SUVCW #63 GAR POST #45

      Col. James D. Brady Camp ^No 63
Department of Maryland
    Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

GEORGE H. THOMAS POST ^No45
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA

The Rock of Chickamauga

GRAND ARMY POST TO BE ORGANIZED
Petersburg Daily Index
June 22, 1891

A called meeting of the soldiers and sailors residing in this vicinity, whom served in the federal army, was held at the Albemarle hotel Saturday Afternoon at 3 o'clock for the purpose of organizing a post of the G. A. R.

Comrade Robt. McIntyre was called to the chair and Comrade E. L. Grant acted as secretary.

The object of the meeting being stated by the chair it was unanimously determined to organize a post at once.

A requisite number of names being furnished, a committee composed of Col. E. R. Brink, Col. J. D. Youngblood, J. H. Lowry and Robt. McIntyre was appointed to make necessary examination and arrangements to have the post mustered in.

To this same committee was entrusted the duty of making all the arrangements for future meetings and arrangements of all details.

After the adoption of a resolution for thanks to Mr. Brown, the proprietor of the hotel for the use of a room, the meeting adjourned.

GRAND ARMY POST IN PETERSBURG
Petersburg Daily Index
August 14, 1891

At 8 o'clock last evening at the (Petersburg) Greys' armory, N.(orman) J. Smith, (Kearney Post 10 Richmond) P. D. C; of the Department of Virginia, G. A. R; in company with A. A. G; Wm. Eaton (Farragut Post 1 Portsmouth), P. P. C; C. W. Burr, W. J. Manning (Kearney Post 10 Richmond), Col. Jas. D. Brady (Clay Post 17 Newport News) and others instituted Geo. H. Thomas Post, No 45, of the Department of Virginia, G. A. R. There were about twenty-five members present, and the following were elected as officers:

Commander- L. Youngblood

Senior Vice Commander- H. W. Weiss

Junior Vice Commander- John Y. Baker

Surgeon- Robt. Schefer

Chaplain- G. Roetger

Officer of the Day- A. M. Warriner

Officer of the Guard- M. H. Orr

Quartermaster- J. Liebert

Adjutant- A. W. Burgess

Sergt.-Major- H. Weyborne

Q' M. Sergt.- John J. Hessler

After adjournment all partook of a bountiful lunch, to which full justice was done.

Monument dedication 1st Maine H. Art. on 9/30/1895. G. A. R. Petersburg members on left

"Click" photo for larger view.

George H. Thomas Post 45 G. A. R. Petersburg Officers from the Department of Virginia Proceedings:

1893: Cmdr H. W. Weiss, Delegate Robert McIntyre and Alternate J. J. Hessler

1895: Cmdr Daniel Rahily and Delegate R. D. Irwin

1897: Cmdr J. H. Long

1898: Cmdr Lewis Youngblood, Delegate Andrew W. Burgess and Alternative F. P. Shuerh

1901: Cmdr A. M. Warriner and Delegate W. M. Doughman

George H. Thomas Post 45 G. A. R. Petersburg Officers in Department of Virginia

1896: Weiss, Henry W: Department Commander in Chief

1898 Petersburg Battlefield Association (1st formation of Petersburg National Battlefield Park)

3/2/1898 George H. Thomas Post 45 G. A. R. named to the committee

3/8/1898 Julius Liebert and Daniel Rahily named to represent the George H. Thomas Post 45 G. A. R.

4/3/1898 Petersburg Battlefield Association names committees: Representing the George H. Thomas Post 45 G. A. R.

National Park Committee: Daniel Rahily, Lewis Youngblood. Membership Committee: A. W. Burgess, Julius Liebert, A. M. Warriner.

For further information, read:

A History of Petersburg National Battlefield
by Lee A. Wallace, Jr. & Martin R. Conway of the National Park Service.

The 1902 National encampment was held in Washington, D.C. Pvt. Isaac Shaw took time out to visit the Petersburg Battlefield.

Read his story here

Memorial Day Ceremonies Held at Poplar Grove and City Point National Cemeteries 1891-1915
All information taken from the "Petersburg Index," except as noted in ( ) and * Comments or other sources.

