UFO Potpourri No 327

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO POTPOURRI
Issue: no. 327
Date: September 18, 1863 (for the letter), July 17, 1988 (for the article)
Publisher: The Daily News
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of UFO POTPOURRI presents two distinct pieces related to unidentified aerial phenomena. The first is a historical document, a letter dated September 18, 1863, from James Polk Peck, a soldier during the Civil War, describing a peculiar sighting. The second is a contemporary news article from The Daily News, dated Sunday, July 17, 1988, profiling John Schuessler and the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) in the Galveston-Houston area.

Civil War UFO Sighting

The letter, written by James Polk Peck from Camp Fort Spring, Greenbrier Co., Virginia, to his Uncle and Aunt Snidow, details an extraordinary event that occurred on Tuesday, September 1st, 1863. Mr. Dwyer, a gentleman residing near the Kanawha turnpike, witnessed with Mr. Piercy and his family, a phenomenon in an adjacent sugar orchard. Approximately eight feet long, two and a half feet wide, and one inch thick, mysterious rectangular objects were observed moving vertically through the air just above the trees. These objects were white tinged with green and moved in a column about fifty yards wide, with the order and regularity of soldiers, heading directly North.

The rear of the column was closer to the ground, causing the objects to pass through the orchard. Upon emerging from the trees, they resumed their original order and continued until out of sight. Immediately following this, and a little further west, a 'vast army of men dressed in white' was seen moving in quick time and in orderly fashion, akin to soldiers on dress parade. These figures would resume their places in ranks after passing any obstacle. The entire column occupied more than an hour.

Peck expresses uncertainty whether the event was a dream, an optical delusion, or a means used by 'Ammiepotence' (likely a reference to the Almighty) to foreshadow events. He vouches for the credibility of the witnesses, stating that those who knew them would attest to their candor, intelligence, and veracity.

Peck concludes by sending regards to his Aunt and Uncle, and mentions his appreciation for cheese and sugar. He also sends his respects to his relations and friends. A postscript notes that James Polk Peck was born November 3, 1845, and died June 3, 1864, at the Battle of Gaines Mills.

The letter is credited to M. Beach (Genealogist) and is accompanied by contact information for John F. Schuessler of Houston, Texas.

MUFON is Ready for Visitors from Outer Space

The second article, by Max RIZLEY JR. for The Daily News, focuses on the work of John Schuessler, MUFON's deputy director for administration, and his team in the Galveston-Houston area. The article notes a lull in UFO sightings around Galveston since a notable incident in October 1981 involving a 'big orange light'.

Schuessler and his approximately 50 volunteers investigate UFO sighting claims using scientific and methodical approaches. Their work involves interviewing witnesses, documenting descriptions, and cross-referencing with local air traffic, military bases, and the Goodyear blimp base to rule out conventional explanations. They focus on 'high-value stuff' such as multiple-witness sightings, animal reactions, or interference with electrical equipment.

Schuessler explains that about 90 percent of reported UFO sightings are eventually identified as known phenomena, such as re-entry debris from satellites or unusual aircraft. He states that identifying these is usually a matter of time and data analysis. The remaining 10 percent, the truly unidentified cases, are what fascinate him.

He discusses the possibility of injuries resulting from UFO encounters, noting that some individuals have suffered burn injuries that appear to be from a high-energy source, rather than radiation burns. Schuessler believes that such incidents, especially those with multiple witnesses like the 1981 Galveston visitation (seen by police and civilians), are valuable for modeling potential causes and understanding the nature of the objects.

The article mentions that the UFO scene in Galveston County has been quiet, though there has been a worldwide upswing in sightings. A recent incident involved a tumbling light over Red Bluff Road in Pasadena on April 22nd, witnessed by a college student and police officers.

Schuessler suggests that Galveston's relative quiet might be due to its isolation, making it harder for news of sightings to spread. He also points out that many incidents go unreported because witnesses assume others have already reported them. Schuessler is seeking volunteers in Galveston County to improve MUFON's coverage and can be contacted via mail at P.O. Box 58485, Houston, Texas 77258-8485.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue juxtaposes a historical account of a potential UFO sighting during the Civil War with a modern-day profile of a UFO investigation organization. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, emphasizing methodical investigation and the pursuit of credible evidence. The Civil War letter highlights the long history of such reports, while the MUFON article demonstrates contemporary efforts to understand these events through scientific means. Both pieces suggest a belief in the importance of documenting and analyzing these occurrences, regardless of their ultimate explanation.