When I say this is one of my top 5 cemeteries that I have been to for historical interest, I mean…read moreit. I love this cemetery. There are sooooo many interesting characters and stories buried here. Between the yellow fever epidemic and the burning of holly springs during the civil war to Scarlett and Typhoid fever. During Halloween and the pilgrimages here, they offer tours, and I highly suggest it!! Ok one of my random history lessons: "I have to state that Mississippians don't know, and refuse to learn how to surrender to an enemy"- James L Autry Sometimes weird coincidences just happen,... I literally just got done reading a book on the siege of Vicksburg and I actually highlighted this quote in it! Hillcrest cemetery (also known as The Arlington of the South) is FULLLLL of amazing stories and people but imma focus on Col Autry. James Lockhart Autry was born on January 8, 1830, in Davidson County, Tennessee. Autry's father died at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. James and his mother moved to Holly Springs after the death of his father. He was educated at St. Thomas Hall in Holly Springs where E.C. Walthall, James R. Chalmers, and Christopher H. (Kit) Mott were among his schoolmates. Autry became a lawyer in 1852. Autry served in the Mississippi House of Representatives between 1854 and 1859. Between 1858 and 1859, Autry served as the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives. When war came he enlisted in the Home Guards, a company of the 9th Mississippi, where he was made a Lt. In early 1862, Autry was sent to serve as Military Governor and Post Commandant of Vicksburg, Mississippi, which was threatened by Federal advances up the Mississippi river. When Union gunboats captured Natchez and called upon Vicksburg to surrender, Autry replied, "Mississippians don't know and refuse to learn how to surrender to an enemy. If Commodore Farragut or Brigadier-General Butler can teach them, let them come and try." During the Battle of Stones River, Autry was cheering his men (27th Mississippi Infantry) forward, when he was struck in the head with a Minié ball. Autry died almost immediately. At the time of his death, Jefferson Davis had just signed a letter promoting Autry to general. The letter was on the way to Autry. After his death on Dec. 31, 1862, his body was returned to Holly Springs and interred in Hillcrest Cemetery with this epitaph: "He died for his country."