UDC members dedicate soldier’s grave marker
Hot Springs No. 80 UDC dedicated the grave marker of Pvt. Ithey Yeager Nash of the 12th Mississippi Cavalry, Company C, and the 14th Mississippi Regiment, Company E CSA, interred at the Beirne Brown Cemetery in Beirne on April 30.
Nash’s descendant, Renee Mauch, placed his military marker on the ground in front of his headstone, a news release said.
Chapter members performed various parts in the dedication ceremony. The James M. Keller Camp SCV members were the honor guard. Everyone participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States and the First National Flag of the CSA.
“The unveiling of the marker and placing of the wreath were graciously and reverently done by Arkansas Division President Peggy Maness and Arkansas Division Commander SCV David Loy Mauch. An honorary guest sang hymns, and another ended the ceremony with the playing of taps on his bugle,” the release said.
“Renee Mauch gave a brief biography of her ancestor. Literacy seemed to be a driving force in Ithey’s family. His wife, Anna Elizbeth Grissom Nash (1853-1901) was one of Arkansas’ early poets. She became Poet Laurette for the Southern Press in the 1890s. Following the War Between the States, Ithey became a teacher and later owned and operated the Gurdon Times newspaper in Gurdon. Their granddaughter, Sybil Nash Abrams (1900-1980) followed in their talent of using words to express emotions of the world around her. Being so accomplished in her poetic talent many accolades, publications, and membership in poetic societies had occurred. In 1968 an award was established in her name and is annually awarded on National Poetry Day,” the release said.
“The members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy still honor all veterans of every war the United States military has served in during the past 126 years. The organization was established upon the principles of benevolence, patriotism, memorial, historic preservation, and education. The founding women believed that the veterans needed proper medical care. They provided supplies, prothesis, bedding, volunteer hours, food, as well as homes and burial sites for the veterans of their day. The organization was instrumental in establishing collections of war relief items and War Bonds in WWI and WWII. The United States military veterans were and are still continually honored by the UDC,” the release said.
“Southern women came together to provide care, food, and support for women and children who patiently endured much pain and hardship during the war. The founder Caroline Meriwether Goodlett helped in securing a compulsory education bill passed by the Legislature. The education of children is one of the organization’s objectives. Scholarships were established and are provided for graduating high school seniors annually. It is our duty to protect and preserve sites made historical by the War Between the States. Dedicating burial sites of veterans and UDC members is another important obligation of the United Daughters of the Confederacy,” the release said.
The public is welcome to contact the Hot Springs Chapter No. 80 if there is a need to mark their Confederate ancestors’ graves. Women 18 years and older may request lineal research help for membership by emailing Jonesgal52@gmail. com.