Jim Martin
Appomattox Confederate Cemetery
Thu Jul 19 17:57:15 2001


I came across this while researching the 5th Alabama Infantry Battalion. Just thought I'd reproduce it here for others to read:

The Appomattox Confederate Cemetery is on the brow of the hill west of where the old McLean house stood, overlooking the little village. The grounds are inclosed by a handsome iron fence, the graves nicely sodded, trees and flowers planted, and marble headstones mark each grave--all of which is the work of the Appomattox Chapter of the U. D. C., which was organized by Mrs. C. W. Hunter in 1895. There are nineteen soldiers buried in this cemetery, eighteen Confederates and one Federal. All are unknown except eight; but all receive the same care, and on Decoration Day the same floral tributes. Following are the names of those known: Sergeant O. F. DeMesmer, Donaldsonville Artillery, Louisiana; J. H. Hutchins, Company A, Fifth Alabama Battalion; J. W. Ashby, Second Virginia Cavalry; J. A. Hogan, Company E, Twenty-Sixth Georgia Infantry; P. F. Winn, Battery E, Ninth Georgia Regiment; J. W. Douglas (command not known); A. B. Hicks, Company D, Twenty-Sixth Virginia; Capt. Miles C. Macon, Fayette Artillery, Virginia.
From the Confederate Veteran Magazine

Here's what William Frierson Fulton, Jr. has to say in his book, FAMILY RECORD AND WAR REMINISCENCES; Including the war reminiscences of William Frierson Fulton, Jr., while a member of the 5th Alabama Battalion, Archer's Brigade, A.P. Hill's Division, A.N.V.

THE surrender came on the 10th of April, 1865. The nights were very cool, especially after midnight. My battalion, Fifth Alabama, was lying in an open field near Appomattox Court House. We were absent from our brigade on detached duty and had built fires out of brush and sticks, such as we were able to pick up at random, and had lain down beside these to rest and snatch a little much-needed sleep. A squadron of Sheridan's cavalry, probably attracted by our fires flickering in the darkness, made in upon us as we slept and with oaths demanded that we surrender and do it quick. I was sleeping with a young friend, Jesse Hutchins, with whom I had associated at home before the war, and as we awoke and rose to our feet, Jesse, with gun in hand and rubbing his eyes to get them open, replied to my interrogatory as to what we were going to do about it, "Fight them, by George!" The entire battalion was soon aroused and as they realized the situation their muskets began to crack and flash out amid the darkness, and the boys in blue saw that they had stirred up a hornet's nest and they beat a hasty retreat with our boys right after them. Back to the Court House and (Page 140) on through the little village they rushed until they galloped off out of reach. As we pushed through the court house square, my friend Jesse Hutchins was killed on the street in this night skirmish. The next day we buried him there, and he, like thousands of other brave Alabama boys, sleeps in Virginia soil, there to await the resurrection morn.