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

Alfred Martin Ray Buffalo Soldier

circa 1849~1917

Alfred Martin Ray Buffalo Solder Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 26, 2009

1. Alfred Martin Ray Buffalo Solder Marker

Inscription. On July 1, 1898, Lt. Ray planted the United States flag on San Juan Hill, Cuba, amid a hail of enemy bullets during the Spanish-American War. For his heroic courage in action, Ray received a battlefield promotion. He served in the U.S. Army from 1872 to 1903, first in the Indian Wars as a Buffalo Soldier (10th U.S. Cavalry, Colored), later in Cuba and the Philippines. Born a slave on the Ray farm near Jonesboro, he purchased Woodrow Avenue property in 1904. Alfred M. Ray is buried in College Hill Cemetery.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 109.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Spanish-American • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Buffalo Soldiers, and the Tennessee Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1673.

Location. 36° 17.492′ N, 82° 28.516′ W. Marker is in Jonesborough, Tennessee, in Washington County. It is on South 2nd Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jonesborough TN 37659, 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.

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 walking distance of this marker: The Eureka Hotel (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); May-Dishner House (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Abolition Publications

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Christopher Taylor House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Captain Christopher Taylor Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chester Inn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Major Jesse Walton (approx. 0.2 miles away); State of Franklin (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jonesborough.

Alfred Martin Ray Buffalo Soldier Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, October 12, 2023

2. Alfred Martin Ray Buffalo Soldier Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,906 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on May 10, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on September 27, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 2. submitted on October 15, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.