The Alabama in the Civil War Message Board

Sergeant W.B. Brawley, Co. C, 16th Alabama Inf.

The Leighton News, 9 Jun 1905

An Incident of War Times. As the time for the annual reunion of the United Confederate Veterans draws nigh, we naturally think of those we met last year, and of the pleasant incidents which then occurred, and of the sad ones too, for at every reunion we are called upon to witness something of a sad nature, as well as of the pleasing. Some dear friends who were with us one year ago have crossed over, and loved ones are now mourning their absence. While thinking of the many little interesting things we witnessed at the reunion here last June, I am reminded of one that occurred at my residence on the Nolensville Pike just two and one half miles south of the city.

Just before sunset on June 16th there appeared at my side gate an old gentleman who appeared to be over seventy years of age, and while he was somewhat stooped, yet he seemed stout and hearty, and his eyes as bright as a boys. He asked permission to come in, saying that he had walked out from the city to again look where he buried one of his comrades in December 1864, nearly forty years before. This old veteran sat on the front steps and said that it had been nearly forty years since he had been in this yard, and when her last he sat in this same spot and superintended the burying of Sergeant W.B. Brawley, of Company C, 16th Alabama Regiment, and pointed out a spot within forty feet of my front door where he buried Sergeant Brawley, and wondered if his ashes still resided there. I enclose you a photograph of that portion of my yard, and have marked with red ink the particular place where this soldier was buried, and if you can find any member of Brawley’s family you can give them this picture.

Whether this body was ever removed or not I do not know, but I do know that beautiful flowers bloom there every spring, and to us this is now a sacred spot. I never knew Brawley; but someone who reads this may have known him, and this may be the means of letting his friends know where he was buried. I had not forgotten to say who the old veteran is who called at my house, but waited to tell this last. It was J.J. Stutts, of Greenhill, Lauderdale County and I am sure that you have many subscribers who will remember “Jack” Stutts. Mr. Stutts said that Sergeant Brawley was killed by Negro troops in a fight about two hundred yards north of my residence, and that he brought his remains to (now) my front yard and had same buried there. Mr. Stutts was very much enthused when describing the battle around Nashville, and expressed himself as delighted with the privilege of visiting this particular spot again after so many years.

My home is just south of the N&C railroad at “Rains’ Cut,” and if you will read an account of the battle of Nashville, you will see that many Negro troops were killed by Cleburne’s Division between the Lebanon Pike, and “Rains’ Cut.” W.G. Sadler, Nashville, Tennessee, June 5th, 1905

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Sergeant W.B. Brawley, Co. C, 16th Alabama Inf.
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