11th Indiana Medal of Honor Awardees
Obituary of Charles H. Seston:
New Albany Daily Ledger 6 Oct 1864 p 2 c 2: C. H. Seston. — It is with pain that we announce that our fellow townsman, Charles H. Seston, of the 11th Indiana, was killed in one of the late engagements in the Valley between Sheridan and Early. Serg’t. Seston was quite a young man, but a braver heart never beat than his, and in the many battles through which his regiment has passed, he bore a gallant part. The news of his death will pall the hearts of many friends in sorrow. They have this to comfort them, however, he fell nobly and bravely at the post of duty in defense of his country.
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On file cards at New Albany Floyd County Public Library:
Seston, Charles H., Sergeant; 11th Regiment; Company I; Enlisted in New Albany, not in Marion Co. according to Mr. Glenn C. Allen; PO Box 255, New Albany; references of the Book 7; recipient of the Medal of Honor; A library of Congress Book, put out in 1963; The citation was given for capturing a confederate flag.
Note: Charles’ obituary does not state the cemetery name, however most people believe that he is buried on his father’s lot. There is a stone which is partially illegible in John Seston’s lot in Fairview Cemetery. While it is illegible, there definitely is a C H on it. There is no listing in the burial register for him or when his body was returned to New Albany for burial. There were a few burials listed in the register during this time period. Some soldiers are listed, however most of them listed seem to be the ones who died in the Civil War Hospitals in New Albany.
NEW ALBANY, IN Saturday, September 17, 2005.
On an overcast Saturday morning, members of the New Albany community and Company D. 11th Indiana Zouaves came together at the Fairview cemetery to help rededicate Sgt. Charles H. Seston, Company I. 11th Indiana Zouaves, new headstone. Falling in with the members of Company D., was Private Eric U. Lowman, (Historian / Author / Actor) portraying a member of the 12th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
The Seston grave rededication was started with words from the Mayor of New Albany and other attending dignitaries. After all the speakers had concluded their speeches in tribute to Sgt. Seston, members of Company D. ended the ceremony by firing a 21 gun salute. The firing of the muskets was precise and crisp and Private Shawn Bentz played a beautiful rendition of “Taps”.
F/Sgt. Mike Beck
From the News-Tribune Newspaper, New Albany Indiana, September 20, 2005
Ceremony held at the grave of nearly-forgotten Civil War hero
By KYLE LOWRY - Tribune Staff Writer
A smattering of people, both local and out-of-state, gathered in Fairview Cemetery yesterday to honor one of New Albany's lesser known heroes.
About 140 years ago, the body of Civil War hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Charles H. Seston, 24, was laid to rest in Fairview, which was once the city's main cemetery. The 11th Indiana Infantry Sergeant was mortally wounded at the third battle of Winchester, as he led Union soldiers in a mission to capture the rebel position and flag.
Little else is known about Seston's life, but many feel his medal of honor is a testament to the fact that he must have been very brave. Out of the approximately 180,000 Indiana men who served in the war, only 45 were issued medals of honor and Seston was one of only two men who was given the honor posthumously.
Sellersburg resident Tom Lowe was one of the onlookers at yesterday's cemetery and said, "This was unique opportunity to honor a medal of honor winner."
Unfortunately, over the years, Seston's accomplishments became buried as deep as his body.
But his memory was soon to be exhumed. Earlier this year, Eric Lowman, Fayetteville, PA, and his father John of northern Indiana were doing research for a book they are writing about Indiana veterans. The two men became intrigued with the idea of finding Seston's grave and making him a part of their writing venture.
With the help of staff at the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library and Fairview Cemetery Foreman Marvin Fulton, the Lowman's were able to locate the general area where Seston was buried.
However, when they discovered the disrepair the grave was in, the two men along with Rising Sun history buff P.G. Gentrup and Don Morfe of Baltimore, MA, worked not only to get a new tombstone for the Civil War hero, but also to have his hometown recognize his achievements.
"It's neat because for this community here you've got a medal of honor winner and nobody knew it," Eric Lowman said.
At a tombstone rededication ceremony held at Fairview Cemetery yesterday morning, Seston's new white tombstone shown brightly in the sun as Mayor James Garner spoke about Seston's "remarkable life." Gentrup also made a few comments praising New Albany's nearly forgotten hero and said, "If we don't remember these guys then we're not doing our job as a country."
STERLING, JOHN T.
Rank and organization: Private, Company D, 11th Indiana Infantry.