The Laborers of Big Spring Nitre Works

THE LABORERS OF BIG’SPRING NITRE WORKS

Marion O. Smith

Complete or partial payrolls for Big Spring Cave’s white laborers exist for every month it
was worked by the government. Most of the employees’ names are therefore known, although
undoubtedly a few others were listed on the missing sheets of the payrolls. Over 150 whites labored
there at one time or another, with the monthly force fluctuating between fourteen and sixty. Four
men served as foreman or superintendent, John H. Wright, September-November 1862; John L.
Bartow, December 1862-March 1863; M.Y. Scott, April-October 1863; and T. J. Robinson,
November 1863-June 1864. Slave payrolls from November 1863 through May 1864 also exist for

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Big Spring Cave. The monthly number of black employees ranged from three in April to seven in —

December and January, for a total of ten individuals. Men earned for their owners twenty dollars a
month and women half that amount. The slaves were Jordan, December-May, Vincent, December-
January, Jasper, December-January, and Jim, December-January, all laborers, who belonged to John
Berry (b. c1800) of Jackson County; Judy and Dolly, cooks, both hired for the entire seven months
by Edward E. Pynchon (6. cl 804), a wealthy Massachusetts-born Huntsville resident; Tom,
December-January, a laborer owned by a certain Todd; Esther, February-March, and Bella, May,
both cooks hired by J.F. Martin; and Rachel, also a cook in May, belonging to Henry W. Grantland.
Both Martin and Grantland were assistant superintendents to Captain Gabbett. Judy, November
1862-August 1863, and Dolly, March-August 1863, had earlier worked as a cook and laborer at
Sauta Cave. The known combined white and black laborers at Big Spring reached its peak, sixty-six,

7 November 1863. In addition, local citizens were often hired for hauling jobs, but were not carried
on the rolls as regular employees. :

The known white Big Spring employees are listed below. A number were local citizens but
many others were long-time Bureau employees who began their service in Georgia. Some

biographical data is known about half and, if applicable, additional work assignments are known for
most of the rest:

A. J. Ammons was a laborer at Little River Cave March-April, Big Spring Cave May 1864,
and Blue Mountain Cave July 1864. CSA Payrolls.

P. H. Anderson hauled with a wagon and team at Big Spring Sept.-Oct. 1862. Ibid.

Daniel Arrington (Jan. 10, 1833-cDec. 1890), a Patrick County, Virginia, native and Heard
County, Georgia, resident, married Permelia Jane Vowell Oct. 3, 1854. He was a laborer at Bartow
Cave June 1862; Chattanooga Potash Works June, Aug.-Nov., 1862, and Jan.-Mar. 1863; blacksmith
at Nickajack Cave Apr., June-July 1863; Camp near Kingston, Georgia, Oct. 1863; Big Spring Cave
Nov. 1863-June 1864; and Blue Mountain Cave Nov. 1863 and July 1864. He was sent to Cedar
Mountain (Horse) Cave July 28, 1864. John Riley Hopkins Papers, Georgia Archives, Atlanta; Lynda
S. Eller, Heard County, Georgia: A History of Its People (Huguly, Ala., 1980), 160; CSA Payrolls.

Harris A. Ashmore (b. c1826), a Henry County, Georgia, native, was a laborer at Camp near

Kingston Oct. 1863, and at both Blue Mountain and Big Spring Nov. 1863. J.R. Hopkins Papers; CSA
Payrolls.

George W. Bain (b. c1820), a South Carolina-born Marshall County, Alabama, farmer,

hauled at Big Spring with a team and wagon Sept.-Oct. 1862. 1860 Census, Ala., Marshall, W. Div.,
Guntersville P.O., 11; CSA Payrolls. ,

Henry H. Barclift (April 1830-/71887), born in either Davidson or Williamson County,

Tennessee, went to Blount County, Alabama, where in 1850 he married Susan Vaughan, and became
a Blountville farmer and merchant. He was a laborer at Big Spring Jan.-Oct. 1863, and Jan.-June 1864,
and at Nixon’s (French’s Saltpeter) Cave July 1864. In Dec. 1870 he married Clara Gillespie and later
moved to Birmingham. 1860 Census, Ala., Blount, E. Div., Summit P.O., 11; J.R. Hopkins Papers;
John W. DuBose, Jefferson County and Birmingham, Alabama (Birmingham, 1887), 494; CSA
Payrolls.

Joseph Barnes was a private in Captain James H. Young’s Nitre Guard Company Dec. 26,
1862, and was present through June I, 1864. He also was a laborer at Sauta Cave Nov. 1862, Cedar
Mountain Dec. 1864-Jan. 1865; miner at Blue Mountain Dec. 1863-Jan. 1864, and Little Warrior
(Crump-Second Caves) July 1864; and store mason at Big Spring Mar.-Apr. 1864, but loaned to
Nixon’s Cave part of that time. CSR, Young’s Nitre Guards, RG109, National Archives, Joseph
Barnes File; CSA Payrolls; J.R. Hopkins Papers.

John L. Bartow (c1834-/11870) after the war lived at Fort Valley and Cave Spring, Georgia.
His Nitre Bureau service included: foreman or superintendent at Big Spring Dec. 1862-Mar. 1863;
superintendent of Trinity Cave Apr. 1-May 15, 1863; assistant superintendent of District 14 (Georgia)
May 1-10, July-Sept. 1863. 1870 Census, Ga., Floyd, Subdiv. 141, Cave Spring P.O., 14; John L.
Bartow to Andrew Johnson, Apr. 15, 1869, Andrew Johnson Papers, Library of Congress; Citizens
Papers (M346, Roll 46), John L. Bartow File. :

Richard Beardon was a Big Spring laborer Sept. 1862. CSA Payrolls.

James. Jasper, Jordan, and Vincent Berry were Big Spring laborers Oct. 1863.CSA Payrolls.

James P. Black was a Big Spring laborer Sept.-Oct. 1862. CSA Payrolls.

Tom Black, a laborer at Cave Spring Cave, Georgia, Oct. 1862, Fort Payne Cave Nov. 1862-
Jan. 1863, and Big Spring Apr.-Sept. 1863, may be the same as Thomas J. Black (b. c1847), a son of
William and Mary Black of Floyd County, Georgia. After the war he was a “Mill Hand” near Cave
Spring, Georgia. Ibid.; 1860 Census, Ga., Floyd, Etowah Dist., 299; (1870), 141* Subdiv., 18.

James M. Blackwell (Dec. 6, 1831-Apr. 22, 1878), a resident of Walker County, Georgia,
taught school and was a merchant before the war. Afterwards he was for ten years manager of the store
at Trion Factory, and then again a merchant. During the war he was “acting Supt.” of Cobb’s Potash
Works, then briefly, in May 1864, was foreman at Long Hollow Cave; assistant superintendent at Big
Spring June 1864, and Blue Mountain July 1864. He was employed at Cedar Mountain Cave July 28,
1864, through Mar. 1865, and Blountville (Posey) Cave April 1-26, 1865. James A. Sartain, History
of Walker County, Georgia (Carrollton, Ga., 1972 [1932]), 409; Walker County, Georgia, Cemeteries
Vol. I (LaFayette, Ga., 1987), 57; CSA Payrolls; J.R. Hopkins Papers.

Noble Bouldin/Bolden/Boldon_ was a Big Spring laborer Sept., Nov.-Dec., 1862. CSA
Payrolls.

Edward Box (b. 1827/33) was born in St. Clair County, Alabama. He may be the day laborer
who lived near Scottsboro, Alabama, before the war. He was a laborer at Sauta Nov. 1862, Jan.-Mar.,
May-July 1863; Big Spring July-Nov. 1863, Jan.-May 1864; boiler at Big Spring Dec. 1863, and
Nixon’s July 1864; and unspecified worker at Cedar Mountain Feb.-Mar. 1865. 1860 Census, Ala.,
Jackson, T4R6E, Scottsboro P.O., 41; J.R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls. |

Stephen Brand (b. c1832, a Logansville, Georgia, grocer, labored at Chattanooga Potash
Works Oct. 1862-Aug. 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Fort Payne Oct. 1863-Jan. 1864; Blue
Mountain Feb. 1864; Big Spring Feb.-June 1864; and Little Warrior July 1864. 1860 Census, Ga.,
Walton, N. Div., 958; CSA Payrolls.