May 30, 1890-Phil Kearney GAR Post of Richmond invited by A.P. Hill Camp [United Confederate Veterans] to escort them through Petersburg...to Poplar Grove (National Cemetery)...present was Miss E. Van Lew...Col. Dan A Grosvenor's, of Ohio address..."and if the people of the great commonwealth of Virginia, the mother of states and presidents, desires to do honor to one of her noblest sons, a man than whom no braver ever lived, a Christian gentleman, a peerless soldier of renown, let her people erect an enduring monument in the capital of their state, to the "noblest Roman of them all," General George H. Thomas..." (this may have what led to the naming of the GAR Post in Petersburg as the George H. Thomas)

May 30, 1891-There was a ceremony at the Poplar Grove National Cemetery, but there is no mention of a GAR Post being present. (This may have been what led to the forming of the George H. Thomas GAR Post 45 of Petersburg on June 22, 1891.)

June 22, 1891-A meeting of soldiers and sailors in this vicinity (Petersburg) was held at the *Albemarle Hotel at 3 o'clock. Robert McIntyre was called to chair, and E. L. Grant acted as secretary. It was unanimously determined to organize a (GAR) post at once. A committee of Col. E. R. Brink, Col. J. D. Youngblood, J. H. Lowry, and Robert McIntyre were appointed to make arrangements to have the post mustered in. Thanks to Mr. Brown, the proprietor of the hotel for the use of the room.

May 30, 1892-(first use of the name George H. Thomas Post 45 GAR, and first time they held ceremonies at Poplar Grove National Cemetery) All Union and Confederate graves received a floral tribute. Col. C. T. Willis invited to speak..."You might ask me why am I here today, being an ex-Confederate soldier. I would answer you all by saying that I fought through the war,and today stand before you as one as true to the Stars and Stripes as any on this ground, and should the occasion ever arise to call this country to arms, each and every ex-Confederate would respond as readily to defend that flag, as did those who are buried here. Today we know but one country and we proclaim it to the world, right or wrong, our country."...The exercises at City Point (national cemetery) were held by the Phil Kearney Post of Richmond.

1893-no paper

1894-Poplar Grove and City Point ceremonies held under the auspices of the G. H. Thomas Post GAR...The graves of the Union and Confederate all received a tribute, no distinction having been made as to which of the dead wore the blue or the gray.1895-Thomas Post GAR to hold ceremony at Poplar Grove (no mention about City Point)...At the request of Major H. H. Shaow, of Portland, Maine, who a few years ago purchased a tract of land near Fort Steadman in Prince George County, upon which he erected a monument to the memory of the federal soldiers who were killed in battle on this field, this monument will be decorated with flowers tomorrow by the members of the George H. Thomas Post. These grounds are in charge of A. W. Burgess, Adjutant of this Post.

1896-Thomas GAR Post at Poplar Grove...addresses by ex-Gov. William E. Cameron, also Gen. C. A. Battle of the Army of Northern Virginia. This ended Decoration Day with the Thomas Post, GAR. Exercises at City Point...Two wagon loads of colored people with a band of music headed west from here (Poplar Grove) to take part in the exercises at City Point.

1897-Poplar Grove ceremony was held under the auspices of the George H. Thomas Post, GAR. Gov. Cameron and Gen. Cullen A. Battle to speak again. Two colored military companies paraded. Salutatory exercises by the Thomas Post, GAR, T. P. Shurett, Chaplain. Address by Rev. O. S. Bunting and Mr. James T. Rahilly. Yesterday was also the colored people's Memorial Day and was observed by a parade in the afternoon of the 2nd Battalion Colored Virginia Volunteers, and
the different colored civic societies. At the colored cemetery in Blandford, an oration was delivered by A. W. Harris, there was an immense crowd in attendance.

1898-Poplar Grove under the auspices of the Thomas Post, GAR...At City Point (first mention of this post, so it must have been formed sometime prior to this date) under the auspices of the Col. Steadman Post (Colored) GAR...attended by about one thousand white and colored people. Ceremonies were conducted by Commander John George...and ex-Commander D. B.Gorish of Petersburg, also Rev. Wallace, H. W. Clayton, G. D. Wilson.

1899-Poplar Grove...Mr. J. Youngblood of the George H. Thomas Post, GAR, presided...The exercises at City Point were largely attended and a colored GAR (Col. Steadman) Post of this place left here this morning to take part in the exercises.

