| Lt. Edward John Kent Johnston, CSN, returns
home to Florida |
After some 139 years, Lt. Johnston was returned home to be buried with his wife
and children in Bosque Bello Cemetery, Fernandina Beach, Florida. Johnston died in a POW
camp in Massachusetts on October 13, 1863. He had been the engineering officer aboard the
CSS Atlanta and was captured with the rest of her crew on June 3, 1863, when she ran
aground in a Naval battle near Savannah, Georgia. |
October 26, 2002, Lt. Johnston returns home. This was an historic and moving
occasion and a once in a lifetime experience. It is doubtful that most in attendance will
ever again see a Confederate Naval Officer laid to rest. The SCV, the UDC, the various
reenactors, and all who had a part in this ceremony are to be commended.
CLICK THUMBNAILS TO VIEW LARGER
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| C.S.S. Belle bore
the remains of Lt. Johnson home. |
The Belle's crew. |
Swapping sea
stories as a flag officer paces. |
Inspecting the
crew. |
Removing the
remains from the Belle. |
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| Pall bearers take
remains to carriage. |
Placing Lt.
Johnston on the carriage. |
Some of
your photographer's
crew looks on. |
Under the watch eye
of the Confederate Navy. |
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| Riderless horse
will take his place in the funeral procession. |
The cortege forms. |
A lone sentry leads
the procession. |
Attendees
join the procession to the Bosque Bello Cemetery. |
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| Perhaps the
youngest Confederate in attendance. |
But your
photographer's granddaughter must be a close second! |
Confederate
onlookers (be they privates, generals or civilians) line
the route |
The Florida League
of the South's, Jim Lear bears Florida's Confederate State Flag. |
Marching down 14th
Street to the cemetery. |
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| Some
pictures of your photographer's family in the procession--my wife, my daughter, my
grandson, my granddaughter--please bear with my personal references. |
The
procession continues
to the cemetery. |
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| Approaching
the cemetery entrance. |
Turning into the
cemetery. |
A strangely
familiar observer. |
The beautiful paths
within the cemetery. |
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| Winding through the
cemetery to the gravesite. |
3rd
Florida Regimental Band
provided music. |
The
funeral carriage arrives
at the gravesite. |
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| The color guard
awaits their call. |
John Adams,
Commander, Florida Division, SCV was moderator. |
Lt. Johnston is
finally rejoined with family. |
Compatriot Nelson
Winbush gave the invocation. |
Rendering honors. |
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| Posting
of the colors. |
Solemn
remembrance of our heroes and our nation. |
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| Descendants
of Lt. Johnston |
The
funeral service |
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| One of Lt.
Johnston's descendants addresses the crowd. |
G-G-Grandson, Lt.
Col. Henry Bond, USMC, Ret., catalogued the Lt.
Johnston's life. |
SCV Commanders
place a wreath. |
Flag
folded for presentation to family. |
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| Honor
guard's salute. |
Bugler renders
honors. |
"Present
Arms!" |
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| Lt. Johnston's
marker and Cross of Honor. |
Your photographer
with his grandson. I had to "lift" the photo from another posting to prove that
I was indeed at this wonderful event. Thank you, Linda. |
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Contact
Greg Wilson
Email: gregscv@aol.com
Website: libcfl.org/gregscv |