Jordan Brandon (b. c1836), a native Virginian, was a laborer at Sauta, Nov. 1862 and Jan.-
Mar. And June 1863; Town Creek Potash Works Aug.-Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov.-Dec. 1863.

He was overseer at Big Spring Jan. 1864; and assistant superintendent or foreman at Nixon’s Cave
Mar.-Apr., June-July 1864. Ibid.; J.R. Hopkins Papers.

Christopher Columbus Brewer (Feb. 11, 1832-Jan. 4, 1902), a Gwinnett County, Georgia,

farm laborer, labored at Ringgold Cave June 1862; Ravenel Cave June-Aug. 1862; Lookout Cave
Aug.-Sept. 1862; Nickajack Cave Oct. 1862-Jan. 1863; Pack (Hooker) Cave Jan.-Aug. 1863; Big
Spring Jan.-Mar. 1864; and Blue Mountain Feb. 1864. He also was cook at Big Spring Dec. 1863. In

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1900 he lived at Norcross, Georgia, and claimed he had joined Company H, 2d Georgia Reserves in
“1863" and was discharged “1865 at Andersonville, Ga.” Alice S. McCabe, ed., Gwinnett County,
Georgia Deaths 1818-1989 (Lawrenceville, Ga., 1989); 1860 Census, Ga., Gwinnett, 406" Dist., 740;
CSA Payrolls; Georgia Confederate Pension Applications.

P.O. Brewer was a boiler at Big Spring Nov. 1863. CSA Payrolls.

James A. Brown labored at Big Spring Sept.-Dec. (2 days) 1862. Ibid.

J. W. Camp labored at Big Spring Sept. 1862. Ibid.

Thomas W. Campbell (c1827-/71870), a Tennessee-born Jackson County farmer, sold ashes
to Sauta Cave Nov. 1862. He hauled at Sauta Aug. 1863; labored at Town Creek Potash Works Sept.-
Oct. 1863; Big Spring Nov. 1863, Jan 1864; and Nixon’s Mar.-June 1864. Also, he was a boiler at
Nixon’s July 1864. 1860 Census, Ala., Jackson, T4R5E, Scottsboro P.O., 54; (1870), 3% Subdiv.,
Scottsboro P.O., 30; CSA Payrolls.

James Carver was a laborer at Sauta Mar., May-July 1863; Town Creek Potash Works, Aug.,
Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov. 1863. Ibid.

Thomas L. Chambers labored at Big Spring Sept.-Nov. 1862. Ibid.

John W. Coburn was a laborer at Big Spring July-Aug. 1863, and Town Creek Potash Works
Oct. 1863. Ibid.

James Coleman worked at Cave Spring Oct. 1862; Fort Payne Nov. 1862-Jan. 1863; Big
Spring Apr.-Aug. 1863; Town Creek Potash Works Aug. 1863; and Little River (Daniel) Cave Dec.
1863. Ibid.

J. Marion Collins (b. c1842), a Gwinnett County, Georgia, native, labored at Big Spring Nov.
1862-Nov. 1863, Jan 1864; and Nixon’s Mar. 1864. Ibid.; J. R. Hopkins Papers.

Monroe Compton (May 15, 1823-Aug. 22, 1910), born in Orange County, North Carolins,
and a resident of Morgan County, Alabama, was a laborer at Eureka Cave Jan. 1863; Gunters
Mountain Potash Works near Sauta Cave Mar., May 1863; Town Creek Potash Works Oct. 1863; and
Big Spring Nov. 1863. He was also overseer at Big Spring Dec. 1863-Jan. 1864. Marilyn S.S. Marine
and Ivydene S. Walls, Morgan County, Alabama Cemeteries (2 vols., Hartselle, Ala., 1982-84), 1:
320; J. R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

Green G. Cooley (c1844-/11880) of Heard County, Georgia, labored at Cherokee Potash
Works Aug.-Oct., Dec. 1862; Nickajack Jan.-Apr., June-July 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863;
Blue Mountain Dec. 1863, Feb. 1864; Big Spring Jan.-June 1864; and Little Warrior July 1864.
Sometime after 1880 he and his wife Salina moved to Alabama. Eller, Heard County History, 176;
CSA Payrolls.

MF. Corbin/Corben worked at Big Spring Sept.-Oct. 1862. Ibid.

Benjamin F. Cowley (b. c1836), a Jackson County, Alabama, native and farmer, was a son
of Henry and Elizabeth Cowley. He was overseer at Sauta Jan.-Mar., May-Aug. 1863; Town Creek
Potash Work Aug.-Nov. 1863; and Big Spring Nov.-Dec. 1863. Later he was foreman at Big Spring
Jan. 1864; superintendent at Little River Jan.-May 1864; and foreman June-July 1864 at Blue
Mountain. 1860 Census, Ala., Jackson, 3" Dist., Paint Rock P.O., 49; Ann B. Cambless to Marion O.
Smith, Apr. 5, 1986; J.R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

David M. Cowley (Sept. 20, 1833-May 23, 1899), also a Jackson County native and farmer,
was a brother to Benjamin F. Cowley and brother-in-law of James P. McLemore. It is likely that either
he or his brother was one of the saltpeter contractors, Cowley and McLemore, who delivered 457.5
pounds to Larkinsville Nov. 21, 1862. David M. served at Sauta as foreman of hoppers Jan.-Mar,
May-June 1863; Town Creek as the same Aug. 1863, laborer Sept. 1863, and commissary Oct. 1863;
and Big Spring Nov. 1863, Jan. 1864 as commissary and Dec. 1863 as cave foreman. At his death he
was one of Jackson County’s commissioners. Gross Cemetery; 1860 Census, Ala., Jackson, 3" Dist.,
Paint Rock P.O., 48; Citizens Papers (M346, Roll 202), Cowley and McLemore File; J.R. Hopkins
Papers; Nashville American, May 25, 1899; CSA Payrolls. ,

James H. Cowley (Nov. 30, 1843-Mar. 18, 1879), born in Lincoln County, Tennessee, was
a son of Mary Cowley of Jackson County, Alabama. During the war he was a laborer at Sauta Jan.-
Mar., May-July, 1863; Town Creek Potash Works Aug.-Oct. 1863; Big Spring Nov.-Dec. 1863; and

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Nixon’s Mar.-May 1864. His wife (July 11, 1 849-July 13, 1919) was Susan M. Gross Cemetery; 1860
Census, Ala., Jackson, 3" Dist., Paint Rock P.O., 49; J.R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

R.A. Cox (b. c1846), a native of Walton County, Georgia, labored at Big Spring Nov.-Dec.
1863, Feb.-Apr. 1864; Blue Mountain Nov. 1863, Feb., June 1864; and Long Hollow May 1864. His
name with the date March 22, 1864, is on the wall of the Sheep section of Guntersville (Big Spring)
Caverns. J.R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

James Daniel (Nov. 24, 1832-June 6, 1919) was a native and resident of Troup County,
Georgia. His Nitre Bureau stations were: teamster at Bartow Cave July 1862; Nickajack Oct.-Nov.
1862, July 1863, and Battle Creek (Monteagle Saltpeter) Cave Dec. 1862-Feb., May-June 1863, as
well as laborer Feb., June 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1 863; laborer at Big Spring Feb.-Mar. 1864.
In 1914 he lived in LaGrange, Georgia. Dorothy McClendon, Lillie Lambert, and Danny Knight,
comps., Family, Church, and Community Cemeteries of Troup County, Georgia (LaGrange, Ga.,
1990), 34; J.R. Hopkins Papers; Georgia Confederate Pension Applications, N.S. Reid File; CSA
Payrolls.

