PVT Richard Taylor

Camp 53

SONS OF UNION VETERANS

OF THE CIVIL WAR

DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE

HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA

 

NEWSLETTER FOR AugustJuly 2001

Editor: Steve Pearce spearce@knology.net

Camp website:  http://pvtrichardtaylor.bizland.com/pvtrichardtaylorcamp53/

 

In the absence of Brother Edward Milam, Brother Steve Pearce opened the July meeting of the Richard Taylor Camp #53 SUVCW at 7:00 pm on 30 July 2001.  After the Pledge to the American flag and reciting the American Creed, Brother Gordon Cottrell, gave the invocation.

 

The applications of Mr. Edison Conner and Mr. Robert Weigant were accepted for membership bringing the Camp 53 membership to 21. 

 

Brother Pearce and Gaddy wore their Civil War Union uniforms. 

 

Old business was discussed and concluded with the Treasurer’s report and Secretary’s report being approved. 

 

Meeting Discussions:

Brother Sid Gaddy was elected to fill the Camp Officer position of Senior Vice Commander.  Brother Joe Johnson was elected to fill the Camp Officer position of Patriot Instructor vacated by Brother Gaddy.  The meeting was then turned over to Brother Gaddy.

 

A committee to nominate Camp Officers for next year’s term was formed.  The committee is comprised of Brothers Edward Milam, Steve Pearce, Joe Johnson, and Howard Blood. 

 

Brother Brian Hogan has ordered a headstone from the Veterans Administration for Captain James H. Bone buried at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Huntsville Alabama.  Brothers Brian Hogan and Sid Gaddy will coordinate a proper agenda, for the Grave ceremony, once the headstone is delivered.

 

History Day activities, slated for October 6, 2001, at Big Spring Park, were discussed by Brother Brian Hogan.  A committee was formed to prepare handouts and display articles.  The committee consists of Brothers Brian Hogan, Gordon Cottrell, Edward Milam, Joe Johnson, Steve Pearce, and Mr. Kent Wright.  Brother Edward Milam has volunteered to raffle his sword at History Day to raise money for the Camp at History Day.

 

Brother Pearce asked the Camp Brothers to provide write-ups on their Union Ancestor along with a picture if one is available.  Brother Pearce has a scanner if someone has a picture that needs to be converted into an electronic format.

 

Brother Joe Johnson is going to investigate areas for Camp publicity, to include, but not limited to, the newspaper, cable community bulletin boards, and information at the library. 

 

The 2002 SUVCW Department of Tennessee meeting will be held in the North Alabama area.  The Department has asked the Camp to provide assistance in locating a suitable meeting location.  Various Brothers will do some local research to be discussed at the August meeting to include the Redstone Arsenal Officers Club.

 

Those in sickness and distress:  Brother Nyberg  is to have surgery.  Gordon Bone, who had given a presentation on his ancestor Captain James H. Bone, passed away on July 4, 2001.  The Camp Secretary will send a card on behalf of the Camp, to Mr. Bone’s local next of kin.

 

The presentation for the August meeting will be on the Sultana disaster, by Brother Joe Johnson.

 

Seeing no additional discussions at 8:10, the Camp Chaplin, Brother Gordon Cottrell, closed the meeting with prayer.

 

This month, Pvt Richard Taylor Camp 53 highlights Seaman Daniel W. Wilhelm, a Union ancestor of Brothers Rodger and Steve Pearce

 

Next Meeting August 27, 2001, 7pm, Highlands United Methodist Church.

 

Respectfully submitted in F, C, and L,

Edward Milam Commander

Steve Pearce Secretary/Treasurer

 

 

Seaman Daniel W. Wilhelm

Union Ancestor of Brothers Rodger and Steve Pearce

 

Seaman Daniel W. Wilhelm was one of the brave defenders of the Union during the trying days of the Civil War.  Daniel was one of four brothers that fought for the Union, including Henry, Jacob, and Jeremiah (Jerry), who was a drummer boy.

 

The Wilhelm family was founded in America by their great-grandfather, Henry Wilhelm, a native of Germany, who came to America during the Revolutionary War and aided the colonies in achieving their independence.  Henry acquired a large estate in the sixth district of Baltimore County that has been handed down through four generations of the family.  Its members have ever been noted for their patriotism and loyalty, and in the War of 1812, Henry Wilhelm, our subject’s grandfather, served as a soldier.  Seaman Wilhelm’s parents Peter B. and Elizabeth (Kone) Wilhelm, spent their entire lives in Elko Maryland and reared their family of nine children.

 

Daniel was born September 7, 1848, in the upper part of Baltimore County Maryland known as Elko near   Middletown Maryland.  Daniel was reared and educated in the sixth district, where he owned a large estate and worked as a general farmer after the Civil War.  Daniel joined the Union Navy on August 11, 1864.  Daniel was a little less then forthright, about his age, at his enlistment.  His papers at enlistment show his declared age as 18, with his actual age being a month short of his 16th birthday.  His service reflects duty on three vessels, the Allegheny, Brandywine, and Aries.  His discharge reflects that Daniel scared his right forearm with the initials DW, an early, crude, tattoo.

 

Daniel married Martha who lived from February 1856 to November 11, 1896.  Daniel died August 20, 1929 in Middletown Maryland.  Both are buried at Middletown Cemetery in the same small country town.

 

 

Submitted by Steve Pearce

August 11, 2001