PVT Richard Taylor Camp #53

SONS OF UNION VETERANS

OF THE CIVIL WAR

DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE

HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA

NEWSLETTER FOR FEBRUARY 2001

Submitted by Brother Steve Pearce; Secretary/Treasurer

106 Sunnyfield Drive; Madison, Al 35758

Commander David E. Milam opened a regular Meeting of the Richard Taylor Camp #53 SUVCW at 7:00 pm on 29 January 2001. Chaplain Cottrell gave the invocation. Despite poor weather conditions, there was an attendance of eleven Brothers and guests.

At present the Richard Taylor Camp #53 SUVCW has 5 members of which 2 hold dual memberships with another camp. Two additional Life Members at Large are in the process of transferring into the chapter. Three additional gentlemen are in the process of gathering and submitting their applications.

The Taylor Camp has opened checking and savings accounts at Huntsville teachers' Credit Union (there is a $148 total balance as of 30 January).

The Taylor Camp has agreed that the last Monday of each month at 7:00 pm will be our regular meeting date, and that our regular meeting place will be Highlands United Methodist Church on Broadmor Road in Huntsville, Alabama.

On 26 February, we will watch a video and listen to a presentation by prospective member Joe Johnson.

In March, we plan to recognize Real Daughter, Mrs. Sammie Mason of Athens, Alabama.

In April, we anticipate our speaker to be Ken Carpenter; Commander Milam is making arrangements according to Ken's schedule and future agreement.

The Department Commander's Order were read at the 29 January meeting; there were several other pieces of correspondence which were presented, and there was an enthusiastic reception of the news regarding the events in Chattanooga in April. At least three Brothers from the Taylor Camp plan to attend this event.

Gravesite Registration Coordinator Brother Brian Hogan, presented some exciting news regarding the unknown Union Soldiers buried in Huntsville at Maple Hill. Brother Hogan also gave news of Union graves in Hazel Green, Alabama, and Commander Milam followed with information that there are also Union Graves in Charity Cemetery in Hazel Green which could have a formal memorial event in association with the Taylor Camp.

Commander Milam commented that two ladies had expressed an interest in becoming auxiliary members.

There was a motion by Secretary Treasurer Pearce, with a second from Brother Hogan, that the Camp provide new members with a rosette. The motion passed. Commander Milam will contribute $20 toward this effort.

Seeing no further business at hand, Commander Milam closed the meeting at 8:25 pm.; Chaplain Cottrell gave the benediction.

As part of, what I hope to be a monthly addition to the newsletter, each member is asked to submit a short write-up on his ancestor. This month submitted is the ancestor of Brother Chuck Bunnell. At present, we have biographies of the Civil War ancestors of three Brothers. Please submit your write-ups and pictures to Brother Steve Pearce.

See you at the next meeting on February 26.

Respectfully submitted in F, C, and L,

David E. Milam Commander

Steve Pearce Secretary/Treasurer

John Cherry, ancestor of Chuck Bunnell

John Cherry served on the Union side during the Civil War. He joined on December 4, 1861. Since he was only fifteen at the time, he was assigned as a color bearer (flag carrier). John Cherry, when serving during the Civil War, was five feet, five inches tall, was fair complexion, had gray eyes and light hair.

John Cherry served three years during the Civil War. He joined on December 4, 1861, and mustered out on July 11, 1865, in Louisville, KY. He was appointed Corporal on November 15, 1864. He served in Company B, 78th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This Regiment fought in the following battles Shiloh, TN April 6-7, 1862; Bolivar, TN, August 30, 1862; Raymond, MS, May 12, 1863; Champion Hills, MS, May 16, 1863; Vicksburg, MS, May 18 to July 4, 1863; Canton, MS, February 26, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, GA, June 9-10, 1864; Atlanta, GA, (Hood's First Sortie), July 22, 1864; Atlanta, GA, (siege of), July 28 to September 2, 1864; and Bentonville, NC, March 19-21, 1865. After the War, John Cherry, applied for a pension as a Civil War Veteran.