Brenda Roberts – Banner News
June 9, 2011
This past Saturday the echo of cannon fire and muskets was heard in the Shiloh community as The Lt. Elijah H. Ward Camp #1971 held a Dedication and Memorial service for Moses Green, Company F, 2nd Louisiana Cavalry Regiment and James Know Polk Fomby, Company A. 10th Confederate Cavalry at Shiloh Cemetery.
The war between the states began on April 12, 1861 at the fall of Fort Sumer in South Carolina and ended at the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox in Virginia on April 06, 1865.
The people that are here today have relatives that fought for the confederacy in the state of Louisiana; my Great-Great Grandfather was one of those men. Moses Green was born November 13, 1833 and died on September 10, 1885. His wife’s name was Missouri Childers and they had nine children.
He joined the Confederate Cavalry on August 21, 1862 with the rank of Private as a soldier of Company F, 2nd Louisiana Cavalry Regiment. He appeared on roll call for January and February 1863. It was unknow if Private Moses Green was involved in any battles, but his cavalry unit fought for the defense Of Louisiana. The 2nd Louisiana Cavalry was an elite group called the Partisan Rangers and their task was to operate behind enemy lines. Moses was captured in New Orleans by the Union soldiers and sent up north to a POW camp called Camp Butler in Springfield, Illinois on February 24, 1863. The war, as you know, ended on April 16, 1865. Union soldiers did not release him until June 1865 because he refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Union. This is the reason why he should be honored today. Read by Matthew Gerety, grandson of Tommy Green.
James Knox Polk Fomby was born April 05, 1845 in Georgia. Obviously named after U. S. President James K. Polk, he was a great nephew of a decorated veteran who fought in the first war for independence.
Fomby enlisted first in the Calhoun County, Alabama Reserves and later upon consolidation in the 10th Confederate Cavalry in March of 1864. He participated in the Battles of Resaca and New Hope Church, Georgia in May of 1864, the Battles around Atlanta and Dalton in July and August o 1864 and at Bentonville, N.C. in March of 1865. The 10th Confederate Cavalry was surrendered with General Joseph E. Johnson’s army on April 26, 1865.
James Fomby married Miss Buena Vista Jane Powell on January 17, 1868 and they had ten children. The family moved to Louisiana around 1872.
His wife and oldest son Wilson Lump Fomby are also buried at Shiloh.
He must have been a great inspiration because his grandson Jesse Fomby fought in WWI and was disabled afterwards. He had at least three great grandson’s who died in WWII. Jesse’s son Marvin who is one grave over was killed in France, September 1944. Another was severely wounded but survived. William Lee thankfully made it home without any injuries. Their sister served in the WAVES during WWII. And all Jesse’s grandsons served in the military. He has a great grandson in Afghanistan now. James Knox Polk Fomby died January 26, 1932 in Bernice and was laid to rest here at Shiloh.
Read by one of reenactors.
The event ended with prayer and the singing of Dixie.
Shiloh to Canaan 