Ceremony honors Confederate soldier from Marion

By By Penny Randall / staff writer
April 11, 2003
More than a century after his death, Maj. Constantine Rea will be given a proper burial during a marker dedication ceremony Saturday at Old Marion Cemetery.
The event is sponsored by the W.D. Cameron Camp #1221 Sons of Confederate Veterans and Company F of the 46th Mississippi Regiment.
Rea, a Confederate soldier, is buried in Old Marion Cemetery in a unmarked grave alongside his wife.
Ward Calhoun Sr. of Meridian, records manager of the Lauderdale County Department of Archives &History, and other members of the W.D. Cameron Camp are honoring Rea and several other Confederate soldiers as part of Confederate History Month.
Rea was born in Tennessee and lived most of his life in Lauderdale County and Washington County, Ala. He settled in Marion in 1846 with his wife, Margaret Bragg, and before the war was editor and publisher of a newspaper, the Lauderdale Republican.
He was also an attorney and a Democratic leader of the community. In 1856, Rea represented Mississippi at the National Democratic Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rea entered the Confederate military on May 20, 1861. In July 1862, Rea returned to Lauderdale County to gather men for Company F of the 6th Mississippi Battalion. He led them to Vicksburg and joined several other companies that became the 46th Mississippi Infantry Regiment.
Rea was wounded outside of Atlanta during a battle on the Chattahoochie River. One of his legs was amputated and he returned home to Marion in July 1864. He died in September 1864.
Calhoun said he has a personal interest in Saturday's ceremony.
Calhoun and others encourage the public to attend this month's ceremonies to honor the fallen soldiers.
Calhoun said he has been in contact with Jodie Horton, a descendant of Rae's from Tuscan, Ariz., who he hopes will attend the ceremony.
WANT TO GO?
What: Marker dedication for Maj. Constantine Rea
When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where: Old Marion
Cemetery on Old
Homestead Road, next to the Northeast Industrial Park.
For information: 482-9752
What: Memorial service at Lauderdale Springs
Confederate Cemetery.
When: April 27, 2:30 p.m.