Civil War Grave Ceremony A Longtime Memorial Day Tradition In Vernon

VERNON, CT — A longstanding tradition in Vernon that honors those who fought in the Civil War is on tap for the Thursday before Memorial Day.

This year, the ceremony falls on May 25. That day, the New England Civil War Museum and Research Center will be hosting the traditional services at Grove Hill Cemetery. The Alden Skinner Camp No. 45 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War will be placing Flags at the headstones of local Civil War Veterans.

Flag placement will start at 6 p.m. and services will begin at 7 p.m. in front of Col. Thomas Burpee's grave.

Burpee, the commander of the 21st Connecticut Volunteers, was mortally wounded at the Battle of Cold Harbor and died on June 9, 1864. He was promoted posthumously to colonel.

Grove Hill is also the final resting place of William Whitney Goodell. Goodell was a native of the Rockville section of Vernon and served in Company D of the 14th Connecticut Regiment.

The 14th was involved in 34 major battles and skirmishes and there is a display noting it on a wall at the New England Cvil War Museum at Vernon Town Hall. The battles include Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor.

Goodell was killed on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. According to records at the New England Civil War Museum and Research Center, which, happens to be a short distance from his grave, a sergeant reported that Private Goodell was "shot dead (by a Rebel bullet) as he was loading his gun," along the stone wall during Pickett's Charge.

General Orders No. 11 established the first "Decoration Day," or Memorial Day, in 1866 to honor the fallen Civil War dead.

The museum is housed in a full preserved Grand Army of the Republic Hall on the second floor of town hall. It was the site of many post-war meetings. Artifacts include camp supplies, uniforms, weapons, drums, maps, portraits, powder kegs and even a regimental Bible.