USA > Georgia > Jones County > History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
Gen. Joseph Wheeler's marvelous courage and enterprise had greatly endeared him to the soldiers of the army of Tenn. There was no risk he would not assume or service he would not accept. On July 26, 1864, with his limited command, he had relieved Hardee's Corps and taken the place of the Infantry in the breastworks. He was informed that large Cavalry forces had started in the night with ten davs' rations marching easterly, westerly and southwardly from the rear of Sherman's army. Sherman's army covered a space along the Chattahoochee for 25 miles.
Wheeler knew these raids so large in scope would have an important bearing on the maintenance of Hood's army about Atlanta. He chafed with the knowledge of his cavalrymen dis- mounted and in the infantry, while the Federals were raiding and destroying everything in the south. When the railroads were
137
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
cut then they could not go on. On the morning of the 27th Gen. Wheeler was directed to still hold the breastworks and to send such force as he could spare in pursuit of the Federal Cavalry raiders. He could spare only 1500 men and his only hope was that they could delay and harass the enemy. The Federals left at dawn of the 27th and by night had covered 25 miles to the south. All through the 27th Wheeler was exchanging dispatches with Hood. Wheeler was longing to go after the Federal raid- ers, but Hood would not let him. At last the menace became so great Hood dare not ignore the consequences, realizing that the lines for food and supplies must be kept open or Atlanta must fall, and with great reluctance he agreed to let Wheeler try his hand with the vigorous and aggressive foe. At nine o'clock at night the order came that Wheeler might go after the raiders. A great strategist himself, Wheeler figured the enemy would strike the Macon railroad at Jonesboro or Lovejoy, 20 miles south of Atlanta.
Gen. Sherman had entrenched his forces about nine miles easť of Atlanta. Near Peachtree Creek the Confederates had erected strong fortifications and against this, day by day Sherman was forcing his volunteers. At this time two railroads entered At- lanta from the south over a common entrance. One railroad running southwest reached the Alabama line at West Point, the Georgia railroad had already been destroyed. One ran to Macon 80 miles away.
Gen. Sherman started three Cavalry forces to break up these two railroads upon which the Confederates relied for troops, supplies, ammunition and transportation. He knew Atlanta was invincible as long as she could get supplies. One force was started due west of Atlanta crossing the Chattahoochee at Campbellton, under Gen. E. M. McCook, was to move southeast and strike the Macon railroad at Jonesboro or Lovejoy. Two other forces of Cavalry under Gen. George Stoneman and Gen. Garrard were to meet at Lithonia and tear up the railroad between Macon and Atlanta.
Gen. Sherman had great faith in Gen. Stoneman. Stoneman was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y. in 1822, graduated from West Point in 1846 and entered the First Dragoons. In 1855
138
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
he became a Captain in 25th U. S. Cavalry and was in command of Fort Brown when the war started. He became the chief Cav- alry Commander of the Army of the Potomac. One of Stone- man's chief ambitions was the release of the Federal prisoners at Andersonville. He had been given authority under certain conditions by Gen. Sherman after destroying the railroads south of Atlanta to march through to Andersonville. Now Gen. Mc- Cook was born in Steubensville, Ohio in 1835. His family was known as the "fighting McCooks," and he measured up to the family records. He was in the second Indiana Cavalry at Shiloh, Perryville and Chickamauga. He was brave and self-reliant with a good record behind him. The third man, Gen. Kenner Garrard was born in 1830 in Cincinnati, grandson of James Garrard, once Gov. of Kentucky. He graduated from West Point in 1851. He was captured in Texas in April 1861 and released on parole (on frontier) and exchanged in 1862. He fought in the Rappa- hannock and Pennsylvania campaigns, commanded a Cavalry division of the army of the Cumberland.
So it was reasonable that Gen. Sherman would expect much of these three dashing and brave commanders with more than 9000 cavalrymen, he believed they could march into any part of the South and that no force the Confederacy could muster could not even delay, and surely never defeat them.
Gen. Wheeler had under him in his defensive operations men who had done much fighting and wherever tried had not failed, but only two-fifths as many men as the Federals had.
