Chapter 2:
- Organization and other events in the State, from spring until close of 1861
-- Early record of Georgians outside the State, previous to Manassas-coast operations in Georgia in 1861 (including Port Royal).
The Georgia convention resumed its session at
Savannah, March 7, 1861, and continued its deliberations until March 28th, ratifying the
Confederate constitution on March 16th, adopting a new State constitution, authorizing the issue of treasury notes and bonds for revenue for public defense, tendering a tract ten miles square for the
Confederate seat of government, and transferring the control of military operations as well as forts and arms.
But before the troops were thus formally handed over to the authorities of the new union, an Atlanta volunteer company, ‘
Lee's Volunteers,’
Capt. G. W. Lee, was tendered to the government at
Montgomery by its commanding officer, and accepted March 5th.
During his return to
Atlanta, a number of enthusiastic ladies on the railroad train procured material and made a Confederate flag after a model of the first flag of the
Confederate States raised at
Montgomery, March 4th, under which the company paraded at
Atlanta immediately afterward.
The earliest organizations of commands had abundantly demonstrated the enthusiastic desire of the people to enlist for the defense of the
State.
More companies were offered than could be used, and these were advised to continue their drills without arms.
Though some arms ordered from the
North had been delivered, the supply was very insufficient, and it was found necessary to put
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in use the old flint-locks, altering them to percussion locks.
Some companies were ordered to arm themselves with double-barreled shotguns, private arms were freely contributed, and in various ways the companies were armed in some fashion for drill and even for their first battles.
A contract for cannon for coast defense with a Pennsylvania iron company had been canceled by the latter, and it was found necessary to order guns for batteries from the Tredegar works at
Richmond.
To encourage the home production of war armament, the convention offered a bonus of $10,000 to such a factory as would be capable of furnishing three cannon each week and a columbiad at an early date.
The Georgia convention turned over matters of arms and soldiers to the government of the
Confederate States, but
Governor Brown did not cease organizing State troops.
He contemplated the formation of two divisions, and intended to appoint
Col. Henry R. Jackson major-general of the first division, and
Col. William H. T. Walker as major-general of the second.
It was found practicable to organize but one division, of which
Walker was appointed major-general,
Jackson generously giving up his own promotion and urging
Walker for the command.
The first call to
Georgia made by the government of the
Confederate States was for troops for
Pensacola, and met with a prompt reply.
It is stated that under the governor's call for troops for this service 250 companies were tendered, and the following were ordered into camp at
Macon (the list being arranged in the order in which they formed the First regiment Georgia volunteers and the First independent battalion):
First Georgia.
- Newnan Guards (A), Capt. George M. Hanvey
- Southern Guards (B), Columbus, Capt. Frank S. Wilkins
- Southern Rights Guards (C), Perry, Capt. John A. Houser
- Oglethorpe Infantry (D), Augusta, Capt. Houghton B. Adam (who succeeded J. O. Clark on the latter's election as lieutenant-colonel)
[20]
- Washington Rifles (E), Sandersville, Capt. S. A. H. Jones
- Gate City Guards (F), Atlanta, Capt. W. L. Ezzard, and later Capt. C. A. Stone
- Bainbridge Independents (G), Capt. John W. Evans
- Dahlonega Volunteers (H), Capt. Alfred Harris, who resigned and was succeeded by Thomas B. Cabaniss, elected from the ranks of the company from Forsyth
- Walker Light Infantry (I), Augusta, Capt. Samuel H. Crump
- Quitman Guards (K), Forsyth, Capt. J. S. Pinkard (these ten forming the First Georgia)
When the first ten companies of this list organized as the First regiment of Georgia volunteers, April 3, 1861, at Camp Oglethorpe,
Macon, they elected the following officers:
James N. Ramsey, colonel;
James O. Clark,
lieutenant-colonel;
George H. Thompson, major.
Capt. Andrew Dunn was appointed quartermaster;
Capt. George W. Cunningham,
commissary, and
Lieut. James W. Anderson,
adjutant.
The last named became major in the fall of 1861 on the resignation of
Clark as lieutenant-colonel and the promotion of
Thompson to his position.
The enlistment of the troops composing the regiment was dated from March 18, 1861, the day on which the members of these companies had enrolled their names in response to the call of the governor.
The other four companies mentioned above were at the same time organized into the First independent battalion, with
Captain Larey as major, their enlistment also dating from March 18th. Two days after the organization,
Governor Brown reviewed the troops before a vast assemblage, and delivered an eloquent speech which aroused the enthusiasm of all.
In a few days the First Georgia volunteers boarded
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the cars for
Montgomery, then the capital of the new Confederacy.
From
Montgomery they went to
Garland, where they received news of the attack upon
Fort Sumter.
The railroad to
Pensacola was not yet finished, there being a gap of sixteen miles between
Garland and Evergreen.
This distance the regiment marched, and from Evergreen went by rail to
Pensacola, where they were sent down the bay past the navy yard and stationed near
Fort Barrancas.
The regiment was transferred early in June to
Virginia, and while in camp at
Richmond was reviewed by
President Davis and
Governor Letcher, each of whom delivered speeches which were enthusiastically received.
The
battle of Big Bethel occurred during their short stay at
Richmond and was hailed as a great victory.
The First Georgia volunteers served in
West Virginia under
Garnett, and after the death of that officer, under
Henry R. Jackson, until December, when they were sent to
Stonewall Jackson at
Winchester, serving under that great leader until early in March, when they were ordered to
Lynchburg and soon after to
Georgia, where they were mustered out March 18, 1862.
The First Georgia was in the following engagements: Belington and
Laurel Hill, Carrick's Ford,
Cheat Mountain,
Greenbrier River,
Bath and
Hancock.
Four companies re-enlisted in a body at
Augusta, Ga., forming an artillery battalion under
Maj. H. D. Capers.
These were the
Oglethorpe Artillery,
Augusta,
Capt. J. V. H. Allen;
Walker Light Artillery,
Augusta,
Capt. Samuel Crump; Washington Artillery,
Sandersville,
Capt. J. W. Rudisill, and Newnan Artillery,
Capt. George M. Hanvey. Three of these companies served under
Gen. Kirby Smith in 1862, in
east Tennessee, and the company from
Newnan participated as artillery in the
Kentucky campaign.
Toward the latter part of 1862, the whole battalion was sent to
Savannah.
The
Oglethorpes were then detached, and with the Thirteenth Georgia (Phoenix) battalion and six new companies
[
22]
formed the Sixty-third Georgia regiment of infantry.
The Twelfth battalion and the Sixty-third regiment were on duty at
Savannah as infantry and heavy artillery—detachments from these commands serving also at Battery Wagner and
Fort Sumter.
In the summer of 1864 the Twelfth Georgia battalion, with two companies added, was sent to
Virginia as infantry, and was with
Evans' Georgia brigade, army of Northern Virginia, until the surrender at
Appomattox; while the Sixty-third Georgia was sent to
Dalton, serving from that time until
Johnston's capitulation in
North Carolina, in the army of Tennessee.
Additional particulars of the Twelfth Georgia battalion and the Sixty-third Georgia regiment will be found in the sketch of those two commands.
One other company of the old First Georgia, the Southern Rights Guards, from
Perry, re-enlisted in a body as the Southern Rights battery, serving as artillery in the army of Tennessee during the rest of the war. The other companies of the First Georgia broke up and re-enlisted in various commands.
The First Georgia independent battalion, organized at the same time as the First Georgia volunteers, went to
Pensacola with
Peter H. Larey as major commanding,
Z. T. Conner, adjutant, and
S. M. Lanier, quartermaster, under commissions from
Governor Brown, but the authority was not recognized when the battalion was received into Confederate service April 16th.
Major Larey resigned his commission early in June, and
John B. Villepigue, a South Carolinian who had had seven years service in the United States army, was elected major and assigned by order of
General Bragg.
A month later he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and in September
Capt. William L. Lovell, Company G, became major.
The Vicksburg artillery and Jackson artillery, of
Mississippi, were attached to the battalion in October, and the combined command was entitled the
Georgia and
Mississippi regiment.
A Florida company, the Simpson mounted
[
23]
rangers, was also attached at this time.
In November, at the expiration of the six months enlistment, the name of the command was changed to the Thirty-sixth regiment Georgia volunteers.
The first Georgia soldiers at
Pensacola were the volunteers organized at
Atlanta by
Capt. G. W. Lee, who took his command to the
Florida port, with a letter from
Adjutant-General Cooper to
General Bragg, of date March 19th, in which it was stated that ‘this company, consisting of 100 men, chiefly artisans, is exclusive of the quota which has been required from that State, and the secretary of war desires you will cause the officers and men to be mustered into service and assigned to duty.’
The strength of this command was reported on March 31st at 113 men. It was attached to the First battalion as Company D.
Two ‘First’ regiments have already been noted in
Georgia, and there remains a third to be mentioned, which by priority of State service is entitled to the distinction of being the first regiment summoned to the field in
Georgia.
This was the First volunteer regiment of
Georgia, which was organized prior to the war, composed of the militia companies of
Savannah, and commanded by
Col. A. R. Lawton.
On the appointment of the latter as brigadier-general,
H. W. Mercer was elected colonel, and on the latter's promotion to brigadier-general,
Charles H. Olmstead was elected colonel, December 26, 1861.
He retained command throughout the war. This regiment was on duty at
Savannah and
Fort Pulaski when
Ramsey's regiment was organized.
But of these two regiments,
Ramsey's was the first to leave the
State and the first to see actual war. The First volunteer regiment included the famous old companies—the
Republican Blues, German Volunteers, Irish Jasper Greens, Savannah Cadets and
Oglethorpe Light Infantry.
It was reorganized in October, 1862, and served on the coast until May, 1864.
Its organization was as follows:
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24]
Col. Charles H. Olmstead,
Lieut.-Col. W. S. Rockwell (succeeded by
W. J. Ford, who was at first major),
Commissary E. W. Drummond,
Asst.
Quartermasters E. Hopkins and
F. M. Hull,
Adjt. M. H. Hopkins.
The following were the captains: Company A,
J. H. Flannery; Company B,
David O'Connor,
James Dooner; Company C,
J. W. Anderson,
S. W. Anderson; Company D,
S. Y. Levy,
P. C. Elkins; Company E,
J. M. Doherty; Company F,
J. S. Turner; Company G,
A. C. Davenport,
G. Eberhart; Company H,
F. W. Sims,
J. Lachlison; Company I,
C. Werner,
C. A. H. Umbach; Company K,
John Cooper.
In April, 18621
Colonel Olmstead, with Company H (the
Oglethorpe Light Infantry
1) and four companies from other commands, defended
Fort Pulaski against the
Federals under
Gen. David Hunter, but was forced to surrender.
The prisoners were soon exchanged and in service again.
A detachment from this regiment also served at Battery Wagner in 1863.
The First volunteer regiment under
Colonel Olmstead was sent to
Dalton in May, 1864, and served thenceforth in the army of Tennessee until the surrender in
North Carolina, April 26, 1865.
The next command organized to serve outside the
State was a battalion, formed in response to the telegraphic request of
Governor Letcher, April 19, 1861, for two or three companies to go immediately to
Norfolk, Va. The governor put himself in communication with the cities of
Columbus,
Macon and
Griffin, where he knew that military companies were ready for such emergencies, and gave but half an hour for deliberation.
