Eric Reece
On Memorial Day – when we honor those who died while serving in the Armed Forces – upon us, my thoughts turn to those from our mountain land who died in battle far from home.
John Willoughby Wiggins was born in 1834 to Abraham and Margret Dever Wiggins in the Alarka community, which was then in Macon County. He was one of seven children, including William Burton, Nancy Maria, Joseph Alexander, Minerva, Frances Eliza and Amanda (Mandy) Arabella. In 1840, the family moved to Cheoah (present-day Robbinsville). Abraham’s cousin William Holland Thomas had a trading post on Rhea Hill and he may have recommended they settle here. John’s brother Joseph attended school in Franklin and I believe John followed.
When war broke out in 1861, he and his brother enlisted in Knoxville to what became the 1st Tennessee Cavalry. They fought under Maj. Gen. Joseph “Fightin' Joe” Wheeler. Joseph was a chaplain for the Methodist Church and John rose to the rank of sergeant. The brothers fought at the Battle of Stones River and the Kentucky Campaign. They guarded the areas of east Tennessee and north Georgia.
In July 1862, they obtained a piece of ledger paper and wrote letters home. The letters have been passed down and Jack Brown Wiggins – John’s great-nephew – preserved them. Joseph wrote on one side and John the other.
Addressing the letter to father, mother, sisters and friends, John spoke of being at Camp Evans Ford in east Tennessee – about 15 miles from the enemy. He shared rumors of a Confederate victory in Virginia and several whippings retreating General McClellan had taken. He heard France and England had recognized the Confederate States of America’s independence and hoped this would bring the war to a conclusion.
John hoped to be home soon and see everyone. He spoke of hardships. He closes the letter with, “Your affectionate son and brother unto death.”
Between Sept. 19-20, 1863, the brothers were engaged in the Battle of Chickamauga.
Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee squared up against Union forces, led by Gen. William Rosecrans. What followed was one of the deadliest battles of the war – second only to Gettysburg.
Bragg won the battle, but it was a tactical victory with great losses that could not be replaced. West Chickamauga Creek became known as the "River of Blood."
John was fatally wounded taking a bullet in the side. Gangrene set in and he died Sept. 21, 1863. He is buried in Marietta, Ga., in the Confederate Cemetery – along with others who fell during the battle.
Chaplain Maj. Gen. Robert Preston Taylor was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. He has a prayer on the monument at the Graham County Courthouse, dedicated to those from our land who died while in armed service:
“Lord we cannot see tomorrow but you hold out tomorrows in your hand. We dare not question why you lead us here only help us give a good account of all we’ve learned of you. If you ask us to pay the supreme sacrifice as you were once called upon to do. Let it be with confidence that you will meet us at the river and lead us across the troubled water.”
Amen.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.