Dragoon's Grave - St. Louis
Posted by: BruceS
N 38° 41.701 W 090° 13.736
15S E 740998 N 4286578
This highly detailed gravestone is marking the final resting place of the former Commander of the 1st Regiment of the Dragoons and former military governor of California, General Richard Barnes Mason.
Waymark Code: WMB1B
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 04/22/2006
Views: 71
This gravestone was made in Philadelphia by John Struthers, the man who
designed the marble sarcophagus in which the remains of George and Martha
Washington repose at Mount Vernon. The brown freestone memorial depicts a cannon
on which the wheels have fallen off and the carriage has broken symbolizing the
end of the life of a military man.
General Richard Barnes Mason was the son of George Mason of Virginia. His
grandfather, also George Mason, authored the Virginia bill of rights and was a
friend of Washington and Jefferson. He joined the military in 1817 and rose
through the ranks to Colonel 30 June 1846 and Brevet Brigadier General 30 May
1848. His service was spent on the Northern and Western frontiers. He served as
military governor of California from May 31, 1847 - Feb 28, 1849. He was the
military governor of California for the start of the California Gold Rush. At
his request he was reassigned, and was the commander of Jefferson Barracks at
the time of his death.