Jesse F. Davis (b. c1845), a Monroe County, Georgia, native, was a laborer at Chattanooga
Potash Works Aug. 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; boiler, Nov. 1863, and laborer Jan.-May
1864 at Big Spring; and laborer at Blue Mountain Feb. 1864. Ibid.; J.R. Hopkins Papers.

James F. Denham (c1831-/11870), a Marshall County, Alabama, resident, was a laborer at
Big Spring Sept.-Oct. 1863, Apr.-June | 864: Nixon’s July 1864; and Cedar Mountain Jan.-Mar 1865.
He was borne on the Blountsville Cave roll April 1-5, 1865, but probably actually was at Cedar
Mountain. He was ordered to Blountsville on April 5. 1870 Census, Ala., Marshall, Subdiv. 45,
Guntersville P.O., 44; J.R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

William H. Dickson was a Big Spring laborer Sept.-Dec. (2 days) 1862. Ibid.

Moses B. Dobbins (b. c1844), a farm laborer from Henry County, Georgia, worked at
Chattanooga Potash Works Jan.-Mar., May-Aug. 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Fort Payne
Oct. 1863-Jan. 1864; Blue Mountain Feb. 1864; Big Spring Feb.-June 1864; and Little Warrior July
1864. After the war he returned to Henry County, resumed farming, and started a family. He
apparently died by 1880. 1860 Census, Ga., Henry, Mt. Carmel P.O., 42; (1870), 489 Mil. Dist., 17;
(1880), 498" G.M. Dist., 34; J.R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

Robert Duncan (b. c1835), a farm laborer from Gwinnett County, Georgia, was a laborer at
Ringgold Cave May-June 1862; Ravenel Cave June-Aug. 1862; Lookout Cave Aug.-Sept. 1862; Camp
near Kingston Oct. 1863; Fort Payne Dec. 1863-Jan. 1864; Big Spring Feb.-June 1864; Blue Mountain
Feb., June 27-July 1864; and Cedar Mountain July 28, Sept., Dec. 1864, Feb. 1865. 1860 Census, Ga.,
Gwinnett, 406" Dist., 178; J.R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

D.R. Dunham (b. c1830/33), a Tennessee-born Jackson County, Alabama, farmer, was a
kettle hand at Big Spring Nov.-Dec. (2 days) 1863, and then deserted. 1860 Census, Ala., 3" Dist.,
Paint Rock P.O., 45; J.R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

John Dunham (b. c1818/25), also a Tennessee-born Jackson County farmer, was at Sauta as
foreman of laborers Nov. 1862, overseer Dec. 1862; laborer Feb. 1863, and overseer and laborer Mar.-
May, Aug. 1863; Town Creek Potash Works as laborer Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov.-Dec. (2 days)
1863, and then deserted. 1860 Census, Ala., Jackson, 3" Dist., Paint Rock P.O., 45; J.R. Hopkins
Papers; CSA Payrolls.

William O. Dunham (b. c1836/37) was born in Jackson County but lived in Marshall County.
On Aug. 15, 1861, he married Polly Ann Clark. He was a laborer at Sauta Nov. 1862, Jan., Mar., May-
Aug. 1863; Town Creek Potash Works Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov.-Dec. (2 days) 1863, and then
deserted. 1860 Census, Ala., Marshall, R6R4E, Zachary P.O., 42; Mazie C. Brooks, Marriage Records
of Marshall County, Alabama 1849-1869 (Wyandotte, Okla., n.d.), 19; J. R. Hopkins Papers; CSA
Payrolls.

John A. Dunlap was a worker at Bartow July, Sept. 1862; Nickajack Oct. 1862-Feb., Apr.,
June-July 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Little River Nov. 1863-Feb. 1864; Blue Mountain
Feb. 1864; Big Spring Feb.-June 1864; and Nixon’s July 1864. Ibid.

William Dunn (b. ¢1833), a Marshall County native, labored at Sauta Nov. 1862, Jan.-Aug.

1863; Town Creek Potash Works Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov.-Dec. 1863. Ibid.; J.R. Hopkins
Papers.

: John Edmondson (//1910) held the following jobs: laborer, May-June 1862 at Parten Cave;
Ravenel Cave June 1862; Cave Spring Cave June 1862; carpenter at Big Spring Sept. 1862, and
laborer Oct.-Nov. 1862; carpenter at Sauta Nov. 1862-Mar., May-June 1863; and Camp near Kingston
Sept. 1863; assistant superintendent at Blue Mountain Nov.-Dec. 1863, and carpenter Jan., Mar.-Apr.,
June 1864; carpenter at Long Hollow Apr.-May 1864; and at Nixon’s July 1864. In 1910 he lived in
Forsyth County, Georgia, and stated he surrendered at LaGrange, Georgia. CSA Payrolls; Georgia
Confederate Pension Applications, J.J. Garrett File.

Wesley Fannin (b. c1826), born in Putnam County, Georgia, was a laborer

at Chattanooga Potash Works Aug. 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Blue

Mountain Nov. 1863, Feb. 1864; and Big Spring Nov. 1863, Jan., Mar.-June 1864.

CSA Payrolls; J.R. Hopkins Papers.

Andrew J. Floyd (Dec. 27, 1823/33-Aug. 4, 1898), a Spartanburg, South Carolina, native,
was a Gordon County, Georgia, blacksmith who married Angeline Pearson Feb. 19, 1858. During the
war he was a laborer at Parten Cave June (8 days) 1862; Cave Spring June, Oct. 1862; and Big Spring
Oct.-Nov. 1862; boiler, Nov.-Dec. 1862, and foreman of kettles, Jan.-Mar., May-June 1863, at Sauta;
boiler at Fort Payne Oct. 1863-Jan. 1864; laborer at Blue Mountain Feb. 1864; and boiler at Cedar
Mountain Feb.-Apr. 1864. In fall 1864 he enlisted in Company D, Johnson’s Regiment Georgia
Cavalry, and surrendered May 12, 1865, at Kingston, Georgia. He returned home and farmed. By the
end of his life he had moved to Lyerly, Chattooga County, Georgia. Georgia Confederate Pension
Applications, A.J. Floyd File; 1860 Census, Ga., Gordon, Spring Town, 1; (1870), Calhoun P.O., 219;
CSA Payrolls.

Matthew Floyd (c1843-/1881) was also a Gordon County resident and brother of Andrew
J. And Miles L. Floyd. He was a laborer at Parten June 1862; Cave Spring June, Oct. 1862; Big Spring
Oct.-Nov. 1862; and Sauta Jan. 1863. Also at Sauta he was a boiler Dec. 1862, Feb.-Mar., May-June
1863. 1850 Census, Ga., Gordon, 12" Div., 45; CSA Payrolls; Elizabeth E. Kilbourne, Gordon
County, Georgia, Newspaper Clippings (4 vols., Savannah, Ga., 1997-98), 2: 261.

Miles L. Floyd (c1838-//1910) was born in South Carolina and moved with his parents to
Gordon County about 1843. He was a laborer at Parten June 1862; Cave Spring June 1862; Big Spring
Nov. 1862; and Sauta Nov. 1862, Jan. 1863; boiler at Sauta Feb.-Mar., May-June 1863; boiler Oct.
1863, and laborer Nov. 1863-Jan. 1864 at Fort Payne; boiler at Blue Mountain Feb. 1864 and laborer
at Cedar Mountain Feb.-Mar. 1864. In Oct. 1864 he enlisted at Sonoraville, Georgia, in Company A,
Baker’s Regiment, and surrendered at Kingston, May 12, 1865. He returned home and farmed near
Plainsville, where he eventually acquired 106 acres. 1850 Census, Ga., Floyd, 12" Div., 45; (1870),
Calhoun P.O., 204; (1880), Plainsville 1055 M. Dist., 30; J.R. Hopkins Papers; Georgia Confederate
Pension Applications, M.L. Floyd File; CSA Payrolls; Citizens Papers (M346, Roll 312), M.L. Floyd
File.

