When Did the Last Civil War Veteran Widow Die?
The American Civil War was a pivotal moment in the country’s history, marked by the brutal confrontation between the Union (northern states) and Confederacy (southern states). The war lasted for four years, from April 1861 to May 1865, resulted in the deaths of nearly 620,000 and forever changed the nation’s fabric. The war concluded more than 150 years ago, but its significance continues to resonate today, and so does the personal cost it exacted, including the lives of military personnel and their families, such as widows.
The Last Civl War Veteran Widow died in 2003
The last known civilian war widow, M. Rebecca Morgan, passed away on August 30, 2003, at the age of 93. Morgan received her widow’s pension long after the war, stemming from her husband’s original enrollment in the Union military in 1862 at the age of 17 as a drummer boy. Robert L. Morgan, Rebecka’s husband, enlisted in the 126th Ohio Infantry Regiment after completing his 14 weeks of training. He distinguished himself in several battles but succumbed to tuberculosis in February 1864 at the age of 29, leaving his young pregnant wife behind.
Post-war Life and Pension Received
After Robert L. Morgan’s death in February 1864, M. Rebecca Morgan settled on a farm in Lucasville, Ohio, trying to make ends meet following the loss of her dear husband. The government initiated an investigation into her life as part of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home and Hospital system before acknowledging her as a full war widow. In return for her husband’s posthumous service, the USA offered her a pension consisting of $12 or about $350 in Today’s Dollars. When Robert L. Morgan began fighting in the war; Becca Morgan was quite youthful, just 6-7 years old due to the early death circumstances that left her with memories for her life.
On her deathbed, which had taken place in Montgomery County, Ohio, She has left behind a living descendant of the family her name is now a historic fact, as she outlived the last U.S. Civil War service participant. In 1827, Becca Martin gave birth to her infant children. In 15 different marriages, she re-married 23 years after her husband; death, with her age during her marriage being extremely rare.
Other surviving Civl War Widow Reminiscences
Notable mentions of female civil war widows remaining with their children, friends and family include:
Elizabeth Jones, the widow
Abigail Collins, both received their pension in mid-year
M. Caroline Morgan, a widow 24 years old
K. M. Morgan Sr.
The Last Unwed Civil War Widow of an Enlisted Soldier?
It is difficult now that we know the existence of M. Rebecca to recognize the last unwidowed soldier. In light of the data available this seems to be the earliest Civil War widow. Based on historical records, though a number of Civil Rights warriors are known to become orphaned during the ongoing fighting, the last solitary remaining soldier was a result. It is evident in this situation that when soldiers die in battle no women were left behind ( widows ). After a thorough examination all relevant documents and records, as a result of some cases where widows from 1865 lived the rest of their and received pensions from the end date of the war they are the last unowed soldiers.
Additionally to this article, research showed that there appears no more records of anyone of this sort by way of Civil War Civil war widow or orphan during war, the last recognized or recorded one being during an event of this historic occurrence.
