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Kevin L. Martin

Commander in Chief

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

8209 Skipwith Drive

Frederick, Maryland 21702 

CinC@SUVCW.org


General Order #8

Series 2024-2025


1 December 2024

 

Passing of Past Department of Missouri Commander and

Charitable Foundation Chairman Robert M. Petrovic


          My Brothers, I have the sad obligation to convey to you the passing of Past Department Commander Robert M. Petrovic on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 28, 2024. PDC Petrovic was also the Chairman of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War - Charitable Foundation. Known by most as simply “Brother Bob,” he was a force at the Camp, Department and National Organization levels. His superb management of the Foundation helped provide much 

needed funding for the many worthy charities and projects our Order supports.

          While it would be impossible to note all of his many achievements, in 1996 Brother Bob became the first Commander of the reorganized Department of Missouri. In a few short years he helped organize the memorable 2001 National Encampment in Springfield, Missouri and again he was instrumental in hosting the 2007 event in St. Louis. For well over a decade Brother Bob, with able assistance from his beloved wife Cher, steered the annual President Lincoln Tomb Ceremony and associated gatherings. This signature event shines a bright and very complimentary light on our Order and Brother Bob’s tireless work helped make that happen. 

          There is one particular aspect of Brother Bob’s membership that I find especially poignant, and this is something that speaks directly to his character, pride and sense of duty. Many of you may not know that for a significant period, Brother Bob’s membership in our Order was that of an Associate. As we honor the courage and sacrifice of all those who helped preserve the Union most of us have a familial relation to one or more of these brave men. But Brother Bob came in to our Order without that bond, and yet that did not detract from his dedication to our tenets of venerating those heroes. It was not until 2012 that he was able to discover a Union ancestor. And although his membership status may have changed, Brother Bob’s resolve and dedication to serve remained steadfast. 

          No one should be surprised that Brother Bob’s dedication to service was far from limited to just our Order. A devoted first responder, Brother Bob had an illustrious career in the fire service retiring from the Affton, Missouri Fire Department as a Captain. We join together as Brothers with his family and his community mourning his passing. 


          Cards of condolence may be addressed to his wife (Sister) Cher Petrovic at:

6519 Cherokee Lane

Cedar Hill, MO 63016-2527

 

          In homage to our departed Brother it is hereby ordered that the National Website, Charters of all Department and Camps and membership badges be draped in black for a period of 30 days from 

the date of this General Order. 


So ordered this 1st Day of December, 2024


Kevin L. Martin 

Commander-in-Chief

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War


Attest:

National Secretary

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War





Department Order No. 6

Series 2024-2025


Department of Iowa Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War


Passing of Past Department Commander Robert Kennedy


           It is my sad duty to report the passing of Past Department Commander Robert Allen Kennedy on November 24, 2024. Brother Kennedy was a Member of Twombly Camp #2 in Iowa City and served as Department Commander for the term 1999-2000.

          Memorial services for Brother Kennedy are being held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at the United Methodist Church in Washington, Iowa. A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 30 from 2-4 pm at the Jones Funeral Home in Washington.

          It is hereby Ordered that the Department Charter, all Camp Charters within the Department, and Membership Badges of the Brothers of the Department of Iowa be draped in black for a period of 30 days from the date of this Department Order In Memory of Brother Kennedy.


Dated this 30th day of November, 2024, at Denison, Iowa.


Charles Boeck

Department Commander

Department of Iowa

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War


Attest: Daniel F. Rittel

Department Secretary

Department of Iowa

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

To perpetuate the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the men who saved the Union,
 1861 to 1865; to assist in every practicable way in the preservation and making available for research of documents and records pertaining to the Grand Army of the Republic and its members; to cooperate 
 in doing honor to all who have patriotically served our country in any war; to teach patriotism, and the duties of citizenship, the true history of our country, and the love and honor of our Flag; to oppose 
every tendency or movement that would weaken loyalty to, or make for the destruction or impairment 
of our Constitutional Union; and to inculcate and broadly sustain the American principles of
 representative government, of equal rights, and of impartial justice for all.

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“Individuals attending events hosted by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, by virtue of their attendance, agree to the usage of their likeness in the Banner, any Camp or Department Newsletter, any SUVCW website and/or on any SUVCW Social Media outlet, promotional brochures, or any other SUVCW material”.

     In 1860, Iowa had a population of 674,913 men, women and children, living in 124,098 households. Of this number, 116,000 men were eligible for military service. Iowa sent roughly 71,500 men to fight, 10.5% of our total population. Over the next four years 13,169, or one out of six, would die in the war. 

