My Uncle Dan (A brief detour to Emmitsburg)

Daniel M. Beltzhoover is an Uncle to me on my Mother's side of the family.

Photo taken on February 6, 2006 (MJW)

Here's a brief history....

Watson's Louisana Battery
Daniel Beltzhoover - Colonel Daniel Beltzhoover was a professor of mathematics at Mount Saint Mary's. He also commanded a commandant of the Mountain Cadets, and drilled them thoroughly on Eardin's and Casey's tactics. The Zouave Drill formed an important feature of their training. He was a classmate of General Grant at West Point. Before the Civil War he had fought in Florida and Mexico. He left three daughters, who are nuns, and himself lies buried on the Hill.
During the outbreak of the Civil War, Daniel Beltzhoover was given a commission in the Confederate Army as a Major serving in the 1st Louisiana Heavy Artillery and was promoted to lieutenant colonel on August 14, 1861. While in command of Watson's Battery, composed mostly of Southern college boys, John Devereux and others he met Grant in his first battle at Belmont, and succeeded in recapturing and taking his battery in safety from the field. He afterwards had charge of all the artillery in the defense of Mobile.

Daniel Beltzhoover graduated West Point in the class of 1847. Among his classmates were A.P.Hill, Henry Heth, Ambrose Burnside, John Gibbon, Charles Griffin, and Thomas Neill. As a point of trivia, I'll have you know that Uncle Dan stood higher in his class (12th) than any of his more famous comrades.

The 3 daughters mentioned above are themselves buried in the cemetery on the grounds of the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in the town of Emmitsburg, Md.

It's an absolutely beatiful setting. If you ever get the chance take the quick trip down Rt. 15 and check it out. The cemetery on the Mount (just before the Grotto and Shrine) is also worth a look if you find that sort of thing interesting. Personally, I do.