The Union's Last Soldier: Albert Woolson of Duluth, Minnesota-- Part 1

From the November 6, 2013, Smithsonian.com "Past Imperfect: The Last Civil War Veterans Who Lived to be Over 100...Or Did They?"

Albert Woolson loved parades and especially the annual Memorial Day parade in his local hometown of Duluth, Minnesota.  This day was celebrated all across the North.  Even the president of the United States wrote him a letter ion his birthday as he was the last surviving member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the organization of Union veterans set up after the war.

There is even a life-sized statue of him at Gettysburg Battlefield.

Deaf and often ill, he'd still be in those parades, even at the age of 109.  He especially liked visiting local schools to tell the kids his war stories.  Boys called him "Grandpa Al."

But, he could be very fussy.  His breakfast eggs had to be scrambled and the bacon crisp.  And, he continued to smoke.  He probably smoked over a thousand cigars after the age of 100 and he would have a half ounce of brandy before dinner.

--Old Secesh