80-Year-Old Iowan, Descendent Of Pocahontas: Oldest Civil War Soldier
At 80 years old, Curtis King became the oldest soldier in the Civil War and a hidden hero from Iowa! Learn where to pay your respects today. 🇺🇸 #IowaProud #HiddenHistory #PatriotismKnowsNoAge
Wapello County, Iowa – Have you ever wondered about the oldest soldier to serve in the American Civil War? Get ready to be amazed by the incredible true story of 80-year-old Private Curtis King, a farmer from rural Iowa who became the nation’s most senior Civil War hero.
Defying the Odds
Curtis King didn’t let his advanced age stop him from serving his country. At a time when the average American only lived to 39, King was already twice that age when he tried to enlist. His first two attempts to join up were rejected due to his age. But the third time was the charm when the 37th Iowa Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the “Graybeard Regiment,” welcomed him into their ranks.
Iowa’s One-of-a-Kind Regiment
The Hawkeye State had to get special permission to form the Graybeards, a regiment entirely made up of men over 45. King, at 80, was by far the oldest. While most Graybeards served in guard roles, three did die in combat. King himself served until age 81 when an injury forced him to retire.
Superhero-Like Stature and Stamina
Curtis King cut an impressive figure at over 6 feet tall, and his fellow soldiers marveled at the octogenarian’s vitality. Some newspapers even exaggerated his height and that of his exceptionally tall uncles and grandfather. Whether or not all the tall tales were true, clearly longevity ran in King’s family – his mother was said to have lived to 103!
Visiting a Hero’s Final Resting Place
Today, you can pay your respects to Curtis King at his gravesite in what is now known as the Curtis King Memorial Cemetery in Wapello County, Iowa. Though King’s marker is modest, his courage and service were anything but. Keep an eye out for the small brown sign on Highway 63 marking this historic spot.
Iowa’s Outsized Civil War Contribution
Out of all the Union states, Iowa sent the highest proportion of its population to fight in the Civil War – over 76,000 men in total. Sadly, around 13,000 of those brave Iowans never made it home. Curtis King’s story is just one of many examples of Iowa’s immense sacrifices to preserve the Union.
Iowa: A State of Many Firsts
Iowa has always been a groundbreaking state, and not just when it comes to enlisting octogenarians. The Hawkeye State was home to the first state university to award degrees to women, the first to allow women to become lawyers, and the site of the first mosque built in the United States. With a history of trailblazing, it’s no wonder Iowa produced an unlikely hero like Curtis King.
🗣 Leave a thoughtful message in tribute to the memory of Curtis King in the comments section below. ⬇️
