Obituary of a Civil War Veteran

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldiers last tattoo;
No more on Life's parade shall meet
The brave and daring few.
Of Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards with solemn round,
The Bivouac of the dead.
--O'Hara.

        The birth of a new day brought the eve of life and the start of eternal adventure Sunday to Peter Hunter of north Fifth street. Ironton's best known veteran of the Civil War died quietly and peacefully at sunrise following a long fight against infirmities of advanced age. And as he gave a final sigh in resignation to the inevitable victory of Death, Ironton lost one of its most colorful veterans of the great conflict. Only five now remain in the city and county.

        Mr. Hunter died at the age of 90 years, following a life of usefulness, activity and romance. Although he had been in failing health for some time, his indomitable spirit carried him on and on and he arose from a sick bed to participate in the annual Memorial parade here on May 30. His pride in life was his record of service to his country and one of his greatest joys in the fading years was the life membership in the Elk lodge, voted him in recent years.

        Mr. Hunter was born in Maple Grove, W. Va., on March 9, 1849. His grandparents were plantation owners of Eastern Virginia. Even though the family owned slaves, it was a house divided, for Peter Hunter, his brother Joseph and his father-in-law Frank DeMaro, fought with Union forces while his brother Sam joined the Confederates and was fatally injured in the Vicksburg siege. He was a cousin of the famed General Early of the Confederate forces.

        Peter Hunter joined the Union army at the age of sixteen years, at Greenupsburg, now Greenup, Ky. He was assigned to Company K of the 53rd Kentucky Mounted Infantry and went into training at Lexington. He served for the duration of the war under Colonel True, was "in" on the history-making battle of Gettysburg and was discharged at Louisville. His life continued along its adventurous course for he immediately entered river service, as mate, pilot and captain on tugs plying between the Kanawha river, Ohio and Mississippi. He was united in marriage to Amelia DeMaro, on Nov. 8, 1877. She died thirteen years ago. The family first resided in Ashland, then moved to Ironton and Mr. Hunter had been one of the city's distinguished residents for well over a quarter century.

        But even the Civil War, then river service, failed to completely satisfy his yearning for action. He attempted to enlist for the Spanish-American War, was temporarily accepted and traveled as far as Ft. Thomas before being turned back due to his age and his family. He did have a son, Henry, in that war, and in 1917 had a son, James Hunter, in the World War.

        Mr. Hunter was the last of the Virginia family of Hunters, his parents and all his brother and sisters having preceded him in death. Two sons, Sam and Edgar, are dead, but three sons and one daughter, Mrs. Mary Hunter Sloan of Ironton, James Hunter of Ironton, Henry of Columbus, and Charles, now in South Carolina, are living.

        The body will lie in state at the residence 619 north Fifth street until one p. m. Tuesday and veterans of all wars will meet at Legion Hall this evening at 7:30 o'clock and march to the bier in a body. Last services will be conducted in the Feuchter-Davidson funeral home Tuesday at three p. m. by Rev. W. N. Mantle of First M. E. church. Military honors will be paid by the American Legion at the grave in Woodland cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 3 p. m. Tuesday.

        The death of Mr. Hunter leaves only five living Civil War veterans in the city and county, the group including Ed Hoover of Ironton, Perry Brumfield of Waterloo, David Hoover of Athalia, Robert Simpson of Chesapeake, and James Wilson of Aid.

Ironton Evening Tribune, 12 June 1939, Monday, Page 8.