CONTACT: ALINDA MILLER- PRES., LONE JACK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
E-MAIL: president@historiclonejack.org TEL: 816-805-1815
Memorial Illumination Honors Civil War Soldiers
On Sunday, May 30, 2010 Lone Jack Historical Society volunteers will place 270 flickering points of
light to fill the Civil War Battlefield Cemetery grounds, 301 S. Bynum Rd., Lone Jack, MO. From 8:30
p.m. to 10:30 p.m. visitors may walk among the luminaries, one candle for each casualty – Union
and Confederate – in the battle that took place on August 16, 1862. At 9:00 p.m. there will be a
reading of the names of the known casualties from the battle, followed by the playing of taps on the
bugle. Silent sentries provided by Civil War living history Groups will guard the entrances to the
park and patrol the grounds during the evening vigil. The Memorial Illumination honors the
memory of those soldiers who fell that day in this battle on the bloody border in America’s history.
A contemplative area with seating will be set up in the middle of the grounds for those visitors who
wish to stop a moment and reflect on this time in our country’s history.
This Memorial Illumination at the Lone Jack Battlefield and Cemetery falls on the 142st anniversary
of the first widely observed Decoration Day for Civil War soldiers. U. S. Gen. John Logan declared in
General Order No. 11 that: “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with
flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during
the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in
the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their
own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”
Although far from the major eastern battlefields such as Antietam, Chickamauga, and Gettysburg,
the Border conflict and the battle at Lone Jack have been gaining greater respect among historians
for their significance to the overall history of the war. Newspaper reports of the Battle of Lone Jack
in 1862 reached as far east as New York City. No wonder, as a participant recalled it as, “The
bloodiest battle fought west of the Mississippi.” A tenth the size of the battle at Antietam, the Lone
Jack battle consequences and preservation plight have taken almost a century and a half to become
fully realized.
In the Civil War Preservation Trust’s 2009 Heritage Under Seize listing of the 10 most endangered
and 15 most at risk Civil War battlefields in the nation, Lone Jack is one of the 15 most at risk sites.
Abraham Lincoln called these sites “hallowed ground” for what they represented to this nation.
Everyone is welcome to participate and respectfully honor the souls of those fallen soldiers in the
Memorial Illumination tribute to soldiers who fell on both sides in the battle. The candles twinkling
across the battlefield will offer a poignant yet visually stunning reminder of the men who fell on that
day – every one an American.
This event is free and open to the public, but donations are welcome. The Lone Jack Museum will
stay open late to accommodate visitors during this event. Admission is required to tour the
museum.
Also visit our Facebook page
In the event of inclement weather, the Illumination will be rescheduled for the following evening,
Monday, May 31st, at the same time.
GOOGLE MAP
E-MAIL: president@historiclonejack.org TEL: 816-805-1815
Memorial Illumination Honors Civil War Soldiers
On Sunday, May 30, 2010 Lone Jack Historical Society volunteers will place 270 flickering points of
light to fill the Civil War Battlefield Cemetery grounds, 301 S. Bynum Rd., Lone Jack, MO. From 8:30
p.m. to 10:30 p.m. visitors may walk among the luminaries, one candle for each casualty – Union
and Confederate – in the battle that took place on August 16, 1862. At 9:00 p.m. there will be a
reading of the names of the known casualties from the battle, followed by the playing of taps on the
bugle. Silent sentries provided by Civil War living history Groups will guard the entrances to the
park and patrol the grounds during the evening vigil. The Memorial Illumination honors the
memory of those soldiers who fell that day in this battle on the bloody border in America’s history.
A contemplative area with seating will be set up in the middle of the grounds for those visitors who
wish to stop a moment and reflect on this time in our country’s history.
This Memorial Illumination at the Lone Jack Battlefield and Cemetery falls on the 142st anniversary
of the first widely observed Decoration Day for Civil War soldiers. U. S. Gen. John Logan declared in
General Order No. 11 that: “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with
flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during
the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in
the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their
own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”
Although far from the major eastern battlefields such as Antietam, Chickamauga, and Gettysburg,
the Border conflict and the battle at Lone Jack have been gaining greater respect among historians
for their significance to the overall history of the war. Newspaper reports of the Battle of Lone Jack
in 1862 reached as far east as New York City. No wonder, as a participant recalled it as, “The
bloodiest battle fought west of the Mississippi.” A tenth the size of the battle at Antietam, the Lone
Jack battle consequences and preservation plight have taken almost a century and a half to become
fully realized.
In the Civil War Preservation Trust’s 2009 Heritage Under Seize listing of the 10 most endangered
and 15 most at risk Civil War battlefields in the nation, Lone Jack is one of the 15 most at risk sites.
Abraham Lincoln called these sites “hallowed ground” for what they represented to this nation.
Everyone is welcome to participate and respectfully honor the souls of those fallen soldiers in the
Memorial Illumination tribute to soldiers who fell on both sides in the battle. The candles twinkling
across the battlefield will offer a poignant yet visually stunning reminder of the men who fell on that
day – every one an American.
This event is free and open to the public, but donations are welcome. The Lone Jack Museum will
stay open late to accommodate visitors during this event. Admission is required to tour the
museum.
Also visit our Facebook page
In the event of inclement weather, the Illumination will be rescheduled for the following evening,
Monday, May 31st, at the same time.
GOOGLE MAP
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| MEMORIAL ILLUMINATION |
