| Welcome to Our Summer Issue! |
| Congratulations to JOE DI PAULO of Wayne, PA !
Joe is a Meade Society Member and the winner of our portrait raffle of CSA General N. B. Forrest.
Proceeds from the raffle will go into the General Meade Society Fund for Historic Preservation. |
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| GENERAL MEADE SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA, INC. P.O. BOX 394
ABINGTON, PA 19001 Founded 1996
The General Meade Society of Philadelphia is an educational non-profit & 501(c)(3) organization chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The mission of the society is to promote and preserve the life and service of Maj-Gen. George Gordon Meade, (USA), commander of the Army of the Potomac.
The Executive Board of the General Meade Society of Philadelphia meets alternately via Zoom Conference and in person at the Cannstatter Volkfest Verein, 9130 Academy Road in Northeast Philadelphia. The meetings are held on the second Thursday of March, (In Person) June, (Zoom) September (in Person) and December (Zoom), the starting time is 6:30 PM., the meetings are open to all society members, friends, and guests..
To Contact the Meade Society:
https://generalmeadesociety.org
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| The lazy days of summer are upon us, and we're so excited to share our latest newsletter with you. Whether you're enjoying a picnic, a trip to a historical site, or just relaxing in your backyard, we hope you'll take a moment to dive into the fascinating world of General Meade.
We'll be sharing details on past and upcoming events and connecting with our vibrant community of members and friends of the society.
Our newsletters are about sharing information and happenings. If you visit a historical site or event, or if you come across some interesting history, we'd love to hear about it and include it in future editions of The Dispatch. Send any items you'd like us to consider for future issues to: info@generalmeadesociety.org.
Thank you for being a part of the General Meade Society. Your passion for history is what makes our work so rewarding.
Enjoy the season! Warmly,
The General Meade Society
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! The General Meade Society would like to recognize and welcome the following members who joined the Society in 2025 |
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| Rev John Brown Jane Peters Estes Brian Harris Harris Hollin Frank Kuders Chong Lim Ed Shupenus Sharee Solow Charles Stone Thomas M Toman Jr & Family Dottie Voris
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| Prospect Park, PA Burlington, NJ Levittown, PA Haverford, PA Garnet Valley, PA Elkins Park, PA West Chester, PA Elkins Park, PA Haverford, PA Spring Lake, NJ Downingtown, PA |
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Thank you to all who have renewed their dues for 2025.
If you forgot to renew, you may either pay on our website or mail your check to:
The General Meade Society P O Box 394 Abington, PA 19001.
We sincerely appreciate your continued support!
Nancy Kelsey Membership Chairperson |
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Genl Meade Society - Spring Trip to Cape May, NJ
On May 10, 2025, our group left from The Union Leage Torresdale Golf Club to enjoy a special day in Cape May, NJ.
Our 1st stop was to NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum . When we arrived, we watched a brief film of the history of this Naval Base during World War II to train Navy Pilots. This museum is located in a historic hanger and displays many planes,and helicopters that were used between the years of 1943-1945. During the 36 monthsthe NAS Wildwood was active, 42 men died in training. |
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We were also honored to view the display of The Longest Yarn,. This artwork commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings that took place in 1944. It consists of 80 dioramas that were all knitted and crocheted to represent scenes from the 1962 movie, The Longest Day. Spectacular!! We then went directly across the street and viewed the Forgotten Warriors Vietnam Museum. This hidden treasure housed so much memorabilia from the Vietnam War such as letters from servicemen and women, personal photographs , Vietnam Veteran Flags, uniforms and all different type of equipment. This Museum honors, supports and preserves the legacy of Vietnam Veterans and welcomes them home. We then boarded the bus and had a great lunch at Lucky Bones in Cape May.  