Private Hyppolite Graaf

Fifth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry

Private Hyppolite Graaf came to America from Luxemburg. At the age of twenty, he enlisted in Company L of the Fifth Iowa Cavalry on February 8, 1864. That summer, he was wounded and taken prisoner on July 17, 1864, in the battle at Chehaw, Ala. After returning to the regiment he transferred to Company L, Fifth Veteran Cavalry Consolidated on Aug. 8, 1864. He mustered out along with the majority of his comrades on August 11, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee.

His obituary reveals some details with differ from those recorded in the Official Roster, as noted above. The following is taken from the March 17, 1904 issue of The Bellevue Leader:

"TAPS" SOUNDED FOR COMRADE GRAAF

Another veteran of the Civil War answered the final summons the past week in the person of Hyppolite Graaff who died at his home in this city last Sunday aged 60 years. Deceased was born in Niederanven, Luxemburg, Germany, August 13, 1843 and came to this country when eleven years of age and lived with an aunt in Tetes des Mortes township. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Co. L, 5th Iowa cavalry and remained in the service during the balance of the war. He participated in McCook's famous raid and lost an arm near Atlanta, Ga., following which engagement he was cast into Andersonville prison and remained there four months and three days when he was sent to Baltimore and then received his discharge and came home. After the war and as a result of tortures inflicted during his imprisonment at Andersonville he lost the sight of one of his eyes. In 1871 he was married to Mrs. Rebecca Henneger who with three sons and two daughters survive his loss. Their names are Auditor Henry Graaff of Maquoketa, Ed Graaff of Dubuque, Susie and Mrs. Etta Born of this city and Will Graaff of Mendota, Ill., all being present at the funeral, which was held Wednesday afternoon from the Lutheran church, Rev. Lenz officiating. The pall bearers were Mr. Graaff's comrades of Iuka Post, namely: Mike Maloney, Chas. Kurt, Mose Bean, Eli Nelson, Pat Hannon, Wm. Harrison.

Those present from abroad were: Dubuque--Andy Graaff, brother of deceased, Mrs. Lena Rosenberg, daughter Rebecca and son Henry, Andy Henneger and wife. Andrew-John Tebbens and Family, Tony Tebbens and Family, James Spencer.

Henry Graaff of Maquoketa, Ed Graaff of Dubuque, Susie and Mrs. Etta Born of this city and Will Graaff of Mendota, Ill., all being present at the funeral, which was held Wednesday afternoon from the Lutheran church, Rev. Lenz officiating. The pall bearers were Mr. Graaff's comrades of Iuka Post, namely: Mike Maloney, Chas. Kurt, Mose Bean, Eli Nelson, Pat Hannon, Wm. Harrison.

Those present from abroad were: Dubuque--Andy Graaff, brother of deceased, Mrs. Lena Rosenberg, daughter Rebecca and son Henry, Andy Henneger and wife. Andrew-John Tebbens and Family, Tony Tebbens and Family, James Spencer.

The Fifth Iowa regimental websites are grateful to Michael Altfillisch, proud descendant of one of our veterans, for transcribing this obituary.

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