Hiram Forbus/Fortas was a Big Spring worker May 1864. CSA Payrolls

Zachariah Forbus (c1821-/11899), an Elbert County, Georgia, native, was a laborer at Camp
near Kingston Oct. 1863; Big Spring Nov. 1863, Jan.-May 1864; Blue Mountain Nov. 1863, Feb.,
June-July 1864; and Cedar Mountain July 28, Sept. 1864, Jan.-Mar. 1865. J.R. Hopkins Papers;
Georgia Confederate Pension Applications, L.D. Paschal File; CSA Payrolls.

C. W. Frazier (b. c1828), originally from Pickens District, South Carolina, was a laborer at
Big Spring Sept. 1862-Nov. 1863 and boiler Dec. 1863-Jan. 1864; boiler at Nixon’s Mar.-June 1864;
laborer at Little Warrior July 1864; Cedar Mountain Sept. 1864; and Blountsville Apr. 1-26, 1865.
J.R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

William R. Frazier/Frasier worked at Big Spring Sept.-Dec. (2 days) 1862. Ibid.

Jeremiah L. French (b. c1828), an Alabama-born farmer, along with his brother, Henry Te

was the owner of Sauta Cave. He sold ashes to Sauta and worked there as follows: wagon and team
and foreman of laborers Nov. 1862; wagon and team Dec. 1862; foreman hoppers plus wagon and
team Feb. 1863; and foreman hoppers Jan., Mar., May, July-Aug. 1863. In July 1863 he was also

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overseer of hands at Big Spring. 1860 Census, Ala., Jackson, 3" Dist., Paint Rock P.O., 44; Marion
O. Smith, “The Sauta Cave Confederate Nitre Works,” Civil War History, 29 (Dec. 1983), 297, 312;
CSA Payrolls.

John J. Garrett (Aug. 30, 1833-Jan. 24, 1918), a native of Greenville, South Carolina, and
Georgia resident since 1855, worked at Parten May-June 1862; Ravenel June 1862; Cave Spring June
1862; and Big Spring Sept.-Oct., Dec. 1862-Nov. 1863, Jan.-Feb. 1864. He was then cave foreman
at Big Spring Mar.-June 1864. He claimed to have surrendered at Kingston, Georgia, May 1865. In
1910 he lived at Alpharetta, Milton County, Georgia. He is presumed the same man who is buried in
Bethelsen Cemetery, Forsyth County, Georgia. Donna Parrish, Bonnye T. Leary, and Garland C.
Bagley, Cemeteries of Forsyth County, Georgia (Cumming, Ga., 1981); J.R. Hopkins Papers; Georgia
Confederate Pension Applications, J.J. Garrett File; CSA Payrolls.

John and Thomas A. Gilbreath were waggoning with teams at Big Spring Sept. 1862. Ibid.

J. Bayliss Goddard (b. c1837) was a Georgian. He labored at Ringgold May 1862; Ravenel
Cave and Chattanooga Potash Works June 1862; Cave Spring June, Oct. 1862; Sauta Nov.-Dec. 1862;
and Big Spring Dec. 1862-Nov. 1863. He was a boiler at Big Spring Dec. 1863-June 1864 and also
at Blue Mountain Feb. 1864. Ibid.; J.R. Hopkins Papers.

Robert Goddard (May 8, 1844-Apr. 21, 1911), DeKalb County, Georgia, resident, was a
laborer at Ringgold May 1862; Ravenel June 1862; Chattanooga Potash Works June 1862; Cave
Spring June, Oct. 1862; Sauta Nov.-Dec. 1862; Big Spring Dec. 1862-Nov. 1863; and Little Warrior
July 1864. He was boiler at Big Spring Dec. 1863-June. 1864. At some point he enlisted in Company
H, 2™ Georgia Cavalry, and about Nov. 1864 transferred to Company A, Major Garrett’s Battalion.
He surrendered at Kingston, Georgia, returned home and became a farmer, marrying Josephine J.
Tweedell Jan. 16, 1868. Georgia Confederate Pension Applications, Robert Goddard File; J.R.
Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

William Goodwin worked at Big Spring Oct. 1862. Ibid.

Isaac Gautney (b. c1837), a Marshall County, Alabama, farmer, was a shoemaker at Town
Creek Potash Works Oct. 1863, and Big Spring Cave Nov. 1863-Jan. 1864. Ibid.; 1860 Census, Ala.,
Marshall, E. Div., Guntersville P.O., 91.

J. O. Green labored at Big Spring Jan. 1864. CSA Payrolls.

Charles L. Guffey worked at Big Spring July-Aug. 1863. Ibid.

E. B. Guffey was a laborer at Sauta Jan.-Mar., May, July 1863; Big Spring July 1863; and
Town Creek Potash Works Aug. 1863. Ibid.

John L. Guffey (b. c1840), a Jackson County, Alabama, farmer, was a laborer at Sauta Dec.
1862-Mar., May, July 1863; and Big Spring July-Aug. 1863. Ibid.; 1860 Census, Ala., Jackson, 3"
Dist., Paint Rock P.O., 45.

Nathan E. Hardin/Harding was a Big Spring laborer Sept.-Nov. 1862. CSA Payrolls.

N. Harrell supplied a wagon and team to Big Spring Dec. 1862. Ibid.

O. Harris was a laborer at Parten May-June 1862; Ravenel June 1862; and Cave Spring June
1862. He was foreman at Cave Spring Oct. 1862; and foreman of Kettles Oct.-Nov. 1862, and assistant
foreman Dec. 1862 at Big Spring. Ibid.

W.B. Harris was a laborer at Parten May-June 1862; Ravenel June 1862; and Cave Spring
June, Oct. 1862. In Nov. 1862 he hauled “between the different caves and Hd Qrs.” and Dec. 1862
he hauled with a wagon and team at Big Spring Cave. Ibid.; Citizens Papers (M346, Roll 413), W. B.
Harris File.

Charles W. Hazlewood (b. c1840), born in Jackson County, Alabama, was a laborer at Sauta
May-Aug. 1863; Town Creek Potash Works Aug.-Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov. 1863-Jan. 1864.
He was a carpenter Mar.-June 1864, and mechanic July 1864 at Nixon’s Cave. J. R. Hopkins Papers;
CSA Payrolls.

William H. Herrin (c1830-/11900), a Georgia native, Marshall County, Alabama, farmer and
justice of the peace, lived in the New Hope area north of the Tennessee River. His name is next to
“Cave Discovery 1860" in Ledbetter Cave, Marshall County. He was a saltpeter contractor and Nov.
1, 1862, and Jan. 22, 1863, delivred 201.75 and 307 pounds. He was a boiler at Long Hollow May

1864; and a laborer at Big Spring June 1864; Blue Mountain July 1864; and Cedar Mountain (Horse
Cave) July 28, Sept., Dec. 1864-Mar. 1865. His name is also in Horse Cave, Blount County, Alabama.
After the war he moved south of the Tennessee River to the western part of Marshall County, and
1886-88 served in the legislature. 1860 Census, Ala., Marshall, T6R2E, New Hope P.O., 13; 1870,
1880, 1900 Censuses; Brooks, Marriage Records of Marshall County 1849-1869, 44; Katherine M.
Duncan and Larry J. Smith, The History of Marshall County, Alabama (Albertville, Ala., 1969), 28;
Diaries of Marion O. Smith; CSA Payrolls.

Thomas Hodge was a carpenter at Town Creek Potash Works, Aug., Oct. 1863, and Big
Spring Nov. 1863. Ibid.

