Hanger Rod
That Once Held
A Southern Cross of Honor
Years ago awarded to a now
Unknown Civil War Veteran
Just inside the entrance to this historic Tuscaloosa Cemetery, surrounded by a crumbling brick wall are a few graves, two of which have markers. One of these is for a child, as evidenced by the resting lamb engraved at the top. The second marker is for Harriet Robinson.
In the far corner of the enclosure is an iron rod which was driven into the ground. This rod once suspended a cast iron Southern Cross of Honor.
The Southern Cross of Honor is an award that could only be bestowed through the United Daughters of the Confederacy to a Confederate Veteran in recognition of loyal and honorable service to the South.
Sometime in the past, the cast iron cross was removed from this grave. Without a grave marker here, the name of the veteran that was given this recognition remains unknown.
Could it be for the husband of Harriet Robinson, a William B. Robinson? A search of the Civil War rosters for Alabama units revealed 37 men named William Robinson.
Could it be for William R. McCain, a soldier in Company A of the 36th Alabama Infantry who was killed at Chickamauga and was buried on the battlefield? He as Harriet’s brother; families often erected memorial markers for their loved ones who perished elsewhere during the war.
Could it be for another Civil War soldier or veteran who has simply become one of the unknown as their marker has been removed? Possibly Private Daniel Forney Moore? His obituary lists his burial in Greenwood Cemetery but his marker has not been located. Could it be a memorial for any of the Tuscaloosa soldiers who died during the war far from home?
What is known is that there is an iron rod in the ground that once suspended a Southern Cross of Honor.
To locate the final, use information provided on the blue marker a few feet south of the grave.
33 12.2AB
87 34.2CD
A = On the line of text that begins with the word “oldest”, count the number of letters in the third word.
B = On the line of text that begins with the word “many”, count the number of letters in the ninth word.
C = On the line of text that begins with the word “Sallie”, count the number of letters in the fourth word.
D = On the line of text that begins with the word “Greenwood” count the number of letters in the eighth word.