Francis Winters
Submitted by Richard McCormick 11
November
2012
Francis Winters, Co. E US Artillery 2nd Regiment
Kentucky Post, Monday, 28 August 1905, page 5
Fought Indians – Francis Winters, Who Campaigned Against the Seminoles, Is Dead
Francis Winters, 80, a veteran of Indian Wars, died yesterday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. M. Young, 816 Central-av., Newport. Winters enlisted in 1854 and served throughout the campaign against the Seminole Indians. He then served in the War of the Rebellion and was under fire no less than 42 times. He leaves two children.
The funeral will take place tomorrow morning, with services at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. He was a member of the G.A.R. and the old veterans, with a detachment of the regulars will attend the funeral. The members of William Nelson Post, G.AR., will meet at their hall at 9 a.m. to attend the services.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 29 August 1905, page 5
Vets Refused to Follow Regulars–Members of the G.A.R. Declined to Attend Funeral of Comrade Because Firing Squad Marched in Front
Members of William Nelson Post, G.A.R., of Newport, KY., angered because they could not march directly in front of the hearse, refused to participate Tuesday in the funeral of Francis Winters, 80, veteran of several wars. A firing squad of 15 soldiers from the Fourth Infantry, of Ft. Thomas, insisted on marching in front of the hearse, and, as Uncle Sam’s warriors were in position first, the G.A.R. men marched back to the hall before the funeral procession started.
Winters enlisted in the Seminole War in Florida in 1854, fought Indians in the West and again enlisted in the Civil War. He was noted for having been under hot fire 42 different times, and was considered by some as possessed of a charmed life.
The body was taken from the home of Mrs. M. Young, 816 Central-av., Newport, Ky., to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and after the funeral service was buried in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, back of Newport. The squad from Ft. Thomas fired a volley over the grave of the departed veteran.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 30 August 1905, page 5
Commander William Thoburn of Nelson Post, GAR of Newport, stated today that
neither the officers nor members of Nelson Post were responsible for the failure
of the Grand Army veterans to participate in the funeral of Francis Winters
yesterday. The GAR members requested to march before the hearse, following the
firing squad from Ft Thomas.
Sergt. Cornelius in charge of the regulars refused to permit this and said the members of Nelson Post should march behind the hearse. Commander Thoburn replied the position behind the hearse was for the members of the family and as for bringing up the rear of the funeral cortege was out of the question. Commander Thoburn will call on Capt. ray of the Fourth Infantry today to see if Sergt. Cornelius did not exceed his authority in refusing the Nelson post a position in the front of the funeral cortege.