Cahaba in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Major Hiram Solon Hanchett
16th Illinois Cavalry - U.S. Volunteers
Photographed by Tim Carr, August 15, 2009
1. Major Hiram Solon Hanchett Marker
On January 20th, 1865, Major Hanchett lead a daring, but unsuccessful escape from the military prison that was located on this spot.
He was then moved to the dungeon of the county jail, located on First North Street. In March the other Union Soldiers were sent to a parole camp in Vicksburg. Hanchett was detained because the post commandant, Lt. Col. Sam Jones believed he was a spy.
In April when Federal soldiers attacked nearby Selma, the post commandant fled Cahaba, and the citizens of Cahaba freed Major Hanchett. Reputedly, Confederate soldiers under orders from Lt. Col. Jones returned to Cahaba, seized Hanchett while he was eating breakfast, took him from the town, and murdered him.
Major Hanchett's body was never found and lies today in an unmarked grave.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is January 20, 1888.
Location. 32° 18.984′ N, 87° 5.76′ W. Marker is in Cahaba, Alabama, in Dallas County. It can be reached from Capitol Avenue near Vine Street. In a park area at the end of Capitol Avenue. About 100 yards SE of the Cahaba First State Capital stone marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orrville AL 36767, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Black Belt. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, 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: Castle Morgan & Jesse Hawes (here, next to this marker);
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. St. Luke's Episcopal Church (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Vine Street (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Commissary - R.R. Depot (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. Marker located on the north side of the chimney.
Also see . . .
1. Old Cahawba, "Alabama's most famous Ghost Town". (Submitted on September 23, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
2. Surviving a Confederate POW Camp (HistoryNet.com)
Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018
2. Major Hanchett marker, looking westerly towards Vine Street.
Additional commentary.
1. Grave marker possibly found?
At this site of Old Cahawba there is a grave of an unknown Union soldier discovered in the 1980s long after all other known graves had been transferred to Marietta National Cemetery. This location would have been just outside the walls of Castle Morgan, the cotton warehouse turned Union POW camp. Some believe there is a distinct possibility that this may be the final resting place of Major H.S. Hanchett of the 16th Illinois Cavalry. (See photo)
— Submitted June 7, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
3. Unknown Soldier grave marker at Cahaba. (See commentary)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,308 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 23, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 2. submitted on January 6, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on June 7, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
