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THE CIVIL WAR TREES MEMORIAL-HISTORIC CITY CEMETERY-SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA In the years following our American Civil War, many of the old veterans moved to the Sacramento area. Each year on Memorial Day, they would gather here at the City Cemetery to honor their comrades. They wore blue uniforms with brass buttons and carried little flags. They listened to patriotic speeches and songs. Now they are gone. Years ago, they had marched great distances to now legendary battlefields and endured great hardships to save the Union. These are their trees. Today, as you walk beneath this living memorial, we ask that you tread lightly and remember their deeds. These trees are living witnesses to their courage and sacifice. The cannons are silent. A light breeze rustles through the branches. They are not forgotten. |
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BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MEMORIAL TREE GROVE
In October of 1896, Eliza Waggoner of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, came up with the idea for a "living memorial" to honor the men who fought to save the Union. Her idea was to obtain trees from Civil War Battlefields and plant them in Capitol Park in Sacramento. Her idea was a great success and on May 1, 1897 the Civil War Memorial Grove was dedicated on the grounds of the State Capitol. Forty trees from distant battlefields were eventually planted to honor the brave men who fought in the Civil War. One hundred years later, members of the Sons of Union Veterans began a project to replace many of these grand trees. Time had taken its toll. It was found that only fourteen trees remained. The SUVCW along with several other Civil War groups and individuals replaced eleven of the trees in time for the Centennial Ceremony on May 1, 1997. While in the process of replacing these trees, the late John Bettencourt of Old City Cemetery and Chuck Davis of the George Wright Camp 22, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War suggested obtaining additional battlefield trees and placing them around the graves of Union soldiers at Grand Army of the Republic Plot #3 in Old CIty Cemetery. Thirteen trees were planted at the cemetery between 1997 and 2000. Nine of these trees remain today. Two trees died of natural causes and two trees were destroyed by vandals. These trees will be replaced in the fall of 2005. In 2001, General George Wright Camp #22, Sons of Union Veterans dropped the project and stopped caring for the trees. The Union Veterans Union, whose members had originally planted and cared for the trees before resigning from the SUVCW, gallantly stepped in and saved the trees from ruin. The UVU, along with members of the Elk Grove Civil War Round Table, continue to care for the Memorial. In May of 2007, the Sacramento Tree Foundation awarded the Memorial with its 2007 Legacy Award. (Photo-Civil War Trees Memorial circa 2007) CIVIL WAR TREES MEMORIAL COMMITTEE FORMED On March 1st, 2008, the Civil War Trees Memorial Committee was formed. The purpose of this committee is to protect, preserve and promote the Civil War Trees Memorial. Founding members of the committee are Bob and Jacque Bundy, Steve Von Bima and Chuck Davis. The first action taken by the committee was to purpose adding a historical information marker beside the tree grove. In addition, a purposal was made to the Historic City Cemetery Committee to replace the worn and broken markers at GAR Plot #1, the grave of Civil War Nurse Jennie Hall, the USS Maine marker and the grave of General George Blake Cosby (CSA) and adding a new marker at GAR Plot #2. Plans were drawn up and submitted to the Cemetery Committee on March 31, 2008 and we are now awaiting a reply. (April 10, 2008) |
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WORKING TO PRESERVE OUR CIVIL WAR HERITAGE Front-L to R-Steve Von Bima, Kathy Von Bima, Jacque Bundy, Joan Beitzel. Back Row--L to R-Bob Bundy, Fred Bohmfalk, George Beitzel, Steve Davis, Evan Davis |
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