TNLAWREN-L Archives

From: Lawrence County Archives <>
Subject: [TNLAWREN] confederal memorial service
Date: Thu, 17 May 2001 10:13:23 -0500

A Confederate memorial service will take place June 3rd at 1:30 P.M. to
honor 43 previously unknown Confederate soldiers buried in the Chestnut
Grove Cemetery. These southern soldiers died during and after the
battle at Anthony's Hill located south of Pulaski, TN. The Christmas
day battle in 1864 was fought between Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's
rearguard troops and the Union Army.

Official records indicate 16 Confederates died with approximately 40
wounded. Local citizen's of Anthony Hill buried the Confederate dead
and nursed the wounded. Later, many wounded soldiers succumbed to their
injuries with 27 men presently unknown. Members of Chestnut Grove
Methodist Church, chartered in 1859, cared for their graves and
collectively referred to them as "the old Confederates" until the local
camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans placed new headstones with
assistance from the 4th District office of U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary.

The Chestnut Grove Methodist Church has combined the memorial service
with their annual decoration day. Church service will be at 11:00 A.M.
followed by the "traditional dinner on the ground" in their fellowship
hall. All re-enactors and interested guests are invited to attend the
church service and the food prepared by church members.

After dinner, Confederate re-enactors and period dressed civilians will
lead a short walk from the church to the cemetery. The program includes
short historical summaries by Heath Matthews and Vickie Rumble before
the keynote address by Tim Morrison. Bobby Horton will perform the
musical portion of the program followed by Dr. Michael Bradley's oral
interpretation of his poem, "I Am Their Flag." Finally, Tim Burgess
will read the Confederate names between alternating volleys of cannon
and musket fire.

Roster of soldiers buried after the battle:
Obadiah Alford, Thomas L. Bamberg, Timothy L. Barham, Michael M. Bryant,
Samuel B. Day, John W. Holloway, John T. Holt, Dorsey Hudson, David A.
Jackson, Jr., James M. McClure, Samuel H. Moore, George W. Smith,
William Strickland, J.W. Tillman, Henry W. Watkins, Alexander Whitaker.

To reach the cemetery from Lawrence County travel Fall River Road into
Giles County. Chestnut Grove Road will be on your left just a short
distance before Fall River Road ends at Minor Hill Road (Highway 11).
The church is on Fall River Rd. about 100 yards before you get to
Chestnut Grove Rd.; the cemetery is on Chestnut Grove Rd.

Kathy Niedergeses

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