“Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”
General John A. Logan 1868
Memorial Day, the day we honor fallen service members, traces its roots back to the Civil War. Southern women decorated the graves of soldiers even before the Civil War’s end, and by the war’s conclusion Northerners and Southerners alike were looking for ways to publicly mourn their fallen. Over twenty-five cities claim origination of the holiday, but the first major organized Decoration Day was May 30, 1868 when Ulysses S. Grant presided over a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
This is my great-grandfather, James Harvey Miller. He was born on a farm in Indiana in 1839, the sixth of ten children. He was one of 2.75 million soldiers who fought in the Civil War. He would have been 26 years old when he mustered in with Co.E. 145th Indiana Infantry and served as a Captain while stationed in Tennessee and Georgia from 1865-1866.
We are fortunate to have his uniform sword passed down through the family which we display in a case my father built. We also have his war service record from the National Archives which included details of his 5’6” height and blue eyes. I loved learning that. James’ family was blessed that he returned home safely from the war, but he brought with him pneumonia from which he never fully recovered.
My great-grandfather taught school for a few years after the war was over, then married a young lady from Iowa and took up farming. They had three children, one of them my grandmother who was steadfast in paying tribute to fallen soldiers every year on Decoration Day, especially her father-soldier after he passed away. Decoration Day was officially declared Memorial Day in 1967.
The Civil War was America’s bloodiest conflict, one that has not been equaled since. Numbers are hard to grasp but an estimated 620,000 men lost their lives in the line of duty and hundreds of thousands died of disease. The price of this war was staggering to our young nation and the scars ran deep across the North and the South. Yet, I wonder and worry today if the Civil War is given its deserving attention in the lessons of our history and from the lips of our citizens. At moments during today’s discourse I fear it is sometimes forgotten, if learned about in the first place. I hope we have not forgotten “the price of a free and undivided republic.”
One way to remember is through shared family stories with our children and grandchildren. My nephew’s son wanted to be a Civil War soldier for Halloween a few years ago. Bingo! I emailed them James’ photograph and a picture of his sword which I think they knew little about. What a great way to engage in a moment of history with a youngster.
We are days away from Memorial Day, a fresh start to summer and renewed health for us all. I hope this day will always include along with ball games and back yard barbeques, the public ceremonies and private moments of thankful remembrance for those who died in service to our country. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
Jane, that is so cool, especially since you have so many mementoes. Your great grandfather was very handsome!