Grave of Civil War Medal of Honor recipient can be found in Raymond

By Kendra Raymond

Civil War hero Daniel Scammon Milliken is one of the least-recognized residents of Raymond, but his heroism endures to this very day.

The grave of Civil War hero and Medal of Honor
recipient Daniel Scammon Milliken of Raymond
can be found at Riverside Cemetery located at
168 Plains Road off Route 85 in Raymond.
COURTESY PHOTO 

Milliken was awarded the Medal of Honor on Aug. 30, 1870 and was presented to recognize his meritorious conduct during the U.S. Navy attacks on Fort Fisher, North Carolina in the Civil War. He served as the Quarterdeck gunner onboard the USS New Ironsides.

He received the Medal of Honor for his leadership and heroism specifically in the Jan. 15, 1865 Second Battle of Fort Fisher where he manned a cannon that laid fire to the fort. Unfortunately, for more than 100 years Milliken’s accomplishments remained wholly unrecognized, and a simple marble stone was placed on his gravesite following his death, notating only his birth and death date.

Milliken was born in Saco in 1838 and joined the U.S. Navy in New York City. Following his Civil War military service, Milliken married a Raymond resident, moved to the town, and went on to establish a local farm. He died in Raymond on May 3, 1899, at the age of 58.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society website honors Milliken’s heroism in an excerpt from its “Stories of Sacrifice” section.

“The ship steamed in and took the lead in the ironclad division close inshore and immediately opened its starboard battery in a barrage of well-directed fire to cause several fires and explosions and dismount several guns during the first two days of fighting. Taken under fire as she steamed into position on 13 January, the New Ironsides fought all day and took on ammunition at night despite severe weather conditions. When the enemy came out of his bombproofs to defend the fort against the storming party, the ship's battery disabled nearly every gun on the fort facing the shore before the cease-fire orders were given by the flagship.”

Fortunately for residents and visitors to the Lakes Region, the national Medal of Honor organization contacted the American Legion Field Allen Post 148 in Windham to ask for assistance in honoring Milliken with an appropriate monument. Momentum built as Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643, the Raymond Casco Historical Society, the Windham Historical Society, and the Town of Raymond all joined forces to raise funds to honor the distinguished veteran.

On July 4, 2015, local dignitaries joined with town officials and Third Maine, a Civil War reenactment group, in presenting a Medal of Honor Memorial Service in Raymond honoring Milliken and issued a proclamation recognizing his extraordinary contributions during the Civil War. Members from the American Legion Field Allen Post joined with the Town of Raymond to unveil a new gravestone for Milliken to commemorate his achievements.

Milliken’s grave can be found at the Riverside Cemetery, located at 168 Plains Road (off Route 85) in Raymond. His plot is in Section C, Row K, Lot 10 in the cemetery. Visitors are welcomed and reminded to observe all cemetery ordinances set forth by the town. <