Slave of Dr. John Searcy who became body servant for his sons, James (killed at Franklin) and Kitchen (killed near Rome, Georgia in 1865). After the war, was employed for 40 years by the Central of Georgia Railroad. Moved to Tennessee in 1903. Received pension for Confederate service, and was the first Negro, it is believed, that was buried in the Confederate Cemetery at Chattanooga.
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The Chattanoogan
March 23, 2016
True Grave Of First African-American Soldier Buried At Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery Found
The true grave of Shaderick Searcy was uncovered at the Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery
SHADERICK SEARCY, 1846-1937: PRIVATE C.S.A.
Shaderick Searcy was a black Confederate soldier. He was a bonded servant of Dr. John Searcy of Talbotton, Ga. When the Civil War began, Dr. Searcy, knowing that both his sons James and Kitchen would become pawns in this great struggle for states rights, dedicated Shaderick to become body servant to his two boys.
Both Dr. Searcy's sons of Company I of the 46th Georgia Infantry were killed during this conflict. James was killed at bloody Franklin, Tenn. and Kitchen was killed at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain near Atlanta.
Shaderick outlived both his wards and survived the Civil War. He received a pension for his Confederate service and died at the age of 91 in Chattanooga.
It has been long known and accepted that Shaderick was the first African-American to be buried in Chattanooga's Confederate Cemetery. The only evidence that Shaderick was located there was a simple headstone, but it was also recognized that this was only a marker and not the grave site.
During the second week of March, 2016 while restoration of the cemetery was ongoing, the true headstone and final resting place of Shaderick Searcy was discovered.
"Now as Sons of Confederate Veterans we too can honor the memory and the service of this Confederate soldier," said John A. Campbell, N.B. Forrest Camp 3, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
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The Chattanoogan
March 23, 2016
True Grave Of First African-American Soldier Buried At Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery Found
The true grave of Shaderick Searcy was uncovered at the Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery
SHADERICK SEARCY, 1846-1937: PRIVATE C.S.A.
Shaderick Searcy was a black Confederate soldier. He was a bonded servant of Dr. John Searcy of Talbotton, Ga. When the Civil War began, Dr. Searcy, knowing that both his sons James and Kitchen would become pawns in this great struggle for states rights, dedicated Shaderick to become body servant to his two boys.
Both Dr. Searcy's sons of Company I of the 46th Georgia Infantry were killed during this conflict. James was killed at bloody Franklin, Tenn. and Kitchen was killed at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain near Atlanta.
Shaderick outlived both his wards and survived the Civil War. He received a pension for his Confederate service and died at the age of 91 in Chattanooga.
It has been long known and accepted that Shaderick was the first African-American to be buried in Chattanooga's Confederate Cemetery. The only evidence that Shaderick was located there was a simple headstone, but it was also recognized that this was only a marker and not the grave site.
During the second week of March, 2016 while restoration of the cemetery was ongoing, the true headstone and final resting place of Shaderick Searcy was discovered.
"Now as Sons of Confederate Veterans we too can honor the memory and the service of this Confederate soldier," said John A. Campbell, N.B. Forrest Camp 3, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Slave of Dr. John Searcy who became body servant for his sons, James (killed at Franklin) and Kitchen (killed near Rome, Georgia in 1865). After the war, was employed for 40 years by the Central of Georgia Railroad. Moved to Tennessee in 1903. Received pension for Confederate service, and was the first Negro, it is believed, that was buried in the Confederate Cemetery at Chattanooga.
--------------------------------
The Chattanoogan
March 23, 2016
True Grave Of First African-American Soldier Buried At Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery Found
The true grave of Shaderick Searcy was uncovered at the Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery
SHADERICK SEARCY, 1846-1937: PRIVATE C.S.A.
Shaderick Searcy was a black Confederate soldier. He was a bonded servant of Dr. John Searcy of Talbotton, Ga. When the Civil War began, Dr. Searcy, knowing that both his sons James and Kitchen would become pawns in this great struggle for states rights, dedicated Shaderick to become body servant to his two boys.
Both Dr. Searcy's sons of Company I of the 46th Georgia Infantry were killed during this conflict. James was killed at bloody Franklin, Tenn. and Kitchen was killed at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain near Atlanta.
Shaderick outlived both his wards and survived the Civil War. He received a pension for his Confederate service and died at the age of 91 in Chattanooga.
It has been long known and accepted that Shaderick was the first African-American to be buried in Chattanooga's Confederate Cemetery. The only evidence that Shaderick was located there was a simple headstone, but it was also recognized that this was only a marker and not the grave site.
During the second week of March, 2016 while restoration of the cemetery was ongoing, the true headstone and final resting place of Shaderick Searcy was discovered.
"Now as Sons of Confederate Veterans we too can honor the memory and the service of this Confederate soldier," said John A. Campbell, N.B. Forrest Camp 3, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
--------------------------------
The Chattanoogan
March 23, 2016
True Grave Of First African-American Soldier Buried At Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery Found
The true grave of Shaderick Searcy was uncovered at the Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery
SHADERICK SEARCY, 1846-1937: PRIVATE C.S.A.
Shaderick Searcy was a black Confederate soldier. He was a bonded servant of Dr. John Searcy of Talbotton, Ga. When the Civil War began, Dr. Searcy, knowing that both his sons James and Kitchen would become pawns in this great struggle for states rights, dedicated Shaderick to become body servant to his two boys.
Both Dr. Searcy's sons of Company I of the 46th Georgia Infantry were killed during this conflict. James was killed at bloody Franklin, Tenn. and Kitchen was killed at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain near Atlanta.
Shaderick outlived both his wards and survived the Civil War. He received a pension for his Confederate service and died at the age of 91 in Chattanooga.
It has been long known and accepted that Shaderick was the first African-American to be buried in Chattanooga's Confederate Cemetery. The only evidence that Shaderick was located there was a simple headstone, but it was also recognized that this was only a marker and not the grave site.
During the second week of March, 2016 while restoration of the cemetery was ongoing, the true headstone and final resting place of Shaderick Searcy was discovered.
"Now as Sons of Confederate Veterans we too can honor the memory and the service of this Confederate soldier," said John A. Campbell, N.B. Forrest Camp 3, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
