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On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the Kent Civil War Society will hold its regular monthly meeting, beginning at 7:30 PM. The program portion of the meeting will be presented by John Burke, speaking on Lieutenant Frederick Phisterer.

Fredrick Phisterer was born in Germany in 1836 and came to America at age 17. He became a US citizen and enlisted in the US 3rd Artillery Regiment in 1855. After fighting Indians out West he was promoted to Sergeant and was dispatched to Harpers Ferry during the abolitionist John Brown incident.

When the Civil War began Phisterer reenlisted in the 18th US Infantry and was soon promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He fought in the Army of the Cumberland at 5 battles before being ordered to Murfreesboro Tennessee. At Murfreesboro, also known as the Battle of Stones River, Lieutenant Phisterer earned the Medal of Honor for volunteering to convey information to 3 battalions under heavy fire. which saved the battalions from annihilation.

Lt. Phisterer went on to fight in 9 battles with General Sherman, capturing Atlanta and marching to the sea. Promoted to Captain at the end of the Civil War, he was assigned out West to fight the Indians until his discharge in 1870. In 1880 he became a Brigadier General with the New York Militia and fought in the Spanish American War. Major General Phisterer is recognized as being the Father of New York State's National Guard.

John Burke is Tresurer of Medina County. He is also a local historian and a lifelong resident of Medina County where his ancestry dates back to the first pioneers to Valley City. His ancestors include veterans of the Civil War, Spanish American War and World War II.

The public is welcome. The optional pre-meeting dinner will be at Eddy's Deli & Restaurant in Stow, beginning at 5:30 PM.

Please note - the society introduced a new meeting night sequence of events in September. The program will be presented first, at 7:30 pm., followed by the business portion of the meeting immediately after the program has finished. Light refreshments will be available a few minutes before the 7:30 start of the meeting.

The meeting will be held in the Roy Smith Shelter at Fred Fuller Park
map & directions

Click on the Bivouac newsletter icon or the telegraph press release icon below for more details as they become available.


***** See the News & Events page for other items of interest. *****

***** Society News & Information *****

At our September 8, 2026, Teri Siroki and friends presented the program The UDC Then and Now. The presentation reviewed the history of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, nationally and in Ohio. Those in attendance learned about the variety of services the UDC has provided, and continues to provide, for veterans and their families over the years. The issue of Confederate monuments and their removal was also addressed, presenting the monuments as expressions of ancestral pride and gratitude for service.

As detailed above, a change is being made to the sequence of activities at our meetings. The evening's program will be presented first, at 7:30. The business/notices portion of the meeting will follow the speaker. Refreshments will be available a few minutes before the meeting begins.

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Attendees at the September meeting voted to send a $100 preservation donation to the Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation in Ohio. for use in preserving and interpreting that battlefield. A check will be on its way to that project soon.

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If you have suggestions for worthy Civil War preservation or education related causes we should consider donating to, please let Mark Perkins know or email us at info@kentcivilwar.org .

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For last minute information on the Kent Civil War Society meetings, call the society's meeting information hotline at (330) 474-9362 for a recorded message