The Union Army, marching to the beat of the drum, escorted the women who laid a wreath in front of the Civil War monument during the 2009 Woodsfield Civil War Encampment held June 12 and 13. The event was organized by Kyle Yoho, local Civil War enthusiast.

Jaren Hupp, Jaren LeMasters & Wesley Shipp

New to this year’s Civil War Encampment was the placing of a wreath in front of the Civil War monument located on Veterans Plaza in front of the Monroe County Courthouse. Franklin Dye, shown left, and Willis Dye are the great-nephews of two of the men listed on the monument. Mick Schumacher, of the Monroe County Historical Society, told the story of Elam and Joshua Dye, who both died of disease while serving in the Union Army.

Photos by Martha Ackerman

Kyle Yoho

Serving the Ladies Tea at the 2009 Woodsfield Civil War Encampment were, from front: Zola Carroll, Karen Fragale and Helen Yoho.

Rose Branham of Kentucky gave a demonstration and talk on how women dressed during the 1860s. Here she shows one of the purses and how it was worn.

Karen Fragal demonstrates the art of quilting.

The broom squire (Curt Cable of Glouster) demonstrated the making of different types of brooms. He became interested in the encampments through his love of old crafts.

A confederate General Lee Mills of Valley Division (Romney, WV) and Lt. David Owens f Kanawha Artillery (St. Marys, WV) are shown in camp. The ladies in charge of the commissary cook over the open fire.

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer

The 2009 Civil War Encampment was bigger and better than ever before. Kyle Yoho was the brainchild behind the Woodsfield Civil War Encampment. An avid Civil War buff, Yoho, at age 15, organized the first Woodsfield encampment. That was four years ago. The encampment has grown every year since.

Visitors could step back in time to the camps of the Union and Confederate soldiers. The tents were set up, representative of those days of war between the states. There was a blacksmith, broom squire, store, cafe, commissary and more.

Visitors sat on hay bales as they listened to historian and songster Bob Welch as he presented “Songs of the Civil War.”

The broom squire, Curt Cable of Glouster, demonstrated the making of straw brooms. His love of old crafts brought him to the re-enactment circuit about five years ago.

Tonya Davis and her daughter, of Warner near Lower Salem, demonstrated spinning wool from the sheep they raise. A brush arbor was set up for the church services. According to Tim Black of Walker, W. Va., chaplain for the 17th Virginia, during the Civil War in winter, log structures were built for the church services, if the location for the encampments was for any length of time. He noted that the Confederate chaplains were paid through soldiers’ rations. The Union chaplains, he said, were paid monetarily. Black also demonstrated several guns of the Civil War including a Navy Colt 44, an old single shot flintlock used during the Revolutionary War, which was changed over to a flintlock for use in the Civil War.

Rose Branham, of Kentucky, gave a demonstration and talk on how women dressed during the 1860s as well as a woman’s role during the Civil War.

Serving sandwiches, fruit and cookies at the Ladies Tea, which was well attended, were served by Helen Yoho, Karen Fragal and Zola Carroll. New to this year’s encampment was a ceremony and laying of the wreath in front of the Civil War Memorial, located on Veterans Plaza in front of the Monroe County Court-house. Kyle Yoho welcomed those attending and introduced Pastor Mathew Horn-beck who gave the invocation; Mick Schumacher, of the Monroe County Historical Society, who related a story of a Monroe County family who lost two sons to disease while serving in the Union army; and Woodsfield Mayor Bill Bolon, who commented on Civil War history.

“This monument would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the efforts of local historian Mark Haselberger,” said Yoho. Haselberger, a former resident, researched and provided the information on Monroe Countians who served in the Civil War.

“This plaque is a testament to the service of Monroe County men in the Civil War. Many of these men gave the ultimate sacrifice serving their country. Like many of those who volunteered to fight for the Union across the country, they left their homes, their families, and the life they had known to fill the ranks of the armies marching off to an unknown end,” said Yoho.

“The regiments with the largest number of men from Monroe County were the 7th West Virginia Infantry, 25th Ohio Infantry, 77th Ohio Infantry and the 116th Ohio Infantry. They served in every major battle and campaign of the war from Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Gettysburg, Sherman’s March and many, many more. One exception was McClel-lan’s Peninsular Campaign.

Sergeant Richard Bowry, of Company C 1st W. Va. Cavalry;, Sergeant James Henry, of Company B 113th Illinois Infantry; Corporal Freeman C. Thompson of Company F, 116th Ohio Infantry; and Sergeant Adam White, of Company G 11th W. Va. Infantry, were all Monroe County men who each received the Medal of Honor for their service in the Civil War.

