Heroes and martyrs of Georgia : Georgia's record in the revolution of 1861 / by James M. Folsom

HEROES'AND MARTYRS J!
OF * -
GEORGIA. i i
IN
GEORGIAN RECORD
THE
REVOLUTION OF 1881.
VOLUME FIRST. t
2BY J^MES JS.
OF GORDON, GEORGIA.

7 MACON, GA.: BURKE, BOYKIN & COMPANY.
.i i "' i

1 S



HEKOES AND
OF
I
r GEOKG-IA.
GEORGIA'S RECORD
IN THE
REVOLUTION OF 1861.
\\
BY JAMES' M.
MACON, GA.:
B!JRKE, BOYKIN & COMPANY.
1864.

\

* Altered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by

JAMES M. FOLSQM,

^

in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the Confederate States for the

Southern District of Cfeorgia.

t

r.<-,A

PREFACE.

THS first volume of Heitoes and Martyrs> Ac., which I am herewith

eenting to the public, had been written, and the material collected

circumstances of the most unfavorable character, during the hottest portion

of one of the most extraordinary campaigns ever fought, on- this ot any

other continent.

'

The gentlemen who havis so kindly assisted me in collecting the material,

and whose names I append, were compelled, with perhaps a few'exceptions,

to lie in the trenches around Petersburg, under an almost constant can

nonade, while every instrument of destruction that man's ingeHoity could

devise, was flying thick and fast around him,'and while there wrote Ml

the MSS. from which this volume is compiled.

!

'

It was my hope when. I comm% enced mylabors, that the larger portion ,of my work would be filled with incidents of personal (heroism; and it i* a.

bitter disappointment to me (owing to the difficulty Of obtaining namea and

incidents,) to pres%nt thte work to the public, witbotjk more1 of tke mgpaM

of those, to whom it is Dedicated, filling its pages. <

I have attempted to avoid all superfluity of language, and to render the

book perfectly comprehensible to every reader.

'

--

The footing up of the losses of the different commands may appear strange A.
to many, especially thosie whose losses have exceeded their strength, such

as the Third and Sixth Regiments. This, however, is explained by the

fact, that many of the wounded have been wounded] more than once, and

that the real losses from wounds are those who have been retired or dis

charged.

.

I desire to express my thanks to the officers who have so kindly assisted

me, and particularly to Colonel LOFTIK, of the Sixth Georgia, to whose

courtesy I am indebted for the facility with which 1 collected my material

while in Virginia. I desire that the following namefl gentlemen will accept

my thanks for they* generous assistance, and kindx syjmpathy with my under*

taking:

'

N

Colonel WIIXIAM GIBSOS. .... ...........Forty-ighfi Georgia Regiment.

Lieutenant-Colonel M. R. HALL. ..........

" I "\

NISBKT........... ....Third

"* V "

PREFACE.

Adjutant J. A. BTBD ... ^, ............... Sixifr-fourth Georgia Regiment.

Major J. D. FRXDZMCK. ........... J .... Tenth Georgia Battalion.

Colonel J. N. RAX&KT. ................ ...First Georgia Regiment.

Colonel NKAL ......................... .NLo^teentb Georgia Regiment.

Colonel JOHJT T. Lorax. ............... .Sixtty

"

"

Colonel HUGGDCS, and Major BALLKKGKB.. .Twenty-third "

"

Adjutant T. 0. WICKI*. ............. ^. .Twenty-eighth "

SergeactPisiB..... ..................... , "

"

"

MftJMr B.tsszKn. ....................... Eighteenth Georgia Battalion.

Sergeant Major HAMUS ................ .Cutttf Artillery Battalion.

Oaptaia WOTTOSD. ..................... .Phillips' Legion Cavalry Battalion.

Captain NpawooD ............. ........ Thonaaa' Brigade.

.<

Adjutant MAKK NIWKAX. .............. .Forty-ninth Georgia Regiment

Lieutenant-Colonel McCroLOH. .......... .Thirty-fifth "

"

'

Optaia T, C. MOOM. ................. .Foort^entt "

"

In wirfjing them a happy exemption from the casualties of any future

agagwneiit, and the pleasures of a safe and happy return to their homes,

when -white-robed peace shall again smile upon us, in the enjoyment of

oar dearest rights, is my heart's sincere feelingc

To the press aod public I would say, deaf leniently with this work, a* it

ia the labor of a young beginner in the world of literature. If you find,

a*i yam BO doubt will, abundant food for criticism, then J! implore you, for

the sake of his motives, spare

;

THE AUTHOR.

TO

t*

WHOSE UNDnaXISHED AM) UNWAVERING VALOR HAS LONG

jt

BOAiT OP THEIR NATIVE STATE.'

TBB fKIDB AJTD

8urWSRn<Gs, PRIVATIONS, WOUXDS, AMD DXATHJS, HAVB BXXH so LOTO

DEKPLT DEPLORE):

t

WHO, BT THBCB GALLANTRY, BATE ILLUSTRATED THB CHARACTER OF

/

.

.

WHO, BY THEIR GLORIOUS DEATHS, HATE FILLED A mOHE IX THB

TJEJCPLE OF UNDTINQ

AVD

THIS

IS AFFBCTIOJCATILT OEDIOATID ! (T

THB AUTHOR,

CONDENSED STATISTICAL, REPORTS.

1

">'

STRENGTH.

DEATHS.

Lot

VTHER .i*:?Sffcc*

THAN

CASUALTIES IN

f l)B

t

BATTLE.

N A M p] S

gD.Seis;erted.

o

o
N

OK
REGIMENTS AND BATTALIONS.

oH
V.olunter*. R.ecmits. Co.nscriptei. H f r i

E
*-->
&

aS.

H

Dis1.ch*arge^

S>*+

J i &n

t-:&-

i

H
i
<00s
I

H
0
5r

I*

i->
r

Kiled... Wo.jinded.,. 1 f

1



1 First, Georgia Regiment. .'. ... ....... ....... 1,070

i

,070

200

200

Eighteenth Georgia Regiment...... ... ........ 841 864 88 ,248 184 180 364 588 142

675 1 .089 184 538 717

Sixth Georgia Regiment. .......... ........ 724 568 * .292 289 244 483 659 189

848 1,831 289 659 898

Nineteenth Georgia Regiment . . . . ...........

,258 184 258 487 : 680 170

800 1,287 184 680 814

Twenty -third Georgia Regiment. ............. 794 300 87 ,131 153 175 828, 340 164 61 91 656 984 158 840 498

pw
CO

Twenty-eighth Georgia Regiment. ........... Twenty-seventh Georgia Regiment . ..........

168 243 396 280 94

684 467 .... ,151 104 268 872

174

874 770 153 280 488 174 546 104 * 104

Third Georgia Regiment. ....................

O

O

Forty eighth Georgia Regiment. ..............

J

TM

~.

TM

Tenth Georgia Battalion . ...................

982 551 854 241 88
846 298 a

,483 221 272 498 ! 667 842 ,128 189 261 450 ' 858 1()2 641 84 156 190 11H 54 4

1,009 1 ,502 221 667 888 19 479 919 189 858 C47 15 191 881 84 118 152

Sixty-fourth Georgia Regiment. .............. 875

87B

248

Phillips' Georgia Legion, (Cavalry,).. ............

Cuttfl' Georgia Artillery Battalion. ..........

180 876 .... 55A 28 104 182 154 76 48 H 287 419 28 154 182

Eighteenth Georgia Battalion. ............... 297 177 .

456 8 20 29 8 60 48 28 189 167 8 8 76

Forty-ninth Georgia Regiment. ............... Thirty-fifth Georgia Regiment. ............... F----o-u--r--t--e,e--n--t.h_----G_e_o_rg--ia----R----e2g--i--m--e----n--t.----.--.--.----.----.--.--.j..--.--.--.--.--.._._.

1,160 142 289 481 468 194

. * . 740 585

1,27 128 128

769 828 . .. t-.. 1,097 188 212 851 486 178

ft 6 ....

668 1,099 142 468 605 582 660 128 429 557
614 964 188 486 614

REGIMENT j
i
fGEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.

THE following "brief record of the First Gecjrgia Volunteers*

from the pen of its Colonel, will be read with interest, as it id

,the first official history of that regiment, which! has come before

the public.

'

't /

The First Regimenlt of Georgia Volunteers was organised at

$faeon, qn the 3d da^jr of April? 1861, by the electidn/of J. N".

Rarasey to the Colonelcy, J. O. A. Clarke to the Lieutenant

Colonelcy, and G. Harvey Thompson, Major. |-

In pursuance of orders from the Governor! of Georgia, the

regiment?departed immediately for Pensacoh, Florida, where,

under the command of General Bragg, they Wre for two months

employed in preparing the defences for- A co iternplated attack

from the enemy. At the expiration of the two months, tlte

regiment was ordered to report at Richmond, Virginia. Oa

arriving at Richmond] orders;were received fro m the President to ^

repair immediately toi Statmton, in the Valley of Virginia. Upon

the arrival of the regiment at that point, we w< sre ordered to take

up the line of march'across the mountains to Laurel Hill, to the

support of General Garnett, whose command was threatened by

an overpowering force of the enemy, under General Q. B.

McClelkn.

,!

f> I -r

Upon the arrivaj of the regiment, in Jtme, 1861, it was

immediately engaged in fortifying the camp 1 1 Laurel H^l, with

the few troops under the command of GenfTsl Garnett; in aU

not amounting to m^re than three thousand,: it that point.

In a few days, thb enemy appeared in larjfe force, in front of

our position, and attempted to seize upon the heights, which

would, without doubtj have given them comj lete command dref

the camp. A sharp combat ensued, in whic xthe First Georgia

drove the enemy at the point of the bayone;, from the height*,

they leaving many of their dead upon tbe fie [<f The low of the

First Georgia was very small, not one being tolled, dot fverffy,

8

HEKOES AND MARTTKS OF GEOBGIA.

and several slightly wounded. This was the first time the regiment was ever under fire or actively engaged; and their conduct was all their commander conld have desired. Skirmishing co*ntinued daily'for /a ^' eek, e'nding a1 lmost every evening,
with a brisk cannonade by the enemy. Our positron at Rich Mountain having been turned by the
enemy, which gave them control of the only road through the mountains by which General Garnett received his supplies, it became necessary to evacuate our position ;at Laurel Hill. The
army, on account of its small numbers, ajid being cut off from all supplies and support, was now in a very perilous condition. An overwhelming force of the enemy wad in our front; a large force which had just taken Rich Mountain, moving in our rear; a large force at New Creek and West Union, in striking distance of tbe only route by which we could possffcly escape; together with the fact that we were already out of provisions, rendered a successful retreat very precarious, and fropi which nothing but an indomitable resolution to clear ourselves from the toils in which we were ensnared, could ever have relieved us. . The lamented General Garnett, comprehending fully the responsibilities of his position, calmly made his dispositions, and at night-fall, in good order, commenced a retrograde movement ia the direction of Beverly; then turning offf to the left, pursued tbe St. George road, ia order again to get in communication with his supplies aod supports. To accomplish fhis movement, a long and circuitous route had to be traveled, with impassible moun tains on either hand, and an enemy powerful in numbers and * munitions of war, was hanging upon our rear, and threatening OUT front at the only point, as before stated, where we could make our escape from this net, whose meshes had entangled us. . ,Cht the second day of the retreat, the enemy came upon the *& of. our little_ band of Confederates j the First Georgia covering the retreat. As soon as the enemy conceived a flank movement, the Colonel commanding the First, threw out two companies to tbe left, who drove them baclf. A heavy column
tiUery, was then discovered advancing upon our troops, wind tfwethen tiling through Cheat River. In order to protect thesfci, the^Colonel of t^e First Georgia ordered his regiment to
tx> the right, pass the river, and attack the enemy. Leading companies across, be ordered fire to open on the advancing
qptanq, which waj promptly executed, and a galling fire was

flKST GEORGIA
poured into the advancing foe. JMatters japon the left did not progress so well, i Six companies were efiectually cut off and could not pass, but made their way throug 3 the mountains, .and joined their, comrades after many days of the most intense. suffering, in many cases amounting to incip ent starvation.
The four companies wtio were making!the desperate stand alluded to above, being almost enveloped by the heavy masses of/ the enemy, having received BO supports, {and having ( entirely despaired of receiving assistance from the; six companies who were cut off, and there being bat about tik'o hundred of these noble Georgian's tq contend against the whoje Yankee army, who were pouring a hot fire of artillery and musketry into our ranks from every point, were ordered to fall back.i In this rencounter, the regiment lost twenty men, mostly captured by the enemy.
At the next ford General Garnett made a stand, about a mile from the scene of the conflict above described. At this point, General Garnett lost his life, and Colonel R^msey took command of the forces by seniority of rank; who, seeing the danger of the situation, ordered a forced march this night^ in order to turn the. enemy's camp in front, which seemed to be the only chance or hope of escape. The plan was attended- with complete success-, and the army saved with inconsiderable loss. To<j> much praise cannot be bestowed upon the loyal citizens of that portion of the Old Dominion, for-the timely jassistancc whicl} they furnished our sick and famishing soldiers, on that toilsom^ march.
By rapid marches, the army soon arrived at Monterey, and were again moved forward under the command of General Henry H. Jackson of Savannah, to check the enemy's advance on Green Brier River. In an affair on Che^t Mountain, the regiment lost two or three killed, and xs<jveral wounded; the enemy suffered much njore. The main guard of the Yankees were here cui off from under the guns of their fortified camp,[and killed, wounded ' or dispersed by the'advance guard of our forces, composed <jf one hundred men from the First and Twelfth] Georgia Regiments.
On the 3d day of October, 1861, Nthe ejnemy in large force attacked General Jackson, and after a severe contest of eight hours, were driven back with considerable loss. "The loss of this regiment amounted to fifty-one killed, wounjded and missing.
Lieutenant Colonel Claike having resignejJ his'commission, an election to fill the vacancy was ordered, a^d Major was elected. Adjutant J. W. Andersonjwaa eleeted to
B

10

HXROBS AND MARTYB8 OP* GEORGIA.

Majority. About the 25th day of Deceknber, the regiment was

ordered to join the forces of Stonewall Jackson at Winchester,

Virginia, and participated in the campaigns of Bath and Roraney,

<tae of the most disagreeable of the war, owing to the terrible

weather.

,

The loss of this regiment was considerable, from constant

exposure to the many hardships connected with this campaign.

The weather was intensely cold,* and storms of sleet and rain

were numerous.

In March, 1862, the time for which this regiment enlisted

expired, and they were mnstered out of service. The health of

the Colonel, feeble at the beginning of the war, had, in conse

quence of the exposure and many fatigues he had undergone,

almost totally failed, and in consequence, the regiment was never

reorganized; but all the members not disabled, affcer a short

respite, were organized into artillery and other companies, and

a/gain entered the service. Many wefle placed in important

commands, which they now hold in the Confederate army; and

not a few have nobly fallen on the many $ory battle-fields of this ,

revolution.

Composed of intelligent patriots, brave and self-sacrificing-

heroes, they bore patiently toe severe trials and sufferings through

which they passed. Their commander found it necessary only to

appeal to their sense of doty, to enforce discipline; and in no'case,

during their term of service, was any officer court-maVtialed

fbr failure to discharge his duty, or for conduct unbecoming

an officer or a gentleman. The severest punishment inflicted

upon a private, was confinement in the guard tent for' a few days.

' The total losses of the regiment from all causes, was about

tWo hundred, mostly from sickness and unavoidable exposure.

1 The above history of the first regiment Georgia sent into the

field, is incomplete, as all statistical records are lost, and at this

late day, many of the most interesting facts and much important

matter connected with the regiment, cannot be obtained.

Since the above was written, I have received the following

statement of the original organization of the First Georgia

Regiment:--

Company A, Newtian Guards, Coweta County, Caplaiu G. M Harvey. dotopany B, Sootbera Guards, Mnscogee Coynty, Captain F. Wilkins.
Southern Rights Guards, Houston Conifcty, Captain J. A. Houser.

D, Ogtethorpe Light Infantry, Richmond County, Captain -- Adams.

FIRST GEOBQIA BEGIMENt1.

Company E, Washington Rifles, Washington County, Captain S. A. H. Jonea.

Company F, Gate City Guards, Fulton County, Captain !W. Eziard.

Company G, Quitman Guardsf Moaroe County, Captain il.ls. Pinckard.

Company H, Dahlonega Volunteers, Lumpkin County, ptain T. B. Cabiness.

Company I, Bainbridge Independent Volunteers, Decatur County, Captain J^W

Evans.

/

i"

'

Company K, Walker liigbt Infantry, Riofamond County] Captain -- Oromp,

Lieutenaodt James Andersen, of Company AJ Adjutant,

Henry/Welch of Company A, Sergeant Mtydr.

P. D/B. Culler, of Perry, Georgia, Surgctn.

[N(9 Assistant Surgeon.]

i

lieutenant Atkinson, of Columbus, Quartermaster.

Captain George Dunn, of Forsyth,

,' Captain G. Cunningham, Commissary.

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS,

STATISTICAL REPORT OP EIGHTEENTH GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.

Number of men originally enlisted,

841

Number of recruits,

864

Number of eon*Cripta,

, 38

Total strength of regimeut:

1243

CASUALTIES IX

May 7th......... 1862, Eltham's Landing,

May Slst.... . .. .1862, Seven Pines, . . . *

June 27th.......

Gaines' Farm,

. . .

July 2d....... ..

Malvern Hill,

. j.

Freeman's Ford, . ' .

August 29th. ...

Thoroughfare Gap,

.

August 30th .....

Manassas, Number 2,

September 14th..

Boonsboro Gap,

September 1 7th . .

Sharpsbur^r, . . .

December 13th,..

FredericksLurg, . : .

May 3d...... ... 18 3, Chancellorstille, . . ! ,

July 2d........

Gettysburg, .

j

Chester Gap, . . '" .

September

Chattanooga, .

November 29th...

Knoxville, . . .

December 13th...

Bean Station,

May 6th........1864, Wilderness,

May 10, 11, & 12 " Spcttsylvania Court House,

Jane 1st......... " Coal Harbor, . . .

July 29th........ " Deep Bottom, .

TOTAL,

Number of men died of wounds and disease, Number of men discharged,

Killed. Wounded.

3

37

106

3

7

37

87

1

27

63

14

30

21

80

31

9

3

15

23

.1

7

37

10

30

4

25

184

533

180 142

EECAPITTTLATIOy.
Killed, Womnded, Died, . Discharged,
TOTAL,

184 533 180 142
1089

j

EIGHTEENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

18

Bv the foregoing recapitulation and statistieal report, it will be seen that this regiment has been actively engaged in twenty battles, in fifteen of which it suffered more of less.
The total loss, counting the wounded men, many of whom are of course still in the regiment, amounts to Qne thousand and thirty-nine men. This is, however, only a temporary loss. The real loss of the reeiment is as follows :-- j

Killed, Died, Discharged,

'184 180 142

Amounting to

506 men/

The Eighteenth Georgia Regiment was organized at Camp

Brown, Cobb County, Georgia, on the 22d <jUy of April, 1861,'

under a special act of the Georgia Legislature, and formed the

First Regiment, Fourth Brigade, State Troop$, under the follow

ing named field officers: Colonel W. T. Wdfford, of Cassvilie,

Cass County; Lieutenant Colonel S. Z. Ruiff, of the Georgia

Military Institute, Marietta, Cobb County; Major Jefferson.

Johnson, Floyd County; Adjutant John 0. Griffin, Marietta,

Cobb Countv .

'

I* .

The changes in the field officers are as follows: Adjutant J. C.

Griffin elected Major, April 7th, 1862, to succjeed Major Johnson,

resigned. Colonel Wofford was appointed! Brigadier Ge%e1ral^

January 1st, 1863, successor to General T.iR. R. Cobb$ killed

December 13th, 1862. Lieutenant A. Hj. Patton promoted

Adjutant, April 7th, 1862, successor to Adjutant Griffin, promoted

Major. Lieutenant Colonel Run0 promote<3l to the Colonelcy,

January 1st, 186&, successor to Colonel iWofford, promoted

Brigadier.

j

Captain J. A. Stewart promoted to Majo^. successor tp Major

John C. Griffin, appointed Commissary of Subsistence. Captain

Joseph Armstrong appointed Colonel, January 6th, 1864, succes

sor to Colonel Rufi; killed November 29tfc, 1863. Captain F.

M. Ford appointed Lieutenant Colonel,! Mar^ch 25th, 1864,

successor to Lieutenant Colonel Ruff. Cafptain TV. G. Calahan

appointed Major, January 6th, successorj. to Major Stewart,

resigned. Sergeant E. N. Everett appointed Adjutant, successor

to Adjutant Patton, who was appointed Captain and Assistant

Adjutant General OD General Wofford's st^ff.

The brigade was organized ----- day r of ----, ----, and

14

HEROES AND MARTYRS OP GEORGIA.



transferred to Camp McDonald, Cobb County, Georgia. After

nearly two months of preparatory drilling at the latter place,

the brigade (the Fourth, State Troops,) was broken up, and the

regiments and battalions composing it were ordered to report to

Richmond, having been transferred to the service of the Confed

erate States.

The regiment left Camp McDonald on the 2d day of August,

1861, and arrived at Richmond on the 7th. During the greats-

portion of the time they were in Richmond, they were on duty

guarding the prisoners captured in the first battle of Manassas.

On the 26th of October,' the regoiment havingO been-:.re4lieved from this duty by the Second Florida Regiment, received orders to

report to Goldsbero, North Carolina, for garrison duty. They

remained here about two weeks, when they received orders to

report back to Richmond. On the 18tfe, they departed for the

Potomac, and were attached to the Texas brigade then com

manded by General "Wigfall, and were stationed in the vicinity

of Dumfries. Here they remained iall winter, doing picket and

other duties. On the 8th of March, 1862, the Eighteenth left

camp on the Potomac, and entered upon" the campaign of that

year with the Army of Northern Virginia.

The brigade, at this time, was under the command of

Brigadier General Hood, General Wigfall having resigned. The

brigade marched from Dumfries to Yorktown, which being the

first march of the regiment, and the men being unaccustomed to

the hardships of a long inarch, suffered greatly from the exposure

and severities of the march. They were afterwards detailed to

guard the right flank of the army, on its retreat from Yorktown.

On the seventh of May, the enemy in considerable force, attacked

the right flank of General Johnson's arttiy, and were repulsed

by the brigade near Eltham's Landing, the Eighteenth Georgia

bearing a conspicuous part in the engagement. On the 31st of

May and the 1st of June, the regiment participated in the battle

of Seven Pines, sustaining a loss of three men wounded. Tie

regiment was afterward kept in the Chickahominy Swamp,

doing picket duty, and throwing up fortifications, <fcc., until the

12th of June, when they were transported to Staunton, to

reinforce General Stonewall Jackson ; at which point they

arrived on the 18th; and on the 19th left Staunton, and were

transported to Frederick's Hall, remaining there for two days to

EIGHTEENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

15

prepare for the great work anticipated by that far-seeing chieftain, '

General Jackson.

<

On the 26th, the regiment arrived in froht of Richmond,

' opposite Mechanicsville, and at four o'clock ip the evening, on '

the 2 Ttli of June, they went into the battle iof Gaines' Farm, charging the enemy's batteries, placed in position under the

-'-. immediate supervision of General McClellan hipiseif, and said by

him to be impregnable; but the intrepid spirits composing the >

Texas brigade, needed only the command of onicard, to drive the

vandals from their guns, and turn them upon tjhe retreating foe.

The battle closed about nine o'clock in the evening* the whole

country being covered with the victims of thd horrid strife.

The Eighteenth Georgia in this engagement, captured nine

splendid brass pieces of artillery, with a loss ito the regiment of

- thirty-seven killed, and one. hundred and six; wounded. They

remained on the field the remainder of the night. The 2th was'

spent in burying the dead, and caring for the wounded. On the

29th, they took up the line of march in pursuit of McGlellan's

retreating and badly whipped forces. On theiSlst, the regiment

received a heavy shelling at White Oak Swamj), but sustained no

loss. On the 1st of July, it took an active ptirt in the battle of

Malvern Hill. The casualties in this fight wefe three killed and ' seven wounded. On the 4th, the regiment inarched to Charles City Court House. The regiment was very inuch fatigued, but

after remaining1 at the latter place four days, were ready and

willing to perform any duty which might have been assigned it. On the 8th, the regiment marched for Richmond, where it

arrived on the 10th. Here it went into camp, where it quietly remained until the 7th of August, when, iti response to the

command of forward, it marched to the plains of Manassas,

where it arrived on the 29th of August, having undergone manv

hardships and privations, being frequently compelled to subsist on green corn, as it was impossible to obtain1 any other kind cf

food. The regiment during this march, was engaged in two different encounters with the enemy, the first at Freeman's Ford,

and the second at Thoroughfare Gap.

j

At six o'clock in the evening of the 29lih of August, .the

regiment engaged the enemy in a hand to haad encounter. After two hours hard fighting, they succeeded in repulsing the enemy,

with the following result: A large number j of prisoners were

taken. Private T. H. Northcutt of Company A, captured one

16

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.



stand of colors belonrrinor to the Twenty-fourth Xew York

;

*-

.

*

Regiment. On the 30th. the regiment participated in the second

battle of Manassas, completely routing the enemy, killing the

greater portion of the Fifth and Tenth Xew York Zouave

Resriments, and capturing a battery of four guns.

D'uring the heat of the engagement. Private "\Villiam Kay

succeeded in* capturing the color? of the Tenth Xew York

Regiment. The casualties during this terrific battle in the old

Eighteenth, amounted to thirty-seven killed and eighty-seven

wounded.

Aagust 31st was spent in burying the dead and attending to

the wounded. The regiment left during the latter date, and by

severe marching arrived at the Potomac on the 5th day of Sep

tember, crossed and marched to Frederick City. Maryland, where

it remained and rested three days. On the 14ih of September

a portion of the army were hotly engaged at Boonsborough

Mountain. Hood's Brigade, by a forced inarch, arrived in time

to take a part in the engagement. The Eighteenth Georgia in

this fisrht lost but one wounded. On the 17th of September

the regiment was engaged in the battle of Sharpsburg, and from

five o'clock in the morning until late in the evening, bore a prom-

^-

v.

1

inent part in that bloody strife, losing (27) twenty-seven killed,

and (63) sixty-three wounded. During the night of the 16th

the ..regiment recrossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown, and

were there compelled to assist the teamsters in gaining the

heights on the south bank of the river, the mud being too deep-

for the half-worn down animals to drag their loads through,

which consisted of principally army stores, collected from the

enemy while in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The regiment

encamped for the remainder of the night at Martinsburg, and

after a week of much needed rest, again took up the line of march

&p'Winchester, where ity went into camp-on the 29th v remain

ing there for one month. At this point the regiment received a

new supply of clothing, of which they Ptoed greatly in need,

particularly of shoes. Many of the poor Georgia boys had

marched mile after mile aud fought several battles with their

feet bare, and bleeding at almost every fctep. On the 29th of

October the regiment again struck camp and marched for Cul-

pepper, arriving there on the 1st day of "November, and on the

20th of the same month marched for Fredericksburg, at which

place it arrived and went into camp on the 28th. Under an

EIGHTEENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

17

order from the War Department, the regiment was transferred

from General Hood's Texas Brigade to General Cobb's Georgia

Brigade. This change, at the time, was notj much relished by

the majority of the Regiment, who were not ^leased at the idea

of leaving their old and tried companions in fertms, the Texans ;

but tbeir new commander, the lamented Cobb, soon won their

confidence and admiration by his urbanity and zeal for their wel

fare, together with the many soldierly-qualities! which had already

marked him out fon high preferment in the; military line, and

which were unfortunately too soon thereafter fost to his brigade

and country.

i

j

On December 13th, together with the remainder of Cobb'S

Brigade, the regiment went into the battle <^f Fredericksburg,

in which engagement it sustained very nobly its former dearly

bought reputation. It was upon this day tha|t the brigade lost

its ga.llant leader, General Cobb, who fell while among his noble

baud of Georgians, speaking words of encouragement, and cheer

ing them with his presence.

I

In this engagement, one of the severest of t|ie war, the Eigh

teenth killed, in all probability, one half its dumber--itself BUS*

taining a loss of fourteen killed and thirty wotmded.

The regiment remained in camp after the bafttle of Fredericks-

burg until the night of the 30th of April, whefc it marched up to

Chancellorsville, where it lay in line of battle until the 3d of

May, wheu the great contest began. The rtegiment jvas very

hotly engaged for one hour aud twenty-five minutes, confronting

the formidable works of tlie enemy, and sustaining a loss of

twenty-one killed and eighty-six wounded. Qu May 4th, an

advance was made upon the enemy and he wias driven toward

Baukstbrd, losing a great many prisoners. On the 1st of June

the regiment marched lor Culpepper Court illottse, where it

arrived after two days severe marching. On thei 16thk, it marched

from Culpepper by way of Woodsville, SperryvjUe, Little Wash

ington, to Parria, and crossed the Shenandoah River. On the

21st, recrossed the river at Ashby's Gap, nnd hiy-in line of battle

as support to cavalry. On the 22d, it crossed baek to same camp.

On the 24th, marched by way of Millwood, Berryville, Summer

Point, Smythville and Darksville, to Martinsbjurg; crossed the

Potomac, on the 26th, at Williamsport, and parched by way

of Hagerstown, Middleburg, Green Castle, Ctyambersburg and

Cashtown, to Gettysburg, where it arrived on the 31st.

C

18

HEROES AND MARTYRS Ofe* GEORGIA.

The troops suffered very severely on this march from the excessive heat; so great was it indeed that as many as one hun dred cases of sun-stroke occurred in the division during one day. On the 2d day of July the regiment was engaged in the battle of Gettysburg, driving the enemy for over a mile, and resting on the field daring the night. The casualties were nine killefl and thirty-one wounded. On the night of the 4th, marched by way of Fairfleld and Waterloo, to Hagerstofwn, remaining at the lat ter place until the 14th of August, awaiting an attack from the enemy. At that time the regiment recrossed the Potomac at Williamsport, marched to Bunker Hill; from thence to Culpepper Court House, where it arrived on the 24th instant. While on the march from Bunker Hill to Cul|>epper, the regiment was engaged in dislodging a body of the enemy's cavalry, sustaining no loss whatever.
General Longstreet's Corps being selected by General Lee to reiaforce General Bragg, in the West, ibe regiment accordingly, . on the 9th of September, was placed ;on the cars at Hanover Junction, and were, without delay, transported to Chickamangn, Georgia, where it arrived on the 19th, but did not participate in the battle of that name, as the brigadie could not get up to the scene of action in time. After some days spent in skirmishing with the enemy, in which the regiment ilpst altogether three men wounded, it was again, on the 5th of October, transported by railroad, by way of Cleveland, Charlestown and Athens, to Sweet Water, Tennessee. On the 12th, it marched from Sweet Water, by way of Philadelphia, Morgantonr Lbwdon, Lenoir Station, to Carapbell's Station, where it arrived on the 17th and took part in a heavy skirmish with the enemy, bet sustained no loss of life. On the 18th, marched within two miles of Knoxville. Heavy skirmishing was inaugurated and continued every day until the , 29th instant, when the Eighteenth participated in the celebrated charge of McLaws' Division on Fort Lowdon, in which the regi ment sustained one of the most irreparable losses which could have befallen it, viz: the loss of its gallant leader, Colonel S. Z. Ruff, Each member of the regiment! with perhaps a very few exceptions, mounred the loss of their Colonel as they would the losa of a father or a brother. Having been led by him in . every engagement, save two or three, they had become ardently attached to him, always feeling that all was right with the Eighteenth Georgia, at least, when Colonel Ruff was in command.

J

EIGHTEENTH GEORGIA RBGIMBJJT.

19

All honor to his name. The Colonel was commandlog Wofford's

Brigade when he received the shot that ended his earthly career.

x He received his mortal wound while endeavoring to scale the*

walls ot the fort. His name will long occupy a place in the

memories of the members of the regiment, who he had so long

} commanded. May hei rest in peace. During this engagement,

the regiment lost fifteen killed, and twenty-three wounded. On

the night pf the 4th of December, the regimentj marched by way

c of Rutledfe and Moorsburg, to Bean Station, wjhere, on the 13th,

Jit participated in a small skirmish with the enemy; remaining at

the latter place until the 20th, when it marche<j across the Hols-

$ton river to Russelville, and received" orders* to build winter

quarters. The men since the departure of the regiment from

4 before Chattanooga, and during the hard marching and fighting

f up to the time of their arrival at Russelville, had suffered severely

j for clothing, especially for shoes and blankets, and the weather

t being extremely cold in that region, adding to (which the eontin-

', ued snow and rain, showed many cases of. reaj misery ; but the

| spirits of these noble sons of the Empire State rpse proudly 'above

fall physical suffering, and but few murmurs were ever heard.

f The men went to work with a will, and socjn had some very

comfortable cabins erected, just in time for tlje Christmas holi

days, and it is almost needless to add that thjis mode of living

was duly appreciated by all.

j

1 The regiment remained in quarters until the ;llth of February,

.\ when it moved to New Market, when they again built winter

quarters, and there remained until the 22d, w ien they marched

5 to Greenville, remaining there until the 28tl of March, when

' they again took the road marching for Bristol, ^herethey arrived

on the Slst.

.

t

The regiment while encamped at Greenville^ re-trdisted unani-

mouely for the loar. On the 10th of April, [the regiment was

placed on board the cars, and transported o.'CbarlottesviHe,

Virginia. From thence they marched to Gor< lonsvilre, and from

thence to the battle ground of the Wilderness; arriving there

just in time by a forced march, to participate in the memorable

battle fought on the 6th' of May. The r?giment with the

remainder of Wofford's Brigade, went into |the fight at eight

o'clock in the morning, and very soon the command forward^

was given, and in a few moments, the leaden messengers of death

might be heard whistling through the ranks. | The enemy were

20

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

stubborn, and refused to give an inch of ground. Just at this time, General Wofford asked and obtained permission to make a flank movement on the enemy's left, which was attended with the most signal and triumphant success. Done as it was, with great promptness and celerity of movement, it caused the utter rout of the enemj1 aH along his front, thereby turning the tide of battle in favor of General Lee.
General Wofford merits a great deal of credit for the masterly manner in which this move was planned and curried into execution. The regiment lost in this engagement, seven killed and thirty-seven wounded. On the night of the 7th of May, the regiment marched for Spottsylvama Court'House, arriving there at eleven o'clock, on the morning of the 8th. Although the men were completely exhausted, they were immediately put into position in the lines, and on the 12th, participated in the battle knwn as the Horse Shoe, during which the Eighteenth charged the enemy, and retook a portion of the fortifications. The regiment lost in this battle, ten men killed and thirty wounded. After some fighting and marching, the regiment reached Coal Harbor, and there on the 1st of June, wag engaged in the battle known by that name, losing four men killed and twenty-five wounded.
Among the historic regiments of Georgia proudly stands the battle-scarred Eighteenth. Though no minstrel has tuned his harp to sing the praises, thotgh not seeking, and therefore not obtaining a newspnper reputation, this noble regiment haa gained a name which will live 'through all future time, in the memory of those who have BO closely watched ijts career of glory. Twenty times has its battle flag, the glorious Cross of the Confederacy, been observed with its fiery folds flashing brightly over as ma^iy gory fields. The soil of "Virginia has "drank, deeply drank" the life blood of many of these noble Georgians, as half clad and freezing, with feet bare and bleeding at every step, they plunged, with the startling, pierciag, enthusiastic veil of the Southern soldiery, into the midst of the <5gbt, driving in utter rout, the well dieeaed Federals before them. The sufferings pf our forefathers at the historic '^Iky forge; can scarce compare with the sufferings of the members of this and other regiments, but amid all their privations, when hunger with its gnawing pangs attacked them, and they suffering with a hundred discom forts, at the call of their leader, they would spriilg to their arms, and rush into the midst of the fray, caring for nought but for victory to again perch upon their banners.

SIXTH EEGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.

i
The Sixth Georgia-was organized at Atlanta, Georgia, OB t|>'e{

27th day of May, 1861, and was composed of the following com

panies :

i

Company A--Hancock County,

Company B--Dade

""

Company C--Houstori "

Company D--Butts

Company E--Crawford "

Company F--Mitchell

Company G--Taylor

"

Company H--Baker

"

Company I--Twiggs "

Company K--Ogletborpe "

i
Captain "V^". M. Arnold, Commanding.1

Captain John G. Hannah, "

Captain C. D^Anderson,

"

Captain John "WY Newton, "

Captain Wilde C. Cleveland, "

CaptaisflE. H. Shackleford, "

Captiin John T. Griffin, ^ "

Captdin A. H. Colquitt,

".

Captain John A. Barclay, "

Captain John T. Loftin, . "

STATISTICAL REPORT.

Number of men originally enlisted,

724

Number of recruits and conscripts,

568

Total,

LOOSES.

Killed in action, ....

238

Wounded,

....

639

Died of disease, ....

244

Diech 11 . r .

189

"Which shows a loss by death of To. which add discharged
Making a total loss to the regiment of .

482
189
^^^^MK
671 men.1

This regiment was mustered into service by Majer Elzey, and was the first from the State of Georgia,* and I believe from the Confederacy, enlisted for the war. Captain A. H. Colquitt was elected Colonel ; Captain J. M. Newton, Lieutenant Colonel, and Philemon Tracy, of Bibb, Major. Private W. F. Plane was elected Captain of Company H, and First Lieutenant Lewis J. Dupree was promoted Captain of Company D.

