Current Issue of the Buck and Ball
BUCK AND BALL
MAY 2008
Meeting the second Wednesday of each month. Next meeting May 14, 2008 at the Library Center, 4653 S Campbell, Springfield, Mo at 6:30 PM The May meeting of the Civil War Round Table of the Ozarks will be held on Wednesday the 14th at 6:30 pm
and will feature Civil War Round Table Member Steve Muckala who will speak on Missouri veterans of the Civil War.
He will examine the life and military careers of some of the oldest and youngest Missourians to serve in the war.
These won't be necessarily the first and the last but will include some veterans who served some role during or
after the war that is significant. Some of these folks were well-known while others are simply obscure people
who are almost lost to history. He is a native of northern Minnesota, lived in Oklahoma for 33 years and is now
living outside Marshfield. He was the president of the Oklahoma City Civil War Round Table for two terms and is now a
volunteer at the library at Wilson's Creek. He had ancestors in the 4th, 5th, 25th, 37th Wisconsin Infantry regiments
and the 1st Wisconsin Light Artillery
Reminder
that on May 10 we have our trip to the Confederate Memorial in Higginsville
and to Lexington, Missouri.
We will be carpooling as a group like we’ve done in the past. We’ll meet in the Wal-Mart parking lot at Kansas and
I-44 at 7:00 am. With the gas prices the way they are, we ask that you help out by giving the driver at least $10.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first
widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic,
an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during
the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but
posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate
the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In
fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Mississippi; Macon, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia;
Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois.
In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose
Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses
closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day,
honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring
Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act,
P.L. 90 - 363, in 1971 to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays)In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday
in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)
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Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for
the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend
the ceremony annually.
Several Southern states continue to set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead, which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day:
 | Mississippi: Last Monday in April |
| Alabama: Fourth Monday in April |
| Georgia: April 26 |
| North Carolina: May 10 |
| South Carolina: May 10 |
| Louisiana: June 3 |
| Tennessee (Confederate Decoration Day): June 3 |
| Texas (Confederate Heroes Day): January 19 |
| Virginia: Last Monday in May |
To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which
asks that at 3:00 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from
whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps."
President: Steve Buffat
862-1772
Vice President: Jeff Patrick
732-7308
Treasurer: Jim Millikin
889-1848
Program Chairman: Teresa Hernandez
987-7776
Secretary: Chris Buffat
At Large Member: Brett Smithson
bsmithso@crowder.edu
Wilson’s Creek: Ted Hillmer
Past President: Tom Debo
The supporting Staff of the Civil War Round Table of the Ozarks:
Len Eagleburger……….Media
Bill Piston……………..Web Page
Jim Scaminaci ……….Fundraising
Gary Brimmer ………..Membership
Don Burkemper……….Book Chairman
Paul and Carol Stickley……………..Refreshments
Don Garrett…………...Buck and Ball Editor
Steve Buffat …………………. Foundation Liaison
The July meeting of the Civil War Round Table of the Ozarks will be held at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell,
Springfield, MO on Wednesday the 9th at 6:30 pm and will be their annual "Show and Tell evening". Members will tell
about their Civil War relatives and Civil War relics. Please bring photos, letters, or items from the Civil War that
were your relatives. Bring your original relics and items to show and tell. This is a time to share with others those
memories and collectables.
The August meeting of the Civil War Round Table of the Ozarks will be held at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield, MO on Wednesday the 13th at 6:30 pm and
ill feature Civil War Round Table member Michael Price on: Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Preservation and History The September meeting of the Civil War Round Table of the Ozarks will be held at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell,
Springfield, MO on Wednesday the 10th at 6:30 pm and will feature Civil War Round Table President Steven Buffat on:
"Researching your Confederate Ancestry".
The October meeting of the Civil War Round Table of the Ozarks will be held at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell,
Springfield, Missouri on Wednesday the 8th at 6:30 pm and will feature authors James Denny and John Bradbury on their
new book, "The Civil War's First Blood, Missouri 1854-1861". James Denny is a historian with the Missouri Department of
Natural Resources. He is the author of Lewis and Clark in the Manitou Bluffs Region and coauthor of the Atlas of Lewis
and Clark in Missouri. John Bradbury is Senior Manuscript Specialist at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection in
Rolla, Missouri. He is coeditor of Newsletter of the Phelps County Historical Society. He published the photographic essay Rolla: The Old Town and coedited a modern edition of A History of Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas.
