Hermitage in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Confederate Soldiers' Home

Caring for the Veterans

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2021

1. Confederate Soldiers' Home Marker

Inscription.

Confederate Soldiers' Home. Caring for the Veterans. Residents of the Tennessee Confederate Soldiers’ Home gained admission by proving that they served in the Confederate army honorably and that they could no longer provide for themselves. For most, an approved pension application or military record satisfied the service requirement, while letters from physicians, concerned citizens, or commanders established the veteran's need. The Soldiers' Home accepted most applicants but rejected several who could not prove honorable service., The trustees hoped that the veterans would build self-esteem by working on the home's farm, but most were too frail. The veterans who lived here did find comradeship among other men with similar experiences. Medical need, whether physical, mental, or addiction-related, compelled many veterans to enter the Soldiers' Home. Impoverished veterans also came to the home simply because their age limited their ability to work and make a living. Often, these men had families they left behind because they had become a financial burden to them., When a resident died, the state paid for his funeral and burial unless family members made other arrangements. Of the 700 veterans who lived in the Soldiers' Home almost 500 are buried here in the Tennessee Confederate Soldiers' Home Cemetery., Captions , (Left) In this letter, Robert Coburn swore before a probate judge that Andrew Lancaster served the Confederate army honorably and needed either a pension or to live in the Soldiers' Home. Lancaster entered the home in May 1914 and resided in it until his death in April 1919. He is buried here in the cemetery. Courtesy Tennessee State Library and Archives , (Center) D.H. Dalby included a photograph with his application to show his disfigured arm. Dalby served as sheriff of Obion County, Tennessee, after the Civil War but had no family. Poor health and poverty brought him to the home in 1912. He died in 1920 and is buried here. Courtesy Tennessee State Library and Archives , (Right) Soon after building the Tennessee Confederate Home, the Trustees recognized the need for a hospital for veterans who needed more intense care. This photograph shows a nurse and several veterans in the hospital. Courtesy Tennessee State Library and Archives

Residents of the Tennessee Confederate Soldiers’ Home gained admission by proving that they served in the Confederate army honorably and that they could no longer provide for themselves. For most, an approved pension application or military record satisfied the service requirement, while letters from physicians, concerned citizens, or commanders established the veteran's need. The Soldiers' Home accepted most applicants but rejected several who could not prove honorable service.

The trustees hoped that the veterans would build self-esteem by working on the home's farm, but most were too frail. The veterans who lived here did find comradeship among other men with similar experiences. Medical need, whether physical, mental, or addiction-related, compelled many veterans to enter the Soldiers' Home. Impoverished veterans also came to the home simply because their age limited their ability to work and make a living. Often, these men had families they left behind because they had become a financial burden to them.

When a resident died, the state paid for his funeral and burial unless family members made other arrangements.

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Of the 700 veterans who lived in the Soldiers' Home almost 500 are buried here in the Tennessee Confederate Soldiers' Home Cemetery.

Captions
(Left) In this letter, Robert Coburn swore before a probate judge that Andrew Lancaster served the Confederate army honorably and needed either a pension or to live in the Soldiers' Home. Lancaster entered the home in May 1914 and resided in it until his death in April 1919. He is buried here in the cemetery. Courtesy Tennessee State Library & Archives
(Center) D.H. Dalby included a photograph with his application to show his disfigured arm. Dalby served as sheriff of Obion County, Tennessee, after the Civil War but had no family. Poor health and poverty brought him to the home in 1912. He died in 1920 and is buried here. Courtesy Tennessee State Library & Archives
(Right) Soon after building the Tennessee Confederate Home, the Trustees recognized the need for a hospital for veterans who needed more intense care. This photograph shows a nurse and several veterans in the hospital. Courtesy Tennessee State Library & Archives

Erected by Tennessee Civil War Trails.

Topics and series.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2021

2. Confederate Soldiers' Home Marker

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Civil War Trails series list.

Location. 36° 12.704′ N, 86° 36.411′ W. Marker is in Hermitage, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It can be reached from Rachels Lane east of Lebanon Pike (U.S. 70), on the right when traveling east. Access to the marker is via Rachels Lane on the grounds of The Hermitage (which requires paid admission). There is no access via Lebanon Pike as the cemetery's entrance there is locked. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4401 Lebanon Pike, Hermitage TN 37076, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States

Confederate Soldiers' Home image. Click for full size.

via Tennessee State Library & Archives, circa 1908

3. Confederate Soldiers' Home

of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Confederate Soldiers' Home (here, next to this marker); Rachel Stockley and Col. John Donelson (a few steps from this marker); Our Peace: Follow the Drinking Gourd (a few steps from this marker); The Donelson Family Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Tennessee Confederate Soldiers' Home Cemetery Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Hermitage Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Tulip Grove (within shouting distance of this marker); The Jacksons and Religion (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hermitage.

Also see . . .
1. Tennessee Confederate Soldiers' Home Applications and Ledgers. A searchable index of applications to and ledgers of the Tennessee Confederate Soldiers' Home. Provided by the Tennessee Secretary of State's office. (Submitted on September 26, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Confederate Soldiers' Home and Cemetery.

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Tennessee Encyclopedia entry by B. Anthony Guzzi. (Submitted on September 26, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 654 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 26, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.