Civil War train wreck recalled, with commemoration and site visit

BARRYVILLE, N.Y./SHOHOLA — Remembering and honoring our forefathers who fought to preserve the Union is one of the primary objectives of the Sons of Union Veterans, and this regular observance will serve to honor the Union soldiers killed in the tragedy of 1864 when a westbound train headed for the prison camp at Elmira collided with an eastbound coal train near Shohola.

As descendants of Union Veterans, "we owe this to our ancestors who fought to save the nation" said Camp 124 Past Camp Commander Michael S. Bennett of White Plains, N.Y. "Our projects to honor our ancestors are a part of who we are, where we can be found, and what we are doing."

The Col. Ellis Camp also does a great service to our local communities in taking on challenges such as this, which municipalities and other civic groups often overlook. "Our veterans gave so much to ensure our freedom and make certain that this country would survive. Remembering them is the least we can do."

The program On Sunday, July 15, at 1:30 p.m., members of Col. Ellis Camp 124 will hold a brief memorial service at the old Congregational Church on Rt. 97 in Barryville, N.Y., the final resting place of two of the victims of this disaster, as well as several Union soldiers who were later buried there. The graves of all veterans will be decorated.

The history of the infamous train wreck will also be retold by Pike County Historian, author, and Shohola Train Wreck researcher George Fluhr. Following the ceremonies, members of the Shohola Railroad and Historical Society, the sponsors and hosts of the event, will lead the assembled group on a tour to the exact site of the wreck. The tour group will re-assemble at the Shohola Caboose at 2 p.m., before leaving for the wreck-site.

This site, on private property, has not been visited often in the past hundred years since most of the victims were disinterred and moved to the Woodlawn National Cemetery at Elmira.

Comfortable walking shoes and casual attire are suggested for the “off-trail” hike to the wreck site.

The sponsors The Shohola Railroad & Historical Society meets on the first Wednesday of every month at the Shohola Municipal Building. at 7 p.m. All who are interested are welcome to attend.

The Col. Ellis Camp 124, Sons of Union Veternas of the Civil War, meets in Goshen, N.Y., on the last Monday evening of each month and serves the region of its membership in Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, and Rockland Counties. Regular membership is open to any male descendant of a soldier, sailor, marine or member of the Revenue Cutter Service who served our Country during the Civil War, and was honorably discharged or died in service. Associate Membership is also available to men without a hereditary link to a Union Veteran, but who demonstrate an interest in the Civil War and the objectives of the SUVCW.

The Ellis Camp 124 may be found at: www.suvcw.org/ny/camps/ellis/home.htm.

The SUVCW was created by the Grand Army of the Republic in 1881 to serve as their hereditary successor and heir, living on as a civilian patriotic education society dedicated to perpetuating the memory of the GAR and the men who saved the Union 1861-1865 through preservation efforts, teaching history and citizenship, and participation in civic events in which they can honor all who have patriotically served our country. The SUVCW can be found on the world wide web at: www.suvcw.org.

The Department of New York, SUVCW can be found at: www.suvcw.org/ny/deptny.htm.