Many veterans rest in Staunton cemeteries

Noah Webster Powers is one of 63 known veterans from American wars of the 19th century buried at Staunton City Cemetery. Men who fought on land and sea, in the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, the Mexican War, the Civil War and the Spanish American War rest in marked and unmarked graves.

Noah Webster Powers was likely named after the creator of Webster's Dictionary, educator and textbook pioneer. Mr. Webster died in May 1843; Staunton's Noah Webster was born in April 1843. His parents died when he was 9 and like his cousin Hampton Wall, Noah was raised by his maternal grandfather, Staunton pioneer Telemachus Camp. The 1860 census lists 17-year-old Noah as a farmer.

In August 1861, at 18 years of age, Noah enlisted in Co L of the 3rd Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. Noah did not survive the War; he died a month before the April 1965 surrender at Appomattox. Noah Webster Powers rests in the original section of Staunton City Cemetery, block A, lot 23.