As you read through the descriptions of their service and deaths below, you will notice how many of their burial locations are not identified. Some are buried in the Nashville National Cemetery's segregated section for USCT soldiers that was created shortly after the end of the Civil War. If you would like to visit this weekend to honor them, I would encourage you to do so. While there, you could also take some time to see the USCT Monument that was created in the likeness of Bill Radcliffe, a USCT re-enactor from Nashville who frequently visits Franklin.
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| United States Colored Troops National Monument, Nashville National Cemetery The inscription reads, “In Memory of the 20,133 who served as United States Colored Troops in the Union Army Dedicated 2003” Source: US Department of Veteran Affairs |
Additionally, the Toussaint L'Ouveture Cemetery on Del Rio Pike in Franklin contains three USCT headstones honoring men who served in the USCT but died after the end of the war - from left to right, Freeman Thomas, Peter Ratcliffe, and John Dubuisson.
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| Photo Credit: Dr. Sam Gant |
Killed in Action
- William Redman 13th US Colored Infantry Co I - 21 year old laborer from Williamson County; enlisted October 22, 1863 in Stevenson, Alabama; Dec. 12, 1863 promoted to corporal; Killed at Battle of Nashville Dec 16, 1864; can’t find his burial records
- Charles Clayburn 17th US Colored Infantry Co G - Born about 1846 in Williamson County; 18 year old farmer when he enlisted on April 5, 1864 in Ashton Mill, Tennessee; killed in action in the Battle of Nashville – Dec. 15, 1864; no burial records
Died from Wounds Received in Battle
- German, Miles, 13th US Colored Infantry Co A, B 1833 in Franklin, Tennessee; enlisted on Oct. 22, 1863 in Stephenson, Alabama as a 30-year-old laborer; died at the General Hospital No. 16 of wounds received at Battle of Nashville, January 19, 1865; hospital record 11471 US Burial Ground - South West City Cemetery K – 286, #10771 burial records say Co I
- Armstrong, Samuel, 13th US Colored Infantry Co A, B 1845;Enlisted in Franklin on August 12,1863 as a 19 year old farmer; was in the battle near Nashville Dec 16, 1864; died of wounds received in that battle on Dec 20, 1864; buried Jan 1, 1865 US Burial Ground - South West City Cemetery L – 96; #11253
- Owens, Winstead, 12th US Colored Infantry Co G, 22 year old farmer; enlisted September 10, 1864 at Sullivan’s Branch, born in Williamson County, Wounded at Battle of Nashville Dec.16, 1864; Died of wounds received at the Battle of Nashville, Dec. 24, 1864, can’t find his burial records
- Degraffenried, Asbury, 12th US Colored Infantry Co K, 19 year old farmer; enlisted August 12, 1863 in Nashville, born in Williamson County, died Dec. 20, 1864 at General Hospital No. 11 of wounds received in the Battle of Nashville Dec. 16, 1864; gunshot wound through abdomen; grave No. 10510 indicated in records but I can’t find his burial site
- Helms, George, 13th US Colored Infantry Co B, 21 year old farmer; enlisted August 1, 1863 at the Elk River, born in Williamson County, died from wounds received at the Battle of Nashville Feb 11 1865, General Hospital, Nashville; death certificate says he died of Typhoid Fever at Wilson Hospital - maybe injured and then got sick in the hospital?; grave site – 11985; hospital 451; he was single: his effects; one overcoat, one deep coat, two pair of trousers, one shirt, one pair shoes, one blouse, one feathers?, Can't find his burial records
- Winston, Horace, 13th US Colored Infantry Co F, 21 year old laborer; enlisted Sept. 30, 1863 in Nashville, born in Williamson County; Dec.7, 1863 on detached service to “Colored Soldiers Rest” Nashville through April 1864; was severely wounded in Battle of Nashville Dec 17, 1864; Died in General Hospital No. 16 of Gangrene; January 6, 1865 Hospital no 11018; can’t find his burial records
