General Tilghman was born in New York City, January 26, 1816. He was a graduate of West Point. He had moved his family to Paducah, Kentucky, before the Civil War. As the war approached he became involved with the Confederate Army. Thus, he commanded a Brigade at Champion’s Hill. Late in the day, he was ordered to cover the retreat. His orders were to Hold until Dark or Death. (In other words - It must be held.) The date was May 16, 1863.

General Tilghman was killed by an artillery burst late in the afternoon. By personal order of his friend, General Stephen D Lee, his remains were placed in a wagon and brought to Vicksburg that night. The next day the General’s remains were buried in the Searles lot down near the first gate to Vicksburg City Cemetery. The General’s remains were to remain in this location for almost thirty years.

Mrs. Tilgham continued to live in Paducah and died in 1898. Her sons had her remains taken to Bronx, New York, and buried in the Tilghman family lot in Wood Lawn Cemetery. Soon afterwards, the General’s remains were disinterred, taken to Bronx, and buried beside their mother.

At the present time. General Tilghman does not have a stone commemorating the time he spent in Vicksburg City Cemetery. However he does have a statue in the Vicksburg National Military Park.

General and Mrs. Tilghman had two sons who survived. One would much later be killed in an automobile accident in Texas. The other son was for many years President of the New York Stock Exchange. This was a very philanthropic family.