OTMJ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM
SOCIAL
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023
SPORTS
Appreciating History Union Soldiers Resting Under Southern Sod Aren’t Forgotten By Anne Ruisi
O
and friends of the fallen will set flags on graves to honor the sacrifices their loved ones made in the line of duty, most during their own lifetimes. Others, like members of the Sons of Union Veterans, will commemorate their Civil War ancestors and early Jefferson County residents who fought in blue. It was a ceremony for Union soldiers in 1866 that led to the creation of Memorial Day two years later. “It’s people appreciating history,” said What some Michael Garrett, commander of people discover the is they are organization’s Maj. Gen. John descended T. Croxton Camp from ancestors #17, whose 20 members are who fought on from the opposing sides Birmingham area. of the war. They Five Sons of even have their Union Veterans camps in the own soubriquet. state will be SOBs, ‘Sons of placing American Both.’ flags on the graves of men who served in the Union Army. Members will place the flags in cemeteries in their communities, Garrett said. Some were Alabama natives, or they were like Garrett’s ancestor Sgt. Hamilton K. Moore of Rome, Georgia, who served in regiments such as the 1st Alabama Cavalry. Moore rode with the regiment’s Company E, which escorted See MEMORIAL DAY, page 8
Journal photo by Maury Wald
N MEMORIAL DAY, families
Brent Goodwin, a member of the Sons of Union Veterans, places a flag at the gravesite of Private Wiley Poe at Union Hill Cemetery in Homewood. At some point during the Civil War Poe left the Confederate army and enlisted in the 1st Alabama Cavalry, which was a Union outfit.