Near Champion Hill in Hinds County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
A Refugee Family
After his wife died on April 30, 1862, Coker took his slaves and the two youngest children to Alabama, near Tuscaloosa. He returned in 1864.
"Ever since the last raid out here I have felt like I wished to get away in some safe place if such a place could be found."
Matilda Champion, Nov. 21, 1863. Matilda went to Madison County for a brief refuge with her parents.
"How foolish it is for the Southern people to flee and leave their beautiful property to the foe. We only want something to eat. There are some who would apply the torch to a deserted home, that would not do so if the owners remained in it."
Sgt. Osborn H. Oldroyd, 20th Ohio Infantry
"...I had the pleasure of eating a nice dinner with our old friend and neighbor, H. B. Coker. We are camped only 5 miles from him and we talked all day yesterday till 12 last night. Our old neighborhood came in for a large share of the thoughts..."
"... Coker is keeping a kind of bachelor establishment with his dear little children to keep him company. Maud [sic] is a sweet little girl and Edward Kenny is a fine boy — now over two years old — and Coker certainly does stand in need of a wife."
Sid Champion, 28th Miss. Calvary, May 2, 1864, Tuscaloosa County
[Photo caption]
Destruction of a planter's cotton gin and the confiscation of cotton along the Mississippi River (right).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 30, 1862.
Location. 32° 18.251′ N, 90° 33.7′ W. Marker is near Champion Hill, Mississippi, in Hinds County. Marker is on Adams Lane near State Route 467, on the left when traveling south. Located in front of Cal-Maine Foods on the grounds of the Coker House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Adams Lane, Edwards MS 39066, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chicago Mercantile Battery - Artillery in the Yard (a few steps from this marker); The Vicksburg Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Architecture and Renovations (within shouting distance of this marker); The Coker House and the Battle of Champion Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Artillery Duel (within shouting distance of this marker); 1863 Vicksburg Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Indecision! Indecision! Indecision!/A Prompt Concentration of Our Forces (within shouting distance of this marker); The Death of General Tilghman (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Champion Hill.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 423 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 3, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.