Monument dedication scheduled in Cobden

A three-foot by four-foot gray, granite monument is being placed by the Union County Historical and Genealogy Society in the Cobden Cemetery.

The monument will be placed at the Grand Army of the Republic, GAR, burial plot. The monument, with the names of the nine Civil War veterans who are interred at the site, is scheduled to be unveiled at a dedication ceremony on Monday, May 30.

The dedication ceremony will follow a Memorial Day service which is set for 9:30 a.m. at the Cobden Cemetery.

The plot was established in 1889 by the Cobden Post of the GAR. This is the 150th anniversary of the founding of the GAR. 

The GAR was  a national organization whose primary purpose was to preserve the names of those who gave their lives in defense of their country and to assist their widows and orphans.  Gen. John A. Logan of Murphysboro served three terms as the commander-in-chief of the GAR.

An exhibit including the original 1882 Cobden GAR charter, Civil War weapons, Gen. Logan- and GAR-related memorabilia of the period is being sponsored by the historical society and will be available for viewing in the cemetery chapel.

The Cobden Women’s Club plans to host a reception in the chapel following the ceremony.The public is invited and all of the events are free.