Texas Division United Daughters of the Confederacy®

Shirley Woodlock Texas Division President 2008-2010

The Texas Division President Shirley Woodlock has announced her President’s Projects for 2009. Her first project was to obtain a Confederate Memorial Marker for Eleven Texas Soldiers buried in Tullahoma Confederate Cemetery in Coffee County, Tennessee. The funds for this project have already been raised by selling "We Remember" pins (see below) and the marker has already been ordered.  A marker dedication has been set for Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Tullahoma Confederate Cemetery. There is a photo of three other memorial markers UDC had placed at this cemetery on the cover of the January issue of the UDC Magazine.  The Confederate Cemetery is in the Maplewood Cemetery where 407 Confederates are buried. Many of these men died in hospitals established in the town of Tullahoma when it was Headquarters for the Army of Tennessee during the early part of 1863. Records show that 272 died during 1863 while 74 died in one of the camps in the area.  In 1964 the Tennessee Civil War Centennial Commission erected a granite monument in the center of the Confederate plot to commemorate the 407 unknown Confederate soldiers buried there.  In 1992 the identity of all but 16 men were revealed using a roster of soldiers buried there and microfilmed records.  The names of 391 men were engraved on markers, which were placed near the granite monument placed in 1964. Florida – 52 soldiers (marker placed 4/5/2008) Tennessee – 83 soldiers (marker placed 7/26/2008) Alabama – 109 soldiers (marker placed 5/17/2008) Mississippi – 46 soldiers North Carolina – 37 soldiers Louisiana – 20 soldiers Georgia – 13 soldiers Texas – 11 soldiers (marker to be placed 6/27/2009) Kentucky – 8 soldiers Arkansas – 6 soldiers South Carolina – 4 soldiers Click here to view photos of the monuments at the Tullahoma Confederate Cemetery The names of the Texas soldiers buried there are listed below. Christopher A. Berry, Pvt., Co. F 6th Regt., TX Inf., died May 31, 1863 William Boyles, Pvt., Co K, 15th Regt. TX Cav., died May 24, 1863 James S. Carter, Pvt., Co C, 14th Regt. TX Cav., died Dec 12, 1862  William M. Davis, Sgt., Co E, 14th Regt. TX Cav., died Dec 3, 1862 Thomas A. Dunlap, Pvt., Co. C, 18th Regt. TX Cav., died Jul 22, 1863  J. M. Forbis, Pvt., Co B, 32nd Regt. TX Cav., died Dec 4, 1862  G. W. Hinton, Pvt., Co F, 10th Regt. TX Cav., died Dec 9, 1862  Andrew J. Sykes (Sikes), Cpl., Co. I, 10th TX Inf., died Jun 27, 1863  W. D. Thornton, Pvt., Co. H, 9th TX Inf., died Nov 24 1862  W. C. Wicker, Pvt., Co D, 32nd, Regt., TX Cav., died Dec 6, 1862 Samuel Wilson, Pvt., Co C, 32nd TX Cav., died Nov 30, 1862

 Shirley Woodlock announced at Forum her President’s Project to secure a new home for the bank safe used by the CSA Treasury and Postal Departments. Texan John H. Reagan used the safe which secured printing plates, treasury notes, postal stamps and other important documents belonging to the Confederate State’s Government.

 When Richmond burned in 1865, this safe remained “safe” in the same building as the War Department.  This original safe is currently at the UDC Headquarters in Richmond, VA.  The Memorial Building Board of Trustees of the UDC General Organization voted to donate the safe to the Texas Division as long as they pay for its removal, transportation and properly displayed once it arrives in Texas.

 The Texas Confederate Museum Collection Board of Trustees will access the safe into the collection once it arrives at the museum.  Texas will be its third and final home.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire the only safe used by the Confederate Government.

 “MAKE A SAFE DEPOSIT” fundraising campaign is now underway to generate the necessary funds to bring the safe to Texas.  Although there is no Confederate Treasure remaining in the safe, it will not be empty for long.  Once on display at the Texas Civil War Museum, a strongbox will be placed in the safe with names of each individual who makes a $50.00 contribution and each group/chapter that makes a $100.00 contribution.  A plaque on the wall beside the safe will list the PRESIDENT’S CABINET.  Listed on the plaque will be the names of those individuals who contribute $500.00 or more or chapter/groups who contribute $1,000 or more.

 These are difficult financial times and many safes are emptier than they were a few months ago, but seventy-five years ago in the middle of the Great Depression, Texas Daughters raised money in creative ways to build lasting monuments all across this great state, and the Daughters can do it again.  A target date for completion would be the Texas Division 2009 Convention.

 Costs for the project are still being determined. An estimated range is $10,000 to $12,000.  Extra funds will be needed to clean and prepare the safe for display, also opening the safe which will have to be done by professionals if the original keys are not found in Richmond.  If not located, the two keys, one known as a “grasshopper” key, will also, have to be made.

 You are encouraged to share in this very historical event.

Please make checks payable to Treasurer, Texas Division and mail to:

Kay Hilburn
PO Box 597
Hallsville, Texas 75650-0597

Designate on your check, “President’s Project, Safe.”