May 10th, 1900 – A Glorious Day in Easton

Dedication of Civil War Monument Parade on Northampton Street, Easton on 10 May 1900

Only ten years old in 1900, E. St. Clair Faust was a grandson of Sergeant John S. Funk, who served in Company A 174th Regiment during the Civil War. On May 10, 1900, when the monument was dedicated, he was in the Square wearing the Civil War blue uniform with his grandfather.

The following recollection is as described by E.St. Clair Faust many years ago:

The Monument in Centre Square, Easton, PA was erected in 1899.

A copper box was given by Howard Kinsey to the Grand ARmy of the Republic.  It was placed in the Corner Stone on the southwest corner on Wednesday, December 6th, 1899 by a Committee of Lafayette Post 217 G.A.R. at 10 am. It was fair and cold.  The first mayor of Easton, Charles F. Chidsey who served as a Private in Company D 129th Pennsylvania Volunteers.  His History of the Regiment, Condit’s History of Easton, Rules of the Military Grand Army Men, their badges and buttons worn on their uniforms, also the newspaper of the day are in the box which was soldered shut by George Heller.

The top piece on the monument was put in place Saturday, January 20th, 1900.  Frank Reed who served as a Drummer Boy in the 14th New Jersey Regiment posed for the bugler on the monument dedicated Thursday May 10th, 1900.  Oren Serfass presented the monument on behalf of the County Commissioners.

Streets were roped off [with ropes] borrowed from the City of Philadelphia, PA.  There were Grand Army Men of the Civil War, Spanish War Veterans, Son’s of Union Veterans, and Grand Son’s of the Grand Army Veterans all in blue uniforms.  It was estimated that about 10,000 were in the Square.  Pennsylvania Governor W.A. Stone and Charles Miller, Pennsylvania Department of the grand Army of the Republic were the speakers.  About 70,000 were in town.

Courtesy of the NCHGS Jane S. Moyer Library files.