"Blessed are the dead that the rain falls on."
~Edward Thomas
On a somber, rainy May 8 in 2010, we buried our beloved Elihu Legro. A man who proudly served his country and his state in the 6'th New Hampshire Infantry all while serving his God as a minister of the Methodist faith.
I remember the day he enlisted in 1861 as a private. Of course that wasn't enough for Elihu as he also asked to serve on the medical staff.
He was beloved by his men and was so promoted to Lieutenant in 1862.
He became gravely ill shortly thereafter with disease and was called back to his Lord on the first day of the new year 1863.
What a comfort it was to see medical officers who served in The Great Cause marching along next to clergy, both there to honor Elihu.
It seemed as if the whole state had shown up for Elihu's reburial.
A fife and drum band led the procession, followed by a detail of the 6'th New Hampshire.
Elihu was carried in a handsome horse drawn hearse which was procured all the way from North Berwick, Maine. Following the hearse was the New Hampshire National Guard's Honor Guard as well as many ladies in mourning and clergy who tried their best to comfort the grieving ladies. Also in the procession was Governor's Horse Guard and groups including the Son's of Union Veterans, the Masons, and VFW members.
It was a sight to behold to see his widow and child. What a great loss it must of been for his family to endure.
Elihu's widow looked appropriately mournful dressed in her widow's weeds. She will mourn her husband in this way for the next full year.
I could not help becoming choked up to see such a fine man be lifted from the carriage in a pine box.
The Honor Guard looked so very smart dressed in their uniforms. They performed their solemn duties while patriots watched on, holding flags.
The New Hampshire Regiment stood at attention, their hearts heavy.
A bugler stood at the head of the open grave. The soldier's constant companion. Always there at the beginning of a campaign and now standing as a silent century at the close of this soldier's battle.
The flag Elihu had fought so proudly to preserve was laid with honor on top of his casket.
The ceremony opened with some words of thanks to those who had turned out to honor Elihu's memory.
Though Mary couldn't be with her husband when he died in a Washington hospital, it would have given her a measure of comfort to see the hospital steward there in attendance.
Elihu's contemporaries did a brilliant job with the unfolding of the flag.
Had he been there, I know Elihu would have been proud to see those glorious stars and stripes folded with such pride and precision.
A token his widow would forever cherish.
Mounted Calvary members saluted as the flag was presented.
Arms were presented and the sharp percussion of fire pierced the melancholy air.
As quickly as the firing began it seemed to end, only to be replaced by a heart wrenching rendition of Taps.
There was scarcely a dry eye left in the cemetery.
With the program completed the soldiers lined up and took their leave. The somber tunes that were played by the fife and drum band on the march in, were now replaced by a somewhat more lively dirge. Ladies who had laid flowers made sure to take one home to press into their Bibles. These would serve as a final remembrance, a token of the day.
For a few hours Rochester, New Hampshire had seemed to step back in time as it honored one of it's sons with what arguable may very well be the State's final Civil War Soldier's funeral.
For more information on why this reburial took place in Rochester New Hampshire in 2010
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