The Flag Bearer – Part III

Nathan Andrew Jackson fought with the 21st Mississippi Infantry. Jackson was well over six feet tall and served as the flag bearer for Company C. This regiment formed part of Barksdale’s all Mississippi Brigade. They fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the war.

Nathan carried the colors for Company C at Antietam, Chancellorsville, both battles at Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg. Amazingly, he was never injured in combat.

The 21st Mississippi was sent to Tennessee following Gettysburg to support Bragg’s army during the Chattanooga campaign. They fought at Chickamauga on Sept 19, 1863 and spent the winter of 1863/1864 in Russellville, TN. Nathan died of smallpox on February 12, 1864. He was 25 years old. Continue reading →

The Flag Bearer – Part II

Nathan Andrew Jackson (1838-1864) was nearly seven feet tall. His great height all but guaranteed his place as flag bearer for the 21st Mississippi Infantry Company C, also known as Stephens Rifles or Stephens Guards.

The 21st Mississippi formed part of the famous Barksdale Brigade. They participated in campaigns in both eastern and western theaters of the war (“west” was any area outside of Virginia and the Carolinas). Continue reading →

Stephen Fatherly Pilley

Stephen Fatherly Pilley was a Methodist Episcopal minister in the Alabama Conference. He was ordained in 1835. Rev. Pilley started out as a circuit riding preacher in the 1830’s then went on to minister in several churches throughout Alabama.  Continue reading →

An Actor and a Fiddler

“Mr. Stephen F. Pilley, with apparent concern, and signs of deep penitence, approached and knelt on the floor with his head in the chair by which the preacher had stood on the delivery of his sermon. There and then, while prayers were being offered for him, Mr. Pilley professed to find pardon and experience regeneration.”
A History of Methodism in Alabama, Rev. Anson West D.D., Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1893 (reprinted in Alabama West Florida Conference Historical Society)

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The Laird of Monzievaird

In 1684, a small group of Scottish families left their homeland to seek their fortune in the New World. Since the venture was funded by James Drummond, the fabulously wealthy Lord Chancellor of Scotland, it was known as the Earl of Perth Expedition. Three Sutherland brothers were part of those settlers. One of them, William Sutherland, may have been our ancestor. Continue reading →