Southern Graves

Standing proud and tall, with a laurel wreath – a symbol of victory over death – draped over it's top, is a monument to the career soldier Thomas James Berry.  The four sides and panels tell the story of his supreme sacrifice in body and a life cut short. In Memory of Thomas James Berry Born October 28, 1835 Who Died At Newnan, The Place Of His Birth, The 16 th Day Of October A.D. 1865. A Graduate Of The United States Military Academy At West Point, N.Y. Class Of 1857. He Served As Lieutenant Of Dragoons In The U.S. Army Till 1861. A Soldier In The Southern Army He Was Wounded In Seven Battles. No Country E'er Had A Truer Son -- No Cause A Nobler Champion; No People A Braver Defender, Than The Dead Soldier Who Sleeps Here! A Man Tried, In Many High Offices And Critical Enterprises; And Found Faithful In All. In His Honor Impregnable; In His Simplicity Sublime. An Obituary from 21 October 1865 edition of Newnan Herald (Georgia): DIED, At the family residence in t...

Here's an interesting discrepancy between a written history and what is "written" in stone. William M. Smith was a soldier of the American Revolution from North Carolina. He is mentioned by Lucian Lamar Knight on page 489 of Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials and Legends (published 1914): From an obscure grave in the county [Coweta] the remains of William Smith, another soldier of the first war for independence, were brought to Newnan some time ago and re-interred in the Confederate burial-ground, in the southeast corner of Oak Hill. He was given the sobriquet of "Hell Nation", a somewhat descriptive title which may indicate the fiery quality of his valor. Mr. Smith died at the age of 81. He enlisted in Moore County, N.C., and was granted a pension on September 3, 1832. I visited the final, final resting place of Mr. Smith in October of last year. When putting an image of the stone with the history by Mr. Knight, I noticed a bit of an issue. The older ...

Edwin Freeman Ussery Georgia SP - 2 World War II Korea September 19, 1922 August 6, 1955 Edwin Freeman Ussery was born in Hart County, Georgia. 1 He died in service to his country while in Korea, 6 August 1955. Specialist Ussery was honored with an upright marble headstone placed at Blue Heights Baptist Cemetery in Mountain City, Rabun County, Georgia. 2 Sources: 1. "Georgia, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1942," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V2MR-CMQ : accessed 03 Mar 2013), Edwin Freeman Ussery, 1941. 2. Ancestry.com. U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 [database & images on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Entry for Edwin Freeman Ussery.

I really like these gravestones placed for George Walker, Jr. at Walker Cemetery in Bleckley County, Georgia. There's the early American military service, the mention of slavery (but not the horrors of it), and an informative epitaph. AS a tribute of affection and a testimony of grief this stone is erected to the memory of GEORGE WALKER by his children. He was born in Burke County, Georgia 14th Nov 1763 Died in Houston County, Geo 4th Sept 1830 a member of the Baptist Church. An affectionate husband, a kind father An indulgent master, a sincere friend A useful member of the community He was universally respected. Here may the treasured dust repose Till God shall bid the dead arise And then with kindred Spirits round Obtain a mansion in the skies. George Walker, Jr. GA Troops Rev War September 4, 1830 Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum

Capt. W. N. Hutchins "The painful rumor of the last two days has been confirmed, and Columbus has to mourn the death of the above named most estimable citizen and gallant and meritorious officer. He was the oldest son of Hon. N. L. Hutchins, Judge of the Superior Courts of the Western Circuit, and nephew and law partner of Col. Hines Holt, of this city. At the commencement of our struggle, he held the position of Assistant Secretary in the Provisional Congress -- which would have exempted him from military service. But he felt that his country needed his services in the more active duties of the field, and at once surrendered all else in obedience to this sense of duty and of patriotism. Though of frail and feeble constitution, no man has been more continuously at his post, and no more gallant spirit has been offered up on the altar of his country. Peace to his ashes -- and honor, all honor to his memory!" [ Columbus Daily Enquirer (Georgia), 25 September 1863] C...

Georgia's Marietta National Cemetery

Larry Jean Williams US Marine Corps World War II Aug 6, 1916 ~ Oct 18, 1996 Fairview Presbyterian Church Cemetery Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia Photo © 2010/1 S. Lincecum Census records suggest Larry was a son of Roland R. and Minnie E. Williams, also buried at Fairview Presbyterian.

Archie Harris, Jr. South Carolina Cpl US Army Korea Dec 26, 1927 - Nov 30, 1972 Archie died in Dekalb County, Georgia. He was laid to rest in Goodwin Cemetery at Duluth, Gwinnett County, Georgia. Photo © 2011 S. Lincecum.

Gen. James Green Martin Born in Elizabeth City, N.C. February 14, 1819 Died in Asheville, N.C. October 4, 1878 Brevet Major, U.S.A. for gallant conduct in Mexico, 1847. Brig. Gen. C.S.A. Army of Northern Va. 1864. General-In-Chief, N.C. Troops, 1861. In Command of Western N.C. 1865. General Martin was laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery; Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina. He was a son of Dr. William Martin and Sophia Dange. General Martin was known as "Old One Wing" because he lost an arm in the Mexican War. - James Green Martin on Wikipedia