Forgotten Hinsdale Civil War Veterans Recognized

As we now honor those last remaining members of our own "Greatest Generation" who served during World War II, our ancestors noted the passing of the last Civil War veterans with reverence. As the last elderly veterans of that war slowly died off in the 1930's and 1940's, communities mourned their passing. Local veterans' groups and fraternal organizations combined to provide elaborate military funerals for them. Large processions proceeded from local funeral homes to the cemeteries that provided their final resting places. Their experiences and sacrifices were recounted and lauded in local newspapers. Unfortunately, some of those heroes have been forgotten over time and their final resting places are now unmarked.

The Philip H. Sheridan Camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) in conjunction with the Fullersburg Historic Foundation will conduct a dedication ceremony for three new headstones on the previously unmarked graves of Civil War veterans buried in the historic Fullersburg Cemetery in Hinsdale, Illinois. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 23 at 1pm at the Cemetery located at the north end of Garfield Street, between Fuller Road and Maumell Street in Hinsdale. Parking is available on adjacent streets. Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs for their comfort.

This is the capstone of a project undertaken jointly by the SUVCW and the Historic Foundation. The project was designed to rigorously identify and document all the Civil War veterans buried in the Cemetery and procure and install new grave markers on those graves needing them. Twelve Civil War veterans are buried in Fullersburg Cemetery. Many of those soldiers served in units raised locally in DuPage County, including the 105th and 156th Illinois Infantries and Battery L, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery.

Among those receiving new grave markers is John J. Andre, a Marylander whose sympathies were with the south and who served in the 1st Maryland Infantry, 12th Virginia Cavalry and 2nd Maryland Cavalry. Harvey A. Cooper, a New Yorker who served in the 85th New York Infantry and later the 4th United States Artillery also received a new headstone. Finally, Illinois native Malchom J. Palmer who served in the 156th Illinois Infantry had his grave marked with a new headstone.

During the dedication ceremony local historian and President of the Fullersburg Historic Foundation Don Fuller will discuss the area's experiences during the Civil War and the experiences of several of the Civil War veterans buried in the Cemetery. Pastor Jay Klein of Zion Lutheran Church in Hinsdale will provide the invocation and an inspirational message. Local dignitaries and leaders of Civil War heritage groups will provide reflections on the event's significance. A period artillery salute will be provided by Mulligan's Battery.

This is the 15th cemetery project completed by the Sheridan Camp in the western and southern Chicago suburbs. For further information, contact  Steve Westlake at (708) 846-0738.