The responses came quickly and bravely, and in less than twenty-four hours four companies were on their way to
Virginia.
These were the Floyd Rifles,
Capt. Thomas Hardeman; Macon Volunteers,
Captain Smith; City Light Guards,
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25]
Columbus,
Capt. Peyton H. Colquitt, and the
Griffin Guards,
Captain Doyall.
Capt. Thomas Hardeman, a prominent political leader and ex-member of Congress, was made battalion commander.
The battalion was soon heard from to the praise of the
State in one of those minor encounters at the beginning of the war, which had large proportions in the minds of a people waiting in suspense for the result of the clash of arms, and were of great importance in their influence upon public sentiment.
After reaching
Norfolk Captain Colquitt was put in command at
Sewell's point, a peninsula running up from the south toward
Hampton Roads, and equidistant from
Fortress Monroe and Newport News, with his company and detachments of
Virginia organizations, after the incomplete fortification had been attacked by the
United States steamer
Monticello, and there he sustained a second attack on May 19th.
The steamer, accompanied by a steam tug, fired with great accuracy, one shell bursting within an embrasure, and several others directly over the Confederate battery, while solid shot repeatedly hurled masses of earth among the gunners.
But
Colquitt and his men stood firm and returned the fire with effect, causing the
Federal vessels to withdraw.
He reported, ‘The troops acted with great bravery, and I had to restrain them in their enthusiasm,’ and he was himself warmly commended by
General Gwynn, the department commander.
In consequence of the want of a Confederate flag, in this first encounter in the vicinity of
Norfolk, the
Georgia flag of
Colquitt's company was planted on the ramparts during the engagement, and while the fire was hottest, two members of the Light Guards fearlessly passed to the outside of the works and deliberately removed the sand which yet obstructed one of the portholes of the unfinished battery.
Four other infantry regiments were formed under the call of the
Confederacy for 5,000 men from
Georgia.
The organization of the Second regiment of Georgia volunteers,
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26]
completed June 1, 1861, was as follows:
Col. Paul J. Semmes;
Lieut.-Col. Skidmore Harris;
Maj. Edgar M. Butt;
Adjt. W. Redd;
Capts. D. G. Candler (A),
William T. Harris (B),
William S. Sheppard (C),
William R. Holmes (D),
W. A. Campbell (E),
Thomas E. Dickerson (F),
Roswell Ellis (G),
Jesse A. Glenn (H),
Charles R. Wiggins (I),
Jared I. Ball (K). The quartermaster was
James Houston, and the commissary was
S. G. W. Dillingham.
This regiment served throughout the war in the army of Northern Virginia.
During this time various changes in organization occurred.
Colonel Semmes, being appointed brigadier-general, was succeeded by
Edgar M. Butt.
Lieut.-Col. Skidmore Harris was succeeded by
W. T. Harris (killed),
William R. Holmes (killed) and
W. S. Sheppard.
Maj. Edgar M. Butt was succeeded by
W. S. Sheppard,
William T. Harris,
W. W. Charlton and
A. M. Lewis.
The changes among the captains were:
Candler was followed by
W. W. Charlton and
John W. Owens;
Harris by
A. M. Lewis;
Sheppard by
Robert Howard;
Holmes by
W. A. Thompson (killed);
Campbell by
T. J. Morris;
Dickerson by
A. B. Shuford (killed);
Ellis by
T. Chaffin;
Glenn by
B. L. Hancock (killed);
Wiggins by
John T. Maddox; Ball by
J. B. Newell.
General Semmes was killed at
Gettysburg.
The organization of the Third regiment of Georgia volunteers, completed May 8, 1861, was as follows:
Col. Ambrose R. Wright;
Lieut.-Col. James S. Reid;
Maj. Augustus H. Lee;
Adjt. W. W. Turner;
Capts. William C. Musgrove (A),
R. B. Nisbet (B),
R. L. McWhorter (C),
C. H. Andrews (D),
J. R. Griffin (E),
William O. Beall (F),
Edward J. Walker (G),
John F. Jones (H),
N. A. Carswell (I),
H. C. Billups (K). The quartermaster was
A. Phillips and the commissary,
H. S. Hughes.
This regiment served for awhile on the
North Carolina coast and then in the army of Northern Virginia.
There were, of
[
27]
course, during the long conflict, many changes in organization.
Colonel Wright became a brigadier-general and finally a major-general in the army of the
Confederate States.
He was succeeded by
Edward J. Walker as colonel.
Lieutenant-Colonel Reid was succeeded by
R. B. Nisbet, and next by
Claiborne Snead.
Maj. Augustus H. Lee was followed by
John R. Sturgis (killed) and
A. B. Montgomery.
Maj. John F. Jones was followed by
G. E. Hayes.
The changes among the captains were:
Musgrove was followed by
S. A. Corker;
Nisbet by
John S. Reid;
McWhorter by
J. T. Geer;
Griffin was followed by
J. A. Hamilton (killed),
G. W. Allen and
J. G. Royal;
Beall by
J. M. Waters and
J. A. Mason;
Walker by
Claiborne Snead;
Jones by
L. F. Luckie and
J. H. Evans;
Carswell by
J. J. McBee (killed),
W. H. Bearden and
H. J. Hughes;
Billups by
D. B. Langston.
The organization of the Fourth Georgia volunteers was completed April 26, 1861, as follows:
Col. George Doles;
Lieut.-Col. John J. Matthews;
Maj. Charles L. Whitehead;
Adjt. Philip Cook;
Commissary J. B. Morgan;
Quartermaster H. R. Daniels;
Capts. B. Cusley (A),
Robert S. Smith (B),
E. A. Nash (C),
George F. Todd (D),
J. G. Rust (E),
B. R. Mayer (F),
George F. Bartlett (G),
Samuel M. Prothro (H),
William L. Johnson (I),
D. R. E. Winn (K). This regiment served through the war in the army of Northern Virginia, and enjoyed the distinction of giving two
brigadier-generals to the Confederate army.
Its first
colonel, George Doles, became brigadier-general and was killed at Second Cold Harbor.
He, was succeeded as colonel by
Philip Cook, who also became a brigadier-general.
There were many other changes in the regiment.
Colonel Cook was succeeded by
William H. Willis;
Lieut.-Col. John J. Matthews by
W. T. Gordon,
Philip Cook (afterward colonel and then brigadier-general) and
David R. E. Winn.
Maj. Charles L. Whitehead was followed by
William F. Jordan,
[
28]
David R. E. Winn,
R. S. Smith,
Edwin A. Nash,
F. H. DeGraffenreid and
Wm. H. Willis.
When
Philip Cook was promoted to lieutenant-colonel,
A. J. Roberts became adjutant.
Commissary J. B. Morgan was followed by
James F. Murphey, and
Quartermaster H. R. Daniels by
Wm. H. Tinsley.
There were also many changes among the captains.
Cusley was followed by
J. P. Strickland and
James H. Weeks;
Smith by
M. H. Hill and
A. C. Gibson;
Nash by
George F. Todd (died) and
A. C. Frost;
Rust by
Wm. E. Smith and
F. H. DeGraffenreid:
Mayer by
George S. Carey and
James F. Sullivan;
Bartlett by Win.
F. Jordan,
John T. Lang (died) and
C. R. Ezell;
Prothro by
J. W. Carraker and
Wallace Butts;
Johnson by
William H. Willis;
Winn by
R. M. Bisel (killed).
The organization of the Fifth regiment of Georgia volunteers was completed May 11, 1861, as follows:
Col. John K. Jackson,
Lieut.-Col. Thomas Beall,
Maj. Wm. L. Salisbury,
Adjt. R. S. Cheatham,
Commissary H. B. T. Montgomery,
Quartermaster James M. Cole;
Capts. Charles A. Platt (A),
Samuel W. Mangham (B),
John H. Hull (C),
Ed. H. Pottle (D),
C. B. Wootten (E),
William H. Lang (F),
Wm. J. Sears (G),
Hugh M. King (H),
John T. Iverson (I),
Wm. J. Horsley (K). This regiment first went to
Pensacola, afterward served in the army of Tennessee from a short time after the
battle of Shiloh until after July, 1864, when it was sent to the
Georgia coast.
It participated also under
Joe Johnston in the final campaign in the Carolinas.
Its first
colonel, John K. Jackson, became brigadier-general before
Shiloh.
His successors in the colonelcy were
Samuel W. Mangham,
Wm. F. Black,
Wm. T. Beach and
Charles P. Daniel.
The
lieutenant-colonels that succeeded
Thomas Beall were
Charles R. Day and
John F. Iverson.
Maj. Wm. L. Salisbury was followed by
Charles P. Daniel,
D. H. Ansley and
W. B. Hundley.
Captain Platt was succeeded by
D. H. Ansley;
Hull by
[
29]
H. P. Steeney;
Pottle by
Wm. B. Hundley, afterward major;
Lang by
John F. Kidder;
Sears by John J-. Hurt;
King by
Stephen R. Weston.
The Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth regiments were twelve months troops.
At the expiration of their term they re-enlisted for the war.
Thus in the first four months of 1861 there were five twelve months infantry regiments formed, besides the First volunteer regiment of
Georgia and First regulars.
In addition to these there were the First and Second Georgia infantry battalions, the Washington artillery of
Augusta, Hardaway battery of
Columbus, the
Chatham battery of
Savannah, and a large number of unassigned companies.
The governor was pressed even to annoyance with demands for arms, equipments, and orders to march at once to
Virginia, or anywhere, that gunpowder might be burned and glory won.
Captain Glenn, of
Savannah, expressed the general passion in a public letter, in which he begged permission to go with his command to
Virginia, where there was ‘prospect of a fight.’
In May, 1861, the Confederate Congress authorized enlistments for the full term of the war.
Francis S. Bartow, captain of the
Oglethorpe Light Infantry, of
Savannah, was at
Montgomery at the time as a member of the
Congress, and having obtained the consent of his men by telegraph, at once offered his services and theirs for the war. This being accepted by
President Davis, the gallant commander hastened to
Savannah to prepare for departure to
Virginia, giving no thought apparently to the fact that the arms were the property of the
State.
This was called to his attention by
Governor Brown, and a sharp epistolary encounter resulted between the impetuous captain and the
State executive, who had a coast line and a coast city to defend; but all of the correspondence is now forgotten except one burning line from
Bartow's pen: ‘I go to illustrate
Georgia.’
‘It was a noble utterance, made potent and pathetic forever
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30]
by the heroic death of its author two months later on the field of the
South's first great victory.’
Wounded and dying in the battle, he made another longremem-bered utterance: ‘They have killed me, but never give up the fight.’
His company left
Savannah May 21st, and subsequently was assigned to the Eighth regiment, of which
Bartow was elected colonel.
The earliest regiments enlisted for the war were the Sixth volunteers,
Col. Alfred H. Colquitt; Seventh,
Col. L. J. Gartrell; Eighth,
Col. Francis S. Bartow; Ninth,
Col. E. R. Goulding; Tenth,
Col. Lafayette Mc-Laws; Eleventh,
Col. George T. Anderson; Twelfth,
Col. Edward Johnson; Thirteenth,
Col. Walter Ector.
