- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Location
- Ohio
If you visit plot #3829 at the Antietam National Cemetery, you will see the grave of Private Henry Struble of Co. C, 8th Pennsylvania Reserves (37th Pennsylvania). Struble was killed during the fighting at Frosttown Gap during the Battle of South Mountain on September 14, 1862.
Except he wasn't....
Struble was wounded during the fighting and taken to a field hospital. While lying in the hospital, Struble gave his canteen to another wounded soldier lying next to him who was complaining of thirst. The other soldier, whose name is unknown, died and the burial detail, believing the canteen to be his, identified him as Henry Struble. The misidentified soldier was later reinterred at Antietam.
Meanwhile the real Struble returned home to Youngwood, Pennsylvania. He lived until June 2, 1926. It is said that he would send flowers to decorate his grave every year on Memorial Day.
Except he wasn't....
Struble was wounded during the fighting and taken to a field hospital. While lying in the hospital, Struble gave his canteen to another wounded soldier lying next to him who was complaining of thirst. The other soldier, whose name is unknown, died and the burial detail, believing the canteen to be his, identified him as Henry Struble. The misidentified soldier was later reinterred at Antietam.
Meanwhile the real Struble returned home to Youngwood, Pennsylvania. He lived until June 2, 1926. It is said that he would send flowers to decorate his grave every year on Memorial Day.