Emporia, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Chaplain Thomas M. Bulla

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

1. Chaplain Thomas M. Bulla Marker

Inscription. Thomas McNeill Bulla was born in North Carolina on 4 Jan. 1881. Ordained a Presbyterian minister, he was called here to the First Presbyterian Church of Emporia in 1911. In April 1917, he became chaplain of the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, and in June 1918 sailed to France There he joined the troops in the trenches, often venturing into no-man’s-land to rescue wounded soldiers. On 15 Oct. 1918, during the Battle of the Meuse, he was himself wounded. He died two days later, the only chaplain of a Virginia regiment to lose his life in the war.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number UM-50.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1917.

Location. 36° 41.235′ N, 77° 32.541′ W. Marker is in Emporia, Virginia. It is at the intersection of South Main Street (U.S. 301) and Spring Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Emporia VA 23847, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Robert Hicks (a few steps from this marker); Greensville County

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin D. Tillar, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memoriam (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans of the 1914-1918 World War I (about 300 feet away); Emporia – Greensville Veteran War Memorial (about 700 feet away); Shiloh Baptist Church (about 800 feet away); Grave of Gen. John R. Chambliss, Jr. (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Emporia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Soldiers of Greensville County (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

South Main Street (facing south) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

2. South Main Street (facing south)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,324 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.