I shall ita

of this regiment in the language of Colonel Loftin,

22

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

The regiment at once proceeded to Richmond, Virginia, and at that place received orders to report immediately to Colonel J. B. Magruder, at Yorktown, Virginia.
On the 4th of June, 1861, six days beforfe the battle of Bethel-, we reached Yorktown. Though within hearing of the guns, we did not participate in the first infantry engagement of the war. While anxiously awaiting orders to join our comrades on the field, intelligence reached us that our arms were victorious, and that Butler was retreating to his stronghold at Fortress Monroe. We wereJBtationed at Yorktown from Juqe 4th, 1861, until the 3d of May, 1862. During these eleven months, with the excep tion of a slight skirmish, the Sixth Georgia did no fighting; but by thorough drilling, and those long and repeated marches by which General Magruder threatened first one point and then another, and thus, by artful and rapid movements with an incon siderable force, kept a large and formidable army inside their for tifications, the regiment was preparing for the arduous duties and brilliant achievements of the future. While at Yorktown we lost one hundred and twenty-five men; and very often by far the greater portion of the regiment was prostrated by sickness. Many of the diseases were incident to, and inseparable from, camp life, and the great and sudden change in the mode of living; but in my judgment, the greater part had their origin in defective policing of the camp. Those who thus died, far from their kindred and their homes, deserve not less the love and admiration of their country, thac those who fell upon the field of battle. Hundreds of our sick were removed to Gloucester county, on the opposite side of the York; and through the unprecedented attention of her worthy citizens, the lives of many were saved. Their fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters could not have treated them with greater kindness!. The names of Dr. Jooea and his estimable wife, Mr. and Mis. Baytop, Mr. and Mrs. Catlett, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, and Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs, and others, will be cherished in affectionate Remembrance as long as a single member of the Sixth Georgia survives. They fully sustained the far-famed reputation, of the Old Dominion for hospitality. . In the late fiery ordeal through which the citizens of Gloucester have passed, from Yankee invasion, she has had the cordial sympathy of the members of the Sixth Georgia, and it has been a common remark in the regimeht, that there are no people in the defence of whose homes and firesides its members

SIXTH \ GEORGIA REGIMENT.
would sooner pour gu$-their blood. On the 5th of April, Gen eral McCLellan, with'more than one hundred thousand men, waa brought to a halt in front of the work at Yorktown, by the brave and dauntless little army of General Magruder, numbering not more than nine thousand. On the 16th, the Sixth Georgia was, fbr the first tim^f under fire, having been thrown .out as skirmishers, a few hundred yards in advance of the works, to discover the precise position of the enemy. Here we bad three men wounded, Dr. James M. Montgomery, -of Company H, being one of them, and the first man ever wounded in the regiment. After the arrival of General Johnson's army .at Yorktown, we were temporarily attached to a brigade com manded by Brigadier General Gabriel J. Rains, of torpedo notoriety, and placed in the Division of General D. H; Hill. On the 3d of May, with General Johnson's array, we evacuated Yorktown and commenced the retreat, which after great suffer ing and privation, ended in the works around "Richmond. At no time during the war has the Siith Georgia suffered as it did on this retreat. At the battle of Williarasburg, though on the field we did not engage the enemy. We reached Richmond, broken down and exhausted, as did the entire army. Fortu nately for the cause of the Confederacy, General McClellari gave time for rest and to revive the broken' spirits of v.he troops: ad in a few weeks they were ready and anxious to drive back the invaders.
In the battle of Seven Pines, on the 31st of May, the regiment was for the first time, heavily engaged with the enemy. The right companies sustained very heavy loss in"this action. We lost besides many other gallant soldiers, Adjutant James Reid, a young man of the finest promise, an elegant scholar, abrave soldier, and one who had endeared himself to the entire regiment, by his gentlemanly deportment, unostentatious manners, and kind and noble heart. This is the only battlel in which Colonel Colquitt commanded the reigmont, as shortly afterward he wai placed in command of the brigade, and subsequently received, after the battle of Sharpsburg, the well merited appointment-of Brigadier General. From the battle of Seven Pines, ufttil the 26th of June, the regiment was quietly encamped on the Williamsburg road, about four miles from Richmond ; at which time, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel J. M. Newton, H broke up camp, preparatory for the great battles around Rich-

HEEOE8

MABTYES OF GEORGIA.

mood. By ten o'clock,-A. M., of the 26th of June, after a march of about tea miles, we halted in sight of ilechanicsville, and impatiently listened for the guns, that were to inaugurate the battles upon which the fate of Richmond depended.
Abo&t four P. M^ the battle commenced, but it was not until dark, that our front was cleared at Meadow Bridge, by the brave command of General A. P. Hill, and we crossed over and rested for tlie night on the field of battle, fnom which the enemy had been driven. They had, however, retreated but a short distance, and at daylight, could be seen in great force,' and strongly fortified on tke Foad about one mile from Mechanicsville. While expecting orders to move forward and charge the enemy, General Jackson's columns moved upon his right flank, and forced him to abandon his strong position, with but slight loss on oar part. Though not engaged, we had a few casualties in the Sixth.
The road being cleared, we at once moved on towards the bloody field of Cold Harbor, under a burning sun. We marched rapidly, and reached the battle-field about one o'clock in the afternoon. Under a hot fire from the batteries on the adjacent hills, we were thrown first on one part of tihe lines, and then on the other, as the enemy seemed to be concentrating upon one or the other points. At last we were ordered forward and soon met the foe. With a shout, our boys charged, and the enemy gave way until reinforced by a second liae of battle, when we were halted, and with our thinned ranks, fought most desperately for more than two hours. Just at this time, reinforcements were sent to onr relief, and mistaking us for the enemy, poured a desperate voHey into our rear. Even under the concentrated fire from friend and foe, our shattered ranks stood unbroken. The reinforcements swept by, driving the enemy before them. Darkness coming on, under order, we retired a few hundred yards to the rear, and slept upoa our amis. Our loss in this battle waa exceedingly heavy;-the casualties'numbered more than two hundred killed and wounded, being fully half the number carried into action.
Next morning, our line was as distinctly marked by the dead,, as it was the evening before, by the living. For three days, we remained near Cold Harbor, and on the third day, crossed McCleUaB'8 Bridge, and hastened on, until checked by the enemy's batteries at White Oak Swamp. Al this place, a heavy

SIXTH GEORGIA REGIMENT,

25

artillery duel took place, which lasted until night, with but little loss on our side. Xext morning the enemy were gone. Being the 1st day of July, 1862, we moved forward to the disastrous, field of Malvern Hill, where our gallant soldiers were expected to accomplish what Napoleon with his victorious legions would hardly have attempted.
About six o'clock in the afternoon, the Sixth Georgia went into the fight ; nd as we were mo-Ved forward, the regiment was detached from the brigade, by order of General D. H. Hill, and filing to the right, formed line of battle under a murderous fire of shell, grape, canister, and minnie balls. The regiment advanced without any support, right and left, as far as could be seen, through an open field, to within good range, and opened fire upon the enemy, under certainly the most terrific fire that, ever shook the hills of Virginia. In a few moments, our .regiment to the last man, would have been swept down, when fortunately for us, a brigade of another division, moved up to our right, and drew the destructive fire upon themselves. At each volley they fell by scores, and large gaps were made in their ranks. The bravest men the world has ever seen, could not have Accomplished the task before them; and the brigade broke in confusion, and our little band once more stood alone. But before the guns were turned upon us, orders came to fall back, and in some confusion, the regiment did so. Throughout this battle, our worthy Chaplain, Alexander M. Thigpen, bore himgelf most gallantly, evincing a courage and patriotism in the cause of the Confederacy, only surpassed by his zeal and devotion in the cause of his Master. On this day many others distinguished themselves by their coolness and courage, but the list is too long to enumerate.
The regiment was encamped near Richmond until the 8th day of August, 1862 ; when with a portion of General D. H. Hill's Division, it moved, under command of General Ripley, to Orange". Court House, and after remaining at this place -a few days;' marched to Manassas, reaching there the day after the battle in which the great braggart, Pope, was so severely handled.
About September 2d, we rejoined the main army near Centreville, marching by way*of Leesburg, to Frederick, Maryland, and reached that place on the 6th. The army only remaine<Hbur days at Frederick City, at the expiration of which time, General D. H. Hill's Division moved to South Mountain or Boonsboro.
D

HEBOES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.
In the battle which took place here on the 14th, General D. H. Hill's Division alone, for many hours, held at least seventy thousand of the Federal troops at bay. The Sixth Georgia was very slightly engaged, the enemy not attempting to pass onr immediate front, holding as we did, a very strong position in a dense woods, in a gorge of a mountain. On the night of the 14tb, our forces fell back to Sharpsburg; and on the 17th of September, fought one of the bloodiest battles of the war. -
The battle opened at early dawn, and in a few moments, the Sixth Georgia was in the hottest of the-fight. For several hours, the regiment fought as bravely as ever meii fought, and held their ground until none were left to hold it. Our loss on this field was almost incredible. We went into the battle with not more than two hundred and fifty men; and of this number, eighty-one were left dead on the field, one hundred and fifteen were wounded, and about thirty taken prisoners. Here fell ;V> Lieutenant Colonel Newton, a good man, a most excellent soldier. Without military education, his aptitude for everything pertaining to the military, his dignity of character, his iron will, hi stern sense of justice,-made him not only an efficient, but a popular officer. He possessed that rare faculty, the result of a happy combinatiAi of moral and mental traits, that enabled him to exact implicit obedience to every order, and at the same time, to win the respect and affection of his soldiers. Here, too, fell the chivalric, elegant and gifted Major Phil Tracy. His eloquence had done no little to rouse the people of the state to* secession. Though physical infirmities rendered him unfit for active field service, he was among the first to step forward and offer his life in defence of his country. All vicissitudes of time, whether of prosperity or adversity, had left his pure heart as guileless a a child's. He was magnanimous, and liberal to a fault, and all who knew him loved him. He fell universally mourned by the whole regiment; for all felt that a generous, brave and patriotic heart had ceased to beat.
If space permitted, there are others to whom I would gladly refer, and who are worthy of any tribute which could be paid to their-memories. Plane, Hannah, Jordan, McCants, Bartlett, Floyd, Wimberly and Reid, all sleep* in glory, sacrificed upon the hard fought field of Sharpsburg. After this battle, Captain Loftin was promoted to the position of Colonel, Captain Cleveland to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Anderson to the raok of

SIXTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

'27

Major. About this time the brigade, commanded by Brigadier
General Colquitt, was composed of the following regiments: Sixth, Twenty-thiud, Twenty-seventh, and Twenty-eighth Geor
gia, and the Thirteenth Alabama. Soon after, the Thirteenth Alabama was exchanged for the Nineteenth Georgia Regiment.
On the 19th of September, the regiment with the entire army recrossed the Potomac, and encamped in the vicinity of Win-1
Chester, until about the 25th of October; at which time it marched to Charlestown, and aided in tearing up the Winchester and Harper's Ferry railroad. On the morning of the 3d of
November, we waded the Shenandpah, and halted for a few days at Paris Gap. On the 5th marched to Front Royal; recrossed the Shenandoah on the night of the Yth, in a snow storm; and arrived at Strasburg on the llth of November. The regiment
was employed a few days in tearing up the Manass^s Gap railroad, and leaving on the 16th, marched to Gordons\Hlle, by way of Nw Market, which place we reached on the 21st. About the 25th of November we reached Port Royal, and were inactive until the 13th of December, on which day we participated in the first battle of Fredericksburg. In this battle the regiment lost but few men.
We spent the winter on the Happahannock, about four miles from the ill-fated city of Fredericksburg. The time was spent in drilling, and fully equipping the troops for the coming
campaign. General Lee neglected nothing that was conducive to the thorough discipline and organization of the army. Five out of every twenty days, were spent as pickets on the banks of
the Rappahannock, opposite the splendid residence of Mr. Seddon, brother to the present Secretary of War, which has recently been burned to the ground, by order of Butler, the Beast. On the 29th day of April, 1863, broke up camps and marched to Fredericksburg. Early on the morning of May 2d, we com menced under General Stonewall Jackson, the flank movement to the enemy's right, which proved so disastrous to them, and sent the Eleventh Corps of General Hooker with several others, panic-stricken to the bank of the river. Attached to General Jackson's Corps, General Colquitt's Brigade moved first, left in front, which threw the Sixth Georgia at the head of the brigade. General Jackson rode at the head of the column and personally superintended everything. Everything which was done to facilitate the movements of the corps, was done under his

28

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

immediate eye. He would direct us to the best place for

making the most insignificant crossing, and would not leave until

it was Completed. Xo doubt, this personal attention to every

thing concerning his corps, had much to do with his wonderful

success.

About an hour by sun, the corps had formed line of battle at

what is called the Wilderness, and on the right flank of Genera)

Hopker's army. The order forward was giv^en, and through the

thick undergrowth which was almost impassable, with shouts and

yells, the corps rushed on. The pickets were encountered, and

zcrrave wav at once. The Yankee line of battle s> tood but little" longer than the pickets; and in a few moments, the whole mass

was -flying in the utmost dismay and confusion. The enemy

were preparing for supper, and were not in the least expecting1

an attack ; and in my opinion, darkness alone saved the army of

General Hooker from utter destruction. All night we remained

inline of battle. About ton o'clock, it began to be whispered

from one to another, that General Jackson was mortally wounded ;

and though every effort was made to conceal the fact from the

corps, there were few who by morning, had not learned the

sad intelligence.

Another secret of the success of this great and good man, was

that he always attacked the enemy when and where he least

expected an attack. I do not mean any imputation upon those

who assumed the command after General Jackson left the field,

but it was apparent to the most superficial observer, that the

corps did not move with the same buoyant, proud step, with the

same air of confidence and triumph, as when their great leader

was at the head of the cohrmn, and when they could now and

then catch a gleam of his eagle eye.

The next day the regiment fought near the Chancellorsville v

house, going into the fight about ten o'clock, and driving the *

enerav with little difficulty about a mile. We held their line until g

*

"

J *

the fighting ceased, and about fonr o'clock retired to the rear. t

In the two battles of the Wilderness and Chancello-rsville, the '.?

loss of the regiment was not heavy. The* casualties in both 1?

amounted to not more than fift*y killed and wounded. Hooker.* t whipped and baffled by General Lee, recrossed fcbe Rappahan-

nock; and on the 6th of May the regiment rested m its old

camp. Here it remained until about the 20th bf the same month,

when it was ordered to Kingston, North Carolina; at which

SIXTH GEORGIA'REGIMENT.

29

point it was stationed until the 2d of July, when it was ordered to Richmond, and on the 9th started for Charleston, Sonth Carolina. We arrived at Charleston on the 13th, and Wad a slight skirmish on James Island on the 16th. While at Charles ton, from the 13th of July until February 9th, 1864, toe regiment did much duty, bearing its full share of all the dangerous and arduous work at Battery Wagner and Fort Sumter. At both places we lost some of our best soldiers.
On the 20th of January, 1864, Lieutenant Colonel Andersen having resigned, Major Arnold was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, having previously been appointed Major on the resignation of Lieutenant Colonel Cleveland, June 16th, 1863. On the 9th of February ihe regiment, in advance of tbe brigade, left Charleston for Savannah, Georgia, and on the next day received ofdera to report to General Finnegan, at Lake City, Florida, which place we reached on the 14th of February. On the 17th we rejoined the brigade at Olustee, and on the 20th engaged in the battle of Ocean Pond. In this engagement the regiment was detached from the brigade, and fought on the extreme left of the line of battle.
Whether we consider the great disparity of numbers, or the result attained, this was one of the .finest victories, of the war. With not more than (3500) thirty-five hundred men, .we whipped and completely routed nearly three times that number. The battle lasted for four hours; and at one time, for at least half an hour, the regiment was without ammunition, except as it was obtained from the cartridge boxes of the killed and wounded. Under a heavy fire the regiment stood its ground, not giving 'an inch. When almost the last round of ammunition was expended, and the bravest began to despair, a supply of ammunition was received. About this time a portion of Colquitt's Brigade,'that had be^en held in reserve, came up, and our'entire line pressed forward with a shout. The enemy gave way before our invincible column, and in a few moments was completely routed. As evidence of their great demoralization, the enemy passed through anderson, .ten miles below the battlefield, in utter disorder, every man taking care of himself, and did not halt until they reached Saint Mary's, eighteen miles below Olustee. In this battle as in the skirmishes on James Island, we met negr^jjroops. The casualties in the regiment at Ocean Pond, were seven \7) killed and fifty-five (55) wounded. The loss in the brigade was

30

HEROES AND MABTYBS OF GBOBGli

very slight, while that of the enemy coulcl not have been less than'twenty-five hundred.
This battle by a single blow, ended the campaign in Florida, and saved the State. General Colquitt directed all moves upon the field. On the 18th of April the regiment left Florida, and on the 24th, arrived at James Island, South Carolina. On the 8th of May left Charleston, and arrived at Petersburg, Virginia, on the llth. On the 16th of May, the regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Arnold, fought most gallantly at the battle of Drewry's Bluff, Colonel Loftin being in command "of a portion of Colquitt's Brigade, composed of the Sixth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-third Georgia Regiments, the Twentyseventh and Twenty-eighth Regiments not having arrived from Petersburg. General Beauregard with about eighteen thousand men attacked and defeated General Butler, who, as the corres pondents from his army stated, had forty thousand men and was besides strongly fortified. General Colquitt, though I believe the junior Brigadier present, commanded a reserve force of his own and another brigade. Early in the day the Sixth Georgia, with the other regiments of the brigade, was ordered to the extreme left to support General Ransom, who had partially succeeded in turning the enemy's right flank. The brigade at once moved ' over the works, and for a mile drove back 4he enemy, forcing him at every point of that distance to abandon his entrenchments. Our victory at Drewry's Bluff was complete; but from some cause, as has usually been the case in thig war, we failed to reap the fruits. The regiment lost in this battle, twelve killed and eighty-two wounded.
On the 31st of May we reached Cold Harbor on the north side of the James River, and took position within a few hundred yards of the very spot upon w^ich the regiment had fought on the 2tth of June, 1862. On the 1st and 8d of June the enemy charged our works. On the 1st they did not come nearer than three or four hundred yards, but on the 3d their effort was a * more serious one. On this day the regiment that charged in front of the Sixth Georgia, lost, as we were subsequently informed under flag of truce, by one of their own officers, eight \ hundred and sixty (860) men.
Our men were perfectly cool and deliberate, and almost every shot brought down its man. The ground in front of our works for a hundred yards, was literally covered with the dead and

SIXTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

wounded. On the 3d of June thje regiment left Cold Harbor,

and on the 15th reached Petersburg. On the 16th the enemy

made a feeble effort to charge our line, bat a few well directed

vollev s brok. e their ranks. From the \ 15th of June .<up>- to the present, August 14th, with short intervals of rest, the regiment

has been in the trenches under fire, and during that time has lost

twenty-four 'killed and eighty wounded. Day by day, two,

three, and even greater numbers would be killed or wounded.

Some of our best military men think, above everything else,

that this campaign in the trenches has tested the courage, endu

rance and patriotism of our soldiers.

On the 7th of July Lieutenant Colonel Arnold was killed in

the trenches by a mortar shell from the enemy. Of all the noble

and brave men who have given their lives to their country in

this gigantic struggle for liberty, no braver or nobler man has

fallen than Lieutenant Colonel Arnold. Gallant and fearless to

a fault, these were the least of his virtues. He wais 'the very

soul of all that was honorable and true, and in a word, possessed

in the highest degree, all the attributes that mark those few noble

men who are an honor to their race, and who enrich the earth

by their presence.

After Lieutenant Colonel Arnold was promoted to the Lieu

tenant Colonelcy of the regiment, the office of Major was vacant.

Captain Harris has been, since his death, promoted to the

Lieutenant Colonelcy, and Captain Culpepper has been promoted

to the rank of Major.

-

'

The Sixth Georgia Regiment has at'no time failed to charge

the enemy when ordered; nor has it in a single instance fled in

the face of the foe. It has had no minstrel to sing its praises,

and chooses to stand alone upon its merits. It has been

complimented in the highest terms by Generals D. H. Hifi and

Beauregard, the Generals under whom with one exception, it has

fought all its battles. General Hill, who rarely compliments any

one, endorsed upon an application for furlough from this>egiraent,

these words: "Approved, because the Sixth Georgia Regiment

has asked but few favors, and has acted nobly upon every battle

field." General Beauregard made a similar endorsement upon a

similar application. From the organization of the regiment up

to the present time, the Sixth Georgia has Iqst two hundred and

thirty-eight killed, and six hundred and thirty-nine wounded'.

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.
Whatever may be the ftrturejiistory of the regiment, its past at least is secure.
Since the above was -written, the Sixth Georgia has been again engaged on the -- instant, at David's Farm, on or near the Weldon railroad. The regiment carried into action two hundred and fifty guns, and lost one killed, and thirty-one wounded and prisoners. It captured one thousand prisoners, four staricl of colors, one Brigadier General and Staff, with many stands of small arms.
In February, John F. Cousins was appointed. Ensign, with rank of First Lieutenant, on account of distinguished gallantry.

(
4
NINETEENTH REGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.

THE record of this regiment is furnished me up to the second

day of August, 1864. Owing to the absence of the regimental

books, Colonel Neal has been unable to furnish me with correct

statistical matter. I can, however, thanks to a report the gallant

Colonel sent me from camp, written in Florida, make a correct

report of the casualties occurring in battle/ Owing to the

incessant changes in position, and long marches of the Nineteenth,

it has, no doubt, like many other Georgia regiments, lost its

regimental book. I make this s tat ement,\ however, upon my own

authority, and may be mistaken. I will here make the statement,

found in the preface, that this report was written in the trenches

around Petersburg, amid an incessant cannonade, with no facili

ties whatever for writing.

The following are the statistics of the regiment, allowing five

wounded for each one killed, since the battle of Ocean Pond:

Strength of regiment since organization, . . 1,258

Killed in battle, . . . . . .

184

Wounded, . . . . . . . " .

630

Discharged,

.......

170

Died, up to March 26th, 1864, ....

253

Showing a real loss of

.

607

Showing number of deaths to be, . . 437

This loss would of course be augmented, if I could obtain the Dumber of deaths in the regiment, since March 26th.
The above statement is not of course strictly correct; but I will again Bay, that, that part of it which is incorrect, is made upon the authority of no one but myself.

On the llth day of June, 1861, the Nineteenth Regiment of Georgia Volunteers, was mustered into the service of the State of Georgia, as the Second Regiment, Fourth Brigade, of Georgia State Troops, with the following field officers: W. W. Boyd, Colonel; Thomas C. Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel; and A. J. Hutchins, Major.
E

84

HEROES AND MARTYRS OP GEORGIA.

The regiment was put into camp of instruction, at Camp McDonald,-and remained there until the Sjiiday of August, 1861, at which time the brigade was disbanded, and the regiment transferred to the Confederate States, and ordered to Lynchburg, Virginia. At that time the measles maide their appearance in camp, and raged so violently in the Nineteenth Georgia, as to render it, for the period of six weeks, almost totally unfit for duty.
On the loth day of September the regiment reached Manassas Junction, and did ordinary garrison sersice at that place, until the loth of December, at which tyne it was attached to the Brigade of Brigadier General, now Major:General Hampton, and ordered to Occognon, to protect the light flank of General Johnson's army, then at Cartersville. At this place, the regiment ,, did picket and fatigue duty, 'during the winter, and were in two j or three skirmishes with the enemy; in g'ne of which, near Polwick Church, considerable damage wa clone the enemy, and one man of Company K, wounded, whicih was the first wound ever received in the regiment.
On the 10th of March, 1862, the whole army abandoned its position in front of the enemy. Hampton's Brigade retreated to Fredericksburg, a distance of forty-five miles, and was there attached to General Whiting's Division. Nothing occurred at this place, until the 10th of April, when the forces about Fred ericksburg took up the line of march for Yorktown.
The weather was very inclement. The streams very much swollen, and the snow and rain rapidly falling, soon brought about a scene of misery hard to delineate. Many men becoming thoroughly exhausted upon the line of march, were left at the farm houses along the road, or sent to hospitals. The army reached Miiford Station on the second day, and then proceeded by railroad to Ashland. From this place, the regiment again took up the line of-march for Yorktown on the loth, and after a successful and pleasant march of four days, went into encampmer* at Eagle Farm, near that place. General Whiting's was one of the reserve divisions at Yorktown, so that the regiment had no active duty to perform. On the 3d day of May, Yorktown was evacuated, and the retreat to Richmond began; and here also, the real hardships, privations and dangers, began. General Whiting's Division was the rear guard of the army much of the time.
While the battle *f Williamsburg was being fought, the divi-

NINETEENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

35

sion was pushed rapidly forward to West Point, to prevent the enemy, who was landing there, from cutting off the retreat of the army. This regiment particularly, together with the balance of Hampton's Brigade, engaged the enemy near-West Point, about the 12th of May, and held them in check, until the army filed past, and then, at one o'clock in the morning, resumed the retreat, under cover of the darkness, to Richmond. Hampton's Brigade was in the rear, and was frequently formed in line of battle, to repel the threatened attacks of the enemy,'who closely pursued us. The weather was intensely cold, and the roads as rowgh and muddy as possible. Rations were very short, and indeed, every discomfort the vocabulary could name for a retreat ing army prevailed.
The retreat from Yorktown is still referred to in the regiment, as the greatest hardships this army has ever experienced. Nearing the Chickahominy, Whiting's Division was again hurried to the front, and halted for four days, while the whole array filed past, and then fell in the rear, and crossed the river last of all, at three o'clock, on a dark, rainy, stormy morning, after standing in/the road all night. Three days after the regiment went into camp, near Richmond.
The rogiment lost a large number of men from disease, con- 3 tracted on the retreat from Yorktown. Many recruits hni8 just come in, and were, of courso, subject to all camp diseases. Others, old members of the, regiment, were suffering from the effects of measles, and the systems of all were o affected, as to render them peculiarly liable to contract disease, from the malaria arising from the Chickahominy swamp, where we were encamped for the ensuing six weeks. Men died rapidly, and nearly all were much debilitated by the " soldier's scourge," camp diarrhoea.
On the last day of May the regiment participated in the battle of Seven Pine's, engaging the extreme right- of the enemy; but after three unsuccessful charges, the division fell back at nine o'clock at night.' The losses in this regiment in this battle, 'was about forty men killed and wounded. After this battle, the Nineteenth Georgia was transferred into Archer's Brigade, A. P. Hill's Light Division, and performed the nsual picket and fatigue duties, in the Chickahominy swamp, until the 26th of June, on which day it went into the battle of Mechanicsville, with about four hundred men. In this battle t^he regiment distinguished itself, and was highly complimented Vjy General Archer, whose

S6

EEROE^ AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

character, as a stern, exacting, brave officer, rendered his compli

ments expressive of something. The regiment lost in this battle,

one hundred and eighty-five men. The next day it was engaged

in the battle of Games' Mill, and did its whole duty. Loss not

remembered, but it was heavy. The regiment was again engaged

at Frazier's Farm, and also at Malvern Hill, with considerable

loss, and was ordered to inscribe the names of the four battles

upon its banner.

At Mechanicsville, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson lost his life.

He was a most gallant and efficient officer, and had been in com

mand of the regiment almost constantly from the time it reached

Virginia until his death, owing to the ill health of Colonel Boyd.

Major Hutchins was promoted to be Lieutenant Colonel, and

Captain Xeal, of Company B, to be Major. Lieutenants Dunlop

and Brownfield, Company K, gallant, noble fellows, were killed r
at Mechanicsville, and a large number of the best officers and men

in the regiment were killed, or mortally wonnded, in the four bat

tles. Lieutenant Stovall, Company A, was mortally wounded.

The Nineteenth engaged in the pursuit of McClellan's army to

Harrison's Landing, and was then recalled to Richmond, and

sent by railroad to Gordonsville, with General Jackson, in whose

command it bad been since the beginning of the battles known

as the "Seven days" battlesjjaround Richmond."

On the 9th of August we were engaged in the battle of Cedar

Mountain, and in it lost one-third of the men carried into action.'

We then commenced the march into Maryland, participating in

the battles on the Rappahannock. Three clays at Manassa.s, and

at Germantown, was the comrnand engaged, losing at Manassas

(again) one-third of the men present.

Crossing the Potomao near Lee&bunr, this regiment entered

Frederick City and remained in camp four days, at* the end of

which time it marched bv wav of Boonsborough to Williams-

*

*>

c7

port, recrossed the Potomac, captured Martinsburg, and on the

13th day of September camped before Harper's Ferry. On the

15th of same month, the place was surrendered with over eleven

thousand prisoners, and a vast quantity of stores of all kinds.

On the morning of the -17th, the light division began the march

to Sharpsburg. At two o'clock in the evening crossed the

Potomac and formed into line on the extreme right, where the

enemy were fast pressing back our lines. Archer's Brigade was

first in line, and immediately charged the enemy without waiting

NINETEENTH' 'GEORGIA REGIMENT.

87

for the balance of the division. The enemy in large force was

driven in confusion from a strong position behind a stone'fence, ;

and the effort to turn our right flank effectually checked. In

this charge more than one-half of the Nineteenth Georgia were ,

killed and wounded. The division held its position until the

niirht of the 18th, when it withdrew, with the army, across the

Potomac. On the 20th, a force of the enemy having crossed in

pursuit,. Archer's Brigade ana other troops tnrned and attacked

him at Shepherdstown, inflicting serious loss on the enemy. In

this affair the loss of the regiment was thirty men killed and

wounded.

The regiment remained about " Bunkev Hill and Berryville " m

until November 26th, without any event requiring notice, except

a skirmish with the enemy at " Snicker's Ferry," in which forty

Yankees were killed and wounded, without any loss whatever to

this regiment. No other infantry was engaged in this skirmish.

While in the Valley much time was spent in destroying the

Baltimore and Ohio railroad ; also the Winchester road.

On the 26th of November the division began the march to

Fredericksburg, and reached that place after an exceedingly

I

pleasant march of twelve (12) days. On the 13th of December,

1862, the brigade occupied the right of the line, there being an

interval of three hundred (300) yards between it and the next

brigade on our left. The Nineteenth Georgia .was situated npon

the extreme left of the brigade, next to the open space^between'it

and the next brigade. The'enemy charged our front in heavier

force than has ever been seen by any member of this regiment,

on any field of baitle in this revolution. Notwithstanding the

overwhelming odds opposed to us, the assault was repulsed with ;

most terrible loss to the enemy and comparatively small loss in ;

this regiment. ' We were congratulating ourselves upon the

handsome repulse we had given the enemy, when suddenly it

was discovered that a large force of the enemy had passed the

interval between the Nineteenth Georgia and the next brigade^

and at the same time they opened fire upon our flank and rear

simultaneously; some confusion occurred, as the firing became

so heavy that no command could be heard. The regiment lost

in this action eighty-seven (87) men, killed and wounded, and

one hundred and seven (107) taken prisoners by the enemy. This

is the only occasion upon whieh the line of this regiment has

HEEOES A^T) MARTYES OF GEORGIA.

been broken, and in this case no impression was made by the

attack in front.*

Colonel Boyd having resigned on the 12th of January, 1863,

Lieutenant Colonel Hutchins was promoted Colonel, Major Neal

was appointed Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Hooper raised

to the rank of Major. General Archer's Brigade went into

camps near Grace Church, and on the 22d of January, the

Nineteenth Georgia Regiment was transferred to General Col-

quSt's Georgia Brigade, composed of the Sixth, Twenty-third,

Twenty-seventh and Twenty-eighth Geocgia Regiments, and the

Thirteenth Alabama Regiment, which was .exchanged for the

Nineteenth Georgia.

The winter of this part of the year 1863, was spent along the

Rappahannock. below Fredericksburg, until the battle of Chan-

cellorsville and Wilderness, on the 1st and 3d of May, 1863.

This regiment participated in both of said battle?, losing about

i fortv -five (^45)' men killed and wounded. About the 20th of May the brigade was ordered to Kinston, North Carolina, and

remained quietly there until July 3d, when it was ordered to

report immediately to Richmond, to repel an expected raid of

the enemy. On the 9th of July it was ordered \j6 Charleston,

South Carolina, and reached that place on the 14ih instant. On

the 15th, two regiments of the brigade (the Six*n and Nineteenth)

went to James Island, and on the 16th Instant, engaged the

enemy slightly, this regiment losing two nfen, and killing wound

ing or capturing sixty negroes.

/

Colonel Hutchins having resigned/his commission on the 20th

of August, 1863. Lieutenant Colonel Neal was promoted to the

Colonelcy, and Major Hooper /fiaving previously resigned,.Cap

tain Flynt was appointed Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Mabry

was promoted Major. The regiment remained in the vicinity of

Charleston until the 10>Kof February, 1864, doing heavy duty at

Battery Wagner, Frtrt Sumter, and F<yrt Johnson, and then

started for Florida/but was halted and marched to Johns Island

to meet a demonstration being made by the enemy; but they

knowing the iorce which would be opposed to them, retired, and

the trip to/Florida was resumed ; and on the 17th of February

the regiafent and brigade reached Olustee, Florida. On the 20th

of saiji month the battle of Ocean Pond was fought, in which

*Jv) blame can possibly attach to this regiment for this unfortunate affair, a/the reverse must have been owing to the defective line.

NINETEENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

" 89

Colquitt's brigade was heavily eagaged. The Nineteenth Georgia was under a heavy fire (for four hours) of small arms, and much of that time had no ammunition with which to return the fire. It had, nevertheless, captured three guns and caissons early in the battle. The loss of this regiment in this battle was ninety-seven killed and wounded. This effectual victory over the Yankees I closed the campaign in Florida, and we remained quietly in camps j until the 18th of April, when we were ordered to return to Vifginia. The regiment made a start and had reached Florence, when we were ordered to take the back track to Sullivan's Island, Charleston harbor. It remained here but three days, when it was again ordered to Virginia, -and reached Petersburg on the 13th day of May, 1864.
On the 16th of May an attack was made upon the eaemy near Drewry's Bluff, The Nineteenth was engaged and lost thirtyfour (34) men. It remained on the line near Bermuda Hundreds for a fortnfght, and then marched to Cold Harbor, reaching that .place just in time to check the advance of the enemy, who. were driving our cavalry before them. ^Breastworks were hastily constructed at night, and at dawn the enemy charged the line, and were handsomely repulsed with sickening slaughteiv ; The loss to the Nineteenth was trifling. This line, was held under a concentrated fire of artillery for two weeks, and we left it only when the enemy abandoned his line and marched to the south side of the James River.
At Cold Harbor, the line of Colquitt's Brigade was about identical with that from which it had driven the enemy, two years before. Leaving Cold Harbor about the 15th of "June, the brigade reached Petersburg at eleven o'clock, on the evening of the 16th. The enemy having taken our line of works from the local troops, at six o'clock on the same evening, we fonnd every thing in great confusion. No information could be obtained, as to the force or position of the enemy. No one knew how much of our line they occupied.. Not a picket was between the enemy and Petersburg. Haygood's South Carolina Brigade, and this, (Colquitt's,) formed a line, and began to entrench. By morning a large number of troops had arriyed and were now in position to receive the expected assault.
The Yankees attacked several positions on our line, but did not malest this brigade. It having been discovered that our line was defective, on the night of the 17th the troops were all

40

HEROES AST) MABTYB& OF GEORGIA.

withdrawn to a line we had constructed about half a mile in the

rear of oar brigade. At dawn on the 18th, the enemy discov

ered that we were gone, and evidently thought that Petersburg

was evacuated, and their way open to that city. They came

charging and shouting as if no resistance was anticipated. As

soon as they emerged from tbe woods, we unexpectedly opened

fire on them, and soon effectually checked their advance. They



i

fell back'in great confusion to the woods. At two o'clock the

same day, they charged the "Nineteenth in very heavy force,, but

with the aid of the other regiments of the brigade, we succeeded

in ?epulsing them. They left a large number of dead and

wounded on the field ; and indeed, so severely punished were

they, that they have not since attempted an assault upon that

part of the Jine, but have contented themselves with sharp-shoot

ing and artillery firing upon us.

From that time until the present, the Nineteenth has been

upon the same line, with occasional short intervals of rest. It

has been subjected to a heavy fire of sharp-shooters and very

severe shelling, especially from mortar. The duty is very heavy

and has caused much sickness in the regiment.

During the fifty-two days spent here, the privations and

hardships endured, have been greater than for any six months of

the war. The heat in the ditches has been intense. Rations

have been short. Many of the of&cers and men have been for

six weeks without a change of clothing. Yet in spite of all,

they are confident and in the very best of spirits. This regiment

has participated in as many engagements as any other Georgia

regiment, except perhaps one or two, and on no occasion has it

failed to do its whole duty. It is impossible to mention individual

instances of gallantry without doing injustice to many good men.

The Hmit allowed will not admit of a more detailed account of

the operations of>this regiment: The Nineteenth Georgia has

fought in every battle in which the Army of Northern Virginia

has been engaged, except Gettysburg, Wilderness, and Spottsyl-'

vania; and in place of these, participated in the battles of Ocean

Pond, Drewry's Bluff, and in the siege of Charleston, including

FDoivritsiSonuminte* rthaen* cdamBpaatti.egrnyoWf 1a8g6n2e,r.is

aThhiesthoirsytoroyf*-

of A. P. Hill's this regiment;

since that time it has been identified with Colquitt's Brigade.

Independent of the above report I give names of two heroes of Georgia:-- W. J. T. "Wood, Ensign Nineteenth Georgia, From enquiry among his

NINETEENTH GEORGIA REGIYENT.

41

comrades, I find this young man is particularly noted among his comrades for an indomitable courage, which has shown conspicuous upon every battlefield, upon which his regiment has been engaged. He has repeatedly LED his regiment into action, proudly flaunting the Southern Cross in the face of the foe.
John Merritt, Company H, Nineteenth Georgia, was wounded' at Ocean Pond, Florida. He obtained a furlough to return to his home in;Paulding County. The retrograde movement of General Johnson's Army, left him in the Yankee lines. He was taken prisoner and sent to Todd's Barracks, Ohio. There being a number of Yankee drafted men confined with him, who were continu ally deserting, he conceived the bold project of escaping by representing himself as one of the deserters. He did so successfully, and after many vicissitudes, was sent to Grant's Army, where after staying several days, he managed to escape into our lines in front of Petersburg, bringing with him three Yankee deserters. General Hoke appointed him his courier immediately upon his arrival.

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS

STATISTICAL RECORD OF TWENTY-THIRD GEORGIA.

Number of men originally enlisted, .... T94

Number of recruits received,

..... 2(U

Number of conscripts received, ..... 37

Number of men received by transfer, .... 23

Number of officers received by appointment, election, pro

motion, and transfer,

....

13

Total strength of regiment, . . 1131

LOSSES IX OFFICERS.

Resigned for disability, ...

.

24

Resigned for wounds, ....

.

4

Resigned for other causes, ...

..

6

Dismissed, ......

..

3

Transferred,

.....

..

7

Promoted to other commands, .

..

7

Killed in action, .....

..

8

Died of wounds, ..... "

-8

.Died of disease, .....

..

2

Deserted, ......

..

1

Total lose in officers, ......

65

LOSSES rs EXLISTID MEX.

Discharged for disability, .

Discharged by order, ...

Discharged by civil authority, .

Discharged for promotion, ". .

Killed in action, ....

Died of wounds, ....

Died of disease, ....

Transferred,

....

Missing in action and snpposed dead,

Deserted, .....

Wounded in action, ...

Disabled by service, ...

"

,109

.12

.

1

.8

. 108

.42

.173

.19

.

I

.90

. 340

.

22

Actual loss of the regiment, ..... 630 Total both permanently and temporarily lost, . 890 Total loss by death. ...... 337

Independent of thoe wounded in action imoanVtng to MO men.

TWENTY-THIRD GEORGIA REGIMENT.

Owing to some error, perhaps in my own calculations of statistics of this

regiment, I am unable to make a correct balance. There is a difference,

however, of only three men, between the report handed me and my own

calculation.

It will be seen by the foregoing that the Twenty-third Georgia has lost by

death three hundred and thirty-seven men; by death, discharge, promotions,

transfers, Ac., <tc., lix hundred and fifty. And counting the number of men

who have been wounded, (all of whom are in all probability with the

regiment now) the loss which of course is .partially temporary, amounts to

nine hundred and ninety men.

:

-,

:

The Twenty-third Georgia was organized at Camp McDonald,

Georgia, on the 31st day of August, 1861, entirely composed of

companies from the Cherokee counties of Georgia, and were

enlisted and mustered into the service for the war. The following '

are the names of the officers commanding the companies, and

the counties to which they belong:--



l

Company A, Captain ---- Pool, Bartow County.

""

Company B, Captain James H. Huggins, Union County.

^1

Company C, Captain M. R. Ballenger, Floyd County.

Company D, Captain John Steel, Pickens1 County.

:

Company E, Captain Samuel Tate, Pickens County.

Company F, Captain B. F. King, Cobb County.

Company G, Captain J. A. Sharp, Cherokee County.

Company H, Captain F. M. Young, Walker County.

Company I, Captain Thomas Hutcherson, Gordon and Cherokee Counties.

Company K, Captain W. P. Barclay, Union County.

After the afore-mentioned companies were mustered into, service, the organization was perfected by the election ofCaptain Thomas Hutcherson to the Colonelcy, Captain W. P. Barclay toj the Lieutenant Colonelcy, and E. F. Best to the Majority. Dr.j S. W. Thompson received the appointment of Surgeon, Dr. J. H. Spear that of Assistant Surgeon. Dr. William Bacon was ! appointed Assistant Quartermaster, "Warren Moss, Commissary, and C. C. Sanders, Adjutant.
The regiment remained in Camp of Instruction until about the 10th day of November, 1861, when it was ordered-to Richmond! Virginia. Remaining at Richmond but a very short time, it was ordered to Yorktown, where it remained until the evacuation of that place, which event occurred on the 3d day of May, 1862. During this eventful siege the regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Barclay. While at this point it was assigned, to the brigade of General Rains, in the division of Major General D. H. Hill.

HEBOES AND MARTYKS OF GEOBGIA.


After the retreat commenced, the regiment was on the field of

the Battle of Williamsburg, but were not in the engagement.

The hardships, privations and sufferings endured during this

tedious retreat, were very severe, and in the opinion of many,

only excelled by the disastrous retreat of Xapoleon Bonaparte

from Moscow. Certain it is, that no march or retreat during

this war, can tear any comparison to it. The Twenty-third

suffered very severely,--many men died from the sufferings and

exposure they underwent; and when we reached Richmond or

its vicinity, not more than one half tie men and officers reported

for duty.

The Battle of Seven Pines, fought upoil the 31st day of May,

1862, was the first engagement in which ihis regiment was

*-* ^

f.

