2018.018.016 [Obituary]

This is the obituary for Martin Van Buren Sunderlin, a resident of Black Hawk County. The obituary shares the story of how Sunderlin traded places with another soldier during the Civil War so that the other soldier would be released in his place. The obituary states that Sunderlin and the other soldier, John Elwell, traded places in Andersonville Prison; however, the prison did not open until February 1864, two years after they were captured. Elwell escaped and resigned his commission in 1862, while Sunderlin was discharged in February 1863, meaning that the trade most likely did not occur at Andersonville. Content can be used with the following standards: SS-U.S. 9-12.23 Iowans Influence U.S. History in a lesson on Iowans' experience and impact in the Civil War. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions.