The Redlands Guardian
The Newsletter of the Redlands Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution
May 2008
Volume 16
Issue 5
Page 1
The 133rd Annual Meeting of the California Society
President John Ford and Will Langford were delegates to the annual CASSAR meeting held at the Hilton Hotel in Concord, California, April 17-19. Compatriot Shawn Price, chairman of the CASSAR Eagle Scout Scholarship Contest, was
also there to recognize the winner of the Eagle Scout Scholarship contest and present the Richard W. Fowler Award to SAR
members for their support of the Boy Scouts of America.
Thomas Jefferson Chapter was the host chapter for this year’s meeting. The members and Ladies Auxiliary did an excellent job in planning and organizing the event. It was especially rewarding for the T. J. chapter when Stephen Renouf, a
member of the chapter, was installed as President of the California Society.
Charles Bragg, NSSAR Registrar General, conducts the installation
of Stephen Renouf as California Society President for 2008. The Reverend Bishop, Louis Carlson, Executive Vice President, in the background, looks on.
Karl Jacobs and Stephen Renouf affix the Past President
and President ribbons of office on one another following the installation ceremony. Master of ceremonies, Andrew Kauffman,
T.J. Chapter, and Karl’s wife, Sandi observe the ritual.
Page 2
California Society Awards
Presented at the Law Enforcement & Youth Luncheon
Captain David Cutaia, of the Martinez Police Department, was honored as the CASSAR Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and presented the SAR Law Enforcement Medal and Certificate.
Eagle Scout Scholarship Chairman, Shawn Price,
presents the Eagle Trophy to Robert Lane. Robert
is a
repeat winner of the contest. Redlands Chapter
winner,
Robert Mogan, was first runner-up.
Kile Bigbee, winner of the Knight Essay contest, accepts
a medal, certificate, and $500 prize money. Alexandra
Hollander, winner of the Redlands chapter contest,
placed third.
Youth Awards Chairman, Earl Young, presents Cody
Zoschak with the Outstanding JrROTC Cadet medal,
certificate, and a check for $500.
The winners of the Eagle Scout, JrROTC, and Essay
contests are all Eagle Scouts. Scouting prepares young
men for greater achievements in life.
Page 3
Annual CASSAR Member & Chapter Awards
Award
Compatriot
Chapter.
Patriot Medal
Curtis Porter
Wayne Griswold
James Faulkinbury
South Coast
Gold Country
Sacramento
Distinguished Service Medal
Daughters of Liberty Medal
Gold Von Steuben Medal
Silver Von Steuben Medal
Stanley G. Henderson
Sandi Jacobs
James L. Faulkinbury
James Blauer
Lt. Col Charles Bragg
George Washington
DAR
Sacramento
Orange County
NSSAR Registrar General
Gold Country
Riverside
Sacramento/ Sons of Liberty
Riverside
Redlands
Best Chapter (Large)
Best Chapter (Medium)
Best Color Guard (Large Chapter)
Best Color Guard (Medium)
Best Color Guard (Small)
President John Ford receives “Best Color Guard” Streamer
from CASSAR Color Guard Commander, Don Moran.
The Redlands Color Guard actually had a greater point total for activities this year than either of the large
or medium chapters that won in their category. Kudos to Richard Towne, David & Eric Diefendorf, Charlie &
Henry Frye, Richard & Matt Maynard, John Ford and Will Langford who give their time and talents in support of
the Redlands Guard.
Page 4
133rd Annual Meeting of the California Society, Sons of the American Revolution
Concord, California April 17 – 19
Order of Business:
The meeting was opened by President Karl Jacobs, followed by the invocation by Chaplin, Reverend Doctor Phillip C. Dotson.
Opening remarks:
1.
President Jacobs introduced the NSSAR Historian General David Simpson and Registrar General Charles Bragg. Registrar General. David Simpson gave a presentation titled, “The SAR Legacy”, which described important SAR historical
events, people and accomplishments. John requested that he send us a copy of his presentation.
2.
The CASSAR web site address has been changed to californiasar.org.
3.
The fall Board of Managers meeting will be held on November 7 – 8. Meeting site to be determined.
4.
The spring Board of Managers meeting will be April 17 – 18, 2009 at the Wyndam Hotel, Irvine, CA.
Old Business:
1.
CASSAR By Laws, Para. 8.2 Which establish the date for finalizing the place and date for the annual meetings, was
amended: to wit- delete “a year in advance”; add “as soon as possible, but at least 90 days in advance”. The purpose
was to allow more flexibility in setting up the annual meetings.
