Commemorative Cemetery

Visitors to the Fort Caspar Museum have no doubt noticed the small commemorative cemetery located near the entrance gates.  The eleven headstones currently there represent eleven soldiers of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry who died in the line of duty while stationed at the fort. The first marker was installed in 1970 for Private David Umphlet, of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry who died of scurvy and disease while traveling from Three Crossings Station to Fort Laramie.

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The Fort Caspar Museum Association is working with the Fort Caspar Museum to finish the commemorative cemetery by installing marble headstones representing those of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry who do not have markers yet, as well as the other regiments who suffered losses while stationed at the fort.

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This project will be completed in phases with Phase I to be completed in 2023. The first regiment to be honored will be the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. We will be placing nine headstones for them in this coming year.  The markers will be made of traditional white marble used in Civil War era headstones. We are planning a dedication ceremony with full military honors for the Kansas markers in Spring of 2024.

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Phase II of the project will be to honor 5 soldiers of the 6th West Virginia Cavalry. Phase II will begin in early 2024.

 

The Fort Caspar Museum Association cordially welcomes contributions to this project, which may be made via Paypal below, or through the mail:

 

Fort Caspar Museum Association

4100 Fort Caspar Road

Casper, WY 82604

(307) 235-8462

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It is important that all soldiers who died in service to their country while stationed at our fort be acknowledged and represented in the commemorative cemetery.