According to History.net, 2.75 million soldiers served in the Civil War, and the average solider was a white man between 18 to 29 years old. However, many soldiers who served in that war did not fit into that average. Two Native American soldiers from Rosebush, Michigan, were just a couple of the few minorities who fought.
The Detroit News reported that Pvt. Joseph A. Fisher and his older brother, Madison, have spent nearly the last century buried in unmarked graves. Both men left their tribes to serve the country. When they died, they were laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery.
Historical researchers in the area located the graves and decided to give them proper headstones. They contacted the local office of veterans affairs and asked for Civil War headstones for Joseph and Madison. On June 11, Madison's ceremony was held and the new headstone was placed. Joseph's ceremony will be held on Oct. 10.
The Swartz Creek Area Historical Society played a large role in assisting the VA with the funds for the two headstones. Len Thomas, the president of the society, told The Detroit News that every veteran deserves proper recognition for his or her service.