The Fourteenth Brooklyn Society

Remembrance Day 2011

2011-12-08T11:28:00.003-05:00

November 19th in Gettysburg was pretty much status quo, except for the fact that George was in no good mood due to a recent injury.
We were joined by my daughter Eve and her boyfriend John Jacob, along with George's wife Mary and their daughter Kate Farris.
Jackie Greer of the Society of Civil War Surgeons, and friend (I am sorry for forgetting her name) were in attendance at the wreath ceremony at the Camp Letterman monument. We then proceeded to the 14th's monuments for three more ceremonies. We skipped the parade, visited some shops and continued my annual quest to find a Christmas ornament manufactured in America.
On Sunday morning, we visited the cemetery to place flags on the 14th's graves.
That weekend put an end to our 2011 schedule. I will post our 2012 schedule as soon as there is one.
Here's wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

3rd Annual Civil War Weekend- Islip Grange, Sayville, NY- 9/24-25.

2011-10-18T11:33:00.005-04:00

This is the second time that George and I participated in this event. We set up the Field Hospital in an open shed, the same as last year. The weather was wet on Friday, but the rain held off for the remainder of the weekend. Appreciative crowd, which is always a pleasure.

7th Annual SOCWS Medical Living History

2011-08-23T11:52:00.005-04:00

George and I spent this past weekend in Gettysburg with our friends and fellow members of the Society of Civil War Surgeons. As usual, we set up a field hospital by the Pennyslvania Monument and enjoyed good weather. The rain held off until 5pm on Sunday and by that time we had already broke camp and were heading home. (photos courtesy of J. Greer)

Waiting to amputate.

Consulting with fellow Surgeon.

George for the Defense.

Liberty Weekend

2011-06-06T17:31:00.002-04:00

34 Star Flag

George and I set up the hospital fly this past weekend on the grounds of the Historic New Utrecht Reformed Church in Bensonhurst. We were joined by other living historians from both Civil War and Rev war. Over 300 students visited us on Friday. George gave his lecture on Civil War Hospital Trains.

2011-05-27T08:39:00.001-04:00

Somers, NY

2011-05-27T05:28:00.000-04:00

George and I attended the "Somers Middle School American Heritage Living History Day" yesterday.

In all, about 30 re-enactors were present. Good day, terrible traffic.

Adopt-a-Line

2011-05-16T11:07:00.001-04:00

Two weeks ago, a few of us (George, Kate, Colby and yours truly) traveled to Gettysburg for our annual 14th monument cleanup. Fortunately, because of the harsh winter, there wasn't much to clean.
Our Saturday day trip was to the Ft. Frederick Park and the city of Frederick in Maryland.
I'm still waiting for photos. If I get them, I will add.

SOCWS Conference

2011-04-04T13:48:00.002-04:00

I accompanied the Munkenbecks (George, Mary and Kate) this past weekend to Williamsburg, Va. We attended the annual conference of The Society of Civil War Surgeons. While there, we visited the Mariner's Museum at Newport News. George was one of the lectures at the conference.

Mr. Lincoln in Brooklyn

2011-02-17T20:08:00.000-05:00

Cpl. Furey leading the way.

James Hayney with George and myself.

A Day with Abraham Lincoln

2011-01-13T13:02:00.000-05:00

The Friends of Historic New Utrecht has invited Abraham Lincoln portray-er James Hayney to visit Brooklyn on Feb. 8th. He will be lecturing at New Utrecht High School during the day, and at the parish house of The New Utrecht Reformed Church in the evening. We will be accompanying him, in uniform, to add to the impression.

2010-12-16T05:47:00.001-05:00

Wishing you and yours, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Remembrance Day

2010-11-22T21:30:00.000-05:00

Another successful Remembrance Day at Gettysburg. Perfect weather. George and I even marched in the parade.

We met up with Companies C and E for a wreath laying ceremony at the Railroad Cut.

Gettysburg

2010-11-16T09:07:00.000-05:00

Off to Gettysburg this weekend for Remembrance Day. We'll be meeting at the Railroad Cut at 9:30am with Company E. Join us if you wish.

Islip Grange Encampment

2010-09-27T09:37:00.000-04:00

George and I spent the weekend with the 67th NY and the 9th and 30th Virginia. Great folks. Good time.

Gettysburg Medical Living History

2010-08-24T20:25:00.001-04:00

Another successful weekend in Gettysburg. Always a pleasure to spend some time with our friends from The Society of Civil War Surgeons. We easily had a thousand visitors over the weekend.

