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

Bell Cemetery

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, October 10, 2023

1. Bell Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Here are buried the nine victims of a massacre of Union sympathizers by a detachment of Confederate cavalry from the command of Col. V.A. Witcher, Jr. A marker at the grave site gives their names.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A-49.)

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

Location. 36° 10.68′ N, 82° 16.244′ W. Marker is in Unicoi, Tennessee, in Unicoi County. It is at the intersection of Tennessee Route 107 and Lower Stone Mountain Road on Tennessee Route 107. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Unicoi TN 37692, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Garland (within shouting distance of this marker); Other Limestone Cove Tragedy Victims (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Cordell Hull (approx. 3.7 miles away); The Laurels (approx. 4.8 miles away); Mary Patton (approx. 7.1 miles away); Williams-Taylor House (approx. 8.3 miles away); Blue Ridge Pottery (approx. 8.4 miles away); To the Women of the Confederacy (approx. 8.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Unicoi.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Limestone Cove Tragedy (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This marker refers to another marker at the gravesite. That marker—a Tennessee Historical Commission cast metal marker—is no longer there. The missing marker, titled Limestone Cove Tragedy, had this

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 17, 2025

2. Bell Cemetery Marker

inscription:

Here are buried the eight civilians killed at the home of Dr. David Bell in November, 1863. Enroute to Kentucky to join Federal forces, they were found by a detachment of Col. W.A. Witcher's Confederate cavalry, while waiting for breakfast. They were; B. Blackburn, Calvin Cantrel, Elijah Gentry, Jacob Lyons, Wiley Royal, John Sparks and two unknown. Buried nearby is Dr. Bell's brother, James, killed at the same time.

Below the missing marker is a stone that reads

In memory of other Union men tortured and killed by Witchers’s Confederate troops at Limestone Cove: Brothers John and Elias Fry; their nephew, John Campbell; and Mr. Robert Dowdell. May their sacrifice never be forgotten.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, October 10, 2023

3. Bell Cemetery Marker

Bell Cemetery, near Unicoi, Tennessee image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 17, 2025

4. Bell Cemetery, near Unicoi, Tennessee

Limestone Cove Tragedy Gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 17, 2025

5. Limestone Cove Tragedy Gravesite

The remains of the wooden core of the post that held the now missing Limestone Cove Tragedy marker is visible in front of the American flag.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,218 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 10, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on June 1, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on October 10, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on June 1, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.