U.S. Army Cemetery, Fort Stevens, Clatsop County, Oregon

This cemetery was visited in June of 2009 by Shauna Williams and Scott Braucht. We were visiting Fort Stevens and had not planned to visit this cemetery so the listing below is not a complete listing. I hope to get back in the near future and complete the burials. I do have photos for the gravestones of the names below unless they are marked with an asterisk. Burials below include listings taken from burial books, mistakes can be made and graves can be moved so please use as a guide if it is not an onsite transcription listing. If you would like a copy please contact me at ShaunaLWilliams @ comcast.net

There is a sign at the cemetery spelling out the history
"The Fort Stevens Post Cemetery
    Visitors to this hallowed site, whether in bright sunlight or on a wet overcast day, become aware of an atmosphere of reverence and tranquility. This historic piece of land abounds in local legend and its grave stones are some of the oldest surviving in the county.
    Fort Stevens Post Cemetery was established in May of 1868, when the earliest burial was Private August Stahlberger, Battery "C" 2nd U.S. Artillery. HIs death was first listed as "falling in the river and drowning while under the influence." A reputation for heavy drinking was attributed to this for outpost due to the soldiers' isolation during their tour of duty. The causes of death are myriad at Fort Stevens, but some, like Private Stahlberger, add mystery to the local tales, since his official listing was "death caused by blows from a person or persons unknown." Stones marked "unknown" are from drownings at sea, washed ashore near Fort Stevens. The second burial was Private Bernard McCormack, Co. M., 1st Cavalry, a transient between stations. He also drowned in the Columbia.
    The site is one of two Army cemeteries still active and accepting Veterans today on the West Coast. The other if Fort Vancouver Barracks Post Cemetery, in Vancouver, Washington.
    The first Fort Stevens Post Cemetery was located about a quarter of a mile south of the Post, on the edge of the road leading out of the garrison. This was later determined to be somewhere between the "East Barracks," used after 1947 as a school house, and the field officer's quarters to the south.
    Today's cemetery is the second location. It was built in 1905 on this elevated ground near the southern limit of the post. This site originally contained only the remains from the first cemetery burials. It was enclosed with the ironwork fence in 1913 and designated as the place of interment for all posts in the Artillery District of Columbia. Fifty known graves at Fort Canby were moved to this site during this time.
    An unusual fact to not is that the graves lie in a North and South direction, instead of the customary East and West, an exception granted due to the slope of the land. The East and West direction is customary so that the person who is buried may "see the sunrise." This custom dates back some 4000 years.
    Walking among the grave stones today, a visitor will see that new military headstones have replaced older stones because age and weather had made the older ones unreadable. The new stones are set in concrete to prevent and leaning or sinking in the sandy soil of the site, as happened to many others in the past."

Walking through this cemetery is was obvious that it is well cared for. The few broken stones that we did see were repaired and all of the stones seemed to be readable. Once inside the nearby museum we were surprised to see a full model of the layout of Fort Stevens in the past. The cemetery was located in one corner and was surrounded by open land. Today the cemetery is surrounded by private housing on what seems like three sides. It still has a fence surrounding it as well as a gate that was unlocked while we were there. I do not know if it is locked at other times.

ANDERSON
Sacred To the memory of Mrs. James Anderson Born in Denmark Died at Fort Canby, W.T. Sept 16, 1880 Aged 26 years

BERGER
In Memory of George Berger. Died Ft. Stevens OR Mar 3 1899 Aged 40 yrs. 5 mos. Erected by His Comrades.

*BULER
The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: Buler, Charles Private Co C. 2nd Regiment US Arty Death July 1, 1869

*BUTTER (BUTLER? See Buler)
The following is taken from the Record Book of Interments in Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens (Year Unknown): Charles Butter (Butler?) Private Co C Regiment 2 US Arty Death July 6, 1869 Remarks - Drowned

*CANTON
The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: Canton, Thomas Remarks - Lost on Wrecked sloop March 1876

*COSTELLO
The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: Costello, Frank Death Dec 11, 1881

COLES
John W. Coles - Private Co. H 4? U.S. Artillery Drowned in Bakers Bay, W.T. June 11th 1876 Aged 26 Y'rs & 3 mo's

*COLLINS
The following is taken from the Record Book of Interments in Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens (Year Unknown): Additional Names reported by Lt. H.G. Otis 2d Artillery A.A.Q?. M. 1879 - Collins, Thomas Pvt. Co M., Regiment 4 US Arty Death June 10, 1878 Remarks - Drowned
The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: Collins, Thomas Private Co. M., 4th US Arty Death June 10, 1878

