Hopefully, most readers are aware, the two, over 9 feet tall, two-ton obelisk monuments made from India black granite were released and shipped through the Straits of Hormuz to South Dakota. The names of the soldiers and teachers were inscribed there, and they have been shipped to Jefferson Monument Works for installation. They will be placed and dedicated this coming week at the Greene County Courthouse and the Old Rippey Cemetery. The monuments will be a lasting tribute to the 32 Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey and their two teachers. These dedications will occur on Friday October 23, at 12:00 noon at the Greene County Courthouse, and at 2:30 at the Old Rippey cemetery.
The process of telling the story from 165 years ago has caused me to reflect on what must have been the thoughts of Thomas Turpin’s mother, Sarah Elizabeth Lowery Turpin. Thomas was the first and only son of 8 children. Tom at age 17, yielded to the call from President Lincoln in 1861 to fight for the North in the War of the Rebellion. (Greene County as a newly formed county had a population of 1400 people and 150 responded to the President’s call)
He most likely was a part of the maneuvers demonstrated on the Greene County Courthouse Square in July of 1861. The 32 men from the school were new families and settlers to Greene County and poor. Many did not have boots. At the suggestion of Dr. Lovejoy, then the Old Rippey physician, the student soldiers blackened their feet to give the appearance of boots.
Thomas was mustered into the Army in August of 1861 at Camp Fremont near Iowa City with the 10th Infantry, Company H. He “marched”/ walked to St. Louis, Missouri through the prairie on a 419-mile trip. About this time of year 165 years ago they were further ordered to Cape Girardeau and later November 12 to Bird’s Point, located near Cairo, Illinois.
Sarah was herself, a young mother, having married Robert Turpin at the age of 19 in 1842.Thomas was born in February of 1843. Thomas was a sibling of my great grandmother, Emmazetta Turpin who later married my great grandfather, John Abrham Groves.
Sarah’s feelings most likely varied from feeling proud that her son was a patriotic young man, going with his school classmates, on what was deemed originally to be a 90-day volunteer service. Those thoughts may have turned to anxiety and uncertainty about her oldest child leaving home. When he departed, she was 36 years of age and had given birth to six other babies, all female, born in 1846,48,52,55,58,( my great grandmother) and 1861.
According to family records, Thomas never was in battle, rather he died from the measles and was buried at the Mound City National Cemetery. My late Aunt visited the cemetery site and wrote in her diary, “His death was caused by exposure and drilling when he was ill with the measles. He never saw his parents again after entering the service.”
Though certainly not associated with the death of Thomas, I did find it interesting in researching the family history, that my great grandma, Emmazetta and her husband John Groves purchased land for $8.00 an acre, that is currently valued at up to $16,000 per acre.
Several charitable organizations and individuals from Greene County, and throughout the state and even the nation have contributed financially to make this dedication happen. As one of the members of this planning committee I wish to express appreciation. The other poignant thought is the current students who are the re-enactors, students who will be in the premier performance of the SCHOOLBOY SOLDIERS OF RIPPEY to be performed November 13, 14, and 15th. They have reaffirmed my belief that our Country is going to be “OKAY.”
A final note of recognition, the Rippey Library Board has volunteered to provide lunch to the Schoolboys as they travel from the Greene County Courthouse dedication to the dedication at the Old Rippey Cemetery.
Both dedication services are open, and the public is cordially invited to attend. I am attending to honor Thomas for serving, and for the recognition for the many Mothers who sent /will send /their sons and daughters off to war and probably unhappily into our future.