      Iowans fought at Wilson’s Creek, Pea Ridge, Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. They were at Shiloh, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Vicksburg and Missionary Ridge.

        They marched with Sherman through Atlanta and on to the sea. They suffered at Andersonville and triumphantly marched in the Grand Review at Washington, D.C.


  Greetings from the Department of Iowa,

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

We're always happy to welcome new members.


You can contact the nearest Camp or our

Junior Vice Department Commander:


David L. Thompson

cannoneerdlt@outlook.com

      During the Civil War Iowa sent: forty-four Infantry Regiments, four Artillery Batteries, nine Cavalry Regiments and the First Iowa Infantry African Descent, which became the Sixtieth U. S. Colored Infantry.  Over 800 Iowans enlisted in the Navy and Marines, stationed on either the Mississippi River or the Atlantic Coast. And yes, Iowans wore Blue and fought for the North. Their uniforms were made of wool. Their shoes came in neither left nor right. Their rifles weighed 10 pounds and fired one round at a time. They earned $13 a month and were paid every three months. Often their rations were few: General Sherman liked the Iowa boys

 “ 'cause they knew how to forage for food and took long strides when they marched”. 


Do you have an ancestor who served in the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Revenue Cutter Service during the Civil War?  If you have a Union Civil War ancestor who qualifies you for Membership in our organization, or if you're interested in honoring the memory of the "Boys in Blue" through an Associate Membership, please consider joining the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Currently, our number of those who served in Iowa Regiments and Iowans who served in other units, during the Civil War stands at:

71,534


The Department of Iowa has identified the graves of 41,719 Union Civil War Soldiers buried in Iowa, who are listed on the

SUVCW National Graves Registration Database.


Applying for a Veterans Headstone Video 

with Brother Mike Rowley


Andrew W. Tibbets Headstone Rededication Ceremony

          On Saturday, September 21, 2024, a Headstone Rededication Ceremony was held for Iowa Medal of Honor Recipient, Andrew W. Tibbets at Allerton, Iowa. In attendance were members of the Department of Iowa, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the 3rd Iowa Cavalry - Reenactors.


Biography


          Andrew W. Tibbets was born May 6, 1831, in Clark County, Indiana, which is across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. He was the son of John Bradford Tibbets and Amey Wood Tibbets, being the eldest of six. During the Civil War his father served in the 9th Kanas Cavalry. Brother Oliver served in the 7th Minnesota Infantry. Another brother, Zedekiah served in the 9th Kansas Cavalry, with their father. Brother John Jay served in the 5th Kansas Cavalry. His only sister, Sidney, married a soldier who also served in the 9th Kansas Cavalry. The youngest brother, James Henry was too young to serve during the war.

          Andrew was united in marriage to Maria Jane Harvey on November 18, 1851, in Illinois. She was born July 4, 1837, in Bloomington, Putman County, Indiana. They moved from there to Little Rock, Ark., and lived there one year, then they moved to Neosha, Mo., where they lived for seven years prior to the Rebellion. Due to their loyalty to the Union, they moved to Iowa, first settling in Appanoose County, where they lived for fourteen years and from there moved to Allerton, where they lived the remainder of their lives. To this union there were born eight children, three of who died in infancy.

          Andrew enlisted in Co. I, 3rd Iowa Cavalry on February 29, 1864, at the age of 32. He mustered into service on March 9. On the 12th of March. The 3rd Iowa had reassembled at Keokuk, bringing with them seven hundred recruits for the regiment, which was immediately ordered to proceed to St. Louis, and, upon its arrival there, was provided with a new and complete equipment of arms, horses and everything necessary for active service in the field. Andrew took part in many heavy battles and campaigns during his time in the service, more than can be enumerated in our time allowed.  He mustered out of service on August 9, 1865, in Atlanta, Georgia.

          He returned to Appanoose County and moved to Allerton in 1873, where he spent the remainder of his life. In the 1880 U. S. Census he is listed as a shoemaker. Andrew W. Tibbets passed away May 18, 1898, at the age of 67.

