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The Dispatch - December 2025

The Dispatch - December 2025
December 2025

"Forget Not His Deeds"

The General Meade Society

Winter Newsletter


 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


A Year-End Message from the Editor

 

As we bring another year to a close, the General Meade Society extends heartfelt greetings to all our members, supporters, and friends. This season invites reflection, gratitude, and renewed purpose—and we are deeply thankful for the dedication, enthusiasm, and camaraderie that each of you brings to our mission.


Together, we have continued to honor the legacy of Major General George Gordon Meade through education, preservation, and public engagement. Whether you joined us at commemorations, contributed research, supported our programs, or simply shared in the spirit of remembrance, your involvement strengthens our community and keeps history alive for future generations.


As we look ahead to the coming year, we do so with optimism and resolve. There is much more to explore, preserve, and celebrate, and we are grateful to have you with us on this journey.


May this holiday season bring you peace, good health, and moments of joy with those you hold dear. From all of us at the General Meade Society, thank you for your continued support—and best wishes for a bright and meaningful New Year.

 

Enjoy the season!

Warmly,

 

-John Jacoberger

Webmaster/Editor

 



WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

 

The General Meade Society would like to recognize and welcome the following members who recently joined the General Meade Society:

Sharlee Solow

Harris Hollin

Charles Stone

Thomas M. Toman, Jr.

Richard Devon Snyder

Debra Grady

Ellen Gonsalves

Brandy Alley

Braddock & Gerald Grieve

Erica Pilla

Elkins Park, PA

Havorford, PA

Havorford, PA

Spring Lake, NJ

York, PA

Pottstown, PA

Harrisburg, PA

Mill Creek, WA

Mill Creek, WA

Mount Holly, NJ

Thank you to all who have renewed their dues for 2025.


We are looking forward to a very successful Year 2026 ahead!


You may either renew your dues on our website on the Membership Page or complete the attached 2026 membership form and mail along with a check to:


The General Meade Society:

P O Box 394

Abington, PA  19001.


The dues have remained $30. for an Individual and $40. for Family.


As always, we sincerely appreciate your continued support!


-Nancy Kelsey

Membership Chairperson


As 2005 draws to a close, we are all aware that everyone has felt the pinch of inflation and high prices, which has caused a lot of non profit organizations, including the GMS to see a drop off in donations for financial support.

 

I am pleased to report, however, that many of our supporters continue to pay their annual dues and continue to include supplemental donations. THANK YOU !

In 2025, the GMS made the following donations from our Special Funds accounts- a donation to the GAR Museum in memory of Margaret Atkinson; a donation to the PA Reserves Volunteer Corps Historical Society, and the G.H. Thomas Camp 19,SUVCW for the Reynolds Restoration Project in Lancaster Cemetery.

 

Special thanks are extended to Mr. Greg Lawton, who became a Life Time society member and Mr. John Voris, who contributed a large donation to the O.V. Catto Fund to help sponsor the GMS table at the annual PNG Catto medal luncheon at the Union League of Philadelphia..

 

As 2026 approaches, please remember to “FORGET NOT YOUR DUES!”and support the continuing mission of the General Meade Society as we enter our 30th year !

 

With gratitude,

 

Jerry McCormick Treasurer

Nancy Kelsey, Assistant Treasurer


Annual Brunch & Awards Ceremony

 

On Saturday, November 22nd, the General Meade Society again held it's annual Brunch & Awards ceremony at Maggio's Restaurant in NE Philadelphia.


Forty three attended ,and enjoyed a delicious brunch buffet and camaraderie for the afternoon.


President Andy Waskie and Secretary Mike Wunsch presented Certificates of Achievement to Jim & Linda Dover, Brenda Goodis,Walt & Nancy Morris ,Dick Shute,and Mary Wible. The president's Legion of Honor awards were presented to the Baker-Fisher Camp 101,PA Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and to Dr. Bob Palma.

 

The Society's highest award, the Award of Merit was presented to David Gurmai, volunteer and tour manager at Laurel Hill Cemetery. David was honored for his outstanding support and help for the General Meade Society and our events at Laurel Hill. We were honored to have past recipients of the Award of Merit, Dr. Gary Grove (2009),Jack & Carol Lieberman and president Andy Waskie(2015),Bob Hanrahan(2023) and Linda Gillette (2024) join David for the presentation ,which has been awarded since 2003.


