On May 11, 1996, Middletown New York remembered it's past and honored 103 Union veterans buried at Hillside Cemetery, and dedicated 44 new markers that had been installed to replace ones that had been ruined over the years. It was truly a unique event, and by all accounts it was a success. 33 of the 44 Civil War Veteran Graves that received new markers were "adopted" by individuals and organizations, with many of them paying personal respects at the gravesites of their soldiers. Since then 7 additional soldiers have been adopted... and our work continues.....

Harry G. Dill and Guy L. Mistles, representing the Middletown Masonic Temple, under the supervision of Henry M. Howell, Superintendent of the Orange County Agricultural Society, and veteran of the 124th N.Y. Volunteer "Orange Blossoms", completed a survey of Hillside Cemetery. They checked the service records of N.Y. State, the cemetery records that existed at that time, and also walked through the cemetery to identify the location of all veterans buried there and note the general location of the graves. Their completed list included as much as possible any regimental or unit identification next to each name logged.

Once this 1920 survey came to light due to our recent project in Middletown, which occurred after the May 11th dedication, a search was conducted by members of the Hillside Civil War Graves Project Committee, combining the 1920 roster with the 1995 survey and roster. After locating and adding new graves to the list, it was announced that the new total for Civil War Veteran Graves found and accounted for at Hillside Cemetery is 156. Regrettably, 36 gravesites from the 1920 survey are lost...after much searching they cannot be found, but attempts will be made in the future to locate them. If all are found, this would bring the total up to 192.

Now is the time to properly preserve as much as possible the memories of these additional soldiers. Many of the newly discovered gravemarkers are in a deplorable condition, and most of them either had no service identification on them, were literally under several inches of dirt and had to be carefully uncovered, or were so worn as to be barely identifiable after tracing. This in essence is why these soldiers were not found in the 1995 survey. 51 new memorial markers were ordered from the government to replace the ones where the graves from the 1920 survey were found, and require new markers. These markers have been delivered and will be installed as funds are available to do so.

As of September 1998, there are 34 new grave markers yet to be installed. Funds are still needed to complete the project. Any donations are greatly appreciated to help us get these markers installed, or if you wish, you may adopt a grave or several graves. See the following paragraph which describes the "Adopt A Grave" Program.

You will see following this a list of all the new additional soldiers that are getting new markers, and have included the ones from our 1995 survey that had new markers installed but have not been adopted yet . WE NOW NEED YOUR HELP..

You can proudly join others who have adopted soldiers at Hillside and become a soldier's "family." You may decide to oversee the grave by visiting it with proper remembrances, and put flowers on it for ceremonial days such as Memorial day, or as you see fit. The cost for each marker installation is $75.. and that is the cost of adoption. The new markers will be located directly in front of the old worn one so as to not disturb the historical integrity of the cemetery. The adoption cost will only be used for this soldiers grave. Fill in the application that follows the list, and submit it to the Hillside Civil War Graves Project Committee along with a check or money order, and you will receive a letter of notification along with an "Adoption" certificate for your soldier suitable for framing. Selection of your soldier will be on a first come, first choice basis, so you may ultimately be given another soldier.

In addition to the preceeding list of soldiers getting new markers, we have included the 36 lost graves list. If you wish to "adopt" one of these soldiers, please feel free to do so..if in the future these graves are found, markers will be ordered for them. The location identified on the list is from the 1920 survey, but the gravesite was not found after an exhaustive search. It is up to us to prevent the Lost Civil War Graves list from expanding in the future.. and the new markers we have obtained and installed in the past, in addition to the ones that we are now installing,will prevent this unforgivable thing from happening.

After adoption, you will be notified with a letter confirming the name of your soldier and this in turn will be duly noted in the Orange County archives and the office of Benedict Memorials and Hillside Cemetery. Checks or money orders will be made payable to: Hillside Civil War Graves Project
Send application form to: Frank S. Coleman Chairman, Hillside Civil War Graves Project Committee E-Mail: nonfarby@sprynet.com

Once the form is received, you will be informed by E-Mail or snail mail as to where to send the check or money order to.

If you have any private comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. nonfarby@sprynet.com

You can also search this site for key words or names

Website Search Engine (enter key word):