Cahaba in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Major Hiram Solon Hanchett

16th Illinois Cavalry - U.S. Volunteers

Photographed By Tim Carr, August 15, 2009

1. Major Hiram Solon Hanchett Marker

Inscription. On January 20th, 1865, Major Hanchett lead a daring, but unsuccessful escape from the military prison that was located on this spot.

He was then moved to the dungeon of the county jail, located on First North Street. In March the other Union Soldiers were sent to a parole camp in Vicksburg. Hanchett was detained because the post commandant, Lt. Col. Sam Jones believed he was a spy.

In April when Federal soldiers attacked nearby Selma, the post commandant fled Cahaba, and the citizens of Cahaba freed Major Hanchett. Reputedly, Confederate soldiers under orders from Lt. Col. Jones returned to Cahaba, seized Hanchett while he was eating breakfast, took him from the town, and murdered him.

Major Hanchett's body was never found and lies today in an unmarked grave.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1888.

Location. 32° 18.984′ N, 87° 5.76′ W. Marker is in Cahaba, Alabama, in Dallas County. Marker can be reached from Capitol Avenue near Vine Street. In a park area at the end of Capitol Avenue. About 100 yards SE of the Cahaba First State Capital stone marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orrville AL 36767, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Civil War Prison (here, next to this marker); Castle Morgan & Jesse Hawes

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(here, next to this marker); A Prison Chimney? (here, next to this marker); Captive Boys in Blue (within shouting distance of this marker); Cahawba - circa 1500 (within shouting distance of this marker); Footprint of a Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mound at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park (about 400 feet away); Railroad Depot and Commissary (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahaba.

More about this marker. Marker located on the north side of the chimney.

Also see . . .
1. Old Cahawba, "Alabama's most famous Ghost Town". (Submitted on September 23, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
2. Surviving a Confederate POW Camp (HistoryNet.com). (Submitted on June 7, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Additional commentary.
1. Grave marker possibly found?
At this site of Old Cahawba there is a grave of an unknown Union soldier discovered in the 1980’s long after all other known graves had

Major Hanchett marker, looking westerly towards Vine Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018

2. Major Hanchett marker, looking westerly towards Vine Street.

been transferred to Marietta National Cemetery. This location would have been just outside the walls of Castle Morgan, the cotton warehouse turned Union POW camp. Some believe there is a distinct possibility that this may be the final resting place of Major H.S. Hanchett of the 16th Illinois Cavalry. (See photo)

— Submitted June 7, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Unknown Soldier grave marker at Cahaba. (See commentary) image. Click for full size.

3. Unknown Soldier grave marker at Cahaba. (See commentary)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,999 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 23, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 2. submitted on January 6, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on June 7, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.