Tombstone Inscriptions |
The explosion of the Allegheny Arsenal in 1862 represented the greatest civilian casualty of the Civil War.
Read Tribune Review account by Arthur B. Fox and John Carnprobst
Arthur B. Fox is a Pittsburgh free-lance writer and historical archaeologist
John L. Carnprobst is an expert
on ordnance and the Allegheny Arsenal
In addition to these graves in St. Mary's Cemetery, there is also an Allegheny Arsenal Explosion Monument
in
Allegheny Cemetery on Butler Street, adjacent to St. Mary's Cemetery.
That monument memorializes the
women, girls and boys who were killed in the arsenal explosion Sept. 17,
1862.
A total of 75 workers died in the explosion, making it the worst industrial
accident associated with the Civil War.
The Carnegie Public Library Site Offers A Photograph Of The Arsenal
A List Of All Persons Injured Or Killed In The Explosion
Along With The Following Newspaper Article:
To Erect Memorial to Women Who Lost Lives in Arsenal.
Large Granite Boulder.
Will Be Placed Near Scene of Allegheny Arsenal Disaster.The unsung heroines of the Civil War, women of that fatal Magazine explosion which shook the city on the afternoon of September 17, 1862, when almost a hundred lost their lives in the Allegheny Arsenal, are at last to be recognized. These unknown martyrs are to be immortalized by the erection of a suitable memorial placed near the scene of the fatal accident. A large granite boulder from the quarries of Maine, weighing over five tons, will shortly arrive in this city and will be set in place. A bronze tablet, the design of which was conceived by the New York artist, Albert Dreyfus. Over 300 pounds of bronze will be used in casting it, and will bear the names of the unfortunates with the inscription "Dedicated to the Heroines of the Civil War."
Congressman James Francis Burke, who was instrumental in securing the presentation of one of the cannons used in the fatal strife of almost a half century ago, has succeeded in procuring two more cannons which will flank the sides of the granite boulder. The first cannon was used for producing souvenirs, which were sold to defray the expenses of the monument.Dedicated on Anniversary.
It has been decided by the committee that the dedication of the monument will be held on the anniversary of the accident, September 17. Suitable arrangements will be made for the unveiling, which occasion will be a holiday for the Lawrenceville district.
The erection of the monument is due to the untiring efforts of Dr. A. J. Lewin of 3703 Penn Avenue, the secretary of the Arsenal Monument Association and his band of women, members of the G.A.R. committee, who are: Mesdames Margaret McGraw, George M. Paisley, Elizabeth Moore, Battie Lincoln, Lizzie Cargo, Margaret Burns, George Krapp, John M. Brown, Henrietta Gerwig, Grundmar and Nichelson. Dr. Lewin has also issued a notice to all those parties who know some of the names of the unfortunates who were forgotten since that time. It is thought that many more than the records show were injured and died.
====================================================================================================================================== SURNAME FIRST NAME DEATHDATE CEMETERY AND SECTION OTHER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAXTER HANNAH 18 Sept 1862 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec B Arsenal Explosion - Source - Bill Reynolds BISHOP BARBARA 18 Sept 1862 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec L Arsenal Explosion - Source - Bill Reynolds BLUMMER ELIZABETH McSLAIN 30 Apr 1930 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec P Last survivor of the Arsenal explosion - Source - Bill Reynolds BURKHART CATHERINE 18 Sept 1862 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec P Arsenal Explosion - Source - Bill Reynolds DILLON CATHERINE 18 Sept 1862 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec I Arsenal Explosion, CIVIL WAR - Source - Bill Reynolds DONNELLY MARY A. 18 Sept 1862 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec P Arsenal Explosion, CIVIL WAR - Source - Bill Reynolds DOUGAN CATHERINE 18 Sept 1862 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec D Arsenal Explosion, CIVIL WAR - Source - Bill Reynolds McBRIDE KATE 18 Sept 1862 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec K Arsenal Explosion, CIVIL WAR - Source - Bill Reynolds McKENNA ELLEN 17 Sept 1862 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec D Arsenal Explosion - Source - Bill Reynolds McKENNA SUSAN 18 Sept 1862 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec B Arsenal Explosion, CIVIL WAR - Source - Bill Reynolds MURPHY MARY 18 Sept 1862 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec P Arsenal Explosion, CIVIL WAR - Source - Bill Reynolds ROURKE CATHERINE 18 Sept 1862 St. Mary's Lvl, Sec K Arsenal Explosion, CIVIL WAR - Source - Bill Reynolds
A SPECIAL THANKS TO BILL REYNOLDS
BILL IS A MEMBER OF THE DAVIS STAR CAMP
(SONS OF THE UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR).
Civil War Veterans Tombstone Inscriptions, Allegheny County Pennsylvania
Copyright � 2000 - 2008 ~ Tom and Nancy McAdams
May 13, 2000
Last update March 11, 2008