Sons of Union Veterans & Sons of Confederate Veterans
Dillon P. Slater (USA)
William Henry Sparks (CSA)
(Saturday - April 27, 2002)
April 27, 2002 was a "new and exciting" experience for Old Abe Camp #8. We got together with the Sons of Confederate Veterans to conduct a combined grave marked dedication ceremony for a Union Veteran and a Confederate Veteran of the Civil War - both buried in Crandon, Wisconsin.
One of our Camp brothers is a "dual member." He descends from both ... "Yanks and Rebs!"
He "talked" us into it.
The combined dedications were hosted by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War,
Old Abe Camp #8, Department of Wisconsin (Omro, WI) and
Pvt. William Chaney Camp #1782, Sons of Confederate Veterans of the Civil War.
Also participating were 4 members of the Edward F. Arthur Camp #1783,
Sons of Confederate Veterans of the Civil War from Corbin, KY.
They drove 16 hours to participate and honor a fellow Kentuckian.
With them, they brought the "home soil" of Kentucky to spread upon Sparks' grave.
The morning ceremony was held for Union Soldier: Dillon P. Slater.
Slater was born in Essex Co., NY in 1840 - Died in Crandon, WI in 1920.
He served for the Union in the 1st WI Infantry and the 32nd WI Infantry.
Dillon attained the rank of 1st Sergeant and was discharged on July 29, 1864.
He served in the following engagements:
Falling Waters, WV - Edward's Ferry, VA - Atlanta, GA - Wolf River Bridge, TN
Hillsboro, MS - Meridian Expedition - Courtland, AL - Decatur, AL - Pond Springs, AL
Dillon was discharged due to a disability on July 29, 1864.
The afternoon cermony was held for Confederate Soldier: William Henry Sparks.
Sparks was born in Lawrence Co., KY in 1844 - Died in Crandon, WI in 1917.
He served for the Confederacy in the 5th KY Infantry and in "Field's" KY Cavalry.
He served in the following engagements:
Middle Creek, KY - Rock House, KY - Whitesburg, KY - Moccasin, VA
Princeton, WV - Owsley Co., KY - Perryville, KY - Carter Co., KY
The morning started out great! It was sunny (and cool). By the afternoon's dedication,
it began to snow. On that day, Crandon "was gifted" with 12 inches of snow!
However - that won't deter the future of "combined dedications."
We are planning another in 2003!!!!
Everyone is welcome!
