Wiley Lee's new,Department of Veterans Affairs,grave stone at Swift Creek Cemetery was installed in a ceremony on Feb 15,2013.The event was organized and coordinated by the Mechanized Cavalry 3rd Bn Co D with the SCV Jubal Early Camp and the ceremony was complimented by the men and ladies of the Camp. The Florida Division Commander, Jim Davis participated with Mike Mitchel from Florida and Taps was played after the gun salute by Ltc Gregory Kalof, SCVMC.The following is,Wiley Lee's biography that was read by,Dave King at the re-dedication ceremony ............(additions about,Wiley's brother in law,Edmund Mathis Smith added by John Clay Harris)

Today we are honoring a true southern hero who comes from a line of true southern American Patriots.1st Lieutenant Wiley Lee Sr. was born to,John Lee and Elizabeth Jones Lee on July 11 1817 in Camden Georgia and past away on November 12th 1889 in White Springs,Florida.Wiley was the oldest of five children he had two brothers,Levi Luther Lee and James Lee.Three of his six sisters were, Nancy Ann Lee,Elizabeth Lee, and Mary Anna Lee.Wiley Lee's sister,Mary Anna Lee's husband was,Lt Edmund Mathis Smith.Edmund served along side,Wiley Lee ,in the same Company,during the Civil War.

Wiley's father,Patriot John Lee was a veteran of the War of 1812 and rode with the 2nd Florida Mounted Volunteers during the 2nd Seminole Indian War.Wiley's younger brother,Corporal Levi Luther Lee served in Company G,5th Florida Cavalry Battalion.On October 14,1864,at the age of 41 ,Corporal Levi Luther Lee gave the ultimate sacrifice defending the Rebels cause.Wiley's brother,Levi is buried,near by,at Prospect Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in White Springs,Florida.

Wiley married,Mary Ann Elizabeth McDonald on August 22nd 1839 they had 12 children together 4 sons and 8 daughters. Wiley's son,James Hiram Lee served in Company C,2nd Florida Infantry,enlisting at the age of 17,another son,John Harley Lee enlisted in Company K,2nd Florida Cavalry.Wiley Lee also had a son in law,Lewis Hogans who he seved along side with in Company E,1st Florida Cavalry.Lewis Hogans died of disease after being in a Yankee prison December 22nd 1862.Wiley was living in Hamilton County prior to 1840,during the states territorial years making him a true Pioneer Settler of the State of Florida.The 1860 slave schedule censes shows,Wiley owning 7 slaves; ages 19,18,14,11,8,4 and 2.On Nov 14,1861,Wiley Henry Lee enlisted in, Captain Charles F. Cone's, Company E ,1st Florida Cavalry in White Springs,Florida with 2 Bay horses which were valued at 200 dollars each and equipment at 25 dollars.Upon entering service,Wiley was given the Commission of 1st Lieutenant of said Company E,1st Florida Cavalry.That very same day in White Springs,Florida,Wiley Lee's brother in law, Edmund Mathis Smith,mentioned above,was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of, Captain Charles F. Cone's Company E,1st Florida Cavalry.The 3rd of May 1862 Wiley was paid 556.61 for services and use and risk of his horse from time of enlistment.During,Wiley Lee's service in Company E,1st Florida Cavalry he saw action at Shiloh Tennessee,Camp Walton Florida,and as Home Guard at the Battle of Olustee.Back home things were bad,Wiley's wife was very ill and was having difficulties caring for their many young children.While in Shiloh,Tennessee,Wiley Lee put in his Resignation from,Company E,1st Florida Cavalry.After his regignation he still wanted to defend and fight but wanted to be near family and home.The following text was from the original document that recorded his oppintment as 1st Lt of the Colquitt Home Guards of Hamilton County,Florida...

State of Florida,Hamilton County: Before me,Joseph Thomas, a Justice of the Peace in a fore said county,personally came Wiley Lee, Senior,well known to be a gentleman of truth and veracity,who,after being duly sworn, says that he is a citizen and farmer of said county that he will be forty-seven years old,the 11th day of July next - that he has twelve children,two of whom are in the C.S. service and ten at home,all the latter being girls but two, the eldest of these boys being age 8 years - that he has had at his house ever since the war, three grandchildren as a part of the family (their father having died in the service of the C.S.) - that their father ...ten children and three grandchildren were deriving the necessitates of life from him with no other means of support. Under the late Act calling out men for home defense, he responds to that call - that he was elected 1st Lt. of the "Colquitt Home Guards" of Hamilton County,commanded by Captain John B Spencer - that since the organization and his election, his wife died, leaving his home destitute of any one capable of taking care of the... & the large family depending upon him, ....for a support - that there are six children at this house under six years old who are alone supported by his efforts - he therefore says that he is under service to his county by remaining at home looking after the wants of his large family than in the army - he therefore ask to be detailed to attend to the wants of his family.

Wiley Lee Sworn to before me this 29th day of June, A.D. 1864,Jos Thomas,Justice of the Peace

Wiley's wife,Mary Ann Elizabeth(McDonald)Lee died May 18th, 1864.After the War's end,Wiley settled down to farming and cattle ranching,He remarried on October 12th 1865 to,Martha Pennington who is buried next to him.They bore 10 Children(a total of 23 children in all). His Father was married 3 times and fathered 25 children. 1st. Lt Wiley Lee You Are gone but you will never be forgotten Sir!!!!