On the morning of August 9, 2008 the silence in Greasy Creek was broken by the voices that were raised, the shot of the rifle, and the boom of the cannons to honor our ancestral father and Confederate soldier-Riley Noel Massengill.

Approximately 40 family members and friends came to pay tribute to Riley and to dedicate a military marker to recognize his service in the Confederate Army.

Riley N. Massengill was a sergeant in Company H 2nd Georgia Infantry. He served in General Longstreet’s Corp in General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. He enlisted in March 1861 and was paroled at Appomattox, VA, April 9, 1864. The 2nd Georgia was involved in 50 or more engagements. Riley was wounded in the foot at Chicamauga but he continued to serve until the end of the war.

The Tellico Iron Works Chapter 2636 United Daughters of the Confederacy led by their president Sharon Cain and Renae McKiven presented the dedication ceremony. The General John C. Vaughn Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 2089 of Tellico posted colors and presented a battle flag and certificate to Bill Masengill, grandson of Riley from Englewood. Company H Thomas Legion NC Regiment Light Artillery directed by Sergeant Horace Eisele and Corporal Mike Kirkland provided three rounds of six cannon blasts to finish the salute. The Children of the Confederacy Danielle Cain, Courtney Hollenhead and Sarah McKiven placed flowers on the grave. The UDC and great grandson Ed Massengale placed a wreath on the grave.

Light refreshments of tea and cookies were enjoyed after the ceremony. The family is very appreciative of the service presented by the UDC and the SCV camps. It is good that we honor our Confederate ancestral fathers because in so doing we honor our Heavenly Father (Exodus 20:12).

Among those in attendance were: grandson, great grandsons and great grandchildren, great, great, great grandchildren and great, great, great, great grandchildren, great grand nephews and nieces and cousins.