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On December 13, 2008, there was a headstone dedication held for Pvt. David Quates, Confederate Veteran. The dedication was held at Antioch United Methodist Cemetery located in Conecuh County, Alabama.
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Private David Quates Headstone Dedication December 13, 2008 – Antioch United Methodist Cemetery
Account by Sherry Johnston
On Saturday, 13 December, in the capacity as President of both the Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance and the Canebrake Genealogical/Historical Society, I attended a headstone dedication ceremony for PVT. David Quates, a Confederate soldier from the local area that answered the call to arms for the southern states. Private Quates is buried at the old Antioch United Methodist Church Cemetery, CR 24, near the Travis Bridge community. The ceremony was hosted by the Colonel Pinckney D. Bowles, Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp # 1840, Evergreen. Almost every southwestern county in Alabama was represented. Confederate infantry, artillery and cavalry uniforms surrounded the area. Joe Clark from Coffee County was on hand portraying a Lt. Colonel; Covington County's Francis McGowan was attired as a Major and set up a small display table of Confederate items. Men from Escambia, Mobile and Clarke Counties were there to perform as color guard firing off musketry and cannon salutes. Ron Taylor sang "Battle Flag" and Just One Rose Will Do”, along with leading the crowd in a STRONG rendition of Dixie. The haunting melody of "Amazing Grace" played on the bagpipes moistened every eye as it drifted across the small, country cemetery. By several counts, more than 100 people were on hand for this occasion. This included family, friends and re-enactors. When the muskets fired and the cannon roared, a touch of retrospect was brought to light on what our fore-fathers faced during those turbulent years. Everyone on hand was treated to a show of unbelievable respect for this long departed warrior, anyone not making it missed one of the most impressive ceremonies I've had the pleasure of attending.
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