Individuals representing Illinois’ Col. Friedrich K. Hecker Camp #443 SUVCW; 17th Missouri Vol. Infantry Regiment; Alton Jaeger Guard reenactors; 114th Illinois Vol. Infantry Regiment; Grant Camp #68 SUVCW Dept. Of Missouri; and others pose for a group photograph following a dedication ceremony June 25. (Photo by Sheila Wildermuth)

By Brother Gerald Sonnenberg, editor

On Saturday June 25, 2022, Col. Hecker Camp hosted an unveiling and dedication of the grave markers for two brothers who fought in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. The dedication took place at the Old Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Worden, Illinois, and approximately 30 people attended.

In August 2021 during the National Encampment of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) in St. Louis, Missouri, Hecker Camp Commader Dave Wildermuth was approached by Brother Stephen Schulze of the SUVCW Lieutenant Commander Edward Lea USN, Camp 2 in Houston, Texas about helping him get government markers for his great grandfather and great uncle Henry and Frederick Schulze.

“We were able to get one (marker) for his great uncle Frederick who was killed at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee. It’s unknown where or if he was buried,” said Wildermuth. “The family purchased a bronze plaque to be mounted on Henry’s family marker, and we placed Frederick’s government marker next to Henry, with our Camp and the Worden American Legion helping the family financially to have it installed.

The ceremony included a firing salute with rifles and cannon following the presentations and speech by Brother Schulze, as well as bagpipes and trumpets providing music.

Hecker Camp and the Schulze family would like to thank the following individuals and groups that helped with the Dedication: Worden American Legion; 17th Missouri Vol. Infantry Regiment; Alton Jaeger Guard reenactors portraying the 9th Illinois Vol. Infantry Regiment; Pastor H.R. Curtis, Trinity Lutheran Church Worden, Illinois; Commander Gary Gunderson, Dept. of Illinois SUVCW; Trumpeters from the 114th Illinois Vol. Infantry Regiment reactivated (Andy Van Devoort and Violet); bagpiper Dan Jackson, PCC Grant Camp #68 SUVCW Dept. Of Missouri; and all other brothers from Hecker Camp that helped. Thanks also goes to the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery Board, Village of Worden representative and Madison County Enquirer for coverage, as well as Sheila and Rachel Wildermuth.