True Grave Of First African-American Soldier Buried At Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery Found

  • Wednesday, March 23, 2016
The true grave of Shaderick Searcy was uncovered at the Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery
The true grave of Shaderick Searcy was uncovered at the Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery

SHADERICK SEARCY, 1846-1937: PRIVATE C.S.A.

Shaderick Searcy was a black Confederate soldier. He was a bonded servant of Dr. John Searcy of Talbotton, Ga. When the Civil War began, Dr. Searcy, knowing that both his sons James and Kitchen would go off to war, dedicated Shaderick to become body servant to his two boys. 

Both Dr. Searcy’s sons of Company I of the 46th Georgia Infantry were killed during this conflict. James was killed at bloody Franklin, Tenn. and Kitchen was killed at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain near Atlanta.  

Shaderick outlived both his wards and survived the Civil War. He received a pension for his Confederate service and died at the age of 91 in Chattanooga. 

It has been long known and accepted that Shaderick was the first African-American to be buried in Chattanooga’s Confederate Cemetery. The only evidence that Shaderick was located there was a simple headstone, but it was also recognized that this was only a marker and not the grave site.  

During the second week of March, 2016 while restoration of the cemetery was ongoing, the true headstone and final resting place of Shaderick Searcy was discovered.  

"Now as Sons of Confederate Veterans we too can honor the memory and the service of this Confederate soldier," said John A. Campbell, N.B. Forrest Camp 3, Sons of Confederate Veterans. 


Memories
Governor Lee Announces Year-Long America 250 Celebration Across Tennessee
Governor Lee Announces Year-Long America 250 Celebration Across Tennessee
  • 7/1/2025

Governor Bill Lee today announced a year-long, statewide America 250 celebration and unveiled a commemorative poster – titled “Tennessee: The Original Frontier” – that highlights the iconic people, ... more

AUDIO: Frank McDonald With The Dismembered Tennesseans
AUDIO: Frank McDonald With The Dismembered Tennesseans
  • 7/1/2025

The Walden’s Ridge Civic Center on Signal Mountain was home of the Mountain Opry for over 40 years. There were continuous shows every Friday night until April, 2020. The Dismembered Tennesseans ... more

AUDIO: Lee Anderson On How He Started In The Newspaper Business
AUDIO: Lee Anderson On How He Started In The Newspaper Business
  • 6/27/2025

Lee Stratton Anderson is one of Chattanooga’s most famous individuals working at the News Free Press as a reporter, editor and publisher for 70 years. The longtime News Free Press editor ... more