- McPearson, Henry, 17th US Colored Infantry Co H, b. around 1838 in Williamson County; enlisted on Nov 30, 1863 in Murfreesboro as a 28 year old farmer; July 8, 1864 appointed corporal; wounded at Battle of Nashville Dec. 15, 1864 by gunshot (arm broken); died at Wilson US Hospital Feb 21, 1865 of pneumonia – probably got sick in the hospital while healing from the gunshot wound; Hospital Record # 16, grave #121806? ; married in Nashville; UR 12186, L – 186, U.S. Burial Ground - South West City Cemetery burial says McPherson
- Jackson, John 1st?, 17th US Colored Infantry Co K, b. around 1842 in Spring Hill, Williamson County; enlisted on Nov 29, 1863 in Stevenson, Alabama as a 21 year old farmer; Dec. 16, 1864 wounded in Battle of Nashville, in hospital; died Jan.10, 1864 from wounds received in the Battle of Nashville
Died of Disease
- Carter, Thornton, 53rd US Colored Infantry Co A, 32 year old fieldhand, enlisted on Dec 4, 1963 at Milliken’s Bend, born in Franklin, Tenn, 5’ 6” tall; died of disease at US General Hospital No. 3 Vicksburg July 22, 1864; died of acute dysentery; inventory of the effects: 1 cap, 1 great coat, 1 flannel sack coat, 2 pairs of trousers, 2 flannel shirts, 1 pairs of socks, 1 blanket, 1 oil blanket, 1 knapsack; gravesite not identified
- Alexander, James H., 17th US Colored Infantry Co B, 18 year old farmer; yellow; enlisted on Dec. 19, 1964 in Nashville, born in Franklin, Tenn., Died in US General Hospital No 11
(Nashville) Jan 25, 1866 of small pox; no effects; Hospital No 1293 Pest Hospital Cemetery - Farris, Aaron, 13th US Colored Infantry Co I, Enlisted as a 21 year old, laborer enlisted on Oct. 22, 1863 in Stevenson Alabama; born in Franklin; died January 5, 1864 of disease (Camp Mussey); can’t find his burial records
- Gibson, Adam, 12th US Colored Infantry Co A, 22 year old servant; enlisted on Sept. 14, 1863 at the Elk River Bridge, Born in Williamson County, Died in Nashville Dec. 29,1863 at Hospital No. 16 from disease; died in removal from ambulance; Buried at Nashville National Cemetery #5882 - E – 2068 Due West City Cemetery
- Gibson, Manson, 12th US Colored Infantry Co A, 28 year old servant; enlisted on Sept. 14, 1863 at the Elk River, born in Williamson County, Died at Elk River, Nov 2, 1863 – disease – congestion of the brain; Can’t find his grave
- Gosey, Logan, 12th US Colored Infantry Co A, 20 year old servant; enlisted on September 14, 1863 at the Elk River Bridge, born in Williamson County, Sent to hospital No 16 Dec. 29, 1863; Died in General Hospital No. 16 January 29, 1864 in Nashville, Tenn.; buried at Nashville National Cemetery U.S. Burial Ground - Due West City Cemetery E – 1886 #5700
- Strong, James, 12th US Colored Infantry Co A, 23 year old servant; enlisted Sept. 14, 1863 at the Elk River Bridge, born in Williamson County, joined a recruit; mustered in at Sullivans Branch; Dec. 28,1864 sent to hospital; Died in hospital in Kingston Springs Feb. 8, 1865 of small pox; can’t find his burial records
- Sneed, John, 12th US Colored Infantry Co G, 27 year old laborer; enlisted Aug 12, 1863 at Nashville, born in Williamson County, quickly promoted to 3rd Sergeant; Dec. 26, 1864 sick at Huntsville, Alabama; February 10, 1865 died of disease at hospital in Huntsville, Alabama [Numerous Union troops who died during the federal occupation of Huntsville are believed to have been buried in unmarked graves throughout the oldest section of the Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville. Most of these graves were apparently moved to Chattanooga National Cemetery in 1867.] can’t find his burial records
- Johnson, Thomas, 12th US Colored Infantry Co H, 27 year old laborer; enlisted August 12j, 1863 in Nashvile, born in Williamson County, promoted to corporal June 20, 1864; Dec 17, 1864 sick in hospital in Nashville; died in regimental hospital Oct. 1, 1865 Kingston Springs, Tennessee of chronic dysentery; can’t find his burial records
- Briggs, Harry, 12th US Colored Infantry Co I, 45 year old shoemaker; enlisted on August 12, 1863 in Nashville born in Williamson County, died of typhoid pneumonia, Regimental Hospital Sec. 53 Nashville and North Western Rail Road Tenn. April 5, 1864 ; can’t find his burial records
- Cater, Isaac [Carter?], 12th US Colored Infantry Co I, 17 year old farmer; enlisted August 12, 1863 in Nashville, born in Williamson County; April 7, 1865 died in Regimental Hospital in Kingston Springs, Tennessee of pneumonia ; can’t find his burial records; Co K?
