Hiram Cyrus Rogers
copywrite Haywood County Heritage - article 259

Hiram Cyrus Rogers.... married Mary Ferguson and produced 15 children; all but two were daughters. Many of whom lost fiances during the War Between the States. Hiram followed in his grandfather's footsteps when, as Captain of Company E of the 29th Regiment of NC Infantry, he led men from Haywood County to join Confederate forces. These men were with General Joseph E Johnston as he retreated before Sherman in Georgia and South Carolina. Hiram was in the battle at Bentonville as they struck Sherman a deadly blow but afterward had to surrender to overwhelming forces at Durham. During these bloody battles his constant companion was Captain Wilson Teague. It is interesting that after these two men returned to Haywood County Hiram's son Thaddeus married Wilson's daughter Sarah. I am the grand daughter of this couple and proudly bear my grandmother's name Sarah.
"On July 2, 1887, Hiram and his wife gave a tract of land for a church and cemetery. It seems a Baptist Church had been started a year before and upon completion both the Church and the Cemetery bore his name - until the new brick church was completed in 1951 and the name changed to Fines Creek Memorial Baptist Church.
"Hiram was a hero in my father Jim's eyes. He frequently worked for his grandfather. Since Hiram's two sons were married and had families, he treated my Dad as his son, told him many war stories and other experiences of his long life. After Mom and Dad were married, they went to lie with Hiram and Eleanor, until their first log cabin was built. One story I remember vividly: After the war, Hiram travelled to Oklahoma to see his cousin Clem Rogers, father of the famous humorist Will. Both men had been captains in the Confederate forces; Clem from Texas and Hiram from North Carolina. It has been reported that after this visit correspondence was exchanged but I have never found trace of any. I have read numerous biographies of Will Rogers and have written to the library and memorial in Oklahoma but cannot document the relationship except from handed-down stories. Even though Will often visited Asheville, he talked more about his Indian ancestry which was here to greet the Pilgrims.
"Another memory passed on was that after his son Thad and grandson Jim moved to Macon County in 1910, one of Hiram's last trips was to visit them. My sister Eleanor used to tell of the stately old soldier, riding a prancing horse who made quite an impression on the children. His pockets always held treats for them. He died in 1910 after his return to Haywood County."

Sarah Helen Rogers,
2712 Wisconsin Ave.,
Washington, DC 20007
Sources: Allen's Annals of Haywood County", census and cemetery records and personal memories.
Chronicles of Haywood County, North Carolina.
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(second marker) Hiram Cyrus Rogers Capt. Co. E 29 NC Inf. CSA