Author donates book and poster of local Civil War soldiers to Albion students
Photos and information courtesy of Tim Archer
ALBION – Local resident, historian, and author Tom Taber (right) donated his book, “The Orleans Battery,” and a framed poster on the soldiers of the Civil War’s local 17th New York Light Artillery. He presented them to Albion Middle School eighth grade students Brian Patten and John Vivas, along with social studies teacher Mr. Shawn Ragonese.
The book is a history of the NY 17th created from letters sent home by several of the men, from privates to commanding officer Captain George T. Anthony, who left Medina for Kansas, and eventually was elected governor there. He was also Susan B. Anthony’s second cousin.
The poster was a Civil War roster listing the names and ranks of the men, predominantly from Orleans County, who were the original volunteers in the NY 17th. Soon after arriving in Washington in late 1862, they were offered the poster for $1.
Future classes will benefit from Taber’s extensive research for years to come.
