Families Remember
Relatives of soldiers with no known gravesite, can request an "In Memory" marker from the Department of Veterans Affairs. With the help of the group "The Friends of Shockoe Hill Cemetery," these three Union Soldiers of have been remembered in this way.
Pvt. Samuel Edward Stiteler
Samuel Stiteler left behind his wife Mary and four children when he enlisted at Pittsburgh as a Private in Company "E", 61st Pennsylvania Infantry on 1 August 1861. He was recorded as 5' 10" tall, with blue eyes, and light hair and complexion. Samuel was wounded and captured at the Battle of Seven Pines on 31 May 1862, and taken to Richmond, where he died.
Pvt. Samuel S. Sweetland
Samuel Sweetland, a father of two, enlisted in Company "D", 3rd Vermont Infantry in July 1861. His unit suffered heavy casualties in the Battle of Lee's Mill on 16 April 1862, and he was among those captured and taken to Richmond. His name appears on the POW marker as "James Sweetland".
Pvt. James Warnes
James Warnes was born in England. In 1861 he was a farmer and married father of two in Oswego County, New York. He enlisted in Company "E", 81st New York Infantry in December 1861, but was soon transferred to Company "H". On 31 May 1862, at the Battle of Seven Pines, he was wounded and captured, dying in Richmond a few days later. His names appears on the POW marker as "James Wormes".
The "Friends of Shockoe Hill Cemetery" organization welcomes the chance to work with relatives and place more such markers.