Memorial Monument Dedication For Unknown Colored Confederate Soldier
The following information was submitted to the SCV dispatch by Jim Pierce of the Sam Tate Camp 836 in Morganton, NC
"Buried in an unmarked grave, the unknown 'Colored boy who belonged to the Army (from information taken from church records) died Dec. 16, 1864'. Understanding that Southern heritage knows no boundaries, members of the Col. Sam Tate SCV Camp 836 placed a bronze marker at Walker Top Church on Burkemont Mountain in the South Mountains State Park in North Carolina. The marker was dedicated on November 10, 2001. The following is the brief service written by me. We also incorporated Scriptural words and closed with the Lord’s Prayer. The Bull Frog Quintet then sang Dixie as the marker was unveiled."
Jim Pierce, SCV Camp 836
Known only to GOD. Perhaps, if not for him – one or more of us may not be alive today.
He
was a Negro Servant and by all evidence believed in our LORD.
Otherwise,
the church would not have placed him in sacred ground. He must have been loyal
to the Lord as he was loyal to his Earthly Master or he would not have been
recorded in the written records of the Church.
He
must have been a strong defender of the faith and the life required to live in
faith – or he would not have belonged to the Army.
He
must have been an upright and trustworthy person with all he came into contact
with or he would not have been given a Suit of Confederate Gray.
He
must have been Brave, loyal, and honorable or we would not be here today.
One
of us may know one of his descendents and for all we know this soldier may have
performed some act in his short life time that saved the life of one of our
ancestors. For this very possibility it is important for us to develop a proper
relationship with others who inhabit the same land.
He
Was A Southron Soldier and we Now Consecrate Memory of him to those who come
after we are gone and as they stand here and bow their heads to read the
inscription on this bronze we hope The Cross of St. Andrew is seen in their mind’s eye along with the
blood of the martyrs for Christ and his teachings.
We
are at war today. One of us may end up as an unknown. This boy had a mother and
family and friends – yet he is unknown but to God.
Let us make sure that if we too suffer the same fate that some day if not
here on earth then in heaven that we are remembered for what we do. And may our
remembrance here today increase our resolve to live the honorable life of a
loyal Southron who will defend his faith, his family, and his country.
Volleys were fired and taps was played.