The Silent Auction was held again to help raise funds for our preservation efforts, with special thanks going to Dr. Bob Palma and Alex Palma for doing an excellent job conducting it and all those who donated items for it.. Special thanks also to Charlie Gillette and Jack & Carol Lieberman for their generous donations !


The event concluded with the free Prize Raffle ,awarding ten top prizes of gifts from the General Meade Society ,and with everyone getting either a raffle prize or a free book to take home.


Thanks to all who attended, and special thanks go to Assistant Treasurer and Membership Chair Nancy Kelsey for organizing the event.


-Jerry McCormick Treasurer



The General Meade Society honors

Major General John F. Reynolds

 

A few months ago, the GMS was made aware of two requests for financial help toward preservation efforts regarding Major General John F, Reynolds (1820-1863). General Reynolds has been considered the finest officer to serve in the Union army during the Civil War,and his association with General George G. Meade is well known. They both served in the PA Reserves when the Civil War broke out, and upon the tragic death of General Reynolds on July lst,1863, he was interred in Lancaster, PA, his hometown. In an address later, General Meade spoke of losing General Reynolds not only as an officer, but a cherished friend and brother. 

The General Meade Society received a request for assistance from the PA Reserve Volunteer Corps Historical Society to assist in preserving the historic memory of the PA Reserve Corps. On behalf of Generals Meade & Reynolds, the GMS was honored to send a generous donation toward their efforts.

We also received a request from the Gen. George H. Thomas Camp 19 of the SUVCW to help in their efforts regarding the REYNOLDS RESTORATION PROJECT ,an endeavor to restore the Reynolds plot in Lancaster Cemetery where Gen. Reynolds, his brother Admiral William Reynolds, and other family members are interred. The plot and gravestones are in need of cleaning and repair, thus the GMS was honored to support this worthy effort in memory of the Reynolds ' service on behalf of General George G. Meade and the GMS.

 

On the GMS bus trip this past October, we met in Lancaster Cemetery and held a ceremony at the Reynolds plot. After presenting a wreath. GMS Trasurer Jerry McCormick said a few words about the fund from which the significant donation was given.. The fund for historical preservation and education was established a few years ago to honor the memory of two of the GMS's most beloved members. Bill Boehmer and Betty Mc Cormick, who were very close personal friends ,and shared a passion for the two causes. It is also noteworthy that they both shared a fondness for General John F. Reynolds( and also living historian Mike Riley, whose superb representation of General Reynolds was unsurpassed !)

 

With these two donations, the GMS is proud to continue to support it's mission of historic preservation and education ,and remember the legacy of those who fought to preserve and save the Union during theCivil War.


‍Celebrating Members of the General Meade Society


‍What a beautiful August afternoon it was for the GMS Member Appreciation Day Picnic, held in the backyard of the GAR Museum.  This year event saw a greater turnout than last year, with more members joining in the festivities Thanks to the thoughtful effort of Walt Lafty and John Hartner, there were enough tables and chairs for everyone to settle in comfortably, enjoy some food and engage in great conversations.

 

Nancy Kelsey ordered enough good and varied pizzas for all to enjoy. Annette Wunsch made her delicious pasta salad again, yum and I contributed by baking some pumpkin cookies.

 

The pictures from the event showcase members of the Meade Society, the GAR, and Molls standing in front of an impressive wall of GAR grave markers. This wall, which was completed by Joe Perry and Bill Sheffer of the Museum, stands as a testament to our shared heritage. It features grave markers from A. M. Ross Camp, Post 2 and many more from the area.  Preserving the history of our ancestors. 

 

Thank you everyone who made this year’s picnic a success and looking forward to next year’s membership picnic again at the GAR Museum. Hope to see you there. 

 

-Mary Ann Hartner


‍Major OV Catto Honor Ceremony

 

The General Meade Society is a co-sponsor of the Major Octavius V Catto Honor Ceremony which was held on October 3rd, 2025 at the Catto Monument at City Hall.  

 

This was the 14th hear of the Major Catto Medal awarding, but the event started in 1990 with the Meade Society honoring Major OV Catto at the6th & Lombard Starr Garden Recreation Center 35 years ago!


