FRIENDS OF MONMOUTH BATTLEFIELD
NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2014
ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS
TO BE HELD DECEMBER 3
Our annual meeting and elections, as required by our by-laws, will be held on
Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters,
located at 125 Symmes Drive in Manalapan (phone 732-431-7220).
The business portion of the meeting will begin at 7:00 PM, followed at about
7:30 by short presentation on the progress of the James T. Raleigh Memorial Library
and Research Center. There will also be a presentation of the new Five Year Plan for
2015-2019 being considered by the Trustees.
Ballots and election information are being mailed separately to paid up
members.
The nominating committee presented its slate of officers at the October 8
general meeting. The annual plan for 2015 and annual budget for 2015 were
discussed and approved at the Board of Trustees meeting held on October 25.
David Martin is nominated to serve a second term as President. George Dawson
is nominated to continue as Vice President. He is stepping down from the post of
Treasurer, which he has held for the past ten years or so. Nomination to be new
Treasurer is Kathy Doherty. Fran Raleigh is nominated to continue as Secretary.
Richard Bellamy and Walter Kowalsky are current trustees whose terms are
expiring and are nominated to stand for another term. Long time friend John Fabiano
is being nominated to join the Board.
A list of current officers and trustees is listed later in this newsletter.
CRAIG HOUSE TO CLOSE FOR THE SEASON
DECEMBER 7; WINDOW REPLACEMENT PROJECT
AT LAST READY TO START
The historic Craig House, which is interpreted by members of the Friends, has
been open Sundays from 1-4 PM since last April. Due to cold weather and lowered
visitation over the winter, it will close for the season on December 7. It will reopen
again in April 2015.
Much thanks are owed to Kathy and Eric Doherty for serving as docents at the
Craig House.
We are pleased to announce that permission has finally been received from the
Historic preservation Office in Trenton to begin work on our project to replace three
damaged windows at the Craig House. Hopefully the work will be completed by the end
of December. The project is being undertaken with the aid of a matching grant from
the Monmouth county Historical Commission.
CIVIL WAR BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG
TO BE COMMEMORATED ON DECEMBER 13;
DR. MARTIN TO GIVE TALK ON 28th REGIMENT
AT 12 NOON IN THE PARK AUDITORIUM
Uniformed Civil War troops will be on hand at the Visitor Center to
commemorate the 152nd anniversary of the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, which
was fought on December 13, 1862. The battle has a direct connection to Monmouth
Battlefield State Park because one of the units that fought there, the 28 th New Jersey
Infantry, was organized and trained at Camp Vredenburg, the Civil War training camp
located within the current boundaries of the Park in 1862-1865.
The 28th Regiment was recruited from counties in central and southern New
Jersey. It was mustered in at Camp Vredenburg on September 22, 1862 and left for
Virginia on October 5. Its first and biggest battle was at Fredericksburg, where the
regiment lost almost 200 men out of 665 engaged. Among its casualties was the
regimental commander, Colonel Moses Wisewell, who received a painful bullet wound
in the neck and mouth.
Dr. David Martin, President of the Friends, will give a brief history of the 28 th
Regiment and its role in the battle at 12 noon in the Park Auditorium. He will focus on
the service of Private J. Gilmore West of Company I of the 28th.the “Kearny Guards.”
West was a native of Perth Amboy and trained at Camp Vredenburg, like the rest of
the regiment. He kept an interesting diary of his experiences, until he was mortally
wounded at Fredericksburg by an artillery shell that tore into his leg.
The Civil War troops to be present on December 13 will exhibit arms and
equipment of the typical Union soldiers of the 28th New Jersey. As long as the weather
is agreeable they will also be giving musket firing demonstrations.
For more information, contact the Park office at 732-462-9616.
WORK CONTINUES ON RALEIGH LIBRARY;
HELP NEEDED TO CLEAN BOOKS
Work is continuing on the development of the new James T. Raleigh Memorial
Library and Research Center being set up at the Park in honor of our late President
Jim Raleigh, who passed away just over a year ago. Over 1000 books have been sorted
and are being catalogued. Hopefully the library will be set up and operational by
spring 2015.
An unanticipated problem has arisen because some of the books donated from
a number of sources have mold/mildew issues. Anyone with experience in this area or
who has time to donate, please contact FOMB President David Martin at
dmartin@peddie.org.
2015 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE OPENS (forms enclosed)
We cannot do all that we do without the support of our membership. Thanks!
GROUP BEING ORGANIZED AT THE PARK TO COMMEMORATE
THE 14th NEW JERSEY REGIMENT;
FUNDS BEING RAISED FOR UNIT FLAGS AND EQUIPMENT
Park seasonal interpreter Pete Michel is getting together several of his friends to
recreate the 14th New Jersey Infantry, which trained at Camp Vredenburg, the Civil
War training camp located within the bounds of current Monmouth Battlefield State
Park. The regiment trained along with the 28th and 29th Regiments in the summer of
1862 before leaving to fight in Virginia and Maryland until the end of the war. Its
greatest wartime loss was at the battle of Monocacy, Maryland, on July 5, 1864, which
is why the unit is often called the “Monocacy Regiment.”
