I don't know what happened to the original entry, but I am redoing it.
This appeared in the March 15, 2008, Alleghenny Times (Pa) by Bob Bauder.
Ninety years ago, Harriet Key tried to get a gravestone for her husband, but evidently was unable so his final resting place was unmarked from 1920, until now. Thanks to the efforts of Ron Ciani and Pat Riley this is not going to continue.
Jonah Key, a member of the 4th US Colored Troops, was disabled by a Confederate bullet in 1864 and was in an unmarked grave in Freedom's Oak Grove Cemetery when these two came upon his grave and after a ten year research on his life, are close to getting the situation righted.
"This man put his life on the line for his country in the face of slavery and prejudice. Can you imagine what the Confederates would have done if they had captured him?" said Ron Ciani.
Bill Muns, director of the Beaver County Veterans Affairs said he can get a marker, but it will be up to Ciani and Riley to place it as he has no funds for it.
Great Story to Finally Honor a Hero. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Jonah Key. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jonah Key. Show all posts
Monday, March 2, 2009
4th US Colored Troops
Jonah Key was wounded at what is called the Second Battle of Petersburg, the attempt by Union forces to take the town while it was lightly guarded. It was a failure and this ended up with the ten month siege of Petersburg.
Union forces might have captured it with ease at first, but delays enabled Lee to get reinforcements there.
Fighting lasted from June 15th to June 18th. Of 62,000 Union troops engaged, there were 8,150 casualties, including Mr. Key.
His regiment, the 4th US Colored, participated in both attacks on Fort Fisher and the Wilmington Campaign and were at Goldsboro, NC in March.
They participated in many engagements during their term of service. At Chaffin's Farm, three members received the Medal of Honor.
A Gallant Regiment. --Old B-R
Union forces might have captured it with ease at first, but delays enabled Lee to get reinforcements there.
Fighting lasted from June 15th to June 18th. Of 62,000 Union troops engaged, there were 8,150 casualties, including Mr. Key.
His regiment, the 4th US Colored, participated in both attacks on Fort Fisher and the Wilmington Campaign and were at Goldsboro, NC in March.
They participated in many engagements during their term of service. At Chaffin's Farm, three members received the Medal of Honor.
A Gallant Regiment. --Old B-R
Finally Getting His Grave Marker-- Part 2
This story takes place in Pennsylvania.
Ciani found a GAR marker at an unmarked grave in the cemetery with the number 150 on it. he researched and was able to find out information on Jonah Key.
he was born in Frederick County, Md around 1838 and lived there until 1860. On Augusat 4, 1863, he enlisted in the US Army at age 25, in Co. F, 4th US Colored Troops.
The 1850 and 1860 US Census reports him as a free man working as a laborer and blacksmith. Ciani and Riley think that Jonah Key's father may have been a slave freed by Francis Scott Key of Star-Spangled Banner fame.
Key married Virginia Dick in 1861 and had two children. He served at the battles of Bermuda Hundred, Fort Converse and Petersburg. He was wounded June 15, 1864 in the left hand, shattering the bone and causing the hand to become useless. He was discharged April 1, 1865, moved to Pittsburgh and worked as a laborer. His first wife died in 1892 and he remarried. In 1920, he was living in New Brighton and died of heart failure at the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Dayton, Ohio, on April 12, 1920.
A Brave Soldier Who deserves a Tombstone. --B-R'er
Ciani found a GAR marker at an unmarked grave in the cemetery with the number 150 on it. he researched and was able to find out information on Jonah Key.
he was born in Frederick County, Md around 1838 and lived there until 1860. On Augusat 4, 1863, he enlisted in the US Army at age 25, in Co. F, 4th US Colored Troops.
The 1850 and 1860 US Census reports him as a free man working as a laborer and blacksmith. Ciani and Riley think that Jonah Key's father may have been a slave freed by Francis Scott Key of Star-Spangled Banner fame.
Key married Virginia Dick in 1861 and had two children. He served at the battles of Bermuda Hundred, Fort Converse and Petersburg. He was wounded June 15, 1864 in the left hand, shattering the bone and causing the hand to become useless. He was discharged April 1, 1865, moved to Pittsburgh and worked as a laborer. His first wife died in 1892 and he remarried. In 1920, he was living in New Brighton and died of heart failure at the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Dayton, Ohio, on April 12, 1920.
A Brave Soldier Who deserves a Tombstone. --B-R'er
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