Honor Ceremony at City Hall
Major Catto Medal of the PA National Guard at the Union Hall Luncheon

General Meade Society - Oct 2025 Trip


On a bright, sunny morning on October 11, 2025, our group departed from The Union Leage -Torresdale Country Club at 7:30 am.


Our 1st stop was to Lancaster to tour the former home of President James Buchanan's home, Wheatland..   Then we departed for a stop at Lancaster Cemetery to lay a wreath at the grave of General John F. Reynolds grave and honor this brave General who was killed on Day 1 at the Battle at Gettysburg.


After having lunch at Lancaster Brewing Company, we departed for Chambersburg, PA.  We were met at the Franklin County Visitor Center by Matt Alleman who gave us a brief overview of the role that Chambersburg played during the Civil War.  Everyone found this very interesting.  Some of us proceeded to a winery right down the street called Screaming Bambino's and we were able to sample some very good wine.


We arrived at the Comfort Inn and we were able to relax for a bit & then had our pizza party.  It was a full day and a lot of fun.


On Sunday morning after breakfast, we were greeted by our tour guides, Rich Condon & Dana Shoaf.  Our 1st stop was a small town, Burkittsville that is situated at the base of South Mountain.  The entire village was turned into 14 field hospitals to take care of the casualties that occurred on Sept 14, 1862, The Battle of Crampton's Gap.  We were able to go inside an old German Church, St. Paul's Luthern Church and learn about how the town folk coped taking care of injured Union & Confederate soldiers.


We then proceeded to Red Byrd Cafe and enjoyed our lunch.  Then we were off to tour the Battlefield at Antietam.  Even though the Visitor's Center was closed due to the government shutdown, we were able to visit many historical sights on the battlefield.  We made stops at Dunker Church, the North Woods. the East Woods , went past the Observation Tower and finally, Burnside Bridge.  We also were able to go to Shepardstown, WV and tour several sites there as well.  


Whew!  We had such a busy day!  After another brief rest back at the hotel, we were off to dinner at Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant in Hagerstown, MD.  After dinner, Jerry McCormick gave out a special Award to Tom & Jeanne O'Toole for 20 years of attending our trips.  Awards were also given out to Jim & Linda Dover for 15 years and Buddy & Kathy Cantz for 10 years.  


Our 3rd day started off very cloudy with light rain.  We departed the Comfort Inn and proceeded to head to downtown Gettysburg.  Our first stop was the Shriver House on Baltimore Street.  George and Hettie along with their two daughters lived at this house.  Our tour guides were excellent and gave us all an extensive tour of this house and explained how the Shrivers suffered during this terrible Battle of Gettysburg.  Unfortunately, George Shriver was captured by the Confederates and died in Andersonville prison in 1864.


We then proceeded to the Adams County Historical Societ, Beyond the Battle Museum.  We were greeted by Tim Smith, a Licensed Battlefield Guide.  He gave us an excellent lecture about the aftermath of the Battle and how the citizens of Gettysburg coped with the devastation in their town.   He explained how young children would search for souvenirs such as rocks and sticks and sell these items to visitors.  It made me realize how this terrible battle deeply affected the citizens for many years and beyond.


After lunch, we were greeted by another tour guide, Larry  Korczyk, noted author, guide for the Gettysburg ALBG and historian.  He came on our bus and we proceeded to tour the Battlefield as Larry explained the different highlights of how the presence of General George Meade played an important role in the 3 day battle.  Larry did an amazing job in explaining the strategies and execution of the Union Army during this battle.


After a brief stop at the Gettysburg Visitor Center, we all proceeded to head back home.


After receiving such positive feedback from everyone on this trip, I would have to say our 20th Annivrsary Trip with The General Meade Society was a success!


- Nancy Kelsey


 A New Book - Captivating Tales of the Civil War

 

By Joseph F. Wilson – Member General Meade Society

 

While we all enjoy reading about the battles and the iconic generals, this book of fascinating true stories drills down to a more personal level to offer the reader a connection to the individual soldiers whose triumphs and tragedies are often overlooked and get lost in the greater narrative of the Civil War. All these amazing tales of soldiers, who prevailed despite dire circumstances, or suffered the anguish of warfare, deserve to have their stories remembered.  

Most of these stories deal with the extraordinary experience of a particular soldier who displayed great courage and fortitude, but remain anonymous long after the war. It was these volunteer soldiers who actually faced the horrors of war. Some tales relate the account of a specific company or regiment. Too many stories remain dormant amid the avalanche of books detailing the famous battles and celebrated heroes. My goal is to dredge up these tales and shine a spotlight on the trials of these ordinary soldiers whose gripping stories might otherwise be forgotten. 

