In a remarkable story of history’s forgotten heroes, the remains of 28 U.S. Civil War veterans were recently discovered in a Seattle funeral home, decades after their deaths. These veterans, who had once fought in the bloodiest conflict in American history, were given a long-overdue military burial with full honors in a solemn ceremony. The discovery sheds light on the lives of these men, many of whom were never properly recognized after their passing, and highlights the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers who worked tirelessly to trace their identities.

A Hidden History Unearthed

The remains were found in storage facilities at a funeral home and cemetery in Seattle, where they had been placed in urns and forgotten for years. The urns, though labeled with names, contained no indication that the men had been Civil War soldiers, leaving their stories shrouded in mystery. This discovery came to light thanks to the efforts of the Missing in America Project (MIAP), a non-profit organization that locates and inters unclaimed remains of U.S. veterans.

Volunteers with MIAP embarked on an extensive genealogical search to identify the men and determine their connections to the Civil War. Their research revealed that all 28 veterans had served in the Union Army, with one even having deserted the Confederacy to fight for the North. While the exact circumstances of how the remains ended up in the funeral home remain unclear, what became certain was that these veterans had never been properly honored after their deaths.

A Ceremony of Honor and Reflection

Once the identities of the veterans were confirmed, the Missing in America Project made arrangements for their burial at Washington state’s Tahoma National Cemetery. On the day of the ceremony, the men were laid to rest with full military honors, including musket volleys fired by a regiment dressed in Union Army uniforms. The poignant ceremony also featured the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and speeches that highlighted the remarkable lives of the men being honored.

Each veteran’s story was shared with the audience, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary lives that had often gone unrecognized. Some of the veterans had fought in some of the Civil War’s most famous battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg. One soldier was a survivor of Andersonville, the notorious Confederate prison in Georgia. Another soldier had been saved by his pocket watch, which deflected a bullet during battle.

While most of the veterans were buried at Tahoma National Cemetery, several were sent to New England, where MIAP volunteers discovered living relatives who were able to claim them for final rest in their hometowns.

Uncovering Their Stories: Heroes Who Lived and Died in Seattle

The discovery of the remains was more than just a case of identifying long-forgotten veterans; it was an opportunity to honor their individual stories. One of the veterans, Byron Johnson, had been born in Rhode Island in 1844. At just 17 years old, he enlisted as a hospital steward for the Union Army. After the war, Johnson moved West and settled in Seattle, where he passed away in 1913. His family, who had lost contact with him after he moved, were unaware of his final resting place until MIAP tracked down his history.

Other stories told of heroism and survival. One soldier, a survivor of Andersonville, had endured unimaginable conditions at the notorious Confederate prison, which was infamous for its brutality and overcrowding. Another soldier had fought valiantly at Gettysburg, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Some of the veterans were even able to share incredible stories of how they had survived the war, with one soldier’s life spared by the quick-thinking use of a pocket watch to deflect a bullet.

These men had made significant sacrifices for their country, and their stories reflect the struggles and resilience of those who lived through the American Civil War. Yet, for many years, their remains were left forgotten in a storage facility, their service to the Union overlooked.

The Missing in America Project: A Lifeline for Forgotten Veterans

The efforts of the Missing in America Project have been crucial in bringing closure to the lives of these veterans. Founded to track down and properly inter the remains of unclaimed veterans, MIAP has helped ensure that many individuals who fought for their country are finally given the honor they deserve. Their work highlights an important issue—how many veterans, particularly those from older wars, are left unrecognized after their deaths, their graves forgotten by time.

MIAP’s work is far from over, as there are many other veterans whose remains are still unclaimed and scattered across the country. But for the 28 Civil War veterans whose final resting places were finally located in Seattle, their long-overdue burial with military honors stands as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of those who refuse to let their service be forgotten.