The St. Joseph of Apple Creek annual fall dinner held Nov. 3 had a Civil War twist this year.
During the mealtime, Ste. Genevieve’s Lt. Col. J. Felix St. James Camp #326 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War presented a display of Civil War items and discussed their list of Union soldiers who served from Perry County.
After dinner, the camp conducted a ceremony in the church cemetery to honor Anton Buchheit as the last living Union Civil War soldier in Perry County.
Buchheit, who died Jan. 16, 1940, was a member of Company A, 78th Enrolled Missouri Militia, serving in the unit in late 1864. His brothers, Henrich, William, and Joseph, also served in the 78th, 64th, and 8th Enrolled Missouri Militia. They and more than 40 other men who served the Union cause are buried in the cemetery.
The ceremony led by St. James Camp commander Ed Millinger was attended by four generations of Anton’s descendants, other Buchheit relatives, and friends. St. Joseph’s Pastor Michael Benz gave the invocation and final benediction.
Also participating with the St. James Camp were SUVCW Department of Missouri Commander Bob Aubuchon, Fletcher Camp #47 commander Dr. Chris Warren, Ryder Griffiths, Louisa Volker, and SUVCW Auxiliary #215 members Twyla and Abigail Warren. Ste. Genevieve’s John Wibbenmeyer, a descendant of Anton Buchheit, played Taps after a firing salute by the honor guard.
For those interested in more information about the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, email stjamescamp326@gmail.com.
