Article - Joseph P. Farley, Picatinny’s second commander, known as "energetic builder"

An article I wrote for The Picatinny Voice on Brig. Gen. Joseph P. Farley, the second commander of Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, was recently published in the post's newspaper.

You can check out the article below via the link and/or image:

"Joseph P. Farley, Picatinny’s second commander, known as ‘energetic builder’"

Enjoy!

MW

Thomas Ward Custer's Grave

Thomas Ward Custer's Grave 
Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery
395 Biddle Boulevard
Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027
(Plot: Section A, Site 1488)

Thomas Ward Custer was born on March 15, 1845 in New Rumley, Ohio to Emanuel and Marie Custer. He was the younger brother of George Armstrong Custer. At the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, Custer enlisted in the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served in this unit until October 1864 when he was mustered out as a corporal. During his time with the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he saw action at a number of major battles including Stones River and the Atlanta Campaign.

Custer received notoriety when he joined his brother George Armstrong in the 6th Michigan Cavalry. Thomas was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Company B, and eventually became his brother's aide-de-camp until the end of the war in 1865. Thomas became the first Soldier to receive two Medals of Honor in 1865 at the battles of Namozine Church (April 3, 1865) and Sailor's Creek (April 6, 1865). Thomas received these honors for capturing a Confederate regimental flag at each battle. These flags helped to identify a unit on the battlefield, and the loss of such flags was seen as a sign of disgrace to the losing command. By the end of the war, Custer had received a brevet as a lieutenant colonel.

Following the American Civil War, Custer chose to remain in the Army with his brother George Armstrong. He was appointed a first lieutenant in the 7th Cavalry, and served at the Battle of Washita in 1868, where he was wounded in battle. He also served in South Carolina, the Yellowstone Expedition (1873), and the Black Hills Expedition (1874). Thomas again served as George Armstrong's aide-de-camp during the June 25, 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn. During this battle, Thomas and other members of the 7th Cavalry were killed by a combined force Lakota, Dakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors under the leadership of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.

Thomas and a number of other 7th Cavalry troops were initially buried on the battlefield where they were killed. His remains were later exhumed and re-interred at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. Thomas is buried close to other officers of the 7th Cavalry who were also killed at the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Below are two links with more information on Thomas Ward Custer, along with several photos that I took of his grave site last summer:

https://www.nps.gov/libi/learn/historyculture/capt-tom-custer.htm

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?GRid=6793225&page=gr

MW

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day to my brothers and sisters in arms, both past and present!

The second photo is a photo of yours truly at Kuwait Naval Base during my 2010-2011 deployment with the U.S. Army.

MW

Zora Folley's Grave

Zora Folley's Grave 

City of Mesa Cemetery 

1212 N. Center St.

Mesa, AZ 85201

(Plot: Section 730, Lot 2, Grave 1)

Zora Folley was an American heavyweight boxer who was born in Dallas, Texas on May 27, 1931. In 1942, he moved with his family to Chandler, Arizona. Folley joined the U.S. Army in 1948 and later served in the Korean War. Soon after being discharged from the Army in 1953, he fought his first professional fight on September 22, 1953 against Jimmy Ingram in Los Angeles.

Folley was undefeated in his next 18 bouts, until he was stopped by Johnny Summerlin on June 23, 1955. Throughout his career, Folley was considered a top contender in the heavyweight division. He faced some of the division's best including Henry Cooper, Eddie Machen, George Chuvalo, Bob Cleroux, Oscar Bonavena, Doug Jones, Karl Mildenberger, Sonny Liston, and Muhammad Ali. Folley was knocked out in the seventh round by Muhammad Ali on March 22, 1967 for the WBA World Heavyweight Title. Folley was the last man to fight Ali before his three year ban from the sport for refusing to be inducted into the armed forces.

Folley fought his final bout on September 29, 1970 against Mac Foster. Folley was defeated via a first round knockout. Folley's boxing career ended with an impressive record of 79 wins, 11 losses and six draws. Folley went on to serve as a member of the Chandler City Council, where he lived with his wife and children.

