Saturday, 17th September, 2022 - Munford, Alabama
The Skirmish / Battle of Munford, AL
The action at Munford marks the final resistance within the state of Alabama and possibly, within the Confederacy, east of the Mississippi River. On the 23rd of April, 1865, A small group of Confederate Homeguard, Convalescents, and pardoned deserters, would attempt to hold a federal force led by General John T. Croxton's Brigade which consisted of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry, the 4th Kentucky Mounted. Infantry, the 6th Kentucky Cavalry, and the 8th Iowa Cavalry, numbering roughly around 1,500 men in strength. It should be noted that these soldiers were of good condition being veteran soldiers and were well equipped with repeating rifles.
General Hill's brigade which opposed the federal forces consisted of Lowe's Alabama Cavalry, Hay's Tennessee Cavalry, and a section of artillery which had two pieces. The total strength of this force numbered roughly around 500 men in strength and the condition of these men is relatively unknown.
The action was decisive and short lived as the 2nd Michigan Cavalry led the advance into the Confederate position, overrunning the artillery position and dispersing the Confederate forces, while capturing a number of prisoners.
Estimated losses for the Federal Forces number at 4 killed in action and 15 wounded, while the Confederates lost 1 in the action and saw 14 captured. The number of wounded is unknown.
The only Confederate, and hence, the last Confederate Soldier to die in action against Federal Forces east of the Mississippi River was Lieutenant Andrew Jackson Buttram, who was laid to rest where he fell.
The Re-Burial of Lt. Andrew Jackson Buttram
A few years ago now, April, 2020 to be exact, the Samuel C. Kelly Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans from Oxford, Alabama identified a discrepancy with the location of Lt. Buttram's grave and the location of the marker which was intended to denote such. The marker, had been moved some time in the past to spot across the street from where the Lieutenant had been laid to rest.
As this was the case, a plea to remove the remains of the Lieutenant, and relocate them to the area across the street where the marker had been placed was made and found quite favorable as this would place his grave away from the edge of the road that now existed in this location, not to mention that he was now buried in the front yard of a local residence. This led to the reinternment of the Lieutenant's remains as well as a decorated funeral ceremony and service with his decedents.
Buttram Memorial Park - Dedication on the 20th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the City of Munford, Alabama
On Saturday, 17th September, 2o22, myself and a few members of my company established a living history in Munford, just down the hill from the grave and memorial to Lt. Andrew Jackson Buttram, whom we reinterred a few years ago.
I thought it quite important that we take part in the park's dedication as our company was mustered into service at Munford Station in 1862. Further, as we had been principally involved in the funeral a few years ago for Lt. Buttram.
We provided a uniform and weapons display to the public, which expressed items carried by both Federal and Confederate forces in the war, as well as the differences between both. Other than being solicited heavily to sell our period firearms that were displayed, we did receive a number of great questions from the visitors to our very small encampment which made our efforts worth it. This opportunity also served as a dry-run for our coming event at Homestead Hollow, which will be a wonderful opportunity for the company to interact with a large number of people.
At the dedication ceremony, a salute was given by volley and the presentation of arms. This concluded our time at Munford and the Park's official dedication. We were very honored to have been invited to take part in this small but important part of the community's history.
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