Volume XXVIII Issue XI November, 2009 Inside This Issue ...mdscv.org/camps/norris/newsletters/2009-11-Norris-Newsletter.pdf · Volume XXVIII Issue XI November, 2009 ... After the

Volume XXVIII Issue XI November, 2009 Inside This Issue:

Sharpsburg Illumination 1

Adjutant’s Report 3

Around The Camp 4,5

Point Lookout 6,7

This Month in History 8

Annual Sharpsburg Illumination

Saturday December, 5th

On Saturday evening December 5, 2009, Antietam National Battlefield, in cooperation with the American Business Women’s Association, will host the 20th Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination in honor of those soldiers who fell during the Battle of Antietam. In the event of poor weather, the Illumination

will be rescheduled for Saturday, December 12, 2009.

23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. Sharpsburg was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history,

Continued

Please come out and honor these fallen soldiers. Nothing else comes close to realizing the

carnage of the war

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1. If the weather threatens, they will make the decision by 9:00 AM. If there is a question, call me at my cell phone at 301-676-5225

2. Meet about 10:00 AM at Mansfield Avenue which is located at the north end of the battlefield. Enter in the parking area at the Clara Barton Monument. the park and drive past the visitor center until the road turns right onto Mansfield Avenue. We will be located at the top of the rise near the Clara Barton Monument.

3. We will be putting out the illuminaries, and setting them into place in the morning.

4. Dress warmly. Sometimes it can be pretty cold and windy and/or wet. Please dress accordingly.

5. Around noon or so we will break for Lunch. We expect to have hot dogs, desserts, soup, chips, sodas, etc.

6. About 2:00 we will start lighting the field. Barbecue lighters seems to work best.

7. We will be given a limited number of car passes for the drive-through, so be prepared to team up and pool the cars. At 3:00 PM all the cars without the passes must clear the battlefield, and we park those cars that don’t have the passes down at the foot of Mansfield Avenue on the Hagerstown Pike.

8. At 4:15 PM the Memorial service begins at the Maryland Monument near the visitor center. Only the volunteers are invited to this ceremony. It features a bagpiper and bugled delayed taps.

9. As soon as the ceremony is over, the volunteers begin the drive through.

10. Please no alcohol beverages

Continued From Page 1

Illumination Guidelines

The Dunker Church

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Adjutant’s Report

Minutes of October 6th Camp Meeting at Gaithersburg VFW Hall. After the pledge of allegiance to the Flag, and the salute to the Confederate Flag, Commander Steve Gill called the meeting to order at about 7:00 PMThere were 8 members and guests attending including compatriots; Bobby Jones, Dan Belvin, Don Bean, Patrick J. Griffin, III, Gregg Clemmer, Mitch Mroczka, Robert Jones, Dave King, Jr., Maryland Division Com-mander Don Beck, Commander Steve Gill, and Adjutant/Treasurer Harold Ford. Our special Guests were Roy Wood and Steve Fernandez.

Minutes• The 20th Annual Sharpsburg Illumination will be Saturday, December 5, 2009. Each year, the Col. Nor-ris Camp participates in this event. [see below for details]• The annual Norris Camp Christmas party is scheduled for the December meeting. There is no speaker at this meeting, just a good time of fellowship and having a nice meal with your compatriots. [see below for details]• We discussed the MRS system – where there would be centralized dues collection system. This is being used in some of the very large divisions, but it is expensive and is not cost effective for one of our size.

CHRISTMAS PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT

Please come and join in the fun and great food as we have an annual Holiday Dinner meeting this coming Tues-day, December 2nd at 7:00 PM. This is a family event. The dinner meeting will be at the usual VFW meeting location in Gaithersburg. This is always one of our best meetings as nothing of substance is usually discussed except holiday cheer and how good the food is. Commander Steve Gill has promised to discuss little business

except that which is urgent (if any) and that of a holiday and good news variety.This year the Camp will provide the Holiday ham and turkey as the featured meat entrees (prepared by Katie

Brewer). We need all good and attending Norris Camp compatriots to round out our Christmas Dinner by providing the following:

For Those Last Names Starting With The First Letter Of: Then Bring To The Dinner:

A - E Veggies & Salads (green beans, sweet potatoes-etc..)F- Q Starch & Rolls (Rolls, Butter, rice and potatoes etc.)

