DSC01004
The McCormick Family in the Civil War
"Caught up in the patriotism and the expectation of adventure at the beginning of the Civil War, 23 young men from Springdale volunteered to serve their Country, including the McCormick boys. Word of Springdale's first casualty came early in 1863. Sgt. George McCormick died in battle on January 11 at Arkansas Post, Arkansas. Sgt. McCormick was one of eight men of the 83rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment who fell that day while attacking Fort Hindman.
Six months later, on July 1, the 75th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps, was rushed into battle at Blocher's Knoll just north of the Town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The men demonstrated great bravery but the unexpected fallback of General Oliver Howard's troops cut off the 75th from the rest of the brigade. With no support on either flank, they were forced to withdraw under heavy fire. By evening, the Regiment's losses included 16 men killed, 74 wounded and 96 missing. Two of the men killed that day were Pvts. James McCormick and Jim Jackson of Springdale. In less than six months, the McCormick family had lost two sons. James McCormick was buried on the plains of Gettysburg along with his Springdale neighbor, Jim Jackson. Another McCormick brother, Ralph, served in Company K of the 186th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment and survived the war. It is poignant to note that Ralph joined the Army after his two brothers had died in combat.
The McCormick family's tragic sacrifice brought home to Springdale the hard reality of the war. Images of cotillions and parade marches were gone. Ultimately, the veterans came home, many bearing wounds that would remain with them the rest of their lives. Thirteen of these brave men, including Ralph McCormick, are buried in the Old St. Mary's Cemetery at the corner of Springfield Pike and Cameron Road."
DSC01004
The McCormick Family in the Civil War
"Caught up in the patriotism and the expectation of adventure at the beginning of the Civil War, 23 young men from Springdale volunteered to serve their Country, including the McCormick boys. Word of Springdale's first casualty came early in 1863. Sgt. George McCormick died in battle on January 11 at Arkansas Post, Arkansas. Sgt. McCormick was one of eight men of the 83rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment who fell that day while attacking Fort Hindman.
Six months later, on July 1, the 75th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps, was rushed into battle at Blocher's Knoll just north of the Town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The men demonstrated great bravery but the unexpected fallback of General Oliver Howard's troops cut off the 75th from the rest of the brigade. With no support on either flank, they were forced to withdraw under heavy fire. By evening, the Regiment's losses included 16 men killed, 74 wounded and 96 missing. Two of the men killed that day were Pvts. James McCormick and Jim Jackson of Springdale. In less than six months, the McCormick family had lost two sons. James McCormick was buried on the plains of Gettysburg along with his Springdale neighbor, Jim Jackson. Another McCormick brother, Ralph, served in Company K of the 186th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment and survived the war. It is poignant to note that Ralph joined the Army after his two brothers had died in combat.
The McCormick family's tragic sacrifice brought home to Springdale the hard reality of the war. Images of cotillions and parade marches were gone. Ultimately, the veterans came home, many bearing wounds that would remain with them the rest of their lives. Thirteen of these brave men, including Ralph McCormick, are buried in the Old St. Mary's Cemetery at the corner of Springfield Pike and Cameron Road."