Unknown Confederate soldier receives new grave marker in Morgan Cemetery

The United Daughters of the Confederacy Dixie’s Daughters Chapter 2650 out of Glen Rose, along with members of the Morgan VFD, worked together to replace the iron cross that had been stolen from an unknown Confederate soldier’s grave in Morgan Cemetery about 20 years ago.

Afraid that his grave would be forgotten, Morgan Fire Chief Brian Moore had been working for several years to get the unknown soldier’s cross replaced, and on Monday, Nov. 1, a dedication ceremony was held for the new marker.

Many of the details are lost to time, but as the story goes, a train came into Morgan and the conductor tried to wake the unknown man still wearing his Confederate uniform, but he was dead. A local resident, Mr. Guthrie, donated a plot in Morgan Cemetery for the soldier to be buried in.

“If he was still wearing part of his uniform, it was probably the late 1860s- 70s,” said Dixie’s Daughters chapter president Sue Cravy. “Uniforms were pretty well worn out by the time the war was over.”

Morgan Cemetery is home to many iron crosses and government issued Confederate veteran markers, with 28 Confederate soldiers in total.

“Nothing is ended until it is forgotten,” said Cravy. “That which endures in memory still endures and is real. We are appreciative of the lessons taught by memorials to events and deeds of long ago.”

It is the hope of the community that the marker will remind all who see it, not only of the noble deeds of the Confederate soldier, but of the continuing need for unselfish service.

“From this moment of dedication we trust that there may be inspiration for broader vision and finer service,” Cravy said.

A special thank you was said to Moore, Bryant Clark and other members of the Morgan VFD for their help in planning and placing the new cross on the unknown soldier’s grave.

May his memory live on.