One story, “A Steadfast Devotion to the Colors,” follows a regimental flag captured along with the regiment that remained hidden by Union captives for six months in a Confederate Prison. The silk standard is the only flag to ever serve a prison term. In “The Yankee Who Cheated Death,” the story centers on a Yank shot seven times and left for dead. Another tale, “A Boy Sailor’s Tragic Odyssey,” follows a sixteen year old boy who only wanted to support his Mother. Even love blossoms in “Finding Love in the Ruins of War.”

Many of these citizen soldiers accomplished remarkable feats. So many interesting stories of ordinary soldiers fell into obscurity after the war. I’m finally able to resurrect many of these episodes and offer them in a single volume for all to enjoy. More “Captivating Tales” are yet to come. Civil War buffs of all levels will enjoy this book.

 Stories often came to me while researching my G-G-Grandfather, Corporal George Garman, who epitomizes the common soldier. George was a seventeen year old blacksmith from Philadelphia who volunteered to fight and served under General George Meade for most of the war. A love of General Meade led George to name his son George Meade Garman. At the Battle of the Wilderness, George was captured and sent to Andersonville. So much in-depth study of his battles and prison experience uncovered a plethora of interesting stories unrelated to George.  

It must be remembered that it was the patriotic boys who enlisted to fight the bloody battles to fulfill their duty to save the country that was in danger of falling apart. Many have exciting stories that still remain in the shadows. Citizen soldiers took up the cause with little training in military affairs. Most were farm boys who never ventured far from the farm. Now, they suddenly found themselves in wild adventures hundreds of miles from home in faraway places that resembled a foreign country. City boys enlisted to fight, despite never having fired a gun.

These are their remarkable stories!        


‍U.S. Marine Corps 250th Birthday Event at Laurel Hill Cemetery

On Nov 10, 2025, at Laurel Hill Cemetery, about 30 dedicated people convened to honor a special event.  This date was the 250th Birthday of the US Marine Corps.


We had some very special guests who attended.  Andy Waskie, President of the General Meade Society along with several other members.  Also attending was a Color Guard from the Marine Corps League and a Sponsorship from the 314th Marine Battalion from Bristol, PA including SGM Hart and LTC Wallace.

We all proceeded to the gravesite of Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin, the 7th Commandant of the USMC.  We had several notable speakers from different organizations.  The highlight speaker was Mr. Charles Gillette who served 21 years in the USMC.  His speech was very interesting about his service during his years as a US Marine.  It was such an honor to be there and hear about Mr. Gillette's experiences.  

Nancy A. Goldenberg, Hon. ASLA, President & CEO of Laurel Hill East and West also welcomed our group to this event.  The service concluded with the playing of Taps by Tom Herman, Bugler from the Mifflin Guard.

Four wreaths were laid at the grave of Brigadier General Jacob Airlines to honor his long and honorable career with the US Marine Corps.  

This was truly a memorable day for all who attended.  Semper fidelis!

-Nancy Kelsey

‍To see more images from the event, click on this link to view the Friends of Laurel Hill's Facebook photo album.



On September 20th, 2025,representatives from the Meade Society joined folks from the greater Philadelphia area historic community to celebrate Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day. This year was the 162nd anniversary of the opening of Camp William Penn. 


If you're not familiar, Camp William Penn's historic significance lies in being the first and largest federal training camp for African American soldiers (USCTs) during the American Civil War. Adjacent to this camp was the home of Lucretia Mott, one of the nation's foremost abolitionists and suffragists during the 19th century. 

With that in mind, it was and is an honor to gather with like minded folks to celebrate and recognize the history of this amazing site. Representatives from the Meade Society (Alex Palma and Mike Wunsch) tabled alongside comrades-in-arms from the Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table and the Grand Army of the Republic Museum. 

Throughout the event there were living history demonstrations, including performances of period appropriate music. Likewise, there were exhibitions of historical objects and materials related to the history of Camp William Penn. It was a tremendous event and we look forward to attending next year as well! 
 
