The Controversies Over America's Last Civil War Veterans

Abstract

Author's Note: This is Version One of a work in progress. Much more research is needed on several individuals: unfortunately this looks like months of work, not only to find and collate primary source material, but to assess its veracity, and worth. Secondary sources are also needed, they clarify much. Another more detailed version should be posted in a few months. The verdict on the last surviving veterans is not set in stone, I'm looking forward to evidence that will verify them. ... I am expecting corrections, differing viewpoints, fallacies exposed and extra information. All are welcome: they will make for a better VERSION 2. This work examines the claims of those twenty-one people still alive in 1952 who said they were survivors of the American Civil War. One by one their claims are assessed. This book also assesses (and ultimately changed) several influential Wikipedia entries on this matter, notably "The Last Surviving Confederate Veterans." Although all but one of the Union veterans have a verified status and Albert Woolson of the Union remains the last proven survivor of the Civil War, two Confederates are also now verified as having served. All the others have had their claim raised in some way, if not yet fully proven.