United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery Preview

1

Major General John Logan

Maj. Gen. John A. Logan served in the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War and was later elected to Congress as a representative from his home state of Illinois. At the outset of the Civil War, Logan organized a volunteer regiment and eventually rose to the rank of major general. He returned to Congress after the war, winning election to the Senate three times. In 1884, he ran as James Blaine’s vice-presidential candidate on the Republican ticket, which lost the election to Grover Cleveland.Logan also played a key role in creating the holiday we now know as Memorial Day. In 1868, as commander of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)—a prominent and influential organization of Civil War Union veterans—he issued a proclamation declaring May 30 as a national day of remembrance to honor fallen service members. That May, the first official, national “Decoration Day” ceremony took place at Arlington National Cemetery, so called because people visited gravesites and decorated them with flowers. Within a decade, Americans used the terms "Decoration Day" and "Memorial Day" interchangeably. It was not until 1971, however, that the day received its official designation as Memorial Day, and the date changed to the fourth Monday of May.Born out of Logan’s advocacy for veterans, Memorial Day remains a uniquely American tradition, rooted in the Civil War and imprinted onto the landscapes of Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery.

2

Brigadier General Samuel Holabird

Samuel Beckley Holabird devoted more than 40 years to the Army’s supply system. Born in Canaan, Connecticut, in 1826, he graduated from West Point in 1849 and commissioned into the 1st U.S. Infantry. In his early service, mostly on the Texas frontier, he carried out scouting missions and gradually took on quartermaster duties.At the start of the Civil War, Holabird was appointed as an assistant quartermaster with the rank of captain. He organized and supplied U.S. Army volunteers in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and later served as quartermaster for major commands in the Northern Virginia and Maryland campaigns. In late 1862, he became chief quartermaster of the Department of the Gulf in New Orleans, supporting operations such as the siege of Port Hudson. Over the course of the war, he received several brevet (temporary and honorary) promotions, including to brigadier general.Holabird remained in the Quartermaster’s Department after the war. In 1883, he was promoted to brigadier general and named the 17th Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army, a post he held until retiring in 1890. In this important post, he oversaw improvements in soldiers’ clothing, barracks, tents and hospitals. Holabird died in Washington, D.C. in 1907.Section O, Grave 9

3

Agnes H Von Kurowsky Stanfield

Agnes von Kurowsky was an American Red Cross nurse whose brief romance with Ernest Hemingway allegedly helped inspire his famous 1929 novel “A Farewell to Arms.” Born in Pennsylvania in 1892, she trained at New York’s prestigious Bellevue Hospital and joined the Red Cross after the United States entered World War I in April 1917. The following year, she was assigned to a U.S. Army hospital in Milan, Italy.There, the wounded soldiers under her care included 19-year-old Hemingway, who had gone to Italy to volunteer as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross. According to many accounts, he fell deeply in love with her, and they discussed marriage; however, she broke off the relationship soon after he returned to the United States in 1919. She has often been described as the model for the character of Catherine Barkley in “A Farewell to Arms.”Agnes continued her Red Cross service after the war, working in Romania and Haiti. She is buried beside her husband, William C. Stanfield Jr., and near the grave of her grandfather, Brig. Gen. Samuel Holabird.Section O, Grave 9

4

Major General Benjamin O. Brice

During the Civil War era, Benjamin William Brice held numerous leadership positions in the Army’s Pay Department. Born in what is now West Virginia in 1809, he graduated from West Point in 1829 and served briefly in the Black Hawk War (an 1832 conflict with Native Americans in the Illinois and Michigan Territory) before resigning from the Army in order to practice law. He returned to military service during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) as a major and paymaster, and rejoined the Army permanently in 1852.During the Civil War, Brice commanded the Pay Department in several key districts. In November 1864, as Paymaster General of the U.S. Army, he reorganized the department, modernized regulations and improved accountability. For his wartime service, he received brevet promotions to brigadier and major general. He retired from the Army in 1872 and died in Washington, D.C. in 1892.Section O, Grave 10

