Another look at the old Soldiers Ground grave sites.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina.
Soldiers Ground, Sepia
Tag Archives: Monochrome
In Soldiers Ground, Magnolia Cemetery
While out in the old ‘soldiers ground’ section of Charleston’s Magnolia Cemetery I made a few new surprising discoveries.
Above is a marker I found off to the side of the main section. Near a tool shed was a standard confederate military head stone.
However Rebecca Sineath, of Morris Island, South Carolina is buried here. She was the laundress for the 12st South Carolina Infantry.
Interesting she was from Morris Island. It is nothing but a sand bar now with an old unused lighthouse.
The battle of Morris Island, July 1863, was an unsuccessful Union assault. The famous 54th Massachusetts Infantry, an all African American unit proved their valor and changed the perspective of Union leaders. The movie ‘Glory’ was based on this battle.
Another unusual find was in the Unknown Sailors area. A new flag, the Bonnie Blue, had been placed.
The Bonnie Blue, though associated with the south was actually based on a marching song used by both North and South.
And wait, there’s more. An old stone for Intibus George can be found at the end of the Unknowns. The name, not a usual old southern one.
Even though Soldiers Ground is in South Carolina I have found grave sites for northern military and other people associated with the Civil War units.
Another ‘Found On A Walk’ adventure.
One Of The Locals
Getting what little sun was available.
Old Iron
In the mid to late 1800’s wrought iron fences began to be made by castings rather than by hand. From what I have seen in the old cemeteries that’s when these ornate gates, posts, and fence line became popular.
Unfortunately time has caught up with most of them. While rust colors may add character, it has also eaten away at them.
Each time I visit an old cemetery more and more sections have fallen away.
These are a few I passed while walking. A future project might be to select some by style or design and document them closely before they are all gone.
Old Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina.
Virginia, South Carolina
I had initially been under the impression Soldiers Ground would be graves for South Carolinians only. Most likely because of the years the dead were buried here.
That is not true. Many of the stones list the unit served and home state. There are also northern troops, though not many, in the surrounding areas.
Found on a walk.
Note; yes that is a confederate battle flag, banned in most places, especially South Carolina. Because this is private property I do see some. However, most flags here are the old State flags.
Umbria Magnolia Plantation – 1805
Umbria Magnolia plantation sat at the top of the Charleston peninsula. Built in 1805 Umbria grew rice like most of the Lowcountry plantations.
Just prior to the US Civil War 92 acres were deeded to create a large cemetery. A new idea since most everyone was expected to be buried in their church yard. A pandemic (of course) of Yellow Fever quickly filled the old church yards so the cemetery became necessary.
Both confederate and union troops camped on the grounds during the war. Ultimately most of the plantation became a cemetery, a section called ‘Solders Ground’ became a confederate military cemetery.
In 2019-2020 the original building was renovated and houses the cemeteries offices.
Magnolia Cemetery, along with Bonaventure in Savannah and St. Louis in New Orleans, is one of the famous southern Gothic / Victorian cemeteries in the US.
Behind The Stables
Found on a walk.
A place to sit at the old plantation stables.
Reflection On The Water, American Alligator
One that should be viewed large. The reflections between Alligator and water are almost transparent.
I published this because it’s actually a common photograph we capture. When the water is clear and the light soft it’s really impressive. But I don’t think I have done a dark B&W before.