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The Franklin Civil War community was very honored in October 2009 when we reburied the unknown Civil War soldier. I blogged on it extensively. Our community was so fortunate to have three living sons/daughters attend that ceremony. The living Confederate son was James Brown, Sr. Mr. Brown died last week at age 99 near Knoxville. He endured a brief struggle with lung cancer. He would have been 100 on Valentine’s Day. The KnoxNews ran this story.
James Brown, Sr., at the Franklin unknown Civil War soldier reburial in Franklin; October 2009.
My wife and I were able to host Mr. Brown for dinner in 2009. He was a true Southern gentleman with all the charm of Clark Gable. It was a tremendous honor to meet him. When he first walked into my home he pulled four original Civil War bullets from his pocket and gave them to me. He said he had recently been to Gettysburg where he purchased them. His father fought in the wheatfield at Gettysburg with the 8th GA Infantry.
We will miss Mr. Brown. Leave your comments and I’ll make sure his son receives them. A memorial service is scheduled at Tellico Community Church on February 14, 2012.
U P D A T E – new date for premiere announced
Followers of my blog and Battle of Franklin fans will be delighted to know that the documentary film produced and directed by Brian and Jodi-Jones Speciale titled Heading Back Home will debut on Friday night, October 14th at the historic Franklin Theatre in downtown Franklin.
Tickets will go on sale at the Franklin Theatre box office Sept 16th at 10 a.m.
Copies of the film in DVD format will be available the night of the event and for pre-sale soon as well.
A nice size crowd of folks from the Franklin Tennessee community attended the 1pm ceremony for the formal unveiling of the marker for the Unknown Civil War soldier today in rest Haven Cemetery near downtown. It was perfect weather for a poignant occasion.
Franklin Unknown Civil War soldier marker dedication, April 12, 2011
Margie Thessin – Vice-Chair of the Battlefield Preservation Commission – opened the ceremony with some brief comments.
Professor and author Thomas Flagel shared some history of the Unknown Soldier. I have blogged extensively since 2009 on this story (see link). Professor Flagel remarked how it was rather ironic and poignant that the Unknown Civil War Soldier’s marker was formally unveiled on the 150th anniversary of the opening to the American Civil War.
The money needed for the marker – $2,300.00 – was donated by over 70 people from all over the United States, and even one person from Ireland.
Robin Hood, also with the Battlefield Preservation Commission, was unable to attend but his remarks were recited by Margie Thessin (see below).
To see the photo gallery from the dedication ceremony click here.
Professor and author, Thomas Flagel
Comments for Ceremony Dedicating Sign for the Tomb of the Unknown Civil War Soldier, Rest Haven Cemetery, Franklin Tennessee | Robin Hood, April 12, 2011
When nationally heralded Philadelphia architect William Strickland located to Nashville in 1845 and began designing Tennessee’s State Capitol, little did he know that the Tennessee limestone he selected for its columns would succumb to the elements in less than a century.
In the 1950’s a major restoration of the Capitol replaced the crumbling columns, which were committed to a grassy hillside in the Cockrill Bend of the Cumberland River.
The State of Tennessee graciously donated a portion of this architectural reliquary to Franklin for marking the tomb of this unknown Civil War soldier, reentered here from the nearby battlefield.
In funerary symbolism, the broken shaft of a column represents a life ended short of full potential. However, what fuller meaning can be attributed to a life than its culmination in devoted service to one’s country.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…
The ancient marble and limestone we use to commemorate the dead is a constellation of living matter from a previous time. It is the composite of grasses and leaves… sinew and bone… sand and shell… all from eons past.
It is then fitting that this aggregate stone memorialize not just one unknown soldier, but all the brave soldiers – Union and Confederate – that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country on Franklin’s calamitous field of battle.
I was walking through Rest Haven Cemetery in Franklin today, taking pictures of the markers of Civil War soldiers, when I came upon a beautiful new marker to the Unknown Civil War soldier. I blogged extensively about the October 2009 reburial. One of my greatest honors was to host true living Civil War sons, James Brown and Harold Becker in my home for dinner on the occasion. Here’s the photo gallery of my visit today.
