Orwigsburg Firing Squad Memorial Day 2010

Memorial Day Orwigsburg Pa, Photo's of the Orwigsburg Firing Squad a long standing tradition... Wearing the new uniforms purchased from a grant made possible by the late Senator James Rhoades.



Our Dress Uniforms












Me and my Grandson Nathaniel


Quest Speaker Iraq War Vwteran Navy Corpsman Mark Atkinson




The Green Fatigue Uniforms

Redication Ceremony And Return of General James Nagle's Sword

REDICATION CEREMONY AND RETURN OF THE SWORD
48TH PENNSYLVANIA MONUMENT
ANTIETAM NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD




Orwigsburg native John David Hoptak Civil War historian, Author and Park Ranger at Antietam National Battlefield. Cooridinated a long and hard camapaign to replace the missing sword on General Jame Nagle's statue at Antietam battlefield.
Below are photo's from a wonderful event at Antietam.

Well Done John, and Three cheers for your effforts.



Mike Kraus Sculptor and John Hoptak


Dave Derbis President Historical Society of Schuylkill County And John Hoptak


Superintendent Antietam John Howard and Tom Shay Schuylkill County Civil War Roundtable.


Speakers






The unveiling of the Sword


General Nagle and his Sword

Colonel Daniel Nagle, The Only Mexican War Veteran at the Gettysburg Re-union of 1913

Colonel Daniel Nagle

Pottsville Evening Journal, Friday July 11, 1913

Colonel Daniel Nagle, The Only Mexican War Veteran at the Gettysburg Re-union of 1913

Col Daniel Nagle of this city, had the distinction of being the only veteran of the Mexican War, so far as is known, who was present at the semi centennial celebrations of the Battle of Gettysburg. He arrived at the camp on Monday and remained until Saturday when the exercises closed. He and his comrade Daniel Donne, of this city, a member of the 48th regiment of the civil war, then went down to the battlefield of Antietam, Maryland, and the two walked over the field, visited the famous bridge, and cemetery. They found the statues erected to the members of the 48th, among them that of Gen, James Nagle, his brother, in good condition. It was upon this battle field that General Nagle rece9ved his commission as brigadier General. Gen Nagle and Gen. HArtranft, afterward Governor of Pennsylvania, with their commands successfully charged the bridge that spans the Antietam creek. This was one of the most terrific charges and the fiercest fights, in the short time, in the history of that war. The loss of men was great.
There are perhaps not twenty-five Mexican War veterans in the State. A reunion of the veterans of that war is being held today in London, Ohio. Nineteen of these war veterans of Ohio are in session. The average of these is ninety years.
Our Colonel Nagle is in his 86th year, and he is the only veteran of the Mexican War of 1846m in this county. Edward Remel of Mauch Chunk is the only one in Carbon County. He is ninety years old. There are two living in Reading and several in Philadelphia.