^

regularly engaged. The regiment went into the fight commanded

by Lientenant Colonel Barclay with four hundred men, and lost

eighty men killed and wounded. After the fight was over, the

regiment was publicly complimented by General D. II. Hill for

the conspicuous gallantry which it had displayed during the fight.

He said that it was owing to the manner in which the Twenty-

third Georgia had conducted itself, that the tide of battle was

turned in favor of the Confederate Army on that bloody day.

The next engagement in which this regiment was a participant,

was the Battle of Mechanicsville, which vras fought on the 26th

day of Juno, 1362. In this fight the command of the Twenty-

f third Georgia devolved upon Major Best. In this action the

brigade was surprised and thrown into confusion; but owing to

the indefatigable exertions of Captain Huggins assisted by other

officers, order was restored. Captain Huggins retained command

until the enemy had disappeared from our front. The loss in

the Twenty-third in this fight was sligh$. The regiment was

engaged in the Battle of Cold Harbor the same day, and two

days afterwards, participated in the Battle of White Oak Swamp,

and the day afterwards, was again engaged in the terrible Battle

of Malvern Hill. In all these engagements we were commanded

by Captain Huggias, and lost very heavily in killed and wounded.

Soon after the battles around Richmond. Lieutenant Colonel

Barclay was promoted to Colonel to fill t^e vacancy occasioned

by the resignation of Colonel Hutcherson r Major Best was

promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Huggins to Major.

The next active service performed by the regiment, was during

the world-renowned campaign into the State of Maryland. The

TWENTY-THIRD GEORGIA REGIMENT.

j march was executed withoat any incident connected with the

regiment worthy of notice, until the Battle of South Mountain,

or as it is perhaps equally as generally called, the Battle of

Boonsboro, at which place the Twenty-third Georgia acted a

very conspicuous part. It held a very important position on the

left of the turnpike, where it winds through a pass in the

mountains, against very heavy odds, and inflicted heavy loss

upon the enemy. This position was held in the face of an

overpowering foe, when our ammunition was so nearly exhausted

that we could only keep up a show of fight by an irr.egular,

scattering fire. As evidence of the heat of the engagement, the

loss of this gallant regiment, amounting to ninety men killed and

wounded, out of three hundred carried into action,.will suffi-

' ciently testify. In this figh^t at least seventy thousand Yankees

were beaten back and kept back for many hours by Major

General D. H. Hill's Division alone.

Three days after the Battle of South Mountain, the fight of

Sharpsburg was inaugurated, that is, on the 17th day of Septem

ber, 1862. In this dreadful fight the Twenty-third Georgia

suffered very heavily. Among the number slain was the gallant

Colonel Barclay, who hM so often led the regiment to victory,

and who had displayed conspicuous gallantry upon every field

where it had been his fortune to lead. The regiment suffered au

irreparable loss in his death.

^

After the death of Colonel Barclay, Lieutenant Colonel Best

was promoted to the rank of Colonel, Major Huggins to Lieu

tenant Colonel, and Captain M. R. Ballenger to Major. All oi

these officers having been wounded, the command of the regiment

devolved upon a captain for several months, during whic'h time

the regiment marched with the army from the Potomac near

Shepherdstown, to Fredericksburg, the men suffering extraordi-,

nary privations upon the march, which was almost equal to the

horrid retreat from Yorktown. Many of the men without a

murmur, walked barefooted through the snow for days, until

they were ordered by General D. II. Hill to make and wear raw

hide moccasins, to which however they were very much opposed,

as they were exceedingly uncomfortable.

Commanded by Captain Sharp, the regiment was in the Battle

of Fredericksburg, but was not closely engaged. The loss in

this fight amounted to only five killed and wounded. Shortly

after this Colonel Best returned to the regiment, and was ,in

46

HEBOES AXD MARTYRS OT GEORGIA.

command at the Battle of Chancellorsville, which was fought May 2d and 3d, 1863. The Twenty-third Georgia was detached from the brigade to protect a wagon train, while the army was making a flank movement. The enemy idiscovering onr move ment, and thinking that it was a retreat of the entire army, ordered General Sickles to make a reconnoissance in force, to discover what onr movement really was. He obeyed the order, and at the head of twenty thousand men, marched down upon the deroted Twenty-third. He maneuvered to capture the wagon train, but after, considerable skirmishing, pending which the wagon train escaped, he only succeeded in capturing one hundred and ninety men and officers of this regiment. By thus standing our ground firmly against the outrageously overwhelm- . ing numbers of the enemy, we saved the wagon train at the expense of the before enumerated prisoners. These same were exchanged about three weeks afterward and returned to the
regiment. The regiment shortly after this affair, an or about the 20th of
May, was ordered to Kinston, North Carolina. After staying at Kinston a few weeks, we were ordered back to Richmond to repel a raid of the enemy's cavalry. Spending a few days at Richmond, the regiment was ordered to Wilmington, North Carolina, where after staying a few weeks, it was ordered to Charleston, South Carolina. Here it spent the winter of 1863, seeing during the time, a tour of eight dajs'in Battery'Wagner, which was certainly the most disagreeble duty the members of the Twenty-third had ever before performed. Some of our best men were lost upon this Island, number not remembered. Upon being relieved, we were placed on board the ill-fated steamer Samter, which, as we went np the harbor, was fired upon and sunk by our guns at Fort Moultrie; but very fortunately and* almost miraculously, we lost no men at all by the accident. The regiment was at this time commanded by Major Ballenger.
After the evacuation of Morris Islatd, fifty men of the Twenty-third were detailed for duty in Fort Sumter, where the duties were very onerous upon both officers and men. "When the enemv landed upon John's Island, the Twenty-third was sen
to the relief of General Wise, who was gradually retiring before them; but before the brigade to which this regiment belonged, General A. H. Colquitt's, got into position, they retired without giying battle. Immediately after this little affair, the regiment

TWENTY-JTHIBD GEORGIA REGIMENT.

47

with the brigade composed of the Sixth, Nineteenth, Twentythird, Twenty-seventh and Twenty-eighth Georgia Regiments, was ordered to report to General Finnegan, who commanded the Floridians, at Olustee in the State of Florida.
On the 20th day of February, 1864, we met the enemy at Ocean Pond, and we can truly say "vera, vidi, vici." The battle was long and bloody; but the dash and enthusiasm of our Southern boys could not be resisted. The Yankees fell into confusion, broke and fled, throwing away guns, knapsacks, accoutrements, and everything which could impede a precipitate retreat. This was one of the most signal victories that the God . of war has ever allowed to perch upon our banners. The Twen ty-third Georgia was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Huggins, in this fight, and acquitted itself with honor. Loss in this fight was seventy-five men out of three hundred. Very soon after the Battle of Ocean Pond, the regiment, and in fact the whole brigade, was ordered back to Charleston, South Carolina. After remaining but a very few days in Charleston, we were ordered to return to Virginia. The regiment reached Petersburg while the enemy held the Richmond and Petersburg railroad.
We made a very hard march in one night from Petersburg to Drewry's Bluff, around the flank of the enemy, with the remainder of the brigade, as an escort to General Beauregard. The regiment was in the Battle of Drewry's Bluff on the 16th of May, commanded by Major Ballenger. The Twenty-third, advanced with two other regiments of the.brigade, half a mile id front of the main line of our army, and drove the enemy from a thick piece of woods where they had taken position. "vVe* afterwards crossed the road with the other regiments, in tie rear* of the enemy, and drove them from their breastworks, which they held in front of our men. The victory over the Federals at this point was complete; but its results were not as great as might have been suspected, for the great advantage we had gained over them was not followed up as it might have been, owing perhaps, or I should say no doubt, to some cause which has tnot been made public, or which was not known to the army itself.
The next move of the regiment was to Cold Harbor, where on the 1st and 3d days of June it nobly repulsed the desperate charges of the enemy, inflicting the most severe punishment on the drunken rabble of Grant, 'The ground was literally covered

i

HEROES AND MARTYRS OP GEORGIA.

with the slain of the enemy, with a very trifling loss on our part.

The regiment was here commanded by Major Ballenger. This

was the second time this command had rriet the enemy upon the

field of Cold Harbor, and the position of the Twenty-third was

nearly identical with that it occupied two years before, about

the 27th or >6th of June, 1662.

Grant's move to the sonth side of the James caused another

movement of the army ; and Colquitt's Brigade moved to Peters

burg, where it held an important position in the line daring the

siege, and repulsed two assaults of the enemy upon the line. The

labor and hardships were very severe here, but were well borne

and endured with the greatest fortitude by the troops of a yonng

nation struggling to be free. Colonel Hnggins, who had recently

been promoted to fill the vacancy occasioned- by the dismissal of

Colonel Best, commanded during the siege. The enlisted men

have borne their part most nobly throughout the war, and

deserve the'highest plaudits of their countrymen.

The following are the names of persons noted for their

gallantry, bnt for the want of proper records, the peculiar acts

of bravery by which they are distinguished^, cannot be given.

Captain A. Young, Company K ; Captain M. R. Ballenger,

Company C ; Lieutenant "\Villiam F. Smith, Company I; Joseph

Adkins, Company*. B; Lieutenant J. M. Steel, Company I;

Corporal J. M. Reeves, Company D ; Privates R. C. Brock and

John Hambrick, Company E; and Private E. D. Cullence; at

Seven Pines.

_^

Privates H. H. McGuire, H. Elison, D. H. HousCin the

Battles before Richmond.

J. B. Fulton, B. C. Fulton, J. A. Cosner, and L. P. Parker,

Company I, at South Mountain, Maryland.

A great many other officers and men have performed equally

as gallant acts as those whose names appear above; but the

officers commanding have usually refused to make any distinctions

where nearly all act their part well.

Owing to the frequent changes in the officers commanding this regiment, there haa been no correct record kept of dates, battles, <fec., and I have ben compelled to supply the dates in most cases mjself. Many of them may therefore be incorrect, but they are very nearlj right Below I subjoin a letter from Colonel Hoggins, which will place him and his regiment pjght before the public, as regards the limited material with which he has supplied me.

TWENTY-THIRD GEORGIA REGIMENT.

49

Petersburg, Virginia, August Sd, 1864.
COLONEL FOLSOM,--Dear Sir:--I enclose to you a very imperfectly arranged history of the Twenty-third Georgia, prepared under circumstances th at make it next to impossible to make it what it should be. No record of battles, marches and events has been kept, consequently this report is made almost entirely from memory. Besides the foregoing, we are constantly on the front lines, near the enemy, and have but little time to devote to such duties, notwithstanding we feel deeply interested in your history of the regiments from our noble old mother State.
With high regard and esteem, Yourobedient servant, JAMES EL HCGGINB, Colonel commanding Twenty-third Georgia Regiment.

G

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.
THE Twenty-eighth Regiment of Georgia Volunteers, then known as the Twentieth Regiment, was organized at Camp Stephens near Griffin, Georgia, on the 4th day of September, 1861, by the election of T. J. Worthen from Washington County, as Colonel; G. A. Hall from Merriwethc-r, as Lieutenant Colonel, and James G. Cain from Jefferson, as Major. On the 10th of September the regiment was mustered into the Confede rate service by Major Calhoun, and was then composed of the following eight companies, two having been previously ordered by Governor Brown to different commands:--Companies A, B and H, from Washington County; Company C from Richmond ; Company D from Cherokee ; Company E from Merriwether; Company I from Jefferson, and Company K from Emanuel.
The regiment remained at Camp Stephens for instruction in the drill and manual, until the 4th of Xovember. On the 25th of September the ladies of Merriwether County presented to the regiment a most beautiful Confederate banner, which was received by Captain Crawford of Company C, with a few happy and eloquent remarks. On the 4th of November the regiment received orders to proceed to Richmond, where it arrived on the 8th, and encamped on Fulton Hill near the city? While here two companies which had formerly been^ attached to the Eigh teenth Georgia Regiment, Company F from Cherokee, and Companv G from Gordon Counties, were attached to this regiment, thus completing the required number of companies for its proper organization. At the same time the regiment was known at the War Department as the Twenty-eighth Regiment of Georgia Volunteers, several Georgia regiments having been previously mustered into the Confederate service, independent of the state organization.
On the 17th of November the regiment received orders to .proceed to Manassas Junction, and arrived at that place on the

TWENTY-EIGHTH GEORGIA EEGIiiENT.

51

18th. .Here it remained on post duty until the 30th of December,

when it moved into winter quarters about one mile and a half

from the Junction. During this time the regiment suffered

severely from disease, and a great many valuable men were lost.

Diseases were more frequent and dangerous, as many of the men-*

had but just recovered from attacks of measles and camp fever,

contracted d-uring their stay in Georgia, relapsed again'on account

of the cold climate and the cold and inclement weather, during

wfcich they were greatly exposed by night standing guard, and

by day doing fatigue duty. And their diseases would frequently

end in their death, as our hospital accommodations were" very

limited, and in some cases even the sick were not properly cared

for with the necessary attentions. During one period, the

diseases in the regiment were so frequent and severe, that the

aggregate number reported for duty did not amount to more

than forty (40) men. Toward the beginning of February, 1862,

the regiment recovered in a considerable degree its hea4th.

^

^--s

Upon .the 18th of February the Twenty-eighth Georgia

received orders to leave Manassas Junction, and upon that

memorable retreat it only had a very few sick. At Manassas,.

the regiment was armed with the Springfield musket, having

come from Georgia unarmed. On the 19th of February -the

regiment took up the line of march southward, having previously

been joined to a brigade with the Twenty-seventh Georgia,

Fourth North Carolina, and Forty-ninth Virginia Regifnents,

uuder command of Colonel G. W. Anderson, of North Carolina.

After two days of marching the regiment arrived at the Rappa-

hannock river, and after fording that stream near Rap^ahannock

Station on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, encamped near

the southern bank. Here the troops remained about a weekj

when they again, in conjunction with the brigade, took np the

line of march, and passing through Culpepper Court House,

crossed the Rapidan river near Rapidan Station on the Orange

and Alexandria railroad, and encamped upon Clark's Mountain,

about four milejj from the river. Here the regiment remained

until about the 4th of April, 1862, when it proceeded by

railroad to Richmond, and from thence on a steamboat down the

James river to King's Landing, about fifteen miles from York-

town, at which place the regiment, after a hot and tedious march,

arrived on the evening of the 5th of April, 1862.

One day after its arrival at Yorktown, the regiment under the

52

HEBOES AND MABTYRS OF GEORGIA.

'command of Lieutenant Colonel Hall, Colonel Wortlien being sick, was assigned a position outside of the works surrounding the town, in a ravine, and during the stay there performed picket and out-post duty along the banks of the river. After two weeks the regiment was moved inside of the works, but on a high hill, exposed to the shell from the enemy's gunboats, which annoyed us very frequently.
On the 2d of May, 1862, we had the misfortune to lose Lieutenant Colonel Hall, who died of typhoid pneumonia when he was about to be conveyed on board of a vessel for his removal to Richmond. Colonel Hall's loss was severely felt by this regiment. A gentleman of great talents and high mind, he had won the love and esteem of his officers and men, and although not actually engaged in battle, had shown that bravery and coolness in moments of expected danger, especially while per forming out-post duty at Yorktown, which eminently fitted him for the position he occupied.
While at Yorktown we lost Captain Hill of Company G, severely wounded in the arm, and two men. On the night of the 2d the regiment left its position at Yorktown, in pursuance of orders, but was soon recalled, and reoccupied its position
until the night of the 3d, when Yorktown was evacuated, and it marched to Williamsburg, a distance of fifteen miles, where it arrived on the morning of the 4th. Here the men rested until the morning of the 5th, when they again resumed the line of march; but they had hardly proceeded two miles, when the brigade waa ordered to return at the double-quick to "Williamsburg, where a battle was raging between ours and the Yankee forces. The men threw away their blankets^knapsacks, overcoats, and everything^ which impeded their hasty march to the battle field; but when they arrived there, although eager for the fray, the regiment was held in reserve, and. was only destined to be inactively exposed to the fire of the enemy.
The regiment remained upon the field qf battle that night, the 5th, and the sufferings of that night will long be remembered. A cold, drizzling rain had been falling $11 day, and continued during the night. The men stood knee deep in mud, and had
nothing to shelter them from the rain, or shield them from the
cold, having, as has been previously mentioned, thrown away their overcoats and blankets on the doable-quick march. The sufferings were the more severe, as most of the men had had no

TWENTY-EIGHTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

53

provisions to appease their hunger for the past twenty-four hours, ! and the commissary wagons were about ten miles in advance of
the army. On the 6th the army again marched towards Burnt Ordnance^
but still without their hunger having been appeased, where they arrived the same night. Here the regiment received a very small supply of provisions, hardly sufficient for supper; and although the different commissaries tried their, utmost, they were not able to supply the men with rations until after the regimen! had again resumed the line of march, and proceeded a few miles on the morning of the 7th. As soon as General Featherstone, who had been assigned to the command of our brigade, (General D. H. Hill's Division) received information that the commissaries had received supplies of provisions, he halted the brigade, and ordered the provisions to be divided and cooked, and the men were allowed to refresh themselves by rest until afternoon, when the road was again filled by our marching column. After a great deal of suffering, and marching through mud ankle, and knee, deep, and but very scantily fed, the troops arrived at Long Bridge on the Chickahominy River, about the 10th instarlt.
At this place the regiment remained and rested until the 20th' Supplies were s,till very scarce, and sometimes the men had to content themselves with one cracker and a very small piece of
bacon per day. On the 20th the troops were again put in motion, and arrived
the same evening within three miles of Richmond. Here ended the memorable retreat from Yorktown, during which the^suffer-
ings, occasioned by the disagreeable weather, muddy and miry roads, hard marching and starving, had never been surpassed. since the beginning of the war. Arriving at the Capitol, the troops were permitted to rest, and as supplies became more plentiful and regular, the men were enabled lo recuperate ^apidly. While here, Major J. G. Cain was promoted to the Lieutenant Colonelcy, vice Lieutenant Colonel Hall, deceased, and Captain Tully Graybill, of Company A, promoted to Major.
On the morning of the 30th of May, the wagons belonging to the brigade were ordered within the works around Richmond, and preparations made which betokened a coming engagement. On the morning of the 31st, the Twenty-eighth Georgia.marched to the battle ground of Seven Pines. The battle did not com mence until about two o'clock, P. M.t when D. H. Hill's

54

HEROES AXD MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

sion, occupying the right wing, made tHe attack, driving the

enemy before it. The Twenty-eighth was commanded, in this

engagement, by Captain John X. Wilcox, of Company K, the

senior officer present--Colonel Worthen being severely ill in.

Richmond, and Lieutenant Colonel Caift and Major Graybill

absent for other sufficient reasons. Captain Wilcox commanded

the regiment ably and with great skill, and that the Twenty-

eighth bore a prominent and noble part in this engagement, its

casualties, amounting to one hundred and thirty-four killed and

wtmnded, sufficientjv show. This loss was from onlv ei^ht

'

v



C/

companies, as two of the largest companies were detailed to

support a battery. The day on which this battle was fought

had been extremely wet and disagreeable, a heavy rain having

fallen, and the men were compelled to wade knee deep in mud

and water; but this bv no means cooled their ardor, but onlv

/

*

7



incited them to fresher deeds of daring, which carried them on

to victorv. The- brigade was commanded bv Colonel Anderson,



o *

*

of the Fourth North Carolina, General Featherstone being

detained by sickness. In the battle of the Seven Pines, no regi

ment in the brigade fought with more gallantry and bravery

than the Twenty-eighth Georgia.

The next morning Major Graybill was, by accident, taken

prisoner on his way to rejoin his command, he baring by mistake

passed our pickets and entered the Yankee lines. Lieutenant

Colonel Cain again took command of the regiment, which

C

*--3

/

remained in camp until the 12th of June, drilling and performing

fatigue and various other duties, when it moved camp and was

'formed into another brigade with the Sixth, Twenty-third, and

Twenty-seventh Georgia, and Thirteenth^fclabama Regiments.

On the 20th, General Featherstone having been assigned to

another brigade, Colonel A. H. Colquitt took command, and it

has ever since been known as " Colquitt's Brigade." Here also

Colond Worthen rejoined the regiment and resumed command.

On the "26th the brigade was moved to the Mechanicsville

' turnpike, where the first of the series of engagements was fought,

generally known as the "Battles arotmd Richmond." Our

division, under command of Major General D. H. Hill, was

engaged in nearly all of these battles, and the regiment bore its

proportionate share in them, losing during the different engage

ments sixjy-five in killed and wounded. In the battle of Mal-

vern Hill, Colonel Worthen was mortally, and Lieutenant Colonel

TWENTY-EIGHTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

ix 56 '

Cain severely wounded. Colonel "Worthen died at Richmond, whither he had been conveyed, on the 3d of July. The regiment has deeply mourned his loss, even as they would have mourned the loss of a father. Kind, affable and affectionate, at the same time commanding that respect due to his station, he had won the love of his men and.the esteem and veneration of tii4officers. Although nearly sixty years of age, he entered the army for the defence of bis country as captain of Company B, from which position he was elected to the Colonelcy of the regiment; andduring the memorable seven days fight around Richmond, he led his regiment in all the engagements, although not quite recovered from a severe attack of pneumonia, and when; he fell, it was in front of his regiment, leading it on to glory and victory.
After the battles around Richmond, the regiment encamped about three miles from the city, on the York River railroad, where it remained until the 19th day of August, 1862, when it was moved by rail to Orange Court House. In the meantime, Major Graybill, who had been exchanged, returned and took command of the regiment. From Orange Court House the regiment proceeded, on the 26th of August, to the' Rapid an,, river, and, after crossing it, proceeded, through Culpepper Court House, Warrenton and Gainsville, to the battle field of Manassas number two, but did not reach there in time to parti- ; cipate in that glorious victory. From Manassas the regiment : moved, by Chantilly and Drainesville, to Leesburg, where we ! arrived on the 4th of September. On the 5th the regiment again took up the line of march, and, passing through LeesJJurg to the Point of Rocks, crossed the Potoraac river on_the night of the 5th of September. The next .morning the regiment pro ceeded by Buckeyetown, Maryland, to within four *miles of Frederick City. Here the regiment pitched camp and remained until the 12th, when it again moved, through Frederick City, by Middletown, to Boonsborb, where it arrived that evening, j This same evening Colquitt's Brigade was ordered back to South \ Mountain, a spur of the Blue Ridge, on the turnpike between Frederick City and Boonsboro. On the morning of the 14th the enemy made his appearance and immediately engaged Gar land's Brigade. General D. H. Hill having, by that time, moved up the whole of his division, the engagement became general. The Twenty-eighth, in conjunction with the Twenty-third Geor gia Regiment, held a position on the turnpike, protected by a

66

HEROES l^D JfARTTRS OF GEORGIA.

stone fence, and although the enemy, in overwhelming numbers, repeatedly charged their position, these two regiments as repeat edly drove them back with heavy loss, and maintained their position nntil they were recalled late at night by order of Gen. Colquitt. The regiment on this occasion was commanded by Major Graybill, who displayed perfectly the talents of a commander. He very narrowly escaped being wounded, as his coat and vest were perforated in several places by Yankee bullets. The casualties amounted to forty (40) in killed, wounded and missing.
On the night of the 1 4th the regiment again moved by way of Sharpsbnrg, Maryland, to the banks of the Potomac opposite Shepherdstown, Virginia, where it arrived on the morniqg of the 15th. On the morning of the 16th the division occupied the centre of the line of battle near Sharpsburg, and on the morning of the 17th the regiment participated in that sanguinary conflict, which lasted nntil late at night. Here we lost seventy (70) men in killed and wounded; among the latter. Captain Garrison, of Company D, a gallant and efficient officer, who acted as Major during the fight. In this place, also, mention' should be made of Lieutenant J. W. Banning, of Company E,r who, during the engagement, had to take command of the regiment because of the loss of superior commanders, and who, by his skill and bravery, won the admiration of his men and the praise of his superior officers.
On the 18th jthe regiment remained in line of battle on the ensanguined field, and at night recrossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown, and retreated: towards Martinsburg, where the army arrived on the 22d, remained until the 28th, and arrived at Bunker ^Bill, twelvemiles from VTinchester, Virginia, on the night of the 30th of September, 1862. The regiment left that place on the 18th of October, and proceeded to Charlestown, where it participated in destroying the Winchester and Harper's Ferry railroad j, left Charlestown on the morning of the 20th, and after crossing the Shenandoah River at Berry's Ferry on the 23d, encamped between Paris and U'pperville. On the morning of the 25th of October the army was drawn up in line of battle between those two places, expecting the enemy to attack ; but on the morning of the 26th the artny again marched np the Shenandoah river to Front Royal, where it arrived that evening. On the 27th the army again laid in line of battle, and on the
night of the 28th it crossed the south fork of the Shenandoah

TWENTY-EIGHTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

57

river, and went into camps about fhree miles from Front Royal. On the 30th of October the regiment marched for Strasburg, Vir ginia, where it arrived that evening ; remained there until !;he 20th of November, when it again moved by Woodstock-ajid New Market, across the Massenothan range, and crosse^^ae Blue Ridge on the 23d, and camped that night near a liLUe village called Craiglesville. On the 24th the regiment proceeded by Madison (Tourt House, and encamped within two riiiles of Gordonsville. Here it remained until the 27th, when it again moved by Orange Court House to Fredericksburg, near which place it encamped on the night of the 29th. Next day it luoved to Guinea's Station, and from thence, on the 1st of December, to Port Royal, near the Rappahannock river, where it remained until the morning of the 12th, and then moved to Hamilton's Crossing, and on the morning of the 13th to the battle field of Fredericksburg. In this battle the Division of General D. H. Hiil was not actively engaged, but was exposed to the fire of the enemy, and the regiment lost ten men in killed and wounded.
On the loth the regiment moved into camps about three miles from Guinea's Station, and went into winter quarters;'neverthe less, the division performed picket dutv on the Rappahannock., river during the winter. Nothing of importance-occurred UQj,il the morning of thj 2Sth of April, 1863, when the regiment was ordered to proceefl to Hamilton's Crossing, on the R, & F. and P. II. R., and formed in line of battle, expecting an attack frofri the enemy, who was crossing the Rappahannock river at differ ent forJs. On the night of the 30th the brigade marched to the battle ground of Chancellorsville and Wilderness, and participa ted iivthe engagements of the 1st and 2d of May, 1863, where the regiment, under command of Colonel Graybill, who had been. promoted from Major after Lieutenant Colonel Cain had re- ' Mgned, lost twenty-five men in killed and wounded. The regi ment remained on the battle lield until the evening of the 5th, a fit anniversary for the terrible night of May 5th, 1862, for it rained tremendously, and the roads were in an awful condition. On the evening of the 6th the regiment returned to their old camp near Guinea's Station. Here it remained until the 22d when the brigade was ordered to proceed to Kinston, North Carolina, where it arrived May 24th. While here the regiment performed picket duty until the 3d day .f July, 1863, when itt was ordered back to Richmond to aid in repelling a raid of the
H

58

HEROES A>'D tfARTTRS OF GEORGIA.

enemy. On the 9th of July we were ordered to Topsail Inlet,

about fifteen miles from Wilmington.

:

August 8th, the regiment proceeded to Charleston, South

Carolina, arriving there on the 10th. On its arrival at Charles

ton, the regiment was ordered to James Island, where it estab

lished camps near Fort Pemberton, on the west lines. On the

night of the 30th of August, the Twenty-seventh and Twenty-

eighth Georgia Regiments, of this Brigade, were ordered to

relieve the garrisons of Batteries TTagner and Gregg, on Morris

Isjand. The regiments remained there until the night of the

evacuation, on the 7th of September, puring the stay of the

Twenty-eighth on Morris Island, the regiment was subjected to

the severest shelling it has ever experienced during the war, and

was exposed to the most imminent danger, being obliged to keep

a close watch from the ramparts of the Fort. Captain TV. P.

Crawford, of Company C, commanded the regiment during its

stay on Morris Island, and his conduct while in command has

endeared him to the whole regiment. Here, too, must be

recorded the death of the brave and gallant Captain John K.

Haines, of Company B, who was killed bV a shell just as he had

taken command of. and wa;? in the act of leading, a detachment

of one hundred picked men, of whom fifty belonged to the

Twenty-eighth Georgia, to repel a threatened attack of the

enemy in the rear of Battery Wagner. Cplonel Keitt, com

manding Battery TVagcer, had requested Captain Crawford to

furnish him a competent and trustworthy officer, and Captain

Haines was the officer selected.

The casualties of the regiment during its occupation of Morris

Island were thirty-four killed and wounded. After the evacuation

of Morris Island, the regiment went into winter quarters. During

the winter the regiment performed picket duty, alternately, at

Secessionville ancf Battery Pringle, also at Fort Johnson, and

made part of the garrison of Fort Sumter. During the heavy

bombardment of that Fort, the regiment lost twenty men in''

killed and wounded.

On the 8th day of February, 1864, the regiment was ordered

to John's Island, where it aided in repelling the enemy to his

gunboats. From thence it proceeded to Lake City, Florida, where

it arrived on the 16th of February. On the 20th of February

Colquitt's Brigade proceeded to Olustee Station, about ten miles

from Lake City, where it encountered a heavy force of the enemy,

TWENTY-EIGHTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

59

composed of blacks and whites. Other'troops having come up, a general engagement ensued, in which Colquitt's Brigade acted the chief part, and was mainly instrumental in winning the glorious victory of Ocean Pond. The regiment here fought with undoubted bravery, driving the enemy before them ; and although at one time out of ammunition, the men nobly stood their ground, and as soon as reinforcements and ammunition arrived, they charged the enemy and finally helped^to drive him from the field. It is but meet to mention the conspicuous gal lantry of Color-bearer Sergeant Tiffany, (which was noticed by General Colquitt,) who fell, and also the gallantry of William Patton, of Company C, who took the colors and carried them safely through the fight; and also the gallantry of Lieutenant Rowe, of Companf E, while planting the *fblors of the regiment over two Xapoleon guns captured from,the enemy. The chivalries Captain Crawford, assisted by the brave Captain Banning, com manded the regiment in this engagement. Captain Crawford was severely wounded in the leg/while leading his men, and had to leave the command to Captain Banning, who, although he had received a painful wound, refused to leave the field, and with the blood streaming "from his wound led his men to victory. A few days after the battle, Captain Crawford was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Captain J. W. Banning to Major. The* regiment remained at Camp Milton lufriil the last of March, when it moved to Baldwin, when it was complimented by Major General Anderson, commanding district of Florida, for the zeal and activity which they displayed in throwing- up fortifications : the compliment was issued in a General Order. April 19th, the regiment left Baldwin for Charleston, South Carolina; remained in Charleston, doing provost duty, until the 10th of May, when it proceeded to Petersburg, Virginia, to rejoin the rest of the brigade, which had preceded it a few days before.
May 16th, battle of Drury's Bluff was fought, and this regi ment was temporarily attached to Martin's Brigade, which attacked the enemy, but the Twenty-eighth Georgia was not actively engaged. On the 18th of May it rejoined Colquitt's Brigade, and took position in the line in Chesterfield^Connty. TVhile there a charge was made* on the 20th of May, in which' a detachment of one hundred men from the regiment participated under command of Captain J. A. Johnson, of Company H. T detachment succeeded in driving the enemy from his line, but

60V

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

with heavy loss, losing twenty in killed and wounded--among

the former Captain William M. Wood, of Company A.

May 31st, the regiment proceeded to Cold Harbor, in front of

Richmond, and took their position in the trenches. On the 2d

of Jane the enemy made a heavy charge, and Succeeded in

breaking that portk>n of the line held by Clingham's North L

Carolina Brigade; but the Twenty-seventh Georgia, supported '

by the Twenty-eighth, charged in gallant style from their posi

tion, and succeeded in retaking the lost j>art of the line. In this

brilliant little affair Major J. W. Banning was severely wounded

in the hip, and a considerable number of men killed and wounded.

The enemy charged repeatedly upon onr lines during their siege

of Richmond, but were alwavs repulsed with heavy slaughter.

*

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On the 13th the regiment moved to Malvern Hill, and on the

loth recrossed the James and Appomattox'rivers, and arrived

just in time with the Division (General Hokes') to repel an attack

the -enemv made on the second line of breastworks around V
Petersburg. Here the regiment occupied a position in the

trenches which has tried the fortitude and endurance of the m-en

to the greatest degree. The enemy, having planted a battery of

mortars in front of their position, shelleVi the regiment with great

precision, killing and wounding a considerable number. A few

men were lost,' thoug^h not en*g~J ag-.?ed,' in the battle of the 30th of July. The loss of the regiment from June 1st to this day,

(August 13th) amounts to eighty-two killed and wounded.
//
Adjutant Thomas O. Wicker of Washington County deserves special

mention in connection -with the Twenty-eighth Georgia. This trallant and

meritor.ous young officer enlistee! as a private in the Washington Rifles, First

Georgia Volunteer Regiment, organized March 18th, 1861. He passed through

the arduous campaign in Northern Virginia nnder General Garnett. Upon the regiment being mustered out of service, he organized a company of artillery

and was elected Fir~t Lieutenant; but upon being tendered the position of

Adjutant of the Twenty-eighth Georgia, he resigned his commissioned accepted

the appointment. Owin^tothe provisions of tha Promotion'Act, adjutants of

regiments were throwj/entirely out of the line of promotion. Hence, Adjutant

Wicker still holds Us original position.

|

He has illustrated in his own person, upon manrv bloody battle fields of this

war, the character of the Georgia troops. He haa been most honorably

mentioned several times in official reports for his coolness and conspicuous

courage. He has now been strongly recommended by Major General Hoke

and Brigadier General Colqujtt, for promotion for his gallantry.

TWENTY-EIGHTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

61

Since the foregoing was written, J have received from Adjutant T. 0. Wicker the following
STATISTICAL RECORD.

Number of men killed in action,

153

Number of men died of disease or wounds, .

243

Total deaths, ......

396

Discharged, .......

70

Resigned, .......

24

Total real loss, ' . . . . .

490

Wounded in action

.'....

280

Total real an^ temporary loss, .

770

TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.

STATISTICAL RECORD.

Number of men originally enlisted.

6S4

Number of recruits and conscripts,

407

Total strength of regiment, .

11.-1

Number of men killed in action. .....

l'~>4

Number of men died of ^ound s , disease. <fcr.. . .

2GS

Loss by death, .......

272

Number of men discharged, etc.. . . . . 174

Total loss of regiment,

..... 540

CHANGES IX FIELD OFFICERS.
The original field officers elected were:--Levi B. Smith, of Taibotton, Colonel; S. L. Brewer, of Taylor County, Lieutenant Colonel; Charles T. Zachrv, of Henry County, Major.
Lieutenant Colonel Brewer resigned in December, 1861, and Major Zachrv was elected Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain H. B. Halliday elected Major. Major Hallidaj* resigned in August, 1S62, and senior Captain John W. Stubbs was appointed Major. Colonel L. B. Smith was killed at Sharpsburg on the 17th of September, 1862, and Lieutenant Colonel Zachrv was appointed Colonel to fill the vacancy. Major Stubbs was appointed Lieutenant Colonel, and senior Captain Charles J. Dennis was appointed Major. Major Dennis resigned in December, 1S62, and Captain Jasper N. Dorsey appointed Major. Lieutenant Colonel Stubbs resigned in December, 1862, and Major Dorsey was appointed Lieutenant Colonel. First Lieutenant and Adjutant James Gardner, promoted to Major for distinguished gallantry in action. Lieutenant Colonel Dorsev* was dismissed the service in May, 1864, by sentence of General Court Martial, and Major Gardner appointed Lieutenant Colonel. Captain H^Bussey

TWENTY-SEVENTH. GEORGIA REGIMENT.

63

appointed Major. Lieutenant Colonel Gardner was killed 'on

the 18th of June, 1864, and Major Bussey was appointed

Lieutenant Colonel.

The Twenty-seventh Regiment of Georgia Volunteer Infantry

was organized at Camp Stephens, near Griffin, Georgia, and was

mustered into the service of the Confederate States on the 9th

and 10th days of September, 1861.

On the 31st of October it was ordered to Richmond, Virginia,

and thence to Manassas, where it arrived about the loth of

November, without arms. The first service it rendered was in

the building of a bridge across the Ocuoquan river, which was

completed about the 15th of December, when the regiment was

ordered into winter quarters at Camp Pic-kens, near Manassas.

At this point the regiment performed garrison duty until the 9th

dav of March, 1862, when thcv were ordered to dark's Mountain-.

v

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Colonel G. B. Anderson, of North Carolina, was conimariding the

brigade, composed of the Fourth North Carolina Troops, he

Forty-ninth Virginia Infantry, and the Twenty-seventh and

Twentv-ei^hth Georgia Volunteer Regiments. The brigade

*"

C?

C7^

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arrived at Clark's Mountain on the 20th of March, 1862. On the

9th of April, Briga lier General W. S. Featherstone was assigned

to and assumed command of the brigade. Wiile encamped at

Clark's Mountain the weather was very inclement, and the

troops suffered exceedingly.

On the evening of the 9th of April, the regiment marched to

the railroad to take the cars for Richmond, through snow and

sleet from four to six inches in depth. Upon the arrival of the^

regiment in the city, they were ordered to take book for Grpver's

Landing on the James river, (this was on the l*0th of April)

and from thence were marched across the country to Yorktown.

On thp 14th day of April the Twenty-seventh Georgia Regiment,

with the Thirteenth Alabama Regiment, was ordered in front of

the works to assist Captain Hardaway's Battery in dislodging

some sharpshooters, who were annoying us to a considerable

extent, ff om a pine grove between our works and those of Jhe

enemy. The orders being successfully carried out, the sharp

shooters having been dislodged, the regiment returned to calmp |

jubilant over their first engagement with the enemy, without th

loss of a single life. On the evening of May 3d, the regiment

commenced its retreat with the whote array from Yorktown; it

passed through Williamsburg on the 4th, and on the morning of

HEBOES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

the 5th the retreat was resumed. The Twenty-seventh Georgia

had marched about five miles, when orders were received for it to

return to Williamsbufg in double-quick time, to assist our troops

in the battle of Williamsburg, which was then raging. ,The rain

was falling, the roads were in a terrible Condition, and the weather

was extremely cold; the regiment, however, caring nothing for

these discomforts, about faced, (instead of countermarching) and

started at the double-quick. Arriving at Williamsburg. knap

sacks, haversacks, blankets, and everv tiling which could inter-

i

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fere with their efficiency in battle were thrown off, by our boys,

as quickly as possible.

A position was assigned to the Twenty-seventh Georgia be-

1

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yond and to the left of the town. This position they occupied

for several hours, when they were marched to another position

in a large wheat field, where they remained during the night,

suffering immensely from cold, fatigue, and the knawing pangs

of hunger.

. About two o'clock on the morning of the 6th, the wheat field

was evacuated and the line of march resumed toward the city of

Richmond. Upon the arrival of the regiment at Long Bridge,

they struck camp and remained there for ten or twelve days, and

then moved to the vicinity of Richmond.