1900/1901-(Either they didn't have the papers for these dates, or I forgot to write down the information)

1902/1903-Poplar Grove...GAR present (no mention of a Post by name)

1904-Ceremony at Poplar Grove (but no mention of GAR at all)

1905/1906-(skipped past these years)

1907-(no mention of ceremony at Poplar Grove or City Point)

1908-Ceremony at Poplar Grove and City Point (no mention of GAR). The exercises at City Point were participated in by the Colored Veterans of the Spanish American War.

1909-1914 (skipped past these years)

1915-Superintendent J. W. Bradley of the Poplar Grove National Cemetery has arranged the program.

*(The Albemarle hotel was located on the SW corner of Washington & Union. It was originally known as Moss's Tavern, and enlarged and bought by John Jarratt in 1839, and called Jarratt's Hotel. Among those entertained at Jarratt's were President Polk, Stephan A. Douglas, and General Beauregard. In November 1865, General Grant, in civilian dress, had breakfast here. Jarratt's as early as 1866 issued the first guide book to the near by fortifications and battlefields. I believe it was bought after the war by a former Union army officer, and sometime after this the name was changed to the Albemarle Hotel. The hotel was razed in 1902.)

Roster of George H. Thomas Post 45 G. A. R. Petersburg

*Archer, Henry: Sgt. Co. F 14th Ohio Inf. 8/28/61-6/8/63. Born: 1840 Ireland. 1870: Clergyman, 1880: Works in stave mill, Cambridge, Lenawee Co; MI; Moved: Rives, Prince George Co; VA between 1893-96. Died: 1896-1900. Married: 1. Hannah, born 1845 MI. Children born MI: William 1859; Bundry 1865, Fluta 1867, Mary 1869, Stearna 1872, Ernest 1875, Clement 1877. Remarried 2. Isabella (Bell) born Canada 1859. Children born MI: Theodora 1884, Benjamin 1887, Daisy 1889, Edith 1891, Lili 1893. Eulalia born VA 1896. Stepson Clement only child from former marriage living with family in 1900.

Baker, John Y: Pvt. Co. I 75th Indiana Inf. 6/4/62-6/8/65. Born: 1844 PA. 1860: Arcadia, Hamilton Co; Ind. 1890: Matoaca, Chesterfield Co; VA.

Brink, Edwin R: Brev. Col. 10th Ohio Cavalry. 1/15/63-5/9/65. Born: 1835 NY. 1870-80: Postmaster, Wilmington, New Hanover Co; N. C; 1900-10: Fertilizer Dealer, Richmond, VA. 1920: 107 Franklin Street, Petersburg, VA. Married: Eliza, born 1836 Ohio. Children: born in Ohio, Mary 1858, Gracey 1860, Jennie 1863. Mary married a Thorp, born England, their children living with Edwin in 1900 Ralph 1884 & Martha 1886. Gracey married Jas. Worth, merchant, born N. C; Jennie married Edwin Riddock, born VA; both living with Edwin in 1900.

Burgess, Andrew W: Pvt. Co. E 152nd NY Inf. 8/3/64-5/65. Born: 1846 NY. 1860: Farmer, Winfield, Herkimer Co; NY. 1870: U. S. Asst. Assessor, Hanover, VA. 1880: Farmer, Namozine, Dinwiddie Co; VA. 1900: Gov't worker, Asylum Lane, Petersburg, VA. Died: before 1921. Married: Annie, born 1852 VA. Children: Louis 1873 MI; Carrie 1876 VA; Henrietta 1879, Ella 1886.

Doughman, William M: Pvt. Co. C 16th PA Inf. Born 1845 PA. 1860: Beale, Juniata Co; PA. 1870: Engineer at Mill, Cornplanter, Venango Co; PA. 1900: Farmer, Bermuda, Chesterfield Co; VA. 1910: Blooming Glen, Bucks Co; PA. Married: 1. Louisa, born 1847 PA. Children: Edward 1870 PA. Remarried in 1898 2. Alice, born 1855 Wis.

Grant, Eugene L: Pvt. Co. F 145th PA Inf. 8/9/62-3/15/65: Loss of right leg, limb amputated on battlefield, struck by shell. Born: 1844 McKean, Erie Co; PA. 1860: Cherry Tree, Venango Co; PA; 1870: Clerk, Revenue Office, Oil Creek, Crawford Co; PA. 1880: Clerk in Treasury, Washington, D. C. 1890: Namozine, Dinwiddie Co; VA. Married: Annie, born 1847 PA.

