Talk:Togus National Cemetery

Latest comment: 7 years ago by Genehisthome in topic 2016 Suggestion

2016 Suggestion edit

The following information may be imported directly into the article at an editor's discretion. It describes an event in progress. Sorry, I'm not a very skilled editor.

Jewett B Williams (1844-1922), a Maine native son, served as a private in Company H, 20th Maine Infantry. He was an infantry replacement draftee, mustered in at Hodgdon, Maine on October 12, 1864. He was with his unit for several major actions around Petersburg, and was present at the surrender at Appomattox Court House. He mustered out on July 16, 1865. After the war, he resided in Maine, Minnesota, Washington, and Oregon. He lived the last three months of his life at the Oregon State Hospital at Salem, Oregon. At death, he was cremated; family never claimed his ashes. His cremains were rediscovered by researchers. Following negotiations among the Maine Adjutant General, the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, and other concerned parties, his cremains left Oregon for interment at the Togus National Cemetery. The cemetery was closed to new interments, but a rare exception for this Civil War veteran was made. A motorcycle honor relay conveyed the ashes to Togus. Although Williams had not been a part of the storied unit during their defense of Little Round Top during the battle of Gettysburg, the ashes passed through the national park (future event). The caravan arrived August 21, 2016 (scheduled date) (future event). Full military honors accompanied his burial on September 17, 2016 (future event).

Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/JWilliams20thMaine/

http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/316847-196109-online-sleuthing-helps-send-civil-war-veterans-remains-home-to-maine

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-958D-1T3?i=1315&wc=9YD3-3TL%3A174548501%2C174548502%2C176309101%3Fcc%3D1877829&cc=1877829

https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=UME0020RI

Genehisthome (talk) 01:27, 10 August 2016 (UTC)Reply