Dave Auxier was a man on a mission, and after 20 years his mission is finally complete.
Auxier had a story to tell, and he did just that by publishing a book about his family's long-time Civil War hero. The 184-page paperback book, which was published in June, recaps the life and legacy of Auxier's great uncle, David Valentine Auxier. The book is called "David Valentine's Day."
Valentine was the brother of Auxier's great grandfather and after Valentine was shot through the chest on October 2, 1864, at 24 years old, two months after he was married, his body was left on the battlefield.
During the Civil War, Valentines comrades and brother had no choice but to leave the fallen soldier unattended or risk being captured.
"David Valentine's Day" is a narrative of Valentine's capture and term in a Confederate prison in Richmond Virginia, his efforts to obtain a POW swap for him and six of his fellow soldiers and of his return to battle. The book also includes his marriage and death just two months after.
From Valentines death in 1864 until 1961, his grave was lost. When it was found in 1961, there was a small memorial service in which he received a bronze marker with his inscription on it. After that year the grave was once again lost.
Auxier was named after his great uncle and had heard the story of his life and death while growing up. When Auxier realized his uncle's grave was still abandoned in West Virginia, he and his wife traveled to the old cemetery to reclaim his grave.
He then took all the necessary steps to disinter Valentine's remains to its current location in Kentucky, where he is now buried next to his brother, George Washington Auxier. Things such as teeth, bones, seven buttons from his tunic, and part of his captain's insignia were found.
Auxier arranged a military honor guard ceremony on Memorial Day in 1991, 30 years after Valentine was buried on the battlefield. The ceremony included the folding of a 35 star flag, fired rifles and Taps.
In 1991, after Auxier had recovered Valentine's remains, put on a ceremony in which more than 200 people attended and laid Valentine's legacy to rest, he still felt his mission was not over. He began to write. He wrote three chapters but found himself caught up on other writing tasks so he put Valentine's book on the back burner.
He says the feeling that he needed to finish the book he started 20 years ago kept haunting him. Finally, in 2010, the completed version of Auxier's book has been published and released and has sold over 100 copies. "David Valentine's Day" can be purchased at Book Worm in Carbondale or on Amazon.
Not only did Auxier feel obligated to write a book about the man he was named after, but he felt he owed a debt to Valentine and his great grandfather, George Washington Auxier, who either lost or spent their life fighting for the freedom he enjoys now.
Auxier is a retired Veterinarian. He is a 46-year member of the Lion's Club and plays in several local bands. He and his wife, Eileen, reside in Murphysboro.
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Dave Auxier was a man on a mission, and after 20 years his mission is finally complete.
Auxier had a story to tell, and he did just that by publishing a book about his family's long-time Civil War hero. The 184-page paperback book, which was published in June, recaps the life and legacy of Auxier's great uncle, David Valentine Auxier. The book is called "David Valentine's Day."
Valentine was the brother of Auxier's great grandfather and after Valentine was shot through the chest on October 2, 1864, at 24 years old, two months after he was married, his body was left on the battlefield.
During the Civil War, Valentines comrades and brother had no choice but to leave the fallen soldier unattended or risk being captured.
"David Valentine's Day" is a narrative of Valentine's capture and term in a Confederate prison in Richmond Virginia, his efforts to obtain a POW swap for him and six of his fellow soldiers and of his return to battle. The book also includes his marriage and death just two months after.
From Valentines death in 1864 until 1961, his grave was lost. When it was found in 1961, there was a small memorial service in which he received a bronze marker with his inscription on it. After that year the grave was once again lost.
Auxier was named after his great uncle and had heard the story of his life and death while growing up. When Auxier realized his uncle's grave was still abandoned in West Virginia, he and his wife traveled to the old cemetery to reclaim his grave.
He then took all the necessary steps to disinter Valentine's remains to its current location in Kentucky, where he is now buried next to his brother, George Washington Auxier. Things such as teeth, bones, seven buttons from his tunic, and part of his captain's insignia were found.
Auxier arranged a military honor guard ceremony on Memorial Day in 1991, 30 years after Valentine was buried on the battlefield. The ceremony included the folding of a 35 star flag, fired rifles and Taps.
In 1991, after Auxier had recovered Valentine's remains, put on a ceremony in which more than 200 people attended and laid Valentine's legacy to rest, he still felt his mission was not over. He began to write. He wrote three chapters but found himself caught up on other writing tasks so he put Valentine's book on the back burner.
He says the feeling that he needed to finish the book he started 20 years ago kept haunting him. Finally, in 2010, the completed version of Auxier's book has been published and released and has sold over 100 copies. "David Valentine's Day" can be purchased at Book Worm in Carbondale or on Amazon.
Not only did Auxier feel obligated to write a book about the man he was named after, but he felt he owed a debt to Valentine and his great grandfather, George Washington Auxier, who either lost or spent their life fighting for the freedom he enjoys now.
Auxier is a retired Veterinarian. He is a 46-year member of the Lion's Club and plays in several local bands. He and his wife, Eileen, reside in Murphysboro.