5

Brigadier General Henry Jackson Hunt

Henry Jackson Hunt was one of the U.S. Army’s foremost 19th-century artillerists. Born in Detroit in 1819, he graduated from West Point in 1839 and joined the 2nd U.S. Artillery. He served in the Seminole and Mexican-American Wars—two of the U.S. military’s major pre-Civil War conflicts—and became one of the Army’s leading experts on gunnery. In the 1850s, he helped produce the publication “Instruction for Field Artillery,” which shaped U.S. Army artillery doctrine.When the Civil War began, Hunt commanded artillery at the Battle of First Bull Run and soon became Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac. One of his key accomplishments as a military leader occurred during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. During a massive Confederate bombardment, Hunt ordered many batteries to cease fire, to conserve ammunition and mislead the enemy. When the Confederate infantry advanced, he directed a devastating counterfire that helped break the assault.After the war, Hunt, promoted to colonel, commanded the 5th U.S. Artillery and continued to refine doctrine and equipment as chair of the Army’s Artillery Board. He retired in 1883 and served as governor of the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C. until his death in 1889.Section O, Grave 12

6

Brigadier General John C. Kelton

John Cunningham Kelton’s long career as a staff officer culminated in serving as Adjutant General of the U.S. Army (the Army’s chief administrative position). Born in Pennsylvania in 1828, he graduated from West Point in 1851 and served on the western frontier before returning to West Point as an assistant instructor of infantry tactics.During the Civil War, Kelton served primarily in administrative roles and received brevet promotions to colonel and brigadier general. His positions included assistant adjutant general in the Department of the West and, later, in the Department of the Mississippi.Kelton remained in the Adjutant General’s Department for the remainder of his military career, becoming Adjutant General of the U.S. Army in 1889. He retired in 1892 and immediately accepted the position of governor of the Soldiers’ Home. He died in 1893.Section O, Grave 14

7

Major General David Sloane Stanley, MoH

David Sloane Stanley was a career Army officer whose service stretched from the antebellum frontier through the Civil War and the “Indian Wars” on the Great Plains. Born in Cedar Valley, Ohio, he graduated from West Point in 1852. During the next decade, he served with the 2nd U.S. Cavalry in the American West, where his duties included scouting, escorting surveys for new railroads, and fighting in a series of campaigns against Native American groups on the Plains. Shortly after the Civil War began, he was promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers and given a command in Missouri.Stanley’s Civil War service centered on battles in western and southern states. Known for his aggressive leadership, he was appointed in 1862 as Chief of Cavalry for the newly organized Army of the Cumberland and, later that year, promoted to Major General of U.S. Volunteers.Stanley received the Medal of Honor during the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, on Nov. 30, 1864. Then in command of the Army’s IV Corps, he rode forward at a critical moment, rallied a faltering brigade and personally led it in a counterattack that helped stabilize the U.S. Army’s defense. During the fighting, he was badly wounded in the neck.After the Civil War, Stanley returned to the regular Army, at the rank of colonel, and commanded the 22nd U.S. Infantry. He spent nearly 20 years on the frontier, including as commander of the 1873 Yellowstone Expedition. Stanley was promoted to brigadier general in 1884 and retired in 1892. He served as governor of the Soldier’s Home from 1893 to 1898 and died in Washington, D.C. in 1902.Section O, Grave 20

8

Private Louis Gedeon, MoH

Pvt. Louis Gedeon served in Company G, 19th United States Infantry. He earned the Medal of Honor for action on Feb. 4, 1900, at Mount Amia, Cebu, in the Philippines. His citation reads: “Singlehandedly defended his mortally wounded captain from an overwhelming force of the enemy."Section O, Grave 25

9

Private James Brophy, MoH

Pvt. James Brophy served in Company B, 8th United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for actions on Aug. 13, 1868, in the vicinity of Arizona's Black Mountains. His citation reads: “Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.” He retired in 1905 and lived at the Soldier’s Home until his death.Section L, Grave 9086

10

Blacksmith Henry Mechlin

Blacksmith Henry Mechlin served in Company H, 7th United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for actions on June 25, 1876, at the Battle of Little Big Horn in Montana. His citation reads: "With three comrades during the entire engagement courageously held a position that secured water for the command."Section L, Grave 8861

11

Sergeant John Kirkwood, MoH

Sgt. John Kirkwood served in Company M, 3rd United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for actions on Sept. 9, 1876, at the Battle of Slim Buttes, then in the Dakota Territory. His citation reads: “Bravely endeavored to dislodge some Sioux Indians secretly in a ravine.”Section L, Grave 9102

12

First Sergeant Rudolph Stauffer, MoH

1st Sgt. Rudolph Stauffer was born on Nov. 27, 1836, in Berne, Switzerland. He served in Company K, 5th United States Cavalry and earned the Medal of Honor for action in 1872 at Camp Hualpai in Arizona territory. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Gallantry on Scouts after Indians."Section K, Grave 8132