CONE
At Rest Erected in memory of our beloved comrade Sgt James R. Cone 33rd Comp. Coast Artillery Late? Battery ? 3rd Art. Born Died Jan ? 1902

JOHANNSEN
Richard H. Johannsen Col. U.S. Army World War II June 23, 1915 Mar 1, 2004

KNAPP
    Joshau(sic) L Knapp - 1st LT 4th US INF Apr 9 1877
        The following is taken from the Record Book of Interments in Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens (Year Unknown): Additional Names reported by Lt. H.G. Otis 2d Artillery A.A.Q?. M. 1879 - Knapp, J.L. 1st Lieut Regiment 4 US Arty. Death April 19, 1877. Remarks - Drowned
        The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: Knapp, Joshua L. 1st Lieut. 4th US Arty Death April 19, 1877

MAKELA
John E. Makela SMSGT US Air Force World War II Korea Jul 25 1919 Oct 21 1984

*MCORMICK
The following is taken from the Record Book of Interments in Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens (Year Unknown): Bernard McCormick Private Co M? Regiment-1 US Cav. Death April 14, 1869 Remarks - Drowned
The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: McCormick, Bernard Private Co. M. 1st Regiment US Cav

MCDERMOTT
James The beloved son of John and Mary McDermott Born July 7? 1876 Died Dec 17? 1905

MCGUIRE
John McCuire Private Battery E? 2nd U.S. Artillery Born in the County Fennaugh Ireland Died August 24, 1871

MOORE
John S. Moore Nov 1, 1844 Apr 19, 1877
The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: Moore, John S. Death April 19, 1877

MORTON
Harold E. Morton Surfman U.S. Coastguard Born Sept 2, 1910 Drowned Sept 7, 1937

*MYERS
The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: Myers, Annie

*MYERS
The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: Myers, Antony Death July 7, 1866

*ONEIL
The following is taken from the Record Book of Interments in Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens (Year Unknown): Additional Names reported by Lt. H.G. Otis 2d Artillery A.A.Q?. M. 1879 - O'Neil, Thomas Private Co M., Regiment 2 US Arty Death Sept 27, 1871 Remarks - Drowned
The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: O'Neil, Thomas Private Co. M 2nd Regiment US Arty. Death Sept 27, 1871

REED
John Reed - Private Battery E? ???? US Artillary Born In Ireland? Died June 13, 18?? Aged 36 years. Erected by the members of (Stone is damaged and repaired but makes it hard to read)

RODGERS
Erected in memory of our beloved comrade Private Willie Rodgers Born at Edinburgh Scotland Enlisted Apr 30 1902 Drowned Apr 19, 1903 Aged 22ys 1m

STALBERGER
    August Stalberger - Co. C., 2nd U.S. ART.
        The following is taken from the Record Book of Interments in Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens (Year Unknown): August Stalberg, Private in Co. C, 2nd Regiment US Arty. Death May 19, 1868 Remarks-Found dead in Creek, 2 miles from Fort
        The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: Stalberger, August Private Co. C. 2 Regiment US Arty Death May 11, 1868

*STEPHAN
The following is taken from the Record Book of Interments in Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens (Year Unknown): Joseph Stephan Private Co. E Regiment 4 US Arty. Death Jany 26, 1874 Remarks - Heart Disease
The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: Stephan, Joseph Private Co C, 4th Regiment US Arty Dath Jan'y 26, 1874

THOMAS
Ralph James Thomas SFC US Army World War II Korea Jan 13, 1917 Jan 28 1987

*TIMLIN
The following is taken from the Record Book of Interments in Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens (Year Unknown): Additional Names reported by Lt. H.G. Otis 2d Artillery A.A.Q?. M. 1879 - Timlin, James Private Co. M Regiment 4 US Arty. Death June 10, 1878 Remarks - Drowned
The following is taken from the book of interments in the Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens. (Handwritten) Plat Post Cemetery Received Nov 30, 1891: Timlin, James Private Co M., 4th Regiment US Arty Death June 1878

WICKLUND
Fanning Beloved son of O.S. & Mary Wicklund Born at Point Adams Life Saving Station Mar 5, 1905 Died Dec 19, 1910

*WIGGINS
The following is taken from the Record Book of Interments in Post Cemetery at Fort Stevens (Year Unknown): Augustus W. Wiggins A?? Serg?? USA Death March 9, 1875 Remarks - Found dead in bed

WOODRUFF
Jennie Clark wife of E.A. Woodruff Passed From Earth To the Glories of The Higher Life May 11, 1884 Aged 43 Y'rs & 5 Mo's.

Back to Clatsop County Home

Photo copyright S. Williams & Scott Braucht
Data compiled by Shauna Williams