5th Reunion Results in Record Attendance
A record 50 descendants and friends attended the 5th Reunion of the 7th PA Cavalry Descendants Association during the weekend of May 7-9, 2004 in Gettysburg, PA. With Corp. Skelly GAR Post No. 9 serving as the official headquarters of the reunion, the weekend was a resounding success.The reunion began with a Friday noon trip to Harrisburg, PA to view the remains of the flags of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Coordinating the appointment was Chuck Hodge, descendant of Thomas A. May, Co. F, and an employee of the State of Pennsylvania. Following the viewing of the remaining four flags, Company I 1864 guidon, and the three staffs, the group ventured to the Pennsylvania State Museum, where they saw the presentation swords of Colonel George Wynkoop and Captain (Co. L) Charles C. McCormick. Upon their return to Gettysburg, the group was treated to a tour of the 1813 home of David and Jane English, descendants of George English, Co. I. Serving as the 1st Lutheran Seminary, the historic home was also used by Gettysburg College, and served as a girl’s school during the battle of Gettysburg. Following a sampling of wine and cheese, the venue was moved to the Corp. Skelly GAR Post for a catered dinner and program.
The evening’s presentations included Michael Crippen’s discussion of the attack at Carter’s Creek, TN, and Rand Bitter’s continuing research on Robert H. G. Minty. Saturday’s festivities began with a tour of Union Cavalry John Buford’s opening actions on the first day of the battle of Gettysburg. This was led by Licensed Battlefield Guide Wayne Wachsmuth, and included a visit to the site of the opening shot of the battle. Following lunch at Dunlaps Restaurant, the afternoon was left open for the group to enjoy Gettysburg’s many attractions. While many took advantage of several historic homes being opened during the “American Treasures” event, a group of 14 visited Ronn Palm’s Military Image Museum. Hosting one of the world’s best collections of Civil War photography, the museum also includes several 7th PA Cavalry relics, to include the Spencer Carbine of Edward Haddon, Co. K, and an original painting of the charge at Shelbyville, TN, for which Charles C. Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor. After leaving the museum, the group walked to East Cemetery Hill, to recreate the photo of the veterans of the 7th PA Cavalry during their 1905 reunion. Meanwhile, Cyndi Van Stone became the first casualty of a reunion when she fell on a tour at the Dobbin House, resulting in a broken wrist and subsequent trip to the hospital. The evening’s gathering at the GAR Hall was the highlight of the weekend, as honored guest Gary Casteel unveiled his original painting of the 7th PA Cavalry monument at Chickamauga, GA. Supported by his son David Casteel, the publisher, Gary signed and numbered each of the canvas prints reproduced from the original for those in attendance.
Following the presentation and dedications by Gary Casteel, Dr. Laurie Schiller provided a presentation on the actions of the 8th Illinois Cavalry (Buford’s Division) during the Gettysburg campaign. Larry Fryer showed a slide show of 7th PA Cavalry images and reunion photographs to complete the scheduled portion of the evening.
Bill Jewell of Sinking Spring, PA then presented Larry Fryer with a four page hand-written journal from the pen of an unidentified cavalryman (possibly 7th) who was part of Wilson’s raid in 1865. A photograph of a man and horse that accompanied the journal, is signed in the back, “Mr. Miller and Mint-Tea”. There is speculation that the horses name was actually “Minty”, rather than as recorded, further enhancing the unidentified cavalryman’s association with Minty’s Brigade.Michael Crippen then presented a framed photograph of mounted veterans of the E. R. Backer GAR Post in Roseville, PA. Taken in the 1880’s, it includes Hallock Kennedy, Co. C (ancestor of Michael Crippen) sitting on the gray horse, second from the left of the flag bearer. Josephus Tout of Co. C in also in the front row, mounted on the 4th horse from the right. The majority of the membership of the Elmer R. Backer Post was made up of veterans from Co. C of the 7th PA Cavalry and Co. D of the 16th Pa Cavalry.
The reunion concluded Sunday morning with a tour of East Cavalry Field, led by Licensed Battlefield Guide, Dr. Charlie Fennell. Dr. Fennell, who delighted the audience with his display of unique humor and knowledge of the battlefield, also displayed his prowess with a camera, capturing the group posed at the Michigan monument for a final picture of the weekend (one of over 200). The highlights of the 5th reunion include the record attendance and use of Corp. Skelly GAR Post as the headquarters. Jim and Jan Denham, Bill and Cyndi Van Stone, Rob Frederick, John Wagner, and Larry Fryer, being veterans of each of the five reunions, will attest to the success of the 2004 gathering, and fond memories of those past.
The 2004 reunion is dedicated to the memories of Martin C. (Bud) Yerg, Sr., Wes Berger, and Margaret Hayden, Association members who passed away during the past year.
2004 Reunion Badge