Commodore Joel Abbot, Camp No. 21, Department of Rhode Island Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, conducted their Memorial Day Ceremonies on the 27th of May, 2001, at Island Cemetery, Newport, Rhode Island.
Company A of the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, Duraye's Zouaves, attended the ceremony to pay tribute to Major General Gouverneur Kemble Warren. Founded in 1971, Company A is one of the oldest and most respected Civil War living history organizations. Uniformed in full Zouave regalia modeled on the garb of the famed French colonial troops, they have participated in countless living history programs, authentic encampments and battle re-enactments, as well as in television documentaries and films. The Zouaves ceremony commenced with a prayer by Father Raymond Ferrick, Rhode Island Department Chaplain, followed by an opening address by Captain Brian Pohanka, Commander of Company A.
Heads are bowed as Father Raymond Ferrick says a prayer for Major General Warren.
The Zouaves then placed individual flowers on top of Major General Warren's grave, which was decorated with a knapsack made of flowers. The knapsack was recreated from a photograph of the 5th New York from their Decoration Day visit to Newport in 1887.
Zouaves place flowers on Major General Warren's grave.
After the flowers were laid, the Zouaves performed a rifle salute to Major General Warren. This was one of the proudest days for Company A, to pay respect to Major General Warren who they hold in such high esteem, as does the nation.
A proud moment for Duryée's Zouaves.
When the ceremony for Major General Warren was completed, the procession marched to the grave of Brevet Brigadier General George Washington Tew. The procession was lead by Company A, 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. Established in 1996, Company A, 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery is a Sons of Veterans Reserve unit from the State of Rhode Island.
Battery F, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery then performed a ceremony for Brigadier General Tew. Battery F is the Civil War reenactment unit of the Newport Artillery Company, America's oldest military unit operating under its original charter (granted in 1741). Battery F participates in numerous Civil War events throughout the northeast region. Private John Duchesneau, Chaplain of Camp No. 21 and a member of Battery F gave a brief account of Brigadier General Tew's career.
Battery F honors Brigadier General Tew.
The procession then marched to the grave of Private Theodore Wheaton King, Company F, 1st Rhode Island Infantry. Private King died of wounds sustained at the Battle of Bull Run. Douglas Stamford of Battery F gave an account of Private King's life and untimely death.
The next stop for the procession was the grave of Major General Isaac Ingalls Stevens. Battery A, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery placed a wreath at General Stevens' grave courtesy of Isaac Stevens, Camp No. 1, Department-at-Large. Battery A is a State recognized historical unit that also created the beginning of the modern military lineage of the Rhode Island National Guard 103rd Field Artillery. Battery A was selected to be portrayed as the main artillery battery for the reenactment of the 135th Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam in the fall of 1997, and was featured in a film that resulted from the event. Second Lieutenant Gregg Mierka (PDC, PCC), acting Commander of Battery A, gave a short speech to honor Major General Stevens. The ceremony for Major General Stevens concluded with the wreath laying by Second Lieutenant Mierka during which Corporal Charles D. Blanchette, also of Battery A, played Amazing Grace on the harmonica
Second Lieutenant Gregg Mierka (PDC, PCC) of Battery A honors Major General Stevens.
The last stop for the procession was the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Burial Plot where Commodore Joel Abbot, Camp No. 21 performed their Memorial Day Ceremony.
Company A leads the units to the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Burial Plot.
Once at the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Burial Plot, Department of Rhode Island Commander Robert C. Bromley read General Logan's Order. This was followed by Commodore Joel Abbot, Camp No. 21 Senior Vice Commander Curt Berggren reading "The Unknown Dead" by James E. Ratigan. Father Raymond Ferrick, Rhode Island Department Chaplain, then performed the Benediction.
The ceremony at the Soldiers and Sailors Burial Plot concluded with a firing of an Ames 1841 cannon by Battery F followed by Taps played by Department Commander Bromley and Douglas Stamford of Battery F.
Members of Battery F prepare cannon for firing.
Click HERE to view a map of Island Cemetery.