- Winstead, Abraham, 12th US Colored Infantry Co I, Enlisted on August 14, 1863 in Nashville, born in Williamson County, Enlisted on August 14, 1863 in Nashville, born in Williamson County, Enlisted at 51 years old in Nashville; a farmer; died March 1, 1864 of dropsy? (a term for edema congestive heart failure at the time); Dec 15, 1863 sent to Hospital 16 [this was No. 16. Contraband Hospital. [ first day of the Battle of Nashville] Gordon Block, corner of Broad Street and Upper Wharf]; can’t find his burial records
- Boyd, Reuben, 12th US Colored Infantry Co K, 38 year old farmer; enlisted August 12, 1863 in Nashville; born in Williamson County; March 13, 1865 sick and died in Nashville hospital No 11 with small pox; death certificate says he was single and living in Nashville before enlistment - perhaps a contraband; buried in Pest Hospital Cemetery; hospital record no 2170; can’t find his burial records
- Ensley, Michael “Mike”, 12th US Colored Infantry Co K, 33 year old farmer; enlisted August 12, 1863 in Nashville, born in Williamson County, Died April 8, 1864 at Regimental Hospital - Sec. 53 of N&NW Rail Road; died of disease “flux” (An excessive flow or discharge of fluid like hemorrhage or diarrhea.); can’t find his burial records
- Spratt, Alfred, 12th US Colored Infantry Co K, 23 year old farmer; enlisted August 12, 1863 in Nashville, born in Williamson County, Died of disease Oct. 10, 1863 at Elk River; can’t find his burial records
- Burnett, Tucker, 13th US Colored Infantry Co B, Enrolled at the Elk River in Aug 1863, 19 years old farmer born in Williamson County; died of disease within a few months of mustering into the army on Jan. 1, 1864 at Camp Mussey; can’t find burial records
- Moore, Monroe, 13th US Colored Infantry Co B, 20 year old farmer; enlisted on August 1, 1863 at the Elk River, born in Williamson County, sick at Camp Rosencranz Nov. 9, 1863; Died Dec 15, 1863 at Regimental Hospital, Camp Mussey of disease; can’t find his burial records
- Crawford, Henry, 13th US Colored Infantry Co F, Enlisted at 19 years old on Sept. 24, 1863 in Nashville; born in Williamson County, died May 3, 1864 of typhoid at Hospital No 16; occupation “hostler” – worked as a groom with horses; can’t find burial records
- Crawford, Andrew, 13th US Colored Infantry Co G, Enlisted 18 years old on Sept. 16, 1863 as a private; born in Williamson County; farmer; recruited at Murfreesboro; sick in hospital Jan. 11, 1864; died in May 1864 in Nashville General hospital No. 16 from bronchitis – or small pox?; buried May 19.1864 US Burial Ground - South West City Cemetery, Section K – 130; #10615 (burial records say Company D)
- Waters, Peter, 13th US Colored Infantry Co H, enlisted in Franklin on October 19, 1863, 18 year old farmer born in Williamson County; Dec. 10, 1864 sick in hospital in Nashville; his company mustered out Jan. 10, 1866; he died on January 21, 1866 at the Pest Hospital of Small Pox – his hospital number was 999; he was buried in the Pest Hospital Cemetery - can’t find his burial records
- Bittick, Robert, 13th US Colored Infantry Co I, b. 1818 in Williamson County; enlisted at age 45 on Oct 22, 1863 in Stevenson Alabama;, Died of Jan. 20, 1864 in Nashville of disease (typhoid fever) – hospital No. 16?; US Burial Ground - Due West City Cemetery Section E-2008, #5822
- Crutchelow, Nick, 13th US Colored Infantry Co I, Born in Williamson County, Enlisted as a 21 year old laborer on Oct. 17, 1863 at Stevenson, Alabama for a term of 3 years; died of disease May 6, 1864 at Camp L Thomas ; can’t find burial records
