Sons of Union Veterans
of the Civil War
Origin
The Sons of Union
Veterans of the Civil War was a creation of the Grand Army of the Republic
(GAR) which was formed in 1866. Wanting to pass on its heritage, the GAR in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania created a Corps of Cadets in 1878 which later became
the Sons of Veterans of the United States of America (SV). This latter
organization was formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 12, 1881. The
SV units functioned much as National Guard units and actually served along with
state militia during the Spanish American War.
In 1904, the SV elected
to become a patriotic education society and in 1925 changed its name to Sons of
Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). However, to keep the military aspect
alive, the SUVCW created within the organization the Sons of Veterans Reserve
(SVR) which was carried on the Army rolls as a Reserve contingent. Some SVR
units served with the Army during World War I. After World War I, the SVR was
listed as a training company of the U.S. Army.
In more recent years,
the SVR's mission has become historic, ceremonial, and commemorative. Prior to
disbanding and before the death of its last member, the GAR officially
designated the SUVCW as its successor and heir to its remaining property. On
August 20, 1954, the SUVCW was officially incorporated by an Act of Congress by
the passing of Public Law 605 of the second session of the 83rd Congress.
Major General Thomas H.
Ruger Camp #1
History
The organizational
meeting of the Major General Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1 was held on September 16,
1995. This date was selected to commemorate the joining of military forces
under General Sherman and General Schofield at the end of the Civil War.
Rev. Dr. Maurice E.
Ankrom, who had served as the camp organizer since March 1995, called the
meeting to order. Dr. Ankrom was then chosen by acclamation as the first Camp
Commander.
Commander Ankrom
recommended the camp be named in honor of Major General Thomas H. Ruger whose
military record included action in the Battle of Wyse Fork, North Carolina in
March 1865; and after the war, served as Commander of the North Carolina
Department and later Superintendent of West Point.
The camp’s charter
application was approved on July 30, 1996 with its headquarters in
Fayetteville, North Carolina. The Ruger Camp was designated Camp #1, the first
SUVCW camp chartered in North Carolina.
Today the Ruger Camp continues to honor those ancestors that fought and died to preserve the Union. The Camp participates in memorial ceremonies, the support of new monuments and the preservation of existing monuments and battlefields as well as community projects. These include:
Today the Ruger Camp continues to honor those ancestors that fought and died to preserve the Union. The Camp participates in memorial ceremonies, the support of new monuments and the preservation of existing monuments and battlefields as well as community projects. These include:
- The first Union Monument in a North Carolina State Park
at the Bentonville Battlefield.
- A monument for Captain Alexander McRae at the old
Courthouse in Fayetteville.
- A “Walk of Honor” paver at Fort Fisher.
- Maintenance and upkeep of the Monroe’s Crossroads
Battlefield.
- The annual Memorial Day Wreath Laying at the Wilmington
National Cemetery.
- Representing the SUVCW at the annual ceremonies
at Fort Fisher
- Representing the SUVCW at annual Bentonville
Battlefield ceremonies.
- Providing flags for Memorial Day
- Participating in High School JROTC programs in the
area.
- Honoring Eagle Scouts
Major General Thomas H.
Ruger
Biography
Born in New York, Thomas
H. Ruger was appointed to West Point from Wisconsin in 1850, graduating 3rd in
the class of 1854. He served as an engineer in New Orleans until resigning none
months later in 1855. He then practiced law in Janesville, Wisconsin.
At the start of the
Civil War on June 29, 1861, he was commissioned as a Lt Colonel of the 3d
Wisconsin on 29 June 1861, then Colonel on 1 September 1861. Under Major
General Nathaniel P. Banks He led the unit in the Shenandoah Valley and in
Northern Virginia in the campaigns of spring and summer 1862.
During the Antietam
Campaign, he commanded the 3rd Wisconsin Regiment part of the Third
Brigade/First Division in the Twelfth (XII) Corps, Army of the Potomac and
assumed command of the Brigade when Brigadier General Gordon took over the
Division.
Thomas H. Ruger was
promoted Brigadier General 29 November 1862, led a brigade in the Rappahannock
campaigns, and commanded a division at Gettysburg. He was in Tennessee till
April, 1864, led a brigade in Sherman's Georgia campaign (to November, 1864),
and a division of the 23d Corps in the campaign against General John B. Hood's
army in Tennessee. He was cited by brevet for the battle of Franklin. He
commanded a division in North Carolina until June 1865, and then had charge of
the department of that state till June, 1866, when he mustered out of Volunteer
service.
After the war he
accepted a commission in the Regular Army as Colonel of the 33rd Infantry in
July 1866, and served as provisional governor of Georgia until 1868 (see
portrait). He serve as Superintendent of the US Military Academy West Point
from 1871 to 1876. From 1876 to 1878 he served as commander of the Department
of the South. Transferring to the western frontier, he served as commander of
the District of Montana from 1878 to 1885. As he arose through the ranks, he
was promoted to Brigadier General, USA, in 1886, and Major General in 1895. He
retired from the Army 2 April 1897.
Camp Meeting Location
The Major General Thomas
H. Ruger Camp #1 meets four or more times a year on the second Saturday of
the month beginning in February. The Camp’s primary meeting place is the
Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory, 210 Burgess Street in
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301.
Contact the Camp
Commander to verify the next meeting; date, time, and location.