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

MISSING

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Limestone Cove Tragedy

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, October 10, 2023

1. Limestone Cove Tragedy

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.

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1863.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 36° 10.657′ N, 82° 16.234′ W. Marker was near Unicoi, Tennessee, in Unicoi County. It could be reached from the intersection of Route 107 and Lower Stone Mountain Road, on the right when traveling east. It was in Bell Cemetery, at the gravesite. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2198 Deer Haven Rd, Unicoi TN 37692, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker was in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

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

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location, measured as the crow flies: Other Limestone Cove Tragedy Victims (here, next to this marker); Garland (a few steps from this marker); Bell Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Cordell Hull (approx. 3.7 miles away); The Laurels (approx. 4.9 miles away); Mary Patton (approx. 7.2 miles away); Williams-Taylor House (approx. 8.4 miles away); Blue Ridge Pottery (approx. 8.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Unicoi.

Limestone Cove Tragedy Gravesite image. Click for full size.

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

2. Limestone Cove Tragedy Gravesite

The remains of the wooden core of the post that held this marker is visible in front of the American flag. The polished granite stone 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.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2025, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 92 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. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.