John Riley Hopkins (Nov. 5, 1835-July 14, 1909) was a Gwinnett County, Georgia, farmer.
He was for three years assigned to the Nitre Bureau and saved many of his notes, letters, and
miscellaneous papers from that time, which have been microfilmed and are available at the Georgia
Archives. He was a laborer at Anderson and Ringgold Caves May-June 1862; Ravenel June-Aug.
1862: Lookout Aug.-Sept. 1862; a carpenter at Nickajack Nov. | 862-Apr., June-July 1863; Camp near
Kingston Oct. 1863; Big Spring Nov. 1863-Apr. 1864; superintendent at Long Hollow May 1864;
carpenter at Blue Mountain Nov. 1863, June-July 1864; assistant superintendent at Cedar Mountain
July 28, Sept., Dec. 1864-Mar. 1865; and superintendent at Blountsville April (until the 26") 1865.
After the war he lived near Norcross, Georgia, where “he maintained his blacksmith and woodwork
shops, mills and cotton gin.” 1860 Census, Ga., Gwinnett, 406" Dist., 177; Alice S. McCabe, ed.,
Gwinnett County, Georgia Families 1818-1 968 (Atlanta, 1980), 241-42; James C. Flanigan, History
of Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1818-1 960 (2 vols., Hapeville, Ga., 1959), 492; J. R. Hopkins Papers;
CSA Payrolls. Hopkins left his name in Lookout, Nickajack, and Horse Caves.

E. Howle was a Big Spring laborer July-Sept. 1863. CSA Payrolls.

S H. Hunt worked at Sauta Nov. 1862-Jan., May-Aug. 1863; Town Creek Potash Works
Sept.-Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov. 1863. Ibid.

Thomas R. Hutcheson/Hutcherson/Hutchens (b. c1829), a Henry County, Georgia, native,
was a laborer at Bartow Cave July 1862; Chattanooga Potash Works Sept., Nov. 1862, Jan.-Aug.
1863; Pack Cave Aug. (3 days) 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. | 863; Blue Mountain Nov. 1863, Feb.
1864; and Big Spring Nov. 1863, Jan.-Mar. 1864, where Apr.-June 1864 he was a boiler. bigs? dR.
Hopkins Papers.

James E. Jackson (Jan. 15, 1844-Jan. 2, 1916), a Fayette County, Georgia, native, was a
laborer at Chattanooga Potash Works July-Aug. 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Big Spring
Jan.-Mar. 1864; and Blue Mountain Feb. 1864. At Big Spring he was also boiler Nov. 1863, and
foreman of hoppers Apr.-May 1864. Joel D. Wells, Donald R. Schultz, A/] Known Cemeteries in
Fayette County, Georgia (n.p., 1980), 142; CSA Payrolls.

John O. James worked for the Nitre Bureau as follows: Parten, as laborer, May, and carpenter
(2 days), June 1862; Cave Spring as carpenter and wagon master June 1862; and as carpenter at
Ravenel June 1862; Big Spring Sept.-Nov. 1862, Dec. 1863, May 1864; Sauta Nov. 1862-July 1863;
Town Creek Potash Works Aug. 1863; Blue Mountain Jan., Mar.-Apr., J une-July 1864. Ibid.; Citizens
Papers (M346, Roll 499), J. O. James File.

Newton G. Johnston/Johnson (b. ¢1832), anative South Carolina Morgan County, Alabama,
farm laborer, was a laborer at Eureka Cave Nov. 1862, Jan. 1863; Gunters Mountain Potash Works,
Mar., May, July 1863; Town Creek Potash Works Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov.-Dec. (3 % days)
1863, and then deserted. 1860 Census, Ala., Morgan, E. Div., 46; J. R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

P. C. Johnston/Johnson was a laborer at Bartow June 1862; Chattanooga Potash Works Sept.
1862, Mar., May-July 1863; Blue Mountain Feb. 1864; Big Spring Feb., May-June 1864; and Little
Warrior July 1864. At Big Spring he was also carpenter Mar.-Apr. 1864. Ibid. :

Henry D. Jones had these assignments: laborer at Nickajack June-July 1863; Camp near
Kingston Oct. 1863; Blue Mountain Dec. 1863, Feb., June 1864; Big Spring Jan., May 1864; Cedar
Mountain Mar.-Apr. 1864, Feb. 1865; Long Hollow May 1864; and Little Warrior July 1864. At Blue
Mountain he was also a wagoner Mar. 1864. Ibid.

F. M. Kelsoe worked at Big Spring Sept. 1862. Ibid.

L. Killion was a Big Spring laborer Feb. 1863. Ibid.

John Kuykendall/Kurkendall labored at Big Spring Sept.-Dec. 1862. Ibid.

Marion Laird/Lard worked at Big Spring Dec. 1862-Nov. 1863. Ibid.

A. J. Lamb was a stable boss at Big Spring June 1864, and Blue Mountain July 1864. Nov.
1864-Mar. 1865 he was superintendent at Cedar Mountain Cave. He was paroled at Talladega May
18, 1865. Ibid.; J. R. Hopkins Papers; CSR... Nitre and Mining Bureau, RG109 (M258, Roll 112),
National Archives, A. J. Lamb File.

Mordecai A. Lane (Aug. 18, 1842-Apr. 2, 1913) was a son of Joseph T. And Sarah Lane of
Heard County, Georgia. He was a laborer at Bartow June-July, Sept. 1862; Chattanooga Potash Works
Oct.-Nov. 1862; Nickajack Oct. 1862-Feb., Apr., June-July 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863;
Little River Nov. 1863-Feb. 1864; Blue Mountain Feb. 1864; and Big Spring Feb.-Mar. 1864. On May
25, 1864, he became a private in Company I, 41* Georgia Infantry, and was detailed to build pontoon
boats. Probably after the war he married Eliza Jane Duke. 1860 Census, Ga., Heard, Franklin P.O.,
106; Eller, Heard County History, 211; Lillian Henderson, comp., Roster of the Confederate Soldiers
of Georgia 1861-1865 (Hapeville, Ga., 1958-64), 4: 495; CSA Payrolls.

William A. Lamons/Lemons (Mar. 4, 1832-Nov. 20, 1907), a Morgan County, Alabama,
carpenter, was a laborer at Eureka Cave Jan. 1863, and at Gunters Mountain Potash Works Mar., June
1863. He was stable boss at Guntersville July 2-Aug. 5, 1863, then wagon maker Nov.-Dec. 1863, and
stonemason Mar. 1864 at Big Spring. He claimed he was captured Apr. 13, 1864, and held prisoner
until Feb. 1, 1865. Marilyn S.S. Marine and Ivydene S. Walls, Morgan County, Alabama, Cemeteries
(2 vols., Hartselle, Ala., 1982-84) 2: 184; 1860 Census, Ala., Morgan, E. Div., Valhermoso P.O., 40;
Citizens Papers (M346, Roll 565), William A. Lamons File; CSA Payrolls.

John Ledbetter was a laborer at Nickajack Nov. 1862, Jan.-Feb. 1863; Pack Cave Jan.-Aug.
1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; and Little River Nov. 1863, Jan. 1864. Sept. 9-15, 1863, he
went on a “trip to Gadsden with 6 teams to move 100 Packages Nitre to Blue Mountain Ala 26 miles.”
He was a stone mason at Little River Dec. 1863; Big Spring Feb.-Mar. 1864; Blue Mountain Mar.
1864; Prater Cave Apr. 1864; and Long Hollow May 1864. Ibid.; Citizens Papers (M346, Roll 577),
John Ledbetter File.

Robert McCord (b. c1811), an Irish native, was a shoemaker at Big Spring Dec. 1863-Mar.
1864, and at Blue Mountain Feb. 1864. He then was shoemaker for the Ninth Nitre District May 15-
Aug. 31, 1864. Ibid.; J. R. Hopkins Papers; Citizens Papers (M346, Roll 620), Robert McCord File.

William McCord was a Big Spring laborer Mar. 1864.

