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Gc 973.74 G29j 1729678
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01082 4271
Georgia in the War 1861-1865
By
CHAS. EDGEWORTH JONES of Augusta, Ga.
Formerly, Historian Camp No. 435, U. C. V.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/georgiainwar186100jone
Georgia in the War 1861-1865
Chas. Edgeworth Jones of Augusta, Ga.
PRICE, ONE DOLLAR
Formerly, Historiar. Camp No. 435. 16. 6. 3.
1729678
Copyright Applied For 1909.
To the Memory of my Parents, This Book is lovingly inscribed.
For in our CAUSE. let none forget. Were Right and Truth conjointly met: The hallowe'd luster of our Creed Is heighten'd as the Ages speed. -C. E. J., 1899.
"By the heavy guns at Pensaeola, Mobile, and New Orleans,-behind the parapets of Pulaski, MeAllister, and Sumter,-among the voleanie throes of Battery Wagner,-at Ocean Pond and Honey Hill,-upon the murderous slopes of Malvern Hill,-behind the lethal shadows of the Seven Pines,-in the trenehes around Petersburg,-amid the smoke and earnage of Manassas, Fredericksburg. Spottsylvania, Chaneellorsville, Sharps- burg, Gettysburg. Brandy Station, Cold Harbor, the Wilderness, Corinth, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, Frank- lin, Nashville, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Bentonville, and un- til the last thunders of war were hushed at Appomat- tox and Greensboro when, in the language of the pres- ent gallant chief magistrate of this commonwealth (Gen. John B. Gordon,-1886-1890), our regiments, brigades, divisions, and army corps were 'worn to a frazzle,' these brave Georgians were found shoulder to shoulder with heroic companions in arms, maintaining the honor of their State, and supporting the flag of their beleaguered country. You can mention no deci- sive battle delivered, no memorable shock of arms dur- ing the protracted and herculean effort to achieve the independence of the South, where Georgia troops were not present. Their life blood inearnadined, their valor glorified, and their bones sanctitied the soil above which the Red Cross, which they had followed so closely, waved long and fearlessly in the face of desperate odds. All honor to the courageous men who fell in the fore- front of battle. All honor to the canse which enlisted such sympathy, and evoked such proofs of marvelous devotion. Precious for all time should be the patriotic. heroic, and virtuous legacy bequeathed by the men and the aspirations of that generation. Within the whole range of defensive wars you will search in vain for surer pledges and higher illustrations of love of coun- try, of self-denial, of patient endurance, of unwavering confidence, and of exalted action."
(Colonel Charles C. Jones, Jr .. LL.D ..- 1889).
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GEORGIA IN THE WAR 1861-5.
Contents :
Preliminary Statement.
Sketch of History of Georgia from June, 1732 to 1909.
Names and Dates of Tenure of Office of Governors of Geor- gia.
Names of Counties of Georgia, with Dates of Founding.
Military Organizations, Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery, in the Confederate Army.
General Officers of the Confederate Army appointed from Georgia and their commands (and staff officers as far as ascer- talned), and previous service.
General Officers in State Service of State of Georgia.
Officers of the Confederate Navy appointed from Georgia.
Members of the Confederate Congress from Georgia, and Cabinet Officers from that State.
List of Campaigns Conducted, Battles, Affairs and Skir- mishes fought within the limits of the State, with dates and location.
Names of Georgia Officers and Soldiers on the Roll of Honor.
Names of Officers of the First Infantry Battalion of Volun- teers for the Union Army, organized in Georgia.
Local Designations of Georgia Troops in the Confederate Army.
(NOTE .- The statements In regard to the status of Georgla in the Confederate Army are compiled from the Official Rec- ords.)
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PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.
Georgia was one of the original thirteen States, but was settled later than the others. The patent for it was granted to Oglethorpe, and other Trustees, June 9, 1732. The first colony, consisting of 120 persons. came in 1733: the objects of the col- ony being to establish a barrier between the Spaniards and In- dians, on the south, and South Carolina and North Carolina on the north, and to provide a refuge for the honest-minded needy and destitute; especially, poor debtors, orphans, and friendless children and youth-the last-mentioned object be- ing that of Whitefield.
The colony was at first military, and the colonists received their lands on condition of military service. This occasioned discontent, and many of them moved to North Carolina. The policy was changed, and 50 acres of land was offered, uncon- ditionally, to all settlers; and many Scotch and German eml- grants came in.
