Honoring a Civil War veteran who was lost to history

[@mattwills219]

Thank you all for the wonderful comments! I’m the 3x Great Grandson of Private Sandy Wills and I will tell you this was the most rewarding experience I have ever had to pleasure to be apart of.

[@kittyfinklea60]

The best veteran story EVER! It made me cry and lI ove the peseverence and determination of Cheryl and Ethan searching until they found Private Wills. Thankful for his service and the beauty of how this story unfolded along with your comment as a family member. Happy Veteran's weekend!

[@monicaraesmith]

I absolutely loved this story! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the Dept of VA Homeless Program! I have found out alot about the magnificent stories of our ancestors who have served this country from Revolutionary War to present!! Thanks for sharing!! 🇺🇲🙌🏽

[@nanarose8537]

@mattwillis219 Such a blessing! I'm so happy for your family. I thank Pvt Willis for his service and sacrifice. This story brought tears to my eyes. ❤

[@margiesoapyhairbillian4754]

May his memory be only a blessing 🙌 🙏

[@bigtrip2750]

Young man, I truly wish I was old enough to have served with Sandy. Those of us that have served in a Combat zone take this and EVERY SERVICE MEMBER LOST PERSONAL. Sandy wasn't just a Soldier, he was a PATHFINDER leaving a plantation and Serving FREEDOM. May God watch over Sandy's soul and bless you and your entire family.

[@mikedixon4598]

First, to Sandy Wills, Thank you for your service! To his descendants, Thank you for sharing his story. To the Moore family, Thank you for your decency in preserving the burial ground.

[@Ladybhive71]

This is a beautiful story she wasn't playing about her history you go girl Thank you Sandy Wills❤❤

[@barbaraeggleston6858]

Thank you for your service to our country sandy🇺🇸

[@mrfester42]

When I saw Cheryl Wills placing Sandi Wills remains into the casket and then saw the funeral procession through the farm field the tears welled up and I was choked up. The tears started and I felt all flushed seeing this happen. I don't know these people but what I do know is that we're all Americans and we have Sandi Wills and others like him who stepped up and payed the ultimate price that we might be free to thank for all that. It reinforces my hope for this country that there are people like the Moores who chose to leave that burial ground untouched. We all are richer for it. I am a middle aged white man and I agree with Morgan Freeman when he said that Black History is American History.

[@mrboatshoe]

Shout out to that family for never touching that burial ground. What a lovely story

[@MalEvansUSA]

They shouldnt be honored. The family owned human slaves for hundreds of years. Absolutely outrageous

[@soccerchamp0511]

@@MalEvansUSA The current family members did not own slaves, though. Are you blaming them for what their ancestors did? Things they had no control over.

[@alexandrajackson8498]

They were sharecroppers on that land, not owned.​@@MalEvansUSA

[@MalEvansUSA]

@ they were slaves not sharecroppers. Slaves. Owned chattle

[@JDCheng]

@@MalEvansUSAyea, they were slaves. But the original slaveowners of Sandy were the Wills family, not the Moores. And besides, you really think slaveowner families would have cared about keeping a Potters field of former slaves intact?

[@Gabster1990]

We don't do enough to preserve graveyards. Thank you to the moore family for not destroying it.

[@Gl6619]

Because it cost money to do the upkeep and cemeteries only make money with new interns… Once the land runs out and they can’t intern anymore people..eventually the money runs out and then the owners either die or the people who inherited aren’t interested in the cemetery business and then nobody is vested with the upkeep…that why you have so many cemeteries from the early 1900’s and earlier that have been overgrown or in disrepair…nobody is assigned to the upkeep..it becomes in legal limbo who is responsible…. Sometime people will volunteer…like a cemetery here in Minneapolis called the Soldiers and Pioneers Cemetery…the last internment was in 1922..but a volunteer group keeps it up…otherwise that cemetery would be in disrepair…

[@dragon_ninja_2186]

RIP Sandy Wills. Thank you for your service. And thanks to the Moore family too.

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

He helped to defeat the insurrectionists.

[@LarryMan51]

God bless the Moore family for preserving this land , as a black American and a Navy veteran I thank you from my heart, God bless you all.

[@michaelvaladez6570]

This is an incredible story...May he rest in peace..and his family find peace as well !!!!

