LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Chemung Valley Living History
Center upon the occasion of marking the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of
Camp Chemung

WHEREAS, it is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
significant events which represent turning points in our unique history
and which are indelibly etched in the saga of our great Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is also the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those organizations that seek to bring recognition to histor-
ical places within the State of New York and, in so doing, help to
ensure that the complete history of our State and Nation is preserved to
be shared with present and future generations of citizens; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Chemung Valley Living History Center upon the occasion of marking
the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of Camp Chemung; this milestone Anni-
versary will be celebrated Saturday, May 3-Sunday, May 4, 2014, with a
Civil War reenactment on the site of the camp in Elmira, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Chemung Valley Living History Center (CVLHC) is a non-
profit group comprised of history and nature lovers, educators, living
historians, and re-enactors who, 25 years ago, joined together with the
common purpose of enjoying history; and
WHEREAS, For approximately 15 years, CVLHC's dedicated members have
held two annual Living History events at the Newtown Battlefield State
Park in Elmira, site of the August 29, 1779, Battle of Newtown during
the American Revolutionary War; its season begins with the Ben Newton
Memorial Civil War Re-enactment event, held the first weekend in May;
and
WHEREAS, This year's Civil War Reenactment event is special as 2014
marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Town of Elmira, as
well as that of the Elmira Federal Prison Camp, also known as Camp
Chemung; and
WHEREAS, Camp Chemung was a 40-acre prison camp for Confederate
Soldiers during the American Civil War; established in May 1864 after
the United States War Department learned there were vacant barracks in
Elmira; by July 1864, about 700 Confederate prisoners were being trans-
ferred there from overcrowded federal prisons, and before the end of
August they numbered almost 10,000 enlisted men; and
WHEREAS, Camp Chemung closed July 11, 1865; a total of 12,123 Confed-
erate soldiers had been held at the prison, and 2,963 died of sickness,
exposure, and associated causes; today, the camp flagpole is all that
remains of the camp, and until the last decade most people living along
the Pennsylvania-New York border had little knowledge of this facility
that had played such a significant role in the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, CVLHC's remembrance of Camp Chemung's short but infamous
existence includes Living History demonstrations of what life was like
in a Civil War camp for soldiers and civilians; skirmishes and demon-
strations of Union and Confederate Artillery and Infantry; and food and
vendors representative of the period; in addition, the Ithaca College
band will play the National Anthem as it was performed in 1864, and a
35-star flag will be raised on the original camp flagpole; and
WHEREAS, Events which symbolize the historical, social and cultural
development of this great State and embody the principles upon which
this Nation was founded should be recognized and celebrated by all the
citizens of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for the Chemung Valley Living History

Center, and for all of the individuals who have worked to bring proper
attention to a place and time which merits recognition in the grand
panorama of the history of our State and Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Chemung Valley Living History Center upon the occasion of
marking the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of Camp Chemung; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Chemung Valley Living History Center.