Contributor believes this to be the headstone of Alfred T. Darden who according to family tradition died on the way home from Fort Deleware where he had been held captive. His release date was July 30, 1863, just 19 days before the death date on this stone.

Alfred was born in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, married Mary S. McClenny on May 5, 1849 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. They moved to Hinds County, Mississippi by 1850. Alfred is found on a list of Confederate soldiers serving from the state of Mississippi. A. T. Darden is shown as a Prisoner of War at Fort Delaware, Del. Captured May 17, 1863 in Mississippi, and paroled at Fort Delaware on July 30, 1863.

During research done at the Mississippi Archives, this contributor found the biographic report on Alfred T. Darden's grandson, Alfred Stephen Darden in the work "Mississippi, a History" by Walter Nesbit Taylor and George H. Ethridge. In Volume 4, Alfred Stephen Darden's biographical report includes the following:
"The family came from Virginia to this state prior to the Civil War, in which the grandfather of Alfred S. Darden participated. Joining the Confederate Army, he was captured and imprisoned, and after his release died while en route home."

Studying maps it is easily seen that Alfred T. Darden, released prisoner, was quite close to his place of birth and his brother, Charles H. Darden's home. We contend Alfred was ill, traveled to his brother's home, died and was buried there.

We believe this stone has an inscription error and is this Alfred T. Darden. Research may someday either prove or disprove this theory.

Alfred's wife, Mary McClenny Darden is buried in the George T. Underhill Cemetery, Hinds County, Mississippi, known here on Find A Grave as the Underhill Cemetery, Edwards, Hinds County, Mississippi. Her headstone photo and a memorial are on Find A Grave. See Find A Grave Memorial# 12221913.