Vernon Tradition Again Honors Civil War Veterans Buried At Grove Hill

VERNON, CT — Thursday evening marked another year for a pre-Memorial Day tradition in Vernon.

Members of the Alden Skinner Camp No. 45 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the New England Civil War Museum placed flags at the headstones of 145 local Civil War Veterans buried at Grove Hill Cemetery.

A service then followed at the grave of Capt. Thomas Burpee. A wreath was placed at his headstone and an honor guard fired a volley.

Museum archives tell us that Burpee (1830-1864) was born in Stafford, married Adeline Harwood in the early 1850s and the couple had three children.

The family lived in Vernon when the Civil War broke out and Burpee enlisted as a Captain in Company D of the 14th Connecticut Infantry in July, 1862, according to the museum.

He was transferred into the 21st Connecticut Infantry in September and quickly promoted to major and then lieutenant colonel, according to museum records.

On June 5, 1864, Burpee was recommended for promotion to colonel, but was was mortally wounded four days later by a rebel sharpshooter while inspecting picket lines during the Battle of Cold Harbor. He died two days later without ever receiving his promotion.

The civil war museum will be open on Monday from 9 to 11 a.m. so those waiting for the Memorial Day parade can visit. It is on the second floor of Town Hall.