Gen. Alfred Iverson was born in Clinton, Jones County, Geor- gia on Feb. 14, 1829. He graduated from a military school and served in the Mexican War when only 17 years old. For dis- tinguished service he was made a first Lieut. in the U. S. Caval- ry. He was in Kansas during the Mormon trouble. He resigned when Georgia seceded from the Union and became a Colonel in the 20th North Carolina Infantry. He won distinction at Gaines Mill and was wounded in the seven days' fight around Richmond. He fought at South Mountain and Sharpesburg. He was made Brigadier General in 1862. At Chancellorsville and Gettysburg he acquitted himself with credit and later was sent to Rome, Ga. to command state forces and became Brig. Gen. of the Georgia
139
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Cavalry, attached to Martin's Division under Gen. Wheeler.
Gen. Kelly was sent by Gen. Wheeler to follow Gen. Garrard, whose division was the first of the Federal forces to concentrate at Jonesboro and Lovejoy. Garrard seems to have failed in his part of the undertaking. At Flat Rock he waited for Gen. Stone- man, as he did not appear, Garrard marched to Covington, he found that Stoneman had passed two days before going south. He blamed Gen. Stoneman and in his report to headquarters he said, "On the 27th the division was placed under Gen. Stoneman who ordered it to Flat Rock and abandoned it to its fate." After being surrounded by a superior force for twelve hours he extri- cated himself from the perilous situation.
Had he followed on after Stoneman in Gen. Iverson's rear he might have won a superb victory. Gen. Kelly had only one- third the force that Garrard had and the force was not superior as reported.,
Gen. Iverson being thoroughly familiar with the territory where Gen. Stoneman was to operate, was assigned the pursuit of him. Gen. Wheeler who detested being cooped up in the in- fantry along Peachtree Creek, decided to follow Gen. McCook, whom he seemed to fear most and whose past was a sure indi- cation that he would make plenty of trouble wherever he went.
Wheeler assumed a task at which any soldier might hesitate, trying to stop the progress of the Federal Cavalry. Many Con- federates had faced great odds but none so formidable, numeri- cally superior and all within a ten-hour' march to strike the heaviest blow.
Wheeler had two-fifths as many men as his opponents had. If he defeated one the other two could combine and crush him which meant disaster to Gen. Hood. Wheeler stayed in the sad- . cle day and night without rest. He only weighed 125 pounds but was a great soldier. He had many conflicting emotions as he rode into the darkness and danger. The ninety days before this had been the most anxious and eventful of his career, but now was the hardest of all. He pressed on to overtake the 1500 men, the responsibilities were appalling. He had split up his small force in order to oppose three Generals, McCook, Garrard and Stone- man.
140
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
He could only give Iverson 1400 men, Kelly 600 men while he had 800. He attacked the Federals at Flat Shoals with 800 against 2400. He captured three supply wagons, a number of prisoners and from these he discovered that Stoneman had gone on south and that he was fighting McCook. He found that all three Federal forces were to unite at Macon, destroy Macon and all of the precious stores and manufactories so essential to Hood's forces. They would march on to Andersonville to re- lease 30,000 prisoners and in Stoneman's wagons were guns to arm most of these prisoners.
Wheeler sent Iverson after Stoneman while he tackled Mc- Cook. He attacked McCook with all that he could muster. These ragged pursuers marched seventy miles in twenty-four hours, he encountered McCook and captured 300 Federals, but McCook's Cavalry came in and was about to turn the tide, when Gen An- derson came to Wheeler's aid and the Federals retreated with severe losses.
Stoneman was on the way to Macon pillaging and burning as he went. He was enthusiastic over destroying Macon and the supplies and on to Andersonville forty miles southwest of Macon where he could arm the 30,000 prisoners and finish Georgia up with desolation and terrorism. It was a noble ambition, a splen- did design but it turned out that Stoneman did not have the dash, grit and nerve necessary to carry it through.
Covington, Monticello, Hillsboro, Clinton down to the very gates of Macon. He threw a few shells into the city. Gen. J. E. Johnston was there recuperating. He gathered the old, the young and everyone who could bear arms to resist the invaders and made every effort to defend the city.
