|
|
|
Weather:77°FMostly Cloudy |
By By Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery
Orphaned at a young age, he had earned the respect of a nation and those at home in Niles. His widow brought home his remains.
In the early days of February, Niles prepared for his return by train. This man had won the hand and heart of Isabella, the daughter of Major William Graves – one time the town's mayor and treasurer and former Democratic Secretary of State of Michigan – before the war of the rebellion. Now he was to be buried in the same Silverbrook Cemetery plot as his esteemed father-in-law shortly before Valentine's Day 1891.
General and Mrs. Morrow had made Niles their home for many years and had spent many of the General's leaves of absences here.
Committees were forming to pay respect to General Henry A. Morrow. The life-time military man had passed away at Hot Springs, Ark. Current Mayor O.W. Coolidge had received a telegram from Captain C. A. Williams asking that an "elegant floral offering from officers of General Morrow's regiment be arranged for."
The floral tributes themselves told much of his story. A broken wheel and pillow with the words: "Our Colonel-21st Infantry-Officers of the 21st U.S. Regulars." An anchor-from Anchor Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workman (A.O.U.W.) and a shield from the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), Frank Graves Post, named after his brother-in-law; broken columns from the City of Niles and a simple bunch of lilies.
The AOUW was founded in 1868 by John Jordan Upchurch, a Mason, with the aim of adjusting "all differences which may arise between employers and employees, and to labor for the development of a plan of action that may be beneficial to both parties, based on the eternal truth that the interests of labor and capitol are equal and should receive equal protection." Their flowers therefore had an added significance we will discover as the story unfolds.
Morrow was a loved man not only by his wife but it seems by all who knew him. He was described as "a man of very considerable ability, a fine speaker, a good judge of human nature and one of the most genial and pleasant men. He was broad-minded, a great reader and well-informed on all subjects.
"He had the impulses and gentle tender feelings of a noble man. In Niles every man, woman, and even little children were his fast friends."
The account of this man who obviously served his fellow man with the same integrity he did his country, seemed to hold values very similar to those of his Commander-in-Chief whose 200th birthday we celebrated just two days prior to this Valentine's Day.
Abraham Lincoln was born in humble circumstances in Kentucky. Twenty years later, Morrow was born in neighboring Virginia.
According to his obituary, "General Morrow was left an orphan when a mere lad. In some way he secured the position of page in the U.S. Senate. He was a bright, fine looking and gentlemanly boy, and General Lewis Cass, then one of the Senators from Michigan, took a fancy to him."
Cass became the boy's mentor and convinced him to come out to Detroit with him. In Detroit, he studied law and finally became Judge of the Recorder's Court. When quite young he enlisted as a private in one of Michigan's regiments and served in the Mexican War.
It would seem Morrow was a born leader. The 24th Michigan Infantry was raised by him, almost wholly in Wayne County with its rendezvous at Detroit.
His unit became part of the famous 'Iron Brigade" commanded by General Meredith and comprised of troops from Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana.
During its term of service, he took part in encounters with the enemy at Fredericksburg, Va. on Dec. 12-13, 1862; also at Gettysburg, Penn., on July 1-3, 1863; continuing throughout 1864 at many locations and including the Siege of Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864 to Feb. 11, 1865.
It was in the Battle of Gettysburg, that Morrow was wounded and taken captive, but not before he witnessed the capture of his opponents colors as he later described:
"Shortly after I was wounded, Captain Edwards found the colors in the hands of a wounded soldier, who had fallen on the east side of the barricade. He was reclining on his right side, and was holding the colors in his left hand. I have not been able to ascertain the name of this brave soldier in whose paralyzed hands Captain Edwards found the flag. Captain Edwards describes him as being severely wounded, and he is, therefore, probably among our dead. His name may forever be unknown, but his bravery will never die." His entire account can be found at http://www.brotherswar.com/Gettysburg-1z.htm.
Remember the flowers from the Anchor Lodge? Visit www.masonicworld.com and their section on Masons at the Battle of Gettysburg and find this entry:
"Colonel Henry Morrow of the 24th Michigan was with Meredith's Iron Brigade. During the furious fighting, Morrow was struck in the head by a Confederate bullet. Later, a Confederate surgeon, identifying himself as a Mason, decided that Morrow's scalp wound was "too serious" for him to be marched away as a prisoner-of-war. This act of Masonic compassion probably saved Morrow's life."
It seems there was an "eternal truth" of love which states all men are created equal at work even in the midst of one of the most dreadful conflicts of all time.
It is impossible to due the record of Morrow's military service justice in but one small article seeking to highlight the life, which lead to his being the most decorated veteran buried in Silverbrook Cemetery. However, perhaps your interest is piqued enough to do a search. You would not be disappointed.
How about his being the signature on the final peace treaty of the Utah Black Hawk Indian war settled at the home of Bishop Seeley on Sept. 7, 1872?
That war cost the State of Utah $1,535,000, in addition to the lives of 75 white men and a multitude of the Black Hawk tribe.
Go find the report of the G.A.R. Reunion of 1888 which tells of their encampment named after Morrow and his work to make their reunion a success. Even in his final writings he spoke of it.
He also continued to show his love and dedication to those who served with him, writing to Captain George Burchell in July of 1890, "What I desire above all things in this world is to hear of the health and prosperity of the remnant of the dear old comrades who stood with me, elbow to elbow, in the battle's storm of those horrible but splendid years when the Nation's life was saved by the Nation's valor."
The one time orphan was surrounded by those who returned his love when he was laid to rest in Silverbrook following services at the Episcopal Church. Remaining members of the old 24th hurriedly arranged to attend.
In 1909 a large granite monument was erected at the request of Mrs. Isabella Morrow, to honor her husband, her father and her brother. On one side of the impressive 7 by 6 foot monument in 6" polished lettering is the name "Graves" and on the other "Morrow," with details of Morrow's record of service on an engraved polished panel at one end and details of her father and brother's service records at the other.
Lives of service to others memorialized forever on a stone commissioned by the woman who loved them all.
The Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery wish each of our readers memories of love this Valentine's Day. Perhaps you would like to share in this valuable work of maintaining our history?
For more information on Friends of Silverbrook with regards to memberships and work days to help restore and catalog the monuments contact: Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery c/o 508 E. Main St. Niles MI 49120, Tim and Candace Skalla at 684-2455, wskalla@sbcglobal.net or contact Ginny Tyler at 445-0997, SPHINX1974@aol.com.