In the war between Great Britain and Spain in 1739-43, Oglethorpe attacked the Spaniards in Florida in 1740, but the expedition was a failure. The Spaniards attacked Georgia in 1742, but, becoming alarmed at Oglethorpe's stratagems, they returned to Florida. After the peace, Georgia demanded the slaves which had been prohibited to them, and in 1752 the trustees surrendered the colony to the crown and negro slav- ery was permitted.
While Georgia was not suffering as were the other colonles from British oppression, she made common cause with them In the Revolutionary War.
By the conclusion of a treaty of peace with the Creek and Cherokee Indians in 1791, the Creeks in 1802 ceded to the United States a large section of country in the southwestern section, and Georgia, in turn, relinquished to the United States all her claims west of the Chattahoochee, which surrender in- cludes the present States of Alabama and MissIssipp !.
In 1860 this commonwealth followed the lead of South Car- olina, and passed an Act of Secession, January 19, 1861.
Georgia repealed the Act of Secession, October 30, 1865, and adopted a new constitution, ratifying the Thirteenth Amend- ment; but congress, not satisfied with the constitution, put the State under military rule and another constitutional con- vention was called, which formed the constitution ratified in 1868. The State was restored to the Union on its ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment; but, on its refusal to ratify the Fifteenth Amendment, was again put under military rule.
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On compliance, however, with this demand, it was re-admitted.
Joseph E. Brown was governor of the State from 1857 to 1865, and James Johnson provisional governor a part of 1865.
Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, was vice-president of the Confederate States.
Robert Toombs, of Georgia, became the first secretary of state of the Confederate States, February 21, 1861. He was afterwards a brigadier-general in the Confederate army.
SKETCH OF HISTORY OF GEORGIA. (1732-1909.)
Georgia was founded by James Edward Oglethorpe in 1733, the charter establishing it having received the Royal sanction June 9th of the previous year. The point selected for the first settlement was Yamacraw Bluff, on the right bank of the Savannah River. It was called Savannah after the stream which flowed by it; and the primal landing of the emigrants at their future home occurred on February 1, 1733. Tomo-Chi-Chi. Mico of the Yamacraws, who lived there, was a warm friend of Oglethorpe; and. from the first, he assisted him materially in the work of colonization.
One of the earliest acts of the founder, after the ar- rival of his colonists, was to define the outlines of his proposed Savannalı. Through the industry of all con- cerned, the requisite clearing rapidly progressed, houses gradually supplanting tents, and soon the straggling settlement began to wear the aspect of a fully-fledged village. Early in the following year, Oglethorpe con- scious of the dangers to which the English were ex- posed from their Spanish neighbors, and wishing to as- certain the possibilities of internal defense, projected a tour to the southern confines of the province. The trip was fruitful of good results. as the site of historic Fred- erica on St. Simon's Island, was then chosen. Almost coincidently with this visit. accessions were made to the little colony through the advent of the Salzburgers. the Moravians and the Highlanders. The last-named were valuable citizens from the start, and were always ready to take up arms for their beloved Georgia.
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In the fall of 1735 the town of Augusta, on the Sa- vannah River, was founded. It was, in its ineipiency, and, for many years afterwards, a Trading-Post, and much business was transacted there. Its situation was an advantageous one. About this time, Oglethorpe made a trip to England and seeured the needed rein- forcements for Frederica. He was always thinking of the Spanish storm which was liable, sooner or later, to break upon his settlement. On his return he brought with him Charles Delamotte, a school teacher, and the brothers, John and Charles Wesley, to Savannah. De- lamotte opened the first school for white children in the colony. John Wesley had the honor of introdu- cing the pioneer Sunday-school into Georgia, and per- haps also the world. He was a remarkable divine.
In May, 1738, Oglethorpe was appointed general and commander-in-chief of His Majesty's forces in Geor- gia and South Carolina. As such he was instrueted to inquire particularly into the designs, preparations and movements of the Spaniards in Florida. While his mind was intent upon these matters. he was apprised that the Red Men were soon to hold an important con- vocation at Coweta Town. This was to occur in July of the following year, and he realized how indispensa- ble it was that he should attend. And so, with a few companions, he made the hazardous march of three hundred miles through the trackless wilderness, and appeared at the gathering. Ilis admirable conduct ap- pealed most strongly to the assembled braves, who dis- covered in him a worthy. fashioned in accordance with their highest ideals. About the same time, news was brought that the first overt act of Spanish aggression had been committed. and that English blood had been shed on Georgia soil. Accordingly. General Oglethorpe, in retaliation for this outrage. determined to lead a military expedition against St. Augustine. The ex- pedition, however, through non-concert of action on
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the part of some of the troops, was destined to disap- pointment.