2.
The CASSAR Treasurer stressed that all chapters must file the IRS Form 990N, and send a copy to the Society Secretary. Chapters failing to file the required form with the IRS could jeopardize the California Society’s tax exempt status.
President Jacobs emphatically stated that chapters failing to comply would be dropped from the rolls.
3.
Secretary Jim Shadwick requested that chapter secretaries insure that symbols used in addresses, such as #, No., So., Ln.,
Cir. etc., are valid and should be checked on the USPS site or “Google” for accuracy, in order to prevent returns of letters
and other information sent out to members. Notify the state secretary of any changes to a member’s address.
New Business:
1.
The delegates voted to support the “Wreaths Across America” program. A manufacturer of wreaths provides wreaths to
be placed on all veterans graves in the National Cemeteries during the month of December. The Redlands Chapter can
take part in this worthy activity at the Riverside National Cemetery on December 13, 2008. More to come.
2.
Donald Moran, editor of the California Compatriot, indicated that costs of production and mailing the magazine will exceed the budgeted amount by $2000. Rather than cut the issues of the magazine from three to two, the delegates directed
that the extra money be found in the current society’s operating budget to cover the cost over-run, and to explore streamlining mailing methods. Some members may be willing to accept the magazine via email.
3.
The CASSAR Poster contest chairman announced the theme for the 2008 contest will be Paul Revere’s ride.
4.
The State Society endorsed Past President Larry Magerkurth as candidate for a National Society office, if he chooses to
seek an office.
5.
It was announced that Cliff Robertson, actor and member of the Sacramento Chapter, will be the featured speaker at the
2008 National Congress to be held in Sacramento July 5—9.
CASSAR Officers elected for 2008-2009:
President Stephen R. Renouf
Executive VP Bishop Louis V. Carlson
VP North Wayne A. Griswold
VP South John L. Dodd
VP Membership William A. Welch
Secretary Floyd J. Shadwick
Registrar
Treasurer Michael J. Howard
Genealogist
Chaplain Dr. Phillip C. Dodson
Surgeon
Chancellor Richard Hawley
Historian
Trustee, Investment Fund Travis Spears
Recommended to NSSAR for National Trustee, Karl N. Jacobs
Edward L. Rudisill
Stanley Henderson
Dr. Ernest Latham
James F. Blauer
Alternate, Stephen R. Renouf
Page 5
Memorial Service
On Saturday, April 19, the Rt. Reverend Bishop Louis Carlson, ExecutiveVP, and CASSAR Chaplain, Reverend
Dr. Philip C. Dodson conducted a Memorial Service recognizing the 40 members of the California Society who
passed away in 2007. Assisted by the Ladies Auxiliary the service was both solemn and moving.
In keeping with Patriot’s Day, the service honored the 70 Minutemen who, on April 19, 1775, stood on Lexington
Green facing British Redcoats who had marched from Boston to seize a cache of arms and ammunition which the Patriots had stored in Concord.
Captain Jonas Parker exhorted his men; “Stand your ground!” “Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they want to
have a war, let it begin here”. After musket volleys were exchanged by Minutemen and British, eight Americans lay
dead on the Green including the brave Jonas Parker. The shots fired that day by the “embattled farmers” would reverberate through out the Colonies and the World.
As the names of the eight Patriots who fell that day were called out, a rose was placed in a vase by members of the
Ladies Auxiliary:
Jonas Parker
Robert Munroe
Samuel Hadley
Jonathan Harrington Jr.
Caleb Harrington
Isaac Mazzy
John Brown
Asah Porter
And here, on a bright April 19 day in Concord (CA), these Patriots lived again in our memory.
Page 6
1775 - Gathering Storm of War
Adams and Hancock were near Lexington and John
Adams was at Concord.
By the spring of 1775 all hopes for peace between the
Colonies and England had been dashed. The King and
Parliament had rejected the petitions from the “illegal”
Continental Congress, and were determined to stamp out
the “most daring spirit of resistance and
disobedience” in the colonies. General
Thomas Gage had assumed the position
of Governor of Massachusetts and Commander of British forces in North America. At his request more British troops
were sent to reinforce the Boston garrison
until it numbered 4,000 men. The Coercive Acts had
galvanized the colonies to unify and defy the authority of
the King and Parliament. Adding more fuel to the flame
of rebellion, Parliament passed another repressive act; the
Fishery Act, which forbade the New England colonies to
trade with England, Ireland, and the West Indies, and
barred them from the Newfoundland fisheries. This was
another crippling blow to the economy of the colonies.