On July 7, 1972 at the age of 41, Folley died under mysterious circumstances at a hotel in Tucson, Arizona. It was reported that Folley slipped and hit his head in a motel swimming pool while visiting a friend. Folley died within hours of hitting his head at a nearby hospital. Folley's official cause of death was ruled accidental by authorities. However, rumors of foul play continue to circulate in the boxing world today. Folley is interred at the City of Mesa Cemetery. His grave marker lists his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Below are three links with more information on Zora Folley, along with some photos that I took of his grave site:

http://boxrec.com/boxer/9384

http://www.proboxing-fans.com/zora-folleys-mysterious-death-murky-details-from-the-death-of-the-former-heavyweight-contender_102212/

http://www.thesweetscience.com/articles-of-2005/2606-rise-and-fall-of-zora-folley

MW

Edward Hatch's Grave

Edward Hatch's Grave 
Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery
395 Biddle Boulevard
Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027

(Plot: Section A-Off, Site 2204)

Edward Hatch was a career soldier in the United States Army. Hatch was born in Bangor, Maine on December 22, 1832. He was educated at Norwich Military Academy in Vermont. After completing his studies at Norwich, he moved to Iowa where he became a lumber merchant and at one point a merchant seaman. At the outset of the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in the Union Army. He assisted in raising the 2nd Iowa Cavalry, a unit in which he later became a colonel in June 1862. Hatch participated in the 1862 Siege of Corinth, Mississippi. Hatch was wounded in 1863, and commanded a cavalry depot in St. Louis, Missouri while he recovered. He was promoted to Brigadier General in April 1864, and participated in the 1864 Franklin and Nashville campaigns. In March 1865, he was brevetted Major General of U.S. Volunteers for his service during the Civil War. 

Following the Civil War, Hatch accepted a commission as a colonel in the regular army, and was assigned to the 9th U.S. Cavalry. He became commander of the Department of Arizona in 1876. In this position, Hatch negotiated a reservation treaty with the Ute Indians in 1880. He also unsuccessfully pursued the Apache chief Victorio through the Department of Arizona. 

On April 11, 1889, he died while serving at Fort Robinson in Nebraska. Hatch is buried at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. 

Below are two links with more information on Major General Edward Hatch, along with some photos of Hatch and his grave site: 

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10030

http://www.historycentral.com/Bio/UGENS/USAHatch.html

MW

John Lawrence Grattan's Grave

John Lawrence Grattan's Grave 
Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery
395 Biddle Boulevard
Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027
(Plot: Section A, Site 290)

John L. Grattan was born on June 1, 1830 in Corinth, Vermont. Grattan's mother Sarah died when he was five years old. Following his mother's death, his father Peter relocated the family to New Hampshire where he worked as a wheelwright. Grattan attended West Point from 1849-1853, and was held back one year due to poor performance in academic courses.

Second Lieutenant Grattan's first assignment out of West Point was with the 6th Infantry Regiment at Fort Laramie in Wyoming. Soon after reporting to Fort Laramie, Grattan earned a reputation for being brash and boastful. He was also known for his dislike for Native Americans, despite having little interaction with them. When tensions grew between local Native Americans and pioneers, the Army decided to intervene. A Mormon wagon train passing through the post reported that one of their cows had been stolen and butchered by starving Lakota Sioux. Grattan and other inexperienced officers decided to confront the local Lakota Sioux band under Conquering Bear, and demand that the man responsible for stealing the cow, High Forehead, be turned over to the Army.

In August 1854, Grattan led a detachment of 30 soldiers and one civilian translator towards the Lakota Sioux encampment east of Fort Laramie. The encampment was estimated to have 4,800 residents, including 1,200 warriors. A combination of his inexperience and a breakdown between the Grattan's translator and the Lakota Sioux resulted in the Grattan Massacre. Grattan's translator Luciene Auguste spoke the language poorly, was intoxicated, and had a bad reputation among the Sioux people. When the detachment arrived at the village Auguste began taunting and threatening the Lakota Sioux. Grattan demanded that Conquering Bear turn over the alleged thief, but Conquering Bear refused the demand, instead seeking to negotiate with the young officer. A local trading post owner James Bordeau was called by Conquering Bear to act as a negotiator. Bordeau later recalled that by the time he arrived at the scene the situation was already out of control. Conquering Bear offered Grattan a horse as compensation for the cow, but Grattan continued to insist that High Forehead be turned over. As tensions escalated, warriors began to flank the soldiers. When Grattan turned to return to his detachment, a nervous soldier shot and killed a warrior.

Grattan's surrounded command was then decimated. A young Red Cloud participated in the massacre. The Lakota Sioux suffered two casualties including Conquering Bear. Bordeau was spared because he was married to a Lakota Sioux woman and had a friendly relationship with the local Native Americans. The Grattan Massacre is considered to be the opening shots of the First Sioux War that lasted from 1854-1856.

