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If graves could talk, the history we could learn |
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Wednesday, 26 August 2009 |
 By ELLEN MORTENSEN
Chief Assistant Editor
ANSELMO - - Rural Nebraska is littered with old country cemeteries; and in those cemeteries dozens of very old graves whose markers are often barely legible any more.
The stories of the people buried there are often long forgotten. We have all seen them - the lonely graves - no decorations, no family. And those who still have surviving family often know barely more than the names of the deceased themselves.
It was a random e-mail that peeked our interest in a long forgotten Civil War soldier buried in Anselmo. The soldier’s genealogy stated only that he had died in 1888, and was buried in St. Anselmo, Neb.
That brought out the curiosity in this reporter, and after a couple of hours of searching, the grave of David Zehrung was located in Grand View Cemetery west of Anselmo. The marker is very plain, but still quite legible. It simply reads: “David Zehrung, Company G, 14th Iowa Infantry, Veteran, ‘61-’65, Civil War.”
The grave is not unlike many others in our local cemeteries. And a little research reveals the story of the man buried there.
David Zehrung was born in Tama County, Iowa, the son of Johan Adam Zehrung and Christine Bruner. He enlisted into Company G of the 14th Iowa Infantry Oct. 12, 1861.
According to records, David’s company fought bravely at Fort Donelson and also at the heroic stand at Shiloh, now remembered in history as the “Hornet’s Nest.” When the Confederate forces attacked the Union army gathered around Shiloh Church at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., they caught Generals Grant and Sherman off guard and unprepared.
The southern army was able to overwhelm most of the Union regiments who stood up to fight them. At the Hornet’s Nest, a stiff line of stubborn resistance formed that halted their advance and provided Grant the time to reorganize his scattered army in a final line of defense and to reinforce his army overnight. The delay at the Hornet’s Nest broke the southern momentum and probably saved the careers of both Grant and Sherman, who later went on to win the war and preserve the Union.
The bravery of these men who held their ground saved Grant’s army at the cost of their own lives and freedom. Late in the day, the men of the Hornet’s Nest were finally surrounded and almost out of ammunition, were forced to surrender. As Grant made his plans for the next day’s victory, these men, including David Zehrung, were taken prisoner and sent to POW camps in the deep south.
Captured with him was his brother-in-law, Joseph A. Shanklin. David was married to Joseph’s sister, Sarah.
David and Joseph were imprisoned at Camp Oglethorpe in Macon, Ga. After a few months they were released on parole to await official exchange, but David’s health was in bad shape. He was discharged for disability March 31, 1863.
Joseph returned to his regiment and was promoted to Lieutenant. During the Red River campaign in Louisiana, he fought at Fort deRussy and at Pleasant Hill, where almost two years to the day of the battle of Shiloh, he was killed in action. His body was never recovered, and is believed to be buried in an unmarked grave.
After the war, David and Sarah came to Custer County Nebraska, and filed a homestead claim in April 1888. The couple brought with them their children; Carrie Spencer and husband Zimy H., Effie A. Parker and husband E.A.; James Zehrung and wife Myra, William Zehrung and Harry A. Zehrung.
In October 1888, David died on the homestead. Sarah and the rest of the family remained on the place to finish “proving up.” On Jan. 17, 1898, a patent for the land was issued to the heirs of David Zehrung by the U.S. government. On Feb. 14, 1898, the land was sold to Mary L. Snell.
After selling the homestead, David’s widow and children packed up their belongings and moved to Oregon. It is unclear whether any descendants of Zehrung remain in Custer County. It is also unclear just when the family migrated to Custer County, as the family is found in Nebraska’s 1880 census. Sarah’s mother, Eliza Shanklin, also lived with the Zehrung family.
By all accounts, David Zehrung was a war hero, whose bravery - along with the others like him - allows this nation to remain the world’s only democracy. He brought his family to Custer County in search of a better life; land and prosperity. Unfortunately, he did not live long enough to see that happen.
He now rests in an all but forgotten grave. But today we tell his story. One man. One soldier. One lesson in history.
The next time you visit the cemetery and pass by one of these old, plain, white markers, challenge yourself to remember David Zehrung’s story. We owe them at least that much. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 September 2009 )
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