Civil War Veterans at Rest in Zion's Cemetery

Civil War Veterans at Rest in Zion's Cemetery. [Zion Methodist Church]. , This cemetery is the final resting place for six Civil War veterans. Only three of the six have military-style headstones., Charles Chewning, 9th Virginia Cavalry. Private Chewning received a sabre wound to his left thigh at Second Manassas in 1862. Following a lengthy recovery, he eventually was able to stand and walk, but was unfit to return to cavalry service. He returned to his "beloved 9th Virginia Calvary" as a clerk. He surrendered at Appomattox., Thomas Addison Harris, 30th Virginia Infantry and 9th Virginia Calvary. When his enlistment expired for the 30th VA Infantry, Harris joined the 9th VA Calvary. "Quick to volunteer" and "at the forefront of the action" were remarks bestowed on Harris by his commanding officer, Colonel Beal. In March 1865, a woman attending her sick slave and the slave's two daughters were trapped inside a house near Dinwiddie Courthouse while the fighting raged around them. General Fitz Lee asked for volunteers to rescue the four. Harris stepped forward and was chosen along with three of his trooper friends. Harris saved one of the victims but received a Union Minnie-ball in his leg in the process. The wound ended the war for Harris. He returned to Spotsylvania to farm and also served as Superintendent to the Poor, Sherriff and Clerk. (He was one of four Zion members to hold the Clerk position.), Henry A. Carner, 6th Virginia Cavalry. Private Carner, the son of a Methodist minister, enlisted late in 1864 (late in the war). He surrendered at Appomattox., Charles Henry Hudson Little is known of Hudson's service but he did serve in the Virginia CSA Staunton Hill Light Artillery. The Staunton Hill Artillery was primarily responsible for guarding the coastal waterways from Norfolk to Charleston., Joseph Patrick Henry (J.P.H.) Crismond, 36th Virginia Calvary. Little is known of Crismond's service but his obituary stated that he served in the 9th VA Calvary. He was wounded near Woodstock, VA late in the war. After the war, Crismond returned home and farmed for several years, then worked as a merchant. Crismond underwent a minister's examination and at the seventy-ninth session (1873) of the Virginia conference held in Norfolk. As a result, Crismond was appointed as a supply minister for the Spotsylvania Circuit. The records of Tabernacle Methodist Church indicate that Crismond served as preacher during 1873-74. In November 1876, he was elected as an ordained deacon at the eighty-second session of the conference held in Richmond. His growing popularity vaulted his move into politics. In 1881, he was elected Clerk of the Courts; a position he would hold until 1903., Robert Plant, 2nd New York Heavy Artillery. Little is known of Private Plant but his regiment fought in battle in Spotsylvania County and the City of Fredericksburg. He was born in Canada and had migrated to Bergan, NY by 1860. His wife, Mary, perished in a house fire in Spotsylvania in 1910., Seven of Zion's early ministers also served in the Confederate Army. Two of whom did so as chaplains.