Civil War letters ‘from George’ to be read at Castine museum

More than a century after the Civil War, we remain fascinated with that time in our nation’s history, especially with correspondence that brings to life what soldiers and their families endured.

A new book published by Broome County Historical Society in Binghamton, N.Y., is “This from George,” composed of Civil War letters of Sgt. George Magusta Englis, and edited by Eileen M. Patch.

Dressed as her grandmother Sarah Englis Knapp, Patch will read excerpts by Englis, her great-uncle, in “Voice from the Civil War,” a living-history presentation scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Wilson Museum in Castine.

Englis, who grew up in a farm on Corbettsville, N.Y., served in Company K, 89th Regiment of the Volunteer Infantry, known as the Dickinson Guard. He served two terms, 1861-1865, and was wounded one week before the surrender at Appomattox. The book’s title came from the closing he used in his letters: “This from George.”

Patch annotated the book with additional information on Englis, his family and friends, and the war campaigns. For a copy, send $28.75 to Eileen Patch, 3656 Lott St., Endwell, N.Y. 13760. For information, go to www.thisfromgeorge.com.

For information on the Wilson Museum in Castine, go to www.wilsonmuseum.org.

The Maine Humanities Council has announced the latest round of grants through the New Century Community Program. Many libraries and other facilities have used these grants to organize materials and make them available to the public, sometimes on the Web. Of historical interest are projects funded in:

. Augusta, Old Fort Western, $3,000 to bring 12 nationally recognized historians for discussions on the world of 1754. Next year will be the 250th anniversary of Fort Western.

. Brewer, $1,500 awarded jointly with Maine Arts Commission to fund Labor Heritage Mural Project, a community project of three murals depicting history and current status of labor in Greater Bangor.

. Bucksport, Northeast Historic Film, $2,500 for a film festival highlighting the history of early 20th-century movie stars and their impact on cultural history.

. Corinth, Central High School, $1,000 awarded jointly with Maine Arts Commission for two-day workshop, “America in Song and Story,” with a student assembly and public concert.

. Jay and Livermore Falls, $1,000 awarded jointly with Maine Arts Commission to support “Terre pis Ciel,” a French festival in Jay and Livermore.

. Madawaska, $1,500 awarded jointly with Maine Arts Commission for the St. John Valley Cultural Heritage Route and an audio recording.

. Monson, $500 for discussions on local history and the showing of a documentary about Swedish immigrants, in conjunction with the restoration of the town bandstand.

The Bangor Museum and Center for History will sponsor “A Walking Tour of Jewish Bangor,” 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, beginning at the museum at 6 State St. Admission is free. Make reservations by calling 942-1900.

The annual picnic of Swedish descendants will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, at the home of Bill and Jane Macomber on Whetstone Pond in Abbot. Bring a picnic lunch. Coffee and punch will be provided. If you have a favorite dish or dessert to share, bring it along.

When you come to Abbot Village on Route 15, go about a half-mile toward Monson and turn left onto Pond Road. Follow the signs, which will take you 4 miles or so up the road to the Macombers.

For information, call Tootie Bennett at 876-3073 or Bill Macomber at 876-4125.

The Whitney family of Lincoln and surrounding areas will hold a reunion and potluck lunch at 1 p.m. Aug. 10 at Mallett Hall in Lee. Bring something to share and your own utensils.

The 38th Hall family reunion, for descendants of John Taylor and Adele Mansel Hall, will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 17 at the home of Toby and Cynthia Hall, 430 Douty Hill Road, Sangerville. Bring a salad, casserole or dessert for the noon luncheon. For information, call 564-7717.

Descendants of Charles and Ruby Freeman of Bangor held a reunion in Bangor recently and welcomed home on vacation Charles T. Freeman of Las Vegas. The group celebrated several birthdays, and two anniversaries: Charles and Marie Freeman, and Charlene and Raymond Street. For information on next year’s reunion, contact Gerald Freeman, 36 Birch Lane, Lincoln, 04457; telephone 794-3054.

Send genealogy queries to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or send e-mail to familyti@bangordailynews.net.