Redbank Valley Historical Society to Host Civil War Program on October 23

Joanne Bauer

Joanne Bauer

Published October 15, 2014 4:35 am
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Civil WarNEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Continuing its commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the area’s involvement in the Civil War, the Redbank Valley Historical Society will host the second of its programs that will feature information about area soldiers who served in that four-year-long conflict to preserve the Union.

(Photo: Elias Martz, a Civil War soldier entered the Army in October 1864 and was mustered out a year later, six months after the war had ended. He served with Co. H, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was the great-grandfather of brother and sister, Dean Hetrick and Jean Evans, of Distant.)

The public program featuring stories, diaries, letters, and artifacts about men from what became known as the Redbank Valley area will be held on Thursday, October 23, in the basement social rooms of the First Presbyterian Church, located at Penn and Wood Streets.

The session will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Society president Cindy Morgan said this event, unofficially dubbed a Civil War Roundtable, will offer area residents an opportunity to participate by sharing briefly the stories of their ancestors who served in the Civil War, which lasted from April 1861 to April 1864 and claimed tens of thousands of American lives. In that struggle, Clarion County had about 3,000 men in uniform, and Armstrong County had about 3,600 serving the cause.

The Historical Society began its concentration on the Civil War with a public program on May 1, and that event featured an Abraham Lincoln portrayal by Jim McCullough of Rimersburg, whose presentation included what historians generally agree is one of America’s classic pubic speeches, the Gettysburg Address.

Also presented at that session was an account of the life of Capt. Jeremiah Zachariah Brown, a Porter Township resident who became the county’s first winner of the Medal of Honor. Brown earned that nation’s top award for valor for his exploits in leading an assault on a Confederate stronghold at Petersburg, Virginia.

Leading up to the scheduled program on October 23, the society conducted a September 11 workshop where area residents could receive assistance in researching their Civil War ancestors, the units with which they served, and the battles in which those regiments or companies served.

It was noted that a particularly helpful document aiding in that research of area soldiers was an index compiled by Society members Don and Brenda Shilling, and the Shillings will be present at the upcoming event to offer assistant to those who are searching for information about their ancestors who served in the Civil War.

The October 23 program will focus on personal stores of members of the many companies of the area who fought in the war, including letters written home, the detailed diary of a local pastor who serve as a chaplain, and other stories.

Area residents who wish to make presentations about their Civil War soldier ancestors at the October 23 event are asked to contact Mrs. Morgan at 814-365-5023 not later than October 20 to be scheduled on a list of presenters.

Following the presentations, participants will have an opportunity to review memorabilia or artifacts on display, mingle with the presenters to seek additional material, or talk with society members to learn about current projects to document the history of the Redbank Valley area since the late 1800’s.

Additionally, copies of the society’s 2014 and 2015 calendars—featuring photographs and brief comments about area locations, personalities. or events will be available.

A dessert buffet will be offered for a free-will donation that will assist the society in its efforts to carry out future projects, including the major objective of publishing a comprehensive history recounting activities in the Redbank Valley area since the publication of Armstrong and Clarion histories in the latter part of the 19th Century.

A society spokesperson noted the organization continues to seek pictures, articles, and stories related to area history. Photos and articles brought to the October 23 program or the group’s regular meetings on the first Tuesday of each month can be photographed or copied and the originals returned to the owners.

The regular monthly meetings are also held in the Presbyterian Church, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Submitted by Leroy Tabler

Community Partner