The organization of these regiments was as follows:
Sixth regiment Georgia volunteers:
Col. A. H. Colquitt;
Lieut.—
Col. James M. Newton (killed);
Maj. Philip Tracy (killed);
Adjt. B. Russell:
Commissary T. J. Collins;
Quartermaster R. N. Ely;
Capts. W. M. Arnold (A),
John Hanna (B),
C. D. Anderson (C),
J. D. Watson (D),
W. C. Cleveland (E),
E. H. Shackelford (F),
John T. Griffin (G),
W. L. Plane (H),
J. A. Barclay (I),
J. T. Lofton (K). This regiment served in
Virginia until after
Chancellorsville, then in
North Carolina; also in
Florida at
Olustee, again in
Virginia in 1864, and in
North Carolina with
Joe Johnston in 1865.
Colonel Colquitt was promoted to brigadier-general and succeeded by
J. T. Lofton, then by
S. W. Harris.
Lieut.-Col. James M. Newton being killed, his successors were
W. C. Cleveland,
J. T. Lofton,
S. W. Harris and
W. M. Arnold, who was killed in action.
Maj. Philip Tracy was killed.
His successors were
C. D. Anderson,
W. C. Cleveland,
W. M. Arnold and
J. M. Culpeper.
J. H. Rogers succeeded
B. Russell as adjutant.
The changes among the captains were:
Hanna was followed by
W. M. Tidwell;
Anderson by
J. M. Culpeper;
Watson by
S. M. Ralston; Plane by
B. T. Russell; Lofton-by
S. W. Harris.
Several of these captains were promoted.
[
31]
Seventh regiment Georgia volunteers:
Col. Lucius J. Gartrell;
Lieut.-Col. John Dunwoody;
Maj. L. B. Anderson;
Adjt. E. W. Hoyle;
Commissary W. J. Wilson;
Quartermaster R. R. Holliday;
Capts. G. H. Carmichael (A),
G. J. Foreacre (B),
C. S. Jenkins (C),
J. B. Lindley (D),
John W. Fowler (E),
Eli Henson (F),
C. N. Featherston (G),
Thomas E. King (H),
Wm. W. White (I),
W. J. Ballard (K). This regiment served throughout the war in the army of Northern Virginia, being at
First Manassas and surrendering at
Appomattox.
The following changes in organization occurred:
Colonel Gartrell was promoted to brigadier-general and succeeded by
W. T. Wilson,
W. W. White and
George H. Carmichael.
Lieut.-Col. John Dunwoody was followed by
W. W. White,
George H. Carmichael and
M. T. Allman.
Maj. L. B. Anderson was followed by
E. W. Hoyle,
George H. Carmichael,
H. H. Wiet,
John Kiser,
T. J. Hartridge and
M. T. Allman.
Adjt. E. W. Hoyle was succeeded by
J. E. Shaw;
Quartermaster R. R. Holliday by
R. E. Henry.
The following changes among the captains are recorded:
Foreacre was followed by
H. H. Wiet;
Jenkins by
D. T. Peek (killed) and
I. M. Holcombe;
Lindley by
J. Kiser and
T. J. Hartridge;
Fowler by
W. W. Bradberry;
Benson by
J. C. Wadkins;
Featherston by
M. T. Allman;
King by
R. B. Hicks;
Ballard by
John McLendon.
Eighth regiment Georgia volunteers:
Col. Francis S. Bartow;
Lieut.-Col. John R. Towers;
Maj. E. J. Magruder;
Adjt. J. L. Branch;
Commissary George C. Norton;
Quartermaster E. A. Wilcox. The captains were
E. J. Magruder (A),
A. F. Butler (B),
H. J. Menard (C),
H. E. Malom (D),
D. Scott (E),
J. T. Lewis (F),
T. D. L. Ryan (G),
George N. Yarborough (H),
George O. Dawson (I),
Jacob Phinizy (K). The surgeon was
Dr. H. V. M. Miller.
This regiment served in the army of Northern Virginia, being at
First Manassas and surrendering at
Appomattox, also with
Longstreet at
Chickamauga
[
32]
and in
east Tennessee.
Its first colonel,
Bartow, commanded a brigade and was killed at
First Manassas.
He was succeeded by
Wm. M. Gardner (who also became a brigadier-general),
Lucius M. Lamar and
John R. Towers.
The last-named gentleman was succeeded as lieutenant-colonel by
E. J. Magruder, on whose promotion
George O. Dawson became major.
The adjutant,
J. L. Branch, being killed, was succeeded by
A. R. Harper and
W. F. Shellman.
Among the captains,
Magruder was succeeded by
S. H. Hall;
Butler by
J. H. Couper and
J. West, and
Phinizy by
T. J. Bowling.
Ninth regiment Georgia volunteers:
Col. E. R. Goulding;
Lieut.-Col. R. A. Turnipseed;
Maj. John C. Mounger;
Commissary J. C. Waddy;
Quartermaster J. W. Sutton;
Adjt. A. O. Bacon. The captains were: John Lane (A),
Wm. M. Jones (B),
George Hillyer (C),
J. G. Webb (D),
P. A. S. Morris (E),
Benjamin Beck (F),
E. F. Hoge (G),
John C. Mounger (H),
L. C. Belt (I),
J. M. D. King (K). This regiment, like the Seventh and Eighth, served through the war in the army of Northern Virginia, except when it was with
Longstreet at
Chickamauga and in
east Tennessee.
There were many changes in the organization.
Colonel Goulding was succeeded by
R. A. Turnipseed,
John C. Mounger and
E. F. Hoge.
The successors of
Lieut.-Col. Turnipseed were
John C. Mounger,
E. F. Hoge and
J. G. Webb, while
Major Mounger was followed by
W. M. Jones,
J. J. Webb and
J. W. Arnold.
Adj. A. O. Bacon was succeeded by
John Jones.
The commissary,
J. C. Waddy, was followed by
R. J. Cowart, and the quartermaster,
J. W. Sutton, by
E. P. Watkins.
Captain Lane was followed by
Gideon J. Norman;
Jones by
Wm. E. Cleghorn;
Hillyer by
J. W. Arnold;
Webb by
T. A. Hurt;
Morris by
R. P. Wellborn;
Beck by
S. A. Jemison and
Hamp Doles;
Hoge by
G. G. Gordon and
E. A. Sharpe;
Mounger
[
33]
by
R. A. Hardee,
Corker (killed) and
T. J. Hardee; Belt by
R. V. Fulcher and
Thomas Rought;
King (died) by
M. E. Sparks.
Tenth regiment Georgia volunteers:
Col. Lafayette McLaws;
Lieut.-Col. J. B. Weems;
Maj. R. R. Hawes;
Adjt. R. G. Strickland;
Commissary G. H. Cheever;
Quartermaster S. T. Neal. The captains were
O. S. Kimbrough (A),
C. H. Phinizy (B),
Willis C. Holt (C),
Henry L. Leon (D),
Andrew J. McBride (E),
Wm. F. Johnston (F),
C. C. Kibbee (G),
P. H. Loud (H),
Y. L. Wotton (I),
J. P. W. Read (K). This regiment served throughout the war in the army of Northern Virginia.
Its first
colonel, Lafayette McLaws, became a major-general and was succeeded by
Alfred Cumming, for a short time lieutenant-colonel and later promoted to brigadier-general, whereupon
Lieut.-Col. John B. Weems became colonel, followed afterward by
W. C. Holt and
A. J. Mc-Bride.
On
Weems' promotion
Willis C. Holt became lieutenant-colonel, and upon his promotion
C. C. Kibbee became lieutenant-colonel.
Major Hawes was followed by
Willis C. Holt and
P. H. Loud.
Adjutant Strickland was followed by
John H. Dobbs.
Captain Phinizy was succeeded by
A. P. Boggs and
W. S. Davis;
Holt by
J. W. Neil;
Johnston by
W. G. Green (died) and
T. H. Wood; Loud by
E. M. Foster; Read by
T. C. Cone.
The field and staff officers of the Eleventh regiment of Georgia volunteers were
George T. Anderson, colonel;
Theodore L. Guerry,
lieutenant-colonel;
William Luffman, major;
J. F. Green, adjutant; Hockenhull, commissary, and
J. Guthrie, quartermaster.
The captains were
Wm. H. Mitchell (A), killed;
J. W. Stokes (B),
William Luffman (C),
W. R. Welsh (D).
S. C. Dobbs (E),
J. D. Hyde (F),
John Y. Wood (G),
M. T. Nunnally (H), killed;
Samuel Thatcher (I), died;
G. W. Wimberly (K). This regiment served throughout the war in the army of Northern Virginia except whet it was with
Longstreet at
Chickamauga and in
east Tennessee.
Its colonel,
[
34]
George T. Anderson, was promoted to brigadier-general and was succeeded by
F. H. Little.
Lieutenant-Colonel Guerry was followed by
Maj. Wm. Luffman, who was succeeded by
W. R. Welsh,
H. D. McDaniel and
C. T. Goode.
Captain Luffman, promoted to major, was followed by
W. R. Ramsey;
Hyde was followed by
J. W. Johnston;
Nunnally (killed) by
E. C. Arnold;
Thatcher (died) by
F. M. Bledsoe and
E. B. Brannan.
When the Twelfth regiment of Georgia volunteers was organized,
Edward Johnson, an officer of the old army, was appointed colonel;
Z. T. Conner,
lieutenant-colonel;
Willis A. Hawkins, major;
Ed. Willis, adjutant.
The captains of the regiment were
Isaac Hardeman (B),
John McMullen (C),
Wm. L. Furlow (D),
T. B. Scott (E),
Wm. F. Brown (F),
R. T. Davis (G),
J. G. Rodgers (H),
J. W. Patterson (I),
Mark H. Blanford (K). This regiment served in 1861 in
West Virginia and afterward in the army of Northern Virginia throughout the war. Its colonel,
Edward Johnson, a Virginian, became a brigadier and afterward a major-general in the Confederate army.
He was followed in succession by
Z. T. Conner and
Edward Willis, whose commission as brigadier-general came the day after his death, in the spring of 1864.
Lieutenant-Colonel Conner was succeeded by
Abner Snead,
T. B. Scott (killed),
Willis A. Hawkins,
Mark H. Blanford and
J. Hardeman.
When
Major Hawkins was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, he was succeeded by
Edward Willis Hardeman and
J. T. Carson.
The first captain of Company A was succeeded by
Lieut. Samuel Dawson, and he on his death in action by
S. G. Prior.
Captain Hardeman was followed by
Joseph N. Beall;
McMullen (killed) by
T. W. Harris;
Furlow (killed) by
D. D. Peden;
Scott by
James A. Whitesider;
William F. Brown (killed), by
James Everett;
Davis (died) by
A. S. Reid;
Rodgers by
Oliver T. Evans;
Patterson (killed) by
James M. Briggs, and
Blanford (promoted) by
R. McMichael.
James Deshler, adjutant of the brigade,
[
35]
became brigadier-general, and fell gallantly leading a brigade in
Cleburne's division at
Chickamauga.
When the Thirteenth regiment of Georgia volunteers was organized,
Walker Ector was made colonel;
Marcellus Douglass,
lieutenant-colonel, and
James M. Smith, major.
The adjutant was
O. K. Walker;
commissary, J. H. Mangham, and quartermaster,
M. Gormerly.
The captains were
J. H. Mitchell (A),
James McCallay (B),
J. L. Moore (C),
W. W. Hartsfield (D),
W. A. Clark followed by
B. P. Brooks (E),
S. W. Jones (F),
J. T. Crawford (G),
Richard Maltby (H),
E. W. Robinson (I),
J. A. Long (K). This regiment served in 1861 in
West Virginia; in December of that year was sent to
Gen. R. E. Lee, then commanding at
Charleston; in the spring of 1862 served on the
Georgia coast with distinction on
Whitemarsh island, and was sent back to
Virginia with
Lawton's brigade in time to take part in the Seven Days battles.
