted by the John S. Townsend Camp 108, helping the camp plan Memorial Day activities including printing programs, and coordinating refreshments. She has marched in period dress, participated in SUVCW ceremonies dedicating grave markers for previously unmarked GAR veterans’ graves and has attended SUVCW ceremonies marking the graves of the last Civil War veteran to die in the county as well as ceremonies marking the grave of a Civil War Medal of Honor recipient. When the John S. Townsend Camp restored the GAR Hall where they hold their meetings, Sister Morgan helped care for the Hall. She assisted in obtaining glass to replace broken windows, initiated a musical reunion event to raise funds for a new roof and provided refreshments for the same. For over twenty years, Sister Morgan has supported the Ohio Department SUVCW by attending and presenting a wreath at the Buffington Island Memorial Ceremonies. At the Ohio Department level of the Auxiliary Sister Judy Morgan has served as Chief of Staff, Patriotic Instructor, Treasurer for 15 years, Secretary for 12 years, served on the Department Council and was vice president and served 3 terms as Department President. At the National level of the Auxiliary she has served on the Council, was national secretary for 5 years and is currently the National Supply Officer. Sister Morgan served 15 years as the National Stenographer where she transcribed, formatted, edited, and mailed the National Proceedings and also edited the National newsletter for printing and prepared it for bulk mailing to all members for 12 years. In 2018, Commander-in-Chief Day awarded Sister Morgan the National Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Award. The award was presented on August 9, 2019 during the 138th National Encampment, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, held in Independence, Ohio. A Court of Honor was formed by Past Commander-in-Chiefs from Ohio and Ohio Past Department Commanders that were present at the Encampment. In Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty,

Shane L. Milburn

Shane L. Milburn, Commander Attest Department of Ohio Jonathan Davis Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Secretary

Page 7

THE BUCKEYE BUGLE

BUFFINGTON ISLAND OHIO’S ONLY CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD

July 20, 2019, marked the 156th anniversary of the Battle of Buffington Island. On Saturday, July 20, the Ohio Department of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Ohio History Connection hosted a Buffington Island Battlefield memorial service to commemorate the event 156 years ago. The event began with a welcome by Jim Oiler, Commander of Cadot-Blessing Camp #126. A prayer was offered by Andy Francis, Chaplain of Benjamin Fearing Camp #2 and the Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Norman Pape, commander of Fearing Camp #2. Ohio Department Commander Shane Milburn then addressed the crowd. “Today we gather on this hallowed ground to commemorate the only major battle on Ohio soil: The Battle of Buffington Island which took place on July 19, 1863, 156 years ago,” Milburn said. “Our primary mission in the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War is to perpetuate the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and the men who saved the Union between 1861 and 1865” Milburn continued. After asking all veterans to stand to be recognized, Milburn went on to talk about Ohio’s effect on the war. “Over the course of the Civil War, Ohio supplied over 319,000 troops to the Union cause, the highest per capita of any state behind Pennsylvania and New York. Ohio had 29 artillery units, 13 cavalry units, and 198 infantry units that served the cause. 35,475 lost their life from combat or disease, while nearly 30,000 were either partially or nearly disabled.” Milburn concluded by saying today this battlefield is peaceful and we have our ancestors to thank for preserving the union. Following Ohio Department Commander Milburn; Sam Wilson, Senior Vice Commander of Cadot-Blessing Camp from Gallipolis, thanked the following organizations who made the event possible: Ohio Department Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Ohio History Connection, Ohio Department Auxiliary to SUVCW, John S. Townsend Camp #108, Frost Auxiliary to John S. Townsend Camp #108, McClellan Camp #91 SUVCW, Alliance Auxiliary to McClellan Camp #91, General Benjamin Fearing Camp #2 SUVCW, Cadot-Blessing Camp #126 SUVCW, the Meigs County Historical Society, Brooks-Grant Camp #7 SUVCW, Portland Community Center, and the Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation. Musician Steve Free and his wife Susan performed two songs for those in attendance: Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier and Battle Hymn of the Republic. Steve Free is an internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter and educator who lives in southern Ohio. He has won numerous music industry awards including 9 ASCAP awards, a Platinum Record, and has a Grammy nomination. He has also charted over 30 songs on the National and International Americana and Country Billboard charts including 15 No. 1 songs. Wilson returned to the podium to give a general overview of the Battle of Buffington Island, noting that two future Presidents of the United States, William McKinley and Rutherford B. Hayes, fought in the battle. The program ended with firing a salute by the honor guard of the SUVCW and Bill McCreedy of Cadot-Blessing Camp #126 playing Taps. A reception followed in the Portland Community Center with music performed by Steve and Susan Free.

