We all thank you for sharing that with us.. Kay -----Original Message----- From: dabf <dabf@zebra.net> To: ALMONROE-L@rootsweb.com <ALMONROE-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Tuesday, May 25, 1999 7:28 PM Subject: [ALMONROE-L] MEMORIAL SERIVCE FOR PVT. JAMES MONROE MCKINLEY >MEMORIAL SERIVCE FOR PVT. JAMES MONROE MCKINLEY, > Co. G, 36th ALA. VOL. INF. > Liberty Baptist Church, Thomasville, Alabama > October 24, 1992 > > We are gathered here today to honor the memory of a brave >patriot, Pvt. James Monroe McKinley of Company G of the 36th Alabama >Volunteer Infantry of the Army of the Confederate States of America. > > James Monroe McKinley, patriotically named for a president of the >United States, was born on April 3rd, 1839, probably in Monroe County, >Alabama. He lived a hardworking, but peaceful existence on his daddy's >farm until war broke out. The South, suffering invasion by a hostile >foreign nation, sent out the call to arms. Young farmboy McKinley >answered that call, traveling to Mobile, to join the Confederate Army >in March of 1862. > > Years later he would explain his decision to fight for the >Confederacy >to his son, Mr. Jeff McKinley, saying, "son, I didn't fight to keep no >slaves - I didn't own any. I fought to keep Washington from telling >us how to live our lives down here." -- a sentiment we can all >understand with so many government encroachments upon the rights of a >private citizens today. > > Pvt. McKinley's pension record describes him as a faithful soldier >who >served til the end of the War. He was wounded twice in service of his >country. At the disastrous battle of Nashville, he suffered from a >head wound which left him with a natural part and severe headaches >which plagued him for the remainder of his life. Near War's end, >during the fighting at Spanish Fort in South Alabama, Pvt. McKinley's >trigger finger was shot off by enemy fire abruptly terminating his >military service. > > The now-citizen McKinley then returned home, married Miss Eugene >Gramble and with his young bride set out to rebuild their beloved >war-torn Southland. The young couple would have six children before >Patriot McKinley's peaceful life would once again be visited by >tragedy as his beloved wife and seventh child died in childbirth. The >two youngest children soon followed their mother in death. > > Veteran McKinley then found solace in the gentle Lucy Daniels whom he >married on June 26, 1879. Mama Lucy, as her affectionate >step-children called her gave birth to eleven children of whom two are >still with us, Mr. Jeff and Miss Addie. > > Mr. McKinley was a God-fearing Christian. Mr. Jeff tells how every >church Sunday his daddy would pack the family in the mule wagon and >head for Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. Mr. McKinley was no Sunday >Christian, however, but practiced Christian principals in his daily >life. He was hear to have pronounced only one cuss word during his >long life and that was when a fellow tried to shoot his dog. >Mr. McKinley, although not a rich man, always looked after the needs >of those less fortunate than he. Whenever he'd kill a beef he'd give >most of it away to the needy. Mr. Jeff recalls when an elderly back >man came by the house, his daddy took his own new shoes off and gave >them to that black man. > > Shortly after his 81st birthday Veteran McKinley who had long >suffered >from rheumatism in both hips, began to suffer from shortness of breath >and took to his bed. On April 20, 1920 he died in the arms of his >beloved son, Mr. Jeff, who describes his daddy as his best friend. > > Written and delivered by: Kay R. Ryes, National President-General >of >the Confederate POW Society > >Source: From a typed copy in the Monroe County Heritage Museums, Post >Office >Box 1637, Monroeville, AL 36461-1637 > > > Your Obedient Servant, > > D. A. Bass-Frazier > > >==== ALMONROE Mailing List ==== >****Visit the ALGenWeb Monroe County site at >http://www.rootsweb.com/~almonroe often for updates! > >