09 Nov Local Men serve as Honor Guard for Late President
June 9, 1893
Local Men serve as Honor Guard for Late President
The Fayetteville News of June 9, 1893 carried a column by “Kenwood Kracker”, a regular contributor to the paper concerning local residents Samuel Bailey Lewis and William S. Miller. Mr. Lewis was one of the honorary guards over the remains of the late Confederate president Jefferson Davis, as they passed through Atlanta on May 29, 1893. Mr. Milner was one of the three Honorary guards carrying the colors bearing both the U. S. and Confederate flags. The Confederate States flag was draped in mourning. Mr. Davis died on December 6, 1889 and was originally buried in Metaire Cemetery in New Orleans. His remains were being transported to Richmond, Virginia where they would be re-interred in Hollywood cemetery. The funeral train was scheduled to stop in several southern cities, including Atlanta. He was the only president to lie in state in the state capitol of Georgia (May 29, 1893). Mr. Lewis and Mr. Milner were both Confederate veterans from Fayette County. Judge Lewis was Ordinary for Fayette County for eighteen years and a postmaster for thirteen years.
By: John Lynch
Sources: Fayette News June 9, 1893
Confederate Veterans Magazine, February 1925
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