Burials Page 3

Cpt. William Ripley Welch, commander of Company B, was killed on the first day of fighting at Chickamauga, September 19,1863. Upon his death his brother George became commander of Company B. Cpt. William Ripley Welch, known as "Rip," is buried at Franklin, Alabama.

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Cpt. George Washington "Wash" Welch took command of Company B after his brother "Rip" Welch was killed. He is buried in Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama.

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Cpt. George Washington Welsh, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Mobile died at his home on Dauphin Street."... "A native of Wilcox County, Welch had worked as a steamboatman on the Alabama River. He served in the Confederate Army, then returned to the river, serving as captain of the steamer Lotus. His health failed, and, 'always a lover of books,' he opened a book store on Dauphin Street about 1885, continuing in that business until his death." From the Mobile Press Register, January 12,1900, and Jaunuary 12, 2000.

The grave of Captain Ben Lane Posey, Commander of Company K. He died in 1888 and was buried at Cedar Rest Cemetery in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. See our special feature. Back to Company K

Tony Bussey kneels at the grave of Cpt. Charles E. Bussey who is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Oakwood Methodist Church, Oakton, Kentucky.

Photo of Cpt. Bussey.

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Pvt. James Bishop Hicks, Company A, is buried in the Spinks Cemetery, Clarke County, Alabama.

1st Lt. John Robert Larkin, Adjutant, Captured at Missionary Ridge, Tennessee. Buried in Brewersville Cemetery at Christian Valley Baptist Church, Ala. Hwy. 28 near Coatopa, Sumter County, Alabama. Note: Confederate service is noted on foot stone. He was the pastor of this church.

Captain John B. Perkins, Company G, Killed at Chickamauga.....35 men ambushed and killed at Resaca, Georgia. At least that’s what the Yankee report says... Pvt. N. B. Dodson, Company H, died Sept. 12, 1862, at Mobile.

Frank A. Pfaffenschaelager "Lord Seeau" appears as Chief Bugler with the Bankhead/Scott's Battery Tennessee Light Artillery CSA before coming to the 38th Alabama Infantry at Columbus, Mississippi, in 1862. He is shown on their roster as having joined on July 29, 1861, at New Madrid, Missouri. He was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery Block 9, Section 65, Birmingham, Ala. in 1882. After the war Professor Pfaffenschlaeger married Mrs. N. A. Pfaffenschlaeger, a widow with three daughters, and they never had any children together. The family plot is in the possession of Mrs. Mildred Sides. Contact has been made with his family in the person of Robert Marchi of Austria.

Pfaffenschlaeger's grave is marked with a standard government issue CSA stone with no name. There is a large time-worn oblisk with the name adjacent to his grave. Read more about this unusual soldier in our special feature.

Charles T. Ketchum served as Captain of the Alex Stephens Guards, Company E, 8th Alabama Regiment, raised May 18, 1861, at Mobile, Ala. Mustered into service on June 9, 1861, for the war. He served in the 8th Alabama 5/18/61 until 11/8/61 when he resigned. Raised the 38th Alabama Infantry in spring of 1862. * MPL History of the 8th Alabama Regiment. Colonel Ketchum is buried at Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama. See Col. Ketchum's Portrait.

COL KETCHUM'S DESCENDANTS

Friday May 15, 1903, Mobile Newspaper (from the May 15, 2003 Mobile Register) News was received of the death in Novasota, Texas, of Mrs. Kath E. Ketchum, relic of the late Colonel Charles T. Ketchum. She died at the home of her son, Dr. Alfred H. Ketchum, where she had resided for a long period. She leaves her son, and a grand-daughter, Mrs. T. K. Irwin of Mobile. Charles A. Ketchum a great grandson lives in Navasota, Texas, and Harriet Ketchum a great granddaughter lives in Canyon, Texas. 3-05. Mr. Charles A. Ketchum has in his possession Officer and Field and Staff Muster Rolls and Camp Holt Illustrations done by Frank A. Pfaffenschlaeger. There are separate enlisted men muster rolls.

There is a file at Emory University, Woodruff Library that contains copies of letters and papers from John Samuel Merriwether 1st Lt. and Surgeon, Company F of the 38th, and later the 40th Alabama Regiments. Ref. # MSS253 Location Special Col.(NonCirc) I have copies of some of his letters in my file. AEG.

There exist about 30 letters from Lt. W. D. Cole, Company F, of Fayette County. They are in the possession of his great grandson. His sword also exists in the family. I have transcribed copies of his letters sent to me by his great granddaughter Ms. Leah B. Meadow. Lt. Cole was killed at New Hope Church on May 27, 1864. AEG 5/2000

Art Green and Tony Bussey, a descendant of Cpt. C.E. Bussey, Commander of Company I, visit the Grove Hill Cemetery for the memorial service following the 2005 reunion.