Civil War Veterans

[HerbS]

Most of us on this forum are probably young enough to remember either seeing and/or meeting a Civil War Veteran.We would always attend the Memorial Day parade.The only Civil War Vet in Rochester,NY would ride in a car.One parade, I yelled to him,"Can I Shake Your Hand"? The car pulled over to me,and I got to shake his hand.This took place in the 1950's.Wow,what an impact it had on me! If you ever remember a Civil War Vet in your life,please share your story.

[BettyO]

Never knew a CW Vet....but DID know some real Grandaughters and Grandsons.... was friends with Ella Rogers - Dr. Mudd's granddaughter....but no, never knew a CW vet - wish I had!! And I just turned the big 60!

[HerbS]

Happy Birthday--BettyO-Belated?----60 is young! I have been 68 since October! While I was teaching,I got to meet Rochester's last WW1 Veteran.

[HerbS]

When Rochester's Civil War Veteran[James Hard] died in1953 at111yrs old.He was the oldest living Civil War Vet.He shook hands with Lincoln 3 times at the White House.When he saw Lincoln in the field he remarked,"He is a comical looking fellow on horseback".He cast his first ballot for Lincoln and his last for Eisenhower.

[DEFoster]

When Rochester's Civil War Veteran[James Hard] died in1953 at111yrs old.He was the oldest living Civil War Vet.He shook hands with Lincoln 3 times at the White House.When he saw Lincoln in the field he remarked,"He is a comical looking fellow on horseback".He cast his first ballot for Lincoln and his last for Eisenhower.

And you got to shake the hand that shook the hand? (!)

---

... And I just turned the big 60!

Happy Birthday, Betty!

[BettyO]

Thanks, ya'll! I got to spend my birthday at Grant Hall for the dedication....

Did you get to shake the hand of that vet and talk to him Herb? Wow - that's impressive!

[L Verge]

It certainly is impressive - and it is also impressive and awe inspiring that the veteran survived the war and went on to live for 111 years.

[Jim Page]

Happy Birthday, Betty!!!

--Jim

[Dawn E Foster]

Thanks, ya'll! I got to spend my birthday at Grant Hall for the dedication....

Did you get to shake the hand of that vet and talk to him Herb? Wow - that's impressive!

April 3rd? Mine was the 4th. We're practically twins!

[Rob Wick]

Happy birthday, Betty, Dawn and anyone else!

Best
Rob

[HerbS]

BettyO-Yes I did,and his son was in "The Sons of the Union War Veterans"with me!

[BettyO]

Thanks, ya'll! Closer to retirement and PERMANENT research capabilities, I hope....

That is SUPER Herb -- what a remembrance! To think that the same hand that pressed Lincoln's pressed yours!! What an honor!

Oldest man I ever met was 102 years old and didn't look a day over 80 (met him 25 years ago). He was sharp as a tack and lived on the Rappahannock River at a beautiful estate named Camden which his father built for his mother as a wedding gift in 1853! We had a tour of the house - and it was beautiful! Still there in Port Royal by the way.... The old gent had the same velvet and silk drapes hanging at the window that his mother placed there in 1856 (restored of course) and still slept in the same big, beautiful Victorian bed in which he was born. His father had fought in the Civil War - (forgot to ask if they knew the Garrett family! RATS!) To make a long story short - he died at a hale 104 years old.

Rob - you take care and get back to work on Ida and Conger! We're waiting!!

[Hess1865]

Never met a CW vet, but we had a family friend, she was named Carrie. She lived from 1880-1975. Once when I was around 12-13, she saw me reading a CW book. Carrie commented to me that she remembered when her father went to NYC to march in General Grant's funeral! Of course I hadn't developed my sense of history yet, and I let what she said just go by me. Drat! If only I had the sense to ask her questions, I probably would have heard some interesting tales!
BTW, Carrie had a very comfortable life. It seems her dad was an original investor in that invention that Alexander Graham Bell came up with.....

[HerbS]

A few months before he died as a private.He drew on his inevitabe cigar and said,"I'll keep on living as long as I can keep on puffing".At a White House reception and he didn't have his uniform yet.Lincoln walked up to him and said,"Well son you look like you would make a good solider,why don't you join up?"He said,"Whenever Lincoln spoke to any of us,he had a wonderful smile." He said,"Lincoln's hand was was as big as a ham,and his hand shake took my hand right out of sight."