CENTERBURG — Village officials, residents and Centerburg Lions Club members dedicated a plaque honoring Cpl. Abner P. Allen during a 4th of July celebration that blended history, civic pride and America’s 250th birthday.
“The village of Centerburg is honored and grateful, and it’s certainly time to give Abner P. Allen his recognition for his gallantry and personal contribution Abner gave to the village,” Mayor Greg Myers said Saturday.
“People like Corporal Allen brought us to where we are today, and this needs remembered and taught so we can stay focused on what we still can be,” the mayor said.
Allen was born in Woodford County, Ill., in 1839, but settled in Centerburg around 1875. He died in 1905 and was buried in the Centerburg Cemetery.
He received the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Civil War “for gallantry as color bearer in the assault on Fort Gregg” in Petersburg, Va., in April 1865, fighting in Co. K of the 39th Illinois Infantry.
“It was one of the most desperate battles of the Civil War,” Lions Club member Chris Cordle said.
Cordle acknowledged that when the Centerburg Lions first discussed a project to place a marker commemorating Allen, he did not understand why carrying a flag into battle merited a Medal of Honor.
He learned the flag and flag bearer played an important role.
Why color bearers mattered
Cordle explained the tactical and symbolic importance of Civil War flags.
“If you could capture your opponent’s flag, the opponents were demoralized, sometimes to the point of immediate surrender,” he said.
“It was important for regiment members to stay together to fight effectively. There was a song in that era, ‘Rally around the flag, boys, rally round the flag.’ In moments of confusion, that is exactly what the troops did.”
Cordle said the flag was strategically significant on the battlefield because its high visibility told commanders about troop movements.
“Reading the movement of regimental flags on the battlefield allowed the commanders to understand how to deploy their forces to win the battle. It was real-time intelligence,” he said.
Color bearers were prime targets and many were killed quickly. A color guard flanked the flag bearer. If the flag bearer was wounded or killed, one of the men in the color guard took up the flag and carried on.
“At the Battle of Fort Gregg, Cpl. Allen’s gallantry as a color bearer was recognized by his commander, and he was singled out by them for his exceptional gallantry under fire,” Cordle said.
“Our community can be proud that Corporal Admiral P. Allen, Medal of Honor recipient, rests in peace here.”
A lasting tribute offered
Allen’s great-great-grandson, Tom Heston, recounted Allen’s service. In addition to carrying the colors at Fort Gregg, Allen carried the Illinois flag at Appomattox.
Heston read a letter Allen received from CDR Charles H.T. Cullis, commander of the Medal of Honor Legion. Cullis sent the letter to Medal of Honor winners notifying them of the death of one of their compatriots.
“As the great-great-grandson of Corporal Abner Peeler Allen, it’s a profound honor to stand before you today on the 250th birthday of the United States of America as we unveil this flag in memory of a man whose courage shaped our family and served this country,” Heston said.
“This plaque honors more than one battlefield indeed. It honors a life of steady courage, responsibility, and service.
“May Corporal Abner P. Allen’s memory encourage us to act with courage, service humility, and care for one another.”
Coloring contest winners honored
Councilwoman and village revitalization committee member Saundra Dove announced the winners of the village coloring contest. The village partnered with the public library in an effort to encourage involvement in America 250, the country’s grand birthday celebration.
The winners are:
•0-5 Aubrey White
•6-12 Bailey Higgins
•13-17 Priscilla Smith
•18 and up Emma Belcher
The village will include the colorings in a time capsule it will seal at the end of August. Plans are to open the time capsule in 25 years in celebration of America’s 275th birthday.
The ceremony concluded with ice cream from Round Hill Dairy.
(Below are Cheryl Splain’s photos of the event.)