From that time it served in the army of Northern Virginia until the close of the war. Upon the death of
Colonel Ector early in 1862,
Marcellus Douglass was appointed colonel.
He was killed at
Sharpsburg while gallantly leading his regiment and was succeeded by
James M. Smith.
John H. Baker, at that time major of the regiment, was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and afterward was commissioned colonel.
Other organizations of this early period were the
Georgia legion, commanded by
Col. Thomas R. R. Cobb, with
P. M. B. Young as lieutenant-colonel and
Ben C. Yancey, major.
It was composed of seven companies of infantry, four of cavalry and one of artillery.
A similar legion was organized and commanded by
Col. William Phillips.
The First Georgia battalion was organized under
Lieut.-Col. J. B. Villepigue, the Second battalion under
Maj. Thomas Hardeman, and the Third under
Lieut.-Col. M. A. Stovall.
About the time of the
battle of Manassas,
Georgia had organized 17,000 men, armed and equipped them herself at
[
36]
an expense of $300,000, and sent them into service mostly outside of the
State.
So generously was this outpouring of men and munitions continued that in September, when
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, commanding the department of the West, called upon the governors for arms,
Governor Brown was compelled to reply with much regret that it was utterly impossible to furnish any. ‘There are no arms belonging to the
State at my disposal,’ said the governor; ‘all have been exhausted in arming the volunteers of the State now in the
Confederate service in
Virginia, at
Pensacola and on our own coast, in all, some twenty-three regiments.
Georgia has now to look to the shotguns and rifles in the hands of her people for coast defense, and to guns which her gunsmiths are slowly manufacturing.’
The report of the comptroller-general, made at the close of the fiscal year, June, 1861, showed that
Georgia had put into the field or camp the following troops, exclusive of artillery:
First regulars
Col. C. J. Williams; First of
Georgia,
Col. H. W. Mercer; First volunteers,
Col. J. N. Ramsey; Second volunteers,
Col. Paul J. Semmes; Third volunteers,
Col. H. R. Wright; Fourth volunteers,
Col. George Doles; Fifth volunteers,
Col. John K. Jackson; Sixth volunteers,
Col. A. H. Colquitt; Seventh volunteers,
Col. L. J. Gartrell; Eighth volunteers, Col:
Francis S. Bartow; Ninth volunteers,
Col. E. R. Goulding; Tenth volunteers,
Col. Lafayette McLaws: Eleventh volunteers,
Col. George T. Anderson; Twelfth volunteers,
Col. Edward Johnson; Thirteenth volunteers,
Col. Walker Ector; Fourteenth volunteers,
Col. A. V. Brumby; Fifteenth volunteers,
Col. T. W. Thomas; Sixteenth volunteers,
Col. Howell Cobb; Seventeenth volunteers,
Col. H. L. Benning; Eighteenth volunteers,
Col. William T. Wofford; Nineteenth volunteers,
Col. W. W. Boyd; Twentieth volunteers,
Col. W. D. Smith; Twenty-first volunteers,
Col. John T. Mercer; Twentysecond
[
37]
volunteers,
Col. Robert H. Jones; Twenty-third volunteers,
Col. Thomas Hutchison; Twenty-fourth volunteers,
Col. Robert McMillan; Twenty-fifth volunteers,
Col. C. C. Wilson;
Georgia legion, infantry, cavalry and artillery,
Col. T. R. R. Cobb;
Phillips legion, infantry, cavalry and artillery,
Col. William Phillips; First battalion infantry,
Lieut.-Col. J. B. Villepigue; Second battalion infantry,
Maj. Thomas Hardeman; Third battalion infantry,
Lieut.-Col. M. A. Stovall; Independent
Georgia dragoons,
Capt. I. W. Avery.
The following were also in camp in
Georgia: The regiments of
Col. T. J. Warthen, Twenty-eighth; of
Levi B. Smith, Twenty-seventh; of
David J. Bailey, Thirtieth; of
C. W. Styles, Twenty-sixth; of
A. Littlefield, Thirty-third, and twenty-seven companies under
Cols. W. H. Stiles,
E. L. Thomas,
Augustus R. Wright and
A. R. Lamar.
We give here a brief sketch of each of the above-named commands not previously described.
At the organization of the Fourteenth regiment of Georgia volunteers, the officers were:
Col. A. V. Brumby;
Lieut.-Col. Robert W. Folsom;
Maj. W. A. Harris;
Adjt. A. Taliaferro;
Quartermaster E. A. Heggis, and
Commissary T. C. Moore.
The captains were
J. H. Etheridge (A),
C. C. Kelly (B),
L. A. Lane (C),
James M. Fielder (D),
H. P. Lester (E),
R. P. Harman (F),
T. T. Mounger (G),
Thomas M. Yopp (H),
R. W. McMichael (I),
W. L. Goldsmith (K). The Fourteenth was sent to
West Virginia under
Floyd, then commanding in the
Kanawha valley; in November, 1861, was ordered to report to
Joseph E. Johnston at
Manassas, and from that time it followed the fortunes of the army of Northern Virginia.
Col. Brumby was succeeded by
Col. Felix Price, and he by
Robert W. Folsom, whose successor was
R. P. Lester.
The
lieutenant-colonels after
Folsom were
W. A. Harris,
James M. Fielder,
R. P. Lester and
W. L. Goldsmith.
Maj. W. A. Harris was followed by
James M. Fielder,
R. P. Lester,
W. L. Goldsmith and
C. C. Kelly;
Adjt.
[
38]
A. Taliaferro by
T. C. Moore.
Captain Etheridge, (killed) was succeeded by
J. W. Mayes;
Kelly by
B. W. Ryle;
Lester by
S. B. David and
R. N. Rogers;
Harmon (killed) by
W. O. Clegg and
J. H. Hicks;
Yopp (retired) by
H. B. Smith;
McMichael was killed in action;
W. L. Goldsmith (promoted) was succeeded by
R. A. Holt, and he by
J. M. Evans.
The officers of the Fifteenth regiment Georgia volunteers were at first:
Col. T. W. Thomas;
Lieut.-Col. W. M. McIntosh;
Maj. T. J. Smith;
Commissary J. H. Willis;
Quartermaster H. V. Forbes;
Adjt. B. H. Lofton;
Capts. A. B. Cade (A),
Wm. T. Millican (B),
L. H. O. Martin (C),
S. J. Farmer (D),
T. J. Smith (E),
John E. Burch (F),
S. Z. Ernsberger (G),
Wm. R. Poole (H),
Wm. H. Mattox (I),
J. L. Culver (K). The Fifteenth served throughout the war in the army of Northern Virginia except during the time that it was engaged in the
Chickamauga and
east Tennessee campaigns under
Longstreet in the fall of 1863 and early spring of 1864.
During this long and faithful service many changes in organization occurred.
The colonels following
Thomas were
Wm. T. Millican and
D. M. DuBose.
LieutenantColo-nel
McIntosh (killed) was succeeded by
Maj. T. J. Smith, whose successor was
P. J. Shannon.
Adjt. B. H. Lofton was followed by
L. Pierce.
Captain Cade was succeeded by
J. S. Callaway;
Martin by
W. J. Willis; Farmer by
D. S. Flint;
Poole by
T. H. Jackson;
Mattox by
J. A. Gaines, and
Culver by Mark
Latimer.
The Sixteenth regiment Georgia volunteers was organized as follows:
Col. Howell Cobb;
Lieut.-Col. Goode Bryan;
Maj. Henry P. Thomas;
Adjt. T. W. Cumming;
Commissary L. McGuire;
Quartermaster R. Thomas;
Capts. James S. Gholston (A),
A. M. Reynolds (B),
J. H. Skelton (C),
J. N. Montgomery (D),
B. E. Stiles (E),
J. H. D. McRae (F),
A. C. Thompson (G),
N. Reeder (H),
N. L. Hutchins (I),
R. J. Boyd (K). The Sixteenth was another of the splendid
Georgia regiments
[
39]
of the army of Northern Virginia, on whose many battlefields it gained distinction, being also one of the regiments that followed
Longstreet through the
Chickamauga and
east Tennessee campaigns.
Its colonel,
Howell Cobb, became a major-general in the army of the
Confederate States, and his successor,
Goode Bryan, a brigadier-general, being succeeded as colonel by
James S. Gholston.
When
Bryan was promoted to colonel,
Henry P. Thomas became lieutenant-colonel, and being killed in action was succeeded by
B. E. Stiles.
Major Thomas was succeeded by
James S. Gholston, and he by
J. H. Skelton.
Among the captains,
Gholston was succeeded by
H. C. Nash (killed), and he by
J. M. Sims.
Captain Reeder was succeeded by
H. M. Richardson.
When the Seventeenth regiment Georgia volunteers was organized,
H. L. Benning was made colonel;
W. C. Hodges lieutenant-colonel;
Thomas Walker, major;
T. A. Klink, adjutant;
G. H. King, commissary, and
T. C. Shorter, quartermaster.
The captains were
D. B. Harrell (A),
H. L. French (B),
F. S. Chapman (C),
C. G. Campbell (D),
John A. McGregor (E),
D. B. Thompson (F),
Augustus C. Jones (G),
R. E. Kennon (H),
C. W. Matthews (I),
John H. Pickett (K). The Seventeenth was one of the many regiments that illustrated
Georgia so gloriously on the battlefields of
Virginia,
Maryland and
Pennsylvania, also at
Chickamauga and in
east Tennessee.
Its colonel,
H. L. Benning, became brigadier-general and was succeeded by
Lieut.-Col. Wesley C. Hodges, upon whose promotion
Charles W. Matthews became lieutenant-colonel, and upon his death in action
W. A. Barden succeeded to the vacancy.
Maj. Thomas Walker was followed by
J. H. Pickett,
W. A. Barden and
J. B. Morris.
Captain Harrell was succeeded by
D. H. Wilmot;
Chapman by
J. B. Moore;
Campbell by
V. A. S. Parks and
J. H. Martin;
McGregor by
J. N. Tyers;
Thompson by
H. McCauley and
J. H. Weeks;
Jones (killed) by
A. B. Nichols;
Kennon by
W. A. Barden;
Pickett by A. M.
[
40]
Jones (killed) and
M. H. Marshall.
This regiment had also an ensign,
B. F. Shivers.
The Eighteenth regiment Georgia volunteers was organized with the following field officers:
Wm. T. Wofford, colonel;
S. Z. Ruff,
lieutenant-colonel;
Jefferson Johnson, major.
The captains were
J. B. O'Neill (A),
J. A. Stewart (B),
D. L. Jarratt (C),
S. D. Irvin (D),
E. J. Starr (E),
J. C. Roper (F),
J. C. Maddox (G),
F. M. Ford (H),
Joseph Armstrong (I),
John A. Crawford (K). The Eighteenth is another regiment that had the honor of fighting upon the famous battlefields of the army of Northern Virginia.
Its colonel,
W. T. Wofford, became a brigadier-general and was succeeded by
S. Z. Ruff, who dying on the field of honor was followed by
Joseph Armstrong.