John J. McDerment (b. c1843), a son of the owner of Big Spring Cave, worked there as a
laborer Oct. 1862, Mar. 1863, Feb.-June 1864, and hauled with a wagon and team Nov.-Dec. 1862,
Feb., May 1863. In July 1864 he was a worker at Nixon’s Cave. 1860 Census, Ala., Marshall, E. Div.,
Big Spring P.O., 28; Citizens Papers (M340, Roll 624), J. J. McDerment File; CSA Payrous.

John McKinney was a laborer at Sauta Nov.-Dec. 1862, Feb.-Mar., May-Aug. 1863; Town
Creek Potash Works Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov. (4 days) 1863, and then deserted. Ibid.

James P. McLemore (b. ¢1828/31), a Jackson County, Alabama, resident, brother of John W.
And William McLemore, married Margaret E. Cowley Apr. 18, 1860. He worked at Sauta Dec. 1862-
June, Aug. 1863; Town Creek Potash Works Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov.-Dec. 1863. Ibid.; Ann
B. Chambliss to Marion O. Smith, Apr. 5, 1986.

John W. McLemore (Nov. 15, 1832-11914) of Jackson County worked at Sauta Nov. 1862-
Mar., May, July-Aug. 1863, and Big Spring Nov. (5 days) 1863. Supposedly later he was sent “to the
Warrior river region of Blount Co Ala.” Alabama Confederate Pension Applications, John W.
McLemore File; CSA Payrolls.

William McLemore (c1829/31-July 7, 1901), aJackson County farmer, was a laborer at Sauta
Nov. 1862-July 1863; Town Creek Potash Works Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov.-Dec. 1863. In
August 1863 he was Sauta’s foreman of hoppers. 1860 Census, Ala., Jackson, 3“ Dist., Paint Rock
P.O., 51; Alabama Confederate Pension Applications, Martha J. McLemore File; CSA Payrolls.

James Malone (b. c1831), an Irishman, was a miner at Blue Mountain Nov. 1863, and Big
Spring Nov. 1863-May 1864. Ibid.; J. R. Hopkins Papers.

James R. Mann (b. c1830), a Fayette County, Georgia, native, may be the same man who
married Mary F. Sibley in Marshall County, Alabama, Oct. 3, 1855 (officiated by W. H. Herrin, J. P.).
He was at Ringgold Cave as a laborer May-June 1862; Nickajack as laborer Aug., Nov. 1862, Jan.-
Feb. 1863, watchman and laborer Mar. 1863, and night watchman Apr., J une-July 1863; Big Spring
as boiler Nov. 1863, and laborer Jan.-Feb. 1864; Nixon’s as boiler Mar.-June 1864; and Blue
Mountain as boiler July 1864. Ibid.; CSA Payrolls; Brooks, Marriage Records of Marshall County
1849-1869, 44.

William Martin was a worker at Big Spring Sept.-Nov. 1862, Sept.-Oct. 1863, and Sauta
Nov.-Dec. 1862. CSA Payrolls.

Lewis A. Mayo (b. c1828), a Walton County, Georgia, farmer, married Martha Ann Day Nov.
2, 1848. He worked at Chattanooga Potash Works July-Aug. 1863; guarded government stores at
Kingston, Georgia, Sept. 1-20, 1863; boiled Nov. 1863 and was commissary Jan.-June 1864 at Big
Spring; and continued to be commissary clerk Feb. 1864 at Blue Mountain and Aug.-Oct. 1864 at
Little Warrior. Ibid.; 1860 Census, Ga., Walton, N. Div., Monroe P.O., 983; Anita B. Sams, Wayfarers
in Walton (Doraville, Ga., 1967), 583; J.R. Hopkins Papers; Citizens Papers (M346, Roll 672), L. A.
Mayo File.

William H. Mehaffey (c1805-/11870), a South Carolina-born Marshall County, Alabama,
farmer, worked at Big Spring as a laborer Mar.-Nov. 1863, and boiler Dec. 1863-Jan., Mar.-June
1864. He signed the payrolls with an X. 1860 Census, Ala., Marshall, W. Div., Guntersville P.O., 45;
(1870), Subdiv. 45, Guntersville P.O., 35; CSA Payrolls.

William J. Mehaffey (b. c1839/40), a native of Cobb County, Georgia, was a son of William
H. Mehaffey. At Big Spring he hauled with a wagon and team Sept.-Oct. 1862, labored Nov. 1862-
Nov. 1863, and boiled Dec. 1863-Jan., Mar.-June 1864. Later, he worked at Nixons Sept. 1864 and
Cedar Mountain Dec. 1864-Feb. 1865. He signed the payrolls with his name. On Apr. 28, 1864, he
married Kiricy Margaret Bates. It is possible that the employment records of the Mehaffeys are mixed
since often the only name given was William. Ibid.; J. R. Hopkins Papers; 1860 Census, Ala.,
Marshall, W. Div., Guntersville P.O., 45; Brooks, Marriage Records of Marshall County 1849-1869,
44.

James H. Miller/Millar worked at Big Spring Sept.-Nov. 1862. CSA Payrolls.

W. A. Miller was a laborer at Big Spring Mar.-June 1864, and Nixon’s July 1864. Ibid.

Henry Mitchell was a laborer at Chattanooga Potash Works Feb.-Mar., May-Aug. 1863;
Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Blue Mountain Dec. 1863-Jan. 1864; Cedar Mountain Mar.-Apr.
1864: Long Hollow Apr. (4 % days)-May 1864; Big Springs June 1864; and Little Warrior July 1864.
Ibid.

Thomas Mitchell (b. c1827), a native of Lexington, South Carolina, worked at Camp near
Kingston Oct. 1863; Blue Mountain Nov. 1863, Feb. 1864; and Big Spring Nov. 1863, Jan.-June
1864. Ibid.; J. R. Hopkins Papers. ,

William Mitchell may be the same as William M. Mitchell, a member of Company BGT
Georgia Infantry, who was promoted 3" corporal and 5" sergeant before being detailed to the Nitre
Bureau. He was a laborer at Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Blue Mountain Jan. (2 days) 1864; Cedar
Mountain Feb.-Apr. 1864; Long Hollow Apr. (4 % days) 1864; and Big Spring May (4 % days) 1864.
William M. Was captured at Etowah, Georgia, May 23, 1864, took the U.S. oath at Rock Island,
Illinois, and joined the U.S. Navy July 6, 1864. CSA Payrolls; Henderson, Roster of Georgia Soldiers,
3: 950,

William A. Moses (b. c1832), a Campbell County, Georgia, native, labored at Nickajack Jan.-
Feb., Apr., June-July 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Blue Mountain Feb. 1864; and Big Spring

Feb.-Apr. 1864. He was also a boiler at Big Spring Nov. 1863. CSA Payrolls; J. R. Hopkins Papers.
David C. Murphy (b. ¢1826), a Marshall County, Alabama, farmer, was a laborer at Big

Spring Sept.-Oct. 1863, Apr.-May 1864, and a boiler at Nixon’s July 1864. 1860 Census, Ala.,
Marshall, W. Div., Guntersville P.O., 11; CSA Payrolls.

Amasa M. Palmer (c1833-/11870), a Walton County, Georgia, farmer before the war, and a
Floyd County, Georgia, resident afterwards, worked at Bartow July 1862; Cherokee Potash Works

Aug. 1862; Chattanooga Potash Works Sept.-Nov. 1862, Mar., May-Aug. 1863; Camp near Kingston
Oct. 1863; Blue Mountain Nov. 1863, Feb. 1864; and Big Spring Nov. 1863, Jan.-June 1864. 1860
Census, Ga., Walton, N. Div., 70; (1870), Floyd, 141 Subdiv., 105; CSA Payrolls.

