Albert Cashier

[Danny]

With fretless banjo, Concertina, mouth harp, and jawbone if we get a fourth, we'll be serenading fellow soldier Albert Cashier on her grave, weekend after next. (Some in the unit swear Albert visited us in the person of a young girl the day after our little graveside serenade last year -- we can only but return the compliment!).

Anyone care to suggest what we might play for Albert?

Sounemin, Illinois is where Jennie Hodges spent the rest of her/his life after honorable service in an Illinois regiment during the war. Mustering in in Belvidere, Illinois, one of a very few who were never discovered for being of the "fair" sex and kicked out of service during the war, and who received a medal during the war and Government benefits after the war. Some of her waning years were spent at the Vet's Facility at Quincy, Illinois on the Mississippi (where she insisted on sewing her issued dress into a bloomer, like wearing pants) but Sounemin was her home.

Sounemin will be commemmorating the little shack where she spent most of her post-war life as a well respected and liked handyman, and our unit will be on hand with our vintage Napoleans making even more music.

As last year, we'll leave a serving of tea (she preferred that to coffe) on her stone when we leave.

- Danny