Local Civil War soldier to be honored Saturday
Ninety-eight years after his death, local Civil War veteran Jared Townsend will receive a proper headstone. This Saturday, Townsend’s great-great-great-nephew, Robert Koenecke, will present the long, over-due honor. The ceremony will take place July 23rd at 3 p.m. at Townsend’s gravesite in Waterville’s Sakatah Cemetery.
Koenecke is the senior vice commander of Camp #15 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in Wind Lake, Wisconsin. Koenecke, along with three fellow SUVCW officers, will work with local cemetery caretaker Dean Thrun to place a government-issued headstone at Townsend’s gravesite Saturday morning. In the afternoon, the SUVCW members will don Civil War uniforms and fire three volleys from muskets at the graveside.
Pick up a copy of the July 21, 2016, LIFE or Enterprise for more information.