May 29, 2017

** Hurray for the Red, White, and Blue! Memorial Day 2017 **

Overlooking Seminary Ridge

This Memorial Day, hug a veteran. Search for Civil War soldier relatives. If your family was living in America in the 1700s, there’s a good chance you’ll find some Revolutionary War soldiers as well. Visit a cemetery and count the flags that mark the graves of fallen heroes. Sing patriotic songs and wave the Stars and Stripes. To honor those who died, I decided to include a short list of Gettysburg dead, one man from each state that fought in the battle. These are random choices, but represent our nation’s tremendous loss.

Franks, Pvt. Rufus “Rube”, b. abt. 1843, d. 02 Jul 1863 – 4^TH Alabama Infantry

Downey, Pvt. William Henry Clay, born abt. 1842, d. Jul 1863 – 3^RD Arkansas Infantry

Hodge, Pvt. Nelson J., b. abt. 1837, d. 23 Jul 1863 (or 02 Nov) – 14^TH Connecticut Infantry

Simpler, Sgt. Benjamin B., d. 02 Aug 1863, Wilmington, DE – 1^ST Delaware Infantry

McClellan, 2^ND Cpl. Rudolphus Henry, b. 25 Sep 1843, d. Jul 1863 – 5^TH Florida Infantry

Dollar, Pvt. Rayford M., b. 1842, d. 23 Aug 1863, Staunton, VA – 17^TH Georgia Infantry

Stedman, Cpl. Homer C., b. 07 Mar 1841, d. Jul 1863 – 12^TH Illinois Cavalry

Brown, Cpl. Henry S., b. abt. 1839, d. 02 Jul 1863 – 14^TH Indiana Infantry

Connell, Pvt. William, d. 09 Sep 1863, Chester, PA – Madison Light Artillery (Moody’s Louisiana Battery)

Conway, Cpl. Orrin T., b. 01 Nov 1835, d. 01 Sep 1863, Baltimore, MD – 19^TH Maine Infantry

Moore, Pvt. Warren Francis, b. 17 Oct 1844, d. Jul 1863 – 1^ST Maryland Battalion (Confederate)

Barger, Pvt. George Henry, b. 1832, d. Jul 1863 – 1^ST Maryland Potomac Home Brigade (Union)

Mitchell, 2^ND Lt. William B., b. Sep 1835, d. 31 Jul/01 Aug 1863, Boston, MA – 11^TH Massachusetts Infantry

Pease, Cpl. Constantine, b. abt. 1841, d. 07 Aug 1863, Camp Letterman, Gettysburg – 4^TH Michigan Infantry

Grandy, Cpl. George W., b. abt. 1837, d. Jul 1863 – 1^ST Minnesota Infantry

Wilkins, Pvt. Newton Reese, b. 27 Feb 1837/38, d. Aug 1863, Richmond, VA – 11^TH Mississippi Infantry

Carr, Pvt. Brackett L., b. abt. 1834, d. 27 Jul 1863, Philadelphia, PA – 2^ND New Hampshire Infantry

Flannigan, Cpl. Thomas, b. abt. 1842, d. 02 Jul 1863 – 7^TH New Jersey Infantry

Battelle, Cpl, Joseph, b. 1837, d. 15 Jul 1863 – 71^ST New York Infantry

Rainey, Cpt. William Wirt, b. 06 Jul 1838, d. Jul 1863 – 13^TH North Carolina Infantry

Farr, Pvt. Haskell E., d. Oct/Nov 1863, Camp Letterman, Gettysburg – 55^TH Ohio Infantry

Link, Pvt. Absalom, b. 1836, d. Jul 1863 – Batteries C & F, Pennsylvania Independent Artillery

Powers, Pvt. Charles, d. 03 Jul 1863 – 2^Nd Rhode Island Infantry

Barmore, Pvt. William Calvin, b. 1841, d. 02 Jul 1863 – 7^TH South Carolina Infantry

Hicks, 2^ND Lt. William F. D., b. 1835, d. 10 Aug 1863, Chester, PA – 14^TH Tennessee Infantry

Graham, Pvt. John C., b. 1833, d. 29 Aug 1863, Camp Letterman, Gettysburg – 4^TH Texas Infantry

Boynton, Cpl. Henry, b. 1826, d. 02 Jul 1863 – 4^TH United States Infantry

Marcell, Pvt. Octave, b. abt. 1844, d. 30 Jul 1863 – 14^TH Vermont Infantry

Wilson, Maj. Nathaniel Claiborne, b. 12 Sep 1839, d. 03 Jul 1863 – 28^TH Virginia Infantry

Austin, Pvt. Aaron A., b. 1838, d. 10 Jul 1863 – 7^TH West Virginia Infantry

Harland, Pvt. John, b. 21 Nov 1839, d. 01 Jul 1863 – 6^TH Wisconsin Infantry

As you read these random names, keep in mind that there were over 10,000 more soldiers who died as a result of their Gettysburg wounds. A very sobering Memorial Day reminder.


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