Military And Veterans
Civil War veteran’s long-lost monument to finally be placed after nearly 140 years
Long-Lost Civil War Veteran’s Monument Set for Placement After 140 Years
📅
✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Whitesville, Kentucky
WHITESVILLE, Ky. A long-forgotten Civil War veterans monument will finally be placed at the grave of Charles M. Ragsdale, a Union soldier who served in the 17th Kentucky Infantry and passed away in 1875. On September 27, the Whitesville Historical Society will host a dedication ceremony for the gravestone, which was ordered through the Veterans Administration in 1886 but was never set. The monument went missing for over a century, only to be discovered in 2004 leaning near a light pole in the Whitesville Post Office parking lot. Local historian Jerry Long documented the discovery and spent years researching the rightful location for the monument. The Whitesville Historical Society, in collaboration with local officials and volunteers, has pieced together Ragsdales story through military records and genealogical research. The ceremony will mark the culmination of a community effort to restore a long-forgotten piece of history and ensure that the monument finally rests where it belongs, beside Ragsdales wife, Sarah Amandaville, who passed away two years before him. The monument, originally set to be placed next to Ragsdale in the Old Panther Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, was never installed due to mysterious circumstances. For decades, the gravestone was hidden from public view, and the community knew little about its existence until it was rediscovered. With the help of modern-day volunteers, including family members of Ragsdales descendants, the gravestone will now be placed in its rightful position. Sue Berry, a member of the Whitesville Historical Society board, spoke about the importance of the monuments placement, saying, Its an original Civil War monument. Its the same one ordered back in 1886. We are finally honoring Ragsdale and his service, and its been a community effort to bring this all together. Berry explained that research suggested the monument should be placed beside Ragsdales wife in Old Panther Creek, though some believed it might belong in a different family plot. After much discussion and research, the final decision was made to honor Ragsdales wishes and lay him to rest beside his wife. On September 13, 2024, a breakthrough came when Brian Wilson, a descendant of the Ragsdale family, connected with the Whitesville Historical Society, providing the final piece of information needed to confirm the monuments proper location. The community worked together to clean and set the stone, ensuring that it would finally find its place after 139 years. The dedication ceremony will include participation from local historical groups, including the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of Union Veterans. The event will also feature Civil War reenactors who will bring the past to life for those in attendance. Jackie Bickett, director of the Whitesville Historical Society, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, This is not just about restoring a monumentits about honoring the legacy of those who served during the Civil War. Its a way for our community to recognize the sacrifices made by men like Charles Ragsdale and to ensure their memory lives on for generations to come. As the ceremony approaches, the community reflects on the importance of preserving local history and honoring the contributions of those who served in the Civil War. The placement of Ragsdales monument is not just an act of remembrance; it is a symbol of the dedication and care that has gone into ensuring that the service of our nations veterans is never forgotten. The Whitesville Historical Societys efforts to restore this monument stand as a testament to the power of local collaboration and the enduring importance of remembering those who came before us.