Local Civil War veterans honored more than 100 years after their deaths

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich,. (WPBN/WGTU) — Two Civil War veterans who lived in northern Michigan were honored Tuesday afternoon more than 100 years after their deaths.

Private John Fish and Private Wiley Corbit served in Ohio infantry regiments for the Union.

Both lived the rest of their lives in Grand Traverse County after serving.

“They probably knew each other during the war, possibly when they came up here,” said John Sawyer, the Graves Registration Officer for Robert Finch Camp #14. “Separately or together, they probably knew each other as they lived out their lives.”

They were buried at Linwood Cemetery in Long Lake Township in the early 1900’s.

But for more than 115 years, their graves sat unmarked.

“When examining cemetery records in the county, there were burial records here for them,” said Sawyer. “Which was good. But no headstones. So they’ve been unmarked and unknown since they passed away”

Sawyer knew that needed to change.

“I applied for headstones from the VA,” said Sawyer. “They provided us with two period-correct Civil War headstones.”

Even without pictures of the veterans, Sawyer found enough evidence of service for the headstones. Paid for by the department of Veterans Affairs.

And a century after their deaths, Private Fish’s and Private Corbit’s graves were finally marked.

“We never forget that these heroes have fought in this battle of the civil war to bring our union back together,” said Matt Frye, the Senior Vice Commander of Robert Finch Camp #14. “There’s so much lives and blood shed that we need to continue to honor them and find those individuals that may have been forgotten so that people can remember.”

But it wasn’t just headstones these veterans missed out on for so long.

“When they passed away, neither of them were recognized as veterans of war,” said Sawyer.

That’s why Tuesday, Robert finch Camp #14 – Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War – held a ceremony for the veterans.

“There was no guarantee the union would survive, and these men put down everything they were doing in their lives,” said Sawyer. “And it’s important to today’s people to recognize that service.”

The organization says it installs headstones and holds ceremonies multiple times a year and will continue to give forgotten veterans their deserved appreciation.

“I feel compelled to continue the mission of remembering these men,” said Sawyer. “Their stories are fading. It’s our duty to make sure their memory stays alive.”