Gillem's Graveyard - Lava Beds National Monument, CA
N 41° 49.442 W 121° 33.415
10T E 619842 N 4631245
Gillem's Graveyard is one of many locations within the Lava Beds National Monument that are mentioned in California's Guide as part of 'Tour 8A'.
Waymark Code: WMMPZ2
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 10/22/2014
Views: 1
At 62 m. is the junction with a dirt road; L. here, again crossing the northern boundary, 62.3 m. Nearby is the site of the Army headquarters during the Modoc War. In GILLEM'S GRAVEYARD (R), 62.6
m.j about 100 white soldiers were buried.
~ California: a guide to the Golden State
The location here today is known as Gillems Camp. Gillam's Cemetery still stands here as well, but as a memorial instead of an actual cemetery, since all the graves of fallen soldiers and civilians from the Modoc War have been relocated to Presidio Military Cemetery in San Francisco.Gillems Camp was the military headquarters for the U.S. Army during the Modoc Indian War of 1872-73 and named after Colonel Alvin C. Gillem who commanded this base during the war. Although there are no longer graves of soldiers or civilians from the war here, it is still an important historic site that should be honored, memorialized and respected. There is a metal plaque that is located at this former cemetery that reads:
MODOC WAR CASUALTIES
It is difficult today to trace the dispositions of all those killed in action during the Modoc War. This site was first consecrated January 17, 1873, when two soldiers were buried here. It became an official cemetery in April when thirteen enlisted men were brought from the battlefield at Hardin Butte. Officers were taken to private cemeteries in their home towns or to various military cemeteries around the country.
Most enlisted men were buried where they fell on the battlefields. In August, after the war, they were re-interred in this cemetery. In November, 1875, half of them were moved to the cemetery at Fort Klamath. Records do not disclose when the rest were moved. All were taken from Fort Klamath to the Presidio in San Francisco in 1885. With each re-internment, fewer remains were identified. Most of the privates now share a single, common grave.
No remains lie here today, but this cemetery memorializes those who fought and died in various conflicts during the Modoc War of 1872 - 1873. Their names, gleaned from dozens of historic records are listed below. Divisions of the U.S. Army that were camped here are listed with their subsequent campaigns. You, a relative, or a friend may have served in one of these same units.
Many wars have occurred since the Modoc War, and many more are yet to be fought. The people involved may change, but the names we call them and the reasons we fight them remain the same. There are no true winners in war. We all pay a price.
I've provided a good closeup picture of the plaque and names of soldiers and civilians who died in the war since the list is too long to type them all up and provide here. Visitors can also visit the San Francisco National Cemetery at Presidio website and look up the names of the soldiers buried at this cemetery from the Modoc War.