[@carmelaszymanski8232]

I LOVE YOU..❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@okcomputer0101]

This is a beautiful American story.

[@idanoe9721]

Brought tears to my eyes. Rest in Honor and Peace 🇺🇸

[@CFGossettAbbasHealingArts]

Thank you, Mr Wills, for your service. If not for men like you, we wouldn't be able to see the freedoms we have now. Such an incredible and heart warming story.

[@heathermetz6576]

R.I.P. Private Wills.

[@beedalton9675]

The brother reminds me of the 54th. Glad he got proper honors

[@jocopeland6433]

Ms. Moore, you touched my heart, you and your family protected an African American burial ground back then is unheard of, you and your family gives others hope that there is still good on God's land. To Sandy Will's and family "thank you for your service." Great story CBS.

[@alexcholagh8330]

It's not unheard of. Graves were segregated. Many graves today are still segregated mostly by religion.

[@SeanMcReynolds025]

I saw this story yesterday and I don’t know why but there was something so moving about the pallbearers carrying Sandy Wills' casket through Mooreland's fields.

[@spencersholden]

I have two ancestors that fought in the Civil War. All we have is a small framed photograph of them. Don’t know their names, but they proudly fought for the Union and that’s good enough for me.

[@ShirleyPotts-ud3nb]

Happy Veterans Day. Our heroes are very special

[@VirginiaPrepper]

As a Moore from WV I am proud to see that our distant family preserved the cemetery of those who were forgotten. I also hope the other 37 people in that cemetery will also be reunited with their families and have a proper burial. To Sandi Wills thank you sir for your service to our country and for your sacrifice.

[@mattnobrega6621]

Im glad he was found and there can be rest on both sides of the living amd the dead. Im a veteran as well. Thank you and god bless the family 🫡👍🇺🇲

[@e.9680]

🙏🙏 I needed to hear this wonderful story of loving humanity. Thank you ❤️

[@Jebbie1976]

The funeral procession walking through the field got me. 🤎♥😭♥🤎

[@Lael1]

Thank you for your service Sandy Wills. Thank you.

[@bustedknuckleworkshop]

Thank you Sandy Wills for your service to the Union.

[@seththomas9105]

On behalf of the President of the United States, and a greatfull nation...

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

I hope that his decedents are not Democrats. The very Political Party Sandy Wills fought against.

[@worldentertainmentvang7307]

Indeed...the U.S right now still an Republic since the Civil war is finally over 159 years ago..

[@beedalton9675]

180.000 brothers volunteered to help overturn the tide of the war.....

[@beadyeyedwomanify]

This touched my heart .

[@kdplain2923]

Beautiful story. Gives me more faith in our country which I really need at this time. 🇺🇸💕

[@NJDVLS9500]

Excellent story. I'm glad he got the honors that he deserved. Thank you for all that served in the Wills family.

[@marytheresejacksonlutz2533]

Wow! Just wow! CBS-keep telling stories like this!

[@jamesbernsen3516]

Between this and Steve Hartman's reporting, this is great stuff.

[@marytheresejacksonlutz2533]

@ totally agree!

[@horseygurl143]

Literally one of the greatest stories ever told, causing tears of joy to flow!!! Thank you to Sandy Wills for serving. And to all those many who kept his spirit alive for all of us to get a chance to know about!!!

[@charleneandrle-olson3099]

So "glad" for Private Sandy Wills' family, that he was found. Thanking this vet posthumously for his service. Finally recognized! So many weren't in our wars, particularly the Civil War. RIP.

[@braveman1641]

I'm watching from Europe. This piece broke me. May God bless them all!

[@atclfi3]

Wow, what an amazing story. Thank you for your service! I was able to do the same thing for my ancestor, a Civil War Veteran. He was marked with a very old headstone in a small township cemetery in Wisconsin, and I was able to have the headstone repaired and a new civil war one placed on the site as well. It feels very good to honor your ancestors, especially those who served this nation.

[@kenwalters216]

Great story and I really liked the honor and respect this man was given - very classy

[@dorraineriggins3227]

Powerful story. Powerful life.

