Civil War Letters to be Presented April 3rd

"This From George - Civil War Letters and One Man's Perspective on his American Civil War Experience” will be presented at the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) on Tuesday, April 3^rd from 6:30pm – 7:30pm by Eileen M. Patch from Endwell, NY. The presentation is based on a book authored by Ms. Patch recently.

You could call it one man's perspective on his American Civil War experience or a biography of a short life. This set of letters written home from assignments with the 89th NY Regiment of Volunteer Infantry reveals the personality and values of George Magusta Englis. Like peeling layers from an onion, each letter puts the reader closer to the soldier's soul. Using timely phrases such as "On to Richmond," and "All for the Union," he most often closed his letters "This from George." The inheritance of the letters and her long-time interest in family history led to an intense study of her great uncle's war experience, including trips to battlefield sites and research at military archives. The study led to her authoring the book.

With 59 letters as a core, annotations flesh out his life and relate it to family, friends, neighborhood, and war campaigns. His was such a small part of the Union's ultimate success that it didn't matter to the war's outcome. Or did it? The collective presence of thousands similar to him worked the war machinery. The letters were transcribed and annotated by Patch, who will read the private letters of George Magusta Englis, a soldier during the civil war, and the son of Patch’s great-grandmother. Eileen will be dressed in period clothes and will impersonate her great-grandmother during the presentation.  Patch has a BS in elementary education from SUNY Potsdam and raised three children with her husband, F. David Patch. She founded a private preschool and has worked as an organist and choir director. She has edited club newsletters and written magazine articles. 

An admission donation of $6 for adults, $4 for SRAC members is requested with all students invited for free. Free admission to the SRAC exhibit hall is also included for all attendees in this donation. For more information, visit www.SRACenter.org , email info@SRAcenter.org, or call the Center at 607-565-7960.