Q&A: New Stanton musician sounds taps at great-great-grandfather's grave
Jun. 1—Josiah Inghram joined the 130th Pennsylvania Regiment in the fall of 1862, at the age of 17.
He trained in Harrisburg under Col. Henry Zinn and was quickly ordered to Antietam, where his regiment saw its first combat during the Civil War.
More than 160 years later, his great-great-grandson Jay Copenhaver, 69, of New Stanton stood at his graveside this past Memorial Day, playing taps as part of a special ceremony in Mount Union, Huntingdon County. Nearby were more great-great-grandchildren, Copenhaver's sister and cousin.
Copenhaver spoke recently with the Trib about working with nonprofits Bugles Across America and Taps for Veterans.
This interview has been edited for length.
Q: How did you come by the opportunity to play taps at your great-great-grandfather's grave site?
A: I have been playing taps for funerals since the eighth grade. For several years, I've been a member of Bugles Across America and Taps for Veterans. These nonprofit organizations provide a means to connect buglers with families in need. A few years ago, Taps for Veterans started a program called Taps Across America to honor the fallen heroes on Memorial Day. At 3 p.m., thousands of musicians sound taps at a meaningful location. I have already sounded it for my father, stepfather and some uncles. This year, I wanted to honor my great-great grandfather, Josiah Inghram.
Q: Tell me a little about your great-great-grandfather.
A: His regiment faced its first major combat (at Antietam) on
Sept. 17, 1862, participating in the intense fighting near the Roulette Farm (in Keedysville, Md.). They endured heavy fire and chaotic conditions, in what is called The Bloody Lane. After Antietam, the regiment moved to Harper's Ferry for recuperation and preparation for future campaigns. Their stay lasted from Sept. 22 to Oct. 30, 1862.
The 130th was then ordered to Fredericksburg, Va., to join the Army of the Potomac commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside. The 130th Pennsylvania was among the first to assault Marye's Heights, suffering significant casualties. Col. Zinn was killed during this battle.
My grandfather was discharged in early 1863 due to injury, and returned home to Cleversburg. Later, he married Rebecca Rhine, relocated to Mt. Union and worked as a miner and demolition technician at Matilda Furnace.
Together, they raised six children on Ganister Hill. But fate dealt the family a devastating blow. On Dec. 19, 1881, Josiah placed a day's worth of dynamite in the family stove to thaw — a common but dangerous practice at the time. The resulting explosion claimed the lives of four of the couple's children — Frank, William, Mary and Grace — and fatally injured Josiah. He died the following day. His wife Rebecca was badly hurt, but survived and gave birth just months later to Joseph Ingram, my great-grandfather.
Q: Do you still get a little nervous or anxious every time you have to play taps?
A: I played it at seven cemeteries on Memorial Day. I am the post bugler for VFW Post 211 in Youngwood. I always had a bad case of nerves when playing, but as I approach age 70, it's getting better.
Q: What goes through your mind as you're playing and thinking about this connection to your distant family?
A: As I was standing there at parade rest in front of Josiah and his children's gravestone waiting, I realized if my great-great grandmother, who was pregnant with my great-grandfather, hadn't survived the explosion, I would not have been standing there. I suddenly felt transported back to that day and could imagine the horrifying blast that took their lives. These thoughts were very real and personal to me and I felt extremely honored to be able to sound taps. There was no trepidation.
Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.
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