On a warm Sunday afternoon, my family attended a Confederate Dedication ceremony at the Ben James Church Cemetery in Blackshear, GA (Pierce County) where a group of eleven Confederate soldiers were honored that day for their service to our country during the Civil War (1861-1865). For us, this day would prove to be memorable, because one of those eleven men was my Great, Great Grandfather John Cleland.
Almost one hundred years following John Cleland's death and burial, many of his descendants proudly witnessed the application of an Iron Cross of Honor to his grave site.
The Frances S. Bartow chapter 83, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Clement A. Evans Camp 64, and Brigadier General Henry Kent McCay Camp 2172, Sons of the Confederate Veterans officiated the application of the Iron Cross. A Confederate flag was also presented that day to a living descendant of each honored soldier.
The Iron Cross of Honor is a Confederate grave marker presented to symbolize honorable service during one of the most noted wars of our country, The Civil War. The marker is in the shape of a cross and painted black in color. The dates on the marker are 1861-1865, which is the period of time the war took place. Also on the front of the marker are the Latin words "DEO VINDICI" which is interpreted "Vindicated by God". The back of the cross has the letters "CSA" which represent "Confederate States of America", along with a picture of the battle flag.
Although not an extravagant piece of painted metal, this marker was applied to the grave with much respect and honor by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of the Confederacy, thus giving the family members of the deceased soldier a great sense of pride for their hero's bravery and unwavering stance during a long and difficult war.
According to collected research, my Great, Great Grandfather was a 3rd Sergeant, although sadly his grave stone was marked prior to this discovery...(notice "5 Serg").
John Cleland was born in South Carolina on February 19th, 1839 (My daughter, Katherine, was born one hundred sixty years later on this same day
).
Except for the three years and eight months my great, great grandfather served in the
Confederate Army, he worked most of his life as a farmer. He and his wife, "Nellie", had eight children, five sons and three daughters.
His fourth son, William Alfred Cleland was my great grandfather, the father of my paternal grandfather, W. A. Cleland, Jr.
After John's wife passed away in 1900, John went to live with his youngest son, Allen J. Cleland, in Waycross, GA where he eventually died of natural causes at the age of 71. Prior to his death, he received a Confederate Pension for approximately ten years.
I am very grateful for the tireless work of my father, Thomas E. Cleland, who has given many years of his retirement (since December 1993) to the research and gathering of information re: our family's heritage and genealogy. Without it, I would know very little re: the life and times of my family from long days gone by.
The sights of this memorable day were captured by my husband and son, Mark and John, while I sat with Mom, Katherine, and our cousin while absorbing it all. What an awesome honor and privilege we enjoyed by attending this service!
Display of Confederate Flags
Folding the Confederate Flag
Cannon
The Honor Guard, made up of Confederate Re-enactors, preparing to shoot the cannon.
They shot it numerous times, ...
which was a loud, but solemn reminder of the battlefields our forefathers fought on.
Confederate Re-enactors walked around each soldier's grave, showing their respect with each soldier being given a solemn salute.
Re-enactors lining up to present family members their hero's flag.
Marcette Lanier was the oldest descendant in attendance that day of those who were gathered from John Cleland's family. She is 87 years old, and the granddaughter of John Cleland's daughter Adeline, known to my father as his great "Aunt Addie" or "Grandpa's sister". Because Dad was actively involved in the collection of information about John Cleland, providing it to the local chapters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Sons of Confederate Veterans for this special event, he was asked to provide the name of a family member that would receive the honorary Confederate flag on behalf of John Cleland. Dad suggested "the oldest descendant of John Cleland" in attendance, knowing full well every Cleland descendant present that day would be eager to receive John Cleland's honorary flag. He was right!
Dad's suggestion was a great one, and by the expression on Marcette's face, she was thrilled to be the honored recipient.
Maybe she'll bring it to our next upcoming Cleland family reunion and proudly display this treasured reminder of our family's honored Confederate hero, John Cleland.
