The Abraham Lincoln Camp #6, a division of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Organization (SUVCW) recently donated a reproduction of a rare book to the Ogden Farmers' Library. The library owns the original book but this donation allows patrons to have access to the contents while preserving the original. The book, The Regimental History of the 108th New York Volunteers, was written by Private George Washburn who was secretary to the 108th Division. It was printed in 1894 in Rochester. Library Director Patty Uttaro said the donation came as a nice surprise. Jim Walzer, Patriotic Instructor with the Abraham Lincoln Camp #6, spotted the original book sitting on a shelf during a library visit last year. He and Uttaro spoke about the value of the book and it was at his suggestion that she put it in the locked glass case. "I had no idea it was as rare as it was," Uttaro said. She noticed while researching it further that the Chili Library also had one of the originals. She called the director and informed her of the value of the book. "I don't know if they took theirs out of circulation but we locked ours up. Patrons have to ask for it to be taken out of the case. It's not allowed out of the library." The book has been asked for only a handful of times since but the donation of the reproduction will allow patrons to freely browse through it without having to have someone remove it from the glass case. A few weeks ago, Uttaro said that Walzer stopped in and surprised her with the news that his group had purchased a reproduction of the book and was donating it to the library. Bruce Glaser, Commander of Abraham Lincoln Camp #6 and Jim Walzer, in uniform, presented the 521 page book to the library in a brief ceremony on March 12, 2004. Glaser and Walzer's group is part of a national organization, The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). It is a patriotic and educational group that is similar to the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). Founded on November 12, 1881 it was incorporated by an Act of Congress on August 29, 1954. The Abraham Lincoln Camp #6 is among the oldest Sons of Union Veterans Camps in the country. It is headquartered in Rochester. The SUVCW is legal heir to and legal representative of the GAR. Membership is open to lineal and collateral male descendents of a soldier, sailor, marine, or member of the Revenue Cutter Service who were regularly mustered in and served honorably, were honorably discharged from, or died in service of the United States from April 12, 1861 to April 9, 1865. Camp members are available, at no charge, for living history displays and presentations to assist with genealogical research. The group also participates regularly in Civil War reenactments. For more information on the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War go to www.suvcw.org. The book is currently on display at the Ogden Farmers' Library, 269 Ogden Center Road, Spencerport. |