John W. Palmer (c1833-//1870), also a Walton County farmer, married Mary Jane Moore
Feb. 14, 1854. He was a laborer at Bartow July 1862; Cherokee Potash Works Aug. 1862;
Chattanooga Potash Works Sept. 1862, Mar., May-Aug. 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Fort
Payne Oct. 1863; Big Spring Feb.-May 1864; and Cedar Mountain July 28, Dec. 1864-Mar. 1865. He
was also superintendent of Fort Payne Nov. 1863-Jan. 1864. 1860 Census, Ga., Walton, N. Dist., 83;
(1870), Subdiv. 129, 174; J. R. Hopkins Papers; Frances T. Ingmire, Walton County, Georgia,
Marriage Records 1825-1870 (St. Louis, 1985), 33; CSA Payrolls. :

W. L. Palmer was a laborer at Chattanooga Potash Works Aug. 1863; Little River Dec. | 863;
Fort Payne Dec. 1863-Jan. 1864; Blue Mountain Feb. 1864; and Big Spring Feb.-Mar. 1864. Ibid.

H. T. Perry (c1833-/11870), a native Alabamian living in Jefferson County near Village
Springs, was a laborer at Fort Payne Nov. 1862-Jan. 1863; Sauta Mar.-May, July 1863; Big Spring
July-Sept. 1863, Jan., May-June 1864; Cedar Mountain Mar.-May 1864; and Little Warrior July 1864.
He was also cook at Big Spring Oct.-Nov. 1863. 1860 Census, Ala., Jefferson, Selfs Precinct, 88;
(1870), TISSRIE, 5; CSA Payrolls.

J. QO. Phillips was a laborer at Big Spring Aug.-Nov. 1863, Jan. 1864, and Nixon’s Mar.-Apr.
1864. Ibid.

James Prince (b. c1835), born in Stanley County, North Carolina, was a Morgan County
farmer who lived next door to William A. Lamons. He was a laborer at Eureka Nov. 1862, Jan. 1863;
laborer Mar., May 1863 and overseer July 1863 at Gunters Mountain Potash Works; overseer Aug.
1863, probably at Guntersville; assistant overseer Sept. 1863 and superintendent of hoppers Oct. 1863
at Town Creek Potash Works; and stonemason at Big Spring Dec. 1863-Jan. 1864. 1860 Census, Ala.,
Morgan, E. Div., Valhermoso P.O., 38; J. R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls; Citizens Papers (M346,
Roll 823), James Prince File. 7

Joseph Prince (b. c1832), another North Carolina-born Morgan County farmer, was a
blacksmith at Big Spring Nov.-Dec. 1863. 1860 Census, Ala., Morgan, E. Div., Valhermoso P.O., 56;
CSA Payrolls. ,

Rufus B. Purgason/Pergason (Jan. 8, 1844/45-May 30, 1910), a native of Troup County,
Georgia, and resident of Heard County, was a private, Company C, 34" Georgia Infantry, Oct.-Dec.
1862, and was discharged because of disability. In July 1863 he was a laborer at Nickajack Cave, but
on Aug. 3 enlisted in Company E or G, 10 Georgia State Guards Cavalry, and was mustered out at
Rome, Georgia, either Jan. 15 or Feb. 2, 1864. He was a wagoner at Blue Mountain Apr. (3 days)
1864; a laborer at Big Spring May-June 1864; Nixons July, Sept. 1864; and Cedar Mountain Dec.
1864-Mar. 1865. In 1901 he was a farmer and lived in Franklin, Georgia. Eller, Heard County History,
229: Henderson, Roster of Soldiers of Georgia, 3: 784; Georgia Confederate Pension Applications,
R. B. Purgason File; CSA Payrolls.

R. C. Ragsdale labored at Big Spring Nov. 1862. Ibid.

Francis A. Raines/Rains (b. c1843), ason of Marshall County farmer Josiah Raines, worked
at Big Spring Sept.-Dec. (2 days) 1862. 1860 Census, Ala., Marshall, E. Div., Guntersville P.O., 87;
CSA Payrolls.

William H. Raines/Rains may be the same as Willis H. Raines (c1823-f11870), a Marshall
County farmer. He worded at Big Spring Sept.-Dec. (2 days) 1862. 1860 Census, Ala., Marshall, E.
Div., Big Spring P.O., 28; (1870), 45 Subdiv., Guntersville P.O., 91; CSA Payrolls.

William R. Raines (c1831-/11870), anative South Carolina Marshall County farmer, probably
worked at Big Spring Sept. 1862-Oct. 1863, Jan. 1864, and Nixon’s Apr., June 1864. But it is possible
that two men’s records are mixed since a “plain” William Rains (b. c1835) also lived in the county and
the payrolls usually omitted the middle initial “R.” 1870 Census, Ala., Marshall, Subdiv. 45, Red
Apple P.O., 74; Meltonville P.O., 86; CSA Payrolls.

C. Afor H]. Reid/Read/Reed worked at Big Spring Sept.-Dec. (2 days) 1862. Ibid.

Noah S. Reid (c1841-f1920), Heard County, Georgia, resident before the war, served in

10

Company G, 4" Georgia State Regiment Oct. 24, 1861-May 1, 1862. Then he was detailed to the Nitre
Bureau under Logan Bleckley and was a laborer at Bartow June-July, Sept. 1862; teamster Sept. 1 862,
and laborer Nov. 1862, Jan.-Apr., June-July 1863 at Nickajack; laborer at Camp near Kingston Oct.
1863; Little River Nov. 1863, Feb. 1864; Blue Mountain Feb., June 1864; and Big Spring Feb., Apr.
1864. He supposedly surrendered at Blue Mountain at the end of the war. In 1914 he lived in Carroll
County and by 1920 resided at Senoia in Coweta County, Georgia. 1860 Census, Heard, Franklin P.O.,
783; Georgia Confederate Pension Applications, N. S. Reid and James H. Abercrombie Files; Eller,
Heard County History, 233; CSA Payrolls.

Charles J. Robinson (d. May 16, 1908) was a Fayette County, Georgia, resident and married
Rachel Minor there in 1856. He was detailed to the Nitre Bureau from Camp Randolph at Calhun,
Georgia, and was employed as a laborer at Ravenel June 1862; Bartow July 1862; Cherokee Potash
Works July-Aug. 1862; Chattanooga Potash Works Sept.-Nov. 1862, Jan.-Mar., May-Aug. 1863;
Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Blue Mountain Dec. 1863-Jan. 1864; and Big Spring Feb.-June 1864.
Then in July 1864 he was a boiler at Little Warrior. He died in Douglas County, Georgia. Georgia
Confederate Pension Applications, Rachel Minor; CSA Payrolls.

T. J. Robinson (b. d1822), a native of Ohio County, (West) Virginia, was superintendent of
Eureka Cave Sept. (28-30), Nov. 1862, Jan. 1863; on exploration duty Jan. 1-20, 1863, in Walker,
Blount, and Hancock Counties, Alabama, “searching for nitrous caves”; superintendent of Gunters
Mountain Potash Works Mar., May, July 1863; superintendent of Town Creek Potash Works Aug.-
Oct. 1863; superintendent of Big Spring Nov. 1863-June 1864; agent at Selma July 1864 in charge
of District Nine stores; superintendent of Cedar Mountain July 28, Sept. 1864; and military store
keeper at Little Warrior Nov. 1864-Feb. 1865. He was paroled at Talladega May 20, 1865. Ibid.; J.
R. Hopkins Papers; Citizens Papers (M346, Roll 877), T. J. Robinson File; CSR . . . Nitre and Mining
Bureau (M258, Roll 113), T. J. Robinson File.

Solomon Roe worked at Big Spring Sept.-Dec (2 days) 1862. CSA Payrolls.

Andrew C. Russell labored at Nickajack Jan. 1863; Pack Cave Jan.-Aug. 1863; Camp near
Kingston Oct. 1863; Little River Nov. 1863-Apr. 1864; Big Spring May 1864; and Blue Mountain
June-July 1864. Ibid.

John Satterfied worked at Big Spring Sept.-Nov. 1862, Jan. 1863. Ibid.