- Parham, James, 13th US Colored Infantry Co H, Born in Frankln, Tennessee; 20 year old Teamster; enlisted on Oct 16, 1863 in Stevenson, Alabama, Dec. 16, 1864 sick in Nashville; died at US General Hospital No. 11, January 22, 1865 of small pox; hospital number 1766; can’t find his burial records
- Spratt, Robert, 14th US Colored Infantry Co C, b 1841; teamster; enlisted on Nov 1, 1863 in Gallatin, born in Williamson County, died Dec.2,1865 in Pest Hospital Chattanooga Dec 2, 1865; Buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, Plot: J, 3546
- Woodward, John Wm, 14th US Colored Infantry Co I, b. 1845 in Williamson County; enlisted on Dec 15, 1863 in Gallatin as an 18 year old farmer; mustered in as an under cook in Gallatin on Jan. 1, 1864; January 18, 1864 sick in General hospital No. 1 in Gallatin; died August 23, 1864 in Chattanooga of chronic diarrhea; inventory of his effects; Buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, Plot: J, 3288
- Boxley, Anderson, 15th US Colored Infantry Co A, b. about 1841 in Williamson County; enlisted on Dec 2, 1863 in Columbia, Tennessee as a 22 year old farmer; died in Hospital in Nashville July 18, 1865 from dysentery; single; record of death – City Cemetery, later moved - U.S. Burial Ground - South West City Cemetery, #10457 , J – 1710
- Jordon, William, 15th US Colored Infantry Co A, b. around 1843 in Williamson County; enlisted on Nov. 28, 1863 in Columbia as a 20 year old farmer; married; Dec. 2, 1863; April 30, 1864 on duty as drummer in the Regiment, Nashville, Tennessee; died in hospital in Nashville May 26, 1865 of typhoid fever; Hospital Record No. 1183 Wilson USA Federal? Hospital; buried in City Cemetery; can’t find burial records
- Hughs, Peter (Hughes?), 15th US Colored Infantry Co B, B around 1840 in Williamson County; enlisted on Dec 9, 1863 in Columbia as a 23 year old farmer; mustered in at Shelbyville on Jan. 4, 1864; January 16, 1864 – has a sort of “doctor’s note” in his file stating he has pneumonia and dysentery and won’t be fit for military duty for at least 20 days; died at Wilson General Hospital, Nashville January 23, 1864 of pneumonia ; hospital record number 1183; buried in the City Cemetery; he was married; Burial Records - U.S. Burial Ground - Due West City Cemetery, E – 2108
- Swanson, Josephus, 15th US Colored Infantry Co E, b. 1843 in Williamson County; enlisted on Jan 14, 1864 in Shelbyville as a 21 year old farmer; residence before enlistment was Franklin, Tennessee (per death certificate); he was single – but a name of Emily Swanson is given living in Nashville – perhaps mother?; died in Cumberland Hospital in Nashville March 30, 1866 cause of death “anasarca following variola” = Generalized massive edema following smallpox; his effects consisted of a blouse, drawers and shoes; Hospital medical record number 14805 – buried at City Cemetery March 31; burial records UR 14805, R – 319, Small Pox Cemetery 2 miles N.W. of Nashville Tenn S.W. Corner of Cemetery
- Barker, James, 16th US Colored Infantry Co C, b. about 1819 in Williamson County; enlisted on Dec 7, 1864 in Clarkesville as a 44 year old farmer; admitted to pest hospital on December 21, 1864; died at pest hospital from pneumonia, Clarksville December 25, 1864; can’t find his burial or grave information
