Confederate Memorial Day

In Beaufort’s National Cemetery on May 10, 2023, South Carolina’s Confederate Memorial Day, the Beaufort Stephen Elliott Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy marked the graves with flags of those soldiers interred in the Confederate Section. This was the 114th consecutive year the Chapter had held a Memorial Service to honor these men, the exceptions being recent COVID years limited by the Veterans Administration to flag placement only on that day. Beaufort’s Gen. Richard H. Anderson Camp #47, Sons of Confederate Veterans, joined the ladies in holding an evening memorial service with period music, a guest speaker, laying of a wreath and the playing of Taps followed by light refreshments and food for the 50-plus attendees. Originally 116 Confederate graves were marked, however, a number of years ago a review by the VA and National Cemetery Staff found a number of mismarked graves were found to hold Union Soldiers. New markers were ordered and placed by the VA, remaining in the same burial spot, and each year the guest speaker honors those brave soldiers as well. This years service was highlighted by period music provided by Elyse (left) and Kailyn Stromer of Ridgeland. Their soft and haunting fiddle and viola tunes included “Ashokan Farewell,” a beautiful song made popular by the Ken Burns’ The Civil War. Photo courtesy of Jody Henson.