Page:Brunswick 100 Years of Memories.pdf/199

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Both the C&O Canal and the B&O RR made Berlin

a military target. Commander of the Shenandoah Valley District in 1861 Confederate General "Stonewall" Jackson sought to destroy the railroad and remove Union troops from his territory. By August 1863, in less than two months railroad workers again had the trains running, having overcome the destruction of 160 miles of the B&O line from east of Frederick to west of Cumberland. Such was Berlin's continual response. In order to achieve this degree of success, the railroad system even kept duplicate parts of all its bridges that were located in exposed territory. Gude describes Henry Kyd Douglas' frustration in his assignment to bum ties, bend red hot rails, wreck bridges, culverts and water tanks, and miles of telegraph line . . . only to have Union troops quickly restore the system to working order. Douglas is quoted assaying "four times during the war I saw the futility of trying to stop them." We can easily imagine the fear and excitement of the border state towns like Berlin, on the canal/ river corridor. Although, as throughout Maryland, loyalties were divided in Berlin, most of the town sided with the Union. John Garrett, president of the B&O, committed his company to the Union also.

have served in combat areas, is dedicated to preserving allegiance to the United States and its Constitution, as well as furnishing support and benevolent services to the veterans and their families. Community activities at present are assistance to the Brunswick Railroad Museum in a variety of projects, one of which was rebuilding the interior of the second floor to better display historic items. Another large project was installing new siding on the exterior of the Brunswick City Park Pavilion. Many other projects such as assistance to senior citizens, government food distribution to the needy and disabled, youth safety, keeping Brunswick City Park and Railroad View Park clean, and repairing the playground equipment, have been undertaken. During Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the organization gathered several truckloads of clothing, furniture, bedding, and toys which were shipped to South Carolina. Originally post meetings were held in the City Park Pavilion, but in 1987 the meeting place was changed to the American Legion. In 1989 the post rented two large rooms in the old West Brunswick Elementary School owned by the Masonic Lodge at 317 Brunswick Street. The first commander was James W. Main, 19834; Wendell M. Stewart, 1984-5; John W. McGolerick Jr., 1985-6; William G. Care, 1986-7; Leo P. Myers, 1987-8; Charles W. Rose, 1988-9; Leon A. Phillips 1989-90; John W. McGolerick, 1990-1. Current membership in 1990 is 126. Commanders of the post and Quartermaster William A. Haines have earned a white hat for their outstanding work twice since the post organized, in years 1987-8, and 1989-90, for its patriotic and community activities, and increase in membership. This presentation is made by the State Commander at the State Convention in Ocean City, Md. It is an unusual honor for a post of this size in competing with more than 114 posts in Maryland, many of which are much larger.

...... The Brunswick Citizen of May 22, 1986, cites "Pvt. Leonard D. House ... Burkittsville Veteran," by Timothy J. Reese. Brunswick has no list of Civil War participants. Preceding the Civil War, Berlin had about 500 inhabitants. The numbers dwindled to about 200 before the construction of the railroad yard. Employment was afforded by two grocery stores, a saloon, a flour mill and the railroad, whose section gang was located here. S - Gilbert Gude, Small Town Destiny - Brunswick's Nomination Form for Historic

District - Connie Koenig - The late Mary Musgrove Collier Cralbill, tape recording

W - Wendell Stewart

AMERICAN LEGION STEADMAN-KEENAN POST NO. 96

W - MMM

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

American Legion Post 96 was established January 26, 1929 with 16 charter members. The names Steadman and Keenan honor two young Brunswick men who were killed in the First World War. Corporal Harold W.W. Steadman entered the ArmyonAugust2, 1917,andserved with Company

Brunswick Memorial Post 10421 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars was chartered on December 12, 1983, with 53 members. This patriotic organization, which is comprised of armed service veterans who

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