Allamakee County Veterans Museum program to focus on Civil War era this Saturday

This Saturday, March 2, at 10 a.m., the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will present another program from its Veterans History Project at its museum located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon.

February 15, 1862, Private John Stillman, Co. B, 12th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Union Army, became the first soldier from Allamakee County to die in battle during the Civil War. Stillman served under the command of General U. S. Grant in his campaign against Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in Tennessee.

This was the first combined arms operation including U.S. Navy ironclad ships and U.S. Army land forces, which paved the way for Grant’s victory in April 1862 at the Battle of Shiloh. A video will be shown explaining the Battles for Forts Henry and Donelson, along with their importance to the Shiloh Battle and eventual control of the Mississippi River.

Stillman is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon and his tombstone was rededicated October 24, 2004 in ceremonies conducted by Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War - Camp 114, and the Waukon American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts.

The public is invited to attend Saturday’s program. There is no admission or membership charge. The facility is handicapped accessible.