On
Ruff's promotion
F. M. Ford became lieutenant-colonel.
Jefferson Johnson was succeeded as major by
J. A. Stewart, and he by
W. G. Callaghan.
Captain Crawford was succeeded by
W. Brown and he by
L. C. Weems.
No more gallant command followed the
Southern cross through so many glorious victories to final defeat.
During the Seven Days battles it was in
Hood's famous brigade, and afterward was one of the regiments that followed the leadership of
Brig.-Gen. W. T. Wofford.
The Nineteenth regiment Georgia volunteers was organized with
W. W. Boyd, colonel;
Thomas C. Johnson,
lieutenant-colonel;
A. J. Hutchins, major, and
James P. Perkins, adjutant.
The captains were
F. M. Johnston (A),
John Keely (B),
J. J. Beall (C),
James D. Hunter (D),
Charles W. Mabry (E),
Wm. E. Curtis (F),
Tillman W. Flynt (G),
John B. Beall (H),
John T. Chambers (I),
John W. Hooper (K). The greater part of the service of this regiment was in the army of Northern Virginia.
At the time of the
battle of Gettysburg it was in
North Carolina.
It went with the other regiments of
Colquitt's brigade to
Florida and shared in the victory at
Olustee in February, 1864, and returned to
Virginia in time for
[
41]
the defense of
Petersburg.
In 1865 it participated in the
campaign of the Carolinas, surrendering with
Johnston, April 26, 1865.
Colonel Boyd was succeeded by
Andrew J. Hutchins and
J. H. Neal;
Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson by
A. J. Hutchins,
James H. Neal,
T. W. Flynt and
R. B. Hogan;
Major Hutchins by
J. H. Neal,
J. W. Hooper,
C. W. Mabry and
William Hamilton;
Adjutant Perkins by
S. G. Turner.
Of the captains,
Johnston was followed by
John Morrison;
Neal by
Denis S. Myers;
Beall by
R. B. Hogan and
A. J. Richardson;
Mabry by
D. H. Sims;
Curtis by
A. H. Black and
William Hamilton.
Flynt on promotion was succeeded by
Captain Elliott, who was killed in action;
J. B. Beall had for his successor
J. W. Really;
Chambers was succeeded by
T. W. Abercrombie, and he by
Captain Lester; and
Hooper on his promotion to major was succeeded by
A. J. Rowe.
The organization of the Twentieth regiment Georgia volunteers was as follows:
William Duncan Smith, colonel;
J. B. Cumming,
lieutenant-colonel;
John A. Jones, major;
J. O. Waddell, adjutant;
Capts. A. B. Ross (A),
John A. Strother (B),
Roger L. Gamble (C),
James D. Waddell (D),
R. D. Little (E),
E. M. Seago (F).
John R. Ivey (G),
J. A. Coffee (H),
Van A. Leonard (I),
William Craig (K). This regiment served in the army of Northern Virginia throughout most of its campaigns, also at
Chickamauga and in
east Tennessee under
Longstreet, returning to
Virginia in time for the spring campaign of 1864.
Colonel Smith was promoted to brigadier-general and ordered to
Charleston, S. C., where he died of fever in October, 1862.
He was succeeded by
J. B. Cumming, and
J. D. Waddell was colonel.
On the promotion of
Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming,
Maj. John A. Jones was advanced, and he being killed in battle was succeeded by
E. M. Seago.
When
Major Jones was promoted,
Roger L. Gamble took his place, and was afterward succeeded by
J. D. Waddell, on whose promotion
William Craig became major.
Captain Leonard was succeeded by
C. H. Miner.
[
42]
The Twenty-first regiment Georgia volunteers was organized with
John T. Mercer as colonel,
James J. Morrison,
lieutenant-colonel, and
T. W. Hooper, major.
The adjutant was
T. J. Verdery.
The captains were
T. C. Glover (A),
A. S. Hamilton (B),
J. F. Waddell (C),
H. T. Battle (D),
J. R. Hart (E),
John T. Boykin (F),
Wesley Kinman (G),
James C. Nisbet (H),
Michael Lynch (I),
John B. Ackridge (K). The Twenty-first served in the army of Northern Virginia, acting a gallant part in the many great battles in which it was engaged.
Col. John T. Moore being killed in battle, was succeeded by
Thomas W. Hooper.
Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison was followed by
Hooper;
T. C. Glover, who had succeeded
Hooper as major on his first promotion, became lieutenant-colonel when
Hooper was promoted to the command of the regiment.
When
Glover became lieutenant-colonel,
M. Lynch became major.
Adjutant Verdery was followed by
L. F. Bakewell.
Captain Glover was followed by
W. M. Butt, who was killed in battle.
Captain Kinman was succeeded by
N. B. Hudgins, and
Nisbet by
John B. Countiss.
The Twenty-first was one of the regiments commanded by the gallant
General Doles, who fell at the second
battle of Cold Harbor.
The Twenty-second regiment Georgia volunteers, also organized in 1861, had at first the following officers:
Col. Robert H. Jones;
Lieut.-Col. T. W. Pritchett;
Maj. J. Warden;
Adjt. I. A. Girardeau;
Capts. L. D. Lallerstadt (A),
Thomas S. Hundley (B),
B. C. McCurry (C),
John Gibson (D),
H. N. Howell (E),
P. E. Willis (F),
J. J. Jones (G),
J. D. W. McDonald (H),
George H. Jones (I),
J. T. Albert (K). The Twenty-second, like all the other regiments raised in the early months of the war, was anxious to go to
Virginia.
This wish was gratified, and it had the honor of being assigned to an army whose fame has never been surpassed in the annals of time, and the good fortune to be placed in the brigade led by the gallant
A. R. Wright, of
Georgia.
The first colonel, Robert
[
43]
H. Jones, was succeeded by
George H. Jones.
Lieutenant-Colonel Pritchett was succeeded by
Maj. Joseph Wasden, who was killed in battle.
To the vacant majorship
Lawrence D. Lallerstadt succeeded.
Adjutant Girardeau was followed by
S. L. Bedell and he by
J. D. Daniel.
Captain Lallerstadt was succeeded by
G. W. Rush, killed.
The captains of Company B were, in succession,
Thomas S. Hundley,
J. W. Walker,
F. M. Heath and
I. C. A. Beall.
Captain Gibson was followed by
J. N. Mercier;
Howell by
J. D. Foster;
J. J. Jones by
W. F. Jones (died) and
G. W. Thomas;
J. D. W. McDonald by
F. M. Connally,
J. W. Leonard (killed) and
H. J. L. Beall;
G. H. Jones by
A. B. Rodgers; Albert (killed) by
J. W. Callaway (killed) and
F. M. Clayton.
The first field officers of the Twenty-third regiment Georgia volunteers were:
Thomas Hutchison, colonel;
W. P. Barclay,
lieutenant-colonel;
E. F. Best, major.
The adjutant was
C. Saunders.
The captains were
Benjamin G. Pool (A),
J. H. Huggins (B),
M. R. Ballinger (C),
John L. Steele (D),
James Loveless (E),
B. F. King (F),
John J. A. Sharp (G),
Francis M. Young (H),
M. L. Pritchett (I), Andrew Young (K). This regiment served the greater part of the war in the army of Northern Virginia.
It was placed in the brigade commanded by
Gen. Alfred Colquitt; was sent to
Florida with
Colquitt, and helped to gain the victory of
Olustee.
Returning to
Virginia in the spring of 1864, it assisted in the defense of
Petersburg and renewed its brilliant career with the army under
Lee. In the spring of 1865 it was in
North Carolina under
General Johnston, and surrendered with him, April 26th.
During this long service it had five colonels, five
lieutenant-colonels and five majors.
The colonels were
Thomas Hutchison,
W. P. Barclay (killed in action),
Emory F. Best,
J. H. Huggins and
M. R. Ballinger.
The
lieutenant-colonels were
W. P. Barclay,
E. F. Best,
Joseph H. Huggins,
M. R. Ballinger, and
J. J. A. Sharp; the majors,
E. F. Best,
J. H. Huggins,
M. R. Ballinger,
[
44]
J. J. A. Sharp and
W. J. Boston.
Adjt. C. Saunders was followed by E. Fort.
Captain Pool was succeeded by
W. J. Boston;
Ballinger by
H. T. Kennon;
King by
R. W. Mitchell.
The Twenty-fourth regiment Georgia volunteers had at its organization the following field officers:
Col. Robert McMillan;
Lieut.-Col. C. C. Sanders;
Maj. R. E. McMillan.
The adjutant was
D. E. Banks.
The captains were
J. N. Chandler (A),
P. E. Davant (B),
W. L. Smith (C),
John Conn (D),
J. N. Cannon (E),
J. H. P. Mattox (F),
W. T. Leonard (G),
John H. Mosely (H),
H. I. Pool (I),
J. G. Porter (K).
W. C. Sears was ensign of the regiment.
This regiment served in the army of Northern Virginia, fighting gallantly in the many great battles of that matchless host.
It was in the brigade of
W. T. Wofford at the
battle of Gettysburg, and suffered severely in that and in other engagements.
During its career it had two
colonels, Robert McMillan and
C. C. Sanders; three
lieutenant-colonels, C. C. Sanders,
J. N. Chandler and
T. E. Winn, and three
majors, R. E. McMillan,
T. E. Winn and
F. C. Smith.
Adjutant Banks was succeeded by
U. S. Turner.
Captain Smith (killed) was succeeded by
F. C. Smith;
Captain Conn by
H. H. Smith, killed in battle.
Of two captains of Company E,
J. N. Cannon was killed and
H. P. Cannon died.
Captain Mattox was succeeded by
T. E. Winn;
Captain Leonard died in service, and his successor
W. S. Brewster was killed.
Captain Mosely died and was succeeded by
George W. Keeling, who was followed by
N. J. Dortch, who died in service.
When the Twenty-fifth regiment Georgia volunteers was organized,
Claudius C. Wilson was made colonel;
W. P. M. Ashby,
lieutenant-colonel;
W. J. Winn, major;
R. E. Lester, adjutant, and
W. D. Bacon, quartermaster.
The captains were
A. W. Smith (A),
M. L. Bryan (B),
J. Roberts (C),
A. J. Williams (D),
W. S. Norman (E),
George T. Dunham (F),
W. D. Hamilton (G), W. H.
[
45]
Wylly (H),
A. H. Smith (I),
M. J. McMullen (K),
R. J. McCleary (L). The Twenty-fifth, after being equipped and drilled, was assigned to the department of South Carolina,
Georgia and
Florida, and throughout the latter part of 1861 and during 1862 served on the coasts of
Georgia and
South Carolina.
In 1863 it was sent to
north Mississippi, forming part of the army assembled for the relief of
Vicksburg.
In September of that year, being transferred to
Georgia, in the brigade commanded by its colonel and in the division of
W. H. T. Walker, it shared the perils and glories of
Chickamauga.
It participated in the
Atlanta,
Tennessee and
North Carolina campaigns, surrendering with
J. E. Johnston.
Soon after
Chickamauga Colonel Wilson was promoted to brigadier-general, but in the same month he died.
W. J. Winn succeeded him as colonel of the regiment, and
W. H. Wylly, who had been captain of Company H, afterward of Company A, and promoted major, became at the same time lieutenant-colonel, while
Capt. A. W. Smith became major.
