WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Looking through more of the documents in this collection pertaining to John Lapham Bullis, we've noticed various words describing him.

To Nettie, of course, he was "Uncle John." And to other family members, he was referred to as "John" or "Johnny."

Records show that he was also known as "Thunderbolt" and "Whirlwind" by some of those who experienced his bravery on the battlefield. And to the people of Texas who presented him with a valuable sword to show their appreciation for protecting their homes and their lives, he was known as "Friend of the Frontier."

On a different level, to President Theodore Roosevelt who appointed him Brigadier General on May 24, 9104, he was courageous, brave and a true soldier.

So that's what's in a name ... John Lapham Bulllis, the man, the family member, the soldier who was greatly loved by his family and his country. And we are fortunate to be able to "know" him through the materials in the Bullis Room. You're invited to stop by and let us show you some of them.

LOOKING BACK

2011 was another busy year for us here in the Bullis Room. Repairing and restoring books, organizing, researching (and searching), displaying, presenting, traveling, monitoring, planning...and reading.

As we've noted before, reading is a "problem" for us volunteers. This room is filled with such interesting stuff that it's difficult to remain focused on a particular task. We walk in the room with a goal in mind, but when we see a stack of letters written by a Bullis family member lying on the shelf - or some interesting books strewn around on the table top - we stop to take a quick look, which sometimes stretches into hours. And we often leave with our original goal unattained.

So as we look back we remember all of the projects we planned but never completed (such as making a timeline of John Lapham Bullis's life and typing transcripts of some newly-obtained letters).  That's the bad news, so to speak. The good news is we can have another go at all these projects in 2012.

Happy New Year!

NEW IN THE BULLIS ROOM

This week we received some exciting stuff in the mail. One of our San Antonio connections sent us a copy of an article recently published about John Lapham Bullis's two wives.  And, also enclosed were two commemorative medals that were awarded to participants in an Army combat medic competition at Camp Bullis.  Both sides are shown below:

These medals are not only beautiful works of art and design - they are a fitting commemoration to John Lapham Bullis. Our thanks and appreciation go to our fellow volunteers in San Antonio for sharing these with us. 

JOHN LAPHAM BULLIS PRESENTATION

Last Wednesday we had a good turnout when June Hamell shared information she brought back with her from San Antonio in May.  The Q&A session following the presentation showed that attendees found it interesting and were left with wanting more information about this local hero.  Future events are in the planning process, and we will keep you posted.

If you were unable to attend June's presentation and would like to see it, please contact her at MPL. We hope to repeat, and knowing who is interested will help us plan.

JOHN LAPHAM BULLIS PRESENTATION

JOHN LAPHAM BULLIS

A presentation by June Hamell, Town of Macedon Historian and conservator of the Bullis Room at the Macedon Public Library

Wednesday, October 12, 6:30 p.m.

Community Room, Macedon Public Library

        Mrs. Hamell’s presentation will cover her recent visit to the historic Fort Sam Houston Museum in San Antonio to view a retrospective exhibit honoring Brigadier General John Lapham Bullis.  In addition, she will include some information about the history of San Antonio, the early Canary Islander settlers, the Missions, ranches, and cattle drives to New Orleans to help feed Civil War troops.

This presentation will be co-hosted by the Macedon Historical Society, Bullis Committee, 

                                                 and the Friends of the Macedon Public Library. 

ROMANCE AND HISTORY

These last few weeks in the Bullis room, we've worked with books in two genres--romance and history.  There's one book in this collection that ties these subjects together...Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell.

The Bullis copy is currently in the display case outside the room.  One glance will tell you it's not a quick read. With 1,037 pages, it may be a book to put on your winter reading list.

If you do read (or reread) Gone With the Wind, we suggest you think about men like John Lapham Bullis who enlisted in the 126th New York Volunteer Infantry at 21 years of age and was quickly plunged into the middle of that heartbreaking war. He was injured and captured in the Battle of Harper's Ferry in September, 1862, barely a month after he enlisted. And although he rejoined his regiment after exchange, he was again wounded and captured at the battle of Gettysburg, and spent the following ten months confined to Libby Prison in Virginia.

John Lapham Bullis's wartime experiences can add perspective to both fiction and nonfiction accounts of the Civil War by giving us a personal connection. And perhaps when we better understand our history, we can in turn have a greater understanding of current events and situations.  We can always hope so.

TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.R. 1007

"RESOLUTION

"WHEREAS, May 26, 2011, marks the centennial of the death of United States Army Brigadier General John Lapham Bullis, commander of the famed Black Seminole Scouts and a hero of the Texas frontier; and

"WHEREAS, Born in Macedon, New York, in 1841, John Bullis enlisted in the 126th New York Volunteer Infantry in 1862 and was wounded and captured twice during the Civil War, in the battles of Harpers Ferry and Gettysburg; following 10 months in the notorious Libby Prison, he was released in an exchange of combatants and was commissioned as a captain in the 118th Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops, a volunteer regiment composed entirely of African American enlisted men and white officers; and

"WHEREAS, General Bullis briefly ran a business on the Mississippi River after the war and was commissioned in the Regular Army as a second lieutenant in 1867; although many other white officers scorned African American regiments, he served with the 41st Infantry and then requested a transfer to the new 24th Infantry, a consolidation of three Colored Infantry regiments; he was stationed at Fort Clark in the borderlands, where property raids and attacks on settlers were a regular occurrence, and assumed command of the remarkable group of scouts, skillful trackers descended from escaped slaves who had intermarried with members of the Seminole tribe and eventually settled in the Santa Rosa Mountains of northern Mexico; and

"WHEREAS, Resolute and resourceful, General Bullis earned the nickname 'the Whirlwind,' leading the Black Seminole Scouts during the Red River War and on numerous missions to track raiders from the Comanche and Apache tribes; in one celebrated battle, he and three scouts took on more than two dozen Lipan Apaches before they ran low on ammunition and were forced to retreat; General Bullis's horse was lost, but his comrades returned for him under fire and he was able to leap up behind his sergeant and escape on his steed; the scouts were awarded Congressional Medals of Honor; and

"WHEREAS, The stoicism, valor, and fairness General Bullis demonstrated won the complete loyalty of his men; he lived off the land and suffered severe privations alongside them, and they gladly followed him even on a pursuit all the way to New Mexico Territory, which kept them in the saddle for 80 days and more than 1,200 miles; over the course of 8 years, he led his scouts in 26 battles, yet not one was killed or seriously injured; he received brevet citations for his gallant service, as well as recognition from the Texas Legislature, and the people of West Texas and residents of Kinney County showed their gratitude by presenting him with engraved swords; and..."

"WHEREAS, Once the area had become comparatively calm, General Bullis was transferred to Indian Territory, and he was later appointed the paymaster of Fort Sam Houston, with the rank of major; he served in Cuba during the Spanish-American War and in the Philippines during the Philippine Insurrection; the day before his retirement in 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt promoted him to brigadier general in recognition of his outstanding achievements; and

"WHEREAS, John Bullis settled in San Antonio and established himself as a successful businessman, investing in real estate and the Shafter silver mines, and he helped to promote the settlement of West Texas; in addition, he remained a stalwart advocate for the Black Seminole Scouts, trying in vain to obtain for them the military benefits and land grants that the federal government had promised; he died in San Antonio on May 26, 1911, and is buried in the San Antonio National Cemetery; a military camp just north of San Antonio was named Camp Bullis in his honor in 1917; and

"WHEREAS, An extraordinary figure in the history of the Lone Star State, Brigadier General John Bullis fought bravely to secure the frontier, and he set an inspiring example of integrity and dedication; it is indeed fitting to commemorate the centennial of his passing; now, therefore, be it

"RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby recognize May 26, 2011, as Brigadier General John L. Bullis Day and encourage all Texans to learn more about his life and service to the Lone Star State; and, be it further

"RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared for the Shafter Silver Mine John L. Bullis Library at the STAR DAY  Foundation, for the Fort Sam Houston Museum, and for the New York Macedon Public Library Bullis Collection as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives."

Signature: Joe Straus, Speaker of the House

"I certify that H.R. NO. 1007 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 7, 2011."
Signature: Robert Haney, Chief Clerk of the House

(Seal) Signature line: Ruth Jones McClendon, State Representative, District 120

MORE HONORS FOR JLB

On April 7, 2011 the State of Texas House of Representatives issued a resolution honoring John Lapham Bullis. This recognition resulted from his military accomplishments as well as the part he played in promoting the settlement of West Texas and his advocacy for the Black Seminole Scouts. We'll post some of this document in the next two weeks, as our way of again recognizing this Bullis family member's contribution to his country.

A second honor for John Lapham Bullis is in the form of an exhibit at Fort Sam Houston Museum in San Antonio the last of this month. A member of our committee will be attending this event. Again, we'll keep you posted.

FROM "JOHNNIE"

John Lapham Bullis's family must have spent many anxious hours thinking of his safety--and his whereabouts--during the Civil War.  The arrival of each letter was proof that at the time of writing he was well enough to put pencil to paper, and these communications must have been  received with great joy and relief.

His second letter home from Annapolis, Maryland was written while he was "Waiting transp. to Army Potomac."  In that July 2, 1864 letter he reminisces, "Year ago at Gettysburg, warm, and we were taking a doublequick for a Barn that was changing hands often on that memorable time." Then on September 19, 1864, he was  "On the Ohio River Steamboat Grey Eagle on Ohio bound for Louisville. Soldiers have Measles." There is also a comment that he himself is "measle proof."

Between November 5, 1863 and November 20, 1864, Bullis wrote nine letters home, almost one a month, keeping in touch with those he loved and cared for. And he signed all of these letters "Johnnie."  Today, as we admire him for his military greatness, let's remember that first he was a loving son and brother.