News Briefs
Briefs of Civil War News Interest — November 2016
Originally published November 2016 · p. 7
BEAUFORT, S.C.—Great Grandchildren, of union veterans of the United States Colored Troops, to join the SUVCW and charter a new camp, in the Grand Army of the Republic Hall, that their great grandfathers built in 1896. Way back in 1888, a number of black Union veterans, who were former slaves, most freed during the occupation by the United States Army of the coastal islands of North Carolina. The Union veterans were members of the United States Colored Troops and founded the David Hunter Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, in Beaufort, S.C. A few years later, in 1896 the Union veterans decided they needed a hall to meet in and they built the Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Beaufort. On Saturday October 8th, their Great Grandsons will be joining the SUVCW and conducting a charting ceremony, for their new camp. The Edward Wallace Camp, number 21, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Department of Georgia and South Carolina. The ceremony will take place in that same Grand Army of the Republic Hall, that was built by their Great Grandfathers in 1896. Contact: Steve Reilly, Dept. Public Information Officer, Reillysj@ Reagan.Com, 678-594-3421.
ATLANTA, Ga.—On Saturday, September 24, Civil War historian, and CWN columnist Michael K. Shaffer led a tour of various sites along the Chattahoochee River Line. The tour allowed guests to visit sites normally closed to the public. Shaffer also sits on the board of directors for the River Line Historic Area, and developed the outing as a fund-raiser for the non-profit group. The tour sold out, and all the guests enjoyed a sun-filled day while walking in the steps of soldiers from over 150 years ago.
Civil War Veteran’s Remains Sent Home HODGDON, MAINE—On October 12, 1864, Pvt. Jewett B. Williams was drafted into the Army, 20th Maine Co. H. He was a 21-year-old soldier. Previously a farmer from Hodgdon, Maine he fought in eight major battles of the Civil War and was present at the surrender of the Confederates at Appomattox Court House with Robert E. Lee on April 9, 1865. Six months later, at the end of the war, he was mustered out, and he returned to Maine. After a first failed marriage, Williams married Nora Carey in 1871. Together they had six children over a 20-year span; the first of whom died from scarlet fever. He became a carpenter working in Minnesota. Later they moved to Washington, where he was living separately from his wife and children, although there is no record of divorce. He moved to Portland in 1903 and between 1914-1919, he spent time at Portland area schools, speaking about his experiences as a Civil War soldier, as reported by local newspapers. The years went on, and his health began to fail. He was hospitalized on April 14, 1922, at the Oregon State Hospital for the Insane in Salem with the reason for his insanity being senility. He died there at the age of 78 after only three months on July 17, 1922, from arterial sclerosis. His remains were kept at the hospital for almost 100 years. At the time of his death, the 1920 census listed him as a widower, so Oregon officials were unable to locate any of his descendants in order to return his ashes to them. In 2004, the unclaimed ashes of 3,600 patients who died at the hospital were discovered in the basement, all in corroded and neglected copper cans which were labeled with their names. Jewett’s remains were in a labeled can. Through intensive research, it was discovered that Pvt. Jewett Williams was born in Houlton, Maine, in May of 1844. The Patriot Guard Riders brought his remains across the country, via Gettysburg and Appomattox, Virginia.
From there, his remains were escorted by Captain Mike Edgecomb, state captain of the Maine Patriot Riders who was responsible for organizing the cross-country escort, along with other PGR’s. They arrived with his remains at the Togus Veterans Hospital in Chelsea on August 22, 2016. On Saturday, September 24, his remains were brought by the Patriot Guard Riders to Hodgdon, Maine. There, they held a beautiful service including a horse-drawn carriage which transported the family and his remains. They were followed by the 20th Maine Co. B reenactors, to the Togus National Cemetery where over 300 people were in attendance to say their farewells. He was buried with full military honors.