Moving Ceremony Rededicates 1916 Veterans Memorial at Maple Grove

Commander David Smith’s words rang out in Maple Grove Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 1.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to this special ceremony of 01 October 2022. We are gathered here to pay the highest of honors to Harrison’s Defenders of the Union. We, the Brothers of General Orlando M. Poe Camp 444, Department of Michigan, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War – the legal heir and successor of the Grand Army of the Republic – thank you for your attendance on this memorable day and for permitting us, the sires of the heroes of the GAR to pay tribute to our Noble Dead.”

It's not often one sees Civil War uniforms at local veterans memorials. Members of the Poe Camp of the Sons of the Civil War were dressed in various Civil War uniforms complete with firearms used for a salute during the ceremony.

The ceremony had three parts: honor Captain Ferdinand Boughton, Commander of Company F., 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, pay homage to the Last Remaining Comrade of the Bradley GAR Post 221 of Harrison – Charles W. Scott, Company M, 15th New York Heavy Artillery and rededicating the 1916 GAR Monument in remembrance of all of Harrison’s Civil War Veterans.

Commander Smith honored all Harrison’s Civil War veterans.

“The City of Harrison has known many Union Veterans over its history with many belonging to Harrison’s own Bradley Grand Army of the Republic Post 221, which held their meetings at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall above Hughes Brothers store on Main Street. Names such as Toman, Murphy, Hatch, Varney, Taylor, Aldrich, Bailey, Garrow, Warburton, and Pierce led the Grand Army within this city. We would be remiss to forget the final trio of old war horses: Hiram W. Hughes – a Veteran of the legendary 24th Michigan Infantry of the famed Iron Brigade, Henry H. Bogue – a Veteran of the 142 nd Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Charles W. Scott – a Veteran of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery – as the Clare County Cleaver stated “these venerable veterans were forever loyal to the comrades who had passed on before them.” As sand passed through the hourglass, those trio of Harrison war horses eventually departed this life until there was just one. The last remaining Comrade of Bradley GAR Post 221 and Last Union Veteran of Harrison, Michigan is Charles W. Scott.”

Mark Hoffman, a member of Curtenius Guard Camp 17 of Sunfield/Lansing spoke about the life of Ohio native Ferdinand Boughton, buried at Maple Grove, plot paid for by Comrades in GAR Post 221. Hoffman is the author of “My Brave Mechanics”, the preeminent book on the 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics.

City Manager Justin Cavanaugh and I also participated in the ceremony representing the City of Harrison.

“Commander, I have been authorized to invite you at this time to accept from the City of Harrison, at the hands of its accredited representatives this Memorial, and to request that it be rededicated by you to the noble purpose for which it has been set up.” said Cavanaugh during the ceremony.

“In the name of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Allied Orders of the GAR, I now rededicate this Memorial. I dedicate it to the memory of the individuals it represents. Brothers, salute the dead!” On these words of Commander Smith, arms were presented, rifle volleys and the playing of Taps by students and siblings Kendall and Hunter Rouleau.

The ceremony ended with a prayer from the Chaplain.

“The grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen.”