[@MaceyPrice007]

Thank you for all the men and women that served our country. 🇺🇸

[@JackThomss]

Great story but I disagree with her saying he was “…a man without a legacy for 135 years…” he was a great soldier sure, but his legacy is in his children and their children and so on who found and honored their relatives. His legacy is the success of his family for the 150 years after he fought for freedom.

[@Jen-jo5qu]

Beautiful story. Well done, CBS news.

[@scottayar5136]

What a an amazing person. He truly is beyond selfless

[@venitamiles9161]

This was a beautiful segment. Thank you for sharing this!

[@cynthiaalver]

I love my country and I sometimes struggle to retain my faith in humanity. This story refilled my faith jar. Thank you Sandy Wills. Thank you Moore family.

[@jenniferthreatt8455]

how moving!!! I wish everyone could see this. How touching!!!

[@noradedios7639]

I was so touched by this story! RIP. 🇺🇸

[@L.A.Roberts]

This story is so beautiful 🥹 The beauty it displays from both families is breathtaking and heart warming. I’m in tears for so many reason. Non of which I can properly express. Every tear that drops says it all. I thank God for it all 🙌🏾🥹🙏🏾♥️

[@kooale]

What a great piece! THANKS ALL!

[@JanOuch247]

warms the heart ❤️

[@ivanfletcher4671]

What a sweet story.

[@jackiestokes2179]

For the young folks today.

[@robr6787]

As a U.S. Navy veteran myself, I'm so glad this hero was recognized for the valiant service he did for our country

[@WayneArtis-z1f]

Such a great story :)

[@alabamatechwriter6959]

CW BROTHER IN ARMS : Well done! Thank you for caring about your ancestor so that he can receive the recognition he well deserved and so that we might know him too.

[@Dratim-l6b]

Wow. When Mr. Wills was brought out of the ground and those people honored him, my heart swelled. When he was placed in the casket, I tried to hold back my tears, but when they walked him through the fields where he was enslaved: well, knowing that after a century his family was taking him home made me cry. Salute

[@VincentPowell]

Incredible

[@clarawashington4341]

Wow this is an amazing place in history🙏🏾🌹

[@everettwhite9874]

I’m right here in Memphis and didn’t see his story in the news. I appreciate the lady and her family who respected and honored the dead on her property. God bless her and may her final rest be in peace as is Mr Wills.

[@maggiegarber246]

My 2 great-uncles died in the first day of fighting at Gettysburg and their brother was mortally wounded. The first 2 are in a mass grave, unmarked. My ancestral family were not enslaved and didn’t own slaves. One side of my family came here in the 17th century. The other side, in the 19th. No stories were passed down, not about childhoods, experiences, etc. I think it just was a “thing” for people back then, not a desire to escape from bad memories.

[@Rene.Rondeau]

A very moving story. Thank you for sharing this.

[@pkeiru]

Great beginning and awesome that the Moore family kept the burial site untouched.

[@hebro-h2q]

i’m proud of my home. Tennessee is the volunteer state! 🍊🧡 may his memory be a blessing and we are thankful for Sandy Wills for fighting for our country! 🇺🇸

[@kellyjelly2465]

I love this story!!!!

[@tinadaugherty9073]

Awesome discovery, beautiful & honored outcome for all. Thanks 60 Minutes.

[@digital2500]

Just an awesome story!!

[@brentk4418]

Great story and history lesson.

[@janicetilley5540]

Thank You for this very interesting story.

[@JoyLady-1966]

OMG look at them walking across that field with flags flying 😢😢😢

[@arthurcharlesstewart4617]

My family comes from Eastern Kentucky. We have ancesters who served BOTH sides of the Civil War. Theres small family cemetaries up in the hills where men of Both sides are buried. Still maintained til yoday.

[@myradioon]

Many people don't realize that Kentucky didn't vote to join the Confederacy. Many counties and the Eastern half of KY and TN were heavily pro-Union. Same with Mountain areas of NC and AL. All pro-Union.Mountain areas had less stake in the Plantation system and fewer slaves.

[@linlouwho123]

God bless these families. I so wish he had been alive to receive the honors he rightfully deserved. God bless Miss Wills for following through with her powerful research. We all deserve a name and a chance to be remembered.

[@BeccaJoyDowdaBriscoeMoorehead]

This is why I became the family genealogist and historian. Nobody should be forgotten, and everybody should have the chance to know where and whom they come from!