Infuriated citizens of Massachusetts responded by
reconvening the Provincial Congress which placed the
colony on a virtual war footing. Dr. Joseph Warren began
the transformation of the militias, cleansing them of
Tories and other dissidents. All officers were forced to
resign, and towns reelected new officers known to be
loyal patriots. Dr Warren’s Committee of Safety had
established an arsenal of cannon, shot, muskets and
powder at Concord. Unknown to the Committee, a paid
informant had revealed the secret location of the cache of
weapons to the British. Gage responded by imposing
martial law and declaring everyone to be “in treason”; yet
offering full and free pardons to everyone who would
reaffirm their loyalty to the Crown – except ringleaders of
the Sons of Liberty, Samuel Adams and John Hancock.
On April 14, Gage received his marching orders from
the King and Parliament - use necessary force to quickly
crush the rebellion before it could spread. The leaders of
the Provincial Congress were to be arrested; however,
only Dr. Warren remained in Boston, as John Adams,
Samuel Adams, and John Hancock were out of the city on
their way to the second Continental Congress. Samuel
Gage was determined to seize the stores of arms at
Concord. He selected his best troops – the grenadier and
light infantry companies - and ordered them “off all duties
‘till further orders” to learn “new evolutions.” Patriot
spies had observed the British hauling in their whaleboats
for repairs and concluded that the anticipated raid against
Concord was imminent and the British would move their
troops by boat across the bay.
On the morning of April 17, Dr. Warren sent Revere
off to Lexington to warn Adams and Hancock to be
prepared to flee to safety. On his return, Revere put his
spies on high alert. He stationed his friend, John Pulling
in the steeple of the North Church. Pulling was to show
one signal lantern if the British were marching out of
Boston by way of land and two lanterns if they had
boarded the boats to take them across the Back Bay.
Revere would know that they had embarked on their raid
against Concord.
During the day of April 18, Gage sent mounted officers
along the road to Concord to clear it of any rebel couriers.
After nightfall the light infantry and grenadier companies
were roused from sleep, formed up and marched down to
the waiting whaleboats – still not knowing where they
were headed. Paul
Revere and fellow
courier,
William
Dawes waited for
the signals from the
church. When two
lanterns
were
shown, Dawes and
Revere split up –
Dawes taking the
longer overland route via Boston Neck to Cambridge then
on to Lexington. Revere rowed over to Charlestown,
mounted his horse and was on his way by eleven o’clock,
rousing the farmers and townspeople, shouting “the
Regulars are out”! Near midnight Revere reached the
house of Parson Jonas Clark where Adams and Hancock
were staying. After waking the two men he galloped on
and met Dawes. The two rode on toward Concord where
they were joined by Dr. Samuel Prescott. The three were
stopped by a group of British riders. Prescott escaped
immediately and Dawes slipped away later, but Revere
was retained. A senior British officer rode up to question
him about his purpose at this late hour. When Revere
revealed his name the other men in the group began
denouncing him. Under questioning Revere confessed,
“you have missed your purpose. “I have already alerted
the entire countryside and there should be five hundred
men at Lexington soon. Rather than being encumbered
with a prisoner, the British eventually released him and he
rode back to Boston.
drifted away. Major Pitcairn rode forward and shouted,
“Lay down your arms, you dammed rebels, and disperse!”
Parker realizing the situation was hopeless, ordered his
men to disband, taking their weapons with them. Shots
were fired by someone, wounding a British soldier. Then a
volley from the British ranks tore through the Patriot ranks.
The militiamen fled. Pitcairn ordered his troops to cease
firing and surround the rebels. But the enraged solders
charged forward with bayonets at the ready. Jonas Parker
was left standing alone on the green. Before he could
reload and fire again, British bayonets cut him down.
Eight Americans lay dead on the green, with ten more
wounded. Only one Redcoat had been wounded. The battle
of Lexington was over in almost an instant.
