Flashback 1936- Those Really Old Guys

I had a previous posting called Back Page where I told about an article in the Sunday Chicago Tribune Magazine. It is usually the next to last page in it. The correct name is Flashback and the weekly author, Nancy Watkins, takes an old photograph, explains about it, and then comes up with some really interesting facts about the scene. I'd like to know where she gets the pictures and information.

The one I will talk about today is Flashback 1936 and you see a picture of seven seated Civil War veterans at that year's Memorial Day celebration in Chicago. The number of Cook Country veterans had shrunk considerably by then and just 43 were on hand, most in their 90s. (By the way, there are only four known US remaining WW I veterans alive today.)

All but one opted to ride in automobiles for the two mile parade route. The one who walked, 91 year old James F. O'Brien, a drummer in the 47th NY, was unavailable for comment at the end of the parade as he went straight to bed.

1868- the year the Grand Army of the Republic (formed from Union veterans) had the first Memorial Day.

275- the number of Civil War veterans buried at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago

8000- at least- the number of Confederate prisoners buried in Chicago after confinement at the infamous Camp Douglas prison. All you ever hear about are Confederate prisons like Andersonville.

Camp Douglas Memorial Camp- the name of the Sons of Confederate Veterans camp that I belong to, and at 50 plus members, the largest camp north of the Mason-Dixon Line; behind enemy lines as we call it. We're also the only SCV camp named after a prison.

1956- the year the last Union veteran, 109 year old Albert Woolson of Duluth, Mn., died.

1- the number of days before Memorial Day 1936 that one of Peoria's last six Civil War veterans died.