Members of the group will have regular encampments and living history
demonstrations at the Park. The most recent Civil War encampment at the park was
held on September 14, with assistance form members of the 3rd new jersey infantry.
Michel’s group is currently looking to raise money for equipment and to
recreate the unit’s flags. Donations can be sent to the friends of Monmouth Battlefield,
PO Box 122, Tennent, NJ 07763.
A booklet on the history of Camp Vredenburg is available at our gift shop at the
park for minimal cost.
FOMB HAS INFORMATION TABLE
AT MONMOUTH COUNTY ARCHIVES DAY
The Friends were well represented at Monmouth County Archives Day,
Which was held on Saturday, October 11, at the main branch of the Monmouth
County Library on Symmes Drives in Manalapan. Every year 60 or more history
groups from Monmouth county and around the state have display and information
tables at the all-day event. This year the theme was the Civil War and Civil War music.
Thanks go to Trustees Andy Beagle, George Dawson, Eric Doherty, Kathy
Doherty, and David Martin for setting up and manning our information table.
MONMOUTH BATTLEFIELD
TWO YEARS AFTER SANDY
It is hard to imagine that Super Storm Sandy struck the state just over two
years ago. Monmouth Battlefield State Park was closed ahead of time in anticipation of
the storm, on Sunday, October 28. During the storm more trees were knocked down
during the two day storm, October 29-30, than in hurricane Irene, which blew through
at the end of August 2011. It took several months for all the fallen branches and
damaged trees to be cleared. Now most damage is repaired, except for that done to our
historic Craig House (see attached article). The Park is basically in good shape and the
trees have been beautiful in their full autumn color. Let us hope that we don’t see any
more storms like Irene and Sandy for a long while.
SCHEDULE OF WINTER ACTIVITIES (2014-2015)
Dec. 3, 2014 (Wed)
Dec. 7, 2014 (Sun)
Dec. 7, 2014 (Sun)
Annual business meeting. Meeting held at
7 PM at the main branch of the Monmouth County Library,
Symmes Drive, Manalapan
Walking tour of the battlefield. Meet at Visitor Center at
1:30 PM
Craig House open 1-4 PM, then closes for the season
Dec.13, 2014 (Sat)
Dec. 14, 2014 (Sat)
Jan.1, 2015 (Thurs)
Jan. 4, 2015 (Sun)
Feb. 1, 2015 (Sun)
Feb. 8, 2015 (Sun)
Encampment by Civil War living historians.10 AM – 4 PM,
commemorating the 152nd anniversary of the battle of
Fredericksburg
Lecture by Dr. David Martin on the 28th New Jersey
Regiment at the battle of Fredericksburg. The regiment
trained at Camp Vredenburg, located in the Park. 12 noon
at the Visitor center Auditorium.
“First day Hike.” Visit the ground on which
Molly Pitcher fought. Meet at Visitor Center
at 11 AM. (Date is incorrectly listed on annual plan
distributed to members, as Jan. 2 Wed).
Driving tour of battlefield. Meet at Visitor Center at 1:30 PM
Walking tour of the battlefield. Meet at Visitor
Center at 1:30 PM.
Program on the role of Black and Native American troops at
the battle of Monmouth. Held at 2 PM at Visitor Center
Auditorium
Gift Shop is open Sundays from 1—4 PM at the Visitor Center.
FOMB OFFICERS FOR 2014
(terms expire December 3, 2014)
President
Dr. David Martin
Treasurer
George Dawson
Secretary
Fran Raleigh
Treasurer
George Dawson
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(end of term in parentheses)
Andrew Beagle
(2016)
South Plainfield, NJ
Richard Bellamy
(2014)
Spotswood, NJ
Michael Cervini
(2015)
Toms River, NJ
George Dawson
(2016)
New Brunswick, NJ
Eric Doherty
(2016)
Old Bridge, NJ
Kathy Doherty
(2016)
Old Bridge, NJ
Walter Kowalsky
(2014)
Freehold, NJ
Dr. David Martin
(2015)
East Windsor, NJ
Marilyn Miller
(2015)
Toms River, NJ
Fran Raleigh
(2017)
Colts Neck, NJ
Peter Wagner
(2015)
Englishtown, NJ
2015 Membership Application
The Revolution in New Jersey had profound meaning. To help keep the past
alive, we ask for your commitment in Protecting, Preserving and Historically
Interpreting Monmouth Battlefield State Park, a Registered National Historic
landmark, and the sites associated with the Monmouth Campaign of 1778.
Name
__________________________________________
Address
__________________________________________
City
__________________________________________
State
_________________
Zip Code
____________
CHECK ONE
New membership
Renewal
CIRCLE LEVEL OF MEMBERSHIP
Individual $20
Family $30
Senior Individual $5
Senior Family $10
Patron $100
Lifetime $250
Membership benefits include a 10% discount at the Gift Shop.
