Colonel Edward Prince Marker Dedication

By Professor Earnest Veritas · Originally published January 2022 · p. 23

QUINCY, Illinois—A solemn dedication ceremony was held in Woodland Cemetery in Quincy, Ill., Saturday afternoon, October 9, to dedicate a memorial plaque at the grave of Quincy native son, Colonel Edward Prince. A crowd of approximately 25 attended the ceremony to celebrate placing the new gravesite historical plaque. General Grant (portrayed by living historian Dr. Curt Fields) was on hand to participate with a two-man Honor Guard. The General said a few words about the success and importance of the April 17 to May 2, 1863, Grierson’s Raid. He noted the raid diverted many Confederate resources in the Vicksburg area away from his crossing the Mississippi river; allowing him to cross without a shot being fired in the largest amphibious effort of the war. Colonel Prince of the

Colonel Edward Prince.

Drawings of Colonel Prince, wartime and later in life, courtesy of the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County.

Colonel Edward Prince Marker Dedication Woodland Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois

by Professor Earnest Veritas Special Correspondent to -Western Theater-

7th Illinois Cavalry was second in command of Grierson’s Raid. Colonel Prince was a Quincy lawyer when the war started. He offered his services to the state of Illinois and Governor Richard Yates accepted, placing him as cavalry drillmaster at Camp Butler in Springfield, Ill., then commissioned Prince as Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th Illinois Cavalry. He became the regiment’s Colonel in September 1861. After his term of service expired in October 1864, Colonel Prince chose to leave army service, return to Quincy, and resume his law practice. He later became instrumental in the development and provision of the Quincy water supply. The ceremony included the actual sword carried during the war by Colonel Prince. The sword rested on the grave. The brief ceremony included removing Colonel Prince’s sword and unveiling the new historical marker by the honor guard. The two young soldiers took the veil off the marker and gave Colonel Prince’s sword to the commander of the American Legion Post no. 37 Honor Guard. After presenting the Colonel’s sword, a 21-gun salute, and “Taps” played by Beth Young, they returned to General Grant, who relieved them of duty. The new marker reads:

“Colonel Edward Prince was an attorney in Quincy. At the beginning of the Civil War, he offered his services to the Union cause, and Governor Richard Yates appointed him cavalry drillmaster at Camp Butler, near Springfield. In June 1862, Prince was appointed Colonel in command of the 7th Illinois volunteer cavalry. As part of Grant’s siege of Vicksburg, Prince’s regiment took part in Grierson’s raid through

Mississippi in spring 1863. Colonel Prince retired from the Army in October 1864 and returned to Quincy to continue his law practice and to pursue other enterprises as well.”

Tim Jacobs, Commander of the Tri-States Civil War Round Table, gave a good talk on the life and contributions of Colonel Prince. He expressed how proud Quincy was, and is, of their own Colonel Edward Prince. General Grant made a few comments on the service of Colonel Prince and emphasized how honored he was to be a small part of such a ceremony. He stressed that this new marker demonstrates that the Quincy heroes of the war will, indeed, never be forgotten. After Dr. Jacobs and General Grant’s remarks, the ceremony concluded. Solemnity ruled as all made their quiet ways through the hallowed ground of Woodland Cemetery. Simply put: tell the simple truth, simply.” Professor E. Veritas

Colonel Prince’s gravesite.

Dr. Curt Fields is shown with Dr. Tim Jacobs at the ceremony.