Chalmette National Cemetery
I received these photos from Deena Collins Aucoin this Memorial Day morning. The first is of Chalmette National Cemetery in New Orleans. The second is the grave of Riley J. Collins from Jones County, MS. An avowed Unionist, Riley resisted service in the Confederate Army, and joined Co. E, 1st New Orleans infantry (although his gravestone says LA Infantry) on April 30, 1864. He died of disease the following August.
Deena is a descendant of Simeon Collins, brother of Riley. Both men, along with brother Jasper Collins and many nephews and cousins, were members of the Knight Band in the Free State of Jones. Three other Collins brothers–Warren, Stacy and Newton–deserted the Confederate Army and fought against it in the Big Thicket of East Texas.
Vikki Bynum, moderator
Riley J. Collins Grave, Chalmette National Cemetery
Categories: Mississippi, Texas, The Free State of Jones
Nice, Vikki. So many incredible stories that aren’t made so obvious by just looking at the stones.
True, Robert. The pension files alone make fascinating, and often heartbreaking, reading.
Vikki
After reading this post, I did some research and found one of my relatives, John Bounds of the 1st NO, is also buried at Chalmette. He died of small pox January 4, 1865.
So thanks for sharing this!
Now if only I could find where John Lampkin Smith is buried…
You’re welcome, Shelby. So many Civil War soldiers died of illness, both Unionists and Confederates. Let us know if you find John Lampkin Smith’s burial place.
Vikki
[…] Renegade South blog contains a post that made me think about Southern Unionists on Memorial Day. (Remembering Southern Union Soldiers on Memorial Day) Late posting this but I have been out of town all week and had to work on Memorial Day. I recently […]
[…] Riley J. Collins of Jones County was one of the fatalities. Later informants spoke of his adamant opposition to secession. When the first Confederate Conscription Act was enacted in April of 1862 he was exempted by age, being 36. Later that year the act was amended to include men up through age 45, but he refused to enlist. His wife Desdemonia died that same year, leaving him to care for their six children. Nevertheless, when Col. Robert Lowry led troops into Jones County to force men into Confederate service, Riley Collins made his way to Fort Pike and enlisted on April 30, 1864. He entered the U.S. General Hospital on August 20 and died 10 days later. His orphaned children were taken in and raised by a brother. […]
[…] are the ones that are stretching it, but I’m including any way. A Union Loyalist in Louisiana Share this:TwitterFacebookStumbleUponLike this:LikeBe the first to like […]