| The Cemetary is also on the grounds of the VA Hospital, quite
a few Civil War Veterans are buried in it. (I couldn't give even
a close estimate but a substantial number from what I did see last
fall). Our re-enactment group was there and we found some 28th
Mass Volunteer's graves (which we were looking for).
Hope that helps,
Jon
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Country's First VA Hospital Rededicated in 125th Year
Togus, Maine -- The nation's first veteran hospital, which has been
in continuous operation since 1866, was rededicated early in October
with the opening of a new wing and a Civil War weekend and encampment
by 200 reenactors.
Togus Veterans Hospital administrators set aside a portion of the
hospital's spacious grounds as a Civil War camp. The official
participation of the hospital administration marked every phase of
planning from the beginning, and contributed largely to the kind of
event that reenactors and visitors endorsed.
Maine's Senators, George Mitchell and William Cohen, attended the
official dedication ceremonies on Saturday morning.
The Civil War events were co-hosted by Co. A, Third Maine, and
Co. B, Twentieth Maine Volunteer Infantry. Special guests for this
weekend were 20th Maine Infantry, Co. E, attending from the vicinity
of Washington, D.C.
The Saturday afternoon battle recreated the action at Brawner's
Farm, Groveton, before the battle of Second Manassas. A crowd of
perhaps 1500 watched. Doctors and other staff from the hospital toured
the camps, taking in the details of mid-19th century life and medicine
at every opportunity. Civilian and military first-person impressions
included the person of Mrs. C.A.L. Sampson, a nurse and patroness of
the 3rd Maine; Robert Corson, agent for the Maine State Agency; and a
Quaker steward "scrupulous against bearing firearms."
On Sunday morning, the rededication of the west cemetery was led by
Ben Maryniak, "Rev. Philo Cooke," chaplain, 94th New York, who read a
eulogy culled from old sermons and texts. Thirty-eight hundred Civil
War veterans interred in the hospital cemetery.
Many of the public expressed a strong desire to see more Civil War
encampments in Maine. Togus officials seem ready to accommodate and
another encampment at Togus is already being considered for 1992.
Tom Yori
The Civil War News Jan/Feb 1992
The Alabama Slammer
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