Tombstone Tuesday - John D. Baxter

Recently, Texican and I , along with our daughter, Texichick, made a trip to te Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, located on Droop Mountain in southern West Virginia. Here the air is still alive with the terrible clashing of Union and Confederate troops.

Located in a field at the top of the mountain stands a lone flag pole from which hangs the US Flag and the WV State Flag. Over in one corner of the field, one can easily overlook the two markers that stand alone. Commemoratives of two fallen Confederate hero's of a bloody battle fought in November of 1863.

One stone commemorates John D. Baxter.

While the stone does not commemorate a grave, it is a marker showing where the individual fell during the battle and died.

At the top of the marker is a photograph of the individual, in Military Dess; and at the bottom is a bronze plaque.

Photograph of John D. Baxter.

Bronze plaque which reads:

JOHN D. BAXTER

THIS MARKS THE SPOT

WHERE JOHN D. BAXTER

ORDERLY SERGEANT CO. F

10TH W.VA. INFT. FELL INSIDE

THE CONFEDERATE LINE

LEADING THE LAST CHARGE

NOVEMBER 6TH 1863.

While John D. Baxter is no relation to me, the atmosphere at this park is one of great reverence for all of the fallen here.

This marker, and one other like it, add a face to the fallen.