The last CW Vets

[AtlLaw]

Many years ago, when TV was still fairly new, and so was I, the "Today" show was even then on every morning and was hosted by Dave Garroway.

One day they had two CW vets on the show, one North and one South.  As I remember at least one was bed ridden.  That had to have been in 1952 or thereabouts and I remember asking my father, a WWI veteran, how they could have lived so long.  He said they were probably drummer boys.

Whatever, they were mighty old.  It's hard for me to imagine I was alive at the same time as CW Veterans.  Guess I'm getting mighty old my own self!   

[SouthernByGrace]

AtlLaw, I would love to have been alive while any Civil War Veteran was still alive.

This link will take you to an article showing the last surviving Civil War Veteran to die was a toss up between two Confederates, Walter Williams, who died on December 19, 1959  at the age of 117 years, and John B. Salling of the 25th Virginia, passing the same year at the age of 112.  Albert Woolson of Duluth Minnesota was the last Union Veteran. He died at the age of 109 in August of 1956. 
http://www.brotherswar.com/Perspective-13.htm

This just goes to show that the Civil War really was NOT that long ago... We in the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) are gearing up for the commencement of the Sesquicentennial (150 Years!!!) of the Beginning of the Civil War, which really started in November 1860, when South Carolina legally seceded from the Union (as taught by the Federal Government at West Point from 1779 to 1866).   

Anyway, I see what you mean about realizing Civil War Veterans were alive during your lifetime. Man, you gotta love it!!! 

Thanks, very interesting.

SBG
Deo Vindice