Near Saltillo in Lee County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Thirteen Unknown Confederates

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

1. Thirteen Unknown Confederates Marker

Inscription. Were they some of Shiloh’s wounded who retreated here in 1862 to die beside the Natchez Trace? Did they serve under the daring General Nathan Forest who passed this way in 1864? Or were they guarding the Tupelo headquarters of J.B. Hood’s Army of Tennessee near the end of the Civil War? We may never know.

Tradition holds that the unknown graves in front of you belong to Confederate soldiers who marched and camped along this stretch of the Old Trace. Perhaps they died of wounds, or the lingering hunger, poverty, and sickness in the army camps. Their simple grave markers face backwards—toward the Trace—so travelers might read and remember.

The original grave markers may have borne names, but they disappeared a long time ago. In 1940 Senator Theodore Bilbo arranged for marble headstones, but they were stolen. The National Park Service erected the headstones now in place.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 34° 21.98′ N, 88° 40.456′ W. Marker is near Saltillo, Mississippi, in Lee County. Marker can be reached from Natchez

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Trace Parkway (at milepost 269.4), 1.2 miles south of Mississippi Highway 363. Marker is a short walk from the Old Trace turnout on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saltillo MS 38866, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Trace (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Town Creek (approx. 5.2 miles away); Natchez Trace at Lee County (approx. 5.2 miles away); Tupelo Campaign: Old Town Creek, July 15 (approx. 5½ miles away); Tupelo Campaign: Harrisburg July 14 (approx. 5½ miles away); Tupelo Campaign: Pontotoc Road, July 13 (approx. 5½ miles away); Dogwood Valley (approx. 5.6 miles away); Carver School / Desegregation of Schools Across the South (approx. 6.9 miles away).

Also see . . . Natchez Trace. Official National Park Service website. (Submitted on June 27, 2015.)

Marker near the Grave Sites image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

2. Marker near the Grave Sites

Grave Sites of 13 Unknown Confederates image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

3. Grave Sites of 13 Unknown Confederates

Headstone of an Unknown Confederate<br>Buried at the Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

4. Headstone of an Unknown Confederate
Buried at the Site

Grave Sites of 13 Unknown Confederates near Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

5. Grave Sites of 13 Unknown Confederates near Marker

The Old Trace next to the Grave Sites image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

6. The Old Trace next to the Grave Sites

Old Trace Leading to Thirteen Unknown Confederates Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

7. Old Trace Leading to Thirteen Unknown Confederates Marker

Path to Thirteen Unknown Confederates Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

8. Path to Thirteen Unknown Confederates Marker

Path starts next to the Old Trace marker at the turnout

View to Northeast Along<br>the Natchez Trace Parkway image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

9. View to Northeast Along
the Natchez Trace Parkway

Path to marker at turnout on left side of Parkway

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 27, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.