The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Oregon's Civil War Graves Project

From the Lebanon (Or) Express

Hundreds of Union veterans are buried in Oregon's cemeteries, many unfortunately in unmarked graves. This hopefully will change soon because the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, receiving help from the Lebanon Genealogists, have intentions to identify and mark every grave.

Thousands of Union veterans came to Oregon after the war as well as many ex-Confederates.

Union General Thomas Thorpe is buried at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Corvallis. His marker just read "Old Soldier." There is also the grave of a Confederate soldier Jeremy Bell who became Thorpe's prisoner at the Battle of Cedar Creek in 1864. They became good friends and both ended up moving to Oregon.

The Oregon Chapter of the SUVCW is completing a complete registry of graves, which will include the state's last living veteran of the war, James W. Smith who is buried in Lebanon FOOF cemetery. He was in the 1st Oregon Cavalry and died in 1951. He presently also is in an unmarked grave.

Important Work for the Sons on Both Sides. --B-R