Grattan's remains were initially interred at Fort Laramie, while his soldiers were buried in a shallow grave at the site of the massacre. Grattan's remains were later exhumed and re-interred at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Kansas where he rests to this day. His soldiers were also exhumed, and re-interred at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Nebraska.

The inscription on Grattan's grave marker reads:  "To the memory of LIEUTENANT JOHN L. GRATTAN Who was killed in an engagement with the Sioux Indians near Fort Laramie, N.T. August 19, 1854."

Below are two websites with more information on John Lawrence Grattan, along with several photos that I took of his grave site:

http://www.sangres.com/wyoming/history/grattan-massacre.htm#.V7yFkPkrLIU

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=14753772

MW

National World War I Museum and Memorial

National World War I Museum and Memorial
100 W. 26th St.
Kansas City, MO 64108

This past weekend I had the opportunity to visit the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. Having visited hundreds of museums and historic sites over the years, I can safely say this museum is now in my top three all-time favorite museums. The museum's collection consists of thousands of artifacts related to the war including uniforms, vehicles, weapons and documents. My favorite object in the collection is the French-made Renault FT-17 tank which was used by the Americans in the war (pictured below).

The main attraction at this site is the Liberty Memorial, which is a 217-foot tower that overlooks Kansas City. Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony in 1921, and the tower was completed in 1926. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by American political figures and members of the Allied High Command in World War I, including American General John Pershing and Admiral Earl Beatty of Great Britain. The dedication ceremony was attended by President Calvin Coolidge and 150,000 spectators. The museum is unique in that it chronicles the war in an unbiased way that avoids favoring the Allied Powers over the Central Powers.

Below is a link to the National World War I Museum and Memorial website, along with a few photos that I took during my recent visit:

https://www.theworldwar.org/

MW

Waynesborough

Waynesborough
2049 Waynesborough Rd
Paoli, PA 19301

Waynesborough is a historic Georgian manor in Paoli, Pennsylvania. It was the home of Continental and United States Army General "Mad" Anthony Wayne for all of his life with the exception of the last five years. Wayne served in the Army from 1775-1783, and again from 1792-1796. Wayne was a veteran of the American Revolution and Northwest Indian War.

The home was built in 1724 by Wayne's grandfather Captain W.M. Wayne. His son, Captain Isaac Wayne, enlarged the home in 1765, and a wing was added in 1812. The home now houses a collection of Wayne family artifacts, including Anthony Wayne's own map of the Paoli Massacre (September 20, 1777). 

Below are two links with more information on Waynesborough, along with some photos that I took during my recent visit:

http://historicwaynesborough.org/

http://www.visitpa.com/pa-museums/historic-waynesborough

MW

Fort Lowell

Fort Lowell Park
2900 N. Craycroft Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85712

Fort Lowell was a U.S. Army post on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona from 1873-1891. The fort played an important role during the Apache Wars of the 19th century. The fort provided supplies and soldiers to outlying military installations, and prevented Apache raids on Tucson due to its size and garrison. The fort averaged thirteen officers and 239 enlisted men. The fort housed a number of cavalry and infantry regiments during its history. These regiments included the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Cavalry Regiments, as well as the 1st, 8th, and 12th Infantry Regiments.

The fort featured a large parade ground, officers' quarters, quartermaster and commissary storehouses, corrals, and quarters for enlisted men as well as for married non-commissioned officers. The most prominent building on post was the hospital, the adobe remnants of which still stand under a protective structure. A lane lined with cottonwood trees, named Cottonwood Lane, graced the area in front of the officers' houses. Famous officers who were stationed at the installation included Walter Reed and Charles Bendire. Reed was a physician who is well-known for his research on yellow fever. Bendire is known for his work as an amateur ornithologist. The Bendire Thrasher bird is named after him.

Fort Lowell was decommissioned by the Army in 1891. Following the departure of the Army, Mexican families from Sonora moved to the fort to take advantage of the free housing that became available. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The fort museum is housed in the former commanding officer's quarters.

Below are two links with more information on Fort Lowell, along with several photos I took during my 2010 visit:

http://www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org/welcome-to-the-arizona-history-museum-tucson/

http://tucson.com/entertainment/weekend/history-comes-to-life-at-fort-lowell-day/article_5e48788b-bc75-57f7-9bb4-2d690113441c.html

MW