Written by Civil War veteran John Hendricks
Narrated by DUVCW member Susan Barry
John Hendricks was the last surviving veteran of the Eighty-Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He wrote this poem long after the Civil War expressing his concern that future generations might forget what Union soldiers and members of the Grand Army of the Republic held most sacred: the Union, and the flag for which they fought.
Fraternity – Charity – Loyalty
Brothers of LCDR Edward Lea, Camp 2 were joined by Brothers from Gen. James Byrne, Camp 1 of Fort Worth and Col. Elmer Ellsworth, Camp 18 of Dallas for the 31st Annual Battle of Galveston Commemoration Ceremony on January 4, 2025. We were so pleased to have representatives from the Allied Orders and many friends, affiliates and guests join in as well, including the Sarah Emma Seelye Ladies Auxiliary #1; Sarah Emma Edmonds Detached Tent #4, DUVCW; Co. K, 1st U.S. Infantry, Sons of Veterans Reserve; Co. A, 13th Regiment, U.S. Infantry; The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the U.S.; the Dames of the Loyal Legion of the U.S.; Harmony Lodge No. 6 A.F. & A.M; United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Kathleen Shanahan Maca of Tales from Texas.
Live music made its return this year as Department Commander Timothy Phillips played Taps and Camp 2 drummer Bill Myers led the opening procession and assisted the Honor Guard with fire by the drum. DC Phillips also performed the officer installation ceremony at the post-ceremony luncheon. Congratulations to CC Daniel Pourreau, SVC Herb Powers, JVC Jason Hoffman, Secretary/Treasurer PDC Stephen Schulze and all the appointed officers for 2025.
Photojournalist Stuart Villanueva from The Daily News in Galveston was on hand for the entire event. Click here to see some of his excellent photographs and read the front-page story in the January 7, 2025 issue of The Daily News. And keep scrolling to see our own pictures – there is a nice high-resolution group shot at the end.
Installation of Officers
Group Picture
CLICK HERE to read the latest issue of The Harriet Lane.
Did you know that the Harriet Lane is still on patrol? Yes, the modern-day version, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane, was commissioned in 1984 and sails the high seas from her home port in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Click here for the full story on Wikipedia.
Date: January 4, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Trinity Episcopal Cemetery, Avenue K, Galveston, TX 77550 LINK TO MAP
Honoring a Civil War veteran who was lost to history
Curious about her family’s history, journalist Cheryl Wills began researching her ancestry, and found she was related to Sandy Wills, a former slave who served in the Civil War with the United States Colored Troops. Her search also led her to a distant relative, a former plantation, and ultimately to Private Wills’ remains, which have now been laid to rest – with full military honors – at a veterans cemetery in Memphis. CBS News’ Bill Whitaker reports.
CLICK HERE to watch the video on CBS News
It was a beautiful fall morning as members of Camp 2 arrived at historic Glenwood Cemetery in Houston Heights to take part in a graveside ceremony honoring Civil War veteran, Captain Isaac Conroe. Conroe served as Captain of the 12th Illinois Cavalry and migrated to Texas after the war. He built a lumber business, and eventually founded the nearby city of Conroe, Texas.
The ceremony was supported by volunteer participants from the Sarah Emma Seelye Auxiliary No. 1, Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth Camp 18 of Dallas, and the Sarah Emma Edmonds Detached Tent No. 4, DUVCW. Special guests included Conroe City Councilwoman, Shana Arthur, Andrew V. Rapoza of the Montgomery County Historical Commission, and many descendants of Captain Conroe.
The Honorable Mayor Duke W. Coon and the City Council of Conroe, TX have proclaimed today, October 5, 2024, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Day in the City of Conroe, Texas.
Join us on October 5 for a traditional Grand Army of the Republic memorial ceremony for Captain Isaac Conroe, Union Civil War veteran, founder of the McClellan GAR Post #9 in Houston and of the City of Conroe, Texas. An official GAR marker will be placed at the grave and there will be a uniformed musket salute. Honored guests will include descendants of Captain Conroe and a representative from the Mayor’s Office, who will issue a proclamation. Andrew Rapoza from the Montgomery County Historical Commission is our keynote speaker and will give an account of the Captain’s service and post-Civil War years.
This event is free, and all are welcome!
Date: October 5, 2024
Start Time: 11:00 am sharp
Location: Glenwood Cemetery – 2525 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
Guests please arrive between 10:30 – 10:45 to allow time for parking and seating.
Members of Camp 2 arrive at 9:00 am for setup and preparations.
The Honor Guard will muster at 9:30 am. Uniform for the day is sack coat, forage cap, leather and canteen.
Fraternity – Charity – Loyalty