R - Z Desserts & Drinks (non alcoholic)

Please plan on arriving right on time or a little earlier would be better yet . Any questions -AND RSVP’s: please contact Bob Brewer 301-977-0087 (before 8 pm please) or [email protected] ( anytime).

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ANV Commander Brag Bowling at the Hayward Shepherd Plaque in Harper’sFerry

Commander Gill with October’s guest speaker and author Gregg Clemmer. Gregg gave a facinating account from “Valor in Gray”, his book on CSA Medal of Honor Recipients, more specifically on the exploits of Lamar Fontain,

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That’s right, you guessed it.......Dave Reddin ALONE at the Adopt-A-Road Cleanup. I’d like to think it was your newsletter editor’s fault for listing the date as October 29th instead of the actual date of October 24th.

SORRY DAVE!Next cleanup I’d like to see a few more dedicated compatriots. I’ll be sure to give plenty of notice and try get

the date right this time.

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

STEPHEN DILL LEE INSTITUTEFEBRUARY 26-27 2010

SHERATON MUSIC CITY HOTEL NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

The American System of Liberty:Nullification, Secession and States� Rights

The Institute is now taking registrations and reservations for our upcoming meeting on February 26-27 in Nashville. Please call our headquarters at Elm Springs to register (1-800-MY DIXIE) or register at

www.StephenDLeeInstitute.com .

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I attended both the Decendents of Point Lookout (DOPL) meeting Fri Oct 09, and the Camiliar Camps Point Lookout Ceromony and DOPL follow up ceromony on Sat Oct 10, 2009.Friday daytime consisted of the various goups, and individuals setting up in Confederate Memorial Park, and that evening the annual DOPL dinner and meeting was held at the Ridge VFD. I have the highest praise of all of the organizers, including, but not limited to Commander Chris McCall and the fine members of the Camaliar Camp. They set up the dinner ( delicious local BBQ vendor) and the room for the following meeting. Entertainment included a stirring talk/prayer - invocation by NC DIV Chaplin Herman White and alsoKeynote speaker for Sat’s ceromony none other thank Mr. H.K. Edgerton. Saturday’s activitys included the MD DIV Color Guard providing the always inspirational flags. Striblings Battery provided several cannon salutes, and the Camiliar Camp arranged for a ceromonial 21 gun salute.

The weather was good. ( overcast , but not too cold and more importantly dry for most of the morning). Several speakers made comments, representatives from the 26th NC reeancting group gave a salute, and wreaths were presented. Also present were Lee’s Miserables, DOPL members representing thier ancestors that were held in Point Lookout.

When this event was adjorned, a follow up ceromony was held at Confederate Memorial Park.Forgive me if I am leaving anyone out, but I was moved by the work of all at this event, including Jim & Connnie Dunbar and William Hagan, new president of the DOPL & his lovely wife Lori. Father Alister Anderson, Rev. Herman White, William Hagan and H. K. Edgerton spoke of the courage and sacrifice of our ancestors. Norris Camp members present were Mitch Mrcyska and Adam Walls in the MD DIV Color Guard, MD DIV Commander Don Beck and MD DIV Chaplin Dan Buckingham provided stirring words at the ceromony at the Point Lookout Monument. I attended as one of Lee’s Miserables, and would have been lost with out Katys help and support.Please note, it was voted on and approved , that the DOPL can now have associate members, those that have wanted to become involved in the past are now welcome to join.

In praise of our ancestorsBob Brewer

Point Lookout After Action Report

Rev. Herman White Father Alister Anderson and H.K Edgerton

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H.K. Edgerton Maryland Color Guard