Gettysburg Medical Living History

2010-08-09T10:45:00.000-04:00

On 8/20, George and I will be going to Gettysburg to take part in a medical living history with our fellow members of the 'Society of Civil War Surgeons'. Our camp will be next to the Pennsylvania Monument. We'll be there all weekend. If you're in the area, stop by to say hi.

14th Regiment Armory

2010-07-19T10:07:00.001-04:00

The 14th Regiment Armory (now referred to as the Park Slope Armory), is located on 8th Ave and 15th St in Brooklyn. It has been a homeless shelter for many years and has recently had a major face lift. The Veteran's Committee of Kings and Richmond Counties, of which the Society is a member, has had their offices there since the 90's. They also have an interesting military museum that can be visited, call 718-499-9215 for details.
The YMCA has just had the drill hall turned into a recreation facility, and is now open to the public.
.

2010-07-04T09:01:00.002-04:00

Happy Independence Day! May God bless our United States.

Gen. Fowler Statue

2010-06-29T11:40:00.000-04:00

The Ft. Greene Community (Brooklyn), is planning a widening of the triangle where the statue of Gen. Fowler is located. A letter was requested from the Society regarding the expansion. George Munkenbeck sent the following.....

June 29, 2010
Mr. Vaidila Kungys
NYC Department of Transportation
55 Water Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY, 10041

Dear Mr. Kungys:
I am the President of the Fourteenth “Brooklyn” Regiment New York State Militia Society of New York, Inc. (Company H). We are a group of descendants and living historians dedicated to preserving the history of the “Fighting Fourteenth” from Brooklyn. I am writing to support the efforts of the Fulton Area Business Alliance (FAB) and the Fort Greene Association (FGA) to have the Department of Transportation to demap the tiny section of South Elliott Place in Fort Greene between Lafayette and Fulton. This closure and demapping would allow the expansion of the small triangle where the statue of Brigadier General Edward B. Fowler's statue now stands, enabling a larger pedestrian plaza and placing the Statue in a more accessible position. This would certainly enhance the "Gateway to Fort Greene" -- the vista one first sees of that Historic District when either coming uphill east along Lafayette Avenue or Fulton Street. Our only concern is that the statue of General Fowler is respected in this alteration and stays where it has been placed after removal from Fort Greene Park. At the present time the statue faces the location of one of the homes the General lived in after the Civil War.

Brigadier General Edward Brush Fowler’s story needs to be remembered. A citizen soldier who preferred to return to his regular life rather than to take advantage of the fame his service had brought him. That his men and the citizens of Brooklyn referred to him as “Ned” shows the great affection that the city of Brooklyn held for him. He was born in Manhattan, and his family moved to Brooklyn when he was still an infant. He clerked in order to become an accountant at Brooklyn Gaslight before becoming a member of the local militia organizations. By the time he was18 he had reached the rank of first sergeant. In 1847, Fowler - then a lieutenant - began a long association with the 14th Regiment of the New York State Militia (later called the National Guard). The regiment was largely comprised of Brooklyn tradesmen, businessmen or members of the Brooklyn Fifth Fire Brigade. In 1852, then-Lieutenant Colonel Fowler married Annie Cook at the Methodist church on nearby Hanson Place. To that union there were born three children - Sara Emma (1853), Robert (1854) and William (1869).

At the outbreak of the Civil War, the 14th Regiment was under Fowler’s command and stationed in Fort Greene Park. Two months later, Fowler’s regiment was engaged in combat at the Bull Run in Virginia. Their ferocity in battle, coupled with their distinctive bright red breeches, earned them the name, the “Red-Legged Devils.” The regiment was well-regarded for its spirit and camaraderie, and was fiercely loyal to Fowler. They subsequently fought at Second Bull Run, on August 30, 1862, and there the regiment was nearly destroyed, losing 860 of its 960 members. Fowler survived, though he was hospitalized with “a lot of lead” in his thigh from skirmishes at Groveton. While convalescing at Alexandria, he was promoted to full Colonel and named commandant of the military hospital. Poet Walt Whitman (1819–1892), was sending dispatches from Washington to the Brooklyn Eagle at the time, and mentioned Fowler in the descriptions of his encounters with wounded Brooklyn men.

