ALL ARE INVITED TO

A GRAND EVENT

AT THE OLD CITY CEMETERY!

 WHERE BROTHERS OF THE SUVCW WILL PRESENT

A RE-ENACTMENT OF THE DEDICATION

—OF THE—

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MONUMENT

HUZZAH! FOR OUR BOYS IN BLUE!

Come to the Old City Cemetery on Saturday, November 8 and 10:00AM for a free guided tour of the cemetery. In honor of Veterans Day, the tour will feature the graves and living portrayals of many famous veterans, including Civil War soldiers and sailors. The tour will end at the Grand Army of the Republic monument, where you will see a re-enactment of the original monument dedication, which occurred 125 years ago.

The original dedication ceremony included several hours of speeches and a grand parade through downtown, but never fear—we will be showing you a much shorter version! After meeting with Medal of Honor recipient Newton Gould, you will see the Company B Honor Guard march in to the cemetery and “post the colors” at the monument. Then, a soldier, a Marine, and a sailor will lay symbols of their respective services at the foot of the monument. This was exactly how the original Grand Army of the Republic members symbolically took possession of the monument and the surrounding plot of grave sites. We hope you will join us for this brief, yet meaningful re-enactment.

Re-enactors at the Grand Army of the Republic monument

Wanted: Uniformed re-enactors for a special ceremony at East Lawn Cemetery in Sacramento on Saturday, October 11 (10:00AM).

The ceremony is to honor indigent veterans who are buried in East Lawn. Many of the  Civil War veterans who came west after the war were successful and led good lives. Some, though, were not as fortunate. Perhaps they suffered from lingering mental or physical injuries from the battlefields, or perhaps they just had bad luck. In any case, we must strive to honor every soldier, sailor, and Marine who served, regardless of their status in life.

If you are able to help with this ceremony, please contact Jim Monteton, or send a message with this form.

The Yolo County Historical Society will be conducting tours of the historic Woodland City Cemetery on October 12. The tour features the graves of military veterans ranging from the Mexican War to World War II. Download a copy of the poster here.

First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing

On September 15, President Obama will award the Medal of Honor—the highest military decoration in the US Armed Forces—to a Civil War soldier. First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing was killed in the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, during the Confederate assault known as Pickett’s Charge. In this engagement, Cushing’s artillery battery took heavy fire from the Confederate line. Cushing was hit several times and severely wounded, but he refused to leave his post despite “horses and men falling all around” from the hail of bullets. He continued to command his battery and defended his position until he was killed by a bullet that struck him in the mouth and throat. Cushing saw significant action in the Civil War prior to Gettysburg, and had earned three promotions by Brevet; his last, to Lieutenant Colonel, was given at Gettysburg.

From the White House press release:

“First Lieutenant Cushing was killed in action on July 3, 1863, at the age of 22.  On that day, the third day of the battle, in the face of Longstreet’s Assault, also known as Pickett’s Charge, First Lieutenant Cushing’s battery took a severe pounding by Confederate artillery.  As the rebel infantry advanced, he manned the only remaining, and serviceable, field piece in his battery.  During the advance, he was wounded in the stomach as well as in the right shoulder.  Refusing to evacuate to the rear despite his severe wounds, he directed the operation of his lone field piece continuing to fire in the face of the enemy.  With the rebels within 100 yards of his position, Cushing was shot and killed during this heroic stand.  His actions made it possible for the Union Army to successfully repulse the Confederate assault. First Lieutenant Cushing is buried with full honors at his alma mater, West Point.“

Normally, the Medal of Honor must be awarded within two years of the qualifying action, but efforts by Cushing’s descendants and Civil War historians resulted in an exception being granted. Cushing’s Medal of Honor was approved in 2010, but only this past January was the citation finally forwarded to the President for approval and presentation. Along with Cushing, the Medal of Honor will also be bestowed belatedly on two other Army veterans, Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins and Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat, who both fought in the Vietnam War. 

If you are interested in learning how to load and fire a musket, join Bob Maerdian at the El Dorado Rod and Gun Club on Saturday, June 14, at 9:00AM. Bob will be available until about 1:00PM, and he will be happy to teach you to load and fire using the same steps taught to the Union soldiers in the Civil War. Bob will supply the musket, powder and ammo, but if you have your own musket, you are welcome to bring it along.

If you plan to attend, please contact Bob ahead of time so he can have enough supplies on hand. If you do not have Bob’s contact info, please use this form.

On Monday, May 26, the Brothers of Camp 22 and Company B of the 8th California Regiment held a Memorial Ceremony at the Old City Cemetery in Sacramento. The ceremony was held at the site of the Grand Army of the republic monument, located near the northeast corner of the cemetery in a plot containing more than 70 Civil War veterans. The monument was erected in 1889 by three local GAR posts.

For the ceremony, the monument was draped in colorful buntings and backed by an over-sized US flag, making it the central focus of the cemetery. Participating in the ceremony were members of the Sons of Union Veterans and re-enactors from throughout the region.

All photos by Janis Herbert.

Presiding over the ceremony, Mike Drouin (center) is flanked by Chaplain Steve Neuberger (left) and Jim Monteton (right).

Presentation of colors.

The GAR Monument.

Attendees wore period dress.

Here is a very informative article about military pension and veterans’ benefits, covering Irene Triplett, the last surviving recipient of a Civil War pension.

Veterans’ Benefits Live On Long After Bullets Stop – WSJ.com.

The bronze statue atop the G.A.R. monument (photo by Joe Marti)

You are Invited

Please join Camp 22 as we present our Memorial Day Ceremony at Old City Cemetery in Sacramento on Monday, May 26, at 2:00 PM.

This brief ceremony will take place at the Grand Army of the Republic monument, located in the northeast section of the cemetery. The ceremony pays tribute to veterans of the Civil War, and will feature a Color Guard in Civil War uniforms.

This is a great opportunity to talk with re-enactors and learn about the Civil War history of Sacramento. There is no admission fee, and parking is free. We hope to see you there!