Pvt. Blanton served in Co. B, 34 NC INF, CSA. He along with 6 confederate comrades was returning to their homes in Cleveland and Rutherford Counties. When they reached the Mecklenburg side of the Catawba River they discovered that no ferries were running due to extremely high water and turbulence. In their haste to get home they hired a local boy and his fishing boat to ferry them across. The boat was either swamped or capsized sending everyone into the torrent of water. Only Anvil Duycus managed to reach shore, but he was also drowned while attempting to rescue the others. To have fought in battles at Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Wilderness and survived the war only to drown mere miles from their homes seems a cruel turn of fate. It is believed that the men were buried in Gaston County near the site were they drowned. No evidence can be found to determine the exact location. These makers have been erected to preserve their memories for future generations.
Pvt. Blanton served in Co. B, 34 NC INF, CSA. He along with 6 confederate comrades was returning to their homes in Cleveland and Rutherford Counties. When they reached the Mecklenburg side of the Catawba River they discovered that no ferries were running due to extremely high water and turbulence. In their haste to get home they hired a local boy and his fishing boat to ferry them across. The boat was either swamped or capsized sending everyone into the torrent of water. Only Anvil Duycus managed to reach shore, but he was also drowned while attempting to rescue the others. To have fought in battles at Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Wilderness and survived the war only to drown mere miles from their homes seems a cruel turn of fate. It is believed that the men were buried in Gaston County near the site were they drowned. No evidence can be found to determine the exact location. These makers have been erected to preserve their memories for future generations.
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