Fowler returned to the field in January 1863, and the Union forces were in disarray. In early July 1863, the Red-Legged Devils were involved in the horrific Battle of Gettysburg. At that battle they fought all three days and were responsible for the capture of Davis’ Mississippi Brigade at the Railroad Cut and saved the right of the Union line on Culp’s Hill. Fowler’s regiment went on to distinguish itself at the Battle of Mine Run (November 1863), the Wilderness campaign, and at Spotsylvania (May 1864). Under his command the Fourteenth fought in 22 military engagements. When the regiment was mustered out of active duty, Fowler was brevetted a Brigadier General on June 6, 1864. When he returned to Brooklyn, Fowler resided first at 208 and then 178 Fort Greene Place (later razed for the Atlantic Terminal). Retaining an affiliation with the 14th Regiment for two more years, he worked as an officer of the Long Island Savings Bank, treasurer of Atlantic & Pacific Company, and auditor of Commercial Cable Company. Fowler also served as chief clerk of the Brooklyn Board of Audit, and was a member of the Kings County 11th Ward Board of Supervisors.

Fowler died at his 47 Brevoort Place home on January 16, 1896. His body lay in state at Brooklyn City (now Borough) Hall, and he was buried in full regalia at Greenwood Cemetery. On May 18, 1902, the Borough of Brooklyn dedicated the sculpture of Fowler in Fort Greene Park. Positioned on a cylindrical granite pedestal, the statue depicts the general in military garb, cap in his left hand and sword in his right. The statue was created by sculptor Henry Baerer was born in Kirscheim, Germany, and came to the United States in 1854. He was especially well-known as a portrait sculptor, and contributed six sculptures to the parks of New York City, including statues of composer Ludwig van Beethoven in Prospect and Central Parks, General Gouveneur Kemble Warren in Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, and a bust of industrialist Conrad Poppenhusen in College Point, Queens.

Today, the statue is a reminder of a person that served his city at a loss to himself without thought of personal gain. As an unidentified author commented in the Brooklyn Eagle in 1902, “Dear old ‘Ned,’ when in the flesh, would have been embarrassed could prophetic eyes have realized the imperishable bronze, but his heart would have been gladdened by a practical recognition of his services also.” We of the Fourteenth Brooklyn Society commend the efforts of the Fort Greene Association and the Fulton Area Business Alliance to improve this area and look forward to participation in the dedication of this area when work is done.

In Service,
George J. Munkenbeck, Jr.
Commander, USCGR (Ret.)
President

FHNU Meeting

2010-06-29T08:17:00.001-04:00

The 'Friends of Historic New Utrecht' will be meeting tonight. One of the things that will be discussed that effects the Society, is next years Liberty Weekend event. There has been suggestions that the event be shortened to Friday and Saturday only. I support this change. They may also move the event from the first weekend in June, to another which is more convenient for the local schools. The NYC Dept. of Ed has changed their school bus policy, making it difficult for the teachers to get transportation for the students on that June weekend. I will let you know FHNU's decision as soon as it is made.

2010-06-19T06:20:00.002-04:00

Happy Father's Day.

2010-06-07T10:07:00.003-04:00

Liberty Weekend Report

2010-06-06T20:13:00.001-04:00

We had the hospital fly set up all weekend on the church grounds, but no tents. We didn't camp out. On Friday,we spoke to about 200 students. Saturday was pretty dull, small crowd, and Sunday wasn't much better. Winslow's Battery was there as usual with a cannon. Mike Grillo was also there doing a Rev War impression. This event is starting to lose it's luster for me. I'm sure that the oppressive heat didn't help out either. At least it didn't rain :o)

Happy Memorial Day.

2010-05-29T07:01:00.000-04:00

As we do everyday on this site, please take time to remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion. May God bless them all.

Somers Living History Day

2010-05-28T04:55:00.000-04:00

George and I spent the day up in Westchester County. We did 5 classroom lectures on camp life and Civil War medicine at Somers Middle School. Also in attendance were the 5th NY, as well as some Rev War groups. Great school, great teachers, great kids, great day.

Liberty Weekend

2010-05-04T14:12:00.000-04:00

June 4-6 2010, New Utrecht Reformed Church grounds, 18th Ave and 84th St, Brooklyn.
We'll have the field hospital set up all weekend. There will be a Civil War era cannon, and Rev War folks as well. On Friday, we'll be doing programs with children from local schools. Saturday and Sunday will be open to the public. On Saturday night there will be a concert, and on Sunday a short parade. All are welcome.

Adopt-a-Line recap

2010-04-27T12:30:00.000-04:00

A successful Spring cleanup at Gettysburg thanks to George, Mary, Kate and yours truly.

Adopt-a-Line

2010-04-18T11:58:00.003-04:00

We'll be going to Gettysburg this coming weekend for our annual cleanup. We help out the National Parks Service, by tidying up the areas surrounding the Fourteenth Brooklyn monuments there.

Under Construction...

2010-04-17T20:51:00.000-04:00

I'm working as quickly as I can to set up this Blog/Web Page. Please be patient. Thanks.