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| Dedication Program |
What started out as an overcast day cleared nicely as approximately 75 people attended a service at Oakdale Cemetery in DeLand, FL. Being honored was Private John Anderson Bradley, Jr. 2nd South Carolina Cavalry Co. A.
Private Bradley was born on October 29, 1842 in Chester Co. South Carolina. He came from good stock his grandfather having been a general in the War of 1812 and also Lt. Governor of South Carolina. His father was an elected sheriff and also served as state representative.
John attended the Citadel before he enlisted in the Confederate army at Richmond, VA in June 1861 serving in Co. A 2nd South Carolina Cavalry. He served until the unit was disbanded in April 1865. His service record shows him having been admitted to Jackson Hospital in Richmond during March 1864 having pneumonia. He returned to duty before months end. In August of 1864 he was granted a 20 day furlough and was reported absent. Despite several letters in his service file requesting a promotion Bradley ended the war as a private.
During the war the 2nd South Carolina cavalry fought at Second Manassas, South Mountain, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Second Winchester, Gettyburg, Bristoe, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and other locations.
After the war John studied law and moved to Florida in search of better career prospects. After having lived in Enterprise the family settled in DeLand in 1888 where John served as a justice of the peace and also deputy clerk of the court. He and his wife Mary Lucinda Davis were the parents of eight children with four of them attending the local Stetson University.
In 1905 the state of Florida awarded Bradley a pension of $120 per year for his service to the Confederate army. His pension application contains reference to a hip injury that prevented him from working (that and the fact that he was 63 years old). The doctor put forth that this injury was the result of exposure during his time in the service. Also included in his pension application are transcripts of letters from General Wade Hampton: "...It gives me pleasure to state that he was a true and gallant soldier." Also included are transcripts from General M.C. Butler: "...was a faithful and gallant soldier in the Confederate states army...was a worthy comrade of the men in this splendid Brigade." Bradley's wife continued to receive his pension after his death in December 1910.
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| The new headstone that was dedicated on April 14, 2012. |
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| Several SCV leaders and speakers from the event including Commander of Camp 1360 Byron Peavy, Robert Meeks, and 3rd Lt Commander Don Young. |
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| Descendants of Private Bradley including granddaughter Sharon Malloy and great great granddaughter Marissa Stanley on their way to place flowers on their ancestor's grave. |
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