Ignacio Zamora, a Texas sergeant who served in the Union Army during the Civil War, finally received the military honors he earned, thanks to the efforts of his great-grandson, the Valley Morning Star reported Sunday.
"After gathering all of the needed documentation," the Star reported, Eloy Zamora received a military headstone for his great-grandfather from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
"Now," Gail Burkhardt wrote, "Sgt. Zamora’s headstone sits next to his relatives’ graves in the small Peñitas Cemetery."
“I’m a veteran myself, and it’s very important we recognize and honor all those who served,” Zamora, an Army veteran who served in Berlin in the 1970s, said.
About 950 Mexican-Texans fought in the Union Army during the Civil War, even though Texas was part of the Confederacy.
According to records Zamora found, his ancestor joined the Union Army 2nd Regiment Texas Cavalry Company in Brownsville in 1864, and served until November 1865. He died in 1917 at the age of 82, the Star said.
"Eloy Zamora found several records including a report of a skirmish Sgt. Zamora fought in near Santa Rosa, and his discharge papers," the report added.
Zamora said he is proud of his great-grandfather, who chose to serve his country during the Civil War.
“It’s just an awesome and great feeling to know that someone in our family fought in the Civil War, which was the bloodiest war and most horrific war we’ve had in the U.S.,” he said.
Fighting at Arkansas Post and Fort Hindman.
One hundred fifty years ago this week, the Associated Press said, the war had come to southeast Arkansas as 32,000 Union troops under Maj. Gen. John McClernand moved against some 5,500 Confederates based at Fort Hindman, near Arkansas Post.
"Union vessels launch raking artillery fire at Fort Hindman, a prelude to an infantry attack," the AP said.
Confederates ultimately surrendered on Jan. 11, but the victory did little to advance the Union goal of taking Vicksburg.
More of this series at Examiner.com can be found here.
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