At the battle of Seven Pines, fought on the 31st of May, this

regiment participated, going into action at two o'clock in the

afternoon, a little to the left of the Williamsburg road. General

Featherstoae being sick, the command of the brigade devolved

upon Colonel G. B. Anderson, of Xorth Carolina. Colonel

Smith, of this regiment, was wounded in the early part of the

engagement, bjut did not quit the field until the brigade was

relieved. About four o'clock, P. M., Colonel Jenkins, of South

Carolina, with his sharpshooters, came to the relief >f the

Twenty-seventh Georgia, when a charge was ordered and the

enemy were completely routed in front of their position. At

this juncture the brigade was relieved, excepting the Twenty-

seventh Georgia, who were ordered to keep in supporting,distance

of Colonel Jenkins, who was then in pursuit of the enemy, and

render him any assistance 'which might be necessary. Just

before sundown Colonel Jenkins ordered Lieutenant Colonel

Zachry (who was then in command of the Twenty-seventh

Georgia, Colonel Smith having retired) to form on his (Colonel

Jenkins') right, as the enemy in heavy force were attempting to

TWENTY-SEVENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

65

flank him in that direction. The regiment -.moved up at. the double-quick, and \vere forming line, when some little confusion occurred, which lasted, however, but a moment. It was at this time that Adjutant Gardner displayed that coolness and marked bravery which elicited from Colonel Jenkins a .personal compli ment and recommendation for promotion. Colonel Jenkins succeeded, with the aid of the Twenty-seventh Georgia, in baffling the designs of the enemy upon our flank, and drove him one-fourth of a mile from their position, when night put an end to the conflict. The loss of the Twenty-seventh Georgia in this engagement was severe, amounting to one hundred and fifty-four (154) killed and wounded.
After the battle of Seven Pines a brigade was formed, consisting of the Sixth, Twenty-third, Twenty-seventh and Twenty-eighth Georgia Regiments, and the Thirteenth Alabama Regiment, General Featherstone commanding. In a few days, however, General Featherstone was assigned to duty elsewhere, and the command of the brigade devolved upon Colonel A. H, Colquitt, commanding the Sixth Georgia Regiment.
On the morning of the 26th of June the regiment took up the line of march at half past one o'clock, and halted near Mechanicsville. The reg--?iment was endg? agjed in the battle of Mechanicsvi* lle on the morning of the 27th, and at Cold Harbor on the evening of the same day. At the battle of Cold Harbor, Gen. Colquitt's Brigade charged the enemy and gained a very important position, which was held by the Twenty-seventh Georgia for some time, without any assistance from the other regiments of the brigade. The Sixty-first Georgia Regiment was ordered forward to relieve the Twenty-seventh, but, mistaking them for the enemy, fired into the regiment, until Adjutant Gardner could pass from the extreme right of the regiment to its centre, and have the colors raised, by that means signifying to them that we were friends, The Sixty-first, recognizing the colors, ceaswd firing, and coming quickly forward, relieved the Twenty-seventh.
This regiment next engaged the enemy at White Oak Swamp, on the evening of the 31st of June; and again on the evening of the 1st of July, at Malvern Hill, we were hurled upon the foe, losing very severely in killed and wounded, Adjutant Gardner being among those who were severely wounded.
About the 6th of July the regiment returned to the vicinitv of Richmond, having suffered a loss of one hundred and twenty-
I

66

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

gix men, killed and wounded, in the series of engagements, known

as the battles around Richmond.

From the 10th of July until the 17th of August, the Twenty-

seventh Georgia marched several times ' from the vicinity of

'Richmond to Malvern Hill and back, when the movements ofthe;

enemy would indicate an advance from that point.

'

On the 19th of August the regiment took the cars at Rich

mond, and proceeded to Orange Court House, where it remained

until the 27th of August, whan it took up the line of march, and

joined Generals Lee and Jackson near Fairfax, Virginia, two

days after the second battle of Manassas, where it rested twenty-

four hours, and then proceeded,. via Leesburg to Frederick,

Maryland. After resting three days at Frederick, it marched

vi& South Mountain and Boonsboro, to within six miles of Hagers-

town, Maryland; when orders were received to return at once

to South Mountain pass, which was performed on the night of

the 12th of September. On the morning of the 14th, a position

was assigned to the Twenty-seventh by Major General D. H.

Hill, to whose division Colquitt's Brigade belonged; which

position it held all that day. At night we were withdrawn and

marched to Sharpsburg, from thence to the north bank of the

Potomac, opposite Shepherdstown, Virginia, where we arrived

about eleven o'clock on the morning of the loth. On the morn

ing of the 16th, the brigade was marched back to Sharpsburg,

and assigned to different positions during the day. On the morn

ing of the 17th, the Twenty-seventh Georgia Regiment went

into the fight early in the morning, and fought long and well.

Among the many fatal casualties in the Twenty-seventh, was

Colonel Smith, as gallant and generous a heart as ever beat, and

whose loss will be long deplored by hi? surviving comrades

Lieutenant Colonel Zachrv was sererelv* wounded in this engagement.

The loss of the- Twenty-seventh Georgia in the battles of

South Mountain and Sharp?burg, amounted to one hundred and

forty-nine (149) men killed and wounded.

Leaving Sharpsburg on the morning of the 19th, the regiment

crossed the Potomac river before day, and marched to Martins-

burg, where it rested two or three days, and then proceeded to

Bunker Hill. We left Bunker Hill about the 23d of October,

and assisted in tearing up the railroad, leading from Harper's

Ferry to Charlestown, on or about the night of the 24th of Sep-

TWENTY-SEVENTH GEORGIA REGIJfENT.

67

tember. Here again the troops suffered incredibly from the

. excessive cold, the men being generally poorly clad, and in many

instances barefooted, their sufferings were very severe. After

destroying the above mentioned railroad, the regiment marched

across the Shenandoah river, and camped between Paris and

Upperville, about the 1st of November1. Leaving Paris it

marched to Front Royal, thence to Strasburg, where another

railroad \vas destroyed.

Between the IMh and 20th of November, we were ordered to

inarch, and passing Guinea's Station via Orange Court House*

arrived at our destination in the vicinity of Port Royal, on the

Rappahannock, on the 1st day of December. The troops on

this march made an average of twenty-two miles per day, and

large numbers of them were forced to the necessity of wearing

sandals, made of raw hide.

On the 13th of December, the Twenty-seventh participated

in the battle of Fredericksburg. After the battle of Freder-

icksburg, we went into winter quarters near Guinea's Station, and

performed picket duty on the Rappahannofck. On the 27th day

of April, 1863, we took up the line of march for Chancellorsville, -

where we were engaged on the evening of the 29th, and again

on the 30th at Wilderness Church, and again on-the 1st day of

May at Wilderness Tavern. Losing in the three engagements c.

fifty-seven (57) men in killed and wounded. On the 4th day of

May we returned to our old winter quarters, near Guinea's

\)

Station.

About the 19th of May the Twenty-seventh Georgia was

ordered to report without delay to Major General D. H. Hill,

commanding the Department of North Carolina and Southern

Virginia. The regiment arrived at Kinston, North Carolina,

about the 2Sth of May and remained there until the 3d of July,

when it was ordered back to Richmond to repel an anticipated

paid of the enemy; arriving in Richmond on the 6th it only '

remained a few days, as it received orders to report at Wilming-

ton, North Carolina, to General Whiting commanding that post.

Upon the arrival of the regiment at Wilmington, it was imme

diately ordered to Topsail Sound, on the coast. Here the

regiment remained until the 10tU of August, when it was ordered

to report to General Beauregard at Charleston, South Carolina,

where it arrived on the 13th and marched to James Island. About

the 28th of August we were ordered to Morris Island, where we

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

remained until its evacuation, this regiment covering the retreat

of the troops from the Island.

From September, 1863, until February. 1864, the Twenty-

seventh remained on James Island doing picket duty there, and

performing garrison duty at Fort Sumter. On the morning of

the 12th of February the regiment marched for John's Island,

where it arrived in time to assist General Wise in driving the

enemy from their position on that Island.

On the 14th of Februarv the Twentv-seventh, with the other

V

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regiments of Colquitt's Brigade, were ordered to Florida, and

taking the cars on the Charleston and Savannah railroad it pro

ceeded to Savannah, thence by the Atlantic and Gulf railroad to

Valdosta, Georgia, where it arrived on the 15th. From Valdosta

the regiment marched to Madison, Florida, and from thence by

railroad to Olustee Station, on Tallahassee and Jackson railroad.

Daring the early part of the day of the battle of Ocean Pond,

the Twenty-seventh Georgia Regiment was held in reserve.; but

about four o'clock, P. M., it was ordered into the engagement, and

immediately charging the enemy, contributed irreatly to the utter

rout and demoralization of the enemy. Colonel Zachry on this

memorable occasion was termed the u Blucher^ of the day. The

loss of the Twenty-seventh Georgia in the battle of Ocean Pond,

was very severe for the time it was engaged, amounting to eighty-

seven (87) in killed and wounded. After the battle the enemy

were pursued to Baldwin, Florida.

On the 1st day of March the Eleventh South Carolina, Twenty-

seventh Georgia, and a force of cavalry, all under tht command

of Colonel Zachry, were ordered on a reconnoitering expedition.

Xear Cedar Creek they met with a force of the enemy, supposed

to have been sent out for a similar purpose. After a short

engagement the enemy were completely routed ; and but for the

failure of the cavalry to execute Colonel Zachry's orders, the

entire party would have been captured. After the battles of

Ocean Pond and Cedar Creek, the Twenty-seventh Georo-ia

remained in camp, at Camp Milton, eight miles south of Baldwin,

Florida, until the 19th of April, when it marched for Tebeauville,

on the Atlantic and Gulf railroad. Arriving at that point they

took cars, aad proceeded by way of Savannah to Charleston,

South Carolina. Upon arriving there it was ordered to James

Island, where the regiment remained until May llth, when it

returned to Charleston, theaca by railroad to Petersburg, Vir-

TWENTr-SEVENTH GEORGIA i KEGIMENT.

ginia, stopping, however, a few days at Weldon, Xorth Carolina,

in anticipation of a raid on that place. Arriving at Petersburg

on the 19th, the Twenty-seventh was assigned a position tin the

front lines between the James and Appoijnattox rivers, where it

remained until the 31st, when it was ordered to Cold Harbor.

At the battle of Cold Harbor, on the 1st of June, five companies

of this regiment charged and re-captured that portion of onr

lines lot bv the left of General Clins^>rraan-'s Brig^ade. These five companies lost in the engagement, eleven (11) killed and fifty-four

(54) wounded. The regiment remained' on the front at Cold

Harbor until the 13th of June, when it marched to Malvern HiH,

leaving which place on the 14th, it mardhed to the vicinity of

Richmond, where it remained until twelve o'clock, M., on the

15th. when the march was resumed to Chester'Station, on the

Richmond and Petersburg railroad, where 'it took the cars for

Petersburg, where it arrived a little after dark, the game day.

The enemy having gained our works by assault before dark,

the Twenty-seventh Georgia was assigned a position, and

entrenched themselves during the night.: On the night of-the

1 7th of June the entire line was changoed,' and the Twent y -seventh Georgia was ordered to hold a very important salient, where

they again entrenched themselves, as soon as it was possible so

to do.

On the evening of the 18th of June, the enemy in three heavy

columns, charged the position of this tegiment. They were

handsomely repulsed, with severe loss, over two hundred of their

dead being left on the field. This salient wras held by the

Twentv* -seventh Georgcjia reg<_/iment without anv relief,' until tho 24th of June, with a loss of seventy-six (76) men killed and

wounded. Among the wounded on the 18th was the gallant

Lieutenant Colonel Gardner, who was mortally wounded, and

died a few days thereafter. He was promoted to the position he

held for distinguished gallantry, and his iname and noble deeds

will live forever embalmed in the hearts of his surviving

comrades.

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*S

From the 24th of June until the 18th of August, this regiment was on the front, one-half of their time, alternating every three days, with a portjon of General Martin's Brigade, On the 18th of August, while the Twenty-seventh Georgia was in reserve, the enemy advanced and took possession of4the Weldon and Peterburg railroad, whin the Twenty-seventh was ordered to-the

70

HBBOES AND MARTYRS OP GEORGIA.

point attacked by the enemy, and engaged them on the evening of the same day. On the 19th this regiment formed a portion ot a flanking party, who inflicted a heavy loss on the enemy in killed
and wounded. Many prisoners were also taken. The Twenty -seventh Georgcjia on this occasion, was under the
command of Major H. Bnssey. Owing to the natural features of the country, consisting as they did of thickly wooded spots, with a very dense undergrowth, it was impossible to preserve
intact the advancing line of battle, large gaps would frequently be made in our lines, through which the enemy would make their way in detached parties, so that friend and foe would become thoroughly intermingled, and of necessity the fighting wate very desperate, being sometimes almost hand to hand, It was an occasion which required great coolness and decision on the part of the commanding officers. The whole recriment was several times in imminent danger of being captured, inspired 'however, by the unwavering coolness and intrepid valor of their leaders, these war-worn and battle-scarred veterans of many a bloody field would rally with enthusiasm around their tattered battle flag, and drive back with severe loss the advances of their assailants. A heavy rain having fallen a short time before the battle opened, and continuing to fall during its progress, the soil had become miry and slippery; the Twenty-seventh Georgia however, with other regiments of the brigade, making a gallant charge, drove the enemy with great slaughter from his enftenched line. Xight put an end to the contest. The loss in killed and wounded in the Twentv* -seventh Georgoia was ' thirtyv ,' and twentvy were taken prisoners. To compensate for this loss, besides the number of the enemy killed and wounded, a very large number of prisoners was taken ; even the ambulance corps, in addition to attending to the wants of the wounded, captured eighty (80)
prisoners. At the present time, August 30th, 1864, the Twenty-seventh
Georgia occupies an important position upon the defensive lines,
around the city of Petersburg, Virginia.

TWENTY-SEVENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

. 71
I

Recapitulation of losses in the different battles in which the Twenty-seventh

Georgia has been engaged :

;

Seven Pines,

killed and wounded, . . . 149

Battles around Richmond,

" " ! " ... 126

Sharpsburg and South Mountain, " " - j " ... 154

Cliancellorsville,

" "! "

. . .- _57

Ocean Pond, '

" " , " . . . 87 .

Cold Harbor,

" ":

... 65

Salient at Petersburg,

""

" ... 76

On TVeldon Railroad,

""

" ... 30

Total casualties, ........ 744 Loss in killed (as from statistical record) . . . 104

Loss in wounded, .....,,..'. 640
The losses in the regiment have certainly been severe. By adding to the real losses of the regiment, amounting to five hundred and forty-six men, the number wounded six hundred and forty, we find that the losses of this regi ment, like those of the Third, Sixth, and other Georgia regiments, exceeds the total number of men enlisted and recruited. This is explained by the fact that the only wounded men lost to the regiment, are those who have been discharged. Many of the men have also been wounded more than once.

THIRD REGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.

STATISTICAL RECORD.

Number of men originally enlisted,

932

Number of men recruited,

551

Total,

H83

LOSSES EACH EXGAGEMEXT.

of Batt'.e,
Sooth Mills. April 12th. 1362, Richmond. June ISth, 1362, King's School House. June 25th, 1862, Malvern Hill. July id. 1362, Rappahannock, August 25th, 1562, Manassas Number 2, August 30th, 1362, Harper's Ferry, September 16th, 1362, Sharpsbursr, September 17th, 1362, Fredericksburs, December 13th. 1362, Chancellorsvill'e, May 2d, 3d and 4th, 1863, Gettysburg-, July 2d," 1843. Manassaa Gap. July 23d. 1363, Wilderness, May 6th. 13o4. Spottaylvania. May 14th, 1S64, . Siege of Petersburg. .....

Killed.
5 4 5 80

TTonnded.
12 3 S 93

Died ofwpunda.
1 15

26

20

67

4

1

1

10 122

f,

29 141

15

12

37

1

1

1

11

73

9

23 104

5

Total. ...... J.59
The losses by death are: -- Killed in action, Died from wounds, . Died from disease,

633

59

159 59 213

Total. ....

431

Discharsed and transferred,

342

'ftrtal loss from all causes,

773

The total of casualties is : --

Killed, ....

159

Wounded,

633

847

THE Third Georgia Regiment, composed of Volunteer com panies who responded to the first call for troops to defend the

THIRD GEORGIA RKGIME.NT.

73

integrity of the Confederate States, rendezvoused at Portsmouth, ! Virginia. At the Gosport Xavy Yard, the regiment W&B '. organized by the election of the following officers: A. R. Wright ; of Augusta, Colonel; James S. Reid of Madison, Georgia,.; Lieutenant Colonel; and A. H. Lee of Covington, Georgia, = Major. Lieutenant "W. W. Turner, of Eatonton, Georgia, Was : : appointed Adjutant; Captain H. S. Hughs received the appoint- : raent of Commissary, and Captain Alexander Phillips, Assistant Quartermaster of the regiment; and the Rev. Mr. Flinn of ! Milledgeville, was commissioned Chaplain.
The following companies composed the original organization >' of the regiment. With one or two exceptions, all- werd ' organized volunteer companies several years previous^to the war.

Company A, Burke Guards, Burke County, Captain Charles Musgrore.

'

Company B, Brown Rifles, Putnam County, Captain Reuben R Nisbet.

Company C, Dawson Grays. Green County, Captain Robert L. McWhorter. :.

Company D, Home Guards, Morgan County, Captain Charles H. Andrews. '

Company E, Governor's Guards, Houston County, Captain Joel R. Griffin.

Company F, Wilkinson Rifles,,Wilkinson County, Captain "Williarri O. Beall.

Company G, Confederate Light Guards, Richmond County, Captain Edward J.

Walker.

Company H, Young Guards, Newton County. Captain John F. Jonea.

Company I, Blodget Volunteers, Richmond County, Captain Foster Blodget.

Company K, Athens Guards, Clarke County, Captain Henry C. Billupa. - "

In August, 1861, Captain Blodget's company, was transferred from the regiment, and shortly afterwards the Clarke County Rifles, Captain Isaac S. Vincent, and the Carswell Q-uards, from Wilkinson County, Captain N. A. Carswell, were added to the regiment.
On the 29th of August, 1861, in pursuance of orders-from Brigadier General, afterwards Major General, Huger, the Third Georgia embarked on small steamers and uaual boats for the coast of North Carolina. Information being received on the way that Fort Hatteras had fallen, the Third Georgia was landed on Roanofee Island, and charged with the important dtaty of fortifying that position as speedily as possible, iu order to prevent the further encroachments of the Yankees on the inland waters of Xorth Carolina, and the approaches to the rear of Norfolk. The emergency w^as great, and the men comprehending it, worked with a will, night and day for several weeks, until, formidable sand batteries, mounted with thirty-two pbanders' and columbiads bade defiance to Butler's fleet.

HEROES ASD MARTTRS OF GEORGIA.
On the 1st of October three or fonr companies of this regiment embarked on two or three guuboats belonging to Commodore Lynch's fleet, and participated in the capture of the United States gnnboat Fanny. The prize, with its cargo of provisions and clothing for the Twentieth Indiana Regiment, estimated to be worth one handred thousand dollars, together with two pieces of field artillery and abont forty prisoners, were the fruits of this combined movement of our little navy and the four compa nies above mentioned.
On the 4th of October all the companies of this regiment, about seven hundred strong, together with two companies of the Seventh North Carolina State Troops, and Colonel Shaw's Eighth North Carolina Regiment, went on board the gnnboats and transport steamers constituting Commodore Lynch's "Mos quito Fleet," and sailed by night for the point where the Fanny had been captured. Arrived there, the camp of the enemy was discovered on the Chickamacomico banks, and we at once commenced a vigorous shelling. The enemy's camp was stam peded, the Hessians flying for their lives. They left behind them a smoking breakfast of poultry, coffee and various other luxuries. Their whole camp equipage, consisting of tents, cooking utensils, etc., all the officers' baggage, and ten days' rations of bacon, bread, sugar, coffee, <fcc., fell into our hands; all of which was successfully transported to our own camp on Roanoke Island.
The Third Georgia landed as soon as possible, wading in the water up to their cartridge boxes about one half mile, and immediately started in rapid pursuit of the Yankees. The latter having about two hours' start of us, the time occupied in landing troops, and proving exceedingly swift footed, kept out of our reach, and succeeded in gaining the light house, where they received reinforcements,--not escaping, however, without a loss of about forty prisoners, and the throwing away of nearly all their knapsacks and accoutrements, and the throwing into the sea of all fcfae muskets belonging to their regiment.
On the 5th, the Third Georgia and two companies of the Seventh North Carolina, having chased the enemy a distance of twenty miles, returned to the place of landing. While returning along the ocean beach, the troops were shelled for several hours by the Federal sloop of war 3fonticetto,'but escaped without loss of life or casualties of any kind. After going through that

THIRD GEORGIA REGIMENT.

75

*

arduous march, all safely returned on the 6th, to Roanoke Island,

with a loss of but one man, who died from exhaustion on the

march. The above detailed affair is well known as the " Chicka-

macomico races."

After completing th fortifications on Roanoke Island and

building winter quarters,--lie enemy in the meanwhile having

been kept close to their conquest of the Hatteras sand banks,--

our regiment was relieved by the Thirty-first North Carolina, Colonel Jordan, and returned to General Blanchard's Brigade

station, around Portsmouth.

After the fall of Roanoke Island, the regiment was ordered to Elizabeth City, Xorth Carolina, and remained in that vicinity for

several months.

On the 19th of April, 1862, Colonel Wrignt, then in command of

the forces around South Mills, learning of the landing of a large

body of the Yankees prepared his troops (consisting of a few

militia under Colonel Furribee, two companies of the Seventh

Xorth Carolina, Captain McCoinas' Virginia battery,and theThird

Georgia) for battle. TVith this small force we met the enemy,

and a battle was fought about two miles south of South Mills,

which resulted in inflicting a heavy loss upon the enemy. We

kept them back until nearly night, when our forces fell back into

their entrenchments, and the enemy came upon the ground occu

pied by us in the morning. After night the enemy retreated to

their gunboats, leaving their dead and part of their wounded in

our hands. .Considering the disparity of numbers engaged--the

enemy's foroe consisting of three brigades of infantry, with two

batteries of artillery, all under the command of Brigadier Gene

ral Reno, while our force engaged scarcely numbered four hun

dred, and the whole force present amounting to but six hundred

--the brilliancy of this affair is eclipsed by no achievement of/

the war. Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing, was four

teen, while that of the eaemy is estimated at from four to five

hundred.

On the 28th of April, 1862, the regiment was reorganized

according to the provisions of the conscript act. But five of the

old Captains were re-elected. Colonel A. R. Wright and Lieu

tenant-Colonel James S. Reid, were re-elected to their positions,

and Lieutenant John R. Sturgis, of the Burke Guards, was

elected Major.

About the time of the evacuation of Norfolk and Portimouth,

76

HEROES i^D MARTYRS OF GEORGIJL

this command was ordered to Suffolk, and from there marched across the country to Petersburg ; and just before the battle of Seven Pines, joined the Army of General Joseph E. Johnston. Though on the field and under fire, we did not become engaged in that battle.
During the month of June, we occupied a position on the ex treme front line of the Chickahominy, on the Williamsburg road, being on picket duty or supporting the pickets the whole time. Besides many smaller engagements, we participated in a hot skirmish on the 18th of June, driving back a Xew Hampshire brigade with a considerable loss to them in killed and wounded, and about a dozen prisoners, while we lost two killed. On the 25th of the same month, we were called upon to repel a heavy advance of the enemy on our picket lines which crossed the Wil'iamsbnrg road. Though under a heavy storm of bullets all day, and for several hours a perfect hail storm of grape and canister, we had not the opportunity of returning the fire. On this occa sion we lost two killed and several severelvt wounded.
About the 3d of Jane Colonel A. R. Wright was promoted to be Brigadier General, leaving Major- Sturgis commander of the Third Georgia, iLientenant Colonel Reid having resigned about the same time. We participated in all the manoeuvres and marching of WrighVs Brigade, Huger's Division, during the few days preceding the 1st of July, and on that day, with the other regiments composing the brigade, opened the fight at Malvern Hill. The Third Georgia was in the unsuccessful charge upon the enemies batteries, and lost heavily in officers and men. While they remained in the fight, holding the ground gained, until nine o'clock, "P. M., our loss in killed was fifty-seven and in wounded niflety-four. Major John R. Sturgis was among the killed ; ho was a Christian gentleman, polished and courteous; he was also an efficient officer and generally very popular among his men and with his superior officers. As do the brave, he fell on the field of victory with his sword drawn in his country's cause. Captain "R. B. Xisbet, second in command, behaved gallantly and fearlessly upon this bloody field, and was severely wounded. We took into action about two hundred and fifty men, rank
and file. On the Chickahominy we suffered severely from disease. In
one* month onr ranks were reduced, by sickness and the casualties pf battle, from one thousand to about three hundred for duty.

THIRD GEQRGIA REGIMENT.

77

Soon after the battles around Richmond, we were left without field officers, and even without a Captain to take command. Atr this period Major N. B. Montgomery, P. A. C. S., was assigned to the command of the Third Georgia. Soon after the celebrated campaign against Pope commenced, in which this regiment participated, and in the laurels won hi that campaign by Ander-^ son's Division, this reg~iment claim/s a fiill share. At the second battle of Manassas we lost four killed and twenty-two wounded. Major Montgomery commanded in this engagement, and distin guished himself by his* fearlessness on the field of battle. He received a severe wound, disabling him from command. At thi% time Captain Xisbet (then entitled, and soon after promoted, to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel) returned and assumed command of the regiment. The next important battle in which our regi ment was engaged, was Sharpsburg. Here we took into action one hundred and twenty-tive men, a-nd lost twenty-four killed and forty-eight wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Nisbet commanded the regiment in this never to be forgotten battle, and after leading his command into line, fell dangerously wounded in several places. *He was left on the field of battle and" fell into the hands of the enemy. Captain John F, Jones succeeded to the command of the regiment. He was soon after promoted to Major, while Cap tain Edward J. Walker was made Colonel, and Captain R. JB. Xisbet Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. In the first battle"" of Fredericksburg, though present on the.field and under a heavy fire, we did not become engaged with the enemy. "We lost one man killed by a shell, Colonel Edward J. Walker, commanding.
During the months of January and February, 1863^ Wright's Brigade was stationed at the United States Ford, on the Rappahannock. Fortifications were required, and the men worked day and night, through snow and rain, to complete them. The Third Georgia bore more than an equal share in these hardships. The sufferings of this command at United States Ford, from cold short rations, and a scanty supply of Clothing, could scarcely have been excelled by those which so Severely tried the fortitude and patriotism of our forefathers, when quartered in the historic Valley Forge. Under command o/Major Jones, the Third Geor gia shared in all the marches anxf engagements around Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg during the* first week in May.
Major Jones receiyed a wound at Chancellorsville which cost him MB right arm. In a charge upon the Yankees around Donmond'g

1

78

HEROES A2TD MABTTRS OP GEORGIA.

house, near Fredericksburg, under the immediate observation of
General Lee, the Third Georgia elicited the hearty praise of that soldier chieftain. Oar loss in the several engagements was six

teen killed and one hundred and fifteen wounded.

The Third Georgia continued in Wright's Brigade, Anderson's

Division, Hill's Corps, and participated largely in all the hard

ships and fighting of these organizations in the second invasion

of the enemy's country by the Army of Northern Virginia.

The deeds of Wright's O

Brigade on 0

the

2d

of Julv, **

1863, at *

the battle of Gettysburg, are already known to the public. It is \

but sufficient to say, that the Third Georgia merited a full share j

of the laurels won there. "We carried into action five hundred

men, and our losses were forty-one killed and one hundred and

forty-eight wounded. Colonel Walker commanded in the battle of Gettysburg, and Captain C. H. Andrews acted as Lieutenant

Colonel.

On the 23d of July, 1863, Wright's Brigade was ordered to

guard the pass at Manassas Gap. The different corps of our army

were marching through Front Royal and Chester Gafc>, and it '

was important to prevent %he enemy from cutting our columns in

two. This regiment was assigned to a position on the right of

the brigade, and separated from it nearly a mile. Our posi

tion was on the top of a mountain, which commanded a view,of

the enemy's position. About two o'clock, P. M., the enemy

having concentrated a force of about ten thousand men, advanced.

in solfd column. Our command skirmished with them until

I

numbers bore down too heavily, when we fell back to a position

nearer the brigade. Here Captain Andrews, in obedience to

orders to hold our position at all hazards, disposed of his forces"

properly, and calmly awaited the approach of the enemy. Soon

their solid massive columns appeared over the mountain top, and

they came pouring down upon us. When they arrived within

three hundred yards, our Enfield rifles commenced fire upon them,

and as they steadily advanced, our boys kept up a continuous

fire, which often broke their ranks, and turned them back in con

fusion. But the fresh columns supporting thei-r advance came on,

until out-flanked and borne down by weight of numbers, our

regiment was ordered to fall back to the supporting line behind

us. The Yankees did not pursue, being checked by our artil

lery, which had by this time gotten into position. We had done

heavy execution in the eneray'B ranks, killing and wounding

THIRD GEORGIA REGIMENT.

79

more than the total number of our regiment engaged; besides,

our brigade thus held the enemy in check until Lieutenant Gen

eral Ewell could bring up the troops of his corps, and get them

into position to prevent their furtfher advance. Colonel Edward

Js Walker was in command oY the brigade, and was badly

wounded. The regiment numbered in this engagement about

two hundred men, and lost in killed, fourteen, and in wounded,

forty-five men. The brigade was highly complimented by Lieu

tenant General Ewell, who was on the field and witnessed its

conduct. The troops in the line of battle supporting us, were

on a hill which commanded a view of the combatants. They

warmly congratulated their comrades of the Third Georgia upon

their heroic conduct.

_





The enemy after a long season of quiet, suddenly exhibited

signs of activity early in May, 1864.

On the 4th instant, the regiment, in conjunction with the Divi

sion of General Anderson, broke up camp and marched to

Vediersville. A part of our cavalry force had already engaged

the enemy and drove them back towards Chancellorsville. We

continued on the road to a point known as Parker.'s Store, when

the advance of our army became engaged, and fought during; the

rest of the day, and again on the next day.* Thesefightson the

5tb and 6th of May, are well known as the battle of the Wil

derness.

General Grant having failed in his direct assault, pursued his

future movements by parallels, and the two armies again collided

at Spottsylvania Court House. The Third Georgia was not

actively engaged in the general engagements of either pf the

above named fights, but on the 14th instant at Spottsylvauia, in

connection with other forces, charged the Yankees in their breast

works, and after a fight of twenty minutes duration, routed

them, capturing one stand of colors, and many small arms. Our

loss was, for the length of time engaged, very severe, being

seventy-eight men killed and wounded. 'Again t,he enemy moved;

this time towards the North Anna river, During this movement,

his rear was attacked by a portion of Andersen's Division, this

regiment supporting Harris' Mississippi Brigade. The enemy

were forced back upon the main column, but owing to the late-

* I am assured that my informant (the Adjutant of the Third Georgia,) is mistaken in the dates of the battle of the Wilderness, and hare changed them
iccordingly.

\I

80

. HEROES AND 3T1BTYRS OF GEORGIA.

ness of the hour, farther active operations were suspended.

Many minor incidents of interest occurred, bat which space

forbids mention of. The regiment after the incident mentioned

above marched to Petersburg. To detail all that has been done

by Andersen's Division, which during the whole campaign has

been commanded by General Mahone, and in which the Third

Georgia has borne a conspicuous part, would occupy too. great i

. space.

I

The regiment took a part in the dreadful fight of July SOtfi,

when Grant, by springing a mine under our works, succeeded in

gaining foothold within our lines. The Third Georgia was in

the desperate charge, (which resulted in the almost total annihi

lation- of the Yankees and negroes, who were in our lines,) and

lost heavily. In appreciation of the services of the division

during the siege of Petersburg, General A. P. Hill has published

; the following congratulatory order, in which he expresses his

admiration for the great services performed by the division :

HEADQUARTERS THIRD ARMY CORPS, ) August 4th, 1864. \

GENERAL ORDERS No. 17,

^Anderson's Division, commanded by Brigadier General William Mahone, has

so distinguished itself by its successes during the present campaign, as to merit

the special meo'tioa of the corps commander; and he tenders to the division, its

officers and men. his thanks for the gallantry "displayed by them, whether in

attacking or attacked.

ThLrtyrone (31) stand of colors, fifteen (15) pieces of artillery, and four thou

sand (4000) prisoners captured in battle, are the proud mementoes which

signalize their valor, and entule it to the adrairation and gratitude of our coun

try.

;. [Signed]

-

A. P. HILL, Lieutenant General

Of the above three stand of colors, many prisoners and part of a battery of artillery, show what part the Third regiment has -taken in the conflicts of the campaign, while its long list of killed and wounded sufficiently attest its gallantry. The fight of July 30th tfas the last engagement in which the Third Georgia has borne a part up to the present time of writing, (August 4th.) The instances of personal bravery have been so numerous that commanders dislike to make distinctions, in giving names to the public. A few are, however, appended.
In the charge at Gettysburg, while the regiment was driving the enwmy before thetn, the color-bearer was shot down and the battle flag fell to the ground. Adjutant Samuel L. Alexander,

THIKD GEORGIA REGIMENT.

81

t being near by snatched up the colors and bore them aloft, as the I

regiment advanced triumphantly to the guns of the enemy..

While carrying the colors Adjutant Alexander had his uniform

pierced by eight bullets, and was severely wounded in the right

arm.

The day after the battle of Manassas2 No. 2, Lieutenant John.

H. Evans, of Covington, then but a mere boy in years, was wan

dering over the battle field, when he came suddenly upon a

picket of the enemy, consisting of thirty (30) men, who in the

hurry of the flight, the day previous, had not been relieved. N<5t

at all abashed by the number of the enemy, he coolly /ordered

them to surrender, and marched them triumphantly Ix/the rear.

After leaving the Chickamacomico beach, it was/discovered,

upon our return to Roanoke Island, that one poor youth was

missing, having been when last seen, delirieus/aud idiotic from

excessive fatigue. Colonel Wright called for a volunteer to go

in search of him. Private Rice, of compajary H, stepped forward

and offered his services which were ^aocj^ted. Securing a small

skiff, he recrossed the Albemarle Second, landed on.the beach

then reoccupied by the Yankees, an4 after several days' absence

and many adventures, returned to Roanoke Island, bringing in

safety hislost friend. And thus instance after instance might be

related of individual gallanj&ry and devotion, enough to fill a

volume; and it is easier to mention the few who have not behaved

well, than the many wjaro have on all occasions and under all

circumstances, sustain/ea so nobly their own and their regiment's

widely known renown.

Xot a field officer who has ever commanded in action has /
escaped. General A. R. Wright, late Colonel of the Third.

Georgia, has/been twice wo.unded. Major Sturgis was killed;

Major Montgomery wounded; Colonel Walker wounded;. Lieu

tenant Colonel Nisbet has been wounded time and again; Major

Jones also severely wounded. Company A has had three officers

killed or maimed/for life, and two wounded twice. Company B

of Putnam has bad thirteen men killed aad eighty-eight wounded.

Company F, of Wilkinson, has had twenty-two killed and seventy-

two wounded.- In a word, the Third Georgia, or the "aid Third,"

as it is called in Anderson'i Division, is one of the historic

regiments of our State, and needs no laudation, as its gafiant

deeds are entwined around the hearts of a grateful people. Like

the Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Twelfth, Fourteenth and

K

\

82

HEBOES AND IfWRITES OF GEORGIA.

Eighteenth and other of the first volunteer regiments in the Army of Northern Virginia, it has made for itself an imperishable renown, and peeked its banners with unfading laurels. And to-day she holds* her place on the right of Wright's Brigade, five hundred strong, despite the grape, canister and rainie balls* despite the frequent presence of the grim monster Death, ready to enter upon another campaign with a courage as high, an enthusiasm as noble, as she exhibited upon the 1st of May, 1861, when she marched from the city of Augusta, near one thousand strong, on her route to the glorious Old Dominion, with drums beating and banners flying, over a host of as brave hearts and strong arms as ever offered t|i emselves as modern " Macarias '* upon the sacrificial altars of their country.
The following resolution was adopted unanimously by the last
Congress:--

" Joint Resolution of thinks to thz Officers and Men of the

Third Georgia Regiment.

"Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of

America,--That the thanks of Congress are due, and are hereby

tendered to the officers and men of the Thiifd Georgia Regiment,

through itfl representatives in Congress, who were the first to

leave their state to battle on the soil of Virginia; whoe gallant I

dead have been left on many of her historic battle-fieltis; which

entire regiment, to a man, has cheerfully and unanimously

re-enlisted for the war,--resolving that as they were the first to

take up arms in the cause of liberty and independence, they will

be the last to lay them down.

"Approved February 15th, 1864."

>

^^

s

Thus hurriedly and incompletely has been thrown together a

few of the prominent facts connected with the history of Jhis

regiment,--hoping that when peace shall again smile upon us,

you may be enabled to collect from the remnant of its war-worn

veterans, materials to fill a niche in a full and complete history

of the volunteer soldiery of the Empire State of the South.

Connected with this regiment are two or three incidents which I have gathered outside of the foregoing report, and I am constrained to notice them

A GALLAOT LIEUTENANT.

Daring one of our fights with the enemy near Spottsylvania Court House Virginia, on the 14th of May, General W rights Brigade was ordered to charge-
nemy't works. In doing so th Third Georgia pawed through a heavy

THIRD GEORGIA REGIMENT.

83

fire t)f minie balla, losing seventy-eight men in killed and wounded. The color-bearer of the regiment being wounded, planted the colors in the ground and retired to the rear. At this moment the skirmiah line was ordered to halt, which was understood by many as an order for the regiment to halt, which they did. Perceiving tha^ a crisis was at hand, Lieutenant R. XT. Hvman

sprang forward, seized the colors from amid a pile of the slain, and waving the

cross of our country in the face of the foe, called upon the old Third to rally to it, which they did with a rebel yell, and the Yankee breastworks were

taken. Lieutenant Hymaii was at least fifty yards in advance of the regiment all the time. He has been highly complimented by Lieutenant General Hill

and all his officers; he is of Company F, of Wilkinflon County, Georgia.

Color-sergeant Livingston of Company C, was killed while bearing the

colors at least thirty yards in front of his regiment. His gallantry was

particularly conspicuous, and his name deserves to be placed high in the list of the "Heroes and Martyrs" of our native state.

The original color guard of ten men of this regiment, have all been killed in battle, excepting E. R. Hughes of Wilkinson County, and his life would doubtless have been lost, had it not been for the ball striking two brass checks

in his pocket. As it was. he was severely wounded.

In closing: this list, I cannot forbear mentioning the name of the brave but, unfortunate Lieutenant Colonel R. B. Nisbet, whose name is almost a by-word in his brigade, for coolness, courage and unexcelled bravery. At Sharpsburg he

received seven very severe wounds, any of which might have proven fatal He was severely wounded at Malvera Hill also. He is now placed on the retired

list, but his burning spirit is still eager for the fray. His many honorable

scars point to him the necessity of his remaining in quiet, but the bugle notes

of his gallant comrades' battle shout, arouse the lion -within him, and his soul

pants to lead them on to victory in his country's cause.



There appears a wide disparity between the report of casualties by the Adjutant, and the report furnished me by# member of the regiment, revised and corrected by Colonel Nisbet himself. According to tb^e information I have gained by enquiry among the company commanders, <fec., the lossea of the Third Georgia in killed and wounded, stand as fellows:--

Killed in action, Wounded,

221 - . . . . 667

Total of casualties,

888

Company F, oY Wilkinson County, according to the report of the Adjutant, has lost twenty-two\(22) men killed: but Captain Mason, it* commander, assures me that he has lost tfrafc-one (31) men killed. I am informed that the cause of the difference in the~twt> reports, is that the Adjutant's book has been once or twice lost, and that the error, therefore, lies in his report; also that there have been several incumbents of the adjutancy, and that an error in the report of the present incumbent, is likely to arise through no fault on his part.

1

FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.

STATISTICAL REPORT.

Namber of men originally enlisted, . . . .

dumber of recruits received,

,....

of conscripts received, .....

Total, .........

LOSSES.

Somber of men killed in action. . . . , .

Number of men died of wounds and disease,

..

Total of deaths, .......
Number of men discharged, . . . . . . Number of men deserted, (substitutes, all), . . .

Total real losses, ....... Number of men wounded in battle, ....

Total of real and apparent loss, ....

854 24 L
3$
1128
189 261
450 102 19
5Tl 358
929

CHANGES ' iy FIELD OFFICERS-

Major J. R, Whitehead resumed July 17th, 1803; the vacancy was filled by the promotion of Captain M. R. Hall. Lieutenant Colonel R. "W. Carswell Designed December 23d, 1863, and the vacancy was filled by the promotion of Major M. R. HalL The regiment has no Major at present: Captain A; C. Flanders will no doubt receive the appointment of Major. The regiment is composed of ten companiea, as follows:--

ORIGINAL ORGAXIZATICXX.

Company A, Gibaon Volunteers, Glasscock County, Captain A. Kelley.

Company B, Warren Infantry, "Warren County, Captain M. R. Hall. ,.

