Remembering Civil War Veterans Who Settled Wichita and Sedgwick County

McIlwaine Quarterly Speaker Series – Remembering Civil War Veterans Who Settled Wichita and Sedgwick County by Dr. Alfred Eckes A Survey of Civil War Union Veterans and the Influence of the Grand Army of the Republic locally. Several thousand veterans of the bloody Civil War arrived in Wichita and Sedgwick County during the late 19th century. Many of the veterans had experienced years of mortal combat, been wounded, lost limbs, and been held captive as prisoners of war. They were eager to obtain free land, start families, and begin new lives on the frontier. While many were successful farmers, others provided business, professional, and political leadership for more than a generation. Many of these rest permanently in Highland and Maple Grove Cemeteries. This presentation, utilizing images and historical records, focuses on a number of veterans who were active in the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). Union veterans established ten G.A.R. posts in Sedgwick County. The Garfield post (#25) in Wichita would become the largest in Kansas. A smaller number of Confederate veterans came to the Wichita area. The Wichita Confederate Association was active in the early 20th century. Some of its members were prominent in the community and also sleep in county cemeteries. About the Presenter Historian Alfred Eckes has researched and narrated a dozen videos on aspects of Kansas history, accessible on YouTube, over the last decade. Among them are “Kansas Volunteers in the Civil War” and “Remembering Civil War Veterans in Kansas Resting in Chase County Cemeteries.” He is an Emeritus Research Professor of History (Ohio University) and a former Chairman and Commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission (1981-1990). A tariff specialist, Eckes has written ten books on U.S. international trade, globalization, and political history, has and given numerous presentations. Eckes received his Ph.D. Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum 204 S Main St; Wichita, KS 67202 This quarterly speaker series is made possible through a generous grant from the Charles and Joanne McIlwaine Foundation.