- Elmore, Noah, 17th US Colored Infantry Co E, b. about 1838 in Williamson County; enlisted on Feb 21, 1864 in Murfreesboro as a 26 year old farmer; died March 3, 1864 at Murfreesboro (coincidence that William Ellison from Williamson County deserted the same day?); died of typhoid pneumonia; hospital record # 1391; can’t find his burial information
- Dotson, Daniel, 17th US Colored Infantry Co H, B 1837 in Williamson County, enlisted on Jan 17, 1864 in Murfreesboro as a 27 years old Farmer; Died at Nashville May 29, 1865 of scurvy also “rheumatism of the heart?; he “left no effects of any value”; 13722 Nashville Cemetery; Section L – 426; unmarried [listed as David Dotson in the cemetery records, and also a duplicate of D Dotson with incomplete information]
- Roberts, James, 1st US Colored Heavy Artillery Co C, b. around 1844 in Williamson County; enlisted on Jan 28, 1864 in Knoxville as a 20 year old farmer; died April 2, 1864 caused by pneumonia, typhoid in Knoxville Regimental hospital; can’t find his grave
- Battle, Peter, 2nd Regiment US Colored Light Artillery Battery A, b. about 1845 in Williamson County; enlisted on April 2, 1864 in Nashville as a19-year-old farmer; died in Wilson Hospital Nashville Feb 15, 1865 of pneumonia; burial information: #11575 – UR 12081, L – 418, U.S. Burial Ground - South West City Cemetery
- Willington, Harvey, 2nd Regiment US Colored Light Artillery Battery A, b. 1839 in Williamson County; enlisted on Feb. 4, 1864 in Nashville as a 25 year old blacksmith; mustered in and then died in USA Hospital No. 16 Nashville, Tenn. March 23, 1864 of typhoid fever; hospital record No. 16; can’t find his burial records
- Carter, Alfred (Albert), 2nd Regiment US Colored Light Artillery Battery E, B about 1842 in Williamson county; enlisted on Feb 9, 1864 in Helena, Arkansas as a 22 year old farmer; died in hospital in Helena, Arkansas of pneumonia April 26, 1865, can’t find his burial records
- Patton, Thomas, 3rd US Colored Cavalry Co M, B around 1842 in Wililamson County; enlisted on Jan 6, 1865 in Vicksburg; laborer/farmer; 23 years old; died April 28, 1865 of chronic diarrhea in a regimental hospital in Memphis; can’t find his burial records
- Jordan, John, 3rd US Colored Heavy Artillery Co K, b. around 1825 in Williamson County; enlisted on Nov. 18, 1863 in Memphis at Ft. Pickering as a 38 year old farmer; Aug. 17, 1864 sick in Regimental Hospital; died Nov. 7, 1864 in Regimental Hospital at Ft. Pickering in Memphis
- Potter, Amos, 42nd US Colored Infantry Co H, b. around 1815 in Williamson County; enlisted on Dec 3, 1863 in Columbia as a 48 year old farmer; mustered in Jan. 8, 1864 at Shelbyville; died in Huntsville Pest? Hospital of acute dysentery/typhoid fever on Oct. 9, 1865; hospital record # 11711; buried in 252 Huntsville Cemetery Oct. 10, 1865 can’t find his current burial site – some people think these graves were moved to Chattanooga
- Roberts, Harrison, 44th US Colored Infantry Co B, b. around 1847 in Williamson County; enlisted on March 25, 1864 in Chattanooga as a17 year old farmer; May 21 – Nov. 8, 1864 on recruiting service; Sept. 1, 1864 promoted to corporal; Oct. 13, 1864 taken POW at Dalton, GA by Gen. John Bell Hood’s Army; April 1, 1865 on color guard duty (escort); July/August – relieved of color guard duty and returned to company; Feb. 24, 1866 sick in General Hospital in Huntsville; died in USA Post? Pest? Hospital in Huntsville of consumption Feb. 24, 1866; hospital record # 1353; buried in 288 Huntsville Cemetery, 18 years old can’t find current gravesite – perhaps moved to Chattanooga