This was in the spring of 1740; and, two years later, in revenge for the attempted invasion of Florida, the Spaniards sent a monster Armada consisting of fifty- six sail, and conveying perhaps six thousand men, to sweep Georgia from the map. It was a case of history repeating itself. The undaunted resistance they met with everywhere, was but a grim foretaste of the hu- miliating Waterloo they were soon to encounter. In front of Frederica and indomitable Saint Simon's Is- land, the second Spanish Armada was baffled just as the first had been overwhelmed in the British Channel. Seldom was a defeat more erushing, or a victory more complete.
In July, 1743, General Oglethorpe bade a sorrowful and fatherly adieu to Georgia and set sail for England, never again to return. For a decade, or more, the colony was then subject to the rule of presidents. In 1754 it became a province of the Crown, and was placed under the domination of Royal Governors. There were three of these: Captain John Reynolds and Henry El- lis, Esq., being the first two. The third and perhaps the greatest of the gubernatorial trio was James Wright, Esq. (afterwards Sir James Wright) who, en- tering office in October. 1760, for two decades and more had a notably eventful administration. While he was a loeum tenens, the Revolution began, and Governor Wright was responsible for preventing the colony from declaring itself until all of her other American sisters had spoken. True to his convictions, and at all times faithful to his beloved Sovereign. he was pre-eminently a courageous executive; and when the patriotie tem- pest did break upon his devoted head, it was beyond his power to control it.
In January, 1776, the Second Provincial Congress was triumphantly convoked at Savannah. An impor-
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tant feature of its work was the choice of five delegates for the Philadelphia conclave. Three of these de- serve special mention as they had the honor of signing the Declaration of Independence. They were Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall and George Walton. Now that Georgia had unqualifiedly placed herself in the Revolu- tionist column, the "Liberty Boys" were zealous in doing everything possible to put her in military con- dition. To this end, they gave their constant atten- tion to raising and equipping companies and procuring supplies of arms and ammunition. In the latter con- neetion they made valuable captures. Part of the gun- powder taken in one expedition, as tradition has it, was used at the Battle of Bunker's Ilill. To cap the climax and show their utter contempt for the King, these undaunted Americans made his accredited repre- sentative. Governor Wright, a prisoner in his own home. The first noteworthy Revolutionary affair on Georgia soil occurred late in December, 1778. Savan- nah, then, fell into the hands of the British. This loss was a disastrous one, and, nine months later, an at- tempt was made by the combined French and American armies to retake the town. A desperate but fruitless assault was made in October, 1779, which resulted in much carnage. In the same year occurred the famous victory of Kettle Creek. It was a partisan triumph ; as was also the siege of Augusta in the summer of 1781. A twelve-month later. Savannah was, without a strng- gle. surrendered to General Anthony Wayne by the English, and the war was over so far as Georgia was coneerred.
After the restoration of peace, the work of rehabilita- tion occupied some time. The founding of the State University was one of the first useful things attempted. This was in 1783. Five years later, Georgia was ad- mitted into the Union. January 2, 1788, was the exaet date. About that time the Yazoo agitation began. It
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enlisted publie attention until the famous overthrow of the accursed fraud in February, 1796. Early in the following century (1802), the commonwealth effected a sale to the General Government of her immense west- ern territorial possessions. The consideration involved was one million, two hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars; and thus was a death-blow forever dealt to the Yazoo transaction.
The next exciting episode was the second war with England. That was in 1812-15. Only slight skirmishes occurred within the confines of the State. Then came Governor Troup's administration, and his historic clashes with Federal authorities; and, soon after, the removal to the West of the Creek and Cherokee In- dians. Railroad building was now the problem of the hour; the succeeding decades showing great activity in that department. In the midst of all this internal de- velopinent, news was brought of the opening of Mexi- can hostilities. Enthusiasm was widespread. Compa- nies were formed and equipped, and. for months, every- one was thinking of those who had been sent to the front. Many Georgians won distinction in that conflict, It was the training-school for that larger struggle, soon to be introduced.
