G.A.R. Monument at the Old City Cemetery
In conjunction with the SUVCW Department of California and Pacific annual meetings in Sacramento March 7 – 9, the members of Camp 22 will be presenting a Living Memorial Service on Sunday, March 9, at 10:00 AM at the Old City Cemetery.
Come join us at this historic site for a walk back in time, where you will meet – in person! – six important Civil War figures buried at the Cemetery.
The first stop on the tour will be a visit with General George Wright, the commander of all military forces in in California and the Oregon territories during the Civil War. General Wright and his wife were drowned in the wreck of the Brother Jonathan in 1865.
Next, we will talk with Rebecca Hall, a nurse who tended wounded Union soldiers in several Civil War battles. Then, we will visit Jane Norris, who was famous (infamous?) for a rather daring feat. One night in April of 1865, after hearing the Confederacy had surrendered, Jane surreptitiously climbed to the top of the Capitol dome in Sacramento – which was still under construction! – and raised an American flag. The next morning, the workmen and citizens of Sacramento were amazed to see the stars and stripes flying over the city.
We will then visit two Medal-of-Honor recipients: Lebbeus Simkins and Newton Gould, who will tell you of their wartime deeds that won them the highest award in the US Armed Forces. Last – but certainly not least – on the tour is William McLeod, who was a United States Marine during the war. Capping off the event will be a brief wreath-laying ceremony at the G.A.R. monument.
The walking tour will last about an hour. There is free parking available on the streets around the cemetery.