Gen. Stoneman was to have met McCook and Garrard, but his march had been so easy he had the world in a sling, he moved so rapidly that he cast prudence to the wind and went on without a doubt crossing his mind. Stoneman knew that Hood couldn't send any help, so with fresh horses well fed on the fat of the land he felt that he could outride, out fight anything that Wheel- er had in Georgia.
The Confederates were fewer, mounts not so fresh and fat but Iverson knew as Wheeler did what this pursuit meant, so he
141
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
hung on with a death grip to Stoneman, giving him no rest. Stoneman could go faster than Iverson but Iverson had some Georgians and Kentuckians all told 1300 men but they were veterans, some had been with Forrest and some with Wheeler and knew how to fight.
Stoneman was surprised to find such intense opposition at Ma- con. When he saw organized troops, gun implacements protect- ing the bridge, guns run out on flatcars to protect the approaches to the city, his nerve began to fail. Had he pushed on to An- dersonville he could have done irreparable damage, but he hesi- tated and lost. How he wished for Garrard and McCook. He knew now his ambition had led him to disregard military pru- dence, so instead of swinging around Macon to Andersonville, he retraced his steps. The coming had been easy but the going proved more difficult. Iverson's men handicapped by the condi- tion of their horses had lost no time coming up behind Stone- man. Gen. Iverson was experienced, brave and vigorous. He had not had before the opportunities that a separate command gives, but now he knew that vigorous and savage attack was the way to win.
When Stoneman turned back he went north of Clinton, (about halfway between Wayside and Round Oak) and found Confed- erates blocking the way. He had lost his head, he was brave but not his greatest in disaster which is an important qualification in a Cavalry General. He assaulted Iverson's forces with vigor, but they returned shot for shot. They had artillery and knew how to use it. Stoneman knew that this was the fight of his life and the fight for his life.
Through the morning of July 31st the battle raged, the Con- federates became more aggressive, the rebel yell was heard from hill to hill, they drove in Stoneman's left flank, and from that moment Stoneman's troops parted with courage and faith in a victory.
Col. Silas Adams with a brigade went in one direction and Col. Capron with another brigade riding hard and furiously went in another. Stoneman gathered some of his advisors around him and they agreed that they had lost and he told them that he would remain with 600 men and fight long enough to enable Adams and Capron to get a start and make their escape.
142
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
This was heroic but foolish and it is said that his leaders criticized him for not letting Adams and Capron fight in the last ditch while the leader rode away. It is certain that leaders like, Pleasanton, Phil Sheridan, Wilson or Buford of the North and Southerners like, Forrest, Wheeler, Shelby, Marmaduke Morgan or Stuart or Hampton would never have done this. They would have kept all their forces together and fought it out, 2500 against 1500 too.
When the Confederates cut Stoneman's command into two parts, they had won the victory and scattered his forces, whose chief aim was personal safety and escape.
It did not take long to arrange the details of Stoneman's sur- render. He made it with tears in his eyes and was oppressed and humiliated at this sad ending of a campaign which at the begin- ning looked like a glorious walk-over and his name would go down in fame. As soon as the capitulation was over, hardly had the ink dried on the paper than Iverson sent Breckinridge and his Kentuckians in pursuit of the fleeing rebels, who at every moment became less capable of battle.
Iverson marched his prisoners to Macon under escort. Those who had expected to enter the city as conquerors, now came as dejected captives. Their dreams of glory turned into despair. Stoneman surrendered at Sunshine Church. The wounded were left at Frank Hascall's home and in Sunshine church and other homes.
Capron hurried through Eatonton, Madison and Athens seek- ing safety. They went back a lot faster than they came down. Their detours increased the distance. They exchanged their tired horse for mules along the Georgia path of retreat as they has- tened on.
Familiar with the country, and spurred with highest effort, and a desire to punish these raiders, Breckinridge with his Ken- tucky brigade rode hard after the fleeing Cavalry, taking cat naps in the saddle, they went on with tireless energy trying to catch these men before they could rejoin Sherman around At- lanta.
