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FIELD TRIP
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP
August 10, 2011
Blanche Price Park, Pocono Pines, Pa.

Speaker: Paul Matticks — The Civil War Between the Battles
Attendance: 42

The meeting of the Historical Association was held in Blanche Price Park, Tobyhanna Township, as a field trip. President Freddie Kaltenthaler, who welcomed everyone to today’s program, called the meeting to order.

Speaker | Paul Matticks – The Civil War Between the Battles

Located on the grounds were a rudimentary tent, blankets with a wide variety of artifacts and three men in Civil War-era Union Army clothing. They were introduced to us as Civil War reenactors Paul Matticks, his son Zachary, and Dale Keklock.

Paul Matticks explained that although our history of the Civil War centers on the battles, in reality they lasted for only a few days at a time. In between, the life of a soldier centered on his campsite, long marches from one location to another, foraging, caring for his equipment and arms. His days could range from boredom to tedium. His original length of service was for a short term, but later lengthened as the war waged on.

Mr. Matticks proceeded to describe and demonstrate the clothing that comprised a soldier’s uniform, the number of pockets (three), the fabric and construction of the uniform coat and the shoes or boots worn.

He continued to show the kinds of utensils carried in backpacks, the soldier’s ammunition and gear, the Springfield rifle, and demonstrated the manner in which soldiers armed and rearmed their rifles. The men then showed the way in which soldiers lined up in battle, fired their weapons, and then another line took their place in front giving time and space to reload.

Following a question and answer period, the audience was invited to inspect the various artifacts brought to the program.

New Business

As the 150th Anniversary of the start of the Civil War is this year, Rick Bodenschatz has initiated a project to research who from our township were veterans of the Civil War. Thus far, 18 township residents have been identified, including two killed in action. To commemorate their service, Rick read their names and occupations, and presented for inspection the documentation prepared to date.

Rick Bodenschatz introduced and welcomed a special guest, Monroe County Commissioner Suzanne McCool. We are pleased that she has shown a special interest in the Tobyhanna Township Historical Association.

Following announcement by President Kaltenthaler for the September bus trip to Lancaster and the annual dinner at the Village Squire, the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Virginia Foy, Secretary

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