Monuments for UK Veterans of the American Civil War Association
The Monumental Project:
Our Roots:
London Branch of Veterans of American Civil War
In 1910 the London Branch of Veterans of American Civil War veterans was formed. The organisation was started by Ensign John Davis, a former veteran of the American Civil War. Upon his return to England, he repented his sins of earlier life, and worked as a preacher for the London City Mission. The role of president was undertaken by Major Seth Herrick who was a former veteran too. In the course of his work, he came across other Civil War veterans who had returned to England and had fallen on hard times, living in the East End of London. He had empathy for these souls, seemingly abandoned by the United States, despite their military service. Their only legacy was trauma and the suffering from wounds of body and mind sustained during the war. According to an article in the Buffalo Morning Express, John Davis recalled, “Many a time... when I have met some of my comrades at the Consulate, we have said, “Why can’t we get closer in touch with one another?” We are getting old, and frequently our dead do not have the honor [sic] of the American flag laid over their graves. So, I thought we would try to form some sort of a society of our own whereby we might have the opportunity of meeting each other at intervals”. In September 1910 the veterans held their first meeting in Bermondsey. John was aware that one way to ease their suffering was through Federal pensions which he and some of the other Civil War survivors were receiving. Helping him in that mission were other veterans like James H Cleggett – who had been a Landsman on the USS Morning Light in 1863. James was apparently greatly respected by his London Branch Peers. He had valuable knowledge that helped navigate the consular red tape regarding the pension process. He had all the details of the United States pension office at his finger-tips, which helped make the application process easier for the other veterans. Continuing Their Work:
Monuments for UK Veterans of the American Civil War Association
It is their spirit of sharing knowledge, inclusion and peer support that forms the foundation of our society. We seek to foster an environment of fellowship and sense of belonging; with each other, and to those Civil War veterans that died in the 19th and 20th Century, often forgotten. We are non-political, and the there are no such objectives that will exist within our society. Philosophy:
The London branch veterans were successful in helping each secure their Federal Pensions. However, despite their success many were still buried in unmarked plots, and there is no single monument at all to honour the 1000+ veterans who returned to England after the Civil war. For example, until recently despite their work after the war, Ensign John Davis and Major Seth Herrick did not have any headstones to honour their service. Therefore, our Associations purpose will be to continue the London Branches original work. Those veterans were able to secure their federal pensions, we will undertake the “Monumental Project”, in a task they were unable to finish off. We will endeavour, where possible, to secure headstones for their unmarked graves and a national monument, so that they will not be forgotten. Our Mission:
Our mission will be to secure headstones and a monument for American Civil War Veterans. Paid for by the people for the people. The application process to secure a single official headstone from the Department of Veteran Affairs takes time. Whilst the headstones are provided at no charge, VAT still occurs once they arrive in the country, which is around £175. Plus, there are other costs associated with the process. They include, but are not limited to, research, headstone placement, travel, site clearance, and permission for a headstone to be sited on a grave. This all takes time too. Therefore, in order to fulfil our aim to obtain a monument and headstones, our work will include
• Connecting people and fellowship.
• Sharing knowledge and experience.
• Raise funds.
• Increase awareness.
• Identifying where veterans are buried. Why consider joining and supporting this Association? Anyone who believes in the philosophy of inclusion, and remembrance is welcome to join to support our work. We are a new organisation, which aims to grow, and develop through experience. We will seek to fund the project from fundraising and donations, it is not backed by an official body. We feel that our work is worthy of support – whether that is the generosity you give in your time, something of a financial nature to drive the project forward, or both. It truly represents a monumental project, and we value any support given. Whatever that support looks like. To that end, we feel that the words of a reporter from the Buffalo Morning Express of November 6th, 1910, is a good metaphor for our association. The quote is just as relevant 112 years later...
“The London Civil War Veterans society is surely deserving of support from Americans at home. Many of these old soldiers, are in straightened circumstances, and some can even hardly the car fare to attend the society’s meetings. Since the consulate is not empowered to give money for this purpose, it is hoped that some generous patriot will contribute to keep this commendable society together”
