The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) is a
volunteer, non-profit, patriotic and educational organization which has over
6,000 members. Founded in 1881, by sons of Civil War veterans, it is the legal
heir to the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). The
Pvt. Valentin Keller Camp was organized in 2003 and installed Jan. 17, 2004.
Pvt. Keller enlisted in the 108th OVI, Co. D, August 15, 1862,
just one month after becoming a citizen of the United States.
He fled his native land of Dettighofen, Baden, Germany in 1857 and located in
Hamilton, Ohio.
The 108th was an all-German regiment organized at Camp
Dennison, Ohio. It consisted of eight companies from Butler, Warren and
Franklin counties.
At the Battle of Hartsville, TN (The Stones River Campaign),
Dec. 7, 1862, Pvt. Keller was captured by Gen. John Hunt Morgan's troops
and paroled in Feb./March 1863. He became disabled and convalesced at Camp
Dennison before being mustered out, due to disability, August of 1863.
He died Jan. 11, 1877 at 41 years of age.
The Pvt. Valentin Keller Camp # 8 of Fairfield meets on the
second Tuesday of each month except December,
Our meetings
our held at the Butler County Historical Society's Ritchie Auditorium, 327 N.
Second St., Hamilton, at 7 pm.
2009 CAMP OFFICERS
Ken Rex -
Camp Commander
Jim Perrine - Sr. Vice Commander
Jim Crane - Jr. Vice Commander
Damon Halverson - Secretary/Treasurer
Jim Irwin - Council & Counselor
Jerry Wallace - Council
Craig Keller - Chaplain & Historian
Joe Rich - Patriotic Instructor
2009 CAMP CALENDAR
July 4th -
Hamilton Parade & Monument Bldg.
July 14th - Meeting
August 11 - Meeting
August 13-15 - National Encampment (Louisville, KY)
Sept. 8th - Meeting
Oct. 13th - Meeting
Nov. 10th - Meeting (Elections)
Nov. 11th - Veterans' Day Ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery
For camp
inquiries or membership information, please contact: Ken Rex @
waderex@fuse.net.