The Friends rely on membership and donations for much of our general operating
budget. If you would like to make a donation above the membership dues, we
would deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness. The Friends is a 501(c)(3) not-for
profit organization and your donation is fully tax-deductible. Thank you.
Donation included in the amount of ______________________
FRIENDS OF MONMOUTH BATTLEFIELD, INC. PO Box 122, Tennent NJ 07763
November 2015
Dear Friend of Monmouth Battlefield,
I am writing to ask for your support for the Friends and our objectives. I sincerely
hope that you will be able to attend our meetings and programs this year as we continue
our programs to help preserve and develop Monmouth Battlefield State Park and to
interpret the battle and events associated with it. Please consider renewing your
membership or joining the Friends by returning the enclosed membership application to us
at the address given above.
This is an exciting year because of the expansion of all our programming. We are
giving additional walks and talks on the battlefield, and we will be helping the Park erect
additional wayside historical markers on the battlefield. Our biggest new project is the
completion of the James T. Raleigh Memorial Library and Research Center, which hopefully
be officially opened in the spring. Our new and expanded gift shop has been operational for
well over a year and offers the best selection of books and pamphlets on the battle that are
available anywhere (visit our website if you want to order items by mail).
We are continuing our popular free guided tours on the first Sunday of every month.
We are also available to give group tours at other times by arrangement. In addition, we
are helping to man and interpret the historic Craig House at the battlefield, every Sunday
from 1-4 PM from the beginning of April to the beginning of December.
This year we received a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission to help
sponsor a series of 14 presentations “Over here Molly Pitcher” given at the park by living
history historian Stacy Roth. We also have a matching grant from the Monmouth County
Historical Commission to undertake much needed window replacements at the historic Craig
House. More grants for similar projects are in the works.
If you have questions or want information, please contact Vice President Dr. David
Martin at 609-448-6355 (dmartin@peddie.org). Our new website can be viewed at
www.friendsofmonouth.org
Sincerely,
Dr. David Martin, Membership Chairman
Additional accomplishments for the past year include:
Sponsorship of programs and tours on the actual anniversary of the battle in
June 2014
Sponsorship of programs on “The Revolutionary War in Monmouth
County” in June and July
Maintenance of a new and expanded gift shop at the Visitor Center
Regular membership meetings on historical topics related to the
Battle and Park
Outreach to schools, community groups and state agencies
Regular free monthly tours of the battlefield held the first Sunday of
every month
Development of additional walking and driving tours of the Battle of
Monmouth
Staffing of the Craig House every Sunday from1-4 PM all year long
Working closely with Park staff to help plan the new Visitor Center and its
exhibits
Maintenance of a large and current website (friendsofmonmouth.org)
PROGRAM GIVEN ON “WE WERE ALSO THERE
AT MONMOUTH,” ON OCTOBER 8
HAS RECORD ATTENDANCE
At the October 8 general meeting FOMB President David Martin gave a program
on the roles played by the secondary Generals at the battle. Too often studies of the
battle focus on what the leading figures, Washington, Lee and Lafayette, did. This talk
covered the careers and battle contributions of other important or famous people who
took part in the battle. Leaders covered included James Monroe, Aaron Burr,
Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, John Marshall, Baron von Steuben, Anthony
Wayne, and Dan Morgan. A copy of the map given out at the talk showing where each
officer was during the battle is included in this newsletter.
The presentation, which was quite well received, was co-sponsored by
Monmouth County Library and had over fifty people in attendance. This was our
largest attendance at a general meeting program in twelve years. Many thanks to the
library staff for all the advertising and for setting up the large meeting room. Hopefully
additional joint programming can be arranged in the future!
POPULAR WALKING TOUR PROGRAM CONTINUES
Our program of walking tours continues to be successful. Tours are regularly
held on the first Sunday of each month, and occasionally on other Sundays.
A small but enthusiastic group visited the Point of Woods area and approaches
to the Hedgerow line on September 14. On October 5 a large group of over twenty
hikers toured the Hedgerow line and Parsonage area, dodging all the fences set up to
facilitate apple picking in the Park’s orchards. The walking tour on November 2 was
rescheduled to the Point of Woods area because of the strong cold wind blowing that
day.
The next regularly schedule walking tours will be conducted on December 7
and January 3. They meet at 1:30 PM at the Visitor Center and no reservations are
required. In case of bad weather, a driving tour of the park, or historical lecture in the
new Visitor Center auditorium, will be substituted.
SPECIAL WALKING TOUR TO NEW MOLLY PITCHER
SITE TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 1
This year the Friends will once again be participating in the “America’s State
Parks First Day Hikes" program sponsored by the state’s Division of Parks & Forestry.
On Thursday, January 1, a special tour will be offered by David Martin to Perrine Hill
to view the main American position there and visit sites associated with Molly Pitcher.
Those interested in the tour should meet at the Visitor Center at 11 AM. This tour,
which has average forty participants the past two years, will cover about a mile over
rolling terrain and will last about two hours total. Call 732-462-9616 for more
information