Merny Y. Scott (b. c1834), a South Carolina native, lived with his parents before the war in
Gordon County, Georgia. He was laborer at Parten Cave June 1862; Cave Spring June 1862; foreman
of cave Sept., Nov.-Dec. 1862, and superintendent Jan. 1863 at Fort Payne; boiler at Sauta Mar. 1863;
foreman or superintendent Apr.-Nov. 1863, Feb. 1864, wagoner Jan. 1864, and foreman of hoppers
Mar.-June 1864 at Big Spring; and a laborer at Blue Mountain July 1864. 1860 Census, Ga., Gordon,
Spring Town, 330; CSA Payrolls.

John Simpson worked at Big Spring Oct. 1862. Ibid.

David Smith also was a Big Spring laborer Oct. 1862. Ibid.

William Smith worked at Sauta Nov.-Dec. 1862, Jan., Mar., Apr.-July 1863; Town Creek
Potash Works Aug., Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov. 1863. Ibid.

William Bradley Stephens (b. c1837), a Walton County, Georgia, native, became a private,
Company C, 9" Georgia Infantry, June 13, 1861. He was wounded in the hand, losing two fingers, at
2™ Bull Run August 30, 1862, and was discharged Jan. 23, 1863. He was a laborer at Chattanooga
Potash Works July-Aug. 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Big Spring Nov. 1863, Mar.-Apr.
1864; and Big Spring, also Nov. 1863, Mar.-Apr., June 1864. At Big Spring he was also a barrelmaker
Dec. 1863-Jan. 1864, and boiler Feb. 1864, and at Blue Mountain he was also a cooper Feb. 1864, and
mechanic July 1864. He was assistant superintendent at Long Hollow May 1864, and had unspecified
duties at Cedar Mountain July 28, Sept. 1864. Ibid.; J.R. Hopkins Papers; Henderson, Georgia Roster,
1s 3018.

William M. Swafford (b. c1839), apparently a Marshall County, Alabama, resident, born in
Marion County, Tennessee, married Sarah Baird Sept. 29, 1860. He was a laborer at Sauta Nov. 1862-
May, July 1863; Town Creek Potash Works Oct. 1863; and Big Spring Nov.-Dec. (2 days) 1863, and
then deserted. J. R. Hopkins Papers; Brooks, Marriage Records of Marshall County 1849-1 869, 64;

it

CSA Payrolls.

George Swartz was a laborer Apr., July 1863, and miner May 1863 at Sauta, and also a
laborer at Big Spring July 1863. Ibid.

General J. Walden was a laborer at Battle Creek Sept.-Oct. 1862; Sauta Apr., July 1863;
Chattanooga Potash Works May-Aug. 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Blue Mountain Nov.
1863-Jan. 1864; Big Spring Feb.-June 1864; and Little Warrior July 1864. He also was a miner at
Sauta May 1863. Ibid.

Henry W. Walker (b. c1839) seems to have been from Heard County, Georgia. He worked
at Parten May-June 1862; Ravenel June 1862; Bartow July 1862; Cherokee Potash Works July-Aug.
1862; Chattanooga Potash Works Nov. 1862, Jan.-Mar., May 1863; Lookout May, July 1863;
Nickajack July 1863; Camp near Kingston Oct. 1863; Big Spring Jan., June 1864; Blue Mountain Feb.
1864; Cedar Mountain Feb.-Apr. 1864; and Long Hollow Apr. (7 days) 1864. At Big Spring he was
also boiler Nov. 1863, and night watchman May 1864. Ibid.; J. R. Hopkins Papers.

Wade H. Wallace, a resident of Cobb County, Georgia, labored at Parten May-June 1862;
Ravenel June 1862; Cave Spring June 1862; and Big Spring Sept. 1862-Nov. (7 days) 1863 and then
deserted. He took the U.S. oath of allegiance at Louisville Dec. 18, 1863, to remain north of the Ohio
River the remainder of the war. CSA Payrolls; CSR... Nitre and Mining Bureau (M258, Roll 113),
Wade H. Wallace File.

William L. Wallace worked at Parten May-June 1862; Ravenel June 1862; Cave Spring June
1862; and Big Spring Sept. 1862-Apr., June-Nov. (8 days) 1863, and also deserted. CSA Payrolls.

David Weatherly (c1792-/11870), a Scottish-born Marshall County farmer, in 1850 lived next
door to Joseph McDerment. He seems to have worked at Big Spring Mar., June-Aug. 1863. David
Weatherly, Jr. (b. c1830), was a cook at Big Spring Dec. 1862-June 1863. Also, in Jan. And Feb.
1863, he supplied a wagon and team. It is likely that the Weatherly names are mixed on the payrolls.
Only the June 1863 roll is signed as “Jr.” 1850 Census, Ala., Marshall, 22™ Dist., 182; (1860), W.
Div., Guntersville P.O., 3; (1870), Subdiv. 45, Guntersville P.O., 37; CSA Payrolls.

Patrick White (b. c1823), an Irish native, was a miner at Blue Mountain Nov. 1863, and Big
Spring Nov. 1863-Mar. 1864. J. R. Hopkins Papers; CSA Payrolls.

A. G. Wood was a worker at Sauta Nov. 1862-Jan., Mar., May-July 1863; Town Creek
Potash Works Aug.-Oct 1863; and Big Spring Nov. (5 days) 1863, and then deserted. Ibid.

George Steptoe Woodall (c1822-f11870), a Jackson County, Alabama, farmer, was
wagonmaster at Blue Mountain Feb.-Apr. 1864; Big Spring May-June 1864; and Little Warrior July
1864. Feb.-June 1864 he made repairs on government wagons, and in early Sept. 1864 he was the
Ninth District wagonmaster. 1860 Census, Ala., J ackson, 3" Dist., Paint Rock P.O., 9; (1870), TSR3E,
Woodville P.O., 3; Pauline Jones Gandrud, Alabama Records (245 vols., Easley, S.C., 1981), 19: 96;
Ann B. Chambless to Marion O. Smith, Jan. 1, 1990; Citizens Papers (M346, Roll 1138), G. 5;
Woodall File; CSA Payrolls.

Jacob Woodall (b. c1844), ason of P. R. And Christine Woodall of Marshall County, worked
at Sauta Dec. 1862-Mar. 1863; and Big Spring Aug. 1863. 1860 Census, Ala., Marshall, TSR4E,
Kanammer P.O., 49; CSA Payrolls.

S. P. Woodall (b. c1834), a Jackson County, Alabama, farmer, was a laborer at Sauta Dec.
1862-May 1863, and Big Spring July 1863. 1860 Census, Ala., Jackson, 3" Dist., Paint Rock P.O.,
11; CSA Payrolls.

C. W. Wright (c1845), born in Cherokee County, Georgia, labored at Big Spring Oct.-Nov.
1862, Jan., May, 1864. During Oct. 1863 he also supplied a wagon and team. At Nixon’s he was a
boiler Mar. 1864, and laborer Apr. 1864. Ibid.

Elizabeth A. Wright (c1824-/11870), South Carolina-born wife of John H. Wright, was a cook
at Big Spring Nov. 1862. 1860 Census, Ala., Marshall, E. Div., Big Spring P.O., 29; (1 870), Subdiv.
45, Guntersville P.O., 42; CSA Payrolls.

John H. Wright _(c1822-/11870), a native North Carolina Marshall County farmer, was
foreman of the cave at Big Spring Sept.-Nov. 1862; cook Sept. 1-14, 1862; and special messenger
from Big Spring to Huntsville Sept. 21-22, 1862. 1870 Census, Ala., Marshall, Subdiv. 45,

12

Guntersville P.O., 42; CSA Payrolls; Ctiizens Papers (M346, Roll 1146), John H. Wright File.

William C. Wright (b. c1846), a son of John H. And Elizabeth A. Wright, was born in
Georgia. He hauled at Big Spring with a team and wagon Nov. 1862. 1860 Census, Ala., E. Div., Big
Spring P.O., 29; CSA Payrolls.