Civil War Vets Buried
Seems odd to be talking about this, almost 160 years after the end of the Civil War (or, for KoB, the War of Northern Aggression). Worth remembering, especially for all those advocating a new civil war. Civil War is always bloody, harsh, and like all wars, isn’t ever all over by Christmas.
The cremated remains of 30 men have been sitting, gathering dust, on a shelf in a funeral home located in Seattle, presumably the Washington state Seattle.
The simple copper and cardboard urns gathering dust on shelves only had the name of each of the 28 soldiers – but nothing linking them to the Civil War. Still, that was enough for an organization dedicated to locating, identifying and interring the remains of unclaimed veterans to conclude over several years that they were all Union soldiers deserving of a burial service with military honors.
“It’s amazing that they were still there and we found them,” said Tom Keating, the Washington state coordinator for the Missing In America Project, which turned to a team of volunteers to confirm their war service through genealogical research. “It’s something long overdue. These people have been waiting a long time for a burial.”
The men were mostly laid to rest in August, most at Washington’s Tahoma Cemetery.
In a traditional service offered to Civil War veterans, the historical 4th US Infantry Regiment dressed in Union uniforms fired musket volleys and the crowd sang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Names were called out for each veteran and their unit before their remains were brought forward and stories were shared about their exploits. Then, they were buried.
Among them was a veteran held at a Confederate prison known as Andersonville. Several were wounded in combat and others fought in critical battles including Gettysburg, Stones River and the Atlanta campaign. One man survived being shot thanks to his pocket watch – which he kept until his death – and another deserted the Confederate Army and joined the Union forces.
Some who were identified whose origin was known were sent to other states. We can only assume that these men migrated westward after the war? Otherwise I would wonder how they made it to the Washington area.
The remains of several more Civil War veterans were sent to Maine, Rhode Island and other places where family connections were found.
Among them was Byron Johnson. Born in Pawtucket in 1844, he enlisted at 18 and served as a hospital steward with the Union Army. He moved out West after the war and died in Seattle in 1913. After his remains were delivered to Pawtucket City Hall, he was buried with military honors at his family’s plot in Oak Grove Cemetery. AP via CNN
More details in the linked article – it’s worth a read.
PS – note no one comments, or cares, which political party they endorsed.
Category: Society, Veterans in the news
RIP brothers, enjoy your long overdue rest!
I have many memorable experiences from my first tour in TOG, but my abbreviated second tour (the story of which is often shared on these pages) saw only one that really stood out. There was the 2018 1812 Overture concert and a few other events I played a key role in, but being a Vigil for the first internments in the Millenium Project (the newest area of Arlington National Cemetery, largely taken from the Fort Myer picnic and training area across from the Ammunition Supply Point down the hill from Whipple Field) was the highlight. The two Unknowns had been found on the Manassas battlefield and were buried with Full Honors, with quite a few senior leaders present.
By that point, I knew my time in TOG would be brief. Stress and anxiety exacerbated by the maligned (by some) PTSD–issues I’d started getting a bit towards the end of my first four-year stint in the unit–had grown to the point where it was hard to stand in formation, or even still, for more than a minute without trembling and a feeling that I was about to fall out at any second. I toughed it out and fortunately didn’t have to stand watch for the projected 45 minutes, but I did my best to honor the Unknowns with my small, but important, role in their Final Honors.
Regardless of the side they fought on, these men were Americans who deserve the respect and dignity worthy of heroes. That it’s taken a century or better to give them their well-earned rest could be construed as upsetting, but knowing that there are those who still care, and who honor these formerly forgotten Soldiers, is indicative of our strength as a nation.
RIP; I’m happy to hear they finally get some recognition.