Page 4 - GC-Nov-Dec-21

Every stone tells a story

WNY Civil War Regiment es made by the people of Erie 1861 in Buffalo under the command
Wiedrich's Battery Honored County during that uncertain era, of local businessman Michael
"Honor, Sacrifice and Courage: and the legacy of Wiedrich's Bat- Wiedrich. The regiment is credited
Erie County during the Civil War tery. An unveiling and dedication of with helping turn the tide of the
Featuring Wiedrich's Battery" was the sign marking John McHugh's battle at Gettysburg when they suc-
held at Historic Concordia Ceme- grave, and walking tour to meet the cessfully stopped the advance of the
tery, 438 Walden Ave., Buffalo on soldiers followed. A Civil War Liv- notorious Louisiana Tigers. On July
Oct. 9, 2021. This interactive event ing History display and exhibits of 2, 1863 as the 141 men from Erie Re-enactor
featured costumed re-enactors por- Civil War memorabilia were on the County waited atop East Cemetery telling the story
traying the brave men of Company grounds and various Erie County Hill, they knew how lethal the com- of Wiedrich's
I, 1st NY Light Artillery aka Historical organizations were there. ing battle would be; they had previ- Battery soldier
Wiedrich's Battery who are interred The event was sponsored by the ously been defeated by the vicious George Schaefer
at Concordia Cemetery. Medal of Concordia Foundation and Echoes Tigers at Cross Keys, Virginia in as part of the
Honor Recipient John McHugh was Through Time Learning Center and June 1862. The men of Wiedrich's walking tour.
also recognized for his service. Civil War Museum, and was one of Battery held their ground in the at-
Special guest presenters Scott our Erie County Bicentennial tack which included hand-to-hand photo by Bonnie
Scanlon, Buffalo News journalist, Events. combat and volleys from sharp- Fleischauer
and author Dr. Thomas M. Grace, Company I, 1st NYS Light Ar- shooters. When the smoke cleared,
Ph. D., spoke about the events lead- tillery was composed of German the unit had suffered 3 killed and 10 The story of his life was told by house that celebrates Concordia's
ing to the Civil War and the sacrific- immigrants from Western New wounded. A monument now stands seasoned actor Guy William Gane addition to the National Register of
York and was mustered in on Oct. 1, on East Cemetery Hill to honor the III, and an Honor Guard from VFW Historic Places.
brave men of this unit. Post 1419 of Hamburg, NY per- The walking tour that followed
Pvt. John McHugh can best be formed a 21 gun salute followed by had stops at the 13 graves of the
described by the phrase "a soldier's Taps. Wiedrich's Battery veterans who are
soldier," as he was a soldier who John McHugh's hand-carved interred at Concordia. Re-enactors
served for most of his life. He enlist- wooden sign that was created by from SUVCW Co I 1st NY Light
ed at least 10 times in the U.S. Army master carver Joe Reimers, a de- Artillery Wiedrich's Battery, Co. L
from 1861 to 1898, the first time in scendant of Civil War soldier Sgt. 1st NY Light Artillery Reynolds'
May 1861 at the age of 17 under the William Moeller, who was also in Battery, Co. I 155th NY Volunteers,
name Michael McCue and was dis- Wiedrich's Battery and is interred at Col. John B Weber Camp #44, Co.
charged a month later "on account Concordia, was unveiled and dedi- A US Engineers and other indepen-
of being a minor." cated. Joe's father Richard made the dent actors portrayed the soldiers,
He reenlisted in December 1861 large hand-carved wooden sign told their stories and answered ques-
claiming to be 22 years old and for which is on the pre-Civil War farm- tions.
the next 38 years continued to serve
his country. Seemingly a humble
man, when he passed away May 28,
1910 there was no fanfare nor acco-
lades; in fact his death was not even
reported in the news and his death
certificate records his occupation
simply as "old soldier." The Medal
of Honor for Gallantry in Action
was personally presented to him by
General William Tecumseh Sher-
man on July 18, 1877.