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The Medal of Honor is the highest U.S. military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.

This is the first in a series of posts about Civil War veterans buried in the Old City Cemetery who were awarded the Medal of Honor – the highest military honor awarded by the United States.

Lebbeus Simkins (1836 – September 10, 1884) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Born in 1836 in Utica, New York, Simkins was still living in that state when he joined the Navy. He served during the Civil War as a coxswain on the USS Richmond. At the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, he “performed his duties with skill and courage” despite heavy fire. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor four months later, on December 31, 1864.[1][2]
Simkins’s official Medal of Honor citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Simkins performed his duties with skill and courage throughout a furious 2-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.

During his Naval career, Simkins also served on the USS North Carolina, USS Princeton, USS Brooklyn, and USS Lancaster. After the war, he moved to California and was a member of the San Diego Odd Fellows. He died on September 10, 1884, at age 47 or 48 and was buried at Old City Cemetery in Sacramento, California.

Memorial Day 2013 proved to be the busiest one in memory for Camp 22. Our members participated in six official ceremonies, from Gridley to Fresno, and points in between!

Biggs-Gridley Cemetery

Gridley

Past Camp Commander Owen Stiles represented Camp 22 in a ceremony at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery in Gridley, California. The Gridley-Biggs Cemetery is located on 31 acres at 2023 Highway 99, just north of Gridley.

In excess of 10,000 people are buried at the cemetery, with the oldest tomb stone dating back to 1855.

The town of Gridley was named after its founder and earliest landowner, George W. Gridley. He was born in the state of New York and later moved with his parents to Galena, Illinois. In 1850 (1850 census shows him living in Sacramento without his family), he attempted to drive sheep and cattle across the plains to California. He lost the animals, but arrived safely himself and settled in this area. (from Wikipedia)

Citrus Heights

Several members of Camp 22 participated in a Memorial Ceremony at Sylvan Cemetery in Citrus Heights, California. The ceremony was conducted by the American Legion, with participation by the SUVCW, the Citrus Heights Police Department, the Sons of the American Revolution, and several city officials. The large crowd at this event saw a moving, memorable ceremony presided over by Camp 22’s own Jim Monteton, along with Camp 22 Chaplain Steve Bogart. Both are also members of the American Legion.

(L-R) Jon Henry, Greg Tracy, Mike Drouin at Sylvan Cemetery

In what is proving to be a popular feature of this event, veterans, descendants of veterans and history portrayers representing every era in US military history, paraded through the cemetery. The parade stopped at designated monuments for a remembrance prayer about each major war in US history. The parade concluded at the pavilion, where the audience is encircled by people in various military uniforms from the Revolutionary War up to the present day active.

A new feature at the ceremony this year was a recitation of names of veterans who have given their lives in defense of our freedom. Family members and friends of veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice were invited to stand and speak the names of their departed heroes , along with the circumstances of their sacrifice. This was the most moving tribute of the day, and those who were named will not be forgotten.

Other Camp 22 members present at this ceremony included Don Wilt and Jack Alcione (Civil War), Greg Tracy (Spanish-American War), Jon Henry and Mike Drouin (present day USN and USMC), and Alan Brooking.

Union Marker placed on monument in Fresno

Fresno

Past Commander-in-Chief Brad Schall represented the SUVCW at the dedication of a joint Union and Confederate monument in Fresno, California. The ceremony was also attended by Michael Givens, the Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Sacramento

Camp 22’s Mike Drouin was the color guard at the “Let Freedom Ring” concert in Sacramento. The concert was presented by Camerata California with the Camellia Symphony and the young professional musicians of the VITA Academy Teaching Artist Learning Community. The concert featured music remembering Abraham Lincoln and others who have sacrificed in the cause of freedom.

Mike had an especially busy weekend: he also stood watch as an Honor Guard at the Dignity Memorial – a traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial – at Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

Honor Guard members Greg Tracy (left) and Mike Drouin at the G.A.R. Monument in Old City Cemetery

Finally, Camp 22 held our own Memorial Ceremony at the G. A. R. Monument in the historic Old City Cemetery. The ceremony was the first SUVCW event held at the cemetery for a number of years, and marks the return of  stewardship of the monument and veterans’ grave sites to the SUVCW. Camp 22’s Honor Guard presented the colors, and a brief ceremony was conducted by Chaplain Steve Bogart and Camp Commander Jon Henry.

In all, it was a remarkable weekend for the Camp. With two of the events (Sylvan and Old City Cemetery) happening just hour apart, several of our members got to practice getting into and out of various uniforms quickly, and in total, we probably logged thousands of road miles. Every moment was worth the effort, though. We hope to be even busier next year!

Join Camp 22 at the Old City Cemetery in Sacramento as we honor our Civil War ancestors with a Memorial Ceremony. The ceremony will be held at the Grand Army of the Republic monument, and begins at 2:00PM on Monday, May 27.

After the ceremony, please talk with the Honor Guard and other uniformed personnel. We always enjoy answering questions and we’re eager to help you discover more about the Civil War and American history. This is a family-friendly event, so youngsters are welcome, too!

The traditional “Taps” call is played for Pvt. Watkins. (photo by Tim Reese)

On April 28, 2013, Private John Watkins received his final honor: a proper grave marker recognizing him as a Civil War veteran.

