Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 1 pm
The Old Cemetery in Thorntown, Indiana
THORNTOWN, Indiana - Forage Master John Bush fought with 10th Kentucky Calvary, known as the "Yankee Chasers" during the Civil War, but when he was shot in Thorntown in 1863 he was buried without ceremony and at the end of the war, he didn't have an Iron Cross for his grave like other members of the Confederate Military.
Larry Truitt, Boone County Genealogical Society Cemetery Restoration Chairman along with the United Daughters of the Confederacy plans to correct that on Saturday, June the 19th at 1:00 p.m. by holding an Iron Cross Ceremony at The Old Cemetery in Thorntown where John Bush is buried.
The ceremony, which is open to the public, it will include bagpipes and a gun salute.
The Iron Cross is modeled after the Southern Cross of Honor, which the United Daughters of the Confederacy began awarding after a Confederate veterans reunion in 1898. The Iron Cross grave marker later honored unmarked graves of Confederate veterans.
Both are fashioned after the Maltese cross of the medieval Knights of Malta. Inscriptions include a Confederate battle flag, a wreath and the phrase "Deo Vindice" - "God Our Vindicator."
It shows that the man buried in the grave fought and died as a soldier. He was a true soldier.
Singers will perform "How Firm a Foundation," because that was the Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's favorite hymn. Lemonade will be served with refreshments after the ceremony because that was Confederate General Stonewall Jackson's favorite drink, Truitt said. Cakes will be decorated with various flags used by the Confederacy.
"It's going to be done with reverence," Truitt said. "There will be scripture and prayer. It's like a funeral but a celebration as well."
It is an event that has never been held in Thorntown or Boone County. It is a ceremony of historical importance. It is a once in a life time event for local residents since there is only one Confederate solider buried in Thorntown. Following the ceremony will be a Civil War Tour. Tour guides will lead the visitors to each of the seven story sites where an actor will reenact the story of a Civil War solider.
You are welcome to bring water and wear walking shoes. Registration for the tours will be at the flag pole. The event is free but donations for the restoration project are appreciated. There's more than enough historical information to make this a must see event.
For more information, please contact .
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