After lunch, we headed to the Emlen Physick Estate to pick up our tour guide, Joyce who works for Cape May Mac (Museums + Arts + Culture). Our tour started by viewing the old Victorian homes and learning about some of their history. We then headed south toward the Cape May Lighthouse. We were all able to view and learn about the history of the concrete bunker that is still visible on the beach that was used as a lookout point during WWII. After our visit at this site, we traveled to Sunset Beach. We had some free time to view the Delware Bay and see a portion of the SS Atlantus that is visible. We also stopped at the World War II Lookout Tower. This is New Jersey's last remaining restorable tower. This building played an immense part in the Harbor Defenses of the Delaware system known as Fort Miles. After our tour was over, we had some free shopping time at the famous Wasington Street Mall.  After boarding the bus to head toward home, we stopped at the Cape May County Veterans Cemetery and placed a wreath on the Battle of the Bulge Monument. We were privileged to have with us, PFC Jake Ruser, Army Veteran, 4th Infantry Division, 12th Infantry Regiment who was a combat medic in Normandy. What an honor it was to be able to hear his stories first hand. We then headed back home after a very busy day. I believe everyone on this trip throughly enjoyed themselves! Nancy Kelsey
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A Question About Lincoln
by John Voris
This spring I once again portrayed Lincoln's Private Secretary, John Nicolay, at Chester County's only Civil War re-enactment. On the third weekend of May, I was at an event we call SOLANCO (for Southern Lancaster County, where it borders Chester County). The actual event site is the Robert Fulton Birthplace - a grand stone house in Quarryville, Lancaster County, not far from the Herrs Snack Factory Tour.
The weekend was similar to many of these Civil War re-enactments, with a battle on both Saturday and Sunday, with troops skirmishing and firing their rifles and cannons. We had soldiers' encampments from both sides and a blacksmith, so there was a lot for people to see - and we only charged $1.00 per carload.
The weekend also included talks by notable civil war personalities speaking under a great maple tree offering wonderful shade. One hour on Saturday, we had Presidents Lincoln and Jefferson Davis who expounded on views of slavery and the war, concluding with a photo opportunity of them shaking each others’ hand. We also had a Meet-The-Generals session on Saturday, highlighted by Generals Sheridan and Grant, and open air Church Services on Sunday.
One notable offering which our event organizer Joel Moore includes on the Friday before the weekend, when some re-enactors are still setting up their tents, is to have Home-School-Friday where we invite Home-Schooled children to visit ten different history stations. (Current regulations in schools restrict outsiders speaking in schools, but in this region of the state, home-schoolers are numerous.) Last year we had 100 home-schoolers, and this year 175 attended. It rained off and on that Friday, so we did not have all 400 home-schoolers who signed up. But it was a good day for all those who did show up - for both reenactors and students.
On Friday, Mary Lincoln (Sandra Brunt) and I fielded questions which students had. And then I was hit with one of the best questions I have heard in years . . .
As Nicolay, I concluded one sentence with "I am a Lincoln Man, through and through." And then was hit with the question, "On what topic or topics did you disagree with Mr. Lincoln?"
For once, I was speechless - Nothing came to mind.
Nicolay was a longtime friend of Lincoln's, knowing Abe since his days as a traveling lawyer in Central Illinois. The two expanded that friendship when Nicolay moved to Springfield, Illinois. And then later as a member of the campaign and Lincoln's administration. And finally after the assassination, as his biographer.
I looked toward Mary Lincoln for a good answer to that question, and she did not have anything either - other than her quaint answer "I would like to have more money to fix up the Executive Mansion."
If I were faster to answer, a quaint "Control those two mischievous boys of his" -or- "Reduce the members of the public allowed to visit during the day" would have sufficed.
But to answer this question honestly - - I found it hard.
So what WOULD Lincoln's savvy advisor of political and media matters want to change in Lincoln?
Then two weekends later, I was again volunteering at the Devon Horse Show on Memorial Day Weekend. In prior years, I have helped at the booths which sold smoothies and ice cream - or tea sandwiches and sweatshirts - and this year, I helped at the Lounge where the competitors took breaks, got coffee and snacks, and recharged their phones.
And once again as in prior years, I ran across Allen Guelzo. This was the fourth year I had once again contrived a chance meeting with him (he lives on the main line and usually attends). Allen is quite noticeable in any crowd for his height and union kepi hat. It was last year when I suggested his next book be on Thomas Paine, a request he side-stepped citing his busy schedule. And this year I learned he has a new book on the Battle of Antietam due out in fall 2025.
