Front row (left to right) is Sec. Alan Teller, Dept. Commander Bill Adams, PDC Mike Beck. Back row (left to right) is JV Dept. commander Tim Beckman, SV Dept  Commander Dennis Rigsby, and Dept Chaplain Bret Caldwell.
Front row (left to right) is Sec. Alan Teller, Dept. Commander Bill Adams, PDC Mike Beck. Back row (left to right) is JV Dept. Commander Tim Beckman, SV Dept Commander Dennis Rigsby, and Dept Chaplain Bret Caldwell.
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) is a nation-wide organization, comprised of more than 200 community-based Camps which are organized under 26 Departments. The Department of Indiana oversees camps and SUVCW members within Indiana.

Indiana played an important role during the American Civil War. During the course of the war, Indiana contributed approximately 210,000 soldiers and millions of dollars of horses, food and supplies to the U.S. Army. Hoosiers served in every major engagement of the war and almost every engagement – minor or otherwise – in the western theater of the war. As an agriculturally rich state containing the fifth-highest population in the Union and sixth-highest of all states, Indiana was critical to Northern success. We seek to preserve the history and legacy of those heroes who fought and worked to save the Union.

You are cordially invited to join our Department of Indiana email list as a way to stay informed on what is happening in our Department. To sign up go here and click on the “Join This Group” link. Alternatively you can email IndianaSUVCW-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and request to join.

You can keep up with the latest department news through the Indiana Legion, the newsletter for the Department of Indiana.

Annual Encampment
This year on June 6th in Kokomo, we will be celebrating our 129th Department of Indiana Annual Encampment! While the number alone is significant what makes this year even more special is that the National SUVCW Commander in Chief, Tad Campbell of Gilroy, California will also be attending. Click here for an invitation letter from Department Commander William R. Adams. Click here for a registration form.

Directions for Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo now has a bypass US 31. The way into Kokomo from the north and south is US 931. You must exit US 31 to follow US 931. US 931 is the old route of US 31. Many people continue to complain the signage for this is not clearly marked. So be alert. From any direction take US 931 to Lincoln. (In Kokomo US 31 is now called US 931. South and North of Kokomo be sure to take the US 931 Exit off US 31.) Lincoln is North of IN 26 and South of US 35 & IN 22. Turn West on Lincoln to Washington. Turn North on Washington: just past Cossells Landscaping on right; turn right. You are on IUK property (2300 S. Washington). Stay right at first stop sign. At second stop sign turn left. Park in lot on right. Enter the Kelly Student Center. If you keep turning right within the building you will find us. We will be near the cafeteria.

Leadership

The Department of Indiana’s organization follows the guidelines of the SUVCW, with a Department Commander, Senior Vice-Commander, Junior Vice-Commander, Secretary, and Treasurer, who are all elected annually by the Department members. Other positions of responsibility within the Department are by appointment of the Department Commander.

Office Name Email
Commander William R. Adams adamswr@csinet.net
Senior Vice Commander Dennis H. Rigsby dhrigsby@aol.com
Junior Vice Commander Timothy J. Beckman timbeckman@gmail.com
Council Member Jack O. Shaw jackoshaw7@hotmail.com
Council Member Matthew J. Elkin melkin1@sbcglobal.net
Council Member Michael W. Beck fsgtcod11thindiana@att.net
Secretary J. Allan Teller alan.teller@comcast.net
Treasurer Gilbert H. Young, Jr. gib.young@comcast.net
Patriotic Instructor Dennis H. Rigsby dhrigsby@aol.com
Chaplain Bret A. Caldwell jchistorian@yahoo.com
Graves Registration Officer John K. Eger jkcleger@msn.com
Historian Bruce R. Kolb bkolb2@yahoo.com
Civil War Memorials Officer Michael W. Beck fsgtcod11thindiana@att.net
Eagle Scout Coordinator Michael W. Beck fsgtcod11thindiana@att.net
Counselor Bruce R. Kolb bkolb2@yahoo.com
GAR Highway Officer Stephen L. Mockler nwi-mikey@hotmail.com
Signals Officer Joshua A. Claybourn jclaybourn@gmail.com

Department of Indiana Camps

SUVCW members within the Department of Indiana are also members of one of the following seven camps.