Elmwood Cemetery in Rockford, Minnesota is the final resting spot of more than 60 Civil War veterans. There are an additional 180 veterans buried there that served our country during other times of conflict.
Peter enlisted in the Civil War on Sep 11, 1861 according to the US Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles. Peter is also found in the book ‘History of Wright County, Minnesota”, Vol II, 1915 page 613. He was a part of the 2nd Minnesota Infantry, Company I. Mustered on Sep 8, 1861. Also within his Company from Rockford: Arnold Cochrane and Bradford Hall. Peter was a Private in the Civil War for the Union.
Below is a listing of the service details for the Minnesota 2nd Infantry during the time he was there from the NPR.org website for Civil War Soldiers. This unit was organized at Fort Snelling, Mn.
SERVICE:
Moved to Lebanon, Ky., December 8, 1861, and duty there till January 1, 1862. Expedition to Somerset January 1-18. Battle of Mill Springs January 19-20. At Somerset till February 10. March to Louisville, Ky., February 10-25, thence moved to Nashville, Tenn., February 26-March 2. Moved to Savannah, Tenn., and Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 20-April 9. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Pursuit to Booneville May 31-June 12. At Corinth till June 22. March to Iuka, Miss., June 22-25, thence to Tuscumbia, Ala., June 27-29, and duty there till July 26.
He mustered out Jul 10, 1862. He had served for 10 months in the military. He died 10 days later in Frankfort, Wright Co, MN on July 20, 1862, presumably at his mother’s as she was living in Frankfort. His military records note he died of disease, most likely from the conditions while serving. At only 20 years old he traveled many states from his early childhood through his military service. He is buried at Elmwood Cemetery, Rockford, MN. His mother Abigail Steele died July 24, 1885 and is buried at the same cemetery along with his sister Mary Ames in 1887. Also his Uncle Amos Denney (d 1878) and family are buried here.
Harpo Lemmage’s Gas Station circa 1950