Aaron Hush, Civil War Veteran

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: New Jersey, United States

In reference to service of Aaron Hush

VETERANS' HISTORIAN AL KADY PRESERVES CENTRAL NEW JERSEY'S CIVIL WAR HERITAGE HON. RUSH D. HOLT

of New Jersey in the house of representatives Thursday, March 30, 2000

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of two veterans, of two wars, 80 years apart. Aaron Hush is an African-American Civil War veteran buried in South Brunswick. Al Kady is a World War II veteran and the military historian for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9111 who located Hush's burial ground in South Brunswick, NJ. I commend Mr. Kady for his commitment to locating and preserving a significant piece of New Jersey history.

Aaron Hush was a resident of nearby Franklin Township. Upon his death on January 20, 1916, he was laid to rest in the Sand Hills Area of South Brunswick Township, also known as the Thompson Plot. The Record of Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Civil War has recorded that Aaron Hush served from February 29, 1864 until August 22, 1865, in the 32nd regiment of the United States Colored Troops. He is one of nearly 3,000 New Jersey African-American soldiers to serve in the Civil War.

The Emancipation Proclamation permitted African-American soldiers like Aaron Hush to enlist, be drafted, or receive bonuses to serve as replacements. Records reveal that 2,872 New Jersey African-Americans wore the uniform of the Union Army. There were 469 African-American casualties from New Jersey.

Mr. Kady has brought to life the importance of the Hush burial ground. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that the cemetery is preserved and maintained. He is to be commended for his dedication and hard work. As a veteran of World War II and past commander of VFW Post 9111, he knows the importance of maintaining sites important to our national heritage.

Mr. Kady will present a copy of Aaron Hush's discharge papers to the South Brunswick Township Council on April 11 for display in the township. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to learn about our local heritage, as well as our national history.

Mr. Speaker, VFW Post 9111 military historian Al Kady represents what is right with central New Jersey and the United States of America. His discovery and preservation of Hush's gravesite is a wonderful reminder to the community and the country at large. Kady has served his country in times of great national crisis and continues to do so by preserving history in central New Jersey. This is an important example of what makes America special. A veteran of one war preserving the memory of a veteran of a different war; our common history bridging our individual differences.

I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Kady for his hard work and dedication to the preservation of historical landmarks throughout central New Jersey.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-2000-pt3/html/CRECB-2000-pt3-Pg4205-4.htm

On this day in South Brunswick History… by Ed Belding South Brunswick Historical Society January 15, 1898-- Civil War Hero, Aaron Hush, Gets Pension Approved South Brunswick has its share of military heroes and Aaron Hush stands with them. He volunteered for the United States Army during the Civil War. Hush entered military service at age 19, on February 29, 1864. He was honorably discharged on August 22, 1865. He was in Company H of the Thirty-Second Regiment of Infantry--United States Colored Troops. He saw action in battles at, or near, Charleston, Fort Sumter, Honey Hill, Savannah Railroad, Deveaux Neck, Boydkins Mills, Beach Creek, Denkins Mills, and a few other locations. His pension application was finally approved on January 15, 1898. Aaron Hush was born in 1845 (the exact date is unknown). He wed Sarah Catharine Roberts and had eight children. He owned property in the Sand Hill area of South Brunswick and was buried there in the woods after his death on January 20, 1916. He and his grave site were soon forgotten by most. Eighty-four years later, VFW Post 9111 Historian, Al Kady, found Aaron Hush's neglected grave. During Black History Month, in the year 2000, Hush was honored at a Township Council meeting. Plans were made to make the Hush grave site accessible to the public. Old soldiers do fade away, but that does not mean they should be forgotten. May brave Aaron Hush always remind us not to forget.

http://sb-local-history.blogspot.com/2018/01/