photo by Charles Manker
The John Sevier Chapter of the Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution and the Sequatchie Valley Chapter of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution honored the service of Patriot Charles Thurman on the observance of the 242nd Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
Patriot Charles Thurman is at rest in the Old Lone Cedar Cemetery (Inactive), in Bledsoe County.
The DAR and SAR members joined together in a short ceremony to recognize the Patriot Veteran’s service in the Revolution and formally retire the old flag posted at his grave and replace it with a new one.
Charles Thurman noted in his pension statement that he served under Captain Nathan Cunningham and fought at the Battle of Guilford Court House on March 15, 1781. Captain Nathan Cunningham’s company was organized as part of Col. Nathaniel Cocke’s Militia battalion of BG Edward Stevens 1st VA Militia Brigade. The Brigade fought in the second line of battle for the Patriots at Guilford Courthouse South of today’s battle field center road. It was reported in official dispatches that a vicious battle ensued between the forces of Col. Nathaniel Cocke's regiment and Col. George Moffett's regiment against the British 71st Regiment of Foot (Frazer’s Highlanders). The 71st Regiment had already been bloodied on the first line, but lost even more men fighting the Virginians. The Virginians did not retire until ordered to do so.
Anyone who would like to participate in an event honoring a local area patriot can contact the John Sevier Chapter at johnsevierchapter@tnssar.org for more information.