This Compiled Military Service Record abstract was transcribed and submitted by William Joseph Mode
Age: 18
Rank Entering the Service: Private
Rank Leaving the Service: Private
Military Unit: None
Alternate Name for the Military Unit: Co. E. 16th Georgia Volunteer Infantry. Also known as Sallie Twiggs Regiment. Company E was known as Cobb Infantry.
Company: E
Enlistment Date: 1863
Place of Enlistment: According to his records Alexander Black enlisted in the Spring of 1863 at Russellville, Tenn.
Abstract of Information available in the Service Records: His record abstract is very incomplete. Rolls show him listed as present in January 1864. Roll dated Jan. 30, 1865 shows him present. His pension record, number 3351, was filed May 14, 1901 in Knoxville, Tenn. Alexander Black stated that he had been wounded by a “Gun shot wound in left leg just below the knee joint fracturing the bone” during the Battle of the Wilderness on 6 May 1864 and also “had a serious spell of sickness in the spring of 1863 just after I went into the army. This was in Russellville, Tenn.”
Says that he “Was paroled at Appomattox C.H., VA April 1865.” and that he took the oath of allegiance “after my return home.”
MY NOTE: I am under the assumption that Alexander Black was recruited or joined the 16th Georgia as they made their way through East Tennessee.
Personal Information about the Veteran (Not contained in the CMSR): Alexander Black was born on 15 November 1845 in Grainger County, Tennessee and died on 19 May 1912 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was the son of Minatary Washington Black and Sarah Cartwright who were married on 15 February 1838 in Rutledge, Tenn.
Alexander Black married Sarah C. Young on 18 November 1866 in Morristown, Tenn. She was born on 16 August 1849 in Hamilton County and died on 11 May 1910 in Knoxville. She was the daughter of Henry Young and Maria Rogers who were married on 20 April 1824 in Grainger County, Tenn.
Alexander Black and Sarah are buried at Greenwood Cemetery on Tazewell Pike in Knoxville, Tenn. I had a veterans stone placed for him and a stone dedication was performed on August 5, 2000 by myself, a Scottish piper, many family members, and elements of the 29th Tenn., 43rd Tenn., and 63rd Tenn. Confederate Inf. Regiments.
Alexander Black’s obituary states: ” The deceased was a Confederate Veteran, having been a member of the Eighteenth Tennessee(Incorrect), and a short time before his death, had requested that three Confederate Veterans and three Union Veterans act as pall-bearers at his burial. His wishes were observed, and the following acted as pall-bearers: J. Brittain Lyttle, James Ketchen and J.C. Brown, Confederates. N.B. Graham, J.W. Cheatham and B.F. Bashor, members of McKinley post G.A.R. At the grave in Greenwood Cemetery the ritualistic ceremonies of the U.C.V. were performed by Mr. Lyttle.”
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