13

First Sergeant Richard Barrett, MoH

1st Sgt. Richard Barrett served in Company A, 1st United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for actions on May 23, 1872, at Sycamore Canyon, Arizona. His citation reads: “Conspicuous gallantry in a charge upon the Tonto Apaches.Section K, Grave 6765

14

Corporal John Connor, MoH

Cpl. John Connor enlisted in the Army in 1867 and served in Company H, 6th United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for "gallantry in action" on July 12, 1870, at Wichita River, Texas.Section K, Grave 7258

15

First Sergeant Charles Taylor, MoH

1st Sgt. Charles Taylor served in Company D, 3rd United States Cavalry and earned the Medal of Honor for "Gallantry in action" on July 17, 1882, at Big Dry Wash, Arizona Territory.Section K, Grave 6851

16

Corporal John James, MoH

Cpl. John James served in Company I, 5th United States Infantry. He earned the Medal of Honor for "Gallantry in action" on Sept. 9, 1874, in the Upper Washita River, Texas.Section K, Grave 6991

17

Farrier Richard Nolan, MoH

Farrier Richard Nolan was born in Ireland in 1848. He served in Company I, 7th United States Cavalry and earned the Medal of Honor for "Bravery" in actions on Dec. 30, 1890, at White Clay Creek, South Dakota.Section K, Grave 7179

18

Private Thomas Smith, MoH

Pvt. Thomas Smith served in Company G, 1st United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for "Gallantry in action" on Oct. 20, 1869, in the Arizona Territory's Chiracahua Mountains.Section K, Grave 7492

19

Sergeant Benjamin Brown, MoH

Sgt. Benjamin Brown served in Company C, 24th United States Infantry. He earned the Medal of Honor for actions on May 11, 1899, during a robbery of an Army paymaster's escorts in Arizona. The thieves stole $28,000, which was never recovered. His citation reads: “Although shot in the abdomen, in a fight between a paymaster’s escort and robbers, did not leave the field until again wounded through both arms.”Section K, Grave 7519

20

Corporal Jeptha Lytton, MoH

Cpl. Jeptha Lytton served in Company A, 23d United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for actions on April 28, 1876, at Fort Hartsuff, Nebraska. His citation reads: “Gallantry in charge on hostile Sioux.”Section M, Grave 9370

21

First Sergeant William D. Edwards, MOH

1st Sgt. William D. Edwards served in Company F, 7th United States Infantry. He earned the Medal of Honor for "Bravery in action" on Aug. 9, 1877, at Big Hole, Montana.Section K, Grave 7023

22

Sergeant John Denny, MoH

Sgt. John Denny served in Company C, 9th United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for actions on Sept. 18, 1879, at Las Animas Canyon, New Mexico. His citation reads: “Removed a wounded comrade, under a heavy fire, to a place of safety.”Section K, Grave 7020

23

Sergeant Cornelius Donovan, MoH

Sgt. Cornelius Donovan served in Company E, 8th United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for "Gallantry in action" on Aug. 25, 1869, at Agua Fria River, Arizona.Section K, Grave 6721

24

Sergeant Thomas Murray, MoH

Sgt. Thomas Murray was born in Ireland in 1836. He served in Company B, 7th United States Cavalry, and earned the Medal of Honor for action on June 25, 1876. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Brought up the pack train, and on the second day the rations, under a heavy fire from the enemy."Section K, Grave 6502

25

Sergeant William Osborn, MoH

Sgt. William Osborn served in Company M, 1st United States Cavalry, and earned the Medal of Honor for actions in 1872. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Gallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches."Section K, Grave 6512

26

Corporal James Dowling, MoH

Cpl. James Dowling served in Company B, 8th United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for actions in the vicinity of the Black Mountains, Arizona, from Aug. 13 to Oct. 31, 1868. His citation reads: “Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.”Section J, Grave 6352

27

Sergeant Thomas Boyne, MoH

Sgt. Thomas Boyne served in Company C, 9th United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for "Bravery in action" on Sept. 27, 1879, at Cuchillo Negro River and Mimbres Mountains, New Mexico.Section J, Grave 5859

28

Bugler Thomas Little, MoH

Bugler Thomas Little served in Company B, 8th United States Cavalry. He earned the Medal of Honor for actions on Aug. 13, 1868 in the vicinity of the Black Mountains, Arizona. His citation reads: “Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.”Section I, Grave 5627