Found a grave from the 33rd Missouri Co. B

[All for the Union]

Hey all, In a local cemetary I found several Civil War graves.

Many of them come from Pa Regiments, But I did find the grave of a guy from the 33rd Missouri, Co. B (Harvey H. Pine).

I found the grave of someone who served in the 55th Mass. Inf, Co. G (Colored Troops), but I am not able to read the name as the gravestone is covered in moss and such.

One other question, what is the best way to clean an old gravestone. I would ask permission of the caretakers of course, but I'd like to know who this guy is.

Is there someone specific to contact in Missouri or Mass. to let them know these guy are buried here? (If I can ID the guy from the 55th)?

Thanks,

"Death to all who support this armed revolution!"

All for the Union

[goosecrick]

Here's a tip from an archaeologist -- before you clean a gravestone, which can be harmful and hasten deterioration (depending on its mineral composition), try this:

Apply shaving cream to the grave marker's surface. Wait a minute, or two, until the foam fills all the nooks and crannies. Take a popsicle stick and scrape it at a 90 degree angle to the stone. Often, the foam remaining will make the engraving quite readable.
Then, be sure to rinse the stone with water to remove all residue of the shaving cream.

Also, you can photograph the stone and then using Photoshop or Picasa (or other image management software), change the light "source" or contrast to an oblique angle, this can bring inscriptions into readable relief.

If you get to the point, and have permission, to clean the markers, PM me and I'll share some appropriate methods.

good luck and be sure to share your discoveries (and place the information on file with your county library),

Karen Quanbeck

[tomsfiretruck]

Try contacting the local SUVCW or SCV camps.
If not local then contact the national HQ's. Both have graves registration programs.

Regards

Tom in Temple, TX
SCV Camp #1250