On June 18, 1867, 52 Union soldiers were disinterred form the ‘Old Village Cemetery’ (original Mexico City Cemetery) and reinterred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. 35 did not have headboards (reburied as Unknown) and some of those that did just had initials. 49 were listed with the death date of being September 27, 1864. The others were soldiers that died of disease and at other times in the area. [As a side note – it appears as if soldiers were just buried with a wood board as a marker and their name (if known) was marked in pencil.]
I have only found 49 so far at Jefferson Barracks with 34 as Unknowns. 29 of all of these have a death date of September 27, 1864 and 4 states Fall of 1864. (Many have no date) Research has also proved that at least one of the names was incorrect (Thomas Goodman, who survived the massacre and wrote a booklet about it). I have not cross referenced the names I found at the National Cemetery with the ones listed at the Mexico disinterment, but there is no further information in regard to the names of those killed at Centralia as what had already been discussed. I also need to cross reference the soldiers with their burial order.
The cemetery was ‘abandoned’ sometime around the turn of the century and many of the citizens buried there were reinterred in surrounding cemeteries. At sometime, the cemetery was cleaned up and several of the headstones were placed in the wall. I did not copy that information as none of it pertained to Civil War era folk. If anyone wants that information, let me know and I will get a copy the next time I go there. (It was interesting to thumb through the requests for removals by the citizens as it stated the cause of death.) I am pretty sure that the 'Monument' at the cemetery just has to do with it being the original cemetery, but I will recheck the next time I go.
In regard to the 17th Illinois Cavalry soldier massacred from the train: It was John S. Harvey. I have a copy of his service record (no pension was applied) and one item states: Killed at the Massacre of Centralia, September 22, 1864. Another states: Discharge by reason of Death - Killed in action at Centralia, MO September 22, 1864. (I have no problem with the date as the service records were hand copied from the original muster rolls and mistakes were sometimes made.)
He is incorrectly listed as James S. Harvey, 16th Illinois Cavalry at Jefferson Barracks. I can see where they could misread the first name from the old wood headboard. Where the Regiment came from, I have no idea as the soldiers were sans uniforms.
He was 22 years old at the time and a native from London. England. He appeared to have lived in the Chicago area. If anyone is good at looking though censuses, they might see if they can locate him in 1860 and if he appears in 1870.
Craig Asbury