06/05/2026
RESTORING & EXPLORING ABINGDON
Welcome to the sixth segment of Restoring and Exploring Abingdon! If it’s getting restored, rebuilt, reimagined, or rediscovered — we’re going to talk about it. From historic landmarks getting a new lease on life to community improvements you’ve maybe driven by ten times without noticing, we're here to shine a light on all the good things happening behind the scenes.
For our sixth segment, we're back exploring Sinking Spring Cemetery! The Town has now received the biographies of the two additional Buffalo Soldiers from the National Park Service. These two Buffalo Soldiers were identified as James Elbert Anderson and Benjamin H. Plant. Please see below each of their respective biographies:
James Elbert Anderson was born on January 26, 1870, in Washington County, Virginia, to John M. Gray and Martha Anderson. His father John worked as a farm laborer and his mother as a housekeeper. By the 1880 census, Anderson was listed as illiterate.
On April 13, 1898, Congress declared war on Spain. President William McKinley asked each of the states, territories, and the District of Columbia to provide a quota of units based upon their respective populations, and eight governors–from Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia–included segregated black units in their contributions to that force.
It can be assumed that around this time, Anderson had enlisted in the Tenth Cavalry, H Troop, but was then transferred to the Ninth Cavalry, K Troop and was assigned as a blacksmith. No records have been found at this time that list specifically when or where he enlisted. If he enlisted prior to April 1898, then Anderson would have been with the Ninth Cavalry while they were stationed in Chickamauga National Park, in Georgia, along with the Tenth Cavalry. On April 29, Major General William R. Shafter ordered the Fifth Corps of the U.S. Army (which included the Ninth and Tenth Cavalries) to Tampa, Floria to prepare to sail to Cuba.
Like other blacksmiths, Anderson was responsible for shoeing horses, repairing cavalry equipment, and maintaining transportation logistics. They kept mounts functional for combat by ensuring hooves were shod and repairing saddles, bridles, and weapons. These efforts were noted as part of the success in battles such as the Battle of San Juan Heights.
As nothing indicates that Anderson served in the Philippine-American War, he most likely enlisted for one year of service, and was possibly mustered out of service earlier as the fighting had ended by August. On September 2, 1899, Anderson married Bella Craft in Abingdon, Virginia, suggesting he had returned home after the war. They had six children, one of which (Elbert Theodore Anderson) served as a Buffalo Soldier during World War II.
The only reference to Anderson’s service records found was the 1930 census that lists him as a veteran of the Spanish American War. At the time, he was working as a timer in a tin shop in Abingdon. On January 4, 1901, Anderson applied for and was denied his veteran pension in Virginia. His pension may have been denied due to loss paperwork.
On September 18, 1936, Anderson died in Abingdon, Virginia at the age of 66. He was buried in the Sinking Spring Cemetery.
Benjamin H. Plant was born in Johnsonville, New York in 1876. His parents were Joseph Plant, who worked as a barber, and Mary Plant, who worked as a housekeeper. By the age of 21, he worked as a laborer in Schaghticoke, New York.
On May 14,1898, Plant enlisted in the Army for three years in New York City, New York. He was assigned as a private to K Troop of the 9th Cavalry. He was sent to Tampa, Florida to prepare for departure to Cuba. They were engaged in the Battle of San Juan Heights alongside the Tenth Cavalry and the Rough Riders.
After the end of the Spanish-American War, the 9th Cavalry reported to Montauk, New York, for quarantine. On October 4, 1898, the 9th Cavalry departed for Fort Grant, Arizona. They arrived eight days later, on October 22. On January 31, 1899, Plant was honorably discharged from the Army.
On July 1, 1899, Plant married Mary L. Anderson, in Washington County, Virginia. It can be inferred that the Plants had moved to Abingdon, Virginia sometime before their marriage as they were married in Washington County, Virginia.
By October 26, 1906, Plant had died as his wife, Mary, filed for a pension as a widow in the state of Virginia. He was buried in Sinking Springs Cemetery.
Photo: James Elbert Anderson and Benjamin H. Plant gravestones, courtesy of Gabe Cristofari
For more information on the Buffalo Soldiers, please visit:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/buffalosoldiers/index.htm
For more information on Sinking Spring Cemetery, or Noah Hall's thesis project, please contact Gabe Cristofari at [email protected] or 276-628-3167.
