This is the story about Alabama's last surviving Confederate Soldier.

Every bit of it is true. It is amazing that he was also the last surviving Soldier of either side that witnessed the surrender of General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia on April 9th, 1865. He died over 86 and a half years after seeing that sad event!

THE END OF AN ERA - ALABAMA'S LAST CONFEDERATE SOLDIER Tucked in the uppermost tip of Talladega County not far from the Calhoun County line in east central Alabama, is a small country cemetery sitting across a road from a white frame church. As you come to this site, you notice that the name of the church is denoted on a sign as Refuge Baptist Church and that the cemetery has a sign naming it the Hall Cemetery. It appears to be just another country landmark, undistinguished from numerous others that are seen across this region, until you go through the cemetery's gates. Going through the main gate of the cemetery, straight ahead and almost in front of you, lies a remarkable discovery, especially for students of Confederate history. It is the last resting place for the remains of Pleasant R. "Riggs" Crump, the last surviving Confederate soldier in the State of Alabama and the last surviving soldier to witness the surrender of General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia on April 9th, 1865. Pleasant was born in an area of St. Clair County, Alabama known as Crawford's Cove, which is located near the county seat of Ashville. He grew up in that area and when he was 16 years of age he joined the Confederate Army. He and a friend jouneyed to Petersburg, Virginia, where he joined the Confederate service as a private in Company A, 10th Alabama Infantry Regiment. This was in 1864. His first battle was Hatcher's Run, and after this battle he participated in the fights at Petersburg until the end of the War at Appomattox Courthouse. He received his honorable discharge from General Robert E. Lee. When interviewed eighty five years later, "Colonel" (a honorable title bestowed on him by the United Confederate Veterans) Crump could still recall that he stood just across the road from the McLean House as the Army of Northern Virginia stacked it's arms for one final time. He walked most of the way back to Alabama, sometimes being fortunate enough to get a ride on a wagon or a cart. He returned to St. Clair County and to the life of a farmer, an occupation that he practiced all of his life. "Riggs" (as he was known by family and friends) soon moved to an area above Lincoln in Talladega County, where he married Mary E. Hall at the age of 22. They had five children and were married 30 years before she died in 1902. He would die on the same date a full 49 years later. In 1905 he married Ella Wallis of Childersburg, Alabama, and was wed to her until her death 36 years later in 1942. Pleasant then shared his home with his grandson, Oliver Lee, and his family until his death nearly ten years later. He built the house himself and lived in it for 78 years. Unfortunately, the house was torn down in the 1960's. Pleasant was a religious man. It is said that he read the Bible completely seven full times and that he could quote numerous passages. His favorite scripture was St. John, Chapter 14, "Let not your heart be troubled...". He was a deacon at his church (Refuge Baptist) for over 70 years.

Neighbors, relatives and friends recall that Mr. P.R. Crump still farmed until after World War II, and that he even picked cotton and mended fences until a few years before his death. His house was a favorite place for some of the youth of the area, and they sat and played "bug board" (carom), there. Mr. Crump always smoked his corncob pipe and it is said that he enjoyed "two or three toddies daily". He lived to be 104 years and 8 days. He had a daughter that lived 104 years and 4 months. He was the 21st from the last veteran of the War to die and the 13th from the last surviving Confederate Veteran. All in all, it seems that he lived a long and fruitful life. May he rest in peace.

This page is dedicated to Colonel Pleasant Riggs Crump and the soldiers of the ANV, CSA

December 23rd, 1847 - December 31st, 1951 Private, Company A, 10th Alabama Infantry Regiment, Confederate States Army, ANV A Confederate Soldier and an honorable man. May he be living in a mansion in heaven.

Written by William C. Daniel, Jr Copyright © , June 26, 2000, all rights reserved, Permission to copy by written request only. Contact pelhamscv@webtv.net for information.