When Kentuckians Elizabeth Taylor Nelson and John Rowzee Green married in 1839, they could never have imagined that five of their 13 children would become Confederate soldiers.
They included 1st Lt. William H. Green of the 1st Cavalry (Helm’s), privates Thomas Wallace Green and Memucan Hunt Green of the 12th Cavalry, Edward H. Green of Green’s Battery, Light Artillery and Lucius Peyton Green of the 1st Light Artillery Battery.
Four returned home. Memucan did not. He died in the June 1864 Confederate victory at Brice’s Cross Roads, Miss.
Two years later, when this image was inscribed “The Parents of 5 ‘Ragged’ Rebs,” the number implies that, though Memucan had passed, he was not forgotten.
John died in 1875 and Elizabeth lived until 1892.
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