Dedication held at Maplewood Cemetery

By Staff
Staff reports
A grave marking dedication was held Nov. 4, at 2:30 p.m. in Maplewood Cemetery for Col. Calvin J. Clack. He led the Third Tennessee and was the last field officer to get killed at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga. His remains lay buried 19 long years in Jonesboro, Ga., until the ex-Confederates went back and brought them back to his native soil of Pulaski. He was identified by the fracture in his skull of the ball that killed him, a sleeve of his coat, his peculiar English boots and a brass spur that were well preserved.
On Nov. 10, 1883, a funeral was held for him at Antoinette Hall, and ex-Confederates from the surrounding counties and citizens came to honor a soldier’s bones to whom they loved so in life. Thus passed the most solemn eventful day in Pulaski’s history and the largest funeral ever.
Rita Birdsong of the Joe Wheeler UDC No. 291 of Decatur arranged for a tombstone to be placed for him. Commander Tony Townsend of Gen John C. Brown Camp No. 112 gave the welcome, and Pulaski UDC No. 257 President Cathy Wood dedicated the stone.
The Pulaski Lodge 101 held a Masonic ritual since he attained the highest degree in the Masonic order.
Deputy Grand Master Jerry Lynn Hanson, Barlett, TN. gave a presentation. Div. Tennessee SCV Commander Michael R. Bradley and Alabama Div. SCV Commander Leonard Wilson brought greetings. President Glendora James from the Joe Wheeler Chapter, Decatur. brought greetings from Alabama. Birdsong read a tribute to Calvin J. Clack. Gerald Moore with the Egbert J. Jones Camp No 357, Huntsville recited “Pledge to the South.” Fourteen men of Re-enactors did the 21-gun salute, led by Tim Williams of the 11th Alabama Cav., Blountsville. John Allen, from Tuscaloosa played “Dixie” and “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes.
H. K. Edgerton, a black soldier from Asheville, N. C. was in attendance carrying his Confederate flag.
He has logged more than 3, 000 miles marching across Dixie teaching the true heritage of the War Between the States.
Other Joe Wheeler Chapter members attending were: Kathy Jones, Judy Blackwell, Terri Dean, Mavis Kimbrell, Rhonda Dunlap, Vicki Cameron, Betsy Cameron, and Addie Thomison, and guest Robbie Ellis.
Relatives from Texas attending the ceremony were: Brenda Lehr, Mary Ann Bottoms, Tommie Elkins and Martha McGinnis. Also the Edmund and Sarah Armistead family from Brentwood, Tenn., were in attendance.