Photo courtesy of Mrs. Betty T. Vogel
PRIVATE CHESLEY ALDERMAN From the Ceremony Program
Born – April 12, 1840 – Died – July 17, 1863
"Toombs' Guards," Co. I, 9th Georgia Infantry Regiment Confederate States of America
Chesley Alderman was the eldest son of Thomas Alderman and his wife, Polly Ann Parrish. He was born on his family’s plantation in Bulloch County, Georgia and enlisted early in War in a local company to help defend his Southern homeland. The company, called, “Toombs’ Guards,” became known as Co. I of the 9th Georgia Infantry Regiment.
The unit saw actions all around the south and saw service in the Army of the Shenandoah, Army of Tennessee, Army of East Tennessee, and the Army of Northern Virginia. They were in some 45 different engagements.
He was an ordinary Private soldier. It was July 1-3, 1863, at the three-day Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where Chesley distinguished himself. This battle is said to be the most costly in American lives in the history of our county. The fighting was horrific!
Chesley was wounded in the finger on the first day of the battle. This would have rendered him unable to load and fire his weapon. Records show that he took on the duty of driving an ambulance wagon. No doubt, he volunteered for this job. The second day of the battle was worse and was known as the Battle of the Wheatfield. Casualties were great on both sides. Chesley’s regiment lost 56% of its men. Chesley must have rescued and saved many lives that day. On the third day, July 3rd, Chesley was shot in the leg and captured by the Federals. He was taken to their Field Hospital where they amputated his leg. He died about two weeks later. It is not known where he is buried.
About three months after the battle the officers and enlisted men of his regiment submitted Chesley Alderman’s name to be placed on the Confederate Roll of Honor. This was the highest honor given to a Confederate Soldier by the government and was rarely awarded. It would seem that his award was not for being a fierce fighter but for his life saving services to his fellows. This is the equivalent to a USA Congressional Medal of Honor. No other soldiers from this area of Georgia are known to have received this rare honor.
Because of his death and because a medal was never awarded due to lack of funds in the Confederate Government, we believe that the family might not have learned of this great honor.
Today we honor him in his family cemetery at a marker that was placed there to him years ago. The monument includes the word, “CENOTAPH,” meaning that he is not buried here.
PIPING……………………………… William M. Davidson, Piper
WELCOME……………………………… Smith C. Banks,
Historian, Ogeechee Rifles SCV
POSTING THE COLORS……………… Sons of Confederate Veterans
INVOCATION……………………………… Rev. Max Alderman
PLEDGES TO THE FLAGS……………… Adam Bazemore
Color Sergeant, Ogeechee Rifles
SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS ………. Mike A. Mull Commander, 5th Ga. Brigade
Sons of Confederate Veterans
RECOGNITION OF
ALDERMAN DESCENDANTS………… Smith C. Banks
POEM:
“J. W. ALDERMAN’S FAREWELL TO HIS MOTHER”
By J. William Alderman, Chesley’s Uncle
Published in 1897
in 61st Georgia Regimental History…. Paul W. Harmon, Alderman descendant
Commander of Ogeechee Rifles
A TRIBUTE TO
CHESLEY ALDERMAN…… Smith C. Banks
UNVEILING THE MONUMENT…… SOLDIERS
LAYING THE WREATH………………… Paul W. Harmon
Commander, Ogeechee Rifles
PRESENTATION OF THE FLAG……… To James Thomas Alderman
“DIXIE”…………………………………… Mrs. Carolyn Cooper
BENEDICTION…………………………… Ed Wolfe,
VOLLEYS………………………………… Sons of ConfederateVeterans
& Re-enactors
TAPS…………………………………… Mark Farmer, Director
WITH THANKS TO:
Emory Melton Monument Company
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Camp #1942 Dixie Guards, Metter, Georgia
Brig. Gen. John C. Carter Camp #207, Waynesboro, Georgia
Tattnall Invincibles Camp #154, Reidsville, Georgia
Ebenezer Rifles Camp #1901
32nd Georgia Artillery, Waynesboro, Georgia
A video of the ceremony is available. If you wish to order a copy, they are $20.00. Contact:
Ron Link, 797 Foxboro Lane, Portal, GA 30450
home- 912-865-4390; cell - 536-2323.
The Statesboro Herald ran a preview story on the ceremony which can be accessed by subscribers through their archives on the issue of
6 May 2005 on pg. 3
They ran a very detailed story the following week on 15 May 2005 in their Lifestyles section on the front page and continued on pg. 3 of that section.
The Lifestyles section follows the sports section in that issue. Log on to www.statesboroherald.com to view their archives. You will need to be a subscriber in order to access the archives.