Everything now hastened to a finale. The next three terms must be passed over, and then we will come to the administration of Joseph E. Brown. It was, in many respects, a remarkable one. Commencing in 1857, during the eight years of its continuance, it was crowded with exciting events. Governor Brown was distinctively a self-made statesman. His indomitable will-power was the keynote of his success. He may have made mistakes, but he showed himself a man at all times.
For several years prior to the war between the sec- tions, there were many premonitions of the approach- ing catastrophe. The rumblings of slave agitation were
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heard throughout the country-in congress and else- where. They delivered to the South a message which she could not ignore. Her States Rights doctrines, her private interests and everything she held sacred, were at stake, and she was forced to deelare herself. This she did through her Secession Ordinances. In them she claimed the prerogative of withdrawing from the Union whenever she so desired. The first Southern State to take action in that important regard was South Carolina. This was in December, 1860. About a month later, or on the 16th of January, 1861, the famous Geor- gia convention was assembled. Its deliberations were destined to be fraught with mighty consequences. The contending forces in the gathering were almost equally matehed; the secessionists slightly preponderating. But the Unionists made up in brilliant advocates. what they lacked in numbers, and, for three days and more, there was a death-grapple between the opposing eontingents. The secessionists, too. had impassioned oratorical sup- porters, among whom was the gallant Thomas R. R. Cobb. He fell in battle. a brigadier-general, and an early sacrifiee to the cause of Confederate liberty. It was his lot to make the pivotal speech of the conven- tion. As a result of his burning appeal. it was decided on January 19. 1861, by a vote of two hundred and eight to eighty-nine. to adopt the Georgia Secession Ordinance.
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From now on. war was the all-engrossing question. No stone unturned. the united effort was to develop the full military potentialities of the commonwealth. Young and old. from the first. contributed their patriotic mead. Georgia has every reason to feel proud of her coura- geous sons. The Augusta Powder Works was a monu- ment to one of them (Col. (Gen.) George W. Rains). He has the distinction of having erected and sueeess- fully operated this gigantic plant. First and last, nearly three million pounds of gunpowder were manu-
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faetured within its imposing confines. It was indeed a bulwark of the beleaguered Confederaey.
The first noteworthy passage at arms on Georgia soil occurred in the spring of 1863. This was General Forrest's pursuit of Col. Streight's daring cavalry raid. The pursuit was a successful one, and resulted in a complete victory for General Forrest. Streight's entire command was captured. A few months later, the great battle of Chickamauga was fought. It lasted two days and was a most bloody and formidable en- gagement. Catoosa County, near the Tennessee border, was its scene. One hundred and thirty thousand men, all told, participated in the lethal struggle; the easual- ties amounting to nearly a fourth of that number. Gen- erals Braxton Bragg and Roseerans were the opposing generals.
May 4th, 1864, was the historic date when the great Dalton-Atlanta campaign was commenced. It was a tactical encounter. General Joseph E. Johnston with fifty thousand troops was in constant collision with General Sherman's splendidly equipped and numeri- eally powerful army. It was another instance, in a way, of the Hammer and Rapier policy. General John- ston was continually falling baek, exchanging one po- sition for another, but fighting always. It was a mas- terly retreat which cost Sherman many of his men. His antagonist suffered far less. The sanguinary bat- tle of Kennesaw Mountain was the principal one along the line of march. Three weeks later, General John- ston was summarily supplanted by General John B. llood. The wisdom of the change may be questioned. General Hood was not the tactician his predecessor was, and Sherman apparently realized it at onee. The former believed in aggressive warfare. A series of en- gagements around Atlanta soon followed. Though gal- lantly contested, they did not yield the wished-for
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fruits. Within a few weeks, Atlanta fell into the hands of the enemy.
