City Cemetery (Old Gray) Forgotten Soldiers: a Virtual Cemetery

See all by V Davies

A Virtual Cemetery created by V Davies

City Cemetery (Old Gray) Forgotten Soldiers

These are men that were buried unmarked at Old Gray, between the fall of Knoxville in Nov of 1863 and Feb 1864.This is a brief 2-3 month period. And it is very telling. These men are not "battlefield deaths" randomly buried in Middlebrook or around town ...these are the soldiers who were being held at the jail to serve time or to be transferred to Camp Chase. Several of these men were too ill to put on the train for Chase on Dec 15th 1863 and were kept in Knoxville at the newly formed Hospital. There is PLENTY of documentation as to their deaths and burials yet, because the Knoxville Coroner did not "list" them on the "be-all, end-all" Knoxville coroner list...these men have yet to have markers placed. in the diary of Ellen Renshaw House "A Very Violent Rebel" pg.65, Pvt. W.A Hall (who is in this virtual cemetery)is mentioned as dying in the jail yet, he even HE isn't on the coroner's list.Why? Because Knoxville was in deep turmoil for several months..reorganizing..dealing with Middlebrook etc. The Union officers handled the jail/prison hospital and I don't believe the coroner recorded a death of ONE soldier at the jail during this period.During this SAME brief time, Old Gray owners approached the City/State examiners and requested to no longer bury confederate soldiers due to the confederate money being worthless. Amazingly enough, military records show that burials of CSA at City Cemetery abruptly stopped by Feb of 1864. All burials are at Rebel (Bethel) and US (National)by March of 1864.In gov't hospital, provost and jail documents, recorded by Union troops, Old Gray is referred to as a city cemetery. The newly placed Union officers (not familiar w/ Knoxville) described it as: public, north of city (Old Gray was considered north of downtown in 1863), where the CITIZENS of the city are buried, in plain view of citizens and most near the Jail/hospital.So why haven't these soldiers been acknowledged by Knoxville, Old Gray or local CSV Camps? 1. They aren't on the "Coroners List" so most lazily dismiss.2. It was a BRIEF 2 month period and was just overlooked by local researchers. Not valiant battle deaths but, merely sick POWs3. Local historians are comfortable with their mantra, "they are buried all over the place".4. The soldiers are from varied States and Units, no cohesiveness. 5. Old Gray already has up their memorial of "unnamed soldiers" for the unmarked CSA graves they KNOW they have. Why rock the boat?Please take a look over the names and if you find a name of interest, please consider helping get them acknowledged!If you find your 2 or 3rd grandfather, let me know! I would love to transfer your family to you!Blessings and Big Hugs!

These are men that were buried unmarked at Old Gray,  between the fall of Knoxville in Nov of 1863 and Feb 1864.This is a brief 2-3 month period. And it is very telling. These men are not "battlefield deaths" randomly buried in Middlebrook or around town ...these are the soldiers who were being held at the jail to serve time or to be transferred to Camp Chase. Several of these men were too ill to put on the train for Chase on Dec 15th 1863 and were kept in Knoxville at the newly formed Hospital. There is PLENTY of documentation as to their deaths and burials yet, because the Knoxville Coroner did not "list" them on the "be-all, end-all" Knoxville coroner list...these men have yet to have markers placed. in the diary of Ellen Renshaw House "A Very Violent Rebel" pg.65,    Pvt. W.A Hall (who is in this virtual cemetery)is mentioned as dying in the jail yet, he even HE isn't on the coroner's list.Why? Because Knoxville was in deep turmoil for several months..reorganizing..dealing with Middlebrook etc. The Union officers handled the jail/prison hospital and I don't believe the coroner recorded a death of ONE soldier at the jail during this period.During this SAME brief time, Old Gray owners approached the City/State examiners and requested to no longer bury confederate soldiers due to the confederate money being worthless. Amazingly enough, military records show that burials of CSA at City Cemetery abruptly stopped by Feb of 1864. All burials are at Rebel (Bethel) and US (National)by March of 1864.In gov't hospital, provost and jail documents, recorded by Union troops, Old Gray is referred to as a city cemetery. The newly placed Union officers (not familiar w/ Knoxville) described it as: public, north of city (Old Gray was considered north of downtown in 1863), where the CITIZENS of the city are buried, in plain view of citizens and most near the Jail/hospital.So why haven't these soldiers been acknowledged by Knoxville, Old Gray or local CSV Camps? 1. They aren't on the "Coroners List" so most lazily dismiss.2. It was a BRIEF 2 month period and was just overlooked by local   researchers. Not valiant battle deaths but, merely sick POWs3. Local historians are comfortable with their mantra, "they are buried all over the place".4. The soldiers are from varied States and Units, no cohesiveness. 5. Old Gray already has up their memorial of "unnamed soldiers" for the unmarked CSA graves they KNOW they have. Why rock the boat?Please take a look over the names and if you find a name of interest, please consider helping get them acknowledged!If you find your 2 or 3rd grandfather, let me know! I would love to transfer your family to you!Blessings and Big Hugs!

32 memorials

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City Cemetery (Old Gray) Forgotten Soldiers

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PVT James Aldrich Flowers have been left.

PVT Thomas A Bostick VVeteran Flowers have been left.

PVT John Brantley Flowers have been left.

William P Cavander Flowers have been left.

PVT James S Chance Flowers have been left.

PVT David S Cooper Flowers have been left.

PVT Alexander Corbin Flowers have been left.

PVT C D Davidson Flowers have been left.

PVT Francis M Davis Flowers have been left.

PVT J O Dennis Flowers have been left.

CPL Joseph James O Dorsey Flowers have been left.

PVT William C. Dreher Flowers have been left.

Pvt Abner Flowers Flowers have been left.

John Johnson “J J” Golmon Flowers have been left.

W A Hall Flowers have been left.

CPL Leonard B Hayes Flowers have been left.

CPT James M Johnson Flowers have been left.

PVT James “JJ” Lewis Flowers have been left.

PVT Alex Lynn Flowers have been left.

PVT John A Martin VVeteran Flowers have been left.

PVT Thomas A Bostick Veteran Flowers have been left.

PVT John A Martin Veteran Flowers have been left.