Asahel E. son of D. B. & M. W. Ellis Died at Union Mills, Va. April 19, 1863 Ae 20 ys 8 ms 9 ds One more soldier's yielded Fate One more home made desolate One more human task is ended One more form with dust is blended And the sorrowing parents mourn Still the death of the first born.

The above epitaph, probably written by Mary Ward (Stiles) Ellis, adorns this gravestone of her son, Asahel E. Ellis, Company I, 16th Regiment, in a Dummerston, Vermont cemetery. Next to the stone is a flag-stand that reads "Post 90 GAR." Ellis, and thousands like him, gave his time, his talent, and his future to his native state. It is fitting that we should commemorate this effort by locating, restoring if necessary, and recording the location of these miniature memorials, each speaking as many words about their deeds as many much more elaborate edifices.

Does your ancestor's tombstone indicate his Civil War service? Does it have a marker or flagholder showing his service? Carroll and Thelma Belanger recently found Leonard Leach's tombstone, in Eden, Vermont (see photo, right). It is marked, but in bad need of a cleaning. Next time they return to Vermont, they're going to clean it up. What is the condition of your ancestor's final resting place? If you aren't able to visit and find out, please consider contacting a local veterans association, and see if they would be willing to clean it up, and help maintain this American heroes memorial!