THE BUCKEYE BUGLE Page 8

CIVIL WAR PRISONER OF WAR URIAH HUBER

One of McCutchenville’s most successful residents was Uriah Huber, a prosperous miller

following the Civil War. He was born on October 6, 1840 in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

At the age of five he lost his parents and moved in with the family of John Glick. Two years

later Glick moved his family to Seneca County, Ohio.

By 1861, Huber was working in Indiana as a skilled carpenter and joiner when he enlisted

with Co. I, 9th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry in May for three months. He

participated in the battles of Phillippi, Laurel Hill, and finally Cheat River where he was

wounded in his wrist, having a minie ball passing through his right arm at this point. Soon

after this injury, he was mustered out and returned to South Bend.

By July 1862 he had returned to Ohio where he enlisted as a Sergeant on August 11, 1862

with Co. I, 101st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry for three years. He fought in several

battles including Perryville, Stone River, Missionary Ridge, and Lookout Mountain before

being captured during the Atlanta Campaign on August 23, 1864. He spent seven days in

Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia and three months in Camp Sumter, better known as

Andersonville Prison in Georgia. Huber was then transferred to Confederate prisons in

Savannah, Georgia, plus Charleston and Florence, South Carolina. After 8 1/2 months of

confinement during which he dropped from 165 to just 97 pounds, he was liberated along

with the other prisoners at the end of the war.

He made his way back to Tiffin, Ohio where he resumed his work as a carpenter and

eventually took up farming. On June 7, 1866, Uriah married Annie R. Six in Seneca County

and the couple had one daughter. In 1877, he settled in nearby McCutchenville where

worked as a carpenter and later operated a combination cider mill, molasses mill, vinegar

factory, feed mill, and sawmill. The combination mill burned to the ground in 1895 and

Huber soon had it rebuilt. He died in rural Seneca County on November 29, 1911 and was

buried in Tiffin’s Greenlawn Cemetery.

Section of The Wyandot Pioneer (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) of January 23, 1863 noting Sergeant Uriah

Huber as Missing during the Civil War; picture of Huber from The History of Wyandot County, Ohio

(1884); and his grave marker in Greenlawn Cemetery.

THE BUCKEYE BUGLE Page 9

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC HISTORY LOST

(Information for this article comes from Dan E. Meehan and several online sources including

www.concordmonitor.com/Northwood-Fire-28910828)

On the evening of September 28, 2019, the three story Masonic and Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Northwood, New Hampshire was lost during a five-alarm fire.

The building was built in 1885 by the Morrison Lodge #90, F. & A.M nd named for Robert Morrison. The third floor held the meeting room for the Charles H. Hoitt Post #69, G.A.R. The Post room was decorated with murals on the four walls depicting scenes from The Great Rebellion. These murals are done directly on the plaster walls and were painted between 1885 and 1897. In 1891 the Post Room was reported as being “one of the best around, neatly arranged and very attractive.” In 1897 one report about Post #69 reads “…they have a nice cozy hall, with battle scenes painted upon the walls.” Reportedly, the G.A.R. Post Room was set up just as if a meeting was scheduled, and the members were suddenly called away.

Joann Bailey, 91, a member of the Northwood Historical Society, said the loss of the structure in the fire, a four-alarm blaze that called more than nine fire departments to the town, was devastating to Northwood. “I think it was probably the worst thing that has happened to Northwood in recent years,” she said. The historical society was in the process of trying to get the building added to the National Register of Historic Places before the fire.

The lodge, built in the 1800s, had three floors, two of which served the masons for meetings and other events. The first floor housed a kitchen and dining hall. But the truly special room was the attic, where the Northwood chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic once met, Bailey said. It was decorated with murals each depicting a famous scene from the Civil War. Two of the murals were “Under Fire,” which portrayed a battle at Fort Sumter, and “The Battle of the Iron Clads,” which portrayed a famous naval battle in 1862 between two ships, the Merrimack and the Monitor. The ceiling was decorated with four paintings of military medals and poppies, Bailey said. “When you stood in there, you could imagine what it must have been like to be there during that time,” she said. “The Civil War veterans met there until there was only one left.”

Behind the building, an addition was built in later years for Northwood’s grange to hold events. A stage that was part of that renovation become home to the Northwood Theatre Workshop, Bailey said.

WMUR News reported that firefighters from multiple different departments responded to the scene the Northwood fire. It broke out around 9:00 P.M. at the Masonic Hall on Rochester Road. Firefighters noted that when they arrived at the scene, the flames were spreading quickly through the three-story building. The lack of hydrants in town made it hard to slow down and caused Northwood to strike multiple alarms. As many as nine fire departments responded to the scene. One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion, but no other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was being investigated. The State Fire Marshal's office is expected to process the scene to figure out what happened.

Images from Dan E. Meehan’s Facebook post showing the Masonic Hall in its previous glory, the G.A.R.

Post meeting room with the mural Under Fire on the wall behind the alter and the building in flames on

September 28th.

THE BUCKEYE BUGLE Page 10