Those who have Civil War ancestors find camaraderie within the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Many Americans are proud of their ancestry, most being able to trace family trees back to a certain country, a certain event, or an important figure. However, those who are a part of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War’s Florida Department have something extra of which to be proud.
“My Civil War ancestor Charles D. Bovee, who I’m very proud of, was with the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and he served with Phil Sheridan, who was a big name in the civil war,” said Harry “Jack” Bovee, a Naples resident and retired history teacher.
Philip Sheridan was an Union commanding general who defeated the Confederates in Shenandoah and pursued Gen. Robert E. Lee, leading to his surrender, ending the Civil War.
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is a fraternal group for those who can trace their lineage back to a Union veteran, however, those who do not have Union soldier ancestry can also join as an associate member.
The group gathered on Feb. 28 and March 1 to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Myers as well as to honor a fallen member of the SUVCW, Sgt. Michael Urell, Sr., who died on Feb. 24. The group also honored Union Army veteran, Dr. John W. Wall, who is buried at Fort Myers cemetery. The group met at the IMAG History and Science Center where they held a meeting and luncheon.
“Michael Urell passed away just a few days ago, and we have a missing man table set up here to honor him,” Dr. Timothy Campaign said. He is the commander of the Florida Department of SUVCW. Urell also served as a previous Florida Department commander and was a long-time SUVCW member.
For members of SUVCW, having an ancestor who fought in the Civil War is both an honor and motivation.
“To be able to go out and tell other people that I had an ancestor who was a slave but then he was freed and he fought to free others, well, it tells me that I can do nothing less,” said Richard Wilder, president of the Florida Buffalo Soldiers motorcycle club and Color Bearer for the Florida Department of SUVCW.
When Wilder discovered he had Civil War ancestry, he joined the SUVCW. His ancestor, Asa Sanderlin, was a freed slave who fought in the Union Navy on the gunboat USS Miami. Wilder is still working with SUVCW to find out exactly how his ancestor was freed from slavery.
“There was so much pride instilled in me because I lecture and talk about the Civil War and the period after. But to know that I have a relative who actually fought, I can’t really express more than a sense of great pride,” Wilder said.
For some, such as Naples resident Harry “Jack” Bovee, being a member of SUVCW fulfills a patriotic duty.
“I never had the honor of serving my country, I still feel a little guilty and tried to get into the Peace Corps but I married young so they didn’t take me,” Bovee said.
Bovee found his purpose after joining SUVCW and urges others to get involved. He is in charge of the group’s many outreach programs, including those that work with ROTC, JROTC, and Scouts. SUVCW works with these young adults by awarding pins, patches, and scholarships.
Bovee also believes there are lessons that can be learned and warnings to be heeded from the Civil War.
“We have more that unites us than divides us, I think one of the most important parts of the Civil War was the reunification process,” Bovee said
The reunification, also known as the reconstruction period, was the period after the Civil War when southern states that had seceded were brought back into the United States of America.
“We look at the Civil War as the crucible by which this country was shaped, and we owe much of today’s freedoms to the Civil War generation,” Bovee said.
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