Mysterious Mississippi Photographs

/ Kimberly

I recently spent some time looking at photographs on the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) website. I have some amazing and mysterious finds to share with you!

The first five photos are from the Flurry and Wilkerson families. I’ve kept the inscriptions just as MDAH wrote them.

The Bride and Groom – Alvin and Eula Flurry waited upon them. Photograph of wedding party.

J. M. Flurry and Family, Daisy, Miss.

 

The photos of the Wilkerson family are interesting, because so few candid photos exist from this time. There are 10 people in the first photo and their names are listed. The second and third photos were taken later, after at least two more babies were born. The inscription beneath the second photo is a little cryptic.

Mamma – Lillie – Olive – Annie Majorie – Papa – Joe. C. D., Culbert – Kate – Samson. Wilkinson family

Culbert and Gay. Gay is one of the twins. The girl died. He is mad and has a pipe in his hands. We failed to get him before this. (Wilkersons)

Culbert Wilkerson, Lillie Wilkerson, Olive Wilkerson, Kate Wilkerson, Cecil Douglas.

 

The next several photos are Civil War-related. The first four pictures appear to be from a 1921 reunion or taken very close to that time .

The battle they had fought in was, by then,  57 years in the past (now 159 years ago!) and their numbers had dwindled. The man on the lower right has a distinctly Mark Twain look about him.

Confederate Veterans, Survivors of Harrisburg Battle July 14, 1864. Grouped on battle field at point where the village Harrisburg stood and General Forrest began his charge on Federals

This picture, also from the Confederate reunion, is interesting because these gentlemen are black. The inscription suggests they may have been slaves to men who served in the Confederate Army. Notice the many medals pinned on the man on the right.

Joe Wiley Age 90, with William Lench, Master, 7th Gia Co. A served 3 yrs. Foraged more sheep than any man in Division. And Howard Divinity in uniform, Age 91 with Robert Scott, Master, 12th..

I’m guessing based on their last names that these two are brother and sister.

Shell hole in White Oak tree on Harrisburg Battlefield, by Federal shell July 14, 1864. Confederate Veteran is F. P. Gardner 7th Tenn. Co. E…The lady Mrs. Ella Garner Smith

Pat McLaughton, Beauvoir Home, Miss….Oldest Veteran at 31st Annual Confederate Reunion 1921 Mississippi, 100 yrs 3 months old, Born in Ireland

 

From what I can tell, Freedom Day was an early name for what we now call Juneteenth.

Freedom Day, 1890, Claiborne County.

I want to share some photos from another set MDAH featured that are so remarkable, they deserve a separate post.

8 thoughts on “Mysterious Mississippi Photographs”

  1. The Battle Of Tupelo, also known as the Engagement At Harrisburg, occurred July 14 to 15, 1864. The Confederate troops made several attacks on Union troops entrenched at Harrisburg, but each attack was repulsed. The victory was critical in stopping Confederate troops from taking control of a single rail line in Tennessee used to supply Sherman’s troops that were closing in on Atlanta.

    Considering the tactics used by both Armies during the Civil War, the men in the photos were fortunate to have survived. The bravery of these men is overshadowed by the infamy of the Confederacy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. I had family that fought on both sides. It was such a horrible war that should never have happened. I believe that if President Lincoln had lived, the South would have been treated better. His favorite song was “Dixie.” The Mississippi pictures are wonderful!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you, Judy! I had family on both sides of the war too. The war split families as well as the nation apart. I agree with you about Lincoln. Hr was far more focused on healing the nation than Andrew Johnson was. I didn’t know his favorite song was Dixie! That’s a very interesting fact!

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to Kimberly Cancel reply