Page 7
Things were going badly for the British troops. The
boats had landed them at Lechmere Point in knee-deep
water. Then their incompetent commander, Lt. Col. Smith,
had led them into a backwater of the Charles River where
they were forced to wade in water up to their chest. No
sooner had they begun the 16 mile march to Concord, shots
rang out from behind trees and alarm bells rang. It was
clear; this would not be a surprise attack! When they
reached Menotomy (present day Arlington) at three o’clock
in the morning their advance guard reported that the rebels
had been warned of their approach. Probably the only
good decision that the bumbling Lt. Col. Smith made that
day was to send an express rider back to Boston with a
request for reinforcements. By that time the Redcoats had
been on their feet for five hours. They continued to plod
toward their objective burdened with soaking wet uniforms, some sixty pounds of packs, belts, bayonets,
cartridge boxes, and a twelve pound musket. At sunrise the
glint of the sun off of hundreds of bright musket barrels
and bayonets could be seen in the distance by the small
group of men mustered on Lexington Green.
Captain Jonas Parker had assembled 70 milita men on
Lexington Green in two ranks, fronting the road to Concord. As the British columns drew closer, one man said,
“There are so few of us, it is folly to stand here.” Captain
Parker warned, “The first man who offers to run shall be
shot down.” Major Pitcairn formed the British column into
the line of battle. They shouted and cheered as they moved
up – eager to vent their frustrations. Capt. Parker ordered,
“Stand your ground!” “Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if
they want to have a war, let it begin here.” Some men
Word of the engagement at Lexington had spread
throughout the countryside. Militia companies began
to pour into Concord. A company of light infantry was
sent by Col. Smith to search for the cache of arms
known to be at Barrett’s farm, while additional infantry, stood guard at the North Bridge. The arms stored
at Concord had been moved further west, but some gun
carriages were found in the Town House and set afire.
Seeing the smoke, the Americans were alarmed that the
British might be burning the town. Led by Captain
Isaac Davis and Drummer Abner Hosmer, the militia
marched down to North Bridge. Captain Laurie, commander of the detail at the bridge, nervously watched
the oncoming militia. Without provocation an order to
fire was given killing Captain Isaac Davis and drummer Abner Hosmer. The Americans returned fire three British soldiers were killed and nine more
wounded.
Colonel Smith had enough for the day and gathered
wagons to carry
the
wounded
and dead and set
off to Boston.
Militiamen continued to arrive
and, from behind
rocks,
walls, trees, poured continuous fire into the retreating
British. After twenty hours being on their feet the British were exhausted. Discipline was breaking down;
soldiers were ransacking and burning houses. The
fight was becoming a rout. Then, the sound of fife and
drums heralded the arrival of Lord Percy’s relief force
from Boston. By three o’clock in the afternoon the
forces of Percy and Smith were ready to return to Boston. They would again run a gauntlet of American
snipers all the way to Charlestown. Percy’s force had
barely reached Boston when the first of thousands of
Armed
New
Englanders
arrived
Registrar Report
and lay siege to
the City. It was a
costly
venture.
Applicant
Application Status
British casualties
that day were 73
killed, 26 missing,
174
wounded.
Steven M. Wee Approved 1/29/08
The
Americans
James J. Wee
Approved 2/8/08
Robert J. Lynn
At NSSAR
Robert Lemley
At NSSAR
Chris Cox (S)
Completed
Benny Croyle
Completing Application
lost 49 killed, 5 missing, and 41 wounded. The battles
of Lexington and Concord were trifling when compared to others, but here the Revolutionary War – the
most momentous in history – had begun.
Ref:
George Washington’s War, Robert Leckie, American Revolution,
Alan Axelrod
Notable Quote
"It is an unquestionable truth, that the body
of the people in every country desire sincerely its prosperity. But it is equally unquestionable
that they do not possess the discernment and stability necessary for systematic government. To
deny that they are frequently led into the grossest of errors, by misinformation and passion
would be a flattery which their own good sense must despise."
Alexander Hamilton (speech to the Ratifying Convention of New York, June 1788)
Reference: The Works of Alexander Hamilton, Henry Cabot Lodge, ed., II, 42.
Looking Ahead
May 17
Chapter meeting, Univ of
Redlands Commons, 8:30AM
May 17
Armed Froces Day
May 26
Memorial Day *
Jun-Aug
Summer recess
July 4
Redlands Parade/ Fireworks
pre show *
Sept 20
Chapter meeting
Oct 11/12 Marching thru History *
Oct 18
Chapter Meeting
Nov 9
Veterans Day Parade*
Nov 15
Chapter Meeting
Dec
TBA
*Color Guard Activity
Sons of the American Revolution
Redlands Chapter
Will Langford Editor
669 Center Crest Drive
Redlands, CA 92373