Company C, Greorgia Light Guards, Richmond County, Captain H. S. Dortie. Company D, Burke Vdtmteers, Burke County, Captain J. A. Harlow. Company E, Jefferson Volunteers, Jefferson County, Captain R. W. CarswelL Company F, Battle Ground Guards, Johnson Coonty, Captain T. W. Kent.

Company G, Slappey Guards, Twiggs County, Captain 17. A. Rice.

Company H, McLeod Volunteers, Emanuel County, Captain Neal McLeod.

Company I, Wilson Tigers, Richmond County, Captain R. J. Wilsdn.



Company K, Hamilton Rangers, Columbia County, Captain" T. J. Hamilton.

FORTY-EIGHTH GEOBGIA REGIMENT.

85

THE companies assembled at Camp Davis, in Effingham County,

Georgia, on the 10th and llth days of March, 1862. On the;

15th the regiment was organized and field officers were elected.

William Gibson, a private in the company from Richmond

County, was unanimously chosen Colonel; Captain R; W. Gars-

well, of Jefferson County, was also unanimously elected Lieu

tenant Colonel; and J. Randolph Whitehead was, by a majority

vote, elected Major.

,,

;

On the 17th of March the regiment was ordered to Grahams-

ville, South Carolina. They proceeded to that point by railrdad,

their baggage requiring more cars to transport it, ttan were

occupied by the troops. During the stay of the regiment at

Grahamsville, the alarm was sounded one night about midnight,

and the regiment was gotten under arms and double-quicked

about three miles towards the coast to meet the Yankees,!

" reported" to be advancing from that direction. Every one.

was kept in the dark, except the field officers, until the stirmdua'

was exhausted, and the getters-up of the alarm had to return to;

camp to get a fresh supply of hoaxing material. The boysi

returned to camp very much fatigued, satisfied to let the!

" powers that be " enjoy their joke, so long as their slumber^

were not again disturbed.

'

The regiment left Grahamsville, on the 5th of May, ftW

Charleston, and reached their destination the next day. The regif

ment made a great display as they marched through the streets of

the city in all their pristine strength; but, alas! where are thejf

now ? Many of them are lying beneath the ^consecrated soil of

Tirginia, with no tablet to mark their last resting place! Manyi,

the maimed and scarred victims of this hellish war, are lingering

out lives of agony at home! But the few that are left--the

glorious, gallant few--are stilTstanding, proudly hurling defiance

at the foe! The regiment was camped in Hampstead Mall, neaf

Half Moon Battery, which was a very gay place for soldiers--n<|>

duty to perform except guard duty, (which the boys thought

very hard), and occasionally battalion drill. Rations jrere ver^

good ; vegetables and fresh meats abounded in the market, ancjl

money was very plentiful with all the boys, as they had just

received their fifty dollars bounty ; but tfrs was too good to test

long. The regiment was dissatisfied, &s soldiers usually ar^,

when they have nothing to do, and they were very anxious t6

get into more active service.

>

HEROES AND MABTYBS OP GEORGIA.
On the 25th of May the regiment was ordered to Richmond, Virginia. It left Charleston one thousand strong, carrying six teen (16) cars loaded with baggage. The troops were compelled to lay over two days in Wilmington, for want of transpor tation^ June 2d the regiment arrived in Richmond, and were "ordered into camp, near the suburbs of the city, on the Williamsborg road, where they remained until the commencement of the battles around Richmond.
On the 25th of June, 1862, at one o'clock, AV M., the regiment was ordered under arms, and marched to Chancellorsville, where it arrived about the middle of the day. It was allowed to rest until late in the evening, and was then moved across the Chickafaonriny river, and formed in line of battle to assault the enemy's works, Ripley's Brigade, to which the Forty-eighth Georgia was attached, was ordered to charge the enemy's line of entrenchments, distant from, us about one mile. The troops moved forward with great spirit and zeal, as though they expected an easy job. On nearing the works, the enemy opened upon us with artillery; the line pressed forward, and very soon the sharp crack of musketry told, that "the Angel of Death had spread his wings on the blast." It was getting dark and the distance could not. be calculated. The troops continued to advance under the heavy fire of infantry and artillery, without faltering, until they came to an impassable canal or millrace, within two hundred yards of the enemy's works, that could not by any means be passed, and the regiment was ordered to fall back a short distaoce, and hold the ground they had gained. The troops were withdrawn in good order, and their line estab lished in the edge of a pine thicket, about four hundred yards from the enemy's works, where they remained until morning.. Losses of the Forty-eighth Georgia, ten killed and twenty-five wounded.
On the 27th of June the regiment left Mechanicsville for-Cold Harbor, and arrived there about three o'clock, P. M. The march was a very hard one, and the weather very warm. The nights were very cool, and the men suffered much for want of covering to shield them from the cold night air/as they were brought from camp in light marching order, without knapsacks
oj blankets. The brigade was not engaged in the battle of Cold Harbor,
they betng held in reserve ; but so close to the engagement were

FORTY-EIGHTH GEOBGJA REGIMENT.

87

t

they, that several men were killed and wounded in the Forty-

eighth Georgia. The troops had made a forced march to get >

there, but were in good spirits, and ready for any work they '

might have been called upon to do. The I0iss was four killed and *

five wounded. '

;

v

;

The 28th and 29th days of June, w^e remained on the battle

field, caring for the woufcded, burying the dead, and gathering :

up arms, sutler's stores, &c.r left on the field by the enemy in

their hot haste to get away. /

'

',

Qn the 30th of June, the Forty-eighth followed the enemy to

White Oak Swamp, and th^re camped for the night. The next

morning (July 1st,) early, we started to Malvern Hill, and

arrived there about thpee o'clock in thp evening. The brigade

was formed into line^ and about six o'clSck was ordered into the

fight, to support some troops in front of i us. Owing to some

misunderstanding of the orders, Colonel (pribson moved np only

two companie/, the other eight companies remaining behind in a

ravine with Lieutenant Colonel Carswell. When the battle was

nearly over the mistake was discovered, and the balance of the

regiment was brought up, but too late to get into the fight. The

two companies engaged, displayed great coolness under fire, and

delivered their fire with great effect upon tfce enemy. Losses

four killed and thirty-nine wounded.

In this engagement Colonel Gibson had one ball to pass through

iris coat, and another to cut away the top of a low felt hat he

was wearing.

,

I

The next day the regiment was moved from the battle field

about two miles, and ordered into camp, where we remained

about a week, and then returned to the old camp near Richmond.

The day after our arrival at our old camp, the regiment was ;

transferred to the brigade of General A. B. Wright, of Angnsta,

Georgia, and in a few days moved to Falling Creeky where the

brigade was at that time encamped. Wfiile at this camp the!

men were very sickly, numbers of them dying daily. Some

companies numbering over one hundred ijnen, had only twenty,

and twenty-five men fit for duty. ~

!

_^,

About the 1st day of August the regiment was moved to

Point of Rocks, on the Appomattox riveif, distant from Falling

Creek twelve miles. While there the health of the men improved

considerably.

I

.

On the 16th of August the command returned to Falling

HEROES JLKD MABTTBS OF GEORGIA.
Creek, and on the 18th started to the Valley after Pope, whose headquarters were at that time in the saddle, but which were soon superseded by other quarters. The march to Manassas was one which severely tried the patience of the men. They were often without any thing to eat, except green corn and apples. Many of them were barefooted and nearly naked. On the 28th of August the regiment had a skirmish with the enemy, near Jefferson, Virginia, losing two men wounded. From Jeflersofc the regiment went on to Manassas, where they arrived about five o'clock, A. M. They formed line and rested until evening. The fight was. raging with great fury when they were ordered in. The Forty-eighth Georgia was marching through a thick piece of woods, where they came upon the enemy in ambush. They ponred a volley into our ranks before our men were aware that they were near an enemy. The fire was received with great coolness, and they at once returned the fire, and in a few minutes had the Yankees flying for safety, leaving many dead and wounded in our hands. Our loss was, killed twenty-two (22), wounded twenty-eight (28). In this engagement the men and officers displayed great gallantry and did vast execution.
Here fell the -brave and noble Captain Alien Kelley, mortally wounded. Although a member of the Georgia Legislature and subject to neither conscription or draft, he gave his services to hi* country, and nobly fell battling for its freedom and indepen dence. After one of his men had fallen, he seized his gun and pressed forward, giving his commands and assisting in their execution, until he himself was lain bleeding and mortally -wounded, upon the sod. He was idolized by his brave boyg, and highly esteemed by his brother officers of the line, and implicitly confided in by his superior officers, for his cool and dauntless courage and great discretion, at all times and under all circumstances. Here also Colonal Gibson received a painful wound, bat did/not quit the field until the fighting had ceased. He returned, however, on the very next morning.
From Manassas the regiment went into Maryland, crossing the Potomac at Leesburg, September 3d. From Leesburg it proceeded to Frederick City, Maryland, where it remained three days, and then to Maryland Heights near Harper's Ferry. The Forty-eighth remained there until its capitulation,- which occurred on Monday, September 18th. On the evening of the 15th, it recr8sed at'Harper's Ferry, moved up the rjver towards Sharps-

/ FORTY-EIGHTH GEORGIA BEGIMEITT. \
i
y
bnrg, and at eight o'clock, A. M. on the 17th, crossed the Potoraac at Shepherdstown, marched about 'two miles, formed line, and rested about fifteen minutes. Knapsacks were thrown off, and the troops ordered forward at the expiration of that time. The brigade advanced about eight hundred yards under a heavy artillery fire, when they came upon the enemy's line of infantry. The ground was hotly contested for three hoars, resulting in a drawn battle. The Forty-eighth charged them several times, and would succeed in driving them back, but were compelled each time to fall back, by the large numbers of fresh troops they would bring against us. At this fiht Colonel Gibson was slightly wounded in two places.
The regiment, remained in line all that jday and the day" following, until at twelve o'clock at night orders were given to withdraw from the field and cross the river it Shepherdstown ; which was done in good order. Losses in ihe Forty-eighth at Sharpsburg amounted to, killed twenty-one, founded thirty-six. After crossing the river we marched about|three miles east of Shepherdstown, and formed line, expecting the enemy to follow us. After remaining in line one day and no enemy appearing, we were marched to a point near Martinsburg, and bivouacked until the 25th of September. We then started for Winchester, and after one of the most tiresome night marches that men ever enduretl, reached Winchester at about four o'clock, A. M., when we 'Struck camp, 'and remained until the 1st of November. While at this point, man and beast fared well. Fine water, fine beef and pork were plentiful. November 1st the troops left Winchester for Culpepper, and marched tliat day twenty-three miles. At night the boys were so broken down, that only nineteen of the regiment came up to stack arms. The next morning at seven o'clock the boys had all come up, ready for another day's march. We reached Culpepper on the 3d of November, and remained until the 20th. While at this camp an amusing circumstance occurred with a fellow in the Quartermas ter's Department. One of the men had got hold of a clock weight and fixed an artillery fuse to it, and carried it to the fire where several of the boys were standing^ among them this Quartermaster gentleman,, who was not accustomed to shells and had no desire to have them about him. He at once commenced
persuading our waggish boy to throw it away, as it was very dangerous with the fuse attached. The man who had the weight,

$0 .

HEROES AND MAETYRS OP GEORGIA.

told him he wanted to see if it would barn, and thrust the fuse

into the fire. As the fuse commenced to born, the Quartermaster

broke for dejjr fife, running over a tent and through a lar'ge

brush pile, swearing as he absquatulated, that he would sbocft

'the next man that threw a shell into that fire.

On the 20th the regiment started for Fredericksburg, and

arrived there on the 22d. On the llth day of December, we

formed line 6f battle near the town, and remained until the

battle was over without participating, as the enemy did not

advance upon us. After the fight was over we returned to

camp, where we remained a few days only, as soon after our

arrival we were ordered to United States Ford, where our

gnfferings were greater than men can usually endure. The

Forty-eighth remained here from the 8th of January, 1863, until

the,25th of February, without any tents or shelter, except such

as the men could improvise with their blankets, &c., and even

they were scarce. Rationa were very poor, and very often the

men had nothing to eat at all. The weather was very cold, the

ground covered with snow and ice nearly'all the time. A portion

of oor time was occupied in working on batteries that have

berer benefited us at all.

\

On the 25th of February, 1863, we started for camp near

Guinea's Station. The'sbow was about eighteen "inches deep, and

yery bad, of coarse, to travel through. That nig^t wetsamped

near Fredericksburg. The next morning it was raining, and the

marching we did that day was awful. The ice, snow,and' mod

vere nearly knee deep, and the weather was extrem^y oold.

We arrived at camp about three o'clock^ P. M., and at ohce set

about makinog fires to warm our frozen Krabs. This cam*p\\was the winter quarters of ^General Hood's Division, and he had left

them and gone"below Petersburg. The little huts were neatly

constructed and comfortable; wood was convenient and plentiful.

The- Forty-eighth remained at this camp until ordered to Chan-

cellorsrille to meet the army of " Fighting Joe Hooker."

On the 1st day of May we had a hort skirmish with a party

of the enemy who were annoying Stuart's cavalry, and drove

them back about one mile. That night we returned to the plank

road east of the town, and remained there that day. The next

morning we moved up nearer the town, fronting the enemy's

works on the south side, and were the recipients of the most

awful shelling ever witnessed. The next day the regiment went

FOBTY-EIQETH GEORGIA BEGIMBNT.

_ 91

back to Frederioksbarg, and charged the enemy's Hues at

Dounwan's House, completely routing them. 'Regiment lost at

Chancellorsville, eleven killed and twenty-seven wounded; at

Dounwan's House, one killed and eight wounded. At the battle

of Chanuellorsville, Captain W. A. Kendrick ofi Twiggs bounty,

the successor of Captain Rice, fell mortally wo,unded, and soon

died. Captain Kendrick went into the ranks of! the Forty-eighth

Georgia as a private soldier, and was only about nineteen years

of age; but such was his gallantry on every fi^ld, and such his

gentlemanly deportment in camp, as marked hiifa as a young man

of no ordinary qualities; and upon the first vacancy occurring

in his command he was elected by his company, first a lieutenant,

and was afterwards promptly promoted to the command of his

company.

^

,

-

In a few days the regiment was ordered back to their huts

near Guinea's Station, and remained there until, the army started

to Pennsylvania. On the 4th of June the regiment went to

Fredericksburg, and took position in the rifle jpits surrounding

tb;it town. A little skirmish took place here, in which the

Forty-eighth Georgia lost two men wounded^ On the 14th of

June the Forty-eighth started for Pennsylvania. The first two

days'1 marches were very hard upon the boys, tjie weather being

very hot and the rate of march too rapid, (twenjty miles per day). .

Xumbers of them fainted on the way, but soqn recovered and

followed on. The march in Pennsylvania was very pleasant and

admirably conducted, making on an average about twelve miles

per day. Gettysburg, the town which gave name to one of the

most fearful 'battles of modern times, was reached July 1st,

about tive o'clock, P. M.

The next morning the line was formed, an^ at four o'clock,

P. M., the most gallant charge ever executed by any troops, was

made. The enemy's position was carried, but Supports failing to

make their appearance, we were compelled \,o retire, leaving

many of our dead and wounded in the hands o the enemy. We

then returned to our original line, and remained there until the

night of the 4th. The loss of the Forty-eight Georgia in this

terrible battle, was fearful, amounting to eight y-one killed, and

hundred and twenty-five wounded. Three hundred and.

twenty-five men were all that were carried into action.

In this action Colonel Gribson fell severely wounded by three

different balls, and was left on the field. The L eutenant Colonel

92

HBEO1S ANJ> MJUTYRS OF EOB<HA.

was wounded, the acting Major, Captain J. H. Harlow,* killed,

and in feet, every officer of the line, except one captain and one

lieutenant, was either killed or wounded. Captain T. H. Polhill,

a brave, noble officer, fell. He was a young lawye/ of much

promise in his profession, a perfect gentleman and a good scholar.

Captain Jarvis, a worthy successor of the gallant Kendrick, also

poured out his blood upon this bloody field. Th^fearlessly brave

Lieutenant Barnsid0s, in command of the company from the

county of Columbia, also offered up his life rtpon the altar of his

country. Captain Dick Wilson lost his/arm; the undaunted

Captain Kent fell severely wounded on tfefe field ; also Lieutenants

Frank Alien, and Skinner, from Bnrke^ were wounded.

On the night of the 4th the regiment commenced their retreat?

which was conducted leisurely, the enemy not interfering. At

Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, the Forty-eighth remained two days,

and made a capture of some horses and fifteen barrels of whisky,

which, the weather being very inclement, was freely issued to

the men. who had a very merrv time, considering what a terrible

'

V

*

'

<.?

ordeal they had but just passed through. It was assuredly a

most welcome treat. At Hagerstown we halted for several days,

and offered battle, but the enemy would not accept the proffered

guantlet. On the night of the 10th of July we left Hagerstown,

and mached to the Potomac. The night was very dark and the

rain was falling heavily; the mud was very slippery, and but

few men escaped a fall into it that night. The next morning the

boys looked like they had been wallowing or laying at full length

in the mud, which amusing spectacle was received at light with

shouts of laughter. That morning, the llth, we crossed the

river at Falling Waters, rested there until the next day, and

then marched to Bunker Hill. Here we remained a few days,

and then went on to Front Royal.

On the 23d Wright's Brigade was sent to Manassas Gap to

guard the mountain pass, until the army conld effect its passage

by Front Royal. We had been there but a few hours when the

enemy's line advanced and drove in our skirmishers, and very

soon engaged oar line. The Yankee force on this occasion

amounted to ten thousand men; our force did not exceed six

hundred. We held them in check until General Ewell sent up

reinforcements. We fought them three hours, and when General

Colonel Gibson pays an eloquent tribute to tie memory of this gallant officer, -wfcose natural bravery cotdd not be surpassed.

tfORTY-EIGETH GEORGIA REGjifBNT.

93

.1 .

EweLl sent the supports, the Forty-eighth (feoi^ia had but one

round of ammunition. They poured that into tne Yankees, and

then retired to the line of supports. We rethrnedxthat night to I

Front Royal and obtained some whisky, which ftnr efficient

Commissary had procured for us to revive our drooping spirits.

We then tamed toward Culpepper, and had 4 very pleasant time

on the road for three days, the time required to get to our ;

destination. We remained at Culpepper several days. Oh the s

1st of August the Yankee cavalry came to 5 near us, and lye

gave them a chase, but they ran too fast, and we could no^

overtake them. On the 3d of August we started for OrangeN

Court Hojise, and arrived there on the 4th. A month was spent

at Orange very pleasantly.

On the 10th of September the Yankees advanced to the Rapid

Ann river, and we were ordered to Robe tson's Ford, three

miles below tfye railroad bridge, to prevent the enemy from j

crossing. We remained there until the 8 :h day of October,

when we started on a flank movement. Thfat day we went to

Burnett's Ford ; the next day, to Madison Court House; the

next, about six miles west of Culpepper; the next, to Warrenton;

and the next, to Bristow Station, where we "emained two days,

and then returned to Culpepper. Here we i maained until about

the middle of November, and then returned to Rapid Ann :

Station. On the 28th of November General Meade crossed the -

river some distance below us, and we were sent to Mine Rurt to

meet him. We had a light skirmish with;them at this place,

losing two killed 'and three w. ounded. Whiile th,>ere we suffered very much from the excessive cold. We;i were com\5peflled to remain in the trenches with very* little fire,; and 'the weather continued bitter cold. The Yankees woulli not accept battle,

bnt retreated across the river, and we retuirned to our quarters

at Rapid Ann Station, where we remained [until the 27th, when ;

the regiment was moved to Madison Rivelr Station, and there

built very comfortable winter quarters, wpere we stayed and

enjoyed ourselves finely until the spring canipaign opened.

On the 29th of December, 1863, the regiment was ordered to

build winter quarters, which was promptly done, and the men

were soon sheltered (on Madison river). | Here we remained

until the middle of February, when we 4arcne^ to meet the<

'*'
enemy advancing on Charlottesville.

We arr( ived at Gordonsville '

about nine,* P. M. From there Lieutenant Ci olonel Hall with the

94:

HEEOES AND IfABTYRS OF GKOEGU.

Forty-eighth Georgia and Second Georgia Battalion, was ordered to Frederick Hall to meet a raiding party; but the enemy had passed, without doing any damage, before our arrival. Here we remained two days and then rejoined the brigade at Gordonsville. On the 4th of May w*ebroke up camp and moved near Rapid Ann railroad bridge, and from thence pro-ceeded to the Wilder* , ness, and were held in reserve during the battle. When the army moved to Spottsylvania, we were left on the line, in the Wilder-* ness, until the enemy's forces had left, when we also moved to Spottsylvania, Wright's Brigade being in the rear of the army* A force of the enemy's cavalry being discovered tryin'g to crossthe Po river to intercept our wagon train, the Forty-eighth and Second Battalion, under Colonel Hall, were left to support our cavalry until the train passed. They then rejoined the brigade on the extreme right of the army, and took position. After night* we moved back to the extreme left, to meet the^dvance of the enemy upon our left. Earh* in the morning they appeared in our front, and we had a spirited skirmish lasting half an hour, when Jhe enemy retired, leaving several dead on the field; we lost none.
On the 14th of May the brigade attacked the enemy on their extreme left, driving them from their works and completely routing them. In this engagement the Forty-eighth Georgia acted well its part, capturing oue stand of colors and several prisoners,--losing three killed and twenty-six wounded. We were next engaged at Hanover Junction, where for several days we kept ap a regular sharp-shooting fight. From here we marched to Alice's Station, arriving May 25th. While here Colonel Gibson rejoined his command, having been absent since the battle of Gettysburg, where he was wounded and taken prisoner.
Grant continuing his move by the left flank, we were ordered1 to Turkey Ridge, arriving there June 2d, and were put into position in the rear of Colquitt's; ^rigade, as supports, remaining there twenty-four hours, and then moved further to the right and, took position in the front. At this point the lines of the opposing forces were but a hundred and seventy-five yards apart. Sharpshooting was kept up continually, causing the loss of Some of our bravest men. From Turkey Ridge we moved to Riddle's Shop, fourteen miles from Richmond, and engaged the enemy on the 13th o June, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Hall. The

FORTY-EIGHTH GEORGIA REGIMKENT.

95

regiment was deployed aud moved forward) at once. Finding

the enemy posted in an open field, with inijantry, cavalry and

three pieces of artillery, we attacked them anid drove them from

the field, leaving^ their dead in pur hands, i Our loss was four

killed and thirteen wounded. This was a verv*> creditable affair,' as the enemy outnumbered us three to one. On the 22d of Jtine

Wright's Brigade attacked the enemy in their works near

Petersburg, and with two other ^brigades captured their works,

inflicting heavy loss in killed and wounded, besides capturing

seventeen hundred prisoners. In this engagement the Forty-

eighth made a gallant charge on the enemy's works under a most,

galling fire ever endured by men; but they pressed forward with ;

cool courage until they gained the enemy's works.* The loss o.f

the Forty-eighth Georgia amounted to thirty killed and wounded.

On the next day, June 23d, we moved around the enemy's '.

flank on the Weldon railroad. When we hiad arrived on the

enemy's extreme left, their sharp-snooters commenced annoying '

us considerably. Colonel Hall was ordered to take the Forty-

eighth and Second Battalion, and drive them from an elevated

point in the woods. He quickly moved upon their flank and

attacked them, killing, wounding arid capturing nearly every, marl

of them. He captured more than his own strength amounted }

to. The fighting was desperate,--nearly hand to hand. Some '

of our boys were shot within ten feet of the enemy, who paid

dearly for their stubbornness ; their loss being over two hundred,

while ours was eleven wounded, three mortally. We here!

captured the colors of the Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.;

Upon its arrival at Petersburg, the men from marching and two,

days.' fighting, were worn out.

i

Qn the 30th of July, after the explosion of Grant's mine and

the capture of a portion of our works, we were ordered there to

assist in retaking the line. We arrived at the scene of the

explosion about nine o'clock, A. M., and went into the fight on I

the right of Mahone's Brigade. The bullets whistled by us here;

faster than any man in the brigade ever heard before, and it was

certainly one of the most sanguinary fights on record. Nothing'

could withstand the desperate valor of our boys, and we occu

pied the works on Mahone's immediate right, keeping up a!

continuous fire on the enemy until the whole line was re-establised.;

In our front the dead lay thicker than has been seen on any,

battle-field of this 'war. The loss of the Forty-eighth* was |

HBBOES AND JtABTYBS OF GEORGIA.
thirty-five killed and 'wounded. The battle-flag of the regiment was pierced by one hundred and three bullets, and three times was the staff cut iu two in this engagement. The men and officers deserve great credit for their gallantry displayed here.

TENTH BATTALION
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.

STATISTICAL REPORT.

At the completion >of the organization of the Tenth Georgia Battalion, its

strength was as followi s: -- Original strength, ........

346 -

Recruits, to August 1st, 1864, ..... 293

Conscripts, .........

2

Total,

641

LOSSES BY DEATH.

Killed in battle, .......

34

Died of disease, .......

156

/

Total of dieaths, ......

190

LOSSES OTHERWISE THAH BY DEATH.

Discharged,

48

Deserted,

16

Transferred,

4

Resigned.

5

Cashiered,

1

Prisoner of war,

1

Total,

74

Total of actual losses,

264

"Wounded in action,

118

>>

Actual and temporary losses,

382

Number of substitutes in the battalion, .

55

Present aggregate strength of the battalion,

378

THE Tenth Battalion of Georgia Volunteers was organized at Camp Stephens, Georgia, on the 17th day of March, 1862, by the election of Captain ' John E. Rylander as Major. The battalion then consisted of the following four companies^--
Company A, Macon County Guards, Macon County, Captain J. D. Frederick. Company B, Worth Rebels, Worth County, Captain Daniel Henderson. Company C, Zollicoffer Rifles, Sumter County, Captain B. F. BelL Company D, Whittle Guards, Bibb County, Captain W. L. Jones.
if

93

HEROES A5TD MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

Br order of Brigadier General Mercer, commanding Depart-

*

--

^-

!

ment of Georgia, a fifth company -was formed on the 17th of

Jnly, and John L. Adderton was .elected to the Captaincy. The

battalion remained at Camp Stephens until the 14th of May,

1862. While at this place it was most thoroughly drilled by

Major Rylander.

At the expiration of the above mentioned time, it was ordered

to Macon for the purpose of guarding several thousand Federal

prisoners, confined at Camp Oglethorpe. near that city. At this

most laborious and disgusting service, the battalion suffered

exceedingly with sickness, and was not relieved until the last

Federal prisoner was sent to Richmond to be exchanged. On

the 15th o/ December. 1862, orders were received for the

Battalion to proceed to Virginia, to join General Lee's army at

Fredericksburg, Virginia. Arriving there on the 27th, it was

attached to General G. T. Anderson's Brigade, General Plood's

Division. Long-street's Corps.

On the 17th of February, 1S63, on the march from- Fredei'-

icksbnrg to Richmond, with the rest of the army, it suffered

incredible hardships, and for five days waft exposed to all the

horrors of a Northern Virginian snow storm, without any shelter

whatever from the bitter blast, which blew cold o'er that, now

almost desolated region. The Tenth Battalion participated in-

the campaign against Suffolk, and near its close was exchanged

for the Fifty-ninth Georgia regiment, and was ordered thence to

Fort Powhattan, on the James river. This important position

was held under the most trying circumstances, by the Tenth

Battalion for nearly t\vo months.

At this time the enemy having apparently rrratured his plans

for attacking the fort, by both land and water with vastly supe

rior force. General D. H. Hill ordered the evacuation of the

fort, the battalion falling back to Petersburg. About the middle

of August, the enemy having/nade some daring demonstrations

upou the Blackwater line, the battalion was ordered to Franklin.

For eight months it held this line, protecting the surrounding

country from the hostile incursions of the enemy, with entire

satisfaction to the commandant of the department. About the

25th of April, 1864, it was ordered to report to General Lee, at

Orange Court House, Virginia. Immediately upon its arrival at

this place it was assigned to the brigade of General A. R.

Wright, Anderson's Division, A. P. Hill's Corps. In connection

i

TENTH GEORGIA BATTALION".

with this division and brigade, the Tenth Battalion participated

more or less in all the fierce battles and fatiguing marches of thi&

memorable campaign. It gained no little credit for itself, in thfe-

' desperate charge upb'n the fortified position of the enemy ou thfe

14th of May, at Spottsylvania Court House.

:

Oa the 2d df June it. had the misfortune to lose its mo|t eff}-

cient and gallant commanding officer, Major J. E. Rylander,'whp

was instantly killed at Cold Harbor or Gained Mill, on that dat^.

''He was one of Georgia's most noble and worthy sons, and in

his fall the battalion has sustained a most serious loss." Upon

his death the command devolved upon Captain, now Major,

James D. Frederick.

.

\

j

^^^

^

,'

On the 22d and 23d of June, near Petersburg, the battalion

suffered severely in battle, losing eighty-one men in killed and

wounded, out of two hundred engaged. Upon the battle fiel^ of

the 22d, the battalion was highly complimented by General

Wright for its dashing gallantry.

*

*

;

The battalion was not engaged, with all the balance of W right's Brigadte

(except the Second Georgia Battalion,) in the terriflc battle of the 30th of Julj,

It being on picket duty, three quarters of a ntile in advance of the line df

entrenchments, and probably about two miles from the- scene of the explosion <j

Grant's mine, and the magnificent charge of Wright's Brigade.



That this little battalion deserves a great deal of credit, thene can be nio

doubt, as its list qf killed and wounded sufficiently attests, and it will be a mat

ter of wonder to many of the readers of this work, that they, ever managed tto

stand and be cut down as they were. The men were unused to fire, having.

been performing garrison duty almost from the time of its organization until the

battle of the 14tft of May. and could not be expected to bear them selves through

the fiirht like the oKJ veterans of Lee's army; but they did stand, did fight anji

proved the efficiency of the noble material of,which it is composed, They ave

reflected great credit upon their noble commander, who so " bravely fighting

fell" on the 2d of June.

-<

The present commander, Major Frederick, is a young man of great promise,

who will, with his noble battalion, yet win a fame iu his country's service. !

SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.
The officers from whom I hare collected the^following material, are utterly onsble to farcish me with the statistical matter I so much desire to bead the history of each regiment with. The lamented Colonel Evans had promised me the very day before he met his fate, that he could and would furnish me with all statistical facts connected with his command; but I am of opinion that after his demise his papers were in pjeat coufuaion,. and the statistics were lost or mislaid.
Early in the spring of 1863, ColonelJohn \V. Evans, of Bainbridge, Decatur County, received a commission from the Secratary of War to raise a regiment, to serve in* Brigadier General Howell Cobb's command. Under that authority* Colonel Evans proceeded to raise the different companies to compose said regi ment, and on the 25th of May, consummated the organization at Quincy, Florida,
The legiment numbered forty-six officers and eight hundred and six privates, at the time it was mustered into service; em bracing that class of troops comprehended in the third call of the President, viz: between the ages of eighteen and forty-five. Colonel Evans associated with himself Lieutenant Colonel James Barrow, and Major Walter H. Weems, as the field officers to com mand io said regiment.
A short time subsequent to its orjranizution, the regiment was moved from Quincy, to Camp Leon, Florida, situated upon an open pin* barren, six miles south of Tallahassee, for the purpose of defending the Gulf coast from Yankee raids. This service was in great part performed by detached companies as pickets, placed immediately along the const. A point still further south was found to be more eligible for the location of a camp, and about the first of September the regiment was again moved t!o the place now known RS Camp Randolph, fifteen miles south of Tallahassee, and six miles from St. Marks. At this camp there was great care, displaced, upon the part of our commanding officers, in its general construction and military arrangement.

SIXTY-FOURTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

101

Comfortable houses were built for the officers and men, wells

were dug, and every convenience necessary for the comfort of

the troops was attended to with scrupulous exactness. It may

be doubted if there is a more complete regimental camp in the

Confederate States, than was camp Randolph when .the Sixty-

fourth Georgia was ordered away. It was at this camp that the v i

regiment attained-its maximum strength, to-wit: forty-two offi- :

cers and eight hundred and twenty-nine privates. . During the

stay of the regiment at camp Randolph, the loss of the regiment ;

by deaths, discharges and desertion, did not exceed one percent, :

per month. On the 4th of January, 1864, the Sixty-fourth

received orders to proceed to Savannah, Georgia, via Tallahassee,

Monticello and Atlantic and Gulf railroad. On the 12th of January ;

the regiment arrived and reported to Brigadier General Mercer, iu '

Savannah, and was assigned to the command of General Colston,

and went into camps under the guns of Fort Bartow, three miles i

from the city.

'

;.

Xo incident transpired while at this camp worthy of record,

unless it was the bloodless repulse' of the enemy from White- '

marsh'Island, who were at that time making some demonstra- ;

tions along the coast of Georgia. From this camp the regiment :

proceeded by railroad to Quitman, upon the Atlantic and .Gulf

railroad; thence to Lake City, Florida.

'



When at this point information was obtained that the enemy !

were advancing from the direction of Jacksonville in large force, j

and the regiment was ordered to advance as far forward as j

Olustee station, on the Florida Central yrailroacl. Here the!

command arrived on the evening of the 13th of February, with

an efficient force, rank and file, of four hundred and eighty-six

men. The first duty devolving upon this regiment^ was to throw

up breastworks, and prepare to the best of our ability V> meet

the heavy columns of the rapidly advancing foe. Other troops

continued to arrive (among them the gallant brigade of Geor-

gians, composed pf the Sixth, Nineteenth, Twenty-third, Twenty-;

seventh and Twouty-eigbth regiments, and commanded by Gen

eral A. H. Colquitt,") for several days. All of whom, excepting

Colquitt's Brigade, were placed under command of Colonel John !

W. Evans, with the very efficient Adjutant of the regiment, (J. |

A. Byrd) as Acting Adjutant General. On the morning of the;

20th, the enemy had approached within eight miles of our en-;

trenchments, when General Finnegan, who had now* assumed

102

HEROES AXD MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

command, ordered Colonel Evans to advance with the Sixt\-

fourth Georgia Regiment two miles to the front, and skirmish

the enemy up to oar main line. The order was promptly obeyed,

and the regiment advanced with three hundred and thirty men,

the balance being Either sick or on detached duty. The line of

battle had not been well.formed, before our retiring cavalry gave

indication of the near approach of the enemy.

Colonel Evans, Lieutenant Colonel Barrow, and Major Weenig

ac. ted with the utmost coolness and braverv, each one exercisinoor his influence upon and imparting courage1 to the troops, -who had

never been engaged before. Soon the shock fell, with frightful

reality, upon the inexperienced ranks of the Sixty-fourth Georgin,

.rind for a moment it required every effort on the part of the

officers to keep their men in line. Indeed it was a fearful posi

tion to occupy, in the very face of fifteen thousand men who

were pouring grape, canister and minnie balls into our lines

like a tornado of hailstones. Our skirmishers in front were fall

ing like leaves in autumn. After the first shock had subsided,

and a few shots exchanged, the regiment was ordered to

charge--because there was no order attended with lss dan

ger, which could have been given--and at the word, the regi

ment moved forward with a steadiness of purpose to conquer

or die ; and most gallantly for five hours was that resolution dis

played upon that memorable battlefield.* Early in the action

the noble and deeply to be lamented Lieutenant Colonel Barrow

fell mortally wounded, with a ball through his generous heart.

About the same time Major Weems received a severe wound in

the leg, and was borne off the field.

x"^-<

Colonel Evans was left alone with his gallant Adjutant Byrd,

to manoeuvre the regiment and inspire them with their own en

ergy and hope. But it was not long before-the Colonel received

a wound which disabled him, and he too was borne off the field.

The casualties in the regiment in this fight, were one hundred

and ten in killed and wounded, or exactly one-third of the num

ber carried into action. Many instances of individual courage

occurred npon this field, but it is impossible to attempt to par-

ticula>ize, as there was scarcely a man on the field who did not

*My informant must either have been mistaken regarding thi3 affair, or omitted to mention the advance of the other troops, comprising the army of General Finnegan, as it; was altogether improbable that the Sixty-fourth could bare held the Yankee army at bay.

SIXTY-FOURTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

^ 108

bear himself as a hero. Captain C. S. Jenkins, assisted by the other captains and lieutenants, conducted the regiment through the most fearful periods of the fight, which of necessity became more desperate the nearer we approached the enemy's batteries, and as they were successively charged. Our trophies were' numerous, but cannot be enumerated owing to want of space.
After caring for the wounded and burying the dead, the regi ment was ordered forward in pursuit of the retreating enemy. This movement was performed as far as Camp Milton, ten miles in front of Jacksonville, the headquarters of the Yankee army in Florida. At this cainpthe regiment was stationed until about the 24th of April, throwing up breastworks, &c. The regiment numbered at this time thirty-eight officers and six hundred and forty privates, of these there were only two hundred and ninetyseven reported for duty. On the 24th of April the regiment receivej^orders to proceed to South Florida, under command of Captain C. S. Jenkins, who^had been in command since the loss of the field officers at Ocean Pond, '
The regiment moved by railroad as far as Gainesville, Florida, in obedience to orders. Upon arriving at that point, Captain Jenkins ordered forward two companies as far as Clay Landing, to protect property, and defend that section against Yankee aggressions. These two companies, commanded by Captains Brown and Thomas, while on duty there, engaged the enemy and succeeded in repulsing them with some loss to the latter. j
At this time Captain Jenkins received orders to report for duty ' at Richmond, Virginia, with the Sixty-fourth Georgia. In performing^this journey, the regiment had to march from Madison .' to Quitman, Georgia, a distancg of twenty-four miles, and which was the only marching between onr point of departure and des- tination, (Petersburg, Virginia.)
On the 14th of May the regiment arrived at Petersburg, and ' was immediately placed by General BeauregaYd in the rifle pits
along Swift Creek, which constituted a part of the defenee,s of the city of Petersburg. During this time the Sixty-fourth Geor- i gia was in General Wise's Brigade, but the regiment was soon ; transferred across the Appomattox and placed in General John- ! son's old Tennessee brigade, which occupied the left centre of the line of entrenchments, by order of General Beauregard. At this time the regiment was"divided, four companies being retained for detached service on the north side of the river, and conse-

104

HEROES AND HARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

quently but six companies participated in the battles of the 16th aod 17th of June.
On''the evening of the 16th of June, two brigades of the enemy charged the line occupied by the six companies of the Sixty-fourth Georgia, then under command! of Captain Pritchett. It required all the nerve and energy of both officers and men to resist the impetuous assaults made upon cxar lines by the infuri ated Yankees. Here again was displayed great courage and in domitable resolution, and every soldier steeled himself with an armor of invulnerable determination, whidh was soon to cause the foe to bite the sacred dust upon which his polluted feet had dared to make an impress. Well indeed wals the task performed; as the enemy would advance and recede from our lines, like the ocean ware when maddened into fury by the howling blast, un der the galling fire poured into them frdm the gallant Sixtyfourth, they went down by scores upon the gory field, rolling in their accursed fife current which deeply dyed the soil of the Old Dominion, as it gushed from the wound? made by the leaden messengers 0f death, sped from the muzzles of the well directed muskets 0f the Sixty-fourth. The ordeal was too'severe for their epdurance, and ^he drama closed by the surrender of more than, four hundred of the vandals, who found that it would be dearth to retreat. Captain Pritchett had the honor of command ing the regiment during this engagement, and is entitled to a due share of the credit which may attach to tM_capture.
Especial mention maybe made of Captain Craven, Lieutenant T." J. Bartlett and Lieutenant A. M. Mound, as having particu larly distinguished themselves in this engagement. Their remains now repose in honorablegraves beneath the gory soil of the Old Dominion, upon whose breast, and for whose protection against the fierce foes of Southern independence, they poured out their hearts' best blood a* a libation to her glory. On the iTtji the attack of the enemy was renewed upon our left with in-creaeed vigor, and so terrible were their assaults upon that part of our* lines, that the brigade occupying that portion of the lines were forced to abandon their position in the trenches, thereby leaving the Sixty-fourth uncovered, and exposed to a most severe and destructive enfilading fire, which laid many of our brave boys Tow. This position of affairs, of course, rendered that part of the line occupied by the Sixty-fourth untenable, and that regiment, for the first time, was compelled to retire beyond the

SIXTY-FOURTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

105

range of the enemy's gun*. In this action Adjutant Byrd again

exerted his utmost energies in rallying the troops and leading

them into the abandoned trenches.

