On a recent trip to Edinburgh I took the opportunity to visit an unusual monument in one of the Scottish capital’s picturesque burial grounds. Within Old Calton Cemetery is a memorial to those Scots who served the Union cause- the only American Civil War memorial outside the United States.

The American Civil War Memorial in Old Calton Cemetery, Edinburgh

The cemetery is positioned in a dominant location overlooking the city centre, and the memorial itself is prominent and imposing. Emancipation is its central theme- Abraham Lincoln is portrayed atop a plinth, with an emancipated slave below him raising an outstretched hand. On each of the four sides is inscribed ‘Suffrage’, ‘Union’,’Education’ and ‘Emancipation’.

The emancipated slave raises an outstretched hand towards Lincoln

The names of a number of Scottish Union soldiers are also commemorated on the monument. These are Sergeant-Major John McEwan of the 65th Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel William L. Duff of the 2nd Illinois, Robert Steedman of the 5th Maine, James Wilkie of the 1st Michigan Cavalry, Robert Ferguson of the 57th New York and Alexander Smith of the 66th New York.

Detail of soldier's names on the Old Calton memorial

The memorial was dedicated in 1893, and although very much a product of its time it remains a poignant symbol of Scottish involvement with the Union cause. The story behind its creation is a moving one, involving the widow of Sergeant-Major McEwan. The details have been researched by The American Civil War Round Table UK and can be read here. Ireland still does not have a memorial to soldiers and civilians from the island who were caught up in events, North and South, between 1861 and 1865. It is to be hoped that this will be rectified during the period of the 150th anniversary of the conflict.

Old Calton Cemetery, Edinburgh