by Mary Navarre, OP, Archivist
How can we not continue to pray and work for peace in the United States and worldwide?
On April 9, 1865 – 160 years ago this month – Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee met at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia, marking the official end of the Civil War which had begun April 12, 1861. This devastating conflict claimed more lives than both World Wars combined, making it the bloodiest war in American history.
While it may feel like a distant event, for Sr. Michael Ellen Carling, it remains deeply personal. Her great-grandfather fought for the Union, enduring numerous battles before being captured and imprisoned in the Andersonville military prison – known for its brutal conditions and staggering death toll. Against the odds, he survived.
Sister Michael Ellen’s grandmother, Mrs. May Oakes, treasured the badge recognizing her father’s service. Sr. Michael Ellen has lovingly preserved this family heirloom and, along with her grandmother’s receipt for membership in the Grand Rapids Circle of the Ladies of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) and the badge, she has donated both to the National Civil War Museum, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, ensuring that future generations can both “note and long remember” this pivotal chapter in history.
The National Civil War Museum gratefully accepted the medal in December 2024 and sent Sister Michael Ellen a letter indicating “Your donation has been placed in our artifact collection, and will remain available for visitors of the museum to view and learn from for many future generations.”
The National Civil War Museum gratefully accepted the medal in December 2024 and sent this thank you letter to Sister Michael Ellen. “Your donation has been placed in our artifact collection, and will remain available for visitors of the museum to view and learn from for many future generations.”
Hugh McClure
1840-1930
Civil War
Co. H, 51st Pennsylvania Volunteers, Infantry
October 8, 1861-July 27, 1865
Pvt., Sgt., 1st Lt.
Roanoke
New Berne
Camden
Manassas (Second Bull Run)
South Mountain
Antietam
Fredericksburg
Jackson
Vicksburg
Wilderness
Spotsylvania Courthouse (where he was taken prisoner)
Andersonville prison
“Gunshot wound in the abdomen. I was in the field hospital at Antietam overnight and left next morning and returned to my company. I was not treated at that hospital.”
Died in Grand Rapids, Michigan 1930 and buried in White Cloud, Michigan