Hessler, Jacob J: 1st Lt. Co. A 25th/Co. K 151st PA. Inf. 11/13/62-7/30/63. 1890: Dale, Chesterfield Co; VA

*Hone, Albert: No info on service. Born: 1837 Sharon Springs, NY. 1870 to 420 acres "Sharon Springs," Darvills, Dinwiddie Co; VA. 1870-1920 Farmer, Davills, VA. Died 1927. Married: Emiline, born 1842 NY. Children: Anna 1863 NY; Emma 1910 VA. Emma married William White and live on White Oak Rd, Darvills in 1920, Albert is living with them.

Irwin, Robert D: ?Pvt. Co. E 12th NY Cav. 1/30/63-4/30/65

Liebert, Julius: Sgt. 103rd NY Inf. 10/26/62-3/14/65. Born: 1835 Camin, Germany. 1870 Distiller of Whiskey, Chester, Chesterfield Co; VA. 1880 Keeps Restaurant, South Side, Petersburg, VA. Died 1998-99. Married: Elizabeth, born 1835 Breman, Germany. Children born VA: Maria 1868, Julius 1870, Helouis 1871, Gretjan 1874, Ozella 1878.

Long, John Haines: Sgt. Major Co. F 124th PA Inf. 8/6/61-5/63. Born: 1840 PA. 1870-80 Dentist, Caenarvon & Churchtown, Lancaster Co; PA. 1900: Dentist, River Road. Matoaca, Chesterfield Co; VA. Married: Jennie, born 1843 PA. Children born PA: Alice 1865, Wilfred 1868, Edwin 1870, John 1872, Ralph 1874, Edith 1875, Richard & James 1879, Helen 1882.

Lowry, (William?)J. H: ?1st Lt. Co. F. 54th PA Inf. 6/30/63-8/17/63. ?Born PA. ?1880 Carpenter, Youngstown, Mahoning Co. OH. ?Moved to Manchester, Chesterfield Co; VA between 1882-1887. ?Married: Catherine, born 1838 PA. Children PA: Emma 1869, William 1872. Ohio: Frank 1873, Bessie 1880, Adam 1882. Charles (Chancey) 1887 VA.

McIntyre, Robert: ?James, (22 served from NY) Born: 1825 Ireland. 1880: Iron Moulder, Richmond, VA. Married: Isabella, born 1826 Scotland. Children born NY: Andrew 1856, Joseph 1861, Katherine 1864, James 1866.

Orr, William H: Cpl. 206th PA Inf. 8/25/64-7/2/65. Born: 1841 PA. Died: 1900-1901. 1900 farmer, Woodpecker Rd; Matoaca, Chesterfield Co; VA. Married Catherine, born 1844 PA. Children born PA: Thomas 1869, John 1869, Fannie 1878 (+ 2 others). Children born VA: Nellie 1884, Buler 1889.

*Owen, Albert: Musician 14th NY Inf. 1861-. Born: 1845 NY. 1880: Farmer, Springfield, Oakland Co; MI. 1890: Vienna, Genesee Co; MI. 1900: Farmer, Namozine, Dinwiddie Co; VA; Died before 1906. Married: Caroline, born 1850 Canada. Children born MI: Alice 1877, Minnie 1881, Charles 1888.

Rahily, Daniel: Sgt. Co. G 2nd US Cav. Enlisted: Albany, NY 11/30/1857. Discharged: Washington, D. C. 11/30/1862. Army Descriptive List: 5'6 height, fair complexion, blue eyes, black hair, occupation Mason. Born: 8/21/1833 Cork, Ireland. Participated: 8/15/1859 Devil's Gut Canyon against Shoshone Indians; 1860 Navajo Indian Expedition; 2/21/1862 Battle of Val Verde, NM against Confederates: Commanded First Section McRae's Battery, in which he received a gun shot wound in the hip. 1862: Washington, D. C. 1864: Up front with the Army until close of war, settling in Petersburg 1865. 1870-90: Grocer, 102 Old Street, Petersburg, VA. Died: 1909 Buried: St. Joseph's Cemetery, Petersburg, VA. Married: Bridget Byrne, born 1843 Ireland on 11/30/1869 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Petersburg, VA. Her first husband Thomas Farrell died in 1868, she had one daughter Annie born 1857. Children born VA: ?(Mollie 1860, Kate 1866, Maggie 1868), Ida 12/23/1871, James 2/1/1872, Daniel 8/28/1873 (served 4th Inf. Span-Am), William 10/7/1875, Rose De Erina 9/1/1882, Lucia 1/18/1886. Born: Ireland possible brothers & sisters in 1870 Petersburg, VA. Jane 1845 w/ Daniel. John 1840 Grocer, w/ wife Mary 1841 & Daniel 1869 in VA. Michael 1842 & William 1845 Grocers, Dennis 1849, Eleanor 1840, Bridget 1848.