June 14-15 - Greenfield, Missouri – Hulston Mill Civil War Days 08’
Skirmishes for the control of the mill & cabins between the Union and Confederate forces. Near hwy. 160 between Everton & Greenfield. Starting at 9am each day.
Battles throughout the day. Civil War period lifestyle demonstrations. Civil War Period sutler (mercantile). Admission: $5.00 for adults, kids (k-12) free with an adult
admission. More information visit www.hulstonmillcivilwardays.com or call (417) 267-9204 or Brent & Becky Paschal weberebs@yahoo.com.
Kansas City, Missouri – Stand of Colors
A Civil War Re-enactment
Jerry Smith Park / 139th & Holmes Kansas City, Missouri / May 17-18, 2008
Contacts: Pat Paton, PPPR, 913-491-4000, or Debra Shultz, Chairperson, 816-808-9991
UNION DIVISION CAVALRY, ARTILLERY BATTALIONS AND FIELD AND STAFF PERSONAL ISSUED GENERAL ORDERS TO FORM INTO AN ARMY
UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE 16TH ARMY CORPS, ARMY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI AND TO MUSTER IN “LET THE BATTLE(S) BEGIN”
--- this phrase might well be the call to arms for several thousand members of Union Cavalry and Artillery divisions of Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois
who have been given orders to muster in Kansas City, Missouri for federal service in the field at the STAND OF COLORS Civil War re-enactment event, May 17th and 18th. “The army shall begin in earnest training, drilling and military discipline pursuant to taking up arms and be organized into the historic 2nd brigade of the 1st Division of the 16th Army Corps”.
General Orders #2008-7 have been issued by the Commander of the First Federal Division of the State of Kansas (Union Forces). The orders also state that STAND
OF COLORS at the 400-acre Jerry Smith Park at 139th and Holmes “…be a historically accurate portrayal of a generic Army in the field consistent with the Missouri and
Kansas Campaigns of 1864”. Muster orders for the Confederate military are expected shortly.
Nearly 1500 Re-enactors are expected from all over the nation to take part in this spectacular 2-day Civil War event, with action all day, each day, the largest ever
presented in this area. The 2-day event will include re-creation of the border battles of Missouri and Kansas in 1864, several scripted battle events, artillery demonstrations, a Ladies Tea, music concerts, seminars, Civil War historical displays and a Grand Ball.
STAND OF COLORS is a look back at history, when the north fought the south; many historians say that the battles fought in this area have great historical
significance and were the actual turning point in the Civil War. If you have interest in history, the civil war or local area history (around 1864) then this is a must
attend event, geared to entertain the entire family … tour the camp sites, talk with both Union and Confederate soldiers, see spectacular battle events plus demonstrations
of Civil War cooking, medicine, dress and more.
Advance tickets are available at all Price Chopper stores: $15.00 each for adults, children 5-10 years old $5.00. Tickets at the pageant will be available only at the parking
area at Bannister Mall, 95th and I-435, $20.00 for adults, children 5-10 years old $10.00. No tickets will be available or sold at the event site and there is no parking
available at the site. Ticket prices include daily admission, parking and shuttle service to and from the pageant site. Food and beverages, displays and restrooms are at
the pageant site.
This unique STAND OF COLORS Civil War re-enactment is sponsored by the Kansas City’s Downtown Rotary Club #13 as a benefit for their local camp for
special-needs youth.
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“Arts in the Park”
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
Saturday, May 10, 7:00 pm
"Timberline," the "official Bluegrass band" of Shell Knob, Missouri, will perform from 7-8 p.m. on the front lawn of the Visitor Center.
Saturday, May 17, 7:00 pm
The Missouri State University Community Band, a 45-member volunteer band, will perform from 7-8 p.m. on the front lawn of the Visitor Center.
May 26, 2008 Summer hours for the battlefield`s Tour Road begin (8 a.m.-9 p.m., seven days a week).
Saturday, June 7, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
The "Ray House Jamboree," a bluegrass music festival on the lawn in front of the historic Ray House (Tour Stop Number 2) featuring several local groups performing
traditional Ozark music. As a special treat the historic Ray House will be open and guided tours will be provided by park volunteers. Normal entrance fee only.
No additional fee for this event.