The ceremony was exceptional and moving, with descendants and family of Pvt. Watkins present, including his granddaughter, Helen Spencer. Helen is a delightful lady, and she shared first-hand memories of her grandfather. It is truly a rare occurrence to honor a Civil War veteran in the presence of someone who knew them in person.

Private Watkins was a member of Company B of the 37th New Jersey Infantry. The ceremony was held at the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California. It was truly a team effort, with no fewer than four SUVCW Camps participating, including Department Commander Timothy Reese. More photos and video of the ceremony are here (courtesy of Tim Reese).

Rest well, Private Watkins. We remember you and your Brothers always.

Step back in time with Gen. Wright Camp 22 at the Gibson Ranch County Park (map) on May 4 and 5. The National Civil War Association is sponsoring a full battle re-enactment and living history weekend. Park admission is $7.00, children under 10 are free.

This is the biggest Civil War event in the Sacramento area, so please come out and visit us. You can talk with soldiers, stroll through authentic camp-sites, browse wares at the suttlers’ tents, and watch full battle scenes complete with artillery fire and cavalry charges. You can even shake hands with President Abe Lincoln!

(And, yes, there will be Confederates there, too, so be alert and keep your powder dry!)

Camp 22 member Sebastian Nelson, an archivist for the State of California, recently published an article about the history of absentee ballots. California first enacted absentee ballots to accommodate soldiers serving far away from their home districts during the Civil War. The article appears in the Spring 2013 issue of “California Originals”, the newsletter of the California State Archives. From the article:

Several hundred members of the famed California Battalion (fighting east of the Mississippi as part of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry) gathered on September 2, 1863, to cast their ballots at their post in Virginia. According to Sergeant Charles Roberts, “all seemed well pleased to have a chance to vote for our state officers.”

Link to pdf copy of “California Originals”

Wright Camp 22 is proud to be a Supporting Patron of the California State Military Museum – the official state military museum and research center for the State of California. The museum houses more than 33,000 artifacts and a substantial library and document archive. The museum is located at 1119 Second Street in Historic Old Sacramento. Visit the museum’s website for visiting hours and up-to-date info on exhibits.

California Military Museum Director Lt. Col. Pete Barajas (center) accepts Camp 22’s membership donation from Camp Commander Jon Henry (left) and Camp Treasurer Fred Bohmfalk (right).

Californians who have served our nation reads like a who’s who of American Military History. Generals William T. Sherman, Henry Halleck and Joseph Hooker all served in the California State Militia before the Civil War. Many of the leaders on both sides of that war served in California. The California Volunteers were among the first to enter Manila during the Spanish-American War. Nelson Holderman, considered by many to be the most decorated American soldier of the First World War, served in the California National Guard before and after the war. Generals George Patton and James Doolittle were native Californians and Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz and General of the Air Force Henry “Hap” Arnold considered California their home state.

Mark your calendars: at 1:00PM on April 28, 2013, Private John Watkins, a Civil War veteran currently lying in an unmarked grave, will be given his proper honors with the official dedication of his headstone. The ceremony will be at the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, CA. Two SUVCW Camps (Wright Camp 22 and Pleasonton Camp 24) are conducting the ceremony. Click here for details about the ceremony and a map to the grave site.

Tent President Joy Huskey (R) receives her badge of office from National President Carole Morton

On March 23, 2013, the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War instituted their newest Tent (local chapter) in Sacramento. National President Carole Morton presided over the ceremony and installed the new Tent Officers. Newly-installed Tent President Joy Huskey, after receiving the official Charter for from President Morton, presented a certificate of appreciation to the Honor Guard. The Honor Guard was provided by Company B of the 8th California Regiment of the Sons of Veterans Reserve.

(L-R) Color Guard members Charles Ford, Jack Alcione, Jim Monteton, and Mike Meals

The DUVCW was organized on May 30, 1885 by Olive Howard, Harriet Knapp, Eva Merwin, Frank Merwin, and Bertha Martin – all young daughters of Union soldiers. The DUVCW is a heritage organizatoin, so all full members must have an ancestor who fought for the Union cause in the Civil War. In the most solemn part of the Tent Institution Ceremony, the names of the ancestors of the Tent members are read aloud. This list, known as the Roll of Honor, was read by SUVCW Brother Allen Davis.

Allen Davis reads the Roll of Honor

The new Tent is named in honor of Margaret Rhodes Crocker, a key historic figure in California’s Gold Rush and Civil War eras. She was married to Edwin Crocker, an attorney and member of the California Supreme Court during the Civil War. Leland Stanford, who appointed Edwin to the Supreme Court when he was governor, invited Edwin to join in his railroad enterprise after the war, and the Crockers became one of the wealthiest families in California.

Margaret lived quietly until a series of tragedies, including the death of two daughters and her husband in the 1870s. After these hardships, she began charitable work, putting the family’s railroad fortune to work by establishing stipends for needy families and contributing heavily to schools and churches. Her profile by the Sacramento Bee newspaper credits her with “one thousand and one little deeds of charity which have lightened many a burden.”

The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War are establishing the Margaret Rhodes Crocker Tent#94 in Sacramento! A hearty HUZZAH! to the DUVCW and the new Sisters.

Camp 22 will be represented at the meeting, to be held on Saturday, March 23 at 10:30AM at the Sierra Point Vintage Senior Center, 5161 Foothills Blvd, Roseville, CA.