Among other changes,
R. J. McCleary, who had commanded the extra company, L, became captain of Company C;
Captain Williams became lieutenant-colonel, and
A. H. Smith of Company I took command of Company D;
G. W. Holmes succeeded
Norman as captain of company E;
R. R. Young took the place of
Dunham as captain of Company F, and was succeeded by
J. R. Moore;
J. C. Howell was
Wylly's successor as captain of Company A;
S. D. Bradwell became captain of Company H,
J. M. Smith of Company I, and
J. R. Cooper of Company K.
The Georgia legion, composed of infantry, cavalry and artillery, was organized before the battle of
First Manassas, with
Thomas R. R. Cobb as colonel,
P. M. B. Young,
lieutenant-colonel,
Ben C. Yancey, major,
J. C. Rutherford, adjutant.
The infantry captains were
W. D. Conyers (A),
C. A. McDaniel (B),
L. J. Glenn (C),
Thomas Camak (D),
W. S. Morris (E),
W. F. S. Powell
[
46]
(F),
G. B. Knight (G). The cavalry captains were
T. P. Stovall (A),
Z. A. Rice (B),
W. G. Deloney (C),
W. J. Lawton (D). The artillery company was commanded by
Capt. M. Stanley.
The legion served through most of the war with the army of Northern Virginia, and was with
Longstreet at
Chattanooga and in
east Tennessee. Ten companies became the Ninth Georgia cavalry and served under
Hampton in the
campaign of the Carolinas in the spring of 1865, surrendering with
Johnston, April 26th.
The gallant
Colonel Cobb became brigadier-general, and was killed at the
battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862.
Lieutenant-Colonel Young became colonel, then brigadier and finally major-general.
The last colonel,
G. I. Wright, was acting brigadier-general in the last campaign.
While yet the
Georgia legion, the successors to the first field officers were:
Cols. P. M. B. Young and
G. I. Wright;
Lieut.-Cols. Jeff M. Lamar (died),
Luther J. Glenn,
R. S. King and
William G. Deloney;
Majs.
J. M. Lamar,
W. G. Deloney,
L. J. Glenn,
Z. A. Rice,
Thomas M. Camak,
G. I. Wright and
W. D. Conyers.
The successors to the First infantry captains were
W. W. McDaniel (B),
M. F. Liddell and
A. C. Grier (C),
W. A. Winn (killed) and
James F. Wilson (D),
T. B. Cox (E), and
J. C. Barnett (G). The successors to the First cavalry captains were
J. J. Thompson (A) and
T. C. Williams (C). After ten companies became the Ninth Georgia cavalry the following were the officers, including changes:
Col. G. I. Wright;
Lieut.-Col. R. S. King;
Maj. M. D. Jones;
Adjt. James Y. Harris.
Captains: Company A,
T. B. Archer,
Z. A. Rice,
J. P. Stovall,
B. C. King,
O. H. P. Julian,
J. J. Thomas,
B. C. Young,
C. H. Sanders,
W. L. Conyers; Company B,
M. D. Jones,
L. J. Glenn,
W. W. McDaniels; Company C,
W. G. Deloney,
T. C. Williams; Company D,
C. H. Camfield,
W. J. Lawton,
J. F. Wilson,
W. A. Winn; Company E,
W. C. Dial,
B. S. King,
T. B. Cox,
W. S. C. Morris; Company F,
G. W. Moore; Company G, William
[
47]
M. Williams,
J. C. Barnett,
G. B. Knight; Company H,
J. E. Ritch,
W. A. Cain; Company I,
W. B. Young,
William Duke; Company K,
F. E. Eve,
J. J. Floyd; Company L,
A. M. Rogers.
Even after the reorganization as the Ninth Georgia cavalry this fine body of troops was called
Cobb's legion to the last.
From the opening of the spring campaign of 1864 to the close of the war it was in
Hampton's command.
Phillips' Georgia legion, another of the commands organized by June 1, 1861, had for its field officers:
Col. William Phillips,
Lieut.-Col. Seaborn Jones, Jr.;
Maj. John D. Wilcoxon, and
Adjt. James H. Lawrence.
The infantry captains were
O. R. Daniel (A),
R. T. Cook (B),
E. S. Barclay (C),
H. F. Wimberly (D),
Joseph Hamilton (E),
Jackson Barnes (F),
Charles Dubignon (G),
W. W. Rich (H),
W. B. C. Puckett (I),
R. S. Y. Lowry (K),
J. M. Johnson (L),
J. F. McClesky (M),
S. S. Dunlap (N),
T. K. Sproull (0),
W. W. Thomas (P). The cavalry captains were
J. H. Nicholls (A),
Wm. H. Rich (B),
E. C. Hardin (C),
P. L. Y. Long (D),
A. F. Hunter (E),
W. W. Thomas (F). There was an artillery company attached, with
H. N. Ells, captain.
The legion served first in
West Virginia under
Floyd, next for a few months on the
Georgia coast, then in the army of Northern Vir.
ginia, reaching
Richmond in time to take part with
Cobb's legion in the Seven Days battles, afterward in
Cobb's brigade, and upon the death of that officer in
Wofford's until after
Gettysburg.
Wofford's brigade went with
Longstreet to
Georgia, and though not reaching
Chickamauga in time for that battle, took part in the
east Tennessee campaign.
On the return to
Virginia Cobb's and
Phillips' legions were made cavalry commands.
In the division of
Wade Hampton they served in
Virginia through 1864, and in 1865 followed that gallant leader through the
campaign of the Carolinas, surrendering with
Johnston's army, April 26, 1865.
During this long service its officers, exclusive of those named at its organization,.
[
48]
were as follows:
Col. John S. Norris;
Lieut.-Cols. R. T. Cooke (killed in battle),
E. T. Barclay,
J. Hamilton,
W. W. Rich;
Majs.
W. B. C. Puckett,
Joseph Hamilton,
E. S. Barclay; Adjts.
J. W. Wofford,
F. S. Fuller,
J. A. Matthias. The infantry captains were: Company A,
D. B. Sanford,
F. C. Fuller,
Q. P. Daniels,
P. B. Robinson; Company B,
Thomas Hamilton,
I. D. Dodd; Company C,
E. S. Barclay,
J. S. Norris,
A. S. Erwin; Company E,
Joseph Hamilton,
W. H. Barler,
J. M. McDonald; Company F,
P. McGovern; Company H.
J. F. Milhollin.
Cavalry captains: Company A,
C. Dubignon,
A. R. Love; Company B,
T. G. Wilkes,
B. B. McKenzie; Company C,
W. B. C. Puckett,
G. A. Roberts; Company D,
H. Buchanan.
The First battalion of infantry has already been mentioned.
Its organization as the Thirty-seventh Georgia will be given in regimental order.
An account of the movements of the Second Georgia battalion of infantry has already been given.
The organization of this battalion was as follows:
Maj. Thomas Hardeman;
Quartermaster F. S. Gross;
Commissary C. S. Rogers;
Adjt. W. S. Robinson;
Surg. A. V. Taliaferro;
Capts. C. J. Moffit (A),
John F. Dupree (B),
George W. Ross (C),
George S. Jones (D).
Major Hardeman was subsequently called to other fields of duty, and
George W. Ross became major.
W. F. I. Ross became captain of Company A;
W. F. Walker captain of Company B on the death of
Captain Dupree, and
C. R. Redding, captain of Company C on the promotion of
Ross.
The gallant manner in which this battalion began its career was repeated on the many battlefields of the army of Northern Virginia.
Faithful to every duty, it served in
Wright's famous brigade (afterward
Sorrel's) and surrendered at
Appomattox.
The Third Georgia battalion, as at first organized, had the following officers:
Lieut.-Col. M. A. Stovall;
Maj. A. F. Rudler;
Quartermaster B. T. Jones;
Capts. James
[
49]
D. Yeiser (A),
Robert E. Meson (B),
M. Kendrick (C),
George M. McDowell (D),
Andrew J. White (E),
J. J. Bradford (F),
T. D. Caswell (G),
W. H. H. Phelps (H). Under
Lieutenant-Colonel Stovall the battalion was on duty for awhile at
Lynchburg, Va., and
Goldsboro, N. C., and then was sent to
east Tennessee to guard bridges and protect the
Southern men of that section.
It was in the
Kentucky campaign of 1862, and in the
Murfreesboro campaign, after which
Stovall was promoted to brigadier-general, skipping the intermediate grade of colonel.
Quartermaster B. T. Jones was succeeded by
J. A. Anderson,
Richard Orme and
H. P. Richmond.
The battalion was highly complimented in the official reports.
After the
battle of Murfreesboro it was united with the Ninth battalion to form the Thirty-seventh regiment.
The Twenty-sixth regiment Georgia volunteers when organized had the following field officers:
Col. C. W. Styles;
Lieut.-Col. W. A. Lane;
Maj. Thomas N. Gardner;
Adjt. E. N. Atkinson.
The captains were
G. C. Dent (A),
A. S. Atkinson (B),
J. C. Nichols (C),
D. J. McDonald (D),
Eli S. Griffin (E),
Wm. H. Dasher (F),
Ben F. Mosely (G),
Wm. A. McDonald (H),
Alexander Atkinson (I),
J. S. Blain (K),
Ben A. White, Jr. (L). This regiment was for a time on the
Georgia coast under
Lawton, accompanied that officer to
Richmond in time to share in the Seven Days battles, thenceforward serving in the army of Northern Virginia until
Appomattox, where, in the division commanded by
Gen. Clement A. Evans and the corps of
John B. Gordon, it shared in the least charge of that illustrious army.
During this long and honorable service
E. N. Atkinson succeeded
Colonel Styles in the command of the regiment; the successors of
Lieutenant-Colonel Lane were
E. S. Griffin,
J. S. Blain and
William A. McDonald; the majors after
Gardner were
E. S. Griffin,
J. S. Blain and
B. F. Grace;
Adjutant Atkinson was succeeded by
Andrew J. Lyles.
Before the reorganization
M. R. Cogdell became captain of Company
[
50]
L. After the reorganization there were only the usual ten companies, of which the following were captains at different times: (A)
J. S. Blain and
N. Dixon; (B)
A. Atkinson and
James H. Hunter; (C)
James Knox; (D)
Davidson; (E)
E. S. Griffin; (F)
John Lee; (G)
C. M. Howell; (H)
J. P. Smith and
R. Paxton; (I)
C. W. Hilliard and
Thomas J. Ivey; (K)
B. F. Grace and
J. Hilton.
Of the Twenty-seventh regiment Georgia volunteers the following were the field officers at its organization:
Col. Levi B. Smith;
Lieut.-Col. C. T. Zachry,
Maj. H. B. Holliday;
Adjt. J. Gardner;
Commissary Thomas Bacon;
Quartermaster H. B. Holliday (until appointed major), and then
G. B. Buchanan.
The captains were
P. C. Carr (A),
J. W. Stubbs (B),
C. J. Dennis (C),
J. N. Dorsey (D),
W. H. Renfroe (E),
J. Wilcher (F), W:
D. Redding (G),
W. H. Delamar (H),
G. A. Lee (I),
H. Bussey (K). The Twenty-seventh served in
Virginia most of the time until after
Chancellorsville, then in
North Carolina; went with the rest of
Colquitt's brigade to
Florida in February, 1864, helping to put an end at
Olustee to Federal invasion of that State; returned to
Virginia in the spring of 1864 in time to assist in saving
Petersburg from
Butler's grasp; was engaged through the greater part of 1864 in the defense of that city, and in 1865 was in the
campaign of the Carolinas under
General Johnston, surrendering with him near
Goldsboro.
