Tombstone dedication held for Civil War soldier

The church cemetery at Old Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church south of Elba was the site of a recent memorial service and tombstone dedication for Civil War Army Private James Wilk English.
The Gen. Edmond Winchester Rucker Chapter 2534 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and Company E of the 15th Alabama Infantry Regiment Civil War re-enactors presided at the service. 
Cara English Catrett, the great-granddaughter of the private, welcomed about 70 of English’s descendants, relatives, United Daughters of the Confederacy members and guests to the ceremony.
United Daughters of the Confederacy Chapter President Shirley Edberg told the gathering the UDC “is the oldest patriotic organization in our country” and the organization honors all veterans who have served our country in time of war. Mary L. Helms, UDC chapter secretary, asked for blessings on the proceedings in the opening prayer and chapter Vice President Pat Richter conducted a roll call of the 17 known Confederate veterans buried in the church cemetery.
Linda English presented a biography of her great-grandfather, who served in Company K of the 5th Alabama Infantry Regiment. She ended her presentation with the song “Wayfaring Stranger.“
Descendants of English’s children gathered around the grave, unveiled the stone and read the inscription. On behalf of the UDC, Edberg dedicated the gravestone saying, “We pray that our lives may always be patterned to give such devotion and service as did our forefathers.“
Chapter member Cathy Odom placed a UDC memorial wreath and another of English’s great-granddaughters, Carolyn English Brunson, read “The Magnolia Cemetery Ode” by Henry Timrod, followed by English’s great-grandson, James R. English, leading the gathering in singing “Amazing Grace.“
Members from Company E of the 15th Alabama Infantry Regiment Re-enactors performed a “Canteen Salute,“ fired a rifle salute in honor of Private English and stood at attention while Tom Maddox played “Taps.“ Following a prayer by James English, the re-enactors marched out to close the ceremony.