On October 10, 2009, the city of Franklin reinterred a once-lost Civil War soldier whose remains were unearthed along the Columbia Pike in the Spring. I blogged on it extensively. This unknown soldier was reburied at Resthaven Cemetery in downtown Franklin. Columns that were originally part of the Nashville State Capital in the Civil War were placed at the site to mark the burial.
Now, almost one year later, the markers will be formally dedicated on November 30, 2010, the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin.
Franklin on Foot is spearheading a donation-drive to raise funds for the commemoration. To donate click here, or send a check to Margie Thessin, 400 Maplewood Drive, Franklin, TN 37064, payable to the Williamson County Historical Society.
My wife and I were honored to host a dinner on Friday, October 10th with our special guests of honor. Harold Becker (91) is the son of Civil War veteran Charles Conrad Becker, who served with the 128th Indiana Infantry and fought at Franklin. James Brown, Sr., is the son of James H.H. Brown who served with the 8th Georgia Infantry, and fought at Gettysburg.
Mr. Becker and Mr. Brown have attended Civil War reunions and events for seventy years but until October 10th had NEVER met a Civil War son who fought for “the other side”.
The Civil War News covered the story.
The Tennessean has a three minute slideshow gallery of photos and music to commemorate the reburial of the unknown soldier.
WATCH it here.
Harold Becker’s father’s unit – the 128th Indiana – was posted on the far left Union flank, near the Nashville-Decatur Railroad, part of Stiles’s Brigade. That brigade faced the onslaught of numerous Confederate units from Featherston’s Brigade on November 30th, 1864.
Harold still has his father’s Enfield rifle he used at Franklin.
Harold Becker, son of Charles Conrad Becker, who served with the 128th Indiana Infantry.
I had the distinct privilege of taking Harold Becker on a tour of McGavock Confederate Cemetery Sunday. His father’s unit – the 128th Indiana – was posted on the far left Union flank, near the Nashville-Decatur Railroad, part of Stiles’s Brigade. That brigade faced the onslaught of numerous Confederate units from Featherston’s Brigade on November 30th, 1864.
Unfortunately, hundreds of young CSA boys did not survive the clash that fateful day and Mr Becker walked pensively through the cemetery reflecting on that day his father must have wished never happened. Many of those casualties are buried in McGavock.
The sons at graveside
The sons enjoyed one another's company all weekend.
The sons arrive at Rest Haven.
Harold Becker (91, son of Charles Conrad Becker, 128th Indiana) speaks at the graveside of the unknown Franklin Civil War soldier Saturday.
Becker is flanked on his right by Sam Gant.
Hundreds of reenactors showed up for the reburial Saturday in Franklin. The two living Civil War sons were celebrities as scores of people sought to meet the sons.
James Brown Sr., greets a reeanactor.
Harold Becker (91, son of Charles Conrad Becker, 128th Indiana) and James Brown, Sr., (97, son of James H.H. Brown, 8th Georgia) ride in the buggy on the way to Rest Haven Cemetery.
Harold Becker (left) and James Brown, Sr., (right).
Civil War son Harold Becker got to tour Carnton plantation Saturday. His guide was historian Eric Jacobson.
Here are some highlights of some of the very interesting things we learned about Mr Harold Becker this weekend:
- Harold admits he was the “most spoiled kid” in Michigan growing up, essentially being raised by three old maids.
- He attempted to get into the military in the early 1940s but his right eye was bad and was designated for “limited service”. Harold was not happy about that, claiming, “Gimme a rifle and I’ll show you I can out shoot all those boys!”
- Harold’s grand-father came to America from Germany in the late 1840s and headed off to San Francisco in 1849 during the “Gold Rush”. He was never heard from again.
- He was a personal friend of then-Congressman Gerald R. Ford, while maintaining that friendship even when Ford was President.
- Harold’s first car was a Model-T Ford passed down to him from his father.
- He has been married to Dorothy for 68 years. The secret? “Make sure you kiss your wife before you go to bed, and don’t go to bed mad.”
- Harold says his favorite baseball player of all-time was Ted Williams.
- He attended the Chicago World’s Fair – Century of Progress – in 1933 with his Dad.
- Harold still has his father’s – Charles Conrad Becker’s – original Enfield musket. It was used at the battle of Franklin.
- He told me that the events of this weekend were a “real highlight” of his life.
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