Quoting Haselberger, Yoho read, “The men from Monroe County served in all branches of the military: artillery, cavalry and infantry. They also served on steamboats on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, hauling army supplies, transporting soldiers. They also served on the navy’s gunboats. They served, though some were too young and some were too old. At least 2,800 men served from Monroe County, and one source says 4,000! The youngest soldier to serve is believed to have been William H. Montgomery, corporal and bugler. Born April 22, 1849, Montgomery was 14 years old when he volunteered in Company H, 13th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He was discharged July 30, 1865. Probably the largest family name to contribute fathers, sons and cousins was the Mellotts of Cameron. The last surviving Civil War veteran from Monroe County is believed to be John Landis, of Company A, 77th Ohio Infantry, who passed away in May 1940.”

The plaque listing the names of Monroe Countians who died while serving the Union army was provided through the efforts of the Veterans Memorial Committee, which is under new leadership and is continuing the brick project.

“Every name on this plaque has a story behind it,” said Schumacher. “One of these names is Elam Dye. Elam was born Feb. 1, 1941 to mother Ary and father John in Perry Township of Monroe County. Three years later his father died. In all Ary and John had seven sons. Elam was the sixth born, his younger brother was Mahlon and his older brothers were Bazil, Isaac, Benjamin, Joshua and Amos. Of his widowed mother’s seven sons, five went off to war. Amos had died in 1858 and Mahlon was too young or she might have had all her sons going off to war. Bazil joined the Company A of the 116th Ohio in 1862, Isaac joined the 63rd Ohio in 1865, Benjamin enlisted in 1862 into Company A of the 116th Ohio, and Joshua went into Company K of the 62nd Ohio Infantry. Elam joined Company C of the 92nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry on Aug. 6, 1862 as a private at the age of 21. On March 27, 1863, Elam penned a letter while his regiment was camped near Carthage, Tenn. to his younger brother Mahlon. The letter reads:

“‘Dear Brother, I now seat myself to inform you that I am well at present, hoping these few lines will find you all enjoying good health. I received a letter from you a few days ago and we were very glad to hear from you all. We have not been attacked here yet - only the pickets - but we are looking to be every day. The rebs are conscripting the men through this part of the country and some of them are leaving the rebel army and coming through inside our picket lines to keep out of the way of the rebel army. I understand that there is another draft a-going off in the northern states. I would like to know how it’s going on there by this time. The 92nd is not in very good health at present. There are some few cases of measles. We have lost two boys out of our company. Thomas Reeves from Antioch and Dave Piatt, Jacob Piatt’s son, took measles and were sick about ten days. (They) died in the hospital at Carthage and they were buried in a nice graveyard at Carthage. They were buried very decently for I saw them buried and helped to dig Piatt’s grave. William Foraker and Harvey Cline had the measles but they are getting along well now. I think they will get along if they have no bad luck.

“‘I got a letter from Joshua a few days ago and he was well then. He was near Hilton Head, South Carolina.

“‘Well, Mahlon, as I have nothing of much importance, I will close by wishing you all good luck. Write soon and tell me whether you got that money or not. Direct to Camp near Carthage, Tenn. Co, C-92nd Reg. V g, Crooks Brigade. Nothing More.

“‘But remaining your, Elam Dye.’”

“A month later Elam died of typhoid April 30 in Carthage and was buried in the Nashville National Cemetery. He was not the only brother who died in the service. His brother Joshua died of disease as well at Morris Island, S.C. Benjamin had been taken prisoner at Bunker Hill, Virginia, but returned to service nearly six months later and then wounded at Piedmont, Virginia in 1864. Of the five brothers that left for war, three would return veterans of a hard-fought war. This was the story for many families in America during the Civil War.”

After the ceremony at the courthouse, Yoho invited spectators to come to the fairgrounds where the afternoon program included Welch, a weapons demonstration by specialists Andrew Rowland and Jessie Kallel, a battle re-enactment and much more.

The battle re-enactment drew a large crowd of spectators who watched Saturday as the Union army, with re-enforcements, emerged victoriously.

Sunday’s events began with an 1860s church service with events throughout the morning and afternoon. The event was hosted by the 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry Company B.

Team Monroe Committee to Coordinate P-16 Council

Dr. Joseph Bukowski, president, Belmont Technical College, talked to Monroe County Commissioners June 8 about initiating a P-16 Council and this week they took action to do just that.

Bukowski met with officials again on June 15, at which time county commissioners adopted a resolution to support the Monroe County Higher Education Plan as developed by BTC. Commissioners also voted to name Team Monroe’s education committee to initiate a P-16 Council.

Bukowski, at the prior meeting, said forming a P-16 Council is the first step in the BTC Higher Education Strategic Plan.

He said once the council is in place, immediate implementation of the plan is possible.

“This is the perfect time to initiate a P-16 Council,” he said, noting the recent vote and enthusiasm for new schools in the district.

It was agreed that members of the Team Monroe Education Committee with leadership support from county commissioners and BTC will work to implement the P-16 Strategy from the county’s Strategic Higher Education Plan.