-Alex Palma

‍John Voris' Address at the Upcoming General Meade

Birthday Celebration

 

Most of you know me.  My name is John Voris.  I portray my uncle John Nicolay who was Lincoln’s Private Secretary while President.  I am a member of the group UnionGenerals portraying actual Generals and Spies and such - and I am the one who tells the Lincoln stories.

 

I extend greetings to the other re-enactors here at this annual event of the Meade Society of Philadelphia. The motto for the Meade Society is His Deeds Shall Not Be Forgotten.  This same reason drives me and most of us who portray people of the Civil War.  Sharing the names and deeds of these vaunted heroes leads us to do what we do.

 

Now most of you know General Meade and his accomplishments in peacetime, how he built lighthouses for the expanding nation.  He also designed beacons for lighthouses, surveyed the Great Lakes, and helped create Fairmount Park in Philly.

 

And when the Civil War broke out, how he served with distinction - but he came to greatness when he took charge of the Army only days before the Gettysburg Battle and defeated Robert E Lee.

 

The General Meade Society honors him and celebrates his birthday in this most singular fashion.  We in the Meade Society also to support other history groups and have all-day conferences of history talks and bus trips of learning.  But most important to me – is how we honor Octavius Catto – a black major killed while defending the rights of voters.  His statue stands at City Hall and a medal is given every year to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard who exemplify this same commitment to community.  This ceremony for our National Guard in October is the proudest thing I do all year.

 

So . . . this year the Ken Burns series of the American Revolution has our attention.  It shows the mixed feelings of brave lads and leaders compelled to push back against the injustices of bad governance.   So let me tell you some facts about the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence:

  • Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and were tortured before they died.
  • Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
  • Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two
    sons captured.
  • Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the
    Revolutionary War.

 

And what kind of men were they?


Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners. They were educated men of conviction.


Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy and died penniless.

 
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he constantly moved his family. He served in the Congress without pay and kept his family in hiding.  He died in poverty.


Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Rutledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson saw that the British General Cornwallis had taken over his home for his headquarters. He urged General George Washington to open fire, the house was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste.


Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

 

Yes, these are indeed stories of dedication and sacrifice.  Ken Burns tells us many stories of neighbors fighting against neighbors.  But we who gather here mostly know the stories of the soldiers of the Civil War – what some Southerners called The Second American Revolution. 


So let me quote a letter of a young Lt Robert Cullens written the night before the Battle of Chicamauga and his thoughts before that battle.

 

Sleep seemed to have gone from our eyes – slumber from our eyelids as we lay there – faces turned up to the heavens.  Many, many a soldier asked himself the question “What is this all about?”

 

Why is it that 120,000 men of one blood and one tongue, believing as one man in the fatherhood of God should in a blaze of civilization of this 19th century be thus armed with all the improved appliances of modern warfare - and be seeking to destroy each other’s lives. “ 

 

And Robert’s commanding officer who fell that day at the Battle of Chicamauga was eulogized thus:

 

He poured out his own blood upon the spot watered by the best blood of the brigade. Amongst the host of brave hearts that were offered at the altar of sacrifice for their country on that beautiful Sabath, there perished not one, noble, braver, or better than his. He lived beloved, and fell lamented  - and mourned by every officer and man of his command.

 

I suppose I will shock you when I point out that these two whom I have quoted were Confederates.  For these two – Lt Robert Cullens and West Pointer General James Deshler - were of the 15th Texas Calvary, who went against the 77th Pennsylvania at Chicamauga.  

 

Dedication and sacrifice are seen in equal amounts on both sides of a conflict.  Our study of the horror of Americans fighting Americans – in our American Civil war or the American Revolution – should remind us in our modern time to always temper our verbal attacks or passions for revenge. 

 

Here in our own era of strong dissenting opinions, we need not demonize our political adversaries – we are not at war.  Let us note that our political opponents have within them an equal amount of the same humanity – also Endowed by our Creator - as that which resides within each of us.

 

I will close with a quote from John Nicolay.  He is mostly known for his definitive biography of Lincoln.  It is the only authorized biography of Lincoln.  Nicolay and his collaborator John Hay got permission from Robert Lincoln to pursue their work on it, resulting in 1.2 million words about Lincoln and the War of the Rebellion.

 

But the single quote by Nicolay which is most remembered is this:

There is no one political party which owns all the wisdom,

And there is no one political party which owns all the foolishness.

