The CHCO Headquarters at Christmas

For over 160 years two confederate veterans have lain in a virtually unmarked grave, members of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization (CHCO) and the Sons of Confederate Veterans McNeill’s Rangers changed that with the dedication of a monument at the Fort Ashby Cemetery.

Celebrating 40 years of preserving history and heritage CHCO has erected nearly 900 monuments from Pennsylvania to Florida, but the majority are in Allegany County, MD and Mineral County, WV.

“They cover American history from the revolution to present day,” said Ed Taylor, CHCO president. “The monuments are going to tell the story for future generations.”

“One hundred years from now all of us will be gone, but that monument will still be here. It’s the duty of our organization to continue to build monuments,” he added.

Renee Douthitt, president of the Fort Ashby Cemetery trustees and other Lions Club members welcome guests to the growing cemetery that was deeded 60 years ago from the Mineral County Commission to the Lions Trustees.

She emphasized that the Lions are dedicated to “preserving the history of our town and those buried here.”

Taylor noted that it’s been a long process from first getting permission to erect the monument to this week’s dedication adding that the trustees were “very gracious to accept our monument to these two veterans.”

Dave Judy of McNeill’s Rangers Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) commended all who joined for the unveiling and the addition of the crosses to the graves of Pvt. Oswald Foley and Dr. O’Fanton.

He explained the Daughters of the Confederacy would give families the option of wearing a cross or having one displayed on the grave.

Judy shared that he has three children who have served in the military and that is “goes back to the values we have instilled in them.”

Joining with the McNeill’s Rangers camp for the ceremony and in the placement of the crosses was also Paw Paw (SCV).

“We consider them (McNeill’s Rangers SCV) one of our greatest allies,” said Taylor of the combined efforts. CHCO member Mark Jones researched the two veterans sharing a single grave in the center of the cemetery.

Jones noted that they are buried in a cherry coffin, but it’s uncertain whether there are one or two coffins at the site.

“During the first few months of the war for southern independence confederate generals realized the importance of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The southern forces had to prevent Union forces from using this modern way of transferring supplies and forces,” began Jones.

He recalled how union Col. Lewis Wallace of the 11th regiment Indiana, who was stationed at Ft. McGuiness in Cumberland dispatched troops to patrol the railroad near Dan’s Run.

“Early in the afternoon of June 26, 1861, a small attachment of union cavalry troopers sited a small force of confederate cavalry. The union troopers came upon Kelley’s Island on the Potomac River, dismounted and took shelter among the rocks and log debris,” said Jones.

Under the command of Lt. Col. Richard Ashby’s Company A, 7th Virginia cavalry, the confederate cavaliers charged the union troops. During the skirmish Foley, a former resident of Fauquier Co., VA and Dr. O’Fanton formerly of Baltimore, both members of Ashby’s command were killed.

“Ashby, brother of the famed CSA Cavalier Brig. Gen. Turner Ashby, was also wounded and died of his wounds on July 3, 1861 in the private home of George Washington, just north of Romney,” Jones added.

As the monument was unveiled Jones shared the inscription in the Latin “in pace milites mei” meaning “rest in peace my soldiers.”

The CHCO placed flowers on the grave in member of the fallen soldiers before the three gun salute by McNeill’s Rangers (SCA).

Visitors to Fort Ashby for the ceremony were invited to tour Ashby’s Fort to take a closer look at the history of the town.

For more information on establishing a moment under the protection of the CHCO call 301-722-4624 or visit www.chco.info