Dedication Ceremony Honors Riney For Service In Union Army

Civil War soldier Moses Riney’s life and service were honored on July 6 at a grave marker dedication at the St. Mary Cemetery.

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) organized the ceremony, which included the firing of a salute and the playing of “Taps.” Additionally, Corporal Chris Warren of the General Thomas Fletcher Camp No. 47 of SUVCW placed a wreath on the marker.

Commander Ed Millinger of Ste. Genevieve’s Lt. Col. J. Felix St. James Camp No. 326 of the SUVCW, chaplain Sumner Hunnewell, and Gary Scheel also spoke.

Riney, born into slavery in Perry County in 1844, enlisted in the Union Army on February 20, 1864.

He served in the 68th U.S. Colored Infantry, Company C. He achieved the rank of corporal. He served two years, three months before getting an honorable discharge in 1866.

He married Mary Burgette, who had also recently been freed. He and his wife soon moved to Perry County. After about 16 years, they bought a farm in the St. Mary area.

They raised 13 children. The couple later moved into the city of St. Mary.

See complete story in the July 17 edition of the Herald.

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