[@sopheeelexus]

This is an amazing story, thank you for sharing and God bless you all❤

[@thebeesknees2621]

Beautiful! She stated Sandy was a man without a legacy for 130 years. She is his legacy. Along with his other descendants. Something to be proud of. ❤

[@dadaevan]

Tears in my eyes. People love each other, no matter the color of their skin.

[@JonAnderhub]

Who are the other 37 that were buried there and what is their place in history?

[@dGuthrie1-hc2rx]

That what I want to know

[@carmelaszymanski8232]

I THANK YOU FOR ALL OF MY COUNTRY MEN AND WOMEN.. MY MOTHER ALWAYS PUT OUR BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN FLAG ON EVERY CELEBRATED BIRTHDAY.. THANK YOU FOR ALL.. BLESS THOSE WHO DIED FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO VOTE AND SPEAK FOR BEING ABLE TO DO SO.. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@EverettBurger]

Thank you for this story

[@themadwomanskitchen9732]

WOW! 6:42 The More family is amazing! They truly understand that we are ALL God's children!

[@frankhardin8124]

Best feature of the morning

[@timevans9470]

One of the most touching stories I've ever heard of. And wonderful reporting by Bill Whitaker. Thank you!

[@kingslate1]

He’s just one of many

[@donaldteal6315]

I give my thanks to at that served our great country 🇺🇸 Much respect God bless everyone and our country ✝️🕊️🇺🇸

[@leopoldosoria277]

The greatest honor to a man who had a hard life and helped reshape our nation and a man forgotten by time this story had me so emotional I was in tears Rest In Paradise Mr. Sandy Wills

[@energyasylum997]

BEAUTIFUL. Salute to the vet. Thanks all involved in this task. 🇺🇸🫡

[@haroldingebretsen2135]

God bless him

[@debbiecooper1677]

Wow this just took my breath away . Thank you for shareing this story if I can stop crying.

[@aaronwieman8368]

This is the real America. Godbless both these families

[@nlp6082]

This is such a heartwarming story ❤‼️

[@romstar]

Got dam , Cheryl!! You wasn't playing 😭 when it comes to your ancestors 🎉🎉❤❤❤🙏🙏

[@Ladybhive71]

😂 Irk?

[@derricklangford4725]

I'm in Chicago but I'm quite sure I've seen Cheryl on news clips on KZbin.

[@StephenAustin-c3s]

He helped write a chapter in the history books. Rest in peace soldier you are not forgotten

[@GarrettKoval]

Thank you for service.

[@svenmartin840]

Rest well Sandy and thank you for your service

[@IminHIGHpursuitofthelivingGod]

Aweeeeee wow what a story!!! That's why it's good to know your history.

[@jolitaburton4798]

What a story! IT brought tears to my eyes for many reasons.

[@themindofz7811]

Plz cont to do more stories like this about all American's that were intentionally forgotten. Native ppl Latino ect. Ppl really don't know the history of USA.....

[@lindagardenlady]

Yes! Agree 💯 👍 ❤❤❤

[@atatterson6992]

Intentionally forgotten?

[@klondo]

Awesome story.. R.I.P Soldier..

[@mjk4me]

Heartfelt tale of reclaiming the past. God bless them, one and all. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@Leviticus-z7w]

Awesome story!

[@mreyn17]

A truly amazing story!

[@AIvey-qs1so]

What a story! Thank you

[@jamesrguy5430]

Thank you for your service Sandy Wills!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Naturegirl1976]

Rip sir thank you for your selfless service to our great country

[@deannamadrigal7503]

Such a beautiful touching store 💙

[@bonniestewart6146]

God Bless you! I found my 2nd great-grandfather kind of the same way.😊 His military record gave us information we did not have. He was honored with a grave marker in Decatur, Alabama.

[@DerikB-k6n]

And of course all that ever served the US military I am proud to say thank you for your service to the flag ❤

[@atatterson6992]

Yes, especially the thousands of white Republicans who died in order to extinguish slavery. Funny how that is so often overlooked.

[@reneedennis2011]

Thank you for this video.

[@vernonedmonds8596]

Amazing 👏 and I watch Wills weekend interviews