EVERETT — Robert Beecham fought for the Union during the Civil War and died nearly a century ago, but his bravery isn’t forgotten.
Local members of the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated a bronze plaque next to Beecham’s headstone Saturday at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett. The foot-square marker, set in granite, is part of their work paying tribute to U.S. veterans, present and past.
“We are here today to recognize and honor Robert K. Beecham for his service not only in the Civil War but to our Everett community,” said Teri Lynn Scott, regent of the Marcus Whitman Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The women’s service organization promotes historic preservation, education and patriotism. The local chapter was founded in 1911.
With the dedication, Scott wasn’t just honoring Beecham, but all men and women of who have heeded the call to arms for this country. The ceremony on a soggy afternoon came as the nation prepared to commemorate Veterans Day on Wednesday.
Beecham’s life was extraordinary for his accomplishments during the war and after.
Born in New Brunswick, Canada, on March 25, 1838*, his family moved to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, when he was a boy.
He enlisted in May 1861 as a private with the Iron Brigade. He had attained the rank of corporal by the time he was captured two years later at the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania.
After escaping Confederate captivity, Beecham, who was white, became the captain of a regiment of black soldiers, the 23rd U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment.
Beecham and his regiment were at Appomattox, Virginia, during the event that ended the war: Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender on April 9, 1865.
Beecham and his wife, Emma, had three children.
It’s unclear why the family moved to Everett in 1894. They lived at 2624 Rucker Ave. Beecham worked as an author, a lawyer, newspaperman, an insurance agent and a Superior Court jury bailiff.
Beecham fought for civic advancement and to recognize black troops’ contribution during the Civil War. He wrote about the war and books of poetry.
He died Sept. 12, 1920, at age 82. His wife and daughter, Elma, are buried next to him.
An updated version of his memoir, “As If It Were Glory,” was published in 1998.
Beecham is one of about 160 Civil War veterans buried at Evergreen Cemetery at 4504 Broadway. Like the troops under his command, two others were black men who fought for the Union.
Alford Samuels went from being a Kentucky slave to a soldier when he enlisted in 1864 at age 46. His regiment fought mostly in North Carolina, including the occupation of Raleigh.
It’s unclear when he moved to Everett. Three of his grown children were living in the area when he died at 85 on May 15, 1903. His address was given as 2028 Highland Ave.
Cicero Hunter was born in Kentucky on March 10, 1842. It is believed he was living in Philadelphia and probably worked as a porter when he enlisted at age 21.
His regiment marched to Washington, D.C., and from there saw duty in South Carolina, including the battle for Charleston.
After the war, Hunter joined the Merchant Marine, moved around the country and arrived in Whatcom County in the late 1880s.
The 1910 census listed Hunter as living alone on a farm in the Granite Falls area. He died May 12, 1916, at an Everett hospital. He was 75. An obituary in The Everett Herald said he once lived at 2916 Cedar St. and had no relatives in the city.
Evergreen Cemetery has been a focal point for Civil War enthusiasts. It hosts the annual event, “Echoes of Blue &Gray,” which includes a battle re-enactment.
Researchers have used miliary and cemetery records and obituaries to write biographies for Civil War veterans buried in Everett and elsewhere in the state. They are posted on a website, www.civilwarvetswastate.com.
Eighteen Civil War vets buried at Evergreen received new headstones in 2012. Jim Shipman, a history buff and the cemetery’s former manager who died in 2013, helped commemorate the placement of the headstones.
Researchers believe they have identified all of the Civil War veterans’ graves at Evergreen, even if not every one is well-marked, said Sergae Rokusek, an amateur historian who works in pre-planning for cemetery operator Dignity Memorial.
A map available at the cemetery’s front office shows where the Civil War vets are buried, Rokusek said. This year, the Everett Museum and the Everett Historical Society started a walking tour that highlights about 20 of those graves.
Fraser Bronze, of Marysville, created the plaque that was dedicated Saturday next to Beecham’s headstone. Dignity Memorial placed the marker and helped coordinate the ceremony.
Local members from the Daughters of the American Revolution plan to continue caring for the Beecham family graves.
They also want to turn their attention to honoring Samuels, Hunter and other black Civil War vets buried at local cemeteries.
“It would be continuing Beecham’s work,” said Scott, the Marcus Whitman Chapter regent.
They’ll be calling on the wider community for help.
“This is a work in progress right now. Our long-term goal is to make sure all of these men are recognized,” said Sharon Kaye, vice regent of the Marcus Whitman Chapter. “It’s a fitting tribute, not only to the community but to the country.”
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.
Learn more about the Marcus Whitman Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution: email mwcdar1911@gmail.com or visit www.marcuswhitmannsdar.org.
* Robert Beecham’s year of birth was incorrect in an earlier version of this article.
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