Seneca County and the Civil War

Though hundreds ofmiles away from the death and destruction of the battlefield, Seneca County,New York, contributed more than its share for the preservation of the Union.Many brave men left home to fight, suffering hardships and casualties. JohnHoster was captured in 1864 and held at the infamous Andersonville prison camp,and his journal has provided invaluable insight into what soldiers held thereendured. At home, Seneca farmers fed Lincoln’s hungry army, and the legend ofthe Scythe Tree is a reminder of those who never returned from battle. Afterthe war, Waterloo’s celebration in remembrance of fallen soldiers was mimickedaround the country, and Waterloo is recognized as the official birthplace ofMemorial Day. Local historian Walter Gable recounts the remarkable story ofSeneca County during the Civil War.