A Few Familiar Faces

November1-3 1861 General John B. Floyd troops attack Rosecrans yankees at Gauley Bridge,WV 2 1861 HMS Bermuda runs the Federal blockade out of Charleston, SC3 1816 General Jubal Early’s birthday.4 1864 General Forest troops destroy Federal gunboats, transports and storage warehouses near Johnsonville, TN5 1864 Cassville, GA burned by 5th Ohio Cavalry under Sherman’s orders 6 1863 Battle of Droop Mountain, WV6 1865 CSS Shenandoah strikes her colors in Liverpool England as last active CSA force to fly the CSA colors. 7 1861 Battles of Belmont, MO and Port Royal, SC8 1861 Confederate Commissioners James Mason & John Slidell are seized by union navy ship USS San Jacinto off the British ship “Trent” on high seas in violation of international law9 1825 General Ambrose Powell (AP) Hill’s birthday10 1864 Sherman’s invading troops burn all foundries, mills and shops of every kind in Rome, GA. 10 1865 Major Henry Wirz is hanged by order of the federal army court12 1861 The Fingal, a blockade runner bought in England, arrives in Savannah with military supplies. 13 1862 Skirmishes at Holly Springs, MS, Nashville TN and Sulphur Springs, VA14 1863 The blockade runner Terista is captured near the mouth of the Rio Grande, TX15 1864 Atlanta is looted and burned by the invading yankee army of by Sherman’s army. Sherman begins the infamous “March to the Sea” of mass destruction and war crimes against Southern civilians 17 1863 Over 100 Confederate troops are captured on Mustang Island, TX19 1864 yankees steal and destroy over a half million dollars of property as they occupy Clinton, GA 20 1864 Battle of Griswoldville, GA21 1864 General Hood leads 30,000 infantry and 8,000 cavalry from Florence AL towards Tennessee.22 1863 Fighting at Cedar Bayou, TX22-23 1864 Skirmishes at Milledgeville, GA23 1863 Battle of Orchard Knob, TN23-25 1863 Battles of Chattanooga, TN24 1861 Federal troops gain foothold on Tybee Island, GA24 1863 Battle of Lookout Mountain, TN25 1863 Battle of Missionary Ridge, TN25-26 1864 Skirmishes at Sandersville, GA27 1808 General Hugh W. Mercer’s birthday27 1863 Confederate patriot Sam Davis is hanged under order of Union General Dodge in Giles Co, TN.28 1861 Missouri is officially admitted to the Confederacy28 1864 Engagement at Waynesboro, GA29 1863 Battle of Ft. Loudon, Knoxville, TN30 1864 Battle of Franklin, TN, General Patrick Cleburne is killed

30 1864 Battle of Honey Hill, SC8

THIS MONTH IN WBTS HISTORY

Combined Federal CampaignThe Col. William Norris Camp #1398 has been approved again this year to receive funds from the CFC. The number is 43424. If you are contributing to the CFC, please consider the Camp when you make your donation.. Remember 43424. Thanks.

Heritage ViolationsNotify the Camp Heritage Officer compatriot Jim Stargel ([email protected]) of any heritage violations.

The newsletter of the Colonel William Norris Camp 1398 is published 12 times a year bythe camp as a service to its membership and to the public. Officers of the camp are:

Steve Gill, Commander, 17651 Horizon Place, Derwood, MD 20855, telephone 703-629-9316;e-mail: ([email protected]),Robert Brewer, 1st Lieutenant Commander, 205 E. Deer Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, telephone 301-977-0087, e-mail: ([email protected]).Major David King Jr., 2nd Lt. Cdr., 5611 Oak Place, Bethesda, MD 20817, telephone 301-530-7634;e-mail: ([email protected]).Dan Buckingham, 3rd Lt. Cdr., 11521 Front Field Lane, Potomac, MD 20854, tel. 301-983-9002, e-mail: ([email protected]).Harold Ford, Adjutant/Treasurer, 13603 Jacobs Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771, telephone 301-831-5510;e-mail: ([email protected]).Thomas Keefer, Chaplain, 12558 Cross Bridge Way, Germantown, MD 20874, telephone 301-980-9826.Don Beck, Recruiting Officer, P.O. Box 473, Rockville, MD 20848-0473, telephone 301-770-3122,e-mail: ([email protected]).Jim Stargel, Heritage Officer and Quartermaster, e-mail: ([email protected])David Redden, 19109 Dowden Circle, Poolesville, MD 20837, telephone 301-972-7686, fax 301-972-7579, e-mail: ([email protected]).

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The annual dues are due, and if you have not received a dues notice, then you are either paid up, or our mail service has screwed up again. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call

me at 301-676-5225 or by email [email protected]. If you did receive a notice, then my records indicate that your dues are due and I would appreciate it if you would kindly respond at

the earliest. Thank you.

There are 16 regular members who have not renewed to date. The dues are $40.00 if you receive the newsletter by email, and $45.00 by regular mail. Then now there is a $5.00 reinstatement fee for the late payment. There are 14 life members who have not paid.

They owe $10.00 if they receive the newsletter by mail, and $15.00 by mail. Please make the check out to’ Col. Norris Camp #1398’ and mail to:

Col. Norris Camp #1398, 13603 Jacobs Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771.