In August, 1863 Major Lindsey Blackwell recruited his older brother William Jackson “Jack” Blackwell to enlist in the 5th Tennessee (McKenzie’s) Cavalry Regiment CSA at Chattanooga, Tennessee. As with other troopers in McKenzie’s Cavalry, William Blackwell was issued a Colt Navy pistol and cavalry saber accoutrements including the standard 1851 sword belt plate. Blackwell was hospitalized following the Battle of Chickamauga and later admitted to yet another hospital in Florida, possibly having participated in the Battle of Olustee with another Confederate unit. Blackwell would survive the War to participate in veteran’s efforts to promote preservation of Chickamauga National Military Park.
Some of Blackwell’s personal effects including the 1851 sword plate would eventually find their way into the fine Civil War collection of Dr. Anthony Hodges (current TCWPA President) and displayed at the Coolidge Medal of Honor Heritage Center’s exhibit on Chickamauga.
TCWPA Board member Mike Countess (Battlefield Pottery™) has memorialized the service of William Blackwell by making a cast of the trooper’s 1851 sword plate and embossing it on wheel-turned pottery mugs. The Blackwell mug and other similar Battlefield Pottery™ pieces are sold at Civil War Shows with shared proceeds contributed to TCWPA. For more information visit battlefieldpottery@yahoo.com.