 

Tibbet’s Action at the Battle of Columbus, Georgia


          Seven days after General Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, a Union cavalry force led by Gen. J. H. Wilson moved on Columbus, Georgia to secure the city’s naval yards, weapons factories and supply depots. The 3rd Iowa cavalry, dismounted, moved to capture the enemy entrenchments and protect the bridge over the Chattahoochee River. The regiment entered the works and continued down the entrenchments capturing defenders.
           "The enemy opened with a heavy musketry on our immediate front, and with two guns on our left. We went forward at once with a cheer under the heavy fire and cleared the works and the fort, crossing the road and without delay formed the line beyond. . . "Now ordered to go for this battery, the command so as to make a left wheel of the whole line. The ground over which this evolution had to be performed was very much broken. . .passing in the profound darkness over fences, ditches, and sloughs, with no other guide than the light and roar of the rebel’s fire. . ."

          Andrew Tibbets, a Private in Company I, 3rd Iowa Cavalry, at Columbus, Georgia, on April 16, 1865, along with the rest of his company, was ordered to capture the Confederate entrenchments protecting the bridge over the Chattahoochee River. As the 3rd Iowa moved in position the enemy opened fire with heavy rifle and canon volleys. Until about midnight Private Tibbets continued to fight under the severest conditions, going forward to capture the flag and bearer of the Confederate battery. Tibbets had to go through an ordeal which is almost beyond human endurance. He fought till about midnight under the severest fire & smoke. . .did capture the rebel flag amid the hottest fire & smoke that the severest test of this night made him blind, so he had to be led by his comrades until we reached Macon, Georgia where he was left in the hospital." 

          Lt. Col. Benjamin S. Jones writes in his affidavit supporting Tibbets pension that: "On or about the 25 day of April 1865. . .I visited said A W Tibbets then in hospital at Macon City Georgia to get from him said captured flag and on or about the 5th day of July 1865 I handed the said Tibbets his medal for capturing a rebel flag . "I have also to state that Private Tibbets, Company I, captured the battle-flag of Austin’s battery in this assault, and is entitled to that credit."

 

Tibbet’s Medal of Honor Citation


The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Andrew W. Tibbets, United States Army, for. He was honored with the award on June 17, 1865.

Unmarked Graves



As of June 30.....


In addition to the 74 veteran graves you all have worked on in 2024


The real progress of the Project 2024 is the experience and passion of the expanding number of individuals now researching, documenting, ordering, taking delivery of, cleaning, posting on findagrave.com to honor veterans.


Some recent results of the work of Nettie Hendricks and Kevin Ira in New Hampton, Iowa. (Reset a sunken stone).


Tony Townsend and Steve Hanken are working on identifying vets in Linn County.


John Goode is awaiting approval and delivery of 8 veteran stones in Albia.


Randy Lyon is working in Dubuque


Roy & Linda Linn have spearheaded placements in Sioux City area


Joshua Dyer got us a placement in Jefferson, Iowa


Mr. Larry Luhring of Parkersburg, Iowa has offered to help correct a Union soldier with a confederate stone


I know there are many more of you I have not mentioned so keep the stories coming


Mike Rowley

Camp Commander, Dodge Camp # 75


Earlier this year, the Grenville M. Dodge Camp #75 started the Dodge Camp Project 2024 Grave Marking Initiative. By researching those Veterans found on the Department’s “Iowans in Unmarked Graves” page Iowans in Unmarked Graves they have now been able to remove over twenty-three of those listed.


Dodge Camp Commander, Mike Rowley states: “We have had great cooperation from members of Dodge, Kinsman, Mitchell and King Camp brothers and Sister Linda Linn, so far with the Dodge Camp Project 2024 Grave Marking initiative. Apologies if I left out any camps (I don't always remember who is with what camp)”.

Steve Holmes of Kinsman Camp and Dodge Camp Commander Mike Rowley saw to the research, documentation, submission of application, receiving delivery and installment of VA grave monuments for two Civil War soldiers in Linwood Park Cemetery, Boone, Iowa on April 10. Our goal of which is to not only mark Veterans' Graves, but also expand the markings across the entire state of Iowa while at the same time teach and encourage others how to do the process. So far it is working on all measures with new folks installing in Sioux City, Madrid, Boone, New Hampton, Drakesville, Davis City, Des Moines and soon Jefferson, Lohrville, Council Bluffs....


Two more stones were installed and two more arrived on April 25. Results to date are:


14 - Veterans' Stone installed this year.


12 - Applications submitted and awaiting review.


 2 - Applications approved and awaiting delivery


 2 - Stones delivered awaiting installation


On Sunday April 21, Dodge Camp members traveled to New Hampton, Iowa to install military gravestones from the VA for three Civil War Veterans that had never been marked. They were assisted in the markings by Air Force Veteran and New Hampton resident Nettie Hendricks who along with Cemetery Sexton Kevin Ira.



