A previous blog post, Remains of Union Soldier Found at Antietam Battlefield, dealt with the discovery of the remains of an unidentified Union soldier by a visitor to the Antietam National Battlefield and the steps that were being taken by specialists to identify the remains.
As the team of specialists predicted, no positive identification could be made. Nearly a year after the discovery, however, the remains – consisting of 400 bone fragments, 13 uniform buttons, a U.S. belt buckle, and some scraps of fabric and leather – were taken to New York, the soldier’s home state as indicated by the insignia on the buttons. The remains, along with some soil from the battlefield, were placed in a donated pine coffin by six National Park Service rangers and two Civil War re-enactors in Union uniforms. The coffin was covered by a 34-star U.S. flag. Two Army National Guardsmen and a volunteer motorcycle escort accompanied the remains on the 330-mile trip to the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, where the burial took place today, the 147th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg.
Oh wow. This is a wonderful thing they have done.
ReplyDeleteI am a Canadian and was at the cemetery in Sharpsburg that day that the soldier was to make his return to the North. Very solemn respectful service.I attend the walkabout's that the Park Rangers put on every year to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, a fine group of dedicated men that make the history of the battle come alive.Well attended each year. Have made many friends there.September 17 1862.
ReplyDeleteGordon - Glad to hear from someone who was there. My husband and I have attended several events, but did not get to go to this one.
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