Tree Trends July Fourth by Forester Jeff

REMEMBERING OUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS

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As we pause today in the United States of America on July 4, 2024, to celebrate 248 years of independence, let’s not forget those Revolutionary War soldiers who endured hardship as they fought with crude battle equipment.? One of those soldiers was First Lieutenant Edward Tatum Born 1745 in Virginia, died 1835, buried in Pinson, AL.

Lieutenant Edward Tatum joined the Virgina Militia in 1777 at the age of 32, where he was assigned to the Henry County VA Militia. ?Tatum would have experienced action in 1781 at the Battle of Gilford Courthouse in NC, the Battle of Eutaw Springs in SC, and finally the Battle of Yorktown, VA.? The Battle of Yorktown, VA was led by General George Washington which started September 28, 1781, and culminated on October 19, 1781.? The Battle of Yorktown, VA was a major turning point in the Revolutionary War, which led to the surrender of British General Cornwallis to General Washington, and negotiations to end the war.? Most likely during the 21-day Battle of Yorktown, VA Lieutenant Tatum would have seen General Washington in action.

After the war, Edward Tatum was granted 656 acres of VA land for his service in the war.? By 1800 Tatum decided to move his family to the south, first to South Carolina, then to Tennessee. In 1819 Tatum moved to Alabama residing in present day Jefferson County.

First Lieutenant Edward Tatum’s contribution to history was almost forgotten.? In 1977 family members along with the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) discovered the forgotten revolutionary hero and have since marked the grave with a special DAR presentation in 1977, and in 2013.

Forester Jeff salutes First Lieutenant Edward Tatum, a revolutionary war soldier whose final resting place has been near my present-day home.

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