A Civil War Commemorative Event In Buffalo, New York

By Doug Draper

Memorial Day Weekend is here for our American neighbours across the border and this Sunday, May 29 everyone – Americans and Canadians alike – who has an interest in U.S. Civil War history is invited to a special commemorative event on one of the most historic lawns of Buffalo.

File photo of Civil War march through Forest Lawn in Buffalo. Photo by Michael Mandolfo and courtesy of Forest Lawn, Buffalo, N.Y.

That event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and take place in Forest Lawn Cemetery bordered by Buffalo’s Main Street and Delaware Avenue.

If you  are a Civil War buff, you may already know that tens-of-thousands of young Canadians from what was then still British North America enlisted in the Union and Confederate armies to fight in what remains the bloodiest conflict on this continent. This was a war, from 1861 to 1865, that affected the lives, often tragically, of many families in both our countries.
“Don’t miss our opening ceremonies, which start promptly at 11:00 a.m. and will be marked by cannon shot’” says Forest Lawn in a recent media release on this event which open and free to all members of the public. “Then, join us throughout the day for a parade, interactive exhibits, re-enactors, entertainment, historic, educational and living history displays and artifacts, kids’ activities, food vendors and more!”

“This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War,” add organizers of the Forest Lawn event “Did you know that Forest Lawn is rich with Civil War history?  There are more than 2,000 Civil War veterans interred at Forest Lawn, including 11 generals, seven Medal of Honor recipients and 14 members of the U.S. Colored Troops (as they were called then). BG Daniel Bidwell is buried there, as is Albert James Myer, who invented the wig-wag signal system during the War and went on to become the first commander of the Army Signal Corps., and founder of the U.S. Weather Bureau, and Elbridge Spaulding, who originated paper currency to help finance the Civil War.”

“There are many more stories to be told, and the public will learn more about the Civil War during Forest Lawn’s second annual Muster In The Meadow Civil War commemorative event, THIS Sunday, May 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  There will be more than 300 military and civilian Civil War re-enactors at this event from all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as some famous historic figures, such as Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Maria Love, Ely S. Parker and more…and a few surprises!”

There will be free parking and shuttle service from Canisius College Science Hall Parking Ramp, located at the corner of Jefferson and Delavan. For more information on Forest Lawn Cemetary, how to find it for this event and others, including regular tours of this place where many prominent Americans, including a president of the United States, rest, visit Forest Lawn’s website at www.forest-lawn.com .

The Fargo Estate Neighbourhood Association in Buffalo, N.Y. also shared with Niagara At Large some information about activities it will be participating in at Forest Lawn at during the same May 29 event. Here is the association’s release.

“This year the historian for Forest Lawn asked the Fargo Estate Neighborhood Association to display photos and interact with the public on the later life of Wm. G. Fargo, for the second annual Muster in the Meadow – Civil War encampment to be held at Forest Lawn, Sunday, May 29, 2011 from 10am to 5 p.m.

Wm. Fargo, besides being a co-founder of Wells Fargo Co. and American Express, was Mayor of Buffalo during the Civil War. During his tenure, he believed strongly in keeping the Union together and, as Mayor, was drawn in to the espionage which occurred in Montreal — as confederate spies and southern sympathizers tried to cross the Buffalo/Canadian border.”
From Niagara At Large, let’s join our American friends and neighbours in celebrating history that is such a significant part of our shared heritage.

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