Earth Day 2024



At Noon, Monday, April 22nd several members of Dodge Camp #75 took part in an Earth Day tree planting at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines, Iowa. Hoyt was a brother of William T. Sherman. The trees were grown from cuttings of osage orange (hedge apple) trees planted in 1865, in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Those trees would have witnessed the funeral procession of President Lincoln.

141st Annual Encampment of the Department of Iowa, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

The 141st Annual Encampment of the Department of Iowa, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was held Saturday, April 22, 2024, at the Gold Star Museum, Damp Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa. Bob J. Welch, National Quartermaster was in attendance and served as Installation Officer.


The Elected Officers for 2024/2025 are:


Charles Boeck - Department Commander

John Pregler - Senior Vice Department Commander

David Thompson - Junior Vice Department Commander

Daniel Rittel - Department Secretary/Treasurer

Don McGuire, Danny Krock, and Karl Geesman - Department Council Members

Last Union Soldier Project

           The purpose of the Last Union Soldier Project is to locate and appropriately mark the final resting place of the Last Union Civil War Soldier buried in each county and in each state of this great country. The Last Union Soldier project marries the efforts of the SUVCW's Grave Registration and Monuments Restoration programs. 
        These Iowa men are listed by the County they resided in at the time of their death. Some are buried in other Counties and other States.
         Kossuth County was the first to lose their Last Union Soldier, when John Grover passed away on March 1, 1932.  James Martin of O'Brien County was the Last Union Soldier in Iowa, passing on September 20, 1949.  Ira Wheeler, Howard County, was the youngest, passing at the age of 87 years, 8 months and 12 days.  Ebenezer McMurray, Johnson County, was the oldest, at the age of 103 years, 9 months and 24 days.  Iowa has 99 Counties, but, 100 Last Union Soldiers.  Robert Killen and William Humphreys, both of Lucas County, died the same day, January 25, 1941.
        Harrison Ray Crecelius was the Last Union Soldier of Ringgold County.  His brother Clark Franklin Crecelius was the Last Union Soldier of Floyd County, Indiana. 

Iowa's Last Union Soldier Project Completed


 Iowa has completed its project to identify and mark the Last Union Soldier in each of the 99 counties in the state. On June 18, 2022, we marked the final one, James P. Martin of O’Brien County in northwest Iowa. We held a special ceremony as Mr. Martin was also the last living soldier in Iowa. He passed away in 1949, only a short time before his 102nd birthday. His funeral was a huge event attended by 800 persons including the Governor and many dignitaries from Veteran Organizations.

 

     He grew up in Wisconsin, enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery at age 16 and moved to Iowa after the War where he farmed and raised a large family. He was active in the GAR, attended National Encampments, and served as Department Commander the last two years of his life when he was the only member alive in Iowa. About 25 relatives of Mr. Martin attended our ceremony on June 18. Danny Krock, PDC led the program and the Kinsman Camp Guards performed a moving ceremony. A last soldier plaque was added at his gravesite.

 

       There is a story to be told about each of the last soldiers. For example, the last soldier of Lee County was John Drain, an escaped slave from Missouri who served in the U. S. 67th Colored Infantry. He died in 1940 at age 96 but was heathy enough to attend the 75th Anniversary Reunion at Gettysburg in 1938. James W. Willett was the last soldier (or sailor in this case) from Tama County. He was a Boatswain’s Mate on the USS Springfield, a gunboat on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. He was very active in the GAR and served as National Commander-in-Chief from 1921-22. He also served terms as Judge Advocate General for the GAR.

 

The most unusual situation was in Lucas County where there were two last soldiers. They died on the same day, January 25, 1941. Both were born in 1844 and were age 96 at death. Robert Killen served in the 37th Kentucky Infantry and William Humphrey in the 119th Ohio Infantry.

 

      We were fortunate to have Ron Rittel, PDC do the research to identify the last soldiers. He spent hundreds of hours in the State Archives in Des Moines to develop this information. The last soldiers tended to be young at enlistment – at least 4 were age 15. The average age at death was 96 – 15 were age 100 or over.

 

       This was a rewarding project for our Department. There were many compliments from relatives of James Martin after the ceremony on June 18.  More information about the project, can be found on this site The Monument website - iowacivilwarmonuments.com - has a photo at gravesite and information about each last soldier.


Sons of Union Civil War Veterans Honoring James P. Martin Iowa's Last Civil War Soldier - YouTube


courtesy of Richard R. Radtke, O'Brien County's Bell-Times-Courier


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