The 135th Army Band (USAR),
consisting of 30 members of the U.S. Army Reserve, will present a concert from
7-8 p.m. on the front lawn of the Visitor Center.
All events are free and open to the public except the entrance fee for the Ray
House Event on June 7th.
Please bring blankets and/or lawn chairs for all performances.
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Newtonia Battlefield Bill Heads to President Bush
By Derek Spellman
4/30/2008
Joplin Globe (MO)
http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_121221824.html
NEWTONIA, Mo. — A bill that aims to determine the best way to preserve the Newtonia Civil War battlefields is headed to President Bush after securing final
congressional approval Wednesday.
The bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, authorizes the National Park Service to conduct a study to determine if the Newtonia sites could be made a separate
unit of the park service or brought under the management of Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield near Springfield. The bill was a piece of larger legislation that passed
the House on Wednesday by a margin of 291-117. It passed in the Senate several weeks ago.
Kay Hively, a founding member of the Newtonia Battlefields Protection Association, called the bill’s passage “wonderful news.” She did note that the bill authorizes
the study but does not necessarily provide the funding for it. Officials from the National Park Service previously estimated that such a study would cost $250,000 to
$300,000.
The Battlefields Protection Association has not taken an official position on whether the Newtonia site should be its own independent unit or part of Wilson’s Creek,
Hively said. She personally thinks the latter would be the better option, at least for the time being.
“I think that would be a great way to go, myself,” she said.
Being part of Wilson’s Creek would provide access to historians, maintenance crews and biologists to help with preservation efforts, but it wouldn’t preclude future
designation as a separate unit in the park system.
Hively said many forget that Wilson’s Creek started out as a unit of George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond before it became independent.
For more than a decade, the Newtonia Battlefields Protection Association has led efforts to preserve the battlefields. Those efforts included purchasing 11 acres and
the two-story Ritchey Mansion, which served as a headquarters and a field hospital during both battles at Newtonia.
Back into history The first battle at Newtonia in 1862 saw American Indian units fight on both sides. The 1864 battle was one of the last ones fought in Missouri. About
350 soldiers were killed or wounded in 1862, and 650 casualties were reported in the 1864 battle.
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From the President:
Hello everyone. It was a pleasure to meet with everyone during our April meeting. I realize with the meeting dates changing, it complicated matters…I’m sorry about
that. For those that were able to attend, we were treated with two fabulous, out of town speakers that were in Springfield for the Civil War Presentation Trust Conference;
Edwin C. Bearss and David Hinze. Ed Bearss is the retired Chief Historian of the National Park Service and he spoke on “Personalities of the Trans-Mississippi”.
David Hinze is a noted Civil War lecturer, author and tour guide, spoke on the two brothers that were recipients of the American Medal of Honor at Pea Ridge and Prairie
Grove, Arkansas. They were both excellent talks and a treat for us all. Thanks Ed and Dave for taking time out to share your evening with us!
Just a reminder, on May 10 we are planning a trip to the Confederate Memorial in Higginsville and to Lexington, Missouri. We will be carpooling as a group like we’ve
done in the past. We’ll meet in the Wal-Mart parking lot at Kansas and I-44 at 7:00 am. With the gas prices the way they are, we ask that you help out by giving the driver
at least $10.
Remember to put September 19-21 on your calendars. We are still planning a trip to Shiloh, TN and Corinth, MS. The CWRT of Western Missouri continues to show
interest in going on the trip with us. The trip will be very interesting and educational…it should be a lot of fun. David Hinze will be our tour guide. There will be more
details to share with you soon.
Over the last several months, I’ve mentioned numerous times in our meetings and in the Buck & Ball of a Civil War Elderhostel program that Ozark Adventures, Inc.
(OAI) of Branson has ask us to assist. It’s been on and off for several months. I’m happy to report that the program is officially on. The program will be held June 8 – 13.
OAI asked that the Round Table provide the program and the speakers. In return, our organization will be compensated for our time. The program has now been
finalized and has been sent to OAI. Jeff and I are contacting individuals to speak during the week for the many sessions. The participants will be visiting our June
meeting.
I will not be at the May meeting. I will be out of town to a conference. Jeff, our Vice President will be conducting. I look forward to seeing each of you in June.
Steve Buffat
President
CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE OF THE OZARKS
P.O. BOX 3451
SPRINGFIELD, MO 65808-3451