Great-Great-Grandfather Found

About 1990, I visited my great-aunt, Elsie Foster. Since she was the oldest living relative, I asked her about our family. She told me that her grandfather died in the Civil War, and that she and a sister (Sylvania, who had moved to Raleigh) had visited the grave in Richmond, Va. Through genealogical research I found that his name was Anthony Foster, 26th North Carolina Regiment, Co. C. Anthony was drafted at age 43, on September 1, 1863. He left behind his wife, Rachel, and several children, one of whom was my great-grandfather, Thomas Clingman Foster. Anthony served honorably, but died on March 15, 1865 in Farmville, Virginia. His body was transported to Richmond for burial. Because he did not come home after the war ended, the family believed that he had been shot; but he actually died of illness. By reading the history of the 26th N.C. Regiment, I was able to follow the activities that he and his regiment were involved in, including the major battle at Cold Harbor. Finally, I was able to locate his grave in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. Although his grave was not marked, it had been plotted on a grid at the cemetery. Fortunately, I was able to obtain a grave marker, and cemetery personnel placed it at his grave site on April 29, 2014. Now, I carry photos of his grave marker in my car and pass them out to relatives as I see them. Having taken many history courses in high school and college, I didn’t even know that my ancestor had served in the Civil War until I was 45 years old. But, through genealogical research and asking questions, I was able to find him and have a marker placed on his grave.