Atlanta being captured, General Sherman decided to make his celebrated "March to the Sea." The move- ment was commenced about the middle of November, 1864. His army consisting, we are told, of sixty-five thousand veteran campaigners, met with little opposi- tion to its triumphal progress. In fact, as Georgia was practically defenseless, only slight skirmishes, at best, were possible. The Federals were at liberty to devas- tate ad libitum. They are said to have eut a swath of sixty miles in width through the heart of the State. When Savannah was reached, the city was surrendered to Sherman without a struggle. It had been fortified with a view to standing a protracted siege. The next affairs within the borders of the commonwealth were those at West Point and Columbus, April 16, 1865. Des- perate but ineffectual resistance was offered at both places. General R. C. Tyler held the Confederate fort at West Point. These were, it is said. the last battles of the war, east of the Mississippi River. The final melancholy happening was the capture of President Davis near Irwinville, in southern Georgia. This oc- curred May 10, 1865; and the conflict, so vigorously prosecuted against overwhelming odds, was ended.
The rest of the story is soon told. Governor Brown resigned his post June 29, 1865. He had officiated as such for almost four terms. Hon. James Johnson-a presidential appointee,-was installed as his successor. As provisional governor of Georgia, he continued to act for several months. Hon. Charles J. Jenkins su- perseded him as executive in December, 1865. On the summary removal of the former (Jenkins) in January, 1868, Brigadier-General Thomas H. Ruger, U. S. A., be- came Chief Magistrate in his stead. Ile is remembered as the military governor of Georgia, and during his incumbeney, Atlanta became the State Capital. On
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the inauguration of Rufus B. Bullock, six months la- ter, his short-lived reign terminated. Ruger's displace- ment, however, did not bring the relief for which the people craved. Bullock riveted on Georgia more se- eurely than ever, the chains of reconstrueted recon- .struetion. He did not want the State to be re-ad- mitted. The truth is, compliance with the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Federal Constitu- tion was the test for re-admission into the Union. Bul- lock did not recognize the commonwealth's eligibility for that honor. But Ulysses S. Grant, president of the United States, thought differently. On the 15th of July, 1870, he signed a Congressional Bill, which de- elared that Georgia, having fulfilled all requirements, was adjudged as legally entitled to re-admission into the Union.
In October, 1871, Governor Bullock, through resig- nation, brought his inglorious administration to an end. Thereupon, Benjamin Conley became his succes- sor. A twelve month later. Democracy was definitely reinstated through the election of James M. Smith. His tenure was followed by that of General Alfred H. Col- quitt, admiringly referred to as the Christian Chief Magistrate. Then came the short but able term of Al- exander HI. Stephens. On his death in the spring of 1883, James S. Boynton assumed the gubernatorial reins. He was not, however, permitted to retain them, as Henry D. MeDaniel was soon saluted as Georgia's ruler. In 1886 General John B. Gordon was proudly installed as governor. His administration was an emi- nently satisfactory one. About twelve years later, when W. Y. Atkinson was the incumbent, the Spanish-Ameri- can War began. The sensation which it created was slight and short-lived. During all this time. the com- monwealth prospered. and there was a healthy devel- opment along all lines. In 1907 Hoke Smithi was inau- gurated. His tenure, which, in the judgment of many,
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has been forceful and capable, is nearing its close. He will soon be superseded by Joseph M. Brown, the son of Georgia's famous War Governor. When Mr. Brown becomes the executive, he will have the honor of presid- ing over a pivotal Southern State, with a population approximating two million, eight hundred and fifty thousand souls, and a great and splendid future.
GOVERNORS OF GEORGIA.
1. JAMES EDWARD OGLETHORPE, Special Agent of the Trustees in the colonization; de facto civil and military gover- nor of the Province; subsequently appointed General and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Forces in Georgia and South Carolina, 1732-1743.
2. WILLIAM STEPHENS, President of the Colony 1743-1751.
3. HENBY PARKER, President of the Colony 1751-1753.
4. PATRICK GRAHAM, President of the Colony 1753-1754.
5. CAPTAIN JOHN REYNOLDS, First Royal Governor of the Province 1754-1757.
6. HENRY ELLIS, Second Royal Governor of the Province 1757-'60.
7. SIR JAMES WRIGHT, Third Royal Governor of the Province 1760-1782.
8. JAMES HABERSHAM, Acting Royal Governor of the Prov- ince in 1771, during the absence of Sir James Wright.
9. WILLIAM EWEN, President of the Council of Safety, and, virtute officii, President of Republican Georgia in 1775.
10. ARCHIBALD BULLOCH, President and Commander-in-Chief of Republican Georgia in 1776.
11. BUTTON GWINNETT, President and Commander-in-Chief of Republican Georgia in 1777.
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