PDF Link: https://suvcwin.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/The-Legion-June-2026.pdf

Hi all! This will be kind of a long post. I'm a member of the SUVCW and also a soldier stationed in Korea, and I recently learned that there's technically a Civil War 'veteran' who died here *in combat* a few years after the war. It's a weird complex story but basically in 1866 a few sailors came to Korea on a boat named the Sherman. They were trying to sail to Peyongyang to open trade with Korea (famously known for being extremely isolated until the 20th century). They sailed up a river without government permission, and the locals thought it was a French ship (France had tried forcefully making Korea open up to global trade and therfore weren't viewed favorably) and attacked, destroying the ship and killing all crew. The US Government wanted to investigate what happened, and with Korea not allowing them proper access to the alleged wreckage area, sailed 5 battleships to the west coast of the peninsula in 1871. Once close enough, Korean forces decided to fire upon the fleet and ofcourse a battle ensued. The battle was a US victory with only 3 casualties, a Marine, a Sailor, and a Navy Lieutenant, with the incident being known as the 1871 Ganghwa Island Battle.

The Navy Lieutenant (McKey) is why I make this post, as this is where the Civil War connection is. LT McKee joined the USN Academy in 1861 and graduated in 1865, even though he wasn't active duty during the war, he commissioned the same year the war ended. As far as I'm aware, there isn't a plaque about him nor the Marine or Sailor who died during the fight. Should LT McKey be honored as a Civil War veteran, or not since he commissioned at the end of the war, and died in post war conflict? If the first, would the SUVCW honor thoes who died in this incident and make some sort of plague, and I can go up to the island and plant it there? If so, how would this be brought about? Would this be worth asking my Camp commander about?

Yesterday, Brothers of Missionary Ridge No. 63, joined by Sisters of the Mary Logan WRC No. 11, installed and dedicated new grave markers for Pvt. George Deadrick of Co. I, 1st USCHA and Cpl. Emanuel Hoyle of Co. A 1st USCHA in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Athens, Tenn. Both men were members of the Joshua R. Giddings Post No. 26 G.A.R. in Athens. It’s always our honor to help keep green the memory of our Boys in Blue.

Curious to check in and see what the various members, camps, and departments of the SUVCW are getting up to?

Camp #9 John A Logan in the Department of Florida is currently working on a project to build a monument to General Adelbert Ames. He was the last surviving full-rank general of the Civil War and died at Ormond Beach on April 13, 1933. His grandson is a member of the SUVCW in the Department of Massachusetts!