- Anderson, Isham, 46th US Colored Infantry Co H, b. abt 1841 in Williamson County, enlisted on May 1, 1863 in Helena, Arkansas as a 22 years old farmer; Aug 7, 1865, sick in Hospital in Brownsville, Texas; died of dysentery in hospital in Brownsville, Texas Sept 16, 1865. The graves at Brownsville were moved to Alexandria, Louisiana in 1909. I haven’t been able to locate Isham’s grave, but if he were buried in Brownsville and his grave were identified he should have been moved to Alexandria. [1st Regiment Arkansas Volunteer Infantry (African Descent)]
- Dougherty, Abram, 47th US Colored Infantry Co K, B about 1832 in Williamson County; enlisted on Feb. 24, 1864 in Vickburg as a 32 year old field hand; May 5, 1864 died in Regimental Hospital in Vicksburg of pneumonia; no burial record; I can’t find his grave
- Wilson, Miles, 47th US Colored Infantry Co K, B. 1820 in Williamson County; enlisted on Feb 24, 1864 in Vickbsburg as a 44 year old fieldhand; March 8, 1865 died of small pox at Corps d’Afrique General Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana; his listing in the US Register of Deaths of Volunteers; no burial information
- Irwing, William A., 4th US Colored Heavy Artillery Co C, b. around 1835 in Williamson county; enlisted on June 21, 1863 in Columbus, Kentucky as a 28 year old farmer; July 26, 1863 sick in hospital at Island No. 10; died of dysentery in hospital in Columbus, Kentucky August 25, 1863; no burial information
- Collyer, John, 55th US Colored Infantry Co F, b. about 1833 in Williamson County; enlisted on Feb 23, 1864 in Memphis as a 31 year old farmer; May 22, 1864 died of disease at Memphis; no burial information
- Gordon, James, 8th US Colored Heavy Artillery Co A, b. about 1825 in Williamson County; enlisted on Sept. 14, 1864 in Paducah, Kentucky as a 39 year old cabinet maker; Jan. 27, 1865 died at USA Hospital for Colored Troops at Paducah, Ky. Of pneumonia; Salena? Gordon – widow – came for his effects; no burial information
- Carpenter, Edmund (Esmond?), 13th US Colored Infantry Co A, Enlisted in Franklin, 26 years old, farmer, Aug. 12, 1863 in Franklin; Died in Regimental Hospital at Camp L. Thomas March 12, 1864; cause of death not stated; can’t find burial records
Death from Other Causes
- Pider, John (Pointer?), 13th US Colored Infantry Co D, 20 year old farmer; enlisted Oct 4, 1863 in Nashville, born in Williamson County, April 1, 1865 promoted to corporal on daily duty recruiting; Died June 20th of accidental wounds in the 2nd of June at Waverly, Tenn; ; can’t find his burial records
- Gordon, Alexander, 51st US Colored Infantry Co I, b. about 1828 in Spring Hill, Williamson County; enlisted on May 11, 1865 in Providence, Alabama as a 37 year old Laborer; died from drowning in Red River Dec. 23, 1865; no burial information
- Moon, Henry, 17th US Colored Infantry Co E, Born in Virgnia, raised in Williamson County near Triune, Enlisted on January 17, 1864 in Tennessee as a 27 year old farmer; wounded at Battle of Nashville Dec 15, 1864; in hospital from January 12, 1865; returned May 20, 1865 from Wilson Hospital; in Nashville; February 7, 1866 he and his brother Henry Moon were granted permission to visit their home in Triune and they were confronted at the gate in front of John Bostick’s house on Nolensville Road by John Henry Griggs who shot and killed Henry Moon; Lewis made his escape back to Nashville
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