John Summerfield Staples (1845-1888)
Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
In 1864, President Lincoln named this young Stroudsburg man as his "representative recruit" for the Union Army in the Civil War. The U.S. War Department had appealed to citizens ineligible for the draft to furnish recruits, and Lincoln chose to set an example. After a White House meeting with the President on October 1, 1864, Staples served at Arlington, Virginia-one of fewer than 1300 representative recruits enrolled.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
By 1864 the Union relied on the draft to fill its armies, and even citizens exempt from service were urged to furnish substitute recruits. President Lincoln chose to lead by example, naming young John Summerfield Staples of Stroudsburg as his personal "representative recruit." After meeting the President at the White House on October 1, 1864, Staples served at Arlington, Virginia—one of fewer than 1,300 such symbolic enlistees.
Why it matters
Staples's unusual service put a human face on the Civil War's controversial draft system and on Lincoln's effort to share, at least symbolically, in the sacrifice he asked of the nation.
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Related people
- · John Summerfield Staples
- · Abraham Lincoln
Themes & tags
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