YARMOUTH – With the solemn tone of a single horn playing taps under the trees in the Old Baptist Cemetery on Saturday, a Civil War veteran finally received the recognition he deserved.
William Johnson, a private with the 1st Regiment Maine Cavalry during the war, was buried in the cemetery in 1870 at the expense of the town. His grave, unmarked since then, was a mystery to cemetery caretaker Chris Stilkey until last year.
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“I knew someone was buried there, but I didn’t know who,” Stilkey said.
It wasn’t until he met Dick Johnson, 91, of McMinnville, Ore., that the historical puzzle came together.
Johnson had been researching his family’s genealogy when he discovered his great-grandfather had fought in the Civil War. In 1870, William Johnson drowned in Casco Bay. Johnson said the Yarmouth Historical Society had records of the man’s burial, which led him to the cemetery and Stilkey.
Stilkey said it is likely the town was unaware of his veteran status when William Johnson was buried, which is why the grave was not properly marked. He said it is not uncommon for veterans throughout history to be buried without appropriate markings at the grave.
“It means a lot to me that they all get honored forever,” he said.
A headstone dedication service was sponsored by members of the American Legion Anderson-Mayberry Post with a Civil War-era burial re-enactment.
Johnson and his cousin Muriel Gade of Santa Maria, Calif., attended the ceremony. They were joined by local residents, veterans and members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
According to historical record, Pvt. William Johnson was a resident of Saco when mustered into service on Feb. 4, 1864. His age was listed at 35, which would make him 41 when he died, but Johnson said he has yet to find birth records confirming his age.
Unsure of what battles his great-grandfather fought in, Johnson said records show Pvt. William Johnson was stationed in Washington, D.C., and discharged June 5, 1865.
Under sunny blue skies, those gathered Saturday bowed their heads, paying long overdue tribute to a man who fought for his country.
Larry Williams, state commander of the Maine Department of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, led the burial service performed by Civil War re-enactors from the 1st Maine Cavalry and the 3rd Maine Infantry.
“As we remember Pvt. William Johnson, let us cherish his example as a patriot and defender of those principles he believed to be right,” Williams said.
Dressed in Civil War-era clothing, a woman cloaked in black representing a mourning widow placed a red, white and blue wreath beside the veteran’s grave. Other items, including an American flag, rifle, canteen and uniform cap for a soldier of the 1st Regiment Maine Cavalry were also laid at the site.
“This really was a wonderful tribute to my great-grandfather,” Johnson said after the service.
Said Gade: “It was awe inspiring just to see everyone in uniform and honoring him the way he deserved.”
Staff Writer Emma Bouthillette can be contacted at 791-6325 or at:
ebouthillette@pressherald.com
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