July 4th 2026: Lauding the last veteran

On July 4th, 2026, all eyes were focused on the United States as the country celebrated 250 years of independence. Had he still been alive, Samuel Lander Hough (1848-1940) would have probably reflected on his July 4th experiences too. In 1863, the historic surrender of Vicksburg. In 1865, memories heralding the war's ending whilst he saw out his service in Company G, 2nd New Jersey Cavalry. And in 1916, when he and veteran comrade Henry McGuiness (65th New York) travelled by train from Derby to the YMCA in Tottenham Court Road, where they joined the ranks of the London Branch of American Civil War Veterans.

In June 1921 King George V attended the Derby Royal Agricultural Show during which he inspected a parade of 220 army veterans, including Samuel, who was wearing his Grand Army of the Republic medal, among many other decorations. The Derby Evening Telegraph reported that ‘the King asked Hough which side he fought on. and he replied. "On the side of victory” the apt answer causing his Majesty to smile”. The encounter concluded with the King wishing Samuel a long life and happiness.’ According to the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Samuel later remarked that ‘I ought to have told him … that the United States give me a good living pension, and I wished they could do the same for every British soldier, but I felt too nervous’.

Samuel Hough was well-known in Derby for his cheerful manner, and jaunty hat similar to that worn by Buffalo Bill. Like his comrades he was no stranger to a tall tale or two, if a willing listener wanted to learn about service in the Civil War. His campfire tales included stopping a bullet at Gettysburg and a claim that he knew Abraham Lincoln quite well. Regardless of such unverifiable anecdotes, Sam served his community and the United States honourably and in good faith. And he could lay claim to having conversed with a King. However, his greatest distinction was his status as the last Civil War veteran to die in the United Kingdom; a fact that has been overlooked for more than eight decades. Furthermore, his death in 1940 marked the end of the three-decade history of the London Branch of American Civil War veterans. He was their last member. Sam passed away without any significant mention in the world’s press, and he was interred at Nottingham Road Cemetery. With the passage of time any intentions to place his name on a burial marker were overlooked, the life of the living taking precedence over the needs of the dead. Sam’s name became one of thousands lost among digitised and paper records of service. The pages of history shining light on his status as the last soldier remained blank, bare and never considered; until now.

Without doubt, July 4th was an important day for Samuel, and therefore whilst Americans rejoiced their independent status this year, his descendants focused their attention on celebrating his significance. They gathered at Nottingham Road Cemetery, Chaddesden, Derby to honour his unique status. The July 4th 2026 dedication opened with introductions by Gina Denham, the Honorary Secretary of Descendants of the London Branch of American Civil War Veterans, which has more than 100 members on its roll. She is also co-founder of the Monuments for UK Veterans of the American Civil War Association, as well as being a member of our American Civil War Round Table UK. Fourteen of Samuel’s descendants attended, while other guests included members of the Friends of Nottingham Road Cemetery and Brigadier Adam Fraser-Hitchen representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, and through that office our current monarch King Charles III.

Addressing those gathered, Gina framed Samuel not only as a man who had served in the American Civil War but as a remarkable figure whose life bridged continents and generations. She explored the practical details of acquiring the ‘Last Veteran’ memorial through a collaboration with The Department of New Jersey Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). The Last Union Veteran project is funded, in part, by the SUVCW's Monuments and Memorials Grant Fund. In particular she thanked Frank Tomasello, past Camp Commander of the SUVCW Colonel Louis R. Francine Camp #7 in Hammonton, New Jersey. Frank was unable to attend, but asked that his thoughts were shared with attendees.

On behalf of the Department of New Jersey Sons of Union Veterans, I thank you for allowing me to be a part of the celebration of the dedication of the ‘Last Soldier’ marker for Samuel Hough, 2nd New Jersey Cavalry, the last veteran of the United States Civil war to be buried in the United Kingdom… This is indeed an historic occasion. When it was learned of the work that … had [been] done in locating the grave and obtaining a tombstone for Samuel Hough, my home camp … decided it would be fitting to gift the National Sons of Union Veterans ‘Last Soldier’ brass marker for him in appreciation and helped raise funds for the mounting plinth.

Brigadier Fraser-Hitchen’s speech shifted to a broader reflection on a soldier’s life, service and comradeship. He acknowledged the resonance of Samuel’s life with national and transatlantic histories, commenting on the coincidence of the dedication around July 4th. The Brigadier had been moved by Samuels story, and he spoke about the everyday bonds of soldiers who fought, endured losses and depended on one another in the heat of battle. His remarks honoured the idea of stepping into the arena for the greater good, linking Samuel’s personal journey to a timeless commitment shared by many who have served. Throughout the dedication, each speaker observed that Samuel’s Last Veteran plaque was not merely a marker of an individual life but a focal point for gratitude and reflection, a reminder of sacrifice, of the movement of people across oceans, and of the endurance of bonds formed under extreme circumstances.

In her closing comments on the dedication’s historic significance Gina said

 I feel it is serendipitous that a representative of the current King is unveiling the plaque to Samuel today. I am sure the long departed veteran could not have foreseen this. We know there will always be contenders for the title of ‘the last’. However, at this time he is the last American Civil War veteran in Derby, the last survivor on the member roll of the London Branch of American Civil War veterans, and the last veteran in the United Kingdom who has verifiable service. There has never been a last veteran plaque unveiling in the United Kingdom. Today is a first, as we remember the last.

Gina Denham