On Saturday, March 19, 2011, members of the David O. Dodd Camp 619 in Benton provided a Confederate Veteran’s tombstone for Thomas Henderson Glidewell.  Members of the Camp assembled at 1:00 p.m. and held a memorial service fot Private Glidewell and dedicated the tombstone to the memory of the Veteran.  Thomas H. Glidewell was a pioneer citizen of Saline County. He was born about 1819, in North Carolina and came to Saline County in 1847, working as an overseer for Mr. Green B. Hughes, on his land in Saline County, about two miles from the Saline River.  In 1851, Mr. Glidewell enter his own homestead of 160 acres of land.  During the war he served in the Confederate Home Guard and was taken captive in Saline County, as a civilian in March 1864, and imprisoned in the military prison in Little Rock.  The charges against him recorded in the prison register were ‘Hostage’.  After the weeks of confinement, Mr. Glidewell was released and returned to his home.  Thomas Glidewell’s sons and son-in-law also served in the Confederate States Army and his son-in-law John Joseph Alexander Leech is buried in the Glidewell cemtery.  In 1895, Mr. Glidewell deeded 1/2 acre of land to his son John H. Glidewell and son-in-law John J.A. Leech for the purpose of a cemetery.  Two of his wives, three of his children and six grandchildren were already buried in this family cemetery.  Thomas Henderson Glidewell died in 1899 and 120 years later received his tombstone.  The memorial service was a fitting tribute to this Confederate Veteran and Arkansas pioneer.  The tombstone was unveiled by a great-great-great grandson Heath Mitchell of Benton.  Members of the David O. Dodd fired a three volley salute over the grave in tribute to this Confederate Veteran.
 
Robert A. Edwards, Adjutant
David O. Dodd Camp 619, Benton