Tilman Robertson Bates, was William (Rev. Billy) Bates’ brother. Which made him Martha Minerva Bates Wetzel’s Uncle. And, of course, Warren A. Wetzel’s uncle by marriage.
Tilman Robertson Bates was born October 1, 1826 in Hall County, Georgia. He was the twelfth of thirteen children born to Julius and Temperence West Bates. In 1832 he moved with his family to Murray County, Georgia. Tilman was married before 1853 to Rhoda (maiden name unknown; she died before 1860). They had 3 children; Professor Alonzo, born 1853, Millins Gather, born 1854 and Alice Cherry, born 1855. In 1860 Tilman married a widow, Jane Elmira King Hogan, in Murray County, Georgia. To this union four children were born: Thomas Lou, born 1860, Virginia Corine, born 1863, Montiville Zolacoffer, born 1864, and Lula A., born 1868.
During the Civil War, Tilman served as a Confederate soldier in a least four different units. Four of his brothers, 14 nephews, at least 25 cousins and numerous other relatives also served the Confederacy. Tilman’s Confederate records show he was a member of Company “F”, 1st Georgia Infantry, Georgia State Troops; of Captain Bonds’ Company Calvary, Georgia State Guards; of Company “G” 10th Georgia State Guards; and of the 83rd Regiment of the Georgia State Militia. He also served as a recruiter for the Confederacy at Spring Place, Murray County, Georgia. The highest rank he held was that of Lieutenant.
After the Civil War, Tilman and his brother Miller McAfee Bates went to the mill to grind their wheat one day. A group of carpetbaggers jumped them and accused them of having stolen their own mules. The Bates brothers took exception to this, and a fight broke out. One of the Bates wrestled a gun from the hand of one of the carpetbaggers. During the fight, a carpetbagger was killed and another crippled. Tilman and McAfee escaped from them, ran home and barricaded themselves in their house. A short while later, a company of Union soldiers, 60 to 100 men, came to the house. McAfee’s wife, Sarah McCamey Bates, negotiated with the Captain and the brothers finally surrendered. They were held in jail for a year but were never brought to trial. Finally they were released.
It has been reported by family members that Tilman later said that he wished that the carpetbaggers had killed him instead, because of what he saw happen to his beloved Georgia. Their way of life after the Civil War was discouraging and it bothered him for the rest of his life.
Tilman and Jane remained in Georgia where they farmed until 1904. Tilman’s son, Montiville Zolacoffer, called “M. Z.”, who had previously moved to Texas, returned to Georgia for a visit. He talked Tilman and Jane into moving to Lohn, McCulloch County, Texas to live out their days. On September 3, 1908, Jane died there in Lohn, In 1909, Tilman went to visit his daughter Virginia in Mills County, Texas, with the understanding that if he should die there, he was to be brought back to Lohn and be buried next to his wife Jane. Sure enough, Tilman died on September 22, 1909 there at the home of his daughter, Virginia Corine Bates Keith. He was brought back and buried next to his wife Jane in the Lohn Cemetery.
On July 8, 2000, the distinct sound of a battlefield drum, the somber tunes of an army bugler and the resounding thunder of cannon fire brought to remembrance the days of the Civil War. Twenty-two members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, from six camps throughout Texas and New Mexico, dressed in authentic Confederate uniforms, marched into the Lohn Cemetery at Lohn, McCulloch County, Texas. They had come to pay tribute to a former Confederate soldier, Lieutenant Tilman Robertson Bates, by dedicating a plaque in recognition of his military service during the Civil War. This group of the Sons of Confederate Veterans were from the Dunn-Holt-Midkiff Camp #1441 of Midland, Texas; the General Tom Green Camp #1613 of San Angelo, Texas; Company “A” 7th Texas Volunteers, “Waco Guards”, Granbury’s Brigade; Company “C” 4th Texas Volunteers “Victoria Invincibles”; the Old Fort Lancaster Frontier Garrison; and the Travis County Light Artillery.
Over 90 years after his death, a group of his descendants, relatives and friends gathered at his gravesite and conducted a Confederate Grave Marker dedication. This gathering consisted of approximately 125 people with almost 100 of them being his descendants and relatives. The re-enactors fired three volleys of rifle fire, complimented by three thundering volleys from the cannon crew. A row of Confederate flags from various times and units throughout the war were displayed, each with its own historical significance. From the traditional “Stars and Bars” to a hand sewn company flag from a specific Confederate unit, the flags each held a story of lives lost in battle. A brief history of each of these flags was given to those who attended.
In attendance at the ceremonies were three of the five living great grandchildren of Julius and Temperence Bates. Bill Bates Brock of Brady, Texas and Nadine Bates Browning of Lohn, Texas, grandchildren of Tilman R. Bates. Marjorie Bates Kennemer of Marble Falls, Texas, granddaughter of Jefferson Bates, brother of Tilman. Jefferson Bates appeared in Vol. 28, Issue 4 Serial 166, November 1999 Bates Booster. Pride in their family heritage filled the air as direct descendants of Lt. Tilman Bates presented the audience with historical facts, music and stories about their ancestors.
With the passing of time, the precious details and personal accounts of the history of our families become more difficult to hold on to. This ceremony in the Lohn Cemetery was a brief formality honoring the entire life of one who fought for what he believed. Tilman is the only Confederate Soldier known to be buried in the Lohn Cemetery. ~ edited by Robert Charles (R.C.) Wetzel