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Graves of Civil War Veterans
Most of our Civil War veterans are to be found in the oldest, and sometimes most neglected, of our county cemeteries. Be wary of landscape terrain, mole mounds and holes, snakes, bugs, and unsteady monuments. It's not a bad idea to go with a friend!
Conditions of Graves
Sometimes it is obvious who is a Civil War veteran by the presence of a marble, government-issued tablet. Some may have modern (possibly replacement) stones. Many of these government-issued stones have sunk over time. When sunk, these markers are easy to hit and damage by lawn mowing.
Many of these marble stones have eroded over time from wind, blown sand and dirt, acid rain, poor cemetery management, vandalism, and age.
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Norman G. Pomeroy, Co. K, 3rd Michigan Cavalry in King Cemetery, Raisinville Township. Note the engraved shield shape.
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Isaac Manor of the 24th Michigan Infantry has a plain marble, on- ground tablet with modern engraving, at St. Mary, Rockwood Cemetery.
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Abraham Frankhouse’s military marker has sunk, and all the inscription cannot be read. These markers traditionally give name and military unit. Note the shield. He was in Co. G, 15th Michigan Infantry. He is buried in St. Mary, Rockwood Cemetery. His wife is buried next to him.
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George Shafer, Co. I, 9th Michigan Infantry. He was born in Germany, and voted for Abraham Lincoln in his first presidential election. King Cemetery, Raisinville township.
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A marker showing most of the original height of the stone tablet. These stones of solid marble weigh approximately 200 pounds. Note the soil line showing how deep the stone was once placed. William Campbell, Co. A, 29th Michigan Infantry, also in St. Mary Rockwood Cemetery.
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Chester Townsend of Co. K, 1st Michigan Cavalry, died in 1888, at 50 years old. He is buried in Raleighville Cemetery, London township.
Some families chose to purchase family tombstones for their veterans.
Nathan Peabody, Jr. and Sr. are on the same tablet. The son died in 1860; his father followed in 1862. Under Sr.’s name is written: Who enlisted in the 15 Mich. Vol. In. Feb. 7. Died at St. Louis Apr. 2, 1862 Aged 53 yrs. & 6 m.
He died of disease (a common Civil War soldier's death) and is actually buried at St. Louis. Stone in King Cemetery, Raisinville township.
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John Smutz of Raisinville township has a large granite family monument, a govern- ment issued stone, and a headstone. Headstones traditionally mark the actual grave; the larger monument marks the burial plot with two or more grave sites. He was in Co. I, 102nd Ohio Infantry. Many Monroe county men fought in units from other states, especially Ohio.
Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Posts
Have you seen stones marked with metal stars that hold flags? These are good Civil War service indicators, placed on the graves by the different Grand Army of the Republic Posts in the county and should not be removed.
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Melzer B. Strong of the Provost Guard, Michigan Infantry, buried in County Line (Hack) Cemetery (London Township) and Leonard McKenzie of Co. I, 8th Michigan Cavalry in Raleighville Cemetery (Raisinville Township). Both have GAR marked graves.
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Dan'l (Daniel) "Cronachet" (Conway) of Co. D, 11th Michigan Infantry and Jno. (John) York of Co. H, 20th Michigan Infantry show the shield design markers and are marked by G.A.R. stars. They are found in St. Patrick's Cemeteries in Exeter & Ash Townships. Note the soil stain on York's tablet indicating the depth at which it once was buried.
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Dan'l (Daniel) "Cronachet" (Conway) of Co. D, 11th Michigan Infantry and Jno. (John) York of Co. H, 20th Michigan Infantry show the shield design markers and are marked by G.A.R. stars. They are found in St. Patrick's Cemeteries in Exeter & Ash Townships. Note the soil stain on York's tablet indicating the depth at which it once was buried.
Unmarked Graves
Many Civil War veterans lie unmarked in county cemeteries. Without a doubt, your community has these veterans. Wouldn't the 150-year anniversary of the Civil War be an appropriate time to find these graves and mark them, or document their service?
Watch the museum for more on the Civil War- events, programs, exhibits, displays and more in the coming years of the sesquicentennial.
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Some hastily buried soldiers on the battlefield were later reinterred with formal headstones in rows, with their identification recorded, and these places of burial often became our National Cemeteries.
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Rows of Civil War Graves
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Here at Gettysburg someone has left a very small American flag along a rock wall. Walking the national cemeteries or battlefields still inspire, humble, and remind us what others sacrificed.