In a poignant epilogue to a story that began over a century and a half ago, the cremated remains of 28 Civil War veterans were finally laid to rest with full military honors after languishing in storage for decades. The incredible journey from anonymity to eternal peace is a testament to the tireless efforts of dedicated researchers and volunteers determined to give these forgotten heroes the respect they deserve.
Ashes Discovered in Seattle Facilities
The saga began when the simple copper and cardboard urns containing the ashes of the Union soldiers were discovered gathering dust on shelves at a funeral home and cemetery in Seattle, Washington. While the urns bore the names of the veterans, there was no indication of their Civil War service or the remarkable lives they had led.
That’s where the Missing in America Project stepped in. This organization, dedicated to locating, identifying, and properly interring the unclaimed remains of veterans, embarked on a painstaking mission to uncover the stories behind the names. As Washington State Coordinator Tom Keating noted, “It’s amazing that they were still there and we found them. It’s something long overdue.”
Volunteer Researchers Uncover Heroic Tales
Over the course of several years, a team of volunteer genealogists and historians pored over records and documents to piece together the lives of these long-lost heroes. What they discovered was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Among the 28 veterans were men who had faced unimaginable hardships and demonstrated extraordinary bravery. One had survived the notorious Andersonville prison camp, while others had been wounded in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, including Gettysburg, Stones River, and the Atlanta Campaign.
“It was something, just the finality of it all,” Keating marveled, adding that despite extensive research, no living descendants of the veterans could be located.
Military Honors and Eternal Rest
In August, the majority of the veterans, along with 31 Civil War spouses whose remains had also been discovered, were laid to rest with full military honors at Washington’s Tahoma National Cemetery. The moving ceremony featured re-enactors from the 4th U.S. Infantry Regiment in period uniforms, musket salutes, and the haunting strains of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
As each veteran’s name and unit was called out, their ashes were solemnly brought forward, and stories of their sacrifices and triumphs were shared with the gathered mourners. It was a fitting tribute to men who had given so much for their country and whose legacy had very nearly been lost to time.
Homecomings and Closure
While most of the veterans were laid to rest at Tahoma, some made final journeys to other significant locations. Several were returned to their home states of Maine and Rhode Island, where local historians and officials worked to reconnect them with their roots and honor their memory.
One such veteran was Byron Johnson, who was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1844. After serving as a hospital steward in the Union Army, he made his way west after the war, eventually passing away in Seattle in 1913. More than a century later, his ashes were returned to Pawtucket, where he was buried with military honors in his family plot.
“When you have somebody who served in a war, but especially this war, we want to honor them,” emphasized Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien.
The story of these 28 veterans is a powerful reminder of the debt we owe to those who have served and sacrificed for our nation. It is also a testament to the importance of remembrance and the tireless work of those who ensure that no hero is ever forgotten, no matter how long they may have been lost.
As the echoes of musket fire faded over the hallowed grounds of Tahoma National Cemetery and the final notes of “Taps” drifted on the wind, the 28 Union soldiers were at long last granted the peace, honor, and eternal rest they so richly deserved. May their stories endure, and their courage continue to inspire us all.
