Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Civil War Program at the Book Oasis, Stoneham MA.

David Smith, president of the Greater Boston Civil War Roundtable will be at the Book Oasis on March 22nd at 7:00PM. This will be part of our celebration of the Civil Wars 150th anniversary.  Among the subjects he will speak on are Major Jacob Parker Gould of the 13th Massachusetts Infantry. He is buried in Lindenwood Cemetary in Stoneham and David and the Stoneham Historical Commission are hoping to put a new marker on his grave by Memorial Day. Stonehams Grand Army of the Republic Hall (#75)named in his honor.
The Book Oasis is located at 311 Main St., near the intersection of Montvale Ave., Stoneham, MA. 781-438-0077, thebookoasis311@rcn.com

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Additional Camp Cameron related images


These images come from old postcards. The first is of the Arligton MA G.A.R. Hall #36, the Francis Gould Hall. This is where the gilded ball from the Camp Cameron flsgstaff went. The second is a view of Russell Park the flagstaff's second home in Arlington.  It is faint but the pole is in the photo.

DAN SULLIVAN

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Residents and soldiers did not always make a good mix.

The locals and the soldiers did not always get along.
Many did not consider Camp Cameron a good neighbor. Complaints were made about noise, property and crop damage not only by recruits but also their visitors. (1) Arrests in the area increased because of the camp. (2) Some of the incidents include a fight between two recruits, John Riley and John Cooney and a Mr. Blanchard. The recruits were charged with assault and Blanchard ended up in critical condition. (3) The Boston Herald reported a fight on Nov. 9 1861 between two volunteers and the Cambridge Police. As soon as the camp opened, a shanty was opened across the street for the sale of illegal alcohol. (4) Gambling was also a problem. A dice game called a sweat-cloth was practiced extensively in the camp. (5) The camp also attracted recruits who wanted to swindle the Army through the practice of bounty jumping. This is when a recruit receives his signing bounty then deserts to reenlist someplace else.
Another activity that received complaints was the fact that the
Union Horse RR used their cars to haul the lumber to build the camp, on a
Sunday! (6)

(1)
Cambridge Chronicle, June 22, 1861
(2)
Boston Evening Transcript, Jan. 6, 1862, pg. 2
(3)
Boston Evening Transcript, July 20, 1861, pg 4
(4)
Boston Evening Transcript, Jun. 17, 1861, pg. 2
(5)
Boston Evening Transcript, Sep. 5, 1862
(6)
Cambridge Chronicle, June 22, 1861

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Possible photo of Camp Cameron

Over a decade ago this photo was found by other researchers. Sadly the member of that team who found this photo has passed away. The source of the photo has also been lost. The photo fits the descriptions of the camp I have found. Peaked buildings (From the distance this photo seems to have been taken I do not think those are tents) A road going up the middle, A big flag pole and a field in front. The flagstaff at Camp Cameron was 130 ft. tall. Newspaper articles pertaining to a fall two carpenters had off the roof of one of the barracks say they fell 25 ft. The flag pole in this photo is several times the hieght of the buildings. That would fit. I also know that it is early photography, it is distant and grainy. It could be any place. Most regiments from Camp Cameron spent some time around Washington and there was a Camp Cameron there also. It is possible that a book or article one one of the Cameron regiments contained a photo of "Camp Cameron" but not the correct Cameron. The images I have seen of that camp show tents and it was much bigger than this photo seems, but this could be only a small portion.  I have held this photo for over two years trying to find the source. I have not given up but I am offering it up for what it is, a very possible photo of Camp Camp Cameron. When I confirm this photo I will update here.

Dan Sullivan