Shown at the monument dedication, left to right, 
Riley Gunter, Freeman's Battery Forrest Artillery Camp Battery Commander 
Skip Earle, Tennessee Div Commander Sons of the Confederate Veterans
Jim Weaver, Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association President 
Wayne Jaynes SCV Camp 1939 Commander
Tennessee State Representative Steve McDaniel

Click Here to read the monument's inscription.

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On Saturday, June 6, 2002, cavalry and infantry again marched thru Parkers Crossroads.
Not to battle as in the past, but to honor those who fought on December 31, 1862.
More than two hundred civil war Union and Confederate Reenactors marched along
Highway 22 northward assembling at the Parkers Crossroads City Park for the
unveiling of the monument dedicated to Samuel L. Freeman's Battery.   

Traveling State Highway 22

Entering the Parker's Crossroads City Park 

Infantry reenactors, both Confederate and Union joined to honor those who fought. 

Dressed in Confederate uniforms, members of the Freeman’s Battery Forrest’s
Artillery Camp 1939, led by Sgt. Steven Campbell, posted the colors, with many 
flags of the Confederacy as well as the United States flag.  Opening the ceremony 
with prayer was Battery Chaplain Nathan Holloway.  Sgt. Jonathan Steadman 
then led the assembly with pledging their allegiance to the United States Flag. 
The Flag of the Confederacy was honored also with a salute
led by Cannoneer Timothy McCord.  

Sgt. Bert Johnson, past SCV Camp 1939 Commander, welcomed
all those attending.  Present Camp Commander Wayne Jaynes then
introduced Tennessee State Representative Steve McDaniel who gave
recognition to special guests, Parkers Crossroads Mayor Kenneth Kizer,
 Vice Mayor Jamie Simonton, and Commissioner John F Simonton.
With their support, the preservation efforts of the Parker's Crossroads
Battlefield have become a reality.  

Camp Commander Wayne Jaynes Introducing  State Representative Steve McDaniel

Rep. McDaniel, John Simonton, Jamie Simonton and Kenneth Kizer

 

	Following a charge to SCV, by David Williams, the dedication  address was given by Battery  Commander and well-known  Civil War historian, Riley Gunter  who vividly described the Battle of Parkers Crossroads  in all its intensity. The sacrifice of Confederate soldiers, as well  as much of the South, was depicted.
Thomas L. Russell, Justin Rogers,  and Buck Jaynes, Camp 1939's  oldest member at 84 years young,   then unveiled the monument.
	Following the unveiling, flowers were placed at the monument base by  the Freeman’s Battery Ladies, who were escorted by Jerry Gunter.

Sgt. Michael Darling played “Dixie” followed by dramatic rifle
and cannon salutes. The dedication program closed in prayer, with
all being then invited to come forward and view the monument. 

The Dedication of the Freeman’s Battery Monument represented one of the
 most memorable days in the history of Parker’s Crossroads. It seemed fitting
that the Freeman's Battery Forrest's Artillery Camp 1939 was the first to erect
 a monument in memory of those who fought at Parker’s Crossroads as the first shots
 fired were those of Nat Baxter serving with Freeman’s Battery.  Located just inside
 the Parker's Crossroads City Park, the large granite monument can
 be seen easily from State Highway 22.