There were many changes in officers during this long and arduous service.
Exclusive of those already named the officers were:
Col. C. T. Zachry;
Lieut.-Cols. Brewer,
John W. Stubbs,
J. M. Dorsey,
James Gardner (killed in battle) and
H. Bussey;
Majs.
C. J. Dennis,
James Gardner,
H. Bussey,
W. H. Renfroe (killed) and
I. D. Graham;
Adjt. I. B. Pye;
Commissary J. M. Zachry, in place of
Thomas Bacon (killed);
Quartermaster G. B. Buchanan;
Captains (A)
W. E. Dougherty, in place of
Carr (died); (B)
J. J. Allen; (C)
J. W. Murray,
W. W. Johnson and Thomas Grace; (D)
George Latham; (E)
[
51]
Abercrombie; (F)
Edwards; (G)
M. L. Billingsley; (H)
R. A. Harkie, in place of
Delamar (killed); (I)
J. D. Graham, in place of
Lee (killed), and later
Baxley; (K)
C. Calhoun.
The Twenty-eighth regiment Georgia volunteers organized with
T. J. Warthen as colonel;
George A. Hall,
lieutenant-colonel;
J. G. Cain, major;
J. W. Robinson, adjutant.
The captains were
Tully Graybill (A),
E. B. Hook (B),
Wm. P. Crawford (C),
N. J. Garrison (D),
George R. Moore (E),
Jesse Burtz (F), John Hill, Jr. (G),
Wm. L. Johnson (H),
Isaac F. Adkins (I),
John N. Wilcox (K). The Twenty-eighth went to
Virginia in time to share in the battles around
Richmond; remained with the army of Northern Virginia until after
Chancellorsville; went with
Colquitt's brigade to
North Carolina; hurried to the defense of
Florida, helping to win the
battle of Olustee, in the spring of 1864; returned to
Virginia, serving in the
Petersburg lines, and in 1865 was engaged in the
campaign of the Carolinas until included in the capitulation of
Johnston.
Its officers succeeding those already named were
Tully Graybill, colonel after the death of
Warthen;
Lieut.-Cols. James G. Cain and
W. P. Crawford;
Majs.
Tully Graybill and
James W. Banning;
Capts. J. R. Tucker (A),
R. W. Flournoy (B),
L. R. Wade (F),
J. Johnson (H).
The Twenty-ninth regiment Georgia volunteers had for its first field
officers Col. R. Spaulding;
Lieut.-Col. T. W. Alexander;
Maj. L. J. Knight;
Adjt. G. Butler.
The captains were
C. S. Rockwell (A),
W. J. Young (B),
T. S. Wylly (C),
J. C. Lamb (D),
F. M. Jackson (E),
W. W. Billopp (F),
I. J. Owen (G),
W. D. Mitchell (H),
J. W. Turner (I),
H. C. Bowen (K). This regiment served until 1863 mainly in the department of South Carolina,
Georgia and
Florida, during the greater part of 1863 in
north Mississippi under
Gen. J. E. Johnston, in
C. C. Wilson's brigade; was in the
battle of Chickamauga, in the
Atlanta campaign of 1864, in
Hood's expedition into
[
52]
Tennessee, and in the
campaign of the Carolinas in the spring of 1865, surrendering with
General Johnston.
During its term of service
Wm. J. Young became colonel;
W. D. Mitchell;
lieutenant-colonel, and
J. C. Lamb, major.
J. D. Henderson became captain of Company A,
W. W. Spencer of Company B, and
B. Y. Stanford of Company E.
At the organization of the Thirtieth regiment Georgia volunteers the following were the field officers:
Col. David J. Bailey;
Lieut.-Col. Miles M. Tidwell;
Maj. Cicero A. Thorpe;
Commissary A. N. McLarty;
Quartermaster J. C. Hightower;
Adjt. J. W. McCord.
The captains were
John L. Barnett (A),
H. Hendrick (B),
J. G. Lindsey (C),
Thomas C. Bartlett (D),
Robert M. Hitch (E),
Wm. N. Magonick (F),
John Edmondson (G),
Francis M. Harrell (H),
C. A. Dollar (I),
Wm. B. Richards (K). The Thirtieth served until the spring of 1863 in the department of South Carolina,
Georgia and
Florida; then went to
Mississippi, with other regiments already mentioned, forming the brigade of
Col. C. C. Wilson, and served under him at
Chickamauga, soon after which he was promoted to brigadier-general.
After his death in November, 1863, the Thirtieth was assigned to the brigade of
General Stevens, of
Walker's division.
It served through the
Atlanta,
Tennessee and
Carolina campaigns, surrendering with
Johnston near
Goldsboro.
During this time its officers succeeding those already named were
Cols. Thomas W. Mangham and
James S. Boynton;
Majs.
J. R. Boynton and
Henry Hendrick;
Commissary J. C. Little.
Felix L. Matthall became captain of Company A, .
R. J. Andrews of C,
Hudson Whittaker of D,
John McLeod of E, and
George T. Longino of K.
Of the Thirty-third,
Col. A. Littlefield, mentioned in the above list, there is no record.
In addition to the forces raised for the
Confederate States service,
Governor Brown gave his energetic efforts to the maintenance of the military force of 10,000 men
[
53]
for State defense, authorized by the legislature of 1860.
In his message, November, 1861, he gave an interesting account of what had been done in this department:
Early in the spring I divided the State into four sections or brigades, intending if ,necessary to raise one brigade of volunteers in each section, and appointed one major-general and two brigadier-generals with a view to the prompt organization of one division in case of emergency.
The position of major-general was tendered to Gen. Henry R. Jackson, who has lately gained a very important victory over a greatly superior force of the enemy in northwestern Virginia, who declined it in favor of Col. William H. T. Walker, late of the United States army, and a most gallant son of Georgia.
I then, in accordance with the recommendation of General Jackson, and the dictates of my own judgment, tendered the appointment to Colonel Walker, by whom it was accepted.
The office of brigadier-general was tendered to and accepted by Col. Paul J. Semmes for the Second brigade, and Col. William Phillips for the Fourth brigade.
With a view to more speedy and active service under the Confederate government, Generals Walker and Semmes resigned before they had organized their respective commands.
About this time our relations with the government of the United States assumed so threatening an aspect that I ordered General Phillips to organize his brigade as rapidly as possible, and to throw the officers into a camp of instruction for training that they might be the better prepared to render effective those under their command.
This camp of instruction was continued for about two weeks and the officers sent home to hold their respective commands in readiness.
This was the condition of our volunteer organization early in June, when the United States troops crossed the Potomac and invaded the soil of Virginia.
Not knowing how soon a similar invasion of our own soil might be made by a landing of troops upon our coast, I ordered General Phillips to call his whole brigade into a camp of instruction, and hold them in readiness for immediate action should emergencies require it. This order was promptly obeyed by the energetic and efficient officer to whom it was given.
General Phillips, assisted by Adjutant-General Wayne and Major Capers, the superintendent of the Georgia military institute, pressed forward
[54]
the instruction and preparation of troops with great activity and energy.
The troops remained in camp from the 11th of June till the 2d of August.
They were a noble, patriotic, chivalrous band of Georgians, and I hazard nothing in saying, military men being the judges, that no brigade in the Confederate service was composed of better material, or was better trained at that time for active service in the field.
The season having so far advanced that it was not probable that our coast would be invaded before cold weather, I tendered the brigade to President Davis for Confederate service in Virginia.
The President refused to accept the tender of the brigade, but asked for the troops by regiments.
Believing that a due respect for the rights of the State should have prompted the President to accept those troops under their State organization, and if any legal obstacle in the way of accepting a brigade existed that it should have been removed by the appointment of the general who had trained the men and who was their unanimous choice, to continue to command them in active service, I at first refused to disband a State organization, made in conformity to the statute, and tender the troops by regiments; more especially as the President only demanded the two regiments, which would have left the three battalions to be disbanded or maintained as battalions through the balance of the season by the State.
Finally the President agreed to accept the battalions and regiments, and in view of the pressing necessity for troops in Virginia, I yielded the point, and accepted General Phillips' resignation, and permitted the troops to be mustered into the Confederate service by regiments and battalions.
About the time these troops left, the secretary of war also ordered out of the State the regiment of regulars under Colonel Williams, and the Second regiment of volunteers commanded by Colonel Semmes, both excellent regiments, well drilled and armed.
This left the coast almost entirely defenseless.
By that time I had permitted nearly all the arms of the State to go into the Confederate service, and it has been a very difficult matter to get arms enough to supply the troops since ordered to the coast.
At the time Fort Pulaski was by an ordinance of our State convention turned over to the Confederate government, the number and size of the guns in the fort were
[55]
very inadequate to its successful defense against a fleet with heavy guns, and as the secretary of war made no provision for the proper supply of guns or ammunition, I deemed it my duty to purchase, with funds from the State treasury, the necessary supply, which was done at a cost of $101,521.43.
The governor stated that during August and September no invasion was feared, but as the colder season came on apprehension was felt.
He visited the coast and inspected the fortifications, and deciding that the measures of protection taken by authority of the
Confederate States were insufficient, determined to call out State troops.
In the early part of September he appointed
George P. Harrison a brigadier-general, and ordered him to organize a brigade and arm it as far as means permitted with regular rifles, and the balance with good country rifles and shotguns, and to throw the men into camp of instruction near the coast.
This brigade was rapidly formed and put in good condition, and
F. W. Capers was then commissioned brigadier-general and assigned to the same duty.
Subsequently a third brigade was formed by
Brig-Gen. W. H. T. Walker.
During this period of active military preparations,
Ira R. Foster ably performed the duties of State
quarter-master-general, and
Col. J. I. Whitaker was commissary-general.
Hon. Thomas Butler King had been sent to
Europe as commissioner to arrange for a line of steamers for direct trade, under authority of an act of the legislature.
In equipping
Fort Pulaski and other fortifications, in arming and maintaining troops, and in all the various expenses of war, $1,000,000 had been spent.
Among these expenditures was the purchase of steamers for coast defense.
Commodore Josiah Tattnall, of
Georgia, a famous naval officer who had assisted in opening
China and
Japan to commerce, had resigned from the old navy upon the secession of his State, and on February 28th was appointed senior flag-officer of the
State navy, which then did not
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possess a boat or a gun. In March he was appointed commander in the
Confederate States navy and assigned to the command of whatever navy he could find or create in the waters of
South Carolina and
Georgia.
He succeeded during the summer in producing the semblance of a flotilla, a ‘mosquito fleet,’ as it was called, by arming a river steamer and a few tugs with such guns as could be procured.
This flotilla he was directed by the Confederate government to distribute along the coast from
Port Royal south, for the special purpose of aiding vessels coming from
England with war supplies.
Early in September, 1861,
Brig.-Gen. A. R. Lawton, who had been in command of the district of Savannah since April 17th, informed the
secretary of war that there was a pressing necessity for additional troops on the coast at the earliest possible moment.
‘I have received and mustered into service,’ he said, ‘enough to replace the two regiments suddenly ordered to
Virginia (
Semmes' and
Williams' regiments), and these are but enough to man the batteries on the coast, leaving us no protection on the mainland in case of trouble.
Nearly all the companies I have at this moment are entirely raw and undisciplined.
