Memorial service for Civil War officer to be held May 25 in Dover
A memorial service to honor Lt. Col. David L. Stricker will be held at noon, Sunday, May 25, at the Old Methodist Cemetery at the intersection of W. North and S. Queen streets in Dover.
A Dover resident at the beginning of the Civil War, Stricker began his service as a captain in the 2nd Delaware Regiment in 1861 and rose through the ranks as he led Delaware troops through the battles of Antietam and Chancellorsville. Promoted to lieutenant colonel in spring 1863, Stricker was wounded on the second day at Gettysburg. By spring 1864, he had returned to active duty and was leading troops at the Battle of Spotsylvania in Virginia when he was killed in action May 12, 1864.
The ceremony, organized by the Lt. Col. David L. Stricker Camp No. 64 of the Sons of Union Veterans, the 2nd Delaware re-enactment group, the Delaware Public Archives and the Delaware Heritage Commission, will feature a laying of wreaths, a reading of the names of Kent Countians killed during the American Civil War, a three-volley salute, and a short presentation about the 2nd Delaware troops during the war.
The public is invited to attend both the ceremony and the reception to follow at the Delaware Public Archives. No reservations are required. For more information, contact Tom Summers 302-744-5047 or email thomas.summers@state.de.us.