In the two engagements the loss of the Sixty-fourth in killed,

wounded and missing, amounted to forty-five men.

On the 30th of July ths sun rose upon another day which was

to witness a deadly conflict, a desperate battle, and a glorious,

decisive victory for the Confederacy.

The regiment at this time had combined all its companies, and

numbered six hundred and thirty men rank and file; its efficient

strength was three hundred and eighty-eight men, and with-that

number it entered into the desperate strife, which took place

after the explosion of Grant's mine in our works. Immediately

upon the explosion, and before the smoke had cleared away, the

Yankees and negroes rushed into our lines by thousands, and it

became apparent that the only manner of dislodging them was

by charging.



W right's Brigade, of which the Sixty-fourth Georgia cpnsti-

tuted a part, was drawn up in battle arrayr and received orders

to charge. The order was promptly obeyed, and the Sixty-

fourth, still under command of Captain Pritchett, acted its part

in that deadly conflict with great gallantry, and a considerable

degree of desperation, but the emergency demanded the most

desperate remedies, and most faithfully did the Sixty-fourth ad

minister them. The conflict was close and deadly ^ a hand to

hand fight ensued and the hundreds of dead, and the thousands

of the wounded hessians, attest the severity of the battle. But

alas for poor humanity ! There is no picture, however beautiful,

but what has some spot to mar its symmetry, and in a degree

detracts from its beauty. There is no joy on earth, of any dura-.

tion, unalloyed with grief, and it seems that the very ground

upon which the altar of liberty is to be erected, must first be

sprinkled with the heart's blood of its devotees, or thene can be

no permanence to its superstructure. The picture of he thou

sands of dead and dying Yankees, the joy of our brave^Georgia

boys, made known to the world by their bugle shout of victory,

had its reverse. The same earth that drank the life blood of our

enemies, was also crimsoned with the same current, emanating

from the noble hearts of many of the sons of our mother Geor

gia. With an unflinching determination'to whip the fight, they

rushed upon the guns of the enemy, and many of them

N

" Fiercely fighting foil."

106

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

Among the killed was Colonel Evans, who wa not in com

mand (not having resumed it, as he was one or two days behind

his time in returning from home on furlough, and the rules of

service require that no officer shall take his command until so

permitted by General Lee,) being merely a volunteer. Seeing

the line stagger under the withering fire poured into our ranks,

he sprang upon the breastworks, and waving his hat over his

head shouted, in tones which rang distinctly over the tumult jof

battle': "Remember, boys, you are Georgians," and at that mo

ment received the shot through his generous, noble heart, which

almost instantly terminated the mortal existence of as gallaint

and amiable a man as ever lived or died. The Sixty-fourth in

this action lost heavily. Nine (9) officers were killed dead bn

the field, and twenty-five (25) privates and non commissioned

officers, and fifty-four (54) were wounded, a large number

mortally.*

,

i

This was the last action in which the Sixty-fourth Georgia

participated, up to the time the above report was made out,

(about the 10th of August.)

Major Weems will no doubt receive the appointment of colonel

of the regiment, since the deaths of Colonel Evans and Lieut$n-

ant Colonel Barrow.

I am requested to publish, in connection with the above, a short article laudatory of the Assistant Quartermaster of the Sixty-fourth, but must decline to do so, as it would be decidedly unjust, in a work on and dedicated to the "Heroes and Martyrs of Georgia," to publish an article complimentary to one, (who is no doubt deserving all the encomiums which could be bestowed upon him, but who occupies a situation remote from danger,) in preference to those who are the "Heroes and Martyrs," but whose names I could not obtain, oVing to the fact that all of the men acted as heroes, and to make distinctions would be insidious.

The weather being intensely hot, and nearly every man being severelA wounded, they died by scores. I am of opinion that seven-tenths of the wounded died.

PHILLIPS' LEGION
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.
(CAVALRY.)
The substance of the ma'terial composing the following pages was written upon the 29th of April of this year, but owing to the inefficiency of the Post Office Department has just reached me (September 6th). I have tried several times, both by letter and personally, to communicate with the Legion, (cavalry) but have failed in every instance. I am rattened that as many, incidents of real importance have occurred in this command, since the 29th of April, as had occurred previously, and if it is possible I will obtain these incident* and give them a place in the eecondWolume of this work.
Phillips' Legion, as originally organized by the Governor of Georgia, was composed of infantry and cavalry, and was com manded by Colonel William Phillips, of Cobb County. Seaborn Jones, jr., of Polk County, was Lieutenant Colonel; John B. Wilcoxson, of Coweta County, Major; and James H. Lawrence, 1 of Floyd County, Adjutant. The Legion was mustered into service on the llth day of June, 1861, and consisted of ten com-. panics. The Legion was prepared for active service in the field by drill and strict discipline, at Camp McDonald, in- Cobb Couuty," Georgia. From this place it was ordered to Lynchburg, Virginia. From Lynehburg it went to North Western Virginia, and served under General John B. Floyd, in on# of the most severe campaigns of the war.
The winter of 1861, for its unusual severity, and the many and severe hardships to which this command was necessarily ex-_, posed, the campaign of Cotton Hill and Sewell Mountain will never fade from the memories of those who had the ill fortune to participate in their severities. The Legion being very much re duced was ordered to the coast of South Carolina, to which place it went in January^ 1862. While here it composed a portion of the brigad^/of Brigadier General T. F. Drayton. During the stay of theXegion upon the coast of South Carolina, no incident worthy' of record occurred, except the change ia field officers. /
Lieutenant Colonel Seaborn Jones, jr., and Major John B.

108

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

Wilcoxson resigned. Captain William W. Rich, of Cass County,

was in July, 1862 X promoted to the position of Lieutenant Colo

nel, and assigned to the conqrthand of the cavalry companies of the

Legion, who having received an accession to their strength of two

compa&ics, which augmented their number to six companies, were

entitled to a Lieutenant Colonel and Major. Captain William B.

C. Pnckett, of Cherokee County, was in September, 1862, pro

moted Major. In July, 1S62, the brigade of General Dray-

ton received orders to proceed to Virginia and report to General

Robert E. Lee for duty.

From that time nntil the present, the infantry and cavalry

iave-been separated, and a snbseqnent order from the Secretary

of War, created them separate and distinct organizations, so far

as each other are concerned.* The Battalion nnder the com

mand of Major Puckett, arrived at Shepfeerdstown in time to

witness and participate in, to a limited degree, the -world re

nowned battle of Sharpsburg. About the 20th day of Septem

ber, 1802, the Battalion, still under command of Major Puckett,

in compliance with orders, reported to Brigadier General Wade

Hamptoa for duty, with whose command' they have ever since

served.

t

Daring the winters of 1862 and ?63, the Battalion performed

a great deal of hard duty, such as picketing, scouting and making

raids. Daring those seasons the Battalion participated in a great

many skirmishes, took many prisoners, wenpons of war of all

kinds, many head of horses, and in fact plundered the Yankees

pretty generally. Passing over all the time intervening between

the winter "of 1802 and '63, the history of the Battalion is

brought down to the month of June, 3868.

While the brigade was doing picket duty on the Rappahan-

noek, and encamped in the vicinity of Cclpepper Court House,

CoioneJUich received orders from General Stewart to proceed

at ono to the vicinity of Frederieksburg and relieve the Fourth

"Virginia^then on duty there; which, upon their departure, left

this Battalion the only cavalry in that neighborhood. At this

time both the Yankee and Confederate armies were moving to

Northern Virginia, and finally crossed tfce Potomac into Penn-

eylvania. This Battalion waa left at Frederieksburg. SOOB-

after the Battalion was ordered to rejoin Hampton's Brigade,

which waa in Loudoa County, near Rectors Cross RK>ads., On

Prom thi point only the Cavalry Battalion will be mentioned.

PHILLIPS' LEGION--CAVALRY.

109

the morning of the 21st of June, 1863, the command left War-

renton Springs, Fawquier County, passed through the village of

"Warrenton and were wending their way quietly along, until they

arrived at a little place known as ~Sew Baltimore, where we

were suddenly brought into pretty close contact with a squadron

of the Eighth Pennsylvania cavalry. Colonel Ricb ordered the

second and third companies of the Legion Battalion to halt, and

the first to charge, leading the column himself. The Yankees

soon found that a desperate charge of a Georgia squadron was

no trifling matter, and decided that the "signs of the times" were

getting pretty warm, and all but one turned and fled for dear

life. The Georgia troopers followed them about five miles at

full spted, and succeeded in capturing twenty-three horses with-"

out losing a man. But one man in the Battalion was hurt, and

that was Adjutant WofFord, who was struck on the breast with

a pistol by the only Yankee that dared to face the column. He

was a brave fellow, for after emptying his last round without

effect, and receiving a severe cut on the head from the Adjutant's

sabre, he used his pistol as a missile as the only remaining avail

able weapon of defense. This was considered quite- a brilliant

little affair, and Lieutenant Colonel Rich was highly compli- "

mented by Brigadier General Hampton foY his success. Upon

rejoining the brigade each regiment gave three hearty,' rousing;

cheers for the Phillips' Legion.

;

The Battalion participated in all thefightsin which Hampton's

Brigade was engaged in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia,:

from'that time until the present. The Battalion lost two officers

killed during the campaign: Lieutenant E. M. Story, of Coweta,

on the 9th of July, near Funkstown, Maryland, and Captain

John F. Milhollin, of Cass, on the 8th of November, 1863, than

whom no braver men have ever fallen in defense of their coun- *

try's rights. About one hundred men were killed wounded and

taken prisoners during this campaign. The present strength of,,

the Battalion is six hundred and forty-four men. The following

is a list of the field officers, also company commanders, etc.:
i
. W. W. Rich, Lieutenant Colonel.

W. B. C. Pnckett, Mayor.

William E. Jones, Chaplain.

Calhotm Sams, Surgeon.

\

John W. Wofford, Adjutant.

\

Captains:--James H. Nichols, Thomas G. Wilkes, Eli C. Hardin, R. L, T.

Long, A. F. Hunter and W. W. Thomas.

ELEVENTH BATTALION
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.
(CUTTS' ARTILLERY.)

STATISTICAL RECORD TO APRIL 24TH, 1864.

>"o. of mea killed in action, .

28

" " " died of wounds and sickn3, .... 104

Total loss by death, . . . . 132

Discharged, . . ....... 76

Deserted, .

. .......

6

Transferred, . ........ 48

Missing and not heard from, .......

8

Total real loss, . . . . . 265 Wonnded in action,. ........ 154

Real and temporary loss, . . . 419 Original strength company A, . . . . . . ISO Recruits,* ... ~ ....... 376

Total strength, . . . . . 556

Company A, upon which the Battalion known (and widely known,) as the Cutts' 'Battalion, wae'organized and formed in Sumter County, Georgia, by Captain A. S. Cutts, who, with his command left Araericus, Georgia, on the 6th day of July, 1861, for Richmond, Virginia. This company was mustered into the service of the Confederate States on the 15th of July, and or dered to report to Manassas on the 24th of the same month. In the August following the company was equipped with six guns. The original number of men enlisted was one hundred and fifty, bat iq the fall of 1861 was increased to one hundred and eight^ men, and two more guns were added, making, an eight gun bat tery of seven 6-pounders, and one 12-pound! howitzer.
On the 20th of December the company was ordered to report

*I presume from the large number of recruits tht my informant, Sergeant Major J. D. Harris, alludes to the companies whick were added to company A, and which formed the battalion.

ELEVENTH BATTALION--CUTTS' ARTILLERY.

Ill

to General Stuart "with four guns, and it .met the enemy at Dranesville in overwhelming force. We took position in a nar row country road walled in by a dense pine grove. The road was so narrow and the forest so thick, that there was no room to work but three guns. The enemy opened upon our litfle bat tery with 12-pounders from three different points at once, which could barely be discerned by the smoke from their pieces through : the pines. The sharpshooters of the enemy poured a continuous and galling fire into this battery.

In one hour we suffered a loss of one caisson blown up, another demolished, a limber shot down, twenty horses,killed,

six men killed and fifteen wounded, out of forty canrioniers and drivers at the guns. In this fearful encounter, Captain -,

Cutts rendered himself particularly conspicuous for desperate.

energy and cool, self-possessed, calculating courage. Lieuten ant L. E. Sprivey (acting number five,) Privates Doolittle, Green and Lingo, and Sergeants Randall and Fletcher deserve :

special mention for their galfant conduct. Private J. L. Price

at this place displayed that coolness and intrepidity which has !

marked his conduct ever since upon every battle field in which >

*

his company has been engaged; his name deserves to figure in the list of Georgia's heroes. Many others of the command be haved very handsomely.

In the spring of 1862, Captain Cutts was authorized to aug ment his command from a company to a battalion. Three more companies were recruited by him in Sumter County, Georgia,

and Company A, of the Ninth Regiment of Georgia volunteers, having been detached from that Regiment as an artillery company, was assigned to this battalion, thus making five companies in all.

On account of much sickness and many deaths and discharges,

one of the three new companies was disorganized and amalga

mated into the remaining two new companies, thus reducing the

Battalion to four companies. Captain Cutts was elected Major :

and soon afterwards promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The battles in which we have participated are as follows:
.Company A, at Drainesville. in December, 1861; Company B,

at Fredericksburg on the 2d day of May, 1863; Company C, at

Richmond July, 1862, Warrentou Springs November, 1862,

Washington, North Carolina, April, 1863, and Suffolk during

the same month. The whole Battalion was engaged in the night attack on

112

HEROES AST) MABTYKS OF GJEOBGIA.

McClellan's fleet and camp, on James river in July, 1862=5 also at Boonsboro, Sharpsburg and Frederiukaburg, 1862, and at Getmbnrg, 1863. After the battle of Sharpsborg one of tbe companies were broken up and the men distributed among the present three companies composing the Battalion; Company A, (original company) and B, from the county of Surater, and Com pany C, from Wilkes County, Georgia. The present field officers are Lieutenant Colonel Cutts and Major John Lane. Colonel Cults served for three years in the regular army of the United States, and two years in Mexico, during the war with that coun try im Steptoe'a famous battery. From the experience thus ac quired as weil as from great natural fitness for command, he is * most dxceJlent officer, and esteemed one of the best for artillery in the1 service. Promotion in this branch of service is of low grade land comes slowly, especially to any but Virginians, and our commander's rank does not fairly indicate either his merits or pas^t services. As pertinent to this idea, Catts' Battalion and the Jejffl Davis Battery (another Georgia company) were all the artillery at the battle of Boonsboro on the Confederate side, and without support, kept back heavy masses of Yankee infantry darinar ^he entire day. In the official report of General D. H. Hill, tbe commanding General, they are not even mentioned.
Major John Lane is a son of General Joseph Lane, of Oregon, and a good officer. He is an undergraduate of West Point, and warmly devoted to the cause of Southern Independence.
Tb* small losses which this Battalion has sustained in battle, are mainly owing to the judicious manner izi which the batteries have been posted by the field officers, and tihe skill and address with which the gnns have been worked. All the- batteries in this fcjattalion are six gun batteries.
BATTALION RECORDS
FROM: jAjrcrAiY Isx, 1864, TO AUGUST, 1864.
On the 27th of February, Lieutenant Codonel Catts was pro moted to the rank of Colonel, and was, on the 5th of June, assigncjd to the command of a division of artillery, composed of his own and Lieutenant Colonel Richardson*s Battalions. Major Johij Lane was assigned to the command of Cutts' Battalion. On the 4th of May, this battalion, then temporarily attached to Anderson's Division, guarding the fords of the upper Rapidan, left winter quarters and proceeded to the Wilderness. In the bat-

ELEVENTH BATTALION--CUTTS' ARTILLERY.

US

ties ^ich took place during the next two days at this point, the

gronnd being impracticable for artUlery, 'only a few guns were

pnt into position, which few howeverf did effectual service in

aiding to drive back some heavy columns of the enemy.

Arriving at Spottsylvania Court -House on the 9th of May,

the Battalion took position on the ttiain road leading through

this place to Richmond, and proceeded to fortify the point. Soon

afterwards a column of tfie enemy approaching, a brisk fire was

opened upon their ranks, when they retired with speed. For

several days nothing transpired save a few artillery duels be

tween the opposing guns, as no assault was made upon this por

tion of the line. '

Arriving at Hanover Junction on the 23d-of May, the Battalion

went into position on the south bank of the North Anna rive'r,'

between two fords on this stream, to resist the crossing of the

enemy, and were almost immediately engaged in repelling his

advance upon the infantry guard at the lower bridge. His guard

being driven back, the enemy nex-t day commenced crossing in.

heavy force, under a vigorous and almost incessant fire from t^e

guns, this Battalion, under command of Major Lane, Colonel

Cutts being informally in charge of two battalions. So accurate

and damaging was this fire that the Federal commanders resorted

to the expedient jof crossing only a few of tbeir troops at a time,

and these in straggling squads, white a long line of their artillery

attempted to silence our gnns. Several of the qannoniers were

seriously wounded, some by the bursting of a 20-pounder parrot ;

bat their comrades remained unshaken at their posts, although

the ene.my used mortars for the first time in the field, since the

commencement of the war,- in addition to a heavy direct fire. .

Nearly the whole artillery fighting in General Lee's army, while

on these 'lines fell to the lot of Lane's Battalion.

:

General Grant continuing to move by the left flank the Bat

talion was ordered to -------- Creek, where after some firing,

and a few days on the lines, it took up the line of march for Cold :

Harbor, and there went into position on Turkey Ridge on 3d of

June. After several days of more or less artillery dueling, it

moved to the Chesterfield Heights on the north bank of the Ap-

pomattox, near Petersburg, and proceeded to fortify the position

known as the Archer House. An enfilading fire was here ob- ]

tained upon the enemy's line to the south, and fifteen guns,

mostly rifles, from the battalions of the Third Corpg were COD-

114
*

HEEOSS AND MABTYBS OP GEORGIA.

_^
centrated at this point under command of Major Lane^to <gi eck

the enemy's fire from batteries one arid five upon, Petersburg,

and two 30-pounder parents added to his own battalion. To

oppose this array of strength, the enemy brought into command

ing positions OB the opposite side of the^iver twenty odd guns,

mostly 20 and 30-pound parrots, three eight inch mortars, and

one thirteen inch. For five weeks Major Lane with inferior

guns, and far inferior ammunition, fought the enemy more or

less every day or night, with unjielding tenacity. Guns were

disabled, works knocked down, many of the best and bravest men

and officers killed and wounded ; but new g.uns were mounted,

the works rebuilt, and as often as the enemy's guns on that front

sent a shot into the city, the iron watchdogs on Archer's Hill

belched forth tbeir thunders in its defense, forcing the vandals

to turn from the shelling of women and children to defend him

self. The Petersburg Press was loud in its praise of "our strong

batteries on the Chesterfield side." Finally after in vain at-

t;empting Jto eilence our guns, a sort of tacit truce prevailed.

Whenever the enmy attempted to shell the town, a few shots

from the Archer's House would produce perfect silence; the

enemy ceasing their fire to prevent our guns from enfilading their

infantry line. Under this arrangement the Federal batteries on

onr front became comparatively useless and were moved further

to thir left. Subsequently Major Lane with all the guns of hjte

Battalion, except the two 30-pounders were ordered to the more

immediate Petersburg front, and now holds position on the Je

rusalem Plank road and otter points to the westward.

THOMAS' BRIGADE
^-
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.

THIS Brigade was formed about the 15th of June, 1862,<ftnd was composed of the following named regiments :--

Fourteenth Georgia Regiment, Colonel Felix M. Price.; Thirty-fifth Georgia Regiment, Colonel Edward L. Thdmaa. Forty-fifth Georgia Regiment, Colonel Thomas Hardenjan, Jr. Forty-ninth Georgia Regiment, Colonel A. J. Lane. !

It was assigned to the Division of Major General A. P. Hill,

The first commander of the brigade was Brigadfier General

Joseph R. Anderson of Virginia. Under the cjommand of

General Anderson, the brigade participated in the battles of

Mechanicsville, fought June 26th; Games' Mill, Jurje 27th ; and

Eraser's Farm, June 30th, 1862. Its effective strength when it

crossed the Chickahominy on the afternoon of Jurie 26th, was

about seventeen hundred and fifty men. In the series of bloody

battles which delivered the Southern capital froni siege, this

brigade lost five hundred and sixty-three men in killed and

wounded.

'

'i

About the 20th of July Brigadier General Andemon resigned,

and the command of the brigade devolved upon^Col )nel Edward

L. Thomas, who had commanded the Thirty-fifth Georgia Regi

ment with great ^success and gallantry in the above mentioned

battles, and also the battle of Saven Pines. Genera A. P. Hill's

Division being assigned to the command of General' *. J. Jackson

on July 31st, 1862, this brigade left the camp it had occupied

since the battles aroivnd Richmond, and went to ^rordonsville,

where General Jackson's forces had collected.' [The brigade

remained at Oordon^ville until the 7th of August, w icn it moved

with the rest of General Jackson's forces, by wa j of Orange

Court House. On the 9th day of August, after a Long and very

hot march, General Jackson's command encountered the enemy

under Major Gerferal Pope, near Cedar Run in Culpepper, where

he utterly defeated them, driving them several mjles from the

116 f

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

field! of battle. Thomas' Brigade behaved with distinguishing

gallantry in this battle, checking the advance of the enemy on

the extreme right.of General Jackson's command, and holding

thena in check for some time, uritil after a long, obstinate and

bloody fight, the order was given by General Jackson for a

general charge, when the brigade advanced with the utmost

bravWy and enthusiasm, driving the enemy in utter rout before

thena. The loss of the brigade in .this battle, known as the battle

of Cjedar Run, was about one Jbundred and fifty men in killed

and Votmded. Among the killed was Lieutenant Colonel S. M.

Manning of the Forty-ninth Georgia Regiment, one of the best

and ,bravest officers in the brigoade. For .some time after this battle, Thomas' Brigade, with the

rest of General Jackson's Corps, was encamped on Crenshaw's

farm in Orange County, leaving wfcich about the 23d of August,

it proceeded under General Jackson on that celebrated flanking

mar$h, which by its successful accomplishment, placed the corps

of tbe immortal Stonewall in the rear of Pope's Army. The

aatopishing boldness of this movement, the remarkable success

and (secrecy of its execution, the daring and obstinate bravery

witl, which Jackson's Corps alone and unsupported, confronted

&nd beat off Pope's Army on the 28th and 29th of August, are

among the wonders of this war. Xo man except the hero who

commanded that corps," could have kept naen firm under circum

stances so extraordinary. Thomas' Brigade was in reserve on

the 28th of August. On the 29th it charged upon and routed

will, considerable slaughter, a force of the enemy on the Manassas

Gap) railroad/--which position after having gained, the brigade

held during the dav. After a long and bloodv fi^ht of nine

^_

v

Cj-

tf

O

hours' duration, during wbjich repeated charges of the enemy

were repulsed, the brigade was driven from its position by an

overwhelming force of the enemy; but uniting with Fender's

XoDth Carolina Brigade, with their assistance the enemy was

finally -driven back. ,

Oh the evening of August 29th the corps of Lieutenant

General Longstreet arrived. The long agony of Jackson's Corps

wa,now past, for five brave divisions had come to their assistance,

and: with their arrival, renewed confidence? was instilled into the

Boldliers of Jackson, who, though by no means intimidated by

the immense odds against which they were contending, were

perfectly confident that with the heroes of Longstreefe, they

GEORGIA BRIGADE.

117

could hurl from their front the legions of Abolit: onism. The !

next morning the conflict was renewed and rage< desperately

deadtof Pope's Army had Been largely reinforced by the :

remains of McClellan's Peninsula Army. On that day, August

30th, the classic plains of Manassas were the scene of a long and ;

boody battle, and a most disastrous defeat on thei part of the

enemy, terminating in their utter rout. Thomas' Brigade fought

on that day, and was among the foremost in the pjursuit of the

enemy. The brigade subsequently took part in tne action near l

Chantilly oil theulst day of September, ii which ths'enemy were:

airain C

defeated

and

ajjain ~

routed.



I

;

'

;

General Lee's Army invading Maryland in 1962, Thomas'

Brigade, with the rest of General A. P. Hill's Division, crossed:

the Potomac river near Leesburg.on the 5th of September, and

reached PVederick City two days thereafter. Aftjer a few days;

of rest the march was resumed,*and recrossing tho Potomac at;

"Williamsport, reached Harper's. Ferry via Martinsburg, on the

14th of September, and assisted in the capture of that placer

together with the entire Federal force, numbering el >ven thousand'

men. The brigade being ordered to remain at Hirper's Ferry,

was not- present at the battle of Sharpsburg; it took part,

however, io the subsequent affair near Shepherdstown. A force -

of the enemy having crossed the Potomac, Major General A. P.

Hill turned upon them with Thomas', Gregg's and Fender's;
Brigades of his gallant and world renowned Light Division, and

drove them in utter rout back across the river. For gome time

after this j;he army lay quiet, near Bunker Hill in the Valley of

Virginia.

i

.

.While hfere Colonel Felix M. Price having resigned, Lieutenant

Colonel Robert "W. Folsom was promoted to the! Colonelcy of

the Fourteenth Georgia Regiment. Colonel Thonjias Hardeman

having resigned, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Simmons was'

promoted to the Colonelcy of the Forty-fifth Georgia Regiment.

Colonel A. J. Lane having resigned, and Lieutonanjt Colonel;

S. M. Manning being killed, Major Jonathan Rivers eras promoted ]

to the Colonelcy of the Forty-ninth Georgia Regiiient.

!

"While in the Valley Colonel Edward L. Thomas vas promoted

to Brigadier General, to which position he bad been recommended:

by Major v General A. P. Hill immediately after the battle^

around Richmond, but the commission was not conferred upon ,

him until the 1st of November, 1862, after he had repeatedly

118

HEROES AM) MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

earned his wreath while commanding the brigade in several

bloody battles.

About the 10th of November, 1862, the brigade left the

Valley of Virginia, and crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains at

Hilom Gap, marched by way of Orange Court House to Fred-

erickBburg. It remained encamped near that place until the llth

of December, when, General Burnsides having crossed the

Rappahannock river with the Federal Army, the brigade took

position near Hamilton's Crossing. It remained quiet, being in

. the second line, until December 13th, when the grand attack of

the enemy took place. The troops in its front having been

compelled by a strong column of the enemy to give back,

Thonfcas' Brigade by a well directed and energetic charge, in

tTuhren

4pdri.rgoavdee

back and utterly in this movement

routed the Federals in its lost heavily. It remained

front. in the

front line and was not again engaged until relieved. The next

day the Federal Army, badly beaten and demoralized, had

recrosaed the Rappahannock.

The winter of '62 and '63 was passed by Thomas' Brigade at

Camp Gregg, -(so called in honor of Brigadier General Maxcy

Gregg of South Carolina, who was killed in the battle of

Fredericksbucg) abont eight miles below Frederieksburg.

O the 30th day of April, 1863, the enemy having again

crossed the river Rappahannock in front of Hamilton's Crossing,

this brigade left its camp and marched to that point. On the

1st of May it proceeded towards Chancellorsville. On the 2d

it moved with the rest of Jackson's Corps on that celebrated

flank movement, by which the corps of the immortal Stonewall,

making a detour of fourteen miles, gained tfce extreme right of

the enemy's position, and surprised and routed two corps of them

with great slaughter. Xight put a stop to the root of the

enemy. Thomas' Brigade was placed in position during the

night, on the extreme left of the front line. About daylight on

the 3d of May, the order came to advance and attack the enemy

at once. Without a moment's hesitation the brigade advanced,

driving a line of the enemy's skirmishers before it, until having

advanced about two hundred and fifty yards, the enemy were

found in breastworks with an abatis in front, of trees which

they had felled during the night. At once a charge was ordered

by General Thomas, and without faltering an instant the brigade

with a cheer, such as only Southern boys can giVe, rushed forward

j

THOMAS' GEORGIA BRIGADE.

119

through a storm of balls, through the abatis and over the

breastworks, driving the enemy's front line, supports, reserves

and all, in a headlong rabble rout before them. This most gallant

charge cost the brigade about two hundred men and officers

killed and wounded ; among them Lieutenant Colonel James M.

Fielder of the Fourteenth Georgia, who was shot down in a

few yards of the enemy's works, bravely leading on his men.

By this action and subsequent operations, the enemy having

been driven back across the Rappahannock, the troops returned

to their old camps near Fredericksburg. The glorious victory

of ChancelJorsville cost the Confederate Army dear. Stonewall

Jackson died soon after of wounds received in that battle,---

leaving the country to moorn one of its purest and truest patriots,

and the army to regret a leader under whose brilliant guidance

it had so often marched to assured victory.

The Army of Northern Virginia being subsequently divided

into three corps, Major General A. P. Hill was promoted to the

rank of Lieutenant General, and Brigadier General W. D. Fender

to Major General,--Thomas' Brigade then being in Fender's"

Division, A. P. Hill's Corps. About the middle of June the

second invasion of the enemy's territory commenced. TDOma8>

Brigade marched by way of Culpepper Court House, Chester

Gap, Berryville, Shepherdstown, "Virginia, and Hagerstown,

Maryland, into the State of Pennsylvania. Th invasion ended

with the battle of Gettysburg, in which Thomas' Brigade did

not participate, except in very heary skirmishing, and in ^>eing

subjected to one of the most awful artillery fires ever witnessed.

The loss of the brigade, however, amounted to about two hundred

and fifty men, killed, wounded and prisoners.

;

< After leaving Pennsylvania the brigade returned through the

lower Valley, and across the Blue Ridge, to the vicinity of

Orange Court House, where it remained in encampment until ;

about the 9th of October, 1863, when the army again broke up ;

camp and marched against the enemy encamped around Culpepper

Court House. Thomas' Brigade was not engaged in the affair

with the rear guard of the enemy at Bristow Station.

After destroying the railroad from Bull Run to the Rappahan

nock, our forces returned to their camps around Orange Court

House, wfiere they remained quiet until the latter part of the

month of November, 1868, when the enemy under General

Meadi having crossed the Rapid Ann, General Lee advanced to

120

HEBCES AiSD MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

meet jhim. Our line of battle was forjned on the west side of

Mine Ran, across the plank road to Frederjcksburg. General

Mead; seeing the disposition of our forces, returned across the

Rapic Ann without corning to an engagement. The brigade of

General Thomas remained in camp near Orange Court House

until jthe 15th of December, when it was ordered to Staunton,

Virginia, to repel a raid under General Averfll. Subsequently it

ff

down the Valley as far as Middletown^ to facilitate a

movement of Major General Pitzhugh Lee*s Cavalry Division

across the North Mountain ; after which in the month of January,

1864,. with Rosser's Cavalry Brigade, both brigades being

commanded by Major General J. A. Early, Thomas' Brigade

left camp near Harriaonburg, Virginia, and crossing the Xorth

mountain, reached Moorfield, Hardy County, January 31st. The

brigade on the ensuing day marched towards Petersburg, where

the enemy had a force of three infantry regiments strongly

entrenched; bat they evacuated the post before the arrival of

this brigade.

In the meantime General Rosser making a circuitous march,

succeeded in surprising and capturing the enemy's supply train

of on)e ^hundred, and five (105) wagons, which with twelve hun

dred iead of beef cattle, and six hundred steep, were the fruits

of the expedition.

The brigade -returned to Orange Court House about the 5th

of March, 1864, where it remained in quiet until the spring cam

paign of 1864 commenced.

By, the,resignation of Colonel S. T. Player and others, Cap

tain J. T. Jordao was promoted about this time to Colonel of

the Forty-ninth Georgia regiment.

During the winter of 1863 and '64, the Army of the Potomac

WAS encamped around -Culr^epper Court House, Virginia, under

the qommand of Major General Meade.

Inithe beginning of the month of May, the most arduouscam-

paig^ of the war was inaugurated by the advance of the Yankee

army from their winter quarters.

Ttye Federal Government had been preparing for some months

for afnother attempt to capture Richmond. A larger army was

assembled than ever before, and was placed under the command

of lieutenant General U. S. Grant, whose successes in the west

gavej his government the highest hopes of his abilities to capture

/

THOMAS' GEORGIA BRIGADE.

121

the capitol of the Confederacy. The equipment of his army was in e.very respectfcomplete.
A column 'of thirty thousand men under the command of Butler, the Beast, was to co-operate with General Grant, by way of the James :river. General Grant's infantry force alone was computed at ninety-six thousand muskets ; which with a numer ous cavalry and artillery might well excite the hope in the hearts of the Northern people, that "the rebellion would now be* crushed."
General Grant commenced crossing the Rapid Ann about the 3d of May. iOn the 4th General Lee left his camps around Orange Court House, and marched down the plank road and turnpike towards Fredericksburg. On the 5th of May he attacked the Federal forces with decided success in the* "Wil derness." . <
On the evening of the 5th Thomas' Brigade was ordered into the action, with direction to proceed to the left of and form on McGowan's South Carolina Brigade, then engaged in a desperate fight with the enemy. While marching to executd this order, it was discovered that a strong column of the enemy had passed around the flank of the brigade and were in our rear. Under . these circumstances, which were well calculated to test the courage and coolness of any troops in the most trying manner, General E. L. Thomas promptly faced the l^rigade to the rear, and attacked the enemy, repulsing them with heavy loss. This position was held until all fighting ceased. During the night Davis' Brigade, which had been in rear of .Thomas' during the afternoon was retired, and Thomas' wa$ left with the enemy in line in its front and rear, and on its right flank, totally uncon nected with the balance of the division or any other supports: These unfavorable circumstances were reported by General Thomas to Major General Wilcox commanding the division, but produced no rectification of the line, and the brigade was ordered to remain in that position until relieved.
On the morning of the 6th, about day light, the brigade, was attacked, at first only in front, this attack was successfully re pulsed.?: While thus engaged an'other attack was made by the enemy ttpon oar flank" and rear in heavy force, while at the same time thqy/were steadily closing the only avenue of escape left to the brjgmde. This state of affairs rendered it necessary'to with draw, which was done by the left flank in great confusion, to-

122

HEROES AND MABTYlfe OF GEORGIA.



/

/

getHer with the rest of the division. This very unfortunate

affair cost this brigade many' valuable officers Snd men, ampng

theii one of its best officers', Colonel Robert.W. Folsom, of the

Fourteenth Georgia reginient, whose zeal, energy and true pa

triotism, rendered him, though but a young man, a most distin-

guiihed soldier, and known as such throughout the army of

Northern Virginia. /"The responsibility for this useless shedding

of precious blood-, does not rest upon acy officer of Thomas'

Brigade.

ILeaving the gory field of the Wilderness, the brigade marched

to jSpottsylvania Court House. Here it was engaged on May

12tjh in repulsing the desperate effort of the enemy to break

General Lee's centre.

The little lasted from daylight in the morning until past mid

day, a/id was one of the bloodiest and hardest contested fields of

the War. The enemy were finally repulsed with a slaughter so

sickening that the heart hea.ves at the details. Thomas' Brigade

acted gallantly and suffered severely. It drove the enemy out

^of'and past a portion of our Hue, from which they had previously

driven a portion of our forces. The brigade then retired to the

recaptured portion of the line and held it.

Leaving Spottsylvania Court House about the 20th of May,

the brigade arrived south of the Xorth Anna river on the 21st,

wlere for several days the army was in line of battle, but were

not attacked by the enemy. From this position General Lee's

army moved across the South Anna, constantly confronting the '

Federal army, and warding it off from Richmond, until Grant's

left and General Lee's right rested upon the Chickahominy river,

near the Grapevine bridge, and Cold Harbor. Here General

Grant made a desperate effort to break our lines, but was re

pulsed with immense slaughter, while our loss was very small.

Thomas' Brigade was not actively engaged in this affair, known

aa the battle of Cold Harbor. * Failing so signally at this point,

General Grant moved his army across the James river and ap

peared about the middle of June in front of the city of Peters

burg, which city he has not as yet succeeded in capturing, hav

ing been repulsed with great loss in several desperate assaults.

At Mechanicsville, Games' Mill, Fraser's Farm, Cedar Run,

Maaassaa No. 2, Chantilly, Harpers Ferry, JShepherdstown, Frec^

ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, in the Wilderness, on

THOMAS' GEORGIA BRIGADE.

123

the Xy, and the Appomattox, this brigade has proven it8 devo tion to the great principle for which we have taken up arms.
Many a gallant brother in arms have we buried in Old Vir ginia's soil, many a disabled comrade has left our side, bearing on this body the marks of the terrible battle field. We are now few, but we are still uncUsmd^d. "With an unshaken confidence in God, we stand ready now as heretofore to meet the foe.

BRIGADIER 6EXEBA|| AND STAFF, AUGUST 8TH, 1864.
Edward L. Thomas, Brigadier General. Captain William Arnold, Assistant Adjutant General. Captain "W. J. Gorham, Assistant Adjutant and Inspector General. Lieutenant E. L. Lewis, Aid-de-Camp. Major R. T Taylor, Brigade Quartermaster. Major Lewis Ginter, Brigade Commissary. Captain J. W. Moore, Assistant Commissary. Lieutenant S. F. Tenny, Brigade Ordnance Officer.

REGIMENTAL COMMANDERS, AUGUST 8TH, 1864.
Fourteenth Georgia Regiment, Major TV. L. Goldsmith. Thirty-fifth Georgia Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel W. H. McCnlloh*. Forty-fifth Georgia Regiment, Colonel T. J. Simmons. Forty-Ninth Georgia Regiment, Colonel J. T. Jordan.

FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS,

STATISTICAL B ECO ED.

STRENGTH Of &EGDCE3T.

Originally enlisted and reemited, . ...

IX5SSES nr EACH

; Place and Date.

SeveniPines.May 31st. 1862, .
MechiricgYille, June 26th, 1862, Cold Harbor, June 27th, 1862, . Frazeifs Farm, June 30th, 1862,
Malvern Hill, July 1st, 1862, .
Cedar ROB, August 9th, 1862, . Manwpaa, No. 2, August 29th and 30th, 1862, Ox ffill, September 1st, 1862, . Harpr*fl Ferry, September 15th, 1862, .
Shephprdstown, September 19th, 1862, , Fredeticksburg, December 13th, 1862, Chancellorsville, May 3d, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylrania, July 1st, 2d and 3d, 1863
Mine Rnn, November 27th, 1863, "Wilderness, May 5th and 6th, 1864, . Spottaylvania Court House, May 12th, 1864, Jericho Ford, May 23d, 1864, ."
Nances' Shop, Jane 23d, 1864, .

'

: Total casualties, .
Number of men died of disease, wounds, .

V

1160

Kllkd, Wounded.

11 52

4

26

4

20

5

11

2

5

16

39

13

51

3

5

6

1

4

12

47

7

41

14

58

1

23

68

4

18

2

11

2

1

124 463
289 18

Total deaths,

431

Xnmber of men discharged, .

194

transferred, .

