Forgotten Oswego Civil War Veterans to Be Recognized

As we now honor those last remaining members of our "greatest Generation" who served during World War II, our ancestors noted the passing of the last Civil War veterans with reverence. As the last of the veterans from 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 these 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 Oswego Township Cemetery will dedicate new headstones on the previously unmarked graves of 22 Civil War veterans buried in Oswego Township Cemetery in Oswego. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 7 at 1pm at the Cemetery located at 503 South Main Street in the Village. Parking is available on adjacent streets. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs for their comfort.

This is the capstone of a year-long project undertaken jointly by the Philip H. Sheridan Camp , local historian Stephenie Todd and the Oswego Township Cemetery. The project was designed to vigorously identify and document all Civil War veterans buried in the Cemetery, procure and install new grave markers on those graves needing them and straighten and clean the markers of the other Civil War veterans.

Eighty-four Civil War veteran burials were identified and documented during this project. Most of those soldiers served in units raised locally in Kendall County, including the 20th, 36th, 127th, 132nd and 141st Illinois Infantries and the 4th Illinois Cavalry. Civil War veterans who served from many other states are also buried in the Cemetery, representing regiments from California, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Three African Americans who served in the Union military are also buried in the Cemetery.

During the dedication ceremony local historian Ted Clauser from the Oswegoland Heritage Association will discuss Oswego during the  Civil War and the experiences of several of the veterans receiving new markers. SUVCW National Chaplain will provide an inspirational message. In addition to representatives from local Civil War heritage groups, Congressman Bill Foster and Major General Richard J. Hayes, Jr., Adjutant General of Illinois, are scheduled to provide reflections on the event's significance. Rifle and artillery salutes will be provided by Civil War re-enactors.

For further information on the ceremony, contact Bob Rogers at robtrogers@aol.com.