Confederate Soldiers Honored Who Died on the Kentucky

Honored in Madison

“Memorial services to honor the memory of four Confederate Soldiers who drowned on the CSS Kentucky, June 9, 1865 at Eagle Bend on the Red River in the State of Louisiana; was held this last Saturday afternoon in Monroe County at Madison Cemetery.  

Services for Monroe County Confederate Soldiers: James Dry, 4th MO Cavalry; Benjamin Houchins, Joseph Wilson and William Baker who fought with Pindall’s Sharpshooters, CSA, were presided over by the Captain William T. Anderson Camp #1743, Sons of Confederate Veterans of Hunstsville.  

Four marble stones provided by the United States Government were placed in memory next to relatives buried there by Huntsville Camp members of the SCV organization to honor the memory of the CSA veterans from Monroe County. 

Confederate Battle Flags were placed on 30 known Confederate Soldiers graves in the Madison Cemetery. Black and Silver ribbons were given to the 40 who attended and the Soldier’s descendants in commemorating the tragic event that took place 135 years ago, almost to the day. The history of the CSS Kentucky’s sinking and the names of all known Missouri Confederate Soldiers who drowned, were read by Commander Neil Block. The somber ceremony ended with a two volley cannon salute to the soldiers.” 

 Source: From the files of Kevin Williams; transcribed by Lisa Perry. Original newspaper article source was the Monroe County Appeal, Paris, Mo, Thursday, June 15, 2000, pg. 5.