ARLINGTON, Va. — More than 150 years after the USS Monitor sank off the coast of North Carolina during the Civil War, two unknown crewmen found in the ironclad’s turret when it was raised a decade ago were buried Friday at Arlington National Cemetery.
The evening burial, which included a gun salute and a band playing “America the Beautiful,” may be the last time Civil War soldiers are buried at the cemetery overlooking Washington.
“Today is a tribute to all the men and women who have gone to sea, but especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf,” said Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who spoke at a funeral service before the burial.
The Monitor made nautical history when the Union ship fought the Confederate CSS Virginia in the first battle between two ironclads on March 9, 1862. The battle was a draw.
The Monitor sank about nine months later in rough seas, and 16 sailors died. In 2002, the ship’s rusted turret was raised from the Atlantic Ocean floor, and the skeletons of the two crew members were found inside.
On Friday, the remains of the two men were taken to their gravesite by horse-drawn caissons, one pulled by a team of six black horses and the other pulled by six white horses. White-gloved sailors carried the caskets to their final resting place near the cemetery’s amphitheater.
A few men attending the ceremonies wore Civil War uniforms, and there were women in long dresses from the time.
The ceremony also included taps which was written the same year that the Monitor sank and became associated with military funerals as early as the Civil War.
The sailors buried Friday would not have recognized some parts of the graveside service, however.
The military band played “America the Beautiful,” which wasn’t written until three decades after the Monitor sank. And the flags that draped the silver coffins were modern ones with 50 stars, not the 34-star American flag of the early 1860s.
The cemetery where the men will lie, however, has strong ties to the Civil War. Arlington was established as a military cemetery during the war and is on grounds formerly owned by the Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. One of the cemetery’s first monuments was a memorial to unknown Civil War soldiers.
A marker with the names of all 16 men who died onboard the Monitor will ultimately be placed at the gravesite of the sailors buried Friday.
Researchers were unable to positively identify the remains, though they tried reconstructing the sailors’ faces from their skulls and comparing DNA from the skeletons with living descendants of the ship’s crew and their families.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Sailors salute as one of two honor guard team places a casket of remains, during services to honor two sailors from the Civil War ship, the USS Monitor, at Arlington National Cemetery, Friday, March 8, 2013 in Arlington, Va. A century and a half after the Civil War ship the USS Monitor sank, two unknown crewmen found in the ironclad's turret were buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Friday's burial may be the last time Civil War soldiers are buried at the cemetery. Photo/Alex Brandon
Civil War sailors buried at Arlington cemetery
- Local News
-
-
Massive Oklahoma twister kills 51
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.
-
Piedmont town foreman Shingler enters guilty plea
Piedmont Town Foreman John Shingler is facing a prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 after pleading guilty to a charge of conversion of government property Thursday in U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, Martinsburg, according to court documents.
-
Final dress rehearsal for Rocky Gap Casino
As required by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, the Rocky Gap Casino went through final live testing of its operations Monday, with officials hoping to open casino doors for business on Wednesday.
-
Airport commuter service not feasible, FSU student concludes
A Frostburg State University student who undertook a survey about the feasibility of commuter service at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport said he does not believe the findings are favorable for the service at this time.
-
Straight shooter
-
Oakland house fire said deliberately set
Fire that damaged a Sanders Lane residence Sunday was arson, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.
-
Rally weekend
-
West Virginia gets reprieve from No Child Left Behind law
West Virginia won limited freedom Monday from the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind, gaining approval of its own method for identifying struggling schools and then devoting resources to improve them.
-
Group plans black Civil War veterans’ memorial
Soldiers in Hagerstown were among the first black men in Maryland to join the ranks of the Union during the Civil War, and were involved in the siege of Petersburg, Va., during the conflict.
-
Burning cases, student sanctions down at WVU
West Virginia University is seeing a decline in malicious burning cases involving students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Active Search for Utah Missing Mom Ends
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Suspects Butt Dial 911, Lead to Arrest
