How an enterprising amateur historian “discovered” a fallen hero at Marietta National Cemetery.
Canadian-born Private Dennis B. Buckley died a Union hero in the Battle of Peach Tree Creek near Atlanta on July 20, 1864. For his actions, he was awarded the US Medal of Honor, today the nation’s highest military honor. Then he and his bravery were buried and lost for 142 years at Marietta National Cemetery. And all because of a clerical error.
Buried with approximately 10,000 other Civil War veterans at Marietta, Buckley’s original headstone was labeled, “Dennis B. Burkley.” That’s likely because all the original service and cemetery records are handwritten in script. Add sloppy handwriting to the speed at which Civil War remains were reinterred at Marietta National beginning in 1866, and it’s easy to understand how the mistake was possible.
In 2006, amateur historian John DuBois of Caledonia, N.Y., dug deep intoCivil War records, tracing his grandfather’s 136th New York Infantry unit. According to a story in the Washington Post, DuBois “found records that listed Buckley as a member and a grave number that matched the grave at the cemetery with Buckley’s name misspelled.” He notified the cemetery, which did its own research, confirmed the error, and also certified his Medal of Honor award.
With the mistake found and corrected, Marietta National Cemetery officials set out to properly memorialize Buckley’s final resting place with a Medal of Honor designation. The original headstone crumbled when officials attempted to move it.
Today, a brilliant white marble headstone with gold lettering at Marietta National plot 59-G-17-1 memorializes Buckley’s final resting place and brave achievements. Engraving includes his status as a prisoner of war, and as Medal of Honor recipient killed in action.
Buckley died July 20, 1864, at the Battle of Peach Tree Creek, part of General William T. Sherman’s March to Atlanta. His 136th New York Infantry Division was attacked repeatedly that day by the 20th Division of General John B. Hood. During one of those assaults, Buckley charged the Confederate line formed by the 31st Mississippi. Knocking down the unit’s flag-bearer with the butt of his rifle, Buckley seized the flag, then waved it. His celebration was short-lived, as a bullet ricocheted off the flag’s mast, striking Buckley in the head and killing him.
Earlier in the war, Buckley had been captured and held as a POW by Confederate soldiers during a skirmish raid on January 11, 1863, at Bank’s Ford, VA. Following a Civil War parole procedure, Buckley was released back to the Union Army, with a timed promise not to take up arms. Records show he was “employed as a nurse” at the US Army General Hospital in Annapolis, MD, on June 1, 1863.
One year later, on May 31, 1864, Buckley returned to the 136th New York, and was listed for active duty. During June and July, his unit fought in Battle of Pine Hill (June 11-14), Battle of Lost Mountain (June 15-17), Battle of Gilgal or Golgotha Church (June 15), Battle of Muddy Creek (June 17), Battle of Noyes’ Creek (June 19), Battle of Kolb’s Farm (June 22), Assault on Kennesaw Mountain (June 27), Battle of Ruff’s Station/Smyrna Camp Ground (July 4),Battles along the Chattahoochee River (July 6-17) and the Battle of Peachtree Creek — where Buckley met his demise.
Our Growing Series on Marietta National Cemetery
Since we live nearby, we frequently walk the pathways through Marietta National Cemetery. We’re often intrigued by what we find, and develop new articles. You can find all our posts about Marietta National Cemetery and the heroes resting in its hills by clicking here.
