New headstones for New York City GAR plot

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Members of the Oliver Tilden Camp #26, SUVCW, unveiled 24 government headstones at Lutheran All-Faiths Cemetery today in Middle Village, Queens. The plot is that of the Col. Friedrich Hecker Post #408, GAR, named in honor of the leader of the 24th and 82nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

The 24 soldiers and sailors honored belonged to New York, Vermont, and Louisiana regiments and one USN sloop-of-war. Living historians present for the ceremony included yours truly, representing the 45th NY Infantry, and forum member Matt Bursig, representing the 52nd NY Infantry.

Oliver Tilden Camp has done a lot of work getting these vets the recognition they deserve, and are already working on obtaining headstones for another GAR plot in the same cemetery.

[mtvernon]

Re: New headstones for New York City GAR plot

Congratulations to all who assisted. Tending to their graves is one of the most satisfying things I do in the SUVCW. Good job!

Joe Marti
Phil Sheridan Camp #4
Dept. of Calif. & Pacific
SUVCW

[MBBursig]

Re: New headstones for New York City GAR plot

For those interested, Lutheran All-Faiths Cemetery contains 4 GAR Post Plots which all-together contains probably an approx. number of 250 soldiers.

Post Plots included are the Metternich Post, Koltes Post, Riker Post, and Hecker Post. The regiments represented are truly amazing, and for those interested in the German aspect of the war, most German New York Regiments are included.

There are many other soldiers and officers buried througout the cemetery, as well as countless victims of the Gen. Slocum Steamship Disaster.

It is a gem for New York history...and no one knows about it...

[FlatLandFed]

Re: New headstones for New York City GAR plot

Well done, Brother!
I also enjoy these ceremonies and hope to participate in a few more this summer out here on the plains.

Cheers,
Paul Hadley,
PDC, Neb. SUVCW; PCC, Shiloh Camp No. 2; PC, Nebraska Rangers SVR

[DannyJoe]

Re: New headstones for New York City GAR plot

Outstanding job!!! Grave marker dedication ceremonies for Civil War soldiers performed by the SUVCW are very rewarding experiences for all,eg, the SUVCW, the community, and the family of the deceased. The entire ceremony is filled with tradition and dignity.....the unvieling of the marker that is flanked by a knapsack, haversack, canteen, rifle..the posting of a guard near the headstone.....the placing of a rose on the headstone by a woman..the reading of the soldier's biography by a family member..the burying of the ashes of an American flag on the grave by a family member....the reading of a passage by the camp commander.....a prayer by the camp chaplain......the firing of a volley by the camp guard.......the playing of the bagpipes......taps....... Yes, it is a very reverent ceremony indeed.
This past May 17th, the members of Old Abe Camp 8 and members of the Eagan family dedicated a new headstone for Michael Eagan of Co D, 37th Wisconsin. Michael was one of three men in his company who survived the Battle of the Crater at Petersburg. He was wounded and eventually returned home to recover from the wounds, but he was also weakened by disease. He died under an oak tree on the family farm. He was 15 years old at the time of his death.
The members of Camp 8 and Eagan family members gathered around that old oak tree and the chaplain led us in a prayer. The bagpiper played a hymn and marched away in a fade. There was not a dry eye in the group. We had connected with a young soldier of the Civil War and honored his service and sacrifice.
Our next ceremony will be on July 26th in Waupaca, Wisconsin.
In their memory,