South Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Confederate Soldiers Rest
Photographed By Ken Smith, March 28, 2009
1. Confederate Soldiers Rest Marker
Inscription.
Confederate Soldiers Rest is located in the Fowler Section of Historic Elmwood Cemetery. Over 1000 Confederate Soldiers and Veterans are buried here. An article in The Memphis Daily Appeal on 27 June 1861 stated that this plot was dedicated to the Southern Mothers' Society. A second article dated 25 September 1861 stated "This Company, at the commencement of the war, very liberally donated and set apart a lot of ground for the purpose of burying, free of charge, all soldiers who may die honorably in defense of our liberties. In the center of the lot is a circle of twelve feet in diameter, for the erection of a monument, which our patriotic citizen will no doubt raise to the memory of the brave soldiers who have fallen in defense of our Country". The first soldier buried in Confederate Rest was William Thomas Gallagher in lot 159, Fowler Section, Grave 20 on 17 June 1861 barely a month after the war began. The last burial was of Confederate Veteran John Frank Gunter on 01 April 1940. In 1886 the Confederate Historical Association collected funds and 945 numbered headstones were placed at the head of each grave. , (Back): , While going through old cemetery records years later a small notebook was discovered that contained the names and matching headstones numbers of these 945. It was now possible to identify the exact spot where a specific soldier or veteran was buried as well as the date of his burial and his confederate unit.
Confederate Monument. The monument in Confederate Soldiers Rest was unveiled on 05 June 1878. A crowd of almost 5000 people was in attendance at the dedication. Plans for the Monument were originally begun by the Ladies Confederate Memorial Association, later known as the Confederate Historical Association. The $5000 cost of the Monument was raised by a committee chaired by N. B. Forrest. On the front of the monument are the words "Confederate Dead". On the back of the monument is the following inscription: "Illis Victoriam Non Immortatitatem Fata Negaverunt" which translated: "The Fates Which Refused Them Victory Did Not Deny Them Immortality".
Confederate Soldiers Rest is located in the Fowler Section of Historic Elmwood Cemetery. Over 1000 Confederate Soldiers and Veterans are buried here. An article in The Memphis Daily Appeal on 27 June 1861 stated that this plot was dedicated to the Southern Mothers' Society. A second article dated 25 September 1861 stated "This Company, at the commencement of the war, very liberally donated and set apart a lot of ground for the purpose of burying, free of charge, all soldiers who may die honorably in defense of our liberties. In the center of the lot is a circle of twelve feet in diameter, for the erection of a monument, which our patriotic citizen will no doubt raise to the memory of the brave soldiers who have fallen in defense of our Country". The first soldier buried in Confederate Rest was William Thomas Gallagher in lot 159, Fowler Section, Grave 20 on 17 June 1861 barely a month after the war began. The last burial was of Confederate Veteran John Frank Gunter on 01 April 1940. In 1886 the Confederate Historical Association collected funds and 945 numbered headstones were placed at the head of each grave.
(Back): While going through old cemetery records years later a small notebook was discovered that contained the names and matching headstones numbers of these 945. It was now possible to identify the exact spot
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where a specific soldier or veteran was buried as well as the date of his burial and his confederate unit.
Confederate Monument
The monument in Confederate Soldiers Rest was unveiled on 05 June 1878. A crowd of almost 5000 people was in attendance at the dedication. Plans for the Monument were originally begun by the Ladies Confederate Memorial Association, later known as the Confederate Historical Association. The $5000 cost of the Monument was raised by a committee chaired by N. B. Forrest. On the front of the monument are the words "Confederate Dead". On the back of the monument is the following inscription: "Illis Victoriam Non Immortatitatem Fata Negaverunt" which translated: "The Fates Which Refused Them Victory Did Not Deny Them Immortality".
Erected 2006 by N. B. Forrest Camp 215, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Location. 35° 7.397′ N, 90° 1.595′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in South Memphis. Marker can be reached from South Dudley Street when traveling
Photographed By Ken Smith, March 28, 2009
2. Confederate Soldiers Rest Marker
south. This marker is in Elmwood Cemetery. As you pass the office turn left and go toward the back corner of the cemetery, where the interstate crosses the railroad tracks. Marker will be on your right at the next intersection. This will be Fowler Section. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 824 South Dudley Street, Memphis TN 38104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,182 times since then and 122 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 14, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.