The Sons of the Union Veterans chapter of Plainwell will conduct a special ceremony at East Martin Cemetery at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 10, honoring the Martin man said to have captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis after the end of the Civil War.
John R. Keith, senior vice commander of the Gen. Benjamin Pritchard Camp 20, Department of Michigan, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, said they will honor Andrew Bee of Martin, who was in Co. L of the 4tn Michigan Cavalry. Several Allegan County men, under the command of Col. Benjamin Pritchard, captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis on this exact date 150 years ago.
Private Andrew Bee was given credit for being the first soldier to spot Davis and the first soldier to “lay hands on Jeff Davis at capture.”
The Sons of the Union Veterans had a plaque made for the occasion and will dedicate it at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Martin Township Sexton Scott Kuykendall, a bit of an Allegan County history buff, noted Bee is buried in the East Martin Cemetery. He added that he has tried to do some restoration on Bee’s gravestone, but it is old and understandably weather worn. So the Sons of the Union Veterans have crafted a plaque honoring him, hoping to have it placed strategically next to his headstone.
Kuykendall said as many as 36 Civil War veterans are buried in the East Martin Cemetery, about three miles east of Martin High School.
Kuykendall said the ceremony is likely to attract at least 100.
Andrew Bee was born in Norway and was a tinsmith by trade. He had a shop in Martin at the time of his death, and one previously in Hopkins. He died Sept. 16, 1894, at 68 years of age, in Martin.
Due to the destruction to the overpass at the Martin Exit on US 131, those planning to attend from the north should take U.S.-131 to the Shelbyville Exit 59.
The cemetery is on 8tn Street, is at the top of hill on both sides. The farm’s address next to the cemetery is the Clay Knoll Farm, 1759 8m Street, Martin, MI 49070, for those who want to use their GPS.
PHOTO: Scott Kuykendall shows the specially made memorial plaque honoring Andrew Bee, the first Union soldier to lay his hands on Jefferson Davis in the capture of the president of the Confederacy.