So I posed my current question to him. Allen answered quickly, stating that "Lincoln's military Strategy was poor - until he finally comes to Grant. Grant's strategy of engaging the enemy rather than trying to occupy territory - and finally moving the war strategies away from complicated navy-army combined maneuvers". I later found this answer also included on Guelzo's Wikipedia page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_C._Guelzo
Allen's answer was a good one. But for a person like Nicolay who followed Lincoln and his politics, I am still looking for where Lincoln could improve his stance or statements - where Lincoln's handling of people and political views would need improvement.
And I now find myself searching for a viewpoint which a fan of Lincoln - a follower and true believer - could honestly argue with Lincoln and not just quibble and nibble at some small details.
And that perhaps is a quest we should all engage in - to understand how this great man fit so well in his time and place in American History. Harold Holzer in his book on the Cooper Union speech points out that the sentiment and feeling of the 1850's is expressed by the new Republican Party - and by Lincoln in particular. And so we should all hope to better grasp the great man's views in new ways – with new questions - and begin new debates.
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The HIGH cost at the Battle of Gettysburg remembering Major General JOHN F. REYNOLDS By Jerry McCormick  As we remember this month, on the 162nd anniversary of the three-day battle in the rural town of Gettysburg ,PA on July 1st,2nd,&3rd, 1863.we also must remember that it claimed a staggering 51,000 casualties ,and over 7,500 fatalities. Among those who made the ultimate sacrifice was Union Major General John F. Reynolds.. Born in Lancaster, PA he served with distinction after graduating from West Point in 1841,rising through the ranks during the Mexican War. Prior to the start of the Civil War, he was Commandant of Cadets at West Point, and in August,1861, he was promoted to brigadier general of US Volunteers and placed in command of one of the Pennsylvania Reserve brigades ,along with his friend, George G. Meade.. Despite being captured (and shortly released in a prisoner exchange ,after the Battle of Gaines Mill in 1862), he served with distinction during the2nd Bull Run ,and at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.In January, 1863, Reynolds was promoted to Major General of Volunteers.
When a change in command was needed in the Army of the Potomac after the Battle of Chancellorsville,, President Lincoln sought out the highly competent and respected Reynolds .General Reynolds told the president he would only accept that position if given free reign away from the political interference from Washington DC. Lincoln either would not, or could not agree to Reynold's request ,and upon strongly considering the recommendation of Reynolds himself, command of the Army of the Potomac went to General George G. Meade.. Though Meade was his subordinate in rank, General Reynolds assured him that he would work closely with his friend in planning the pursuit of General Robert E. Lee and his upcoming invasion of the North Meade placed Reynolds in command of the Army of the Potomac's Left Wing, which comprised the 1st,3rd, and 11th Corps plus the 1st Cavalry, around 36,000 troops. On the morning of July 1st after General John Buford and his cavalry had established defensive positions around the town of Gettysburg, General Reynolds arrived on the field., and after meeting with Buford began deploying infantry units. Shortly after 10 AM on July 1st,1863, Reynolds was shot in the back of the head, and died instantly. He was the highest ranking officer killed in the Battle of Gettysburg on both sides ,and was considered the finest officer in the army !! His body was quickly removed from the field and taken first to Taneytown, Maryland, then to his home in Lancaster, PA where he was buried on July 4tr.,1863 in Lancaster Cemetery .He was 42 years old. General George Meade was obviously devastated upon hearing the news of Reynolds death, but he reacted quickly, and turned over field command at the unfolding battle at Gettysburg to Major General Winfield S. Hancock, another outstanding officer who Meade trusted, and as we know the battle was a victory for the Union forces despite General Hancock being severely wounding on July 3'd. Having lost two of his most competent and trusted officers, Reynolds and Hancock, General Meade and the Union Army of the Potomac prevailed. On August 28th, 1863, General Meade gave a speech in New York city when he accepted a sword presented to him by the Division of the PA Reserves. In it was a profound tribute to slain fellow general and friend, John Reynolds. Here is an excerpt- "Like you ,I remember,sadly, mournfully, the names of the fallen. There is one-your former commander, first of brigade, and then of division, one of the noblest souls among men, one of the most accomplished officers of this army- Major General John F. Reynolds. I cannot receive this sword without thinking of that officer, and the heroic manner in which he met his fate in front at Gettysburg. There I lost ,not only a lieutenant most important to me in his services,,but a friend and brother."