Senator Simon Cameron-Civil War Secretary of War
Impression by Joseph Mieczkowski
Presenting Living History of the Civil War period with a focus on the political issues of the era, including abolition, women''s rights, temperance, party platforms, the Civil War War Department and the draft.
Mr. Mieczkowski is accompanied by his wife Christine portraying Mrs. Margaretta Cameron.
Joe and Chis alternatively portray William H. and Frances Seward.
Their engaging presentations are historically accurate and often humorous. Typically Joe takes one side of an issue and his wife the other as they tell the story of the important issues of the time.
Joe and Chris are experienced re-enactors. They have appeared in the Civil War movie, God's and Generals.
Joe's authentic impression has been featured in The Civil War Times magazine.
They have made presentations at Civil War events and Civil War roundtables around the country, including the prestigious Harrisburg CWRT, re-enactments at Gettysburg, Wheatland ( President Buchanan's home) and at The White House. Their presentations include an authentic 1860's political campaign tent. They are members of the living history group The Civilians of Gettysburg .
They are also affiliated the Civil War Heritage Foundation.
In addition to their living history presentations Joe and Chris are accomplished Victorian dancers. Working with the Civil War Dance Associates they have demonstrated and taught Civil War era dancing.
They have appeared at the Thayer Hotel in West Point NY and the Union League in Philadelphia.
Joe and Chris are Civil War enthusiasts an all respects. Chris is an accomplished seamstress and quilter. She made the authentic 19th century clothing she wears.
Joe has written several brochures on the politics of the civil war era. He has studied the battle of Gettysburg extensively, is a Licensed Battlefield Guide (LBG) and member of of the Association of Licensed (Gettysburg) Battlefield Guides. and he holds a Master''s degree from the Pennsylvania State University. Joe is also a licensed town guide in historic Gettysburg. Joe and Chris are life members and officers of the renowned Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable. Joe is currently serving as President. Joe also conducts corporate and government leadership training sessions using history as a metaphor.
Joe is a senior level federal manager with extensive experience in the Washington DC, Maryland and Pennsylvania areas.
They live in Fairfield, PA along the very roads travelled by both Northern and Southern armies.
E-mail address: [email protected]
Be sure to look at the pictures in our gallery and read the information on our links page. We feature an extensive collection of images and articles about Simon Cameron. Learn more about the man.
Presenting Living History of the Civil War period with a focus on the political issues of the era, including abolition, women''s rights, temperance, party platforms, the Civil War War Department and the draft.
Mr. Mieczkowski is accompanied by his wife Christine portraying Mrs. Margaretta Cameron.
Joe and Chis alternatively portray William H. and Frances Seward.
Their engaging presentations are historically accurate and often humorous. Typically Joe takes one side of an issue and his wife the other as they tell the story of the important issues of the time.
Joe and Chris are experienced re-enactors. They have appeared in the Civil War movie, God's and Generals.
Joe's authentic impression has been featured in The Civil War Times magazine.
They have made presentations at Civil War events and Civil War roundtables around the country, including the prestigious Harrisburg CWRT, re-enactments at Gettysburg, Wheatland ( President Buchanan's home) and at The White House. Their presentations include an authentic 1860's political campaign tent. They are members of the living history group The Civilians of Gettysburg .
They are also affiliated the Civil War Heritage Foundation.
In addition to their living history presentations Joe and Chris are accomplished Victorian dancers. Working with the Civil War Dance Associates they have demonstrated and taught Civil War era dancing.
They have appeared at the Thayer Hotel in West Point NY and the Union League in Philadelphia.
Joe and Chris are Civil War enthusiasts an all respects. Chris is an accomplished seamstress and quilter. She made the authentic 19th century clothing she wears.
Joe has written several brochures on the politics of the civil war era. He has studied the battle of Gettysburg extensively, is a Licensed Battlefield Guide (LBG) and member of of the Association of Licensed (Gettysburg) Battlefield Guides. and he holds a Master''s degree from the Pennsylvania State University. Joe is also a licensed town guide in historic Gettysburg. Joe and Chris are life members and officers of the renowned Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable. Joe is currently serving as President. Joe also conducts corporate and government leadership training sessions using history as a metaphor.
Joe is a senior level federal manager with extensive experience in the Washington DC, Maryland and Pennsylvania areas.
They live in Fairfield, PA along the very roads travelled by both Northern and Southern armies.
E-mail address: [email protected]
Be sure to look at the pictures in our gallery and read the information on our links page. We feature an extensive collection of images and articles about Simon Cameron. Learn more about the man.
Simon Cameron-Civil War Secretary of War
Simon Cameron was born in Maytown, Pennsylvania on 8th March, 1799. After a brief schooling Cameron became a newspaper editor and a successful businessman. This included investments in canals, railroads and the iron industry.
Cameron was active in politics, being a member of the Whig Party before joining the Democratic Party. He was elected to the Senate in 1845. Later he joined the Know Nothing Party in 1855 before finally entering the Republican Party. This constant switching of parties gave Cameron a reputation as a political opportunist.
In 1860 Cameron was one of those nominated to become the presidential candidate of the Republican Party. However, at the National Convention, when it was clear that Cameron could not win, he gave his full support to Abraham Lincoln. He was rewarded by being appointed as Secretary of War. This job became more important on the outbreak of the American Civil War.
In January, 1862, Edwin M. Stanton, his legal adviser, helped Cameron write his yearly report. He personally wrote the section that called for freed slaves to be armed and used against the Confederate Army. President Abraham Lincoln was opposed to this policy and ordered Cameron to remove the offending passage. When he refused he was removed from office. Lincoln, who was unaware of Stanton's role in the report, appointed him as his new Secretary of War.
Cameron now became America's representative in Russia. Cameron returned to the Senate in 1867 and in 1872 served as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. Simon Cameron, who resigned his seat in the Senate in 1877 in order to help his son replace him, died in Donegal Springs, 26th June, 1889.
Cameron was active in politics, being a member of the Whig Party before joining the Democratic Party. He was elected to the Senate in 1845. Later he joined the Know Nothing Party in 1855 before finally entering the Republican Party. This constant switching of parties gave Cameron a reputation as a political opportunist.
In 1860 Cameron was one of those nominated to become the presidential candidate of the Republican Party. However, at the National Convention, when it was clear that Cameron could not win, he gave his full support to Abraham Lincoln. He was rewarded by being appointed as Secretary of War. This job became more important on the outbreak of the American Civil War.
In January, 1862, Edwin M. Stanton, his legal adviser, helped Cameron write his yearly report. He personally wrote the section that called for freed slaves to be armed and used against the Confederate Army. President Abraham Lincoln was opposed to this policy and ordered Cameron to remove the offending passage. When he refused he was removed from office. Lincoln, who was unaware of Stanton's role in the report, appointed him as his new Secretary of War.
Cameron now became America's representative in Russia. Cameron returned to the Senate in 1867 and in 1872 served as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. Simon Cameron, who resigned his seat in the Senate in 1877 in order to help his son replace him, died in Donegal Springs, 26th June, 1889.