A P-16 Council works to integrate the separate systems of education across all learning levels. By improving these connections, P-16 focuses on the needs of the students, ensuring they can advance smoothly from pre-kindergarten to post secondary education. The philosophy behind this approach is simple: success in college and in a career begins in preschool.

Ohio’s disconnected system of education is not currently meeting the challenges required for success in the 21st century. Across the state, the P-16 approach is helping region’s result in higher achieving students with the goal of restoring economic competitiveness to Ohio’s citizens and to the state.

In Ohio, for every 100 ninth graders, 70 graduate high school, 38 enter college and only 17 earn a bachelor’s degree in six years. This is a problem given that an estimated 75 percent of all new jobs in this decade – and the majority of jobs that pay wages sufficient to support a family – will require at least some education beyond high school.

The Council will work to convene local leaders from every level of education, from business, communities and civic interests, as well as parents, to provide vision and leadership. In the P-16 process, all members are equal partners and education stakeholders in the effort. The group will help identify transition points in students’ education where they may experience difficulty or need additional support. One goal of the P-16 Council is to significantly increase the college enrollment rate from Monroe County.

The Council will support the overall goals of the county’s strategic plan to support citizens in accessing higher education, to make the higher education experience as affordable as possible and to help to meet the county’s workforce development needs.

Critical next steps in forming the P-16 Council include developing the Council’s membership (of interested and necessary parties) and hosting an initial meeting before July 31. The group will then focus on basic P-16 training and developing plans for its initial activities.

Monroe County residents interested in serving on the P-16 Council, should contact 213-0455 by July 1. Necessary requirements for the council include a passion for the advancement of Monroe County, willingness to be an “active” participant of the Council including regular attendance with work assignments between meetings.

Jefferson, Monroe, Belmont Counties Form Partnership

Three Ohio counties are joining forces to encourage regional cooperation and economic development.

That was the outcome of a June 5 meeting held in St. Clairsville among economic development officials from Jefferson, Monroe and Belmont counties along with Kathy Gagin, field representative for U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson.

Gagin was the driving force behind arranging the meeting of the group, which will be known as the JMB Partnership.

“This regional effort was discussed several years ago,” said Gagin. “Congressman Wilson felt the timing was right to revive the concept and push it forward. Collaborative efforts such as the JMB Partnership will strengthen our stand and show community commitment across the board.”

Charter members of the partnership and co-chairman of the effort include: Tom Scott, community developer for Team Monroe; Sue Douglas, executive director of the Belmont County Department of Development; Larry Merry, director, Belmont County Port Authority; and Ed Looman, executive director of Jefferson County’s Progress Alliance.

“Our mission is simple - we want to encourage regional cooperation and economic development in business, industry, tourism and recreation,” said Douglas. “Our goal will be to work together to help create what could be a power economic shot in the arm for the area.”

Scott called the meeting a great start for what could be a fantastic collaborative effort. “From this point forward, we will be working together to move our counties forward,” he said.

The charter members will take their next step when an organizational meeting is held on July 10 at the Incubator Kitchen of the Midway Community Center, located in Antioch.

“Representatives from the three counties will be invited to join us on July 10 and help create the vision of this new partnership,” Looman said. “We will encourage input at that meeting to determine how we move forward. The charter members will be looking to bring like-minded individuals together to start talking and sharing ideas on economic development for the area.”

Merry noted the importance of working together to move the three counties forward.

“This effort will be all about sharing - sharing resources, sharing talent, sharing ideas,” he said. “The end result hopefully will be creating a vision for the future of the three counties and working together to make it happen.”

Gagin emphasized the importance of joint efforts within the district covered by U.S. Rep. Wilson.

“I am definitely encouraged by the results of today’s meeting,” she said. “The congressman obviously is concerned about the economic health of the people in his district. I believe that through this partnership, we will begin to see creative ideas regarding our resources and our region. It is exciting to see people come together and pledge to work together as a region to build the economy and a better future for the residents of the three counties.”

Beallsville Eyes Offenders

Beallsville Village Council members looked at age old problems during their June 2 meeting.

Officials stressed that confining pets and cleaning property will be dealt with per village ordinances.

Residents are reminded that all dogs within the village limits are to be confined to the owner’s property. No owner is to allow his/her dog to run at large within the village limits.

Cleaning property was also stressed. Per ordinance, land owners must keep property free of trash and keep the lawn mowed.

According to the ordinance, if owners do not comply, the village will clean up the property and place the charges on the owner’s tax bill.

On a motion by Councilman Walter Dornon, officials accepted a quote from Dynamic Safety Resources, Woodsfield, for new fire extinguishers.

In other business it was agreed that Ted Billiter of the street department will obtain hot patch from Klug Brothers, to patch numerous pot holes throughout the village.

Council’s next meeting will be held July 6 at 7 p.m. at the city building.

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