Alabama soldier rests on Secession Hill in Abbeville, South Carolina (music & photographs]
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I have a question about the song. It is said that the soldier was an unknown yet in the song, several of the soldier’s relatives are named. Was this artistic license or was the soldier later identified? Is the date of his death known? I am curious because my gg grandfather never it made it home to Alabama. He spent time in Point Lookout Prison for Confederates in Maryland and was released on 6June1865. The last written record was that he was released as a “sick prisoner”. I have always felt he succumbed to his illness on his journey home and is, at best, buried in some “unknown” grave along his route back to Alabama. I know it would be impossible to ever establish his location but, if this soldier remains “unknown” then at least I would feel some connection to him. A response would be appreciated.
Since he is unknown, I feel pretty sure artistic license was used. In the story about the grave, it was discovered while clearing the site.
Many Alabama settlers came from Abbeville. My 3rd great grandfather was born there in 1809 and died 60 years later in Coosa County, Alabama.
Mr. Creech, The best information we have, is that he died of smallpox in the last few days of April or sometime in May. He was said to be in his thirties. There were quite a number of Confederate soldiers in Abbeville who were on their way home when President Davis arrived mid-morning 2 May 1865, because there are reports that they lined the street and cheered President Davis. I am currently doing research for a book on the history of Secession Hill. In my research, I came across a memoir of a lady who states that the Alabama soldier died on the day that Davis was here; however, I do not know how much credence to give her statement, since the article was written by her in 1927 at the age of ninety-five. (She lived to be 104.) The Rev. Peeler did use artistic license in his poem.
We have a tombstone for the soldier and will have a dedication of his grave on Saturday 16 May 2015 at 1:00 PM.
My great great Grandfather, Frederic B. Creech, disappeared after being released after the war from Point Lookout Prison, MD. The last record I have of him was that he was being released as a “sick prisoner”. He never made it home either and I’ve never been able to find a trace of him. So this really touches me. How many other brave Confederates and Southerners died but are not listed as war dead?
Thank You for your service Sir!!
This is so sad. How many young men from both sides are in unmarked graves, their families never knowing what happened or where they are. There are several Union soldiers buried in a little cemetery in Hale County. Their graves are tended just as well as the Confederates as they should be.
The song and video sent chills down my spine . I know that in this age of being ” politically Correct ” , we have so many politicians trying to erase every vestige of our history . The fact of the matter is that the Civil War DID happen and you can’t rewrite or change history to suit yourself. or to appease or please other people. I had folks that fought on both sides. These are my ancestors , the people I descend from and no amount of political correctness can take that away from me.
Somebody has been working on stealing that bronze plaque. The fasteners need to be repaired, or it won’t be there much longer.
How in the world can people be so heartless . they died for what was right and families never knew what happen to them. My great grand father fought in the war
The United States should take care of all Confederate graves no matter what ! my ancestors all
fought in that war they where from Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, they fought for
what they thought was right States rights and for their Homelands not Slavery what most people
think the War was about not one of my ancestor had any Slaves at All that took up arms to
Fight Yes we should take care of all graves of the men who fought for the south it is part of History
and my ancestors who died in that War will allways be Known to have died for what they thought
was Right !!!
I too had ancestors which fought on both sides. I too do not understand why history just can’t stay history; why must it be rewritten? The Civil War is American history, and all our ancestors had heartfelt reasons for fighting. Thanks for posting this touching piece of history, both in video and beautiful song!
I agree thanks for the history I to had ancestors who fought on North and South.Some we’re p.o.w.s in New Orleans. The nation was torn apart it is history and should not be rewritten nor should it be removed from any school system.