* To honor General Reynolds" seryice and sacrifice, four monuments have been erected at Geffysburg (see photos).  (On a personal note, I would like to thank my friend Mr. Miike Riley, who did a living history portrayal of General John F. Reynolds for many years, and was considered a foremost authority on Reynolds. He is also from Lancaster, PA and taught me a lot about how a living historian should study and learn how to portray the person we honor. Mike certainly did that with his outstanding "life like" portrayal, of John F. Reynolds to honor this outstanding soldier )
+ published in the NY Tribune, August 31,1863,quoted from Life & Letters of General George Gordon Meade, Volume II |
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Memorial Day at Laurel Hill
The 2025 Memorial/Decoration Day Observance was held on Sunday, May 25th at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, the 'Valhalla' of Philadelphia.
General Meade, his Veterans and ALL veterans of the past, those who fell in action and those who served & sacrificed and returned home to be good citizens and have passed on were honored and commemorated.
A large crowd of enthusiastic attendees were present for the ceremony as well as a Marine Corps Color Guard; Civil War Troops; MOLLUS and Legion Post 405 members.
'Forget NOT their deeds'! |
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Upcoming Events Please visit our website for details on our Upcoming Events Join General Humphreys ( our Treasurer, Jerry) and the Officers & Ladies for the Union encampment in Gettysburg on July 1st,2nd,and 3rd at the Rupp House (451 Baltimore Street) side yard . The officers and ladies will discuss their roles in character during the historic three-day battle . A candlelight talk will be held on July 1st at 8 PM and is open to the public to ask the officers questions about their participation in the battle also. Hours are 10 AM until 4 PM each day ,and the event is FREE . Click the link above to view the flyer for complete details Jerry will be giving a Civil War Tour in the South section of Laurel Hill Cemetery on Saturday, August 30th at 10:00 AM. Go to laurelhillphl.com and click on EVENTS, HISTORY, AUGUST 2025 for info and tickets, or call (215) 228-8200 for info. GENERAL MEADE SOCIETY FALL EXCURSION, OCTOBER 11,12 & 13, 2025, "General Meade in Maryland & Pennsylvania 1862-1863" Trip includes deluxe motor coach, driver tip; free parking; snacks & beverages on board; tours of the Wheatland Estate in Lancaster PA, lunch at the Lancaster Brewing Company, wreath laying at Lancaster Cemetery for Gen. Reynolds; a stop in Frederick, Maryland; on board guide on Sunday visiting Monocacy, South Mountain and Antietam battlefields, Saturday night Pizza Party, and Sunday dinner, Two night accommodations at the Comfort Inn and Suites, Hagerstown MD(breakfast included) A $50.00 per person deposit required to register. Send checks to : Gen. Meade Society, PO Box 394, Abington, PA 19001,and include your contact info. THIS WILL BE OUR 20TH FALL EXCURSION !! |
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Join the General Meade Society
Not a member?
Consider joining our organization or making a tax-deductible contribution to support our organization and related causes.
Membership can be completed online here or by mailing the following form along with your payment.
Contributions can be made via debit/credit cards online here. |
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Board of Directors - Officers
Andy Waskie, PhD, President Mike Peter, Vice President Jerry McCormick, Treasurer Nancy Kelsey, Assistant Treasurer, Membership Chairperson Michael Wunsch, Secretary
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| Board Members
Albert El Joe Hauptmann
Tom Kearney
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Alex Palma
Joseph Pugh
Bill Linhart
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Visit our website: generalmeadesociety.org | | | | The General Meade Society of Philadelphia, Inc. P.O.Box 394
Abington, PA 19001 |
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