5

deserted,

6

Total real loss,

636

Add number of men wounded,

463

Total of all losses, .
The Forty-ninth Regiment of Georgia' trader, a call for volunteers, by Govei the 4th day of March, 1S62, and was coi nam^d companies, to which are apj officers:

1099'
mteers was organized loseph E. Brown, on &sed of the following
the names of the

FORTY-NItfTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

126

Company A, Wilkinson County--Captain S. TV PJayer, Lieutenants James B. Duggan, J. Walker, J. R. F. Miller. Number of men enlisted, one hundred and thirty-six, (136) of whom four (4) were promoted; seventeen (17) killed in action, thirty (30) died of disease, thirteen (13) discharged and retired, and two (2) deserted.
Company B, Telfair County--Captain Jajnes, Humphrey, Lieutenants James Y.. Wilcox, William Hatton, "L^L. Williams. Number of men enlisted one hundred and twelve, (112) of whom three (3) were promoted ; twelve (12) killed in action, twenty-six (26) died of disease, and six (6) discharged apd retired.
Company (7, Washington County--Captain W. W. Carter, Lieutenants N. H. Clay, J. T. Jordan, M. Newman. Number of men enlisted eighty-one, (81) of whom five (5) were promoted; twelve (12) killed in action, twenty-two (22) died of disease, and thirteen (13) discharged or retired.
Company D, Taliaferro County--Captain William F. Holden, Lieutenants E. D. Rhodes, John A. Durham, L. M. Andrews. Number of men enlisted one hundred and five, (105) of whom four (4) were promoted; twenty (20) killed in action, twenty-one (21) died of disease, and eighteen (18) discharged and retired.
Company E^ Wilco-x County--Captain J. D. Fuller, Lieu tenants D. S. McCall, P. Brown, R. D. Bowen'. Number of men enlisted one hundred and seventeen, (117) of whom four (4) were promoted; eighteen (18) killed in action, forty-two (42) died of disease, and fourteen (14) discharged and retired.
Company F, Incin County--Captain O. H. Cooke, Lieuten ants R. W. Clements, R. Tucker, L. G. Young. Number of men enlisted one hundred and twenty-six, (126) of whom four (4) were promoted; six (6) killed in action, forty-two (42) died of disease and twenty-eight (28) discharged or retired.
Company G, Laurens County--Captain J. T. Chappell, Lieu tenants J. A. Daniel, R. H. Duncan, C. C. Clark. Number of men enlisted one hundred and thirty, (130) of w.hom four (4) were promoted; fourteen (14) killed in action, thirty-four (84) died of disease, twenty (20) discharged and retired, and one (1) deserted*. The deserter was not a native of Laurens County.
Company &, Washington County--Captain C. M. Jones, Lieutenants A* D. Jennigan, T. W. Newsome, L. M. Kibraoo. Number of men enlisted eighty-nine, (89) of whom four (4) were promoted, seven (7) killed in action, twenty-eight (28) died of

126 !
4

HIBOBS AND 3CABTTRS OF GBOEGIA.

!i
disease, twelve (12) discharged and retired, one (1) transferred,

and tjwo (2) deserted. The two deserters were assigned to this

company from Echols county; they were not citizens of tVash-

ington county.

Company /, Hancock County--Captain A. J. Lane, Leiuten-

anta 3. J. Lawrence, L. L. Lamar, "William Amos. Number of

men enlisted, ninety-eight, (,98), of whom six (6) were promoted ;

thirteen (13) killed in .aetion, twejve (12) died of disease,

nineteen (19) discharged and retired, two (2) transferred to

non-commissioned staff, and one (1) deserted. The deserter was

a native of Ireland.

Cbmp&ny J, Pulaski County.--Captain S. M. Manning,

Lieutenants W. H. Whitfield, John H, Pate, E. A. Smith. Number

of men enlisted, one hundred and twenty-four, (124) of whom

seven;(7) were promoted; thirteen (13) killed in action, twenty-

four (24) died of disease, and eighteen (18) discharged and

retired.

The above named companies rendezvoused at Camp Davis,

near Savannah, Georgia, and on the~22d day of March, 1862,

completed the organization of the regiment by the election of the

following field officers :--

Colonel .---Captain A. J. Lane, of Hancock County. LienUncnt Colonel:--Captain S. M. Manning, of PnlasM County. Major :--Private Jonathan Rivers, of Wilkinson County.

The folio-wing staff appointments were made by Oolonel Lane, which were
subaquendy confirmed by the Secretary of War.--
Thotnaa Latimer,--Adjutant.
J. M. Harris,--Assistant Quartermaster. J. W. Moore,--Assistant Commissary Subsistence.
James J. Humphries,--Surgeon.
B. H, Pate, --Assistant Surgeon.
J. J. Hyman,-- Chaplain.

Of the forty-six (46) officers above enumerated, six (6) were killed in action, five (5) died of disease, twenty-five (25) resigned, two (2) transferred, and two (2) cashiered. - The remaining six (6) original officers are:--Lieutenant J. T. Jordan, (now Colonel), Lieutenant James B. Duggan, (now Major), Lieutenant M. Newman^ (now Adjntant), Lieutenant L. M. Andrews, (now Captain), lieutenant L. L. Williams, (now Captain), and Chaplain J. J. Hymaa. All the other officers in the regiment at the present timey September 1st, 1864, have been elected and promoted by seniority since the organization.

FORTT-NINTH GEORGIA KEGIMBNT.

127

The inter-verting time between the organization and the depar ture of the regiment for Goldsboro, North Carolina, on the 2d of April, 1862, was occupied in daily drills in the manual^oT arms and the school of the soldier. Upon its arrival at Goldsboro it was incorporated into the brigade of General Joseph B. Andersen of Virginia, who at that time had command at that point.
Diseases incident to camp life, such as measles and dysentery, became alarmingly prevalent in the regiment, detaining it in
camp some three weeks longer than the other regiments of the brigade, who had received orders and left for Virginia about the 1st of May, 1862. After the departure of Gerferal Anderson^ this regiment was assigrted to the brigade of General William Walker, wherein it remained until the health of the men wag sufficiently restored to enable them to proceed to Richmond. Accordingly on the 24th day of May, 1862, the regiment was transported, to Virginia by railroad, with orders to report again to General Anderson ; but upon the arrival of the Forty-ninth in Richmond, it was considered impracticable to join General Anderson's command, which was then'stationed near Guinea's Station on the Fredericksburg railroad, and it was assigned temporarily to the brigade of General Pettigrew, under whose command it engaged in the battle of Seven Pines on the 31st of May, sustaining a loss of eleven killed and fifty-two wounded. The Forty-ninth Georgia encountered the enemy with a coolness and determination, hardly to have been expected from troops who then went under fire for. the first time. Yet such was their conduct; on that occasion, as to elicjt the remark of General Joseph E. Johnston, which was uttered in the hearing of several officers, " Those men move like veterans." '
Under a galling fire of grape, canister and minnie balls, the * regiment moved steadily on until ordered to retreat. General f'ettigrew having been seriously wounded and fallen iito the hands of the enemy, the regiment was, on the 3d of Jane, placed in a brigade of which General Pender of North Carolina, had just assumed command, under whom it remained a short time, when it was finally again joined to the brigade of General Anderson. Daily drills and picket duty on the defenses near the Mechanicsville turnpike," were the occupation of the regiment till the movement began on the 24th of June, which culminated in the " Seven Days' Battles around Richmond."
The brigade having tfeen assigned to Major General A. P. Hill'g

128

HEROES AKD MABTYK8 OF GEORGIA.

Division, widely known asjthe Light Division, this regiment withthe others of the brigade, crossed the Meadow bridge over the Chickahominy on the 26th of June, and was soon engaged in the Battle of Mechanicsville, sustaining a loss of four killed and twenty-ix -wounded. Colonel Lane who had ably Commanded the regiment in the battle of Seven Pines and in this battle, was here BO seriously wounded as to disable him for further field service. At the battle of Cold Harbor on the 27th of June, the regiment was again engaged, being gallantly led by Lieutenant Colonel Manning, in the several assaults against the enemy's strongly fortified positions, on which occasions it sustained a loss of foot killed and twenty wounded. .At the battle of Fraser's Farm on the 30th of June, in the absence of Lieuteuant Colonel Manning, who was too weak from exhaustion to participate in it, Major Jonathan Rivers led the regiment, inspiring the men with an enthusiasm gleaned from his own enthusiastic; aad generous nature. The losses of the regiment in this engagement amounted to five killed and eleven wounded, and the capture Of Major Rivers, who regacdless of all danger^ had gone ahead of the regiment on a reconnoissance. At the battle of Malvern Hil^ on the 1st of July, Lieutenant Colonel Manning, though feeble and almost exhausted, again led the regiment. The batUe was nearly over when the Forty-ninth became engaged; but it nevertheless sustained a loss of two killed aad five wounded. In this series of engagements the regiment fought with a coolness and bravery second to none in the service of the Confederate States, showing a determination to sacrifice their lives if neces sary, in the achievement of our independence.
General Anderson .having been wounded at the battle of Fraserls Farm, the command of" the brigade, composed of the Fourteenth, Thirty-fifth, Forty-fifth and Forty-ninth Georgia Regiments, devolved upon Colonel Edward L. Thomas, of the "Thirty-jfiftlL For gallantry in the battle of Cold Harbor, Private W. J.i Williams of Company B, was promoted to the First Lieutenancy of that Company, that position hiving become vacant by th< promotion of Lieutenant Wilcox to the captaincy. "While the n giment was recuperating after the close of this campaign, a number of officers tendered their resignations, which in all cases ,were accepted. Among the number was Surgeon J. J. Humphries, which position was soon thereafter filled by the

FORTY-NINTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

129

assignment of Surgeon J. J. Dement, formerly of the Twenty-

seventh Alabama Regoiment.

*

*

About the latter part of July, 1362, the war notes so\m<3ted

once more, .arousing the army for active preparations. On-the

29th of that month the regiment received inarching orders for,

and on the 1st day of August arrived at (rordonsville. The

Second Army Corps having at that time been organized, it was

the good fortune of HilPs Light Division to be assigned to it.

Already had the fume of that glorious chieftain, Stonewall

Jackson, spread over two continents, and it was rightly esteemed

by this regiment a glonons privilege to fight under his banners.

The stillness of the beautiful morning of the 9th of August,

was rudely b/oken by the sharp rattle of musketry on the Rapid

Ann. Soon/the army was in motion, and at three o'clock, P. M.

encountered the enemy on Slaughter Mountain, at Cedar Run.

This regjiiient was assigned a position on a range of hills, from

which a7 favorable view of the enemy's position was obtained ;

and -w/fclt did the Forty-ninth use the advantage thus obtained. .

An almost uninterrupted volley of musketry was poured into

the.enemy's ranks until the ammunition was exhausted. Eagerly

did the men grasp the proffered cartouch boxes, which sonre of

ne officers took from the killed and wounded, nor did the1

regiment move from its position until darkness/ had *ended the

' contest, although fur nearly an hour it had stood with bayonets

fixed, and not a single cartridge in their boxes. Early in the

action, Lieutenant Colonel Manning, who had nobly led the men

into the fight, fell seriously wounded,, from the effects of which

he died on the 9th of September. .Captain Wilcox of Company

13, another gallant officer, here fell mort^Tly wounded. Tbe

names and gallant deeds of these two officers, will ever lire in

the memories of their surviving comrades. The regiment lost in

this engagement, sixteen killed and Ijhirty-nine wounded. During

. the engagement the Colonel commanding the brigade found it

necessary to strengthen the extreme right of the line; and for

that purpose Captain John H. Pate of Company K, was detached

with two companies to execute that movement, in which he

acquitted himselfgallantly. After the fall of Lieutenant Colonel

Manning, m the'absence of Major Rivers who was still a prisoner,

the ..command of the regiment, devolved upon Captain S. T. Player

of Company A, who successfully conducted its operations until

the close of the action.

-

ISO
i

HEBOBS ASD MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

Tte return of Major Rivers from Fort Warren on the 23d of

August, (he having been exchanged) was hailed with lively

satisifaction by the regiment. Assuming command once more, he gallantly ted it into the second battle of Manassas, on the

29tb and 30th of August, on which occasion the regiment bore itself with its usual gallantry, participating in the evei memorable charge under the lead of General Fender, thereby aiding in the

achievement of a glorious victory over the armies of the United States, at that time commanded by General Pope. In this battle

the losses in the Forty-ninth amounted to thirteen killed and

fiftykme wounded. While the regiment with the others of Thomas' Brigade were

moving cautiously on the Fairfax turnpike, on the 1st of Septem

ber, heavy skirmishing on the right discovered the presence of

the enemy. Near Chantilly the regiment was deployed into a

corn fold, and were st>on engaged in. the battle of. Ox Hill

during a severe storm of rain. The ene^iy kept up a furious

shelling of our line, which continued until long after dark. The

opposing forces became engaged in an almost hand to hand fight

at this point, during which Major Genersl Kelrney of the United

States Army was killed by Sergeant McCrimmon, of Company

B of this regiment, who succeeded in capturing his horse and

accoutrements. The horse was subsequently sent to the family

of (General Kearney, by order of General Lee. In this engage

ment the loss was three killed and five wounded. Among1 the O
latter was Major Rivers, who was so severely wounded that.
ampatation of the right foot became necessary, disabling him

frotti farther service in the field. Once more the command of

the : regiment devolved upon Captain Player, an officer of ripe

age and extensive experience on several hard fought battlefields,

who led it successfully through the engagement at Harper's

Fecry on the 15th of September, and while there guarding the

vasit stores captured at that point. The loss sustained here was

six!men wounded; fortunately none were killed.

The array having recrossed the Potomac, the regiment was

furiously shelled, and became engaged with the enemy at Shep-

herdstown, losing one killed and four wounded. At Bunker Hill

and Berryville the regiment was encamped, doing picket duty

*t intervals on the Charlestown road, until the 22d. of Novem-

bef, when the army commenced a retrograde movement in the

FORTY-NINTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

181

V

direction of Freclericksburg. After an uninterrupted march of

twelve days, having crossed the Blue Ridge at New Market, the

regiment on the 2d day of December encamped fiv^e miles from

Fredericksburg. While at Bunker Hill vacancies in the regi

ment wer filled by promotion and election. The position of

Lieutenant Colonel having become vaca'nt by the death of Lieu

tenant Colonel Manning, Major Rivers 'was promoted to Lieu

tenant Colonel, and Captain Player to Major.

Under the command of the latter the regiment went into the

battle of Fredericksburg on the 13th of December, where it fully

sustained its former reputation for da?h and gallantry, losing

twelve killed and fortv -seven wounded. With the battle of Fre<lericksburg ended the campaign of 1862.

On the 17th of December the Forty-ninth went into winter

quarters near Guinea's Station, doing picket duty on the banks

of the Rappahannock, and performing regular drills when in

camp.

During the month of April, 1863, notes of preparation for the

opening of the spring campaign began to sound'once more.

Bagorage was sent to the rear and all the signs of the times in

dicated an early clash of arms. On no occasion had the health

of the regiment been better, and the men in 'the full play of all

their physical powers were ready and eager for the fray. A lib

eral system of furloughing had been instituted during tbe 7past

winter, giving many soldiers the opportunity to visit home and

its loved ones, and who, on returning, were nerved ane-w to fight

for all that is dear to man.



/

Under these favorable auspices the battle of Chancellorsville,

on the 3d of May, 1863, was fought, where the well appointed,

and so much boasted of " Grand Army of/the Potornac," met

with a most crushing, overwhelming defeat that had ever befal

len the army of the Federal Government. In this engagement

the regiment, under the command of Major Player, performed

its assigned duties with a precision and gallantry unsurpassed

bv anv former occasion. The .charge on the enemy's works

k



^

*

by tliis regiment on the morning of the 3d of May, was an

achievement well calculated to elate the men with a just ( pride.

The loss was seven killed and forty-one woundefl. Returning from this battle the* regiment again-encamped in a

lovely oak grove, wm'ch it had so recently abandoned. Here

132 " HEROES'AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA. y

agnln, as nsn.il when in camp, the regiment passed through tho'

u*fial routine of camp duties, such as driving occasionally and

performing picket duty on the banks c>fthe Kappahannock, but

on the whole enjoying comparative-fepose. On the 9th of June,

1503, a feint movement of the e^riemy upon Fredericksburg, drew

tliy army once more from Ks retirement. This regiment with

the others of Thomns' rf1ga '^' occupied the trenches aboht one

mile from Hamilton's Crossing until the 15th of June, when it

set out on the march into the State of Pennsylvania, where

the regiment participated in the battle of Gettysburg, on the

1st, 2d and 3d of July, losing fourteen killed and fifty-eight

wounded.

On account of his.ill health Major Player was not with the

regiment in this action, which was commanded on the march by

Captain C. M. Jones, of Company H. and in the battle by Cap

tain 0. H. Cooke, of Company F. The loss of Captain Jones,'

who was killed while leading a charge of the -kinnishers of tho

brigade, which he commanded on the evening of the 2d of July,

was deeply deplored by the entire regiment. He was a young

bat ig3 allant

officer,'

who had,'

bv *

his

braverv

and

affabilitv, *

won

the esteem of all whose privilege it was to associate with him.

Here too Lieutenant Young, of Company F, a faithful and meri

torious officer was killed while charging the enemy.

The resignations of Colonel Lane and Lieutenant Colonel

Rivers having been accepted, it became necessary on the return

of the regiment from Pennsylvania, to fill the vacancies that

had occurred in it; whereup >n th3 promotion of the following

named officers, as well as the corresponding pfifcnotions in the line

officers, were announce 1:

Major S. T. Player, as Colonel from June 9th, 1863. Captain 0. H. Cooke, as Lieutenant Colonel from July 28th. 1883. Captain J. H. Pata, as }!ajor from July 23th, IboS.

'The regiment once more in camp, enjoyed repose until the 9th of October, when the army set out on the campaign, having for its object the driving of General Meade's army into the entrench ments around the City.of Washington--which movement was only partially successful--and ended in the occupation by the army of Northern Virginia oftthe country around Brandy Sta tion, until the 9th of November, when the regiment once more returned to carap near Orange Court House.

FORTY-NINTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

183

Colonel Player, Lieutenant Colonel Cooke, and Major Pate;

having been elected to represent their fellow citizens and soldiers

in the Legislative branch of the Councils of Georgia, and had

left for that State, the regiment, under the command of Captain

J. T. Jordan, of Company C, set out on the 27th of Nov.ember

on the campaign which terminated at Mine Run. The enemy

having been 3

confronted

bv*

General

Lee's

armv

for

five

davv s,~

did

not venture to attack it, and recrossed the Rapidan. During

the five davfc s the weather was so intensely* cold that it was found necessary to relieve the pickets and skirmishers every half hour,

to prevent them from freezing on their posts. On this occasion

the men bore their hardships with the fortitude which had

alwavs characterized them. The loss was one man killed. / On the 15th of .December, while preparing winter quarters,

this

re< r iment JT1

with

the

balance

of

General

Thomas'

Brigade,

&

'

were

ordered to report to Major General Jubal A. Early, who with

other forces that were assigned to him, set out upon a campaign

into the Shenandoah ."\valley, having in the meantime made an

unsuccessful attempt to intercept the .raid of ^.verill, near

Millboro.

While on this* expedition the regiment aided in driving the

enemy from bis well fortified position near Moorfield, Hardy

County, in spite of the inclemency of the weather which it bore

with its wonted cheerfulness.

On the 6th of March, 1864, the regiment arrived at Orange

Court House, and went into camps again, building chimneys to

the tents and making itself otherwise as comfortable as the

nature of the situation would admit of.

A very liberal system of furloughing having againj been inau

gurated, many of the officers and men had the delightful privi

lege of visiting "those theylored so well."

Lieutenant Colonel Cooke and Major Pate having availed

themselves of the privilege attached to their positions as Sena

tor and Representative in the Legislature of Georgia, resigned

their commissions. Colonel Player having failed to obtain a

leave of absence, to attend an extra session of the Georgia Gen

eral Assembly, felt it due to his constituents to tender his resig

nation as Colonel, which was accjeptqd on the 24th of Mafch,

1864. In consequence of these resignations, the following pro

motions were announced, as well- as the corresponding promo

tions in the line:

134

HEROES AXD MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

Captain J. T. Jordan, Colonel, to date from 24th March. 1864-. Captain W. J. Williams, Lieutenant Colonel, 'odate fr>m March 24th, 1S64. Captain John A. Durham, Major, to date from March 24th. !So4.
Under command of Colonel Jordan the regiment, with greatly diminished Dumber*, entered into its third year's campaign, which open^i with the battle of the Wilderness, on the 5th and 6th of May, 1864, where against tremendous odds the regiment repulsed, with its usual stubbornness, the repeated assaults of the enemy. On the morning of the 6th, it had to vacate the position which had been assigned to it during the previous night, owing to the fact, that in the sudden onslaught of the enemy in such over1whelming force the regiment found itself almost entirely sur rounded.*
Having extricated itself from this dangerous position, it soon rallied ag~ain on the Oran gCe and Frederickrsburg~ Iplank road,' and, formed on the other regiments of the brigade, who had been similarly assaulted, and who had received a similar repulse. In this en3gag~ement the regTMiment lost twentv -three killed and sixtv^ eight wounded.
The movement of the enemv bv the left flank, and the corresponding movements of General Lee's army, are familiar to every reader of the events of the day. On the 12th of May, in the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, the regiment lost four killed and eighteen wounded, and at Jericho Ford, on the 23d, two killed and eleven wounded. Here Major Durham, while rallying a portion of the regiment which had unaccountably given way, fell mortally wounded. He was a gallant soldier, a faithful officer, he knew no fear on the field of battle. He died much lamented on the llth of June. In the skirmish at Nance's
*
Shop, June 23d, the regiment lost two killed and one wounded. In the siege of Petersburg the regiment has occupied several
positions upon its defensive lines. Captain James B. Duggan was promoted to Major to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Major Durham, n the llth of June.
Since his promotion Colonel Jordan has acquitted himself cred itably, and to the complete satisfaction ot his superior officers, and in such a manner as to acquire the respect and esteem of his subordinates. On all occasions, and with but few exceptions,
t
For more full particulars of this affair, see history of Thomas' Brigade in the preceding chapter.

FORTY-NINTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

135

both officers and men have vied with each other in the faithful

performance of the duties assigned to them; nor did they shrink

from or shirk these duties, however arduous or perilous they

might have been.

'

C7^

,

While the loss of the gallant men of this regiment, who have

given their lives in the cause of their country, is severely felt and

Ionso: mourned,' it is the unalterable determination of their surviving comrades never to relinquish the struggle until the flags

of all nations lower in salute to the cross of the Confederacy,

until our independence we have so bravely and nobly wpn is

recognized, and our beloved country takes her place among the

nations of the earth.

/
Amoncr the many heroes whose names stand .high on the roll of fame, from

oil Georgia, the gallant, daring, desperate deeds of courage of Lieutenant John

B. R'.'berts. scout for Wilcox's Division, bears second rank to none, and he haa

gained for himself a name which will long be prominent in the Empire State

of the South. He has frequently penetrated to the very heart) of the Yankee

camp, and returned in safety bearing information of the greatest vahie. He

has taken prisoners in their lints and underpins great personal risk, brought

them triumphantly into camp. He has also seized videttes upon their posts

and marched them into our lines. His courage is not the result of impulse,

but of that cool and deliberate character which renders him a dangerous

enemy.

Surgeon J. J. Dement and Chaplain J. J. Hymaa have rendered services

which deserve more than a passing notice, but I am unfortunately compelled

to adhere to the rule laid down at the close,of the history of the Sixty-fourth

Georgia Regiment.

THIRTY-FIFTH BEGIMENT
GEO'RGIA VOLUNTEERS.

STATISTICAL REPORT;

if

STEEJfGTH OF EEGOtEXT.

|

Number of men originally enlisted, . . . .;

740

" " recruited and conscribed, . . . ;

535

__

Total strength, . . . . . . ;

1275

LOSSES IX EACH ENGAGEMENT \

Place.

,

! Killed. Wounded*

8even Pinea,

23

50

Mechanics-vine,. Other battles around Richmonc

18

61

3

IS

Cedar Run, Manasaas No. 2, Or Hill, . Harper's Ferry,
Shepherdstown,

9 . 17

18

55

1'

4

9

14

41

Chancellor-grille,

8

27

Gettyaburg,

9

53

Mine Run, "Wildefness,

2

4

22

Spottsylvania, .

10

87

Jericho Ford, .

10

28

Hamea* Shop, . Near Petersburg,

2

6

3

Total casualties, ...... 128 429
ToUl loss of the regiment from deaths on the field of battle, and from wounds and disease, discharges, transfers and desertions six hundred and sixty (660.)

THE Thirty-fifth Georgia Regiment (Infantry) was composed of the following companies i

Company A, Captain W. J. Head, from Haralson County. Company B, Captain J. M. White, from Newton County. Company C, Captain D, B. Henry, from Campbell Copnty. j Company P, Captain L. A. J. Williams, from Troup and Head Counties, Company E, Captain E. R. "Whitley, from Campbell County. Cowpany F, Captain R. M. Rawlins, from Gwinnett County. Company G, Captain "W. S. Barrett, from Walton County. Company H, Captain A. R. Richardson, from Gwinnett and Hall Counties. Company I, Captain W. L. Groves, from Chattooga Coanty. Company K, Captain W. H. McOulloh, from Harris County.

THIRTY-FIFTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

187

tl was organized in Richmond, Virginia, November 1st, 1861, with E. L.

Thomas, Colonel; G. A. Bull, Lieutenant Colonel; B. W, Holt, Major; J. H.

"Ware, Company K, Adjutant; Dr. J, P. Hambleton, Surgeon; Dr. J*, E. L.

Jennings, Assistant Surgeon; Captain L. P. Thomas, Quartermaster; Captain

V. L. Hopson, Commissary Subsistence; Rev. G. TV. Yarborough, Chaplain

Numbering in the aggregate forty-eight (48) officers and six hundred and

ninetf-two (6, 92) enlisted men.

*/-- v

Upon the completion of its organization, the regiment was assigned to the command of Brigadier General French, and sta tioned atfEvans' Port, Virginia, and at that point remained sup porting the river batteries, until early in "March, 1862. It fol lowed the Army of the Potomac to the line of the Rappahannoek, and was stationed near Fredericfcsburg, Virginia. Here Brigadier General J. J. Pettigrew was assigned to the command of the brigade to which this regiment was attached.
The Thirty-fifth participated in the remove o the Peninsula, and formed a part of the reserve troops, commanded by Major General G. W. Smith, \vhich brought up the rear in the famous retreat from Yorktown. The regiment commanded by Colonel E. L. Thomas, was first engaged in action at Seven Pines, on the 30th Mav, 1862, being a portion of the force which attacked the right o the enemy, and retired at the termination of the engagement with a loss of twenty-three killed and fifty wounded. Among the number of the slain we had to mourn our gallant Lieu tenant Colonel G, A. Bull. At Mechanicsville the Thirty-fifth formed a part of Brigadier General Anderson's force, and com manded by Colonel Thomas accompanied that brigade in its charge on the enemy's position near Mechanicsville, on the 26th of June, 1862, maintaining the unequal conflict until night, and sustaining a loss of eighteen killed and sixty-one wounded. In the list of killed was the Adjutant,. J. H. Ware, and among the wounded were Colonel Thomns, and Captain L. P. Thomas, the Regimental Quartermaster. In the other engagements around Richmond, it accompanied A. P. Hill's light Division and per formed the part required of it with honor to itself, being com manded by Captain Groves, of Company I. The casualties in these successive actions amounted to three killed and ftiirteen wounded. In the latter part of, July the Light Division was transferred to Jarkson's command, and as the engagement of Cedar Run, fought August 9th, 1862, was the next of that noble chieftains victories, this regiment commanded by Major Holt>

R

138

HEROES ASTD MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

*
was there, being on the extreme right of the line. This was the

first field fight in which the Thirty-fifth Georgia had been engaged,

and nobly did it perform its duty, assisting to repel every

attempt of the enemy to turn our right flank. This signal vic

tory elated the spirits of the men beyond measure. The casual

ties of the regiment in this engagement amounted to nine killed

and seventeen wounded.

In Jackson's famous campaign, succeeding this battle, Thomas'

Brigade participated and the Thirty-fifth accompanied the brig

ade in its march to Manassas, witnessed the destruction of the

trains captured there by General Stuart, mnfched to Centreville,

retraced its steps to Manassa?, and was^here formed in line of

battle, supporting General Ewell's Division in the action of

Thursday, August 31st, 1862. On the 29th it occupied a position

on the railroad and sustained the assault of the enemy in front,

until late in the evening when the enemy broke through a gap in

the line, thereby flanking and forcing the brigade back a short

*

ft

^J

>^s

'J

distance. The greater portion of the regiment soon rallied, and

accompanied Fender in his splendid charge on that day. On the

ensuing day the regiment was again on the line of battle, and

advanced with it on the enemy driving them from the field. The I

loss sustained in these three days engagements amounted to

eighteen killed and fifty-five wounded.

At Ox Hill one man was wounded during that engagement,

although the regiment was not actively engaged yet exposed to

a severe fire. Likewise at Harper's Ferry the loss . was slight,

being four wounded while it supported Fender, and entered the

town with his brigade immediately on its surrender. Here the I

regiment remained three days to prevent incursions of the enemy,

and guarding the va.st quantity of military stores captured there,

until they were removed ; hence it did not recross into Maryland

again, but was at Shepherdstown covering the crossing of our

army at that place, and lost in the engagement at that point nine

wounded. The Thirty-fifth assisted to tear up the Baltimore and

Ohio railroad, near Hamper's Ferry in October, 1B62, and pick

eted at Summit Point and Snicker's Gao* , thence marchinfgy to Fredertcksburg and bearing a very prominent part in that disas

trous repulse of the enemy on the 13th of December, losing four

teen killed and forty-one wounded. In all these engagements

from Richmond to Maryland; and back to the Rappahannock,

the Thirty-fifth commanded by Major Holt, excepting on the 30th

J*

THIRTY-FIFTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

i

.

of March, by Captain Giioves, performed its duty faithfully, and

assisted to give Thomas' Brigade^ the enviable reputation it

acquired in that campaign.

Various changes had been made during the campaign among

the officers by promotions, deaths and resignations.. Colone)

-Thomas had fought his way up to the position of Brigadier Gen

eral. Major Holt was now Colonel, Captain McCnlloh, of

Company K, Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Groves, Company

I, Major. The regiment spent its second winter in Virginia very

pleasantly, near Guinea's Station. Picket duty was light and

the men were accustomed to camp life, while high hopes of

going home on a visit were indulged in, and by many happily

realized.

{

"With the disappearance of winter came the disappearance of

winter quarters. Hooker crossed the Rappahannock and cc*m-

menced fortifying within twelve miles of the centre of the Army

of Northern Virginia. Such audacity must needs be punished,

which i-esulted in the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3d, 1863,

in which action the Thirty-fifth commanded by Captain Duke,

Company A, was engaged, charging the enemy from their posi

tion, driving them over a mile, taking their breastworks, and

capturing many prisoners, with a loss of eight killed and twenty-

seven wounded.

Lieu-tenant General Jackson's services having been lost to the

Confederacy by his untimely death, Major General Hill was pro

moted, antl Major General Fender was assigned to the command

of the Lig*ht Division, now reduced to four brigades--Archer's

and Fields' brigades having been withdrawn from it.

~

<J

i

A lull succeeded the storm, but the waves arose again early in

June, 1863. at which time Hooker crossed a portion of his com

mand on the east, bank of the Rappahannock. Fender's Divi

sion took position in line of battle at Hamilton's Crossing, form

ing the right of the line, remaining here ten days awaiting an

attack of the enemy," and then-began to march to Pennsylvania.

The weather was exceedinsorlv* warm, and the three first day* s march the men suffered severely, from heat, many falling down

fainting by the rond side. After this, however, the men were

not marched so far in a day nor in such haste, th*" benefirial

effects of which change was very visible in the Thirty-fifth

Georgia thereafter. Marching and camping were the business

of nearly every day, until the vicinity of Gettysburg

140

HEROES AND MARTYRS OP GEORGIA.

reached. On the morning of the 1st of July, 1863, the Thirtyfiftb was detached to guard n, wagon train. It was known a bat tle was imminent, and it was presumed that;this regiment would take no part in it; but after an hour's stay with the wagons an order was received to join the brigade, which we proceeded to do, running for nearly three miles and getting into position, as the batteries of the enemy opened on that part of the lines. Placed as was the brigade, between the corps' of Ewell and Hill to hold the centre and prevent the former fvom being outflanked on the right, and the latter on the left, and supporting a heavy battery the regiment had noticing to do save dodging shells and witnessing the first day's engagement.
On the second day the regiment, with the exception of three companies, were deployed as skirmishers, and from the losses sus tained showed that the skirmish h"gl>t in front of Fender's Divi sion was the most fierce on record. Charge after charge was made, and in one assault the skirmishers adduced within a short distance of the enemy's batteries. The nipjht of the 2d of July, Thomas' Brigade took a position in a hollow between the oppo sing lines, and on the next morning the greater part of the regi ment was again deployed, keeping up a line equal in length to the front of two brigades, and continuing the action. When the grand charge was made some brigade in its advance passed near Thomas' Brigade and seemed disposed to stop ; but that it might have no excuse for halting, General Thomas ordered his brigade forward. The Thirty-fifth being near him heard the'eommand and led by Lieutenant Colonel McCulloh, participated in that ever memorable charge of Picket and Heth. Night closed the scene, and on the 5th of July the regiment bade farewell to Pennsylvania, and fell back to Hagerstown and there remained in line of battle several day?, finally crossing.the Potomac with the army into'Virginia. The casualties in the battle of Gettys burg amounted to nine killed, fifty-three wounded and fiftyseven missing. Total loss one hundred and nineteen.
The regiment accompanied the brigade to Orange Court House. In *he advance to Bristol Station it experienced^he same treat ment a* at Gettysburg, respecting guardiog wagon trains, and again retired across the Rapidan. When Meade crossed the Potomac and tva* met at Mine Run, the1 regiment was there though not actively *ogaged, nf\en changing positions to meet

THIRTY-FIFTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

141

the attempts of the enemy to turp our right. Only two were wounded here.
Winter quarters had been erected for 1863, and as they were about to be occupied, Averill made a descent upon the Virginia and Tennessee railroad, and the brigade of General Thomas was ordered to the Valley of Virginia to intercept him. During the most severe part of the winter the regiment proceeded to Millboro; but Averill having gone another route and Boyd having ascended the Valley, making a diversion in Averill's favor, we were countermarched to Staunton and commenced, the race after Boyd. The regiment left camp near Staunton at three o'clock, A. M., and traveled to Lorey Springs, thirty-seven miles distant, in a continuous march, reaching that place on the evening of the same day, but Boyd was too quick for Early.
The most of the winter was spent in running up and down the Valley and feasting on the fat of the land. A trip across the mountains was made to Moorfield and Petersburg; but the enemy fled, leaving behind him his cattle and many valuable rilitary stores. After the winter was over the regiment enjoyed themselves finely for awhile near Harrisonburg, Virginia, but soon this "foot cavalry" was ordered to rejoin the "parent body," and a five days march found them at Orange Court House, among old and tried friends in Wile-ox's Division--Major General Wilcox having succeeded to the command of the old Light Division on the demise of General Pender.
The only changes that occurred among the ioramissioned offi cers during this winter, were the promotions-of Captain Williams to Major. Captain Steed to the command of Sompany C, Captain Mitchell to Company D, and Captain "loberts to Com pany H.
On the 4th of May, 1864, General U.S. Grant, then command ing the FederaJ forces, commenced crossing the disputed line, and was promptly met by the Army of Northern Virginia in the Wilderness. There on the plank road where (rrant had massed his troops on the 5th of May, Heth and Wilcox sustained the furious assault ,of the enemy, maintaining th ir position undr the heaviest fire of musketry ever witnessec on this continent, When night closed the fight against Such over helming odds, our line was necessarily slightly disarranged, and Longstreet being expected to relieve the line before the brea c of day, only the
customary vigilance was used during the nig t. Fatal neglect I

I
HEBOES A2TD MABTYRS OF GEOBGIA.

When morning dawned, -Thomas' noble and as yet invincible

brigade was almost totally enveloped in the dense masses of

the enemy, who in numbers comparing to ours twenty *to one,

were threatening our front, flank and rear. For awhile we stood

unshaken, but while attempting to execute undier a fearfully gal

ling fire, the manoeuvred "into line faced to the rear," the regi

ment fell back to its supports in confusion, ancj were not rallied

until supports were brought up. The losses of the regiment in

the two days engagements amounted to four killed, twenty-two

wounded and twentv-three missing:.

*

^

, Again at Spottsylvania on the 12th of May, the regiment par

ticipated in retaking the works lost by Johnson's Division, sup

porting Gordon's Brigade in its charge across the breastworks,

and losing ten killed, thirty-seven wounded and fifteen missing.

Major Williams was here mortally wounded, and died on the

18th of May.

At Jericho Ford, having been sent in to gobble up a handful

of cavalry, it found itself, after advancing one-fourth of a mile,

fronting Warren's entire corps of Yankees, whose rear was pro

tected by twenty or thirty pieces of artillery, on the heights

across the river, and which vomited innumerable shell and can

ister among the devoted band of Southerners there present. The

division being unable to capture the entire corps, withdrew after

night, with a loss to the Thirty-fifth Georgia often killed, twen

ty-eight wounded and twenty-one missing. ;

At Haraes' Shop, June 14th, some more cavalry were to be

driven, back,* which was successfully* done after ia severe skirmish
V
fight, in which the Thirty-fifth lost two killed fcnd six wounded.

Grant .having crossed the James, the regiment, after a severe

mareh reached Petersburg and took position orj the Weldon rail

road. A reconnoisance in force was made ort the 21st of June

in front of our position, which succeeded in driving the enemy to

his breastworks, and on the succeeding day 'Thomas' Brigade

aided, by a detour to the rear of the enemy, in; withdrawing him

from his position, and afterwards supported the Attacking column,

on the enemy's flank, by which position his guns and many of

his men were captured. The loss in the Thirty-fifth was three

wounded and three missing.

i

On the line of battle, commanded by Liteutenant Colonel

McCulloh, the regiment still remains fronting the foes of our

country with undiminished ardor, undimmed patriotism, and un-

THIRTY-FIFTH GEORGIA REGIME3JTT.

143

abated zeal, ever ready to spring to arms and sti ike another and

another blow for the inalienable right of self government. We

are quietly reposing in our comfortless quartets, but whoever

ventures to disturb our repose will bitterly repe it it, for no leth

argic sleep is upon us, and we are ready, willing and anxious to

again try the issue by the strength of arms, aid thus end the

strife.

The losses of the regiment will be found at the head of this

chapter, but if to that list were added those wh< are disabled by

wounds, but not discharged, and the number row missing, the

total loss would approximate two-thirds of alii who, have ever

belonged to it.

So closes the drama of the actions of the Thi rty-fifth Georgia

regiment, and here let the curtain fall until-a ne v scene shall be

presented, in which the few of this regiment i ow fit for duty

will be prominent actors, and we doubt not that each member

will perform his part as faithfully as in the past,! so that the reg

imental pride shall not be lowered, or that the laurels it has

gained upon seventeen gory fields be removed from its banners.

The narrow limits allowed prevent a notice of all the promotions

among the officers, and the changes wrough^ by death and

wounds, nor has it been possible to note the mtiny instances of

orallantrv discharged bv different members of this command.

w



o

*

While they are unwritten they are not unknown, and it is con

fidently hoped that a record of their achievements will be pub

lished, so that posterity yet unborn shall delight to dwell upon

the deeds of valor and heroism performed by those who sacri

ficed for home all its endearments, and for freedom that which

man may take but cannot give.

!

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEEKS.

STATISTICAL RECORD.

STRENGTH OF REGIMENT.

Somber of men originally enlisted, . . . j . . 769

't " recruits, .

. . . . , . . .328

Total strength, ....;.. 1097

LOSSES BT DEATH.

Killed in action, .

..... i .. Io8

Died of disease, ....... j. . . 212

dumber of deaths, ....!... 350

LOSSES OTHERWISB THAX BT DEATJH.

Discharged, ........;... 178

Wounded, . . . .

...

. . 436

Total of all losses, . . .

!. . . 954

THE Fourteenth Georgia Regiment was organized in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, on the 17th of July, 1J861, to serve three

years or during the war ; and was composed of the following

companies:

'

Company A, from Monroe County, Captain John H.;Etheridffe.

Company B, from Wilkinson County, Captain Robeijt W. Folaom.

_ Company C, from Jasper County, Captain C. W. Jofdon.

- Company D. from Cherokee County, Captain JamesjM. Fielder.

Company E, from Forsyth Connty, Captain R. P. Lbster.

Company F, from Johnson County, Captain R. P. Harmon.

Company G, from Worth County, Captain William JA. Harris.

Company H, from Lawrens County, Captain J. S. Ramsey.

Company I, from Butler County, Captain Felix Price.

Company K, from Bartow County, Captain Thomas; S. Jones.

