Alonzo L. Vickers, a decorated Civil War Veteran, was a member of CO G32nd Ohio Infantry. He participated in the Battles of Greenbrier River, Winchester, Harper’s Ferry, Vicksburg, Resaca, and traveled all the way to Atlanta with Gen. Sherman. He was wounded at Vicksburg, but never missed a call.

The Talmage Historical Society will host a Memorial Day tribute at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 26, at Prairiedale Cemetery to honor Talmage area Civil War Veterans.

Twenty-two Civil War Veterans are buried in the cemetery, located one mile north and ¼ mile west of Talmage. The list includes Benjamin Blue, Watson Cleveland, A.B. Crary, Moses Curtis, William Edwards, James Foster, Harrison Flora,  Hiram Harvey, Thomas C. Iliff, Fred Luker, H.B. McCune, Hugh McVicker, John Miller, William Munson, John N. Penwell, George Richards, Adam Saylor, John Snowden, William Stotler, Alonzo Vickers, Henry Walker, and Robert C. Wilson. These veterans came to homestead land along the railroad grant area in the community.

“Union veterans of the Civil War received special homestead rights in 1870, when an amendment to the 1862 Homestead Act gave them the right to claim 160 acres within railroad grant areas; other homesteaders got only 80 acres,” THS Director Verl Coup said. “Another amendment in 1872 gave Union veterans the right to deduct the length of their war service from the five-year residency needed to prove a homestead.”

Chapman American Legion Color Guard will be on hand, and cookies and drinks will be served at the Talmage Museum after the event.

After the war, Mr. Vickers bought the SE ¼ in Section 27 of Flora Township for $780.84. He served as a board member of both the Harvey and Flora schools. He sold his farm to Walter Jolitz in 1902 and moved to Abilene.

The Talmage Museum will be open during Memorial Weekend, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, and Monday for families who are interested in seeing historical displays, and researching and sharing family histories.