The large calls upon the
State of Georgia have taken away nearly every trained company and all the arms, except such as may be found in private hands.
I am now endeavoring to organize all such as can furnish their own arms and muster them into service.
In this way only can I secure a force that will give any protection to this coast.’
He asked the approval of this course and that
Duncan L. Clinch might be commissioned colonel and authorized to raise a regiment.
The growing alarm, on account of the aggressive naval operations of the
North, caused
Governor Brown to add his appeal, and
General Lawton was authorized to organize such military force as he deemed necessary.
On September 25th
Secretary Benjamin telegraphed
Lawton it was believed the enemy's naval expedition was intended
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for
Brunswick, and that the Bartow artillery had been ordered to
Savannah.
Lawton replied: ‘I can do nothing for want of arms, unless I hold those now landing from steamer
Bermuda.
I sent to-day a special agent to
Richmond on this subject.
Georgia is stripped of arms.
Men in abundance, if a few days are allowed.’
To this the governor added an urgent request for
Stovall's battalion, then at
Lynchburg, and five other armed companies of
Georgia troops.
This request was not acceded to by the secretary, but it was ordered that 1,000 small-arms and one 12-pounder rifled gun should be turned over to
Lawton.
At this time the latter had an aggregate present of about 3,000 men, at sixteen posts, the most important of which were
Tybee island,
Brunswick, Camp Lawton,
Savannah,
Fort Pulaski, Sapello island and Fort Screven.
On October 26th the military department of
Georgia was created, and
General Lawton was put in command, with headquarters at
Savannah, and three days later he was notified that the enemy's fleet had sailed for the
South.
His force having considerably increased,
Colonel Mercer was commissioned brigadier-general.
It soon became apparent that the first object of the Federal fleet was
Port Royal, S. C., and simultaneously the defenders of the coast were cheered by the intelligence that
Gen. Robert E. Lee had been appointed to command of the military department including the coasts of
South Carolina,
Georgia and
east Florida.
General Lawton's defensive force now consisted of about 2,000 men under
General Mercer, at and near
Brunswick, and about 3,500 north of the
Altamaha and generally near
Savannah.
About 500 of his command were cavalry, very well mounted and armed, and the remainder included three batteries of artillery.
About 2,000 of the infantry were well drilled and disciplined.
There were also available about 3,000 men, ‘armed in a fashion, under the
State organization,’ within a few hours' call,
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from the city, by mail.
With the assistance of naval officers the channels of approach to
Savannah were being blocked in several places.
The condition of the
Georgia coast defense is described in the report of Ordnance
Officer W. G. Gill.
On the south end of
Jekyl island were one 42-pounder and four 32-pounders, with 60 pounds of shot and shell.
The
Saint Simon's island batteries mounted a 10-inch and an 8-inch columbiad, two 42-pounders and five 32-pounders, and 75 rounds of ammunition.
Fort Pulaski had five 10-inch and nine 8-inch columbiads, two 10-inch mortars, two 42-pounders, twenty 32-pounders, one 24-pounder, and considerable ammunition.
Fort Jackson had one 32-pounder rifle, five 32-pounders, three 18-pounders.
The
Green island battery had one 10-inch rifled gun, one 10-inch and two 8-inch columbiads, two 42-pounders and four 32-pounders.
Thunderbolt battery had one 8-inch gun and three 18-pounders.
Another interesting item of this report is that ‘some of the regiments on the coast are armed with shotguns and sporting rifles.
They have little or no ammunition for them.
I propose to put up for the shotguns a blank cartridge, to fire a small linen bag containing 12 buckshot.’
Commodore Tattnall, with his little flotilla of three vessels, boldly attacked the Federal fleet at the entrance of
Port Royal sound, on November 4th and again on the 5th.
On the afternoon of the 6th
General Drayton's forces were reinforced by 450
Georgia infantry, under
Captain Berry, and
Captain Read's battery of two 12-pounder howitzers and 50 men. On the 7th, after the bombardment of
Forts Walker and
Beauregard had been in progress for about an hour, and the
Confederate gunners were becoming exhausted,
General Drayton brought up the greater part of
Read's artillery company as a relief, and at the same time
Col. W. H. Stiles arrived with the cheering intelligence that his regiment was approaching.
About 2 o'clock p. m.
Fort Walker
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became untenable, and the guns were disabled.
The island of
Hilton Head was abandoned, the
Georgia battery losing its guns.
Fort Beauregard was also evacuated, and the enemy thus gained a permanent base for naval action.
Tattnall, however, brought off his mosquito fleet in safety.
The Federal light-draught gunboats were soon flitting through the passages of the island-fringed coast of
Georgia, and expeditions were sent through
Ossabaw,
Warsaw,
St. Helena and
Cumberland sounds, as far down as
Fernandina, rapidly gaining possession of the whole coast line except the entrance to Savannah harbor.
These scouting vessels did not venture to attack
Fort Pulaski, but landed a force of men on
Tybee island on the 24th of November, after shelling the martello tower and battery, which had been abandoned some two weeks before.
Captain Read, with a detachment of his command, crossed over to the island after dark to burn the hospital, but found the enemy too numerous.
Learning that the
Federals were gathering up the cotton and rice from the plantations, he burned some of these products and retired to
Cockspur island.
Commodore Tattnall's flotilla, the steamers
Pocahontas,
Seneca,
Flag and
Augusta, lay near
Fort Pulaski, and as the enemy's gunboats kept well out of range, he endeavored by an attack and retreat to draw them closer.
The naval skirmish continued for an hour, but was ineffective, and the
Federals were too wary to give the fort an opportunity to participate.
For several days afterward shells were thrown at long range toward
Pulaski.
During the stay of the Federal fleet at
Tybee there was great excitement, and extensive preparations were made under the immediate direction of
General Lee for the warm reception of the enemy.
To compel the enemy to pass under the guns of
Fort Pulaski in approaching the city, piles were driven in the channels which open into the river on the north and south, and other obstructions made which
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were for the time effective.
Lieut. James H. Wilson, then topographical officer, later a famous cavalry leader, and in 1898 one of the two
major-generals of cavalry appointed for the war with
Spain (the other being the famous Confederate, ‘Little Joe’
Wheeler), took an expedition by boat from
Hilton Head about Christmas, 1861, to saw off and pull out these piles on the north of the river, and had nearly cleared a passage when detected.
Tattnall then came down to the mouth of the
Wright river and drove off the working party.
The Federals also sought to use a channel leading up from the south, from
Warsaw sound, through
Wilmington river and
St. Augustine creek to the
Savannah just below
Fort Jackson.
An attack by this route had been foreseen and guarded against by the erection of a battery on a small island opposite
Fort Jackson, which in honor of
Dr. Cheves, who superintended its construction, was called Fort Cheves, and mounted some long 32-pounders from
Norfolk navy yard.
Fire rafts were also prepared.
One of these, completed about Christmas, was cut loose by a traitor and floated down unlighted to
Tybee beach, the
Federal position.
The main object of the expedition to
Tybee island was to escort
Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore,
chief engineer of the
Federal corps at
Hilton Head.
His purpose was to prepare batteries for the reduction of
Fort Pulaski, but this was carefully concealed from the
Confederate authorities.
In November, the famous steamship
Fingal had evaded the blockaders and entered the port of
Savannah in safety, bringing 10,000
Enfield rifles, 1,000,000 ball cartridges, 2,000,000
percussion caps, 3,000 cavalry sabers, 1,000 short rifles and cutlass bayonets, 1,000 rounds of ammunition per rifle, 500 revolvers and ammunition, 2 large rifled cannon, 2 smaller rifles, 400 barrels of cannon powder, and a lot of medical stores and material for clothing.
No single ship ever again brought into the
Confederacy so large a cargo of military and naval supplies.
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The
Fingal was bought on the
Clyde in September, 1861, by
Capt. James D. Bulloch, of
Georgia, the
European agent of the
Confederate States.
She was a new ship, with a speed of thirteen knots, high for that time, and was the first to run the blockade directly for the Confederate government.
The passengers besides
Captain Bulloch were
Col. Edward C. Anderson,
Messrs. Foster and
Moffatt, of
Charleston, and
Dr. Holland, an ex-surgeon of the United States army.
They sailed from
Greenock, Scotland, early in October, under the
British flag, and with a British captain; collided with an Austrian brig at
Holyhead, but fortunately escaped injury, and arrived at
Bermuda November 2d.
Bulloch then explained to his English crew that his true object was to run the blockade, and that though the ship still flew the
British flag, he had a bill of sale for her in his pocket.
The captain and crew stood by him in this emergency, and the merchantman was at once transformed into a respectable fighting ship.
Pilot Makin, taken up from the blockade-runner
Nashville, at
St. George, brought them safely to
Savannah about the middle of November without getting in sight of a blockader.
As soon as the
Fingal arrived with her precious stores
Governor Brown applied for arms to replace those which
Georgia had furnished the
Confederate States.
It finally appeared that 1,000 of the Enfield rifles had been shipped directly to
Governor Brown, and but 9,000 were for the Confederate government One-half of these were ordered to be distributed by
General Lee to the troops of
Georgia and
South Carolina, but with the condition that the troops receiving these arms must be enlisted for three years or the war. On the latter account
Colonel Dow's regiment of Mississippians was armed out of the guns expected by
Georgia.
When
Captain Bulloch was ready to sail out, about ten days after making port, the arrival of the
Federals at
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Tybee made that purpose a dangerous one, but in obedience to the order of the
secretary of the navy he loaded the ship with cotton and resin, and on December 20th dropped down to
Wilmington island, accompanied by
Tattnall's squadron, the
Savannah (flagship),
Lieut. J. N. Maffitt; the
Resolute,
Lieut. J. P. Jones; the
Sampson,
Lieut. J. Kennard, and the
Ida and
Bartow.
The Chatham artillery was also sent to
Skidaway island to assist in case there should be a conflict.
On the 23d the
Fingal and
Tattnall's boats ran down near the enemy's gunboats, but found them in such strong force that they were compelled to return.
In the brief action which accompanied this reconnaissance,
Tattnall's flagship was hit in the wheel-house and required assistance from the
Resolute in returning.
The
Fingal found every channel of escape shut off, and a pilot sent to reconnoiter a passage by way of the
Romney marsh, himself narrowly evaded capture.
The Federal authorities were undoubtedly fully aware of the presence of the daring cruiser and her anxiety to get out. To add to the difficulties of exit, a number of hulks loaded with stone were sunk by the enemy in the channel of the river below
Fort Pulaski, as well as in other channels, and late in January
Captain Bulloch reported that there was no prospect of taking the ship out. He then turned her over to
Lieut. G. T. Sinclair and returned to
Europe by way of
Wilmington.
Gen. Henry R. Jackson, whose gallant career in
Virginia will be hereafter described, was appointed major-general of State forces by
Governor Brown, and assumed command December 28, 1861, with headquarters at
Savannah.
General Jackson advised
General Lee that he held himself subject to the latter's directions in all military operations looking to the defense of the
State, and would report as directed; and added that the personal relations between
General Lawton and himself were of such a character as to insure the most cordial feelings and a perfect harmony of action.
To this
Lee responded:
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‘I am much gratified that the division under your command is ready for the defense of the
State of Georgia and is placed at my disposal for that purpose,’ adding, ‘I will direct
General Lawton to indicate to you where your troops can be of most service, and to designate such points as you may take under your exclusive charge.’
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