 


‍The Irish Invasion of Canada


3,000 Fenians in Chicago would move on Toronto

 

5,000 Fenians from Buffalo would aim to capture a section of the Welland Canal (a vital Ontario waterway now part of the St. Lawrence Seaway); and

 

17,000 Fenians in Vermont would march on Montreal.

The next day, O'Neill's men marched out of Fort Erie toward their target, the Welland Canal. However, they soon encountered British skirmishers, forcing O'Neill to withdraw to the nearby town of Ridgeway.

 

The British troops massed at Welland were commanded by Lt. Col. John Stoughton Dennis of the QOR. Upon learning of O'Neill's approach, Dennis decided to outflank the Fenian force, taking a hundred men on a roundabout route against Fort Erie, while his main force confronted O'Neill at Ridgeway.

 

Confident that the "ragtag Fenians" would fall apart under pressure, the British charged O'Neill's main line, then, believing the Fenians to be mostly cavalrymen, moved into a textbook square formation. O’Neill’s men unleashed devastating fire into the compact British force, and the QOR retreated in disorder. The exhilarated Fenians started to pursue, but O'Neill held them back. The battle of Ridgeway was over, at a cost of 18 Fenians killed and 24 wounded, compared to 10 British killed and 38 wounded.

 

Returning to Fort Erie, the victorious Fenians were suddenly met by disembarking British troops of Dennis's hundred-man flanking column. Abandoning strategy for surprise, the Fenians charged straight at the British, screaming "Fág an bealach!” (“Clear the way!”). The tactic worked, and 24 British soldiers were captured at the cost of only four Fenian wounded.

 

While his men rested at the fort, O'Neill learned to his chagrin that the other two Fenian columns (at Chicago and in Vermont) had not even crossed the border. The general correctly realized the element of     of surprise had been lost, and the British would no doubt counterattack in greater numbers. Subsequently, he decided to abandon Fort Erie and return to New York.

 

England immediately demanded an explanation from President Andrew Johnson for the violation of international law. Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, commander of the Department of the East, dispatched U.S. troops to arrest all Fenian "insurrectionists.” At 2 a.m. on June 3, O'Neill's group up was intercepted and O'Neill promptly surrendered, stating he would "respect the authority of the United States, in defense of which many of us had fought and bled during the late war."

 

Three days later, more Fenians stormed into Canada from Vermont. But no Irish-Canadians joined them, and a division of 5,000 British troops soon forced their retreat.

 

On June 6, President Johnson activated the U.S. marshals, ordering them to hunt down the civilian leaders. Secretary of War Sweeny was soon arrested. Johnson's action sounded the death knell for the Fenian movement, as it showed the U.S. would not tolerate attacks on Canada or Britain from its territory. The Fenian Brotherhood eventually dissolved.

 

The raids conducted by the Fenian Brotherhood came to be known as the “War That Never Happened,” and only accelerated Canada's becoming a country, which happened in 1867.

A monument at Queen's Park to commorate Canadian militiamen who died during the Battle of Ridgeway, Toronto

‍Upcoming Events

Click the Read more link in each event to view details on the website

Be sure to visit the website to see new events as they're added.

 

‍Annual General Meade Birthday Celebration

‍Date

Location

‍Wednesday, December 31 2025  12:00 pm

Laurel Hill Cemetery


A Night at the Phillies

‍Date

Location

Monday, August 3 2026  6:00 pm

Citizens Bank Park


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 attached form along with your payment.

 

Contributions can be made via debit/credit cards online here.


‍The mission of the General Meade Society is to promote and preserve the memory of Union Major General George Gordon Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac and architect of the Union victory at Gettysburg. The Society does this through education of General Meade's multifaceted life and career; history of the Civil War era; various preservation efforts and honoring the service of all American veterans.

 

We hope you will consider joining or supporting our organization which is  registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit.

‍Board of Directors - Officers

 

Andy Waskie, PhD, President

Mike Peter, Vice President

Jerry McCormick, Treasurer

Nancy Kelsey, Assistant Treasurer,

Membership Chairperson

Michael Wunsch, Secretary

‍Board Members

 

Albert El

Joe Hauptmann

Tom Kearney



 

 

Alex Palma

Joseph Pugh

Bill Linhart



‍Visit our website:  generalmeadesociety.org

The General Meade Society of Philadelphia, Inc.

P.O.Box 394

Abington, PA  19001

 

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