A. V. Brumby, of Marietta, "was elected Colonel; Captain J. S. Ramsey

was elected Lieutenant Colonel; Captain Felix Price;was elected Major; and

Lieateaant A. D. Hammond, Company A, was appointed Adjutant; Dr. Young

was appointed Surgeon ; W. J. Williford, Quartermaster; and Henry C. Kel

logg, Commissary. Lieutenant T. M. Topp wa? elected Captain to fill the

vacancy left by promotion of Captain Ramsey. Lie itenant Rums W. McMi-

chael -was elected Captain to fill the vacancy left by promotion of Captain

Price.

:

FOURTEENTH GEORGIA REGIMEET.
Ox the 18th and 19th of July the regiment left Atlanta, and went by way of Knoxville, Tennessee, to Lynchburgi, Virginia, where it remained about ten days, and was then ordered to Staunton. From Staunton we marched by way of Mo'nterey to Hunfersville, in Pocahontas County, remained there about three weeks and moved to Marlin Bottom, on the Gren Brier river. Remaining but a few days at the latter place we again moved, going to Ed ray, a short distance beyond, and from that place to Tygarts Valley, on the head waters of the Elk river. Shortly after reaching this place the enemy, under General Rosecranz, moved down on the Gauly river, and General Lee withdrew his' forces, the Fourteenth Georgia falling back" with the army to Green Brier river.
General Loring in command of the greater portion of the array, went down on the Gauly river, and the remainder left at Marlin's Bottom were under the command of General Donaldson, of Tennessee--an officer long <to be remembered fpr his kindness and courtesy. This was orir first campaign rerriarkable in the history of the regiment for the sickness and sufferings we en dured. We were raic wen, ignorantof camp lifq, unused to ex posures of wet and cold, and the fatigues of nparching. We were encumbered with many things useless to ^he old soldier, and destitute of others since learned to be indispensable. We had to undergo the sickness always incident to camp life, and the season was an unusually wet one. Measels and mumps broke out and quickly spread through every company. While laboring under these diseases many took cold, and added tio this, fever of a most malignant form made its appearance to in alarming ex tent. The medical department was unorganized^ the supply of medicine wholly inadequate, and the accommodations for the sick of the very poorest kind. The consequence \^as disease and death were spread out on every hand. We leftlLynchburg in the latter part of July, seven hundred and seventy strong, and of this number but one hundred and twenty reported for duty. Among the officers who died, were Dr. Young afed Lieutenants Birge, Hunt and Weeks.
During this campaign Lieutenant Colonel Ramsey resigned, and Captain Folsom was elected to fill the vacancy. Lieutenant C. C. Kelly was elected Captain ; Second Lieutenant W. J. Solo mon was elected First, and John McArthur, Brevet Second Lieu tenant ; First Lieutenant Haupt resigned and Lieutenant Mays

146

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

elected to fill his place, and Jeff Hogan elected Brevet Second

Lieutenant; Lieutenant Ward resigned and J. 0. Lane filled the

vacancy. The death of Lieutenant' Hunt leaving a vacancy, it

Tfras filled by Lieutenant McConnel, and Lieutenant Abbott and

W. D, Putnam promoted. Lieutenant Seal resigned and W. H.

Paxton was elected Brevet Second Lieutenant. Lieutenant Kent

resigned and J. W. Crawford filled his place b;y election. Lieu

tenant'Gedd eon resigned and Lieutenant "Weeks died, their

places were filled by the election of Terrell T. 31<>nger and John

R. Bozeraan. Lieutenants Kowe, Hall and Duffy resigned and

P. W. Douglas, D. W. Patterson and John F. Davis were elected.

Captain Jones and" Lieutenant Fields resigned, and Lieutenant

Birgedied, Lieutenant Goldsmith was elected: Captain and R. A.

Holt, James Jackson and T. C. Moare were elected Second Lieu

tenants. Thus in the course of three months, there were four

deaths and ten resigjiati&n^ among the commissioned officers of

the regiment. The proportion" of deaths and discharges among

the enlisted men were equally as great.

:

In the latter-part of October the regiment inarched to Mill-

boro, on the "Virginia Central railroad, and from th^re proceeded

to Man^ssas Junction, where it joined the Army of Northern

Virginia, tfnder General Joseph E. Johnstofr. We vcent into

camp on the railroad just below the depot, and were employed

on guard and fatigue duty until about Christmas, when we were

ordered to Davis' Ford on the Ocoquan, where we again went

into OBtnp. White at Manassas Colonel Bi-umby resigned his

commission and Major TPrice was elected to fill the vacancy,

Lieutenant Colonel Folsom refusing to beconie a candidate.

Captain Jofrdan resigned and Lieutenant L. A. Lane was elected

Captain, and W. J. Preston, First Lieutenantt Acting Adjutant;

Lieutenant Hammock resigned and James ;Jor.dan was elected

Brevet Second Lieutenannt of Company A ; Lieutenant Chappell

resigned and L. C. Perry wa elected. Ceptain Williford re

signed and E. A. Heggie was appointed Quartermaster. Captain

Kellogg resigned and Captain R. P. Harmaa was detailed in his

placte. A. Taliferro was appointed Adjutant

While at Davis' Ford the regiment was jengaged in building-

forts nd digging rifle pits. We were he^e placed in General

Wade Hampton's Brigade, Whiting's Division. At this place

Captain Harris was elected Major, to fill tn^ vacancy occasioned

by the election of Major Price to the Colonelcy. . Lieutenant

FOURTEENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

147

Monger beeame Captain, and Robert F. Shine was elected Ficst Lieutenant; R. X. Ryl'e .was elected Second Lieijitenant to fill the vacancy left by Lieutenant Lingo, who had resigned. Captain Harman was relieved from dutv as Commissary and Lieutenant Moore was detailed for that duty. During the whole of this winter the regiment lived in tents. On the 7th of March, 1862, we broke up camp, and with the remainder of the division marched to Fredericksburg, where we reVnain id enjoying the hospitalities of that ancient and once famous town (now dispoiled of its wealth and beauty by the hand of a cruel enemy,} until the 8th of April, when we-took ap the line of march for Yorktown. We left York town on the 5th of May, and marched to the vicinity*> of Richmond. Our first battle was that of Seven Pines. Unfortunately the regiment was put into action late in the evening, just before the close of that hard fought battle. The position attacked by us was an extremely strong one, and the disparity in numbers was greatly in favor of the enemy, much greater no doubt than was supposed by the commanding Generals; but our Brigade (Hampton's) composed of the Four teenth and Nineteenth Georgia, the Sixteenth Xorth Carolina, and Hampton's Infantry Battalion, was ordered into action upon this strongly fortified line. . The first and only order gifen after the formation of our line of battle was to charge, and the move ment was execute^ in fine style, until we advanced into the woods filled with a dejrse undergrowth. Here the line became broken, but continued'to advance until within less than fifty paces of the enemy's line, and immediately in front of one of his strongest batteries. > At this moment the batteries of the enemy belched forth their thunders, showering a perfect hail storm of canister and grape into our lines, while a withering 'fire of musketry was poured upon us. An order to lie down was given, and it was then discovered that we were being flanked. Having no ..sup ports, or they not being up, the result was that the whole brig ade retreated in disorder. It was rallied and again and again led to the assault with other troops, -but the numbers and posi tion of the enemy were too strong for us, and although the fight ing continued until after dark, we failed to force the enemy froYnj the field. It was on this part of the battle ground and during these operations that General Joseph E. Johnston received his wound. Here the regiment lost Captain John H. Etheridge. Before the war Captain Etheridge was a practicing physician in

148

HEBOES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

t
Monroe County. He was a man of fine personal appearance, engaging manners, and of high standing'socially and profession ally. As an officer he was kind, conscientious and efficient. His company were greatly attached to him, and his death was uni versally regretted in the regiment. Lieutenant Shine was also killed. .He was an amiable young man and ijnuch beloved by his company. The regiment lost in all ten killed and twenty-eight i
wounded. , Shortly after the battle of Seven Pines.j the regiment was placed in a brigade commanded by the gallant General Archer, but before the battle of Mechanicsville was "fought, a Georgia Brigade composed of the Fourteenth, Thiirty-fifth, Forty-fifth and Forty-ninth "Georgia Regiments was farmed, and General Joseph R. Anderson, of Richmond, placed in command of it. The organization of this brigade has remained unchanged to the present time. It was then attached to General A. P. Hill's Light Division, which has subsequently earned a fume which will live through all time. The regiment participated in all the "battles around Richmond," beginning at Mechanicsrrille, and ending at Malvern Hill: It is needless to say that it acquitted itself with honor, never faltering in the hottest of the many charges made upon the strong works of McClellan. During these engage ments Lieutenant James Jordan was wounded and afterwards died in Richmond. Lieutenant J. W. Mays was made Captain ; Lieutenants Hogau and Merrit were promote^, and Hiram Perdue was made Lieutenant. The loss of the regiment in these battles was twenty-four killed and sixty wounded.
The regiment had scarcely rested from its Severe duties in front of Richmond, when it was again put in motion and sent to Gordonsville where it joined the forces of the lamented Stonewall, under whom it marched and fought up. to the time of his un timely death.
The next battle of the regiment was Cedar Run, in which Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Folsom, gfreatlyi distinguished himself. At that time his health was extrerajely feeble. The day was- an unusually hot one, and the march;had been long and ffctigning. While the regiment were charging the enemy and supporting a brigade in its front, that brigade suddenly gave way, and retreated in great confusion through the lines of the Fourteenth. The regiment wavered and ijn a moment would have bean in headlong route; but at the critical moment, when

FOURTEENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

149

nothing apparently could retrieve the threatened disaster, Lieu

tenant Colonel Folsom sprang forward and seizing the battle-

grimed colors of the Fourteepth, rushed forward, and in a voice

whose intonations rang far over the plain, called upon the Four

teenth, " for the sake of old Georgia to stand!" The panic

ceased, and calling upon his gallant boys to "follow their

Colonel," he pressed forward, but had not proceeded far when

exhausted nature gave way and he fell prostrate, overcome by

the heat and feebleness. Raising himself and supported on

either side by brave and devoted comrades, he again advanced

fully thirty paces in front of his regiment. His men seeing, his

courage and determination, caught the inspiration of his spirit

and rushed to his side. The charge was continued, the enemy

fled, and victory perched upon t<he banner so nobly, gallantly

and heroically borne.

~

During this engagement the Fourteenth charged and utterly

routed three times their numbers, and received and repulsed a

desperate charge of the enemy's cavalry; and were said by

General Hill, to have killed and wounded as many of the enemy

as their own strength amounted to, and yet, through the protec

tion of an Allwise Providence, their loss was but one killed and

nine wounded.

After the battle of Cedar Run, we marched back to the neigh

borhood of Orange Court House, where General Jackson rested

his corps until the main army under 'General Lee carne up from

Richmond. We then marched through Culpepper county to

Jeffersonton. Here the corps of General Jackson left the main

army and commenced that brilliant flank movement on the enemy,

then occupying a line along the north side of the Rappahannock.

Bearing to the lef^ passing through the villages of Orleans agd

Salem, by a rf^id match General Jackson reached Manassas

Junction and Bristol Station, before the enemy were aware that

he had left the banks of the Rappahannock. Stonewall was then

directly in their rear and on their line of communication, with

Alexandria their base of supplies.

At no period in the history of the war, has the indomitable

spirit and cheerfulness of the soldiers of the army of Northern

Virginfa, under trying circumstances, been more forcibly illus

trated than on the march to Bristol Station. The rations con

sisted of flour and fresh beef alone. These were generally issued.

late at night, when the troops were weary, foot sore and sleepy,

150

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

They were to be cooked, divided, and in the! haversacks before

day, and by light the line of march was generally resumed. In

consequence the rations were not more thai half cooked and

greatly wasted. Being scanty at best, it is easy to imagine that

the men suffered from hunger. The marchies were hard and C7
continued until late at night; many of the n(ien were barefoot,

and all were dirty and ragged; yet they maintained their cheer

fulness, and in the still hours of the night, the solitude of "the

fields and forests were awakened by the sounds of songs and

merry laoghter as th troops marched on, following their great

leader.

At Manassas an immense quantity of stores, consisting in great

part of commissary supplies were captured. ; As it was thought

best to destroy all thcToren ,pould not carry with them, they

were allowed to help themselves. Every man in the regiment

filled his haversack with pickled beef, bacon or pork, sugar and

I

coffee, and took whatever else pleased, him. This was to the

worn out, half-starved men, a real God-send--^every man felt that

he carried a feast. When all was helped, what remaied, to the

value of millions, was burnt.

Earlvv n-ext morningO- we marched to Cea: terville,* and from thence to the field of the second battle of 3ffrnassas. This cer

tainly was one of the hardest fought battles^ and most glorious

victories to the Confederate arms, which lad then occurred.

The Fourteenth did its full and honorable art in th^s severe

and bloody battle. The ground in front of its position was

literally strewn with the blue coats; and it was here called upon

to mourn the death of some of its bravest members. Captain

Rufas W. McMichael here lost his life. He;fell in the thickest

of the fight, nobly performing his part in ^he .securing of his

country's liberty. He was just entering upon qJife, to him, full

of bright prospects and radient with buoyapt fiopes; but fate

decreed that he should yield up all, and he bflfered his all--his

life--in obedience to the stern mandate, and his comrades in.

arms were forced, in grief, to leave him behind. The loss of the

regiment in this engagement was eight killed and thirty-one

wounded.

The next engagement in which the Fourteenth was engaged,

was that of Ox Hill or Chantillvv ,7 from which it marched bv* wav* of Leeeb&rg into Maryland. After crossing the Potomac the

first meal'eaten by this regiment consisted of green corn, roasted.

FOURTEENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT. '

151

This was issued as the only ration that could be furnished. The

next day we marched to Monocacy bridge, near Frederick City,

.Maryland. We marched from here (in a few days after our

arrival,) by way of Middletown and Boonsboro', to Wflliamft-

port, crossed the Potomac and proceeded to Martinsburg, where

we captured a quantity of military supplies, and from thence

marched to Harper's Ferry. We here captured nearly thirteen

thousand prisoners and an immense quantity'of supplies.. Here

again we were feasted at the expense of "Abe's best govern

ment," &c. The brigade was posted at this place as a guard,

while the battje of Sharpsburg was being fought. Shortly after

wards we were engaged at Shepherdstown, and afterwards went

into camp near Bunker Hill, where it remained several months.

While at Bunker Hill Lieutenant Colonel Folsom was pro

moted

to

Colonel--Colonel

Price

having O

resigned. O

It is due "to

the memory of Colonel Folsom to state, that he commanded the

regiment in the battle of Cedar Run and in all subsequent

engagements. Capt. Fielder was promoted Major, to fill the

vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Major 'Harris, on

account of a wound. Lieutenant McConnel was promoted

Captain; Lieutenants Abbott and Putnaro, and James L. Hull,

were promoted; Robert H. Fulton was promoted First Lieuten

ant, and Jas. H. Ford to Second, to till the vacancies of Lieutenant

Shine killed and Bostick died. Lieutenant Moore was commis

sioned A. C. S. In the latter part of Xovember the army

marched to Fredericksburg, where the enemy were concentrating

a large army.

On the 13th of December the battle of Fredericksbnrg was

fought, in which the Fourteenth under' its gallant commander

took a nobly conspicuous part. Unprotected by breastworks, it

repulsed three heavy lines of battle. The loss of the regiment in

this battle was severe, being twenty-four killed and eighty-eight

wounded. Among the former was Lieutenant Washington J.

Solomon, a gallant and amiable young officer, whose loss' was

deeply deplored; also Lieutenant Putnam, a noble, chivalric

officer. The regiment shortly after this battle, went into winter

quarters at Camp Gregg, about ten miles below Fredericksburg.

While in winter quarters Major Fielder was promoted to Lieu

te--n--a--nt----Co--l--on--el--, --an--d----C--ap--ta--in----L--es--te--r --w--a--s *pt--ro--m--o--te--d--t--o--M----aj--or--.*

*0wing to .want of space I am compelled to expunge the list of promotions which has been forwarded to me.

152

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

Daring the preceding campaign Lieutenant Hogan lost an eye

and resigned, and Lieutenant Johnson died.

In May, 1863, the battle of Chancellorsville was fought, from

\vTiich the regiment had to mourn the loss of Lieutenant Colonel

Fielder, Captains Mounger and Harmon, and Lieutenant H. A.

Solomon.

!

Lieutenant Colonel Fielder, though over the military age,

entered the service at the beginning of the war, impelled by his

love ofLcountry and zeal for the cause of liberty. He possessed,

in a remarkable degree, the confidence, love and esteem of the

regiment--fortitude, devotion and constancy, characterized his

military> life. A kinder,' more benevolent heart never beat. All his purposes were high, honorable and christianlike. His friend

ship was true, disinterested and constant. As a citizen at home,

he stood deservedly high. He met his fate as bdcom.es a soldier

and a Christian, with fortitude and a well grounded faith in the

merits and mercv* of his Redeemer. Longo,' lonog will the surviving members of the Fourteenth cherish in love the memory

of his name.

Captain Mounger was a physician when the war began, and

entered the services a private in the Fourth Georgia Regiment,

and was afterwards elected to a posi tion in the TFJourteenth. He

was a* general favorite in the regiment, and his company vas

devotedly attached to him. He was of a sanguine temperament,

polite in iris deportment, generous and social, being at all times

a favorite with any with whom he had dealings. ' His sensibilities

were of the highest and most delicate order. As an officer ! he

was prompt and exact, but kind and just to those under h?s

command. In action his bravery was df that pool, lofty, deter.

mined,| and vigorous order, which inspires the beholder with

admiration and enthusiasm. He died as he had Jived, universally

beloved by officers and men. A little mound upon the battle

field of ChancellorsviHe is all that marks his Resting place, but

his comrades will ever cherish his memorv. ;

k

*

Lieutenant Henry A. Solomon entered the service in the First

Georgia Regiment. He afterwards served in ;the army of :he

west, and upon the death of his gallant, noble 'hearted brother,

(Lieutenant W. J. Solomon.) who fell at the battle of Frecer-

ieksbarg, he was elected to fill the vacancy. He was brave! to

rashness, generous to a fault, kind and sympathising as a friebd.

His brother was. possessed of all his good qualifies, but his cc(ur-

FO$URTEENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

153

age was of that stubborn, unyielding tfature which could with

stand defeat, without the depression usually consequent upon

disaster.

As an example of the fortitude of Captain Mounger and

Lieutenant H. A. Solomon, it is said, that they walked in com

pany with each other for three miles after receiving their mortal

wounds. The former shot through and through the bowels; the!

latter shot clear through the body--the ball perforating in its

passage, both lungs and liver.

The regiment accompanied the army into Pennsylvania, and

was engaged in the battle of Gettysburg; sustaining in that

terrific engagement, a loss of eleven (II) killed and thirty-three

(33) wounded. Subsequently, we fell back with the army to the

neighborhood of Bunker Hill, and from* thence to Orange Court

House, where it arrived about the first of August. Major Lester

was here promoted to Lieutenant Colonel; Captain Goldsmith

to Major, and Lieutenant Holt to Captain of Company K.

Lieutenant Jackson having previously resigned, G. W. Chapman

was elected in his place.

'

.

In the month of October the regiment marched with its divi

sion to Bristol Station, and was at Mine Run, but was not

engaged. After this we went into winter quarters near Orange

Court House.

On the 15th of December, shortly after having completed

their winter cabins, the regiment was ordered to Staunton, and

was placed under the command of General Early, commanding

in the Valley. The remainder of the winter of 1863 and 1864,

was spent in marching and countermarching up and down the

Valley, as far as New Town and to Petersburg, in Hardy county.

The season was intensely cold, and the command being destitute

of tents, were compelled to bivouac in the open air, frequently

on snow and ice. Under every hardship thje men maintained

their usual cheerfulness. In February, 1864, we rejoined the

main army at Orange Court House, where we remained until

the spring campaign opened.

On the 5th of May the Fourteenth with other portions of the

army, became engaged with the enemy in the battle of the Wil

derness. When the fight ceased at night the line of battle occu

pied by the Fourteenth was very irregular^ and during the night

the enemy taking advantage of this irregularity, so disposed their

lines as to be able next morning to attack our position in front,

154

HEBOES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

f

i - flank and rear. Colonel- Folsora perceived ttye danger of |]i

position, and the utter impossibility of holding the line. .He did

all in his power to have the line corrected, but; it was not done.

Daring the whole night the officers and men ojf the Fourteenth

felt that they were doomed to a useless and terrible danger, and

that the morrow's sun would shine upon the lifeless bodies ^f

many of their number. Early the next morning the shock fell

with terrible force upon the Fourteenth, but it maintained its-

position, fighting with the resolution of despair the formidable

best which had nearly surrounded it; but slowly the overpow

ering forces of the enemy moved around, until we were almost

within their clutches, when the order to fall back was given, and

Colonel Folsom attempted to carry out his jegiment in order.

Before^he could accomplish his attempt a ball struck him, and

passing through the upper part of his stomacb inflicted a mortal

wound. He was taken to the field hospital, wfcere, after suffering

for thirty-two hours his noble heart ceased to beat, and his spirit

winged its flight to Heaven.

No officer of equa> rank in the army of Northern Virginia,

enjoyed a more enviable reputation and position, than did Colonel

Robert W. Folsom at his death. Xone had better deserved that

reputation and position than he. To bravery of the most daring

kind, he united the calmest, most imperturbable coolness, and the

roost circumspect caution. His judgment wis solid, and always

matured /rom a careful review of all the surrounding circum

stances; and he possessed the energy and steadfastness of char

acter to follow the dictates of that judgment. He was emi nently qualified to govern men; commanding their respect, and

binding them to him at the same time with the chords of affec

tion. .As a disciplinarian he was rigid, but scrupulously, just.

In his intercourse with both officers and mtjn he was courteous

and kind. His attention to the business of the regiment was

unremitting and energetic. His administrative abilities were of

the highest order. As a messmate he was social, agreeable,

liberal and instructive. He loved and venerated truth, justice

and sincerity. He never exerci&ed a petty tyranny, or assumed

a false dignity on account of position and. power, instances of

which are so common and so disgusting in [the army. So wide

spread was his reputation, that General Leje has highly compli

mented him in an order written with his ojwn hand and signed

by himself and now in possession of the Colonel's family.

FOURTEENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

155

In the fall of 1863, a Military Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was established in this brigade, of which Colonel Folsom was the Worshipful Master. He retained this place, discharging its duties up to the time of his death. He was a bright .ami zealous Mason, exemplifying the great moral teachings of the order in his daily walk, and in his death it may be truly said, the fraternity lost "a true and worthy brother." A& a professor of religion he was devoted, sincere and consistent, and in the latter part of his life was particularly zealous. His religion was not of
the sombre puritanical caste, but bright, cheerftil and hopeful. At the time of his death he was in the very prime and vigor of manhood, being but twenty-eight years of age! His last hours were characterized by the most perfect submission to the will of God, and the most cojifiding fiith in his acceptance with his Heavenly Father. There did not seem to be a cloud to obstruct his vision ; but with songs of praise and rejoicing, the young and promising hero entered the dark valley and shadow of death with the rod and staff of his Redeemer to comfort and support him.
The regiment has participated in the battles around Spotisylvania Court House, also at Jericho Ford, and in several engage ments, and has lost severely. Among the killed are Captains S. B. David and R. A. Holt, and Lieutenants Patterson and
Chapman. Lieutenant Colonel Lester has been promoted to Colonel;
Major Goldsmith to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain C. C. Kelly to Major; Lieutenant Ryles to Captain, also Lieutenants Rogers and Eaves; Lieutenants McAfee and Goldsmith promoted. Captain Clegg retired on account of disability, and Lieutenant Hicks promoted to Captain ; Lieutenants MeVay and Lnmley promoted. Captain Smith was retired, and Lieutenant Peiry promoted to Captain ; D. H. McLendon to First Lieutenant, aifrd J. TV. Jones to Brevet Second Lieutenant. Adjutant Taliafeifo was retired, and Captain T. C. Moore, formerly Assistant Commissary of Subsistence of the regiment was appointed Adjutant.
Among the heroes of this gallant regiment I present the name of J. RUFUS KELLY, of Company B, from Wilkinson county. During the engagement at Jericho Ford, one of the regiments, >f this brigade suddenly giving way, caused such confusion in the Fourteenth that it was ordered back, 'when young Kelly, bat eighteen years of age, seeing them falling back in disorder, and thinking it was a panic, suddenly rushed forward about thirty

156

HIBOES A1H) MARTYRS OF GEOB)G1A.

yards in front of the regiment, his rifle in his Iteft hand, his hat swinging over his head in the right, he called upon the regimebt tp stand; bnt they heeded him not, and proudliy refusing to fol low the regiment, he joined another brigade as a volunteer and went into the fight, bnt had hardly become engaged when he received a wound in his leg which necessitated immediate ampu tation. He little knew that at the distance of scarce a mile, the body of his Colonel (Folsom) was being bortoe to a southern grave; that Colonel, who, at Cedar Run, had set him an exam ple which at Jericho Ford he had so nobly followed.
HESTBY and SOLOMON GOODMAX, two young German -brothers of Company B, deserve a special notice; not only for bravery and coolness when in action, but for their loyalty to their adopted country, under circumstances which would try the loyalty of almost any one who have not that devoted love of country which only birth can give. The families of these youths have cruelly deserted them and gone North, carrying with them all the pro perty left in their keeping by these boys, and left them to their fate. Their coolness and courage is proverbial in the Fourteenth Georgia; and although no particular act of courage can be spe cified, still it is a pleasure to honor and praise where honor and praise are due.

:\
EIGHTEENTH BATTALION
GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.
(SAVANNAH VOLUNTEER GUARDS.)

STATISTICAL REPORT.'

Number of men originally enlisted, .... 279 \ Number of volunteer recruits, (n conscripts) . . 177

Total strength, ....... 455

LOSSES.

Number of men killed in action, . . . . .

8

Number of men died of disease, ..... 20

Total deaths, ........ 28
Number of men discharged, ....... 60 Number of men deserted, ...... 28 ' Number of men transferred, ...... 48

Total loss, . 4 159

Number of men wounded in action, ....



THE Eighteenth Battalion of Georgia Volunteers is a volunteer

corps of the city of Savannah, and w'as organized in the year

1802, and was known as the Savannah Volunteer Guards:

When it was deemed advisable by the Governor of Geotgia to

take possession of Fort Pulaski, the Guards, theji a single

company, was a part of the force designated for that purpose.

They were commanded by Captain John Screven. The detach

ment consisted besides this company, of the Oglethorpe Light

Infantry, Captain F. S. Bartow, and the Chatham Artillery,

Captain J. S. Claghorn. All these companies then belonged to

the First Volunteer Regiment, commanded by Colonel A. R.

Lawton, who was in command of the expedition.

"^

Fort Pnlaski continued to be garrisoned by the volunteer

troops of Savannah until it was turned ovef to the Confederate

government,--the different companies alternating, two or three

at a time, in performing that duty. During this interval tbe

158

HEROES AXP MARTYRS OF GEORGIA,

Guard* organized a second company. For aflong time even

before a spark of war appeared, the aree>sioiH to then1 ranks

had been so numerous that it became, evident that it would be

necessary to expand their organization. On their second tour uf

duty at the Fort, they went with two compa?iieK *o large that

they alone were considered sufficient fr its ^arrijson.

v*

-



j

When it appeared rh it war was iiieviiab'e. and the government

began to erect tbriirieatio;:s upon the c".-..-t. the Volunteer troops

of Savannah wore called upon t enter the :ser\ ice of the

I

Confederacy for short periods of tin;*-. Th'S Guard * were

|

enlisted June 1-t, 1561. for-two m iinhs,--Company A, Captain

John Screven; Con)|>any B. Capr;.in A. C. Djivenport. The

Ivittvdion, under command of Captain Sicreveh, upi x ordered ou

duty at Thunderbolt buttery, about five miles from Savannah,

wliere it remaine<'l during the whole- per:<1 of its! enlistment.

The two companies were again mu-ieivd intoi service for six .

months from September 1st, 1861, and oi'dered to duty at Fort

ScreveH on Green Island, near the mouth of the Great Ogechee.

This was a heavy battery of ten guns, inelndi:ng some of the

greatest calibre then known in tlie service. Here both oflicer> and ,,

men auquired a considerable degree of skill as artiiiierisu, which

influenced in a very great degree the character of their subsequent

service. At this place the companies numbered over one hun

dred men each; Company A was commanded [by Lieutenant

B.isingp.r, Company B, by Lieutenant Stiles. Captain Screven

commanded the whi>le. Long before the expiration i> this

penod pf enlistment, it had become evident that tjie Confederacy

had embarked in a war, of which the terminatioti could n<.'t be

foreseen. Both officers and men, therefore, detennineil to enlist

at once for the war, whatever might be its duraiiun; and they

did so. on Mnrch l>t, 1SS2.



^Up-to this time the two companies had continued to belong ta

the First .Volnntwr Rpgiment of Georgia* (aboye referreol to ;

blU it was generally de-ired in the command i that U should



n

*

'

I

con<titirte ar> independent orgftnixation. The ipimber of inen ;

disposed to enlist for the war/at this time, was not sufficient for

mire th in three companies^ but the consent of ihe Confederate

authorilies to receive these/as a battalion had l-e^ri obtained, aiid

This P&fcimtfnt WAS formed Before the war. and comjio<!e<| entireJv of volnn'-' teer conp%niea of Savannah. / Jt had no connection whatever with thti Georgia Be^unent whose hLrtory commences this work. j

EIGHTEENTH ' GEOftSTA BATTALION.

t69

then1 seemed no refron to dotfht that thev worn^d increase in
size, so as to permit the organization of other companies from

time to time: therefore the Guards took their place in the lino

of' the Confederate arrnv. as a battalion commanded bv Major

-

*

v

John Sereven.

The officers of Company A were Captain W. S. Basinger,

First Lieutenant T. F. Screen, Second Lieutenants W. H. King

rtnd F. Tupper.

'

-

The officers of Company B were Captain George W.-StHee.

First Lieutenant E. Padelford, Jr., Secon^ Lieutenants E. 'A:

Castelaw and George D. Smith.

THe officers of Com parry C were Captain G. C. Rice; First

Lientenant G. M. Turner, Second Lieutenants J. R. Dillon and

E. Blois.

It would be unjust not to state that the rank and file were

largely recruited from sev eral of the counties on'the Savannah and Albany, and Atlantic and Gulf railroads, which furnished

some of the vt??%y best soldiers in the battalion. The battalion

did not at this time receive its number, but continued to be

known for several months by its original name. It was 4iot ui.til

December, 186-2, that it tvus officially styled the Eighteenth

Georgia Battalion.

'

,

'

The battalion, having been allowed a. respite of thirty days,

reassembled under orders cm the 1st of April, 18G2, for its final

entrance upon service. Its first post was at Fort Boggs, which

cririrds the left flank of the defences of Savannah. The armament

of this place c<>n<i>;ed of1 tsvo mortars, ten heavy guns and'six

field pieces. The- bari.'ilinn remained at this post until July,

18(33, that is, its duty \v:v< at that point; but so insalubrious was

climate and nir during the greater part of the summer, at this

locility, that it wa* necessary to remove the troops, sometimes

to the ci'y-itself, and once to the Isle of Hope, about tetf miles

from the city. The summer of 1862, the greater part of which

was spent at Fort Bogvr*, reduced the. command greatly. As

many as one hundred and fort}-, out of an aggregate of not more

than two hundred and fifty present, were borne on the sick

repoit for several days. 1 The well wer,e only nominally S

Exhausted by agues and malarial fevers of every type, they w^

in constant expectation 'of the recurrence of disease. 'It is

believed that but one 'person in the whole command escaped

sickness. It was over twelve months before the effect* of tbts

HKBOB3 AKP 1L4STYRS OF GEORGIA.

*.
gammer conM be said to have disappeared. At different timet

Lieutenant Padelfortf, a most valuable and highly esteemed

officer, and a number of the best non-commissioned officers and

foidiers fell victims.

May 10th, 1863, the services of Major Screven! being required^

to conduct the Savannah and Albany, and Atlantic and Ghilf

raHroada of w.hjch he had been Several years president, he resigned

his commission, and Captain Basinger succeeded to the com

mand of the battalion. In Company A, Lieujtemiut Screven

became Captain"; Second Lieutenant King, First Lieutennnt ; and

Sergeant P. N. Raynal was elected Junior Second Lieutenant.

In Company B, by the tfeath of Lieutenant Padelftrd on June 7th,

1863, Lieutenant Ca&telaw became First Lieutenant; and sonje

time afterwards Lieutenant W. E. Gue, previously a sergeant of

that company, was elected to the junior commission. In June

of that year Major Basinger was sent with hisi own comm'and

and Maxwell's Battery of light artillery, to meet an expected

descent of the enemy on the coast of Glynn oounty, Georgia.

After the lapse of several weeks, the enemy not appearing, the

command -was ordered back to Savannah. Ait this time- the

battalion was attached to the brigade of General TV. B. Taliaierro*

On the 9th of July a detachment, of Taliaferro's Brigade,

consisting of the Thirty-second Georgia Regiment, Colonel

Harrison ; four companies of the First Volunteer Regiment of

Georgia, Colonel Olmstead ; the Twelfth Georgia Battalion,

Lieutenant Colonel Capers ; and the Eighteenth Georgia TBat-

talfon, Majqr Basinger, was sent to Charleston, South Carolina,

in consequence of 'movements of the enemy \ against Morris

labmd, They did not arrive in time to participate in the

misfortunes of the 10th of July, when the Federals defeated oil**

troops on the east end of the island, and gainedj a footing there

in force. It arrived at Battery Wagrter, howeveri, about midnight

of that day, except the Thirty-second Georgia Regiment, whiob

had been left on James Island.,

.

;

The troops composing the detachment had ha|*dJy been posted

and lain dqwn to seels some repose, when they were aroused tjo

meet the attack made 0n the morning of the; llth. Battery

Wagaer was constructed with a bastioned front itoward the east.

The. bastion on the right was covered by a piec of marsb> verjr

aofl overawed by every tide. An attadk from the front

i^ tbtftfore, have first Men upon the bastion on the left,

EIGHTEENTH GEOBGIA BATTALION.

Ill

'

V

which became by these circumstances, the most advanced post

of the fort. It was the fortune of the Eighteenth Battalion to

be posted in thfe bastion. The firing of our pickets as they .were

driven in by the enemy, brought the whole garrison to the

ramparts. In the earliest dim light of the morning, the dark

masses of the enemy could be descried advancing swiftry to the

assault. As soon as they came within easy range, a rapid and

destructive fire was opened upon them. After several desperate

efforts to establish themselves, they were repulsed, and literally

ran out of our fire. In this their first encounter with the enemy,

the Eighteenth conducted itself with great steadiness and cour

age, and its loss in killed and wounded was greater than that of

all the rest of the garrison. The loss of the enemy amounted to

three hundred and thirty-two in killed, besides the wounded and

prisoners who fell into our hands.

From the l^th until the 18th the command remained at

Battery "Wagner, taking its full share of all duty and labor, and

enduring all the hardships, privations and sufferings peculiar

to the place, with unfailing cheerfulness. To appreciates what

merit there was in this cheerfulness, it must be remembered that

they were shut up in a fort of sand, without other shelter from

the beams of an almost tropical sun, than an ill ventilated

bomb-proof, into which from eight hundred to one thousand

men were packed all day, and being in receipt of a perfect storm

of shells from he enemy's ships and batteries, and of balls from

his sharpshooters. There be^ng no means of cooking provisions,

the men had to eat them raw, having at the same time but a

scanty supply of brackish water collected from holes scooped in

the'sand, and with no opportunity of obtaining rest, except at

the imminent peril of life or limb.

.

i

The course pursued for the relief of the "garrison, was to

remove it at stated intervals, the worn out troops being with

drawn to James Island, Mount Pleasant or the) city for rest and

refreshment. But it was rest only in name, for they were called

on for heavy details to work on new fortifications and to move

heavy guns, and were compelled, when tired nature required its

great restorer sleep, to lie on our arms and in rank nearly every

night, in readiness to repel expected attacks. Under this plan

of arrangements the Eighteenth Battalion took three tours of

duty at Battery Wagner daring the siege, each similar in most

particulars of toil and danger to the one described above. Several

U

162

HEROES AND MARTYRS OF GEORGIA.

and fahhral Urea were lost during oijr stay at Battery

Wagflter. On the 10th of September, 1863, tjhe battalion -tfaa

ordered to Battery Marion on Sullivan's Islind, immediately

adjacent to Fort Monltrie. Here }t remained until late in May,

1864, bearing its full share in the incessant cannonade with which

Charleston harbor resounded. The battalion 'was at this point

engaged exclasively on artillery duty.

vi

On the 18th of May, 1864, Major Basinger having received

orders to proceed with his command to Richmond, the battalion

left Battery Marion and took the route for Virginia, where' it

was assigned to duty at Mattox, on the Richmond and Danville

railroad, to repel raiding parties of the enemy's cavalry, where

it remains and is stationed at the present writihg.

BATTALION AND COMPANY OFFICERS. ** i

FIELD AND STAFF.

i

:*

^lajor W. S. Basinger. Gemmanding.

First Lieutenant E. P. Starr, Adjutant.

t

Captain R. H. Footman, Asxitant Quartermaster.

G. W. Coxwell, Assistant Surgeon.



COifPA>T A.

Captain .T. F. Screven.

;

First Lieutenant W. H. King.

Second Lieutenant F. Tapper.'

Second Lieutenant P. N. Raynal. x

COMPACT B.

Captain G. W. Stiles.

First Lieutenant G. D. Smith.

Second Lieutenant W. E. Gue.

*

Second Lieutenant W. D. Grant.

COMPANY C.

=

Captain G. C. Rice.

First Lieutenant G. M. Turner.

Second Lieutenant J. R. Dillon.

Second Lieutenant E. Blois. '

i

*

PRESENT STBEJSTGTH OF BATTALtON.

Fild and staff, ...... Company A, ....... Company B, ^ ......
Com|ny C, .......

Officers. i4
4 4
i4

ErdittetL 4 97 89
90

Total, ..'..... 16

280

page 123, fifth line from top, for this re4d "hi*." Same , tVenth ijine* from top, for Captain William Amoid, rpad Captain Willia

ADDENDUM.

IN closing up the* First Yolurae of " Heroes and Martyrs of

Georgia," &c., I desire to make a few explanations regarding

the contents of the forthcoming volumes. I had hoped to be

enabled to publish tBe Statistical and Historical Record of each

Regiment from Georgia in four volumes; but learning from

experience that the space allotted to each regiment is altogether '*

too meagre, I have resolved to double the space allowed, that is,

to fill up to twenty pages the record of each command, and add

" either to the size of the volumes or increase their number to six.

The greater portion of my MSS. having been either carried

off, or destroyed by the Federals in their march through Georgia,

I will be compelled to revisit the army, and re-collect the mate

rial to complete my work.

To those gentlemen who have retained copies' of the record of

their commands, I would respectfullj' request that they would

forward them to me by mail; and to those who have failed to

furnish me with any reports, I would say, that I should feel

grateful to them if they would make them out and forward them

to me.

I have remarked in my preface, that k was to me a bitter

disappointment in failing to obtain more names of those who

deserve a nation's praise to place on record, and I would again

request that I may be furnished with the name of every roan,

living or dead, ^vho has by any particular act of heroism gained

a fame in his command.

'

X

I will'here state, that the elegant tribute to the memory of

my brother, found in the history of the Fourteenth Regiment, is

from the pen of his brother in arms, Captain T. C. MOORE, now

Adjutant of that regiment.

I would suggest to those gentlemen who have so kindly

assisted me in collecting the matter from which this work is

written, that they keep a redord of all casualties, <fcc., occurring

in their respective commands, also an account of all incidents of

heroism, and in fact, to keep a general.'commonplace book for

the benefit of the future historian of their commands.

164

,

ADDENDUM.

The jiUn of my second volume will be nearly the same las

that of the first. The statistical matter will occupy the head of

each bistoty, and I would desire that its style should resemble

tost of the l^hird Georgia Regiment.

Having lot the record of every regiment which has been

forwarded to me from Hood's army, I canqpt promise that tjhe

history of any regiment in that army will appear in the second

volume, but I wilt try and devote the third volume exclusively

to them.

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.i

TJE AUTHOR.