Emmert Martin

The gravestone of Emmert Martin in the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

African American soldier serving during the Spanish American War

Place of Death:

Camp Meade Middletown, PA

Date of Death:

1898

Place of Burial:

Section 20, Row I, Site #17

Cemetery Name:

Gettysburg National Cemetery

Section 20, Row I, Site #17

Emmert* Martin is one of three African American soldiers, serving with the 9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Battalion, who died during the Spanish American War. The all Black battalion was commanded by Major Charles Young, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an African American Civil Rights pioneer.

Emmert, who died of typhoid fever at Camp Meade in Middletown, PA., is buried in the Ohio Civil War section of the Gettysburg National Cemetery, along side 16 other soldiers from his company, including Nicholas Farrell and Clifford Henderson.

Shortly after he was buried, Emmert's father Richmond received the following, in a letter, from the Superintendent of the Gettysburg National Cemetery, “I think you could not find a more fitting place for your son to rest than where he is buried. He died for the honor of his country. He sleeps in a soldier’s grave in a soldier’s cemetery—a most beautiful place where his name will be inscribed and his grave cared for as long as the government lives.” 

*Records referring Mr. Martin show several spellings of his first name. Emmert, as listed here, Emmit, and as on his headstone Emmet.

You can find more information about his commanding officer, Charles Young, who not only served as an officer the Army, but also as the first African-American National Park Superintendent at the Nation Park Service website, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument Ohio.