Roettger, Gustavus: Co. D 183rd PA Inf. 9/6/64-7/13/65. Born: 1845 Germany. 1900: Repairs watches, Matoaca, Chesterfield Co; VA. Living with father in law William Grossman. Married: Katherine born 1871 VA. Children: Dorothy 1895, Theodore 1898.

Schefer, Robert: Sgt. 103rd NY Inf. 12/61-9/15/64. Born 1837 Prussia. 1870-80 Beer saloon/keeps restaurant, Petersburg, VA. 1900: Manages restaurant, Richmond, VA. Died: 8/16/1903 Richmond VA. Married: Laura Lauterbach born 1855 Petersburg, VA. Children: Clara, 1874, Edward 1875.

Shuert, Thomas P: Cpl. Co. A 12th MI Inf. 11/11/61-9/20/62. Born: 1831 NJ. 1870: Railroad worker, Lewistown, Fulton Co; Ill. 1880: Hotel keeper, Boardman, Kalaska Co; MI. 1890: Namozine, Dinwiddie Co. VA. 1900-10: Medical agent, 25 Terrace Ave. Petersburg, VA. Married: Lavinia, born 1830 NJ. Children: James 1853 NJ. Born In MI: Elizabeth 1858, Maggie 1858. Elizabeth married a Turiate and a grand daughter Bettie House were living with Thomas In Petersburg.

Warriner, Abram M: Pvt. Co. C 81st PA Inf. 9/2/64-6/1/65. Born: 1848, Delmar, Tioga Co; PA. 1900-10 Farmer, Rives, Prince George; VA. Died: 1910-13. Married: Lydia, born 1850 OH. Children born PA: Carl 1878, Jennie 1880, Clara 1888. Arnold 1891 VA.

*Warriner, Hiram Hawk: Co. H 6th (35th) PA Inf. Born 1840, Delmar, Tioga Co; PA. 1880: Farmer, Shippen, Tioga Co; PA. 1900: Farmer, Rives, Prince George Co; VA. Died: 1909. Buried: Wellsboro Cemetery, Tioga Co; PA. Married: Emma Johnson, born 1848 PA. Children born PA: Nellie 1867, Harry 1877, Sarah 1879, Ralph 1885.

Weiss, Henry W: Pvt. Co. H 209th PA Inf. 9/3/64-5/31/65. Born: 1844 PA. 1890: Hicksford, Greensville Co; VA. 1900-1920 Manager, real estate agency , Emporia, Greensville Co; VA. Married: 1. Matilda, born 1845 PA. 2. Abrena, born 1856 PA. Children born PA: Henry 1870, Wilson 1874.

Wyborney, Henry: Pvt. Co. H 16th Wis. Inf. 12/31/63-7/12/65. Born: 1840 Bohemia. Iowa prior to- 1870: Farmer, Washington, Eau Claire Co; WI. 1880: Minnesota. 1900: Farmer Rives, Prince George Co; VA. Married: Josephine, born 1845 Bohemia. Children born IA: Milton 1867, Charles 1869. Children born Minnesota: Henry 1879, Albert 1881, ?daughter 1886.

Youngblood, Lewis: Pvt. Co. E 2nd NJ Cav. 9/15/64-6/28/65. Born: 1845 Hanover, Morris Co NJ. 1880-1900: Grocer & farmer, Rives, Prince George Co; VA. 1910: Clerk, Internal Revenue, 233 Franklin St. Petersburg, VA. Died between 1910-20. Married: Clara born 1852 NJ. Children born VA: Maria 1871, James 1874, Mabel 1878, Ella 1880, Edwin 1882, Gertrude 1884, Clara 1887, Lewis 1889, Russell 1895.

* Not confirmed members

Compiled and researched by:
William F. Rose Jr.
Colonel James D. Brady Camp 63
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
9201 Oak River Drive Petersburg, VA 23803
canonballz@hotmail.com

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