Chaplain Philos G Cook Camp # 223, SUVCW

Cook Camp meeting this morning at 19 am at the Olympic Restaurant on 4611 Genesee Street near the Airport.... See ya there

CIVIL WAR HISTORY NOTES - # 8 by Steve Teeft C A L T H R O P _________________________________________... The Calthrop is a Anti-Personnel device. The modern name "caltrop" is derived from the Latin calcitrapa, meaning (foot-trap). This weapon has been used for centuries, especially during the medieval times. This Calthrop came in many different variations, from a wire to a larger iron mass. Typically with 6 or 8 points, with a point or a set of points facing upward to inflict the damage. During the civil war era, the Calthrop was typically a 6 pointed device and made of cast iron. This was used as an anti-personnel / Anti-Horse spiked metal device. These horse weapons were thrown/ scattered on the ground to impede mostly animals (primarily horses) with hopes that a horse would step upon them causing the horse to rear up, toss there riders and causing enough damage on the horses hooves to make it lame and prevent the horse from being used. One of the main animals used for transport were horses, for the mounted cavalry, artillery and wagons for supply. Often these Calthrop's were scattered on trails, roads, creek beds along rivers or any area exposed area to puncture hooves, or boots from soldiers and disable a victim. They were designed so there was always one spike pointing up. IN THE PICTURE On the Right - the larger ones showing on the right are from the civil war era. ON the Left - the smaller ones are from the First World War

CIVIL WAR HISTORY NOTES - # 7 by Steve Teeft Captain THOMAS AUGUSTUS BUDD Jr (1844 1924)... ______________________________________________ Businessman, Soldier & Freemason Captain Thomas A Budd Jr was born in California while his father Thomas Augustus Budd Sr was still in the US Navy, Commanding the USS California on January 24, 1844. His parents were Louisa Talman and Thomas Augustus Budd Sr. The Budd family moved to Buffalo, NY just prior to 1850. Thomas’s father was in the brokerage business. As the civil war raged into its third year, Thomas Jr, at the age of 20, joined the 2nd Mounted Rifles in Buffalo, NY on January 27, 1864, and was commissioned a 1st Lt in Company D. Thomas was promoted to Captain on August 22, 1864. He and his company was mustered out of service in Petersburg, VA on August 10, 1865. Following the civil war, Thomas A Jr, married Louise Jones, and they had 2 children Thomas was a member of the Hiram Lodge #105 in Buffalo Brother Thomas Augustus Budd Jr died at the age of 80 years on June 26, 1924 and was buried in Buffalo’s Forest Lawn cemetery, in Section H. Sources: Find a Grave, Ancestry.com (photo), Erie County Craft Freemasonry, by Gary L. Heinmiller, personal files of Steve Teeft

CIVIL WAR HISTORY NOTES - # 6 by Steve Teeft DANIEL DAVIDSON BIDWELL (1819-1864)... ______________________________________________ Buffalo Police, Militia officer, Civil War Union Brigadier General and Freemason Born in Buffalo, New York on August 12, 1819 in the section of town known as Black Rock. The Son of Benjamin & Jane Harvey Bidwell. Daniel’s father founded the Banta & Bidwell Shipbuilding Company. Daniel was raised in the city of Buffalo where he was educated. Daniel and his father Benjamin were raised as freemasons in Buffalo and were members of the Hiram Lodge #105. Brother Daniel had joined the local militia prior to the Civil War joining Company D (The Buffalo Guard) of the 65th NY Militia, promoted to the rank of Captain, then transferred, and help organize the newly formed 74th NY Militia. Brother Daniel was also involved with helping to organize the City of Buffalo’s first Police force. When the Civil War started in 1861, Buffalo's second regiment was being raised, and at the age of 42 Daniel D Bidwell was appointed Colonel of the 49th NY Volunteer Infantry. Daniel commanded the 49th NY until he was discharged on August 11, 1864 and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, which he was personally recommended for promotion by Union General George Meade. Brother Daniel served as a Brigadier General, commanding the Third Brigade, Second Division, of the Sixth Corps., until he was mortally wounded and died on October 19, 1864 during the battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia. Cedar Creek was the last major battle in the Shenandoah Valley. His body was return to Buffalo, which he had a Masonic burial at Forest Lawn cemetery, where was buried in Section H, Lots 34-37 In his honor, a statue was erected in Buffalo, at Soldier Circle on a Bidwell Parkway SOURCES: Wikipedia, Find-a-Grave; Personal files of Steve Teeft

CIVIL WAR HISTORY NOTES - # 5 by Steve Teeft Brig General WILLIAM FINDLAY ROGERS (1820-1899)...Continue reading