These Federal soldiers felt the depressing effects of the rout and the defeat of Stoneman, and they dropped out, sometimes
143
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
in companies, or squads, forgetting that their safety lay in keep- ing together, presenting a defiant rear to their pursuers.
Adams made a shorter run and escaped with half his com- mand. They united south of Athens, spurring their mounts to the limit to get more miles between them and the enemy. They had been in the saddle for days and decided to camp and get some rest before a final spurt into Sherman's lines and safety. At "Jug's Tavern," fifteen miles from Athens (Winder), they felt fairly safe and tried to get some much needed rest.
Col. W. C. P. Breckinridge who was commanding Gen. Wil- liams' Kentucky brigade and was foremost in pursuing Capron realized his entire force could not overtake Adams and Capron. He had hung savagely to the rear keeping an inner line to At- lanta to drive the enemy as far east as possible, but his horses and men needed rest, and were giving out; with grief and appre- hension he watched horse after horse white with foam lie down and refuse to move. Hastily assembling his entire brigade of less than 500 men he went down the line and picked the least ex- hausted of horses and men which numbered 85. He placed these under the command of Lt. Robert Bowles, one of his best officers and told them to follow hard after Capron and Adams and attack them whenever and wherever they could. These men caught the inspiration of a great opportunity and so cheering and waving to their exhausted comrades they struck out. Those behind that could come on at a slower pace cursed their luck that they were deprived of the exciting chase. They followed the 85 with Lt. Bowles, as they went on to catch the fleeing enemies.
Adams and Capron exhausted, were getting some much needed rest at Mulberry River which was crossed by a wooden bridge. 550 Federals were stretched out on the ground to catch a few hours' rest, the horses tied among the trees. They had many dead and wounded comrades behind them and scores had been cap- tured, as wearied they rested, the first since leaving Macon. Just before dawn on August 3, 1864 they heard the rebel yell and the sharp crack of revolvers resounding through their camp. A number of Negroes were around the outskirts of the camp who had taken their masters' mules and followed the Yankees. At the first charge of the Confederates the mules stampeded, the terror-
144
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
stricken Negroes rushed through the camp of the Federal sol- diers. The cries of the frightened Negroes combined with rebel yells added to the confusion and discomfort of the Federals in the dark. The Federals mounted their horses and started in a rush, dashed to the bridge and as the animals crowded on it, the bridge collapsed and dropped those passing over it into the river, below, cutting off the escape of those left behind.
Those 85 Confederates were busy everywhere, the Federals were completely demoralized, they gladly surrendered and asked for protection. In the darkness they could not see the small force that had scattered them and without arms, they were helpless and so exhausted that all power of resistance vanished.
In his report Col. Capron said, "Just before dawn the morn- ing of the third a body of the enemy's cavalry came dashing up in my rear as near as I can ascertain, passed around the main body of the pickets on both flanks, striking the road where the Negroes lay. The Negroes became stricken and rushed into the camp of my men who were yet asleep, as they had had only one and one-half hours of sleep, throwing them into confusion. They charged into my camp driving and scattering everything before them. Every effort was made by the officers to rally the men and check the enemy's charge but it was impossible to keep them in line, as most of them were without arms and ammunition. Par- tial lines were formed but owing to the confusion and darkness they gave way. A stampede now took place, a portion of the men rushing into the woods and the balance running down the road and attempting to cross the bridge over the Mulberry River in our front. The enemy continued to charge my men, killing and capturing a large number. In their rush across the bridge it gave way precipitating many of them into the river. The men now left, scattered in every direction. I became separated from my command, and made my escape through the woods, arriving at this place on the morning of August 7th."
The ones who participated in this combat at "Jug's Tavern," considering the numbers involved always considered it one of the really great victories of the war.
There was no chance to pass Mulberry River now the bridge was gone and the early morning hours were spent gathering up
145
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
fugitives up and down the banks and in the woods. We had over 300 and hardly had they been corralled, when Gen. Breckinridge and those we left behind rode up to help their comrades, who had achieved a great victory by riding on before. The prisoners were marched to Athens.
A great feast was prepared in Athens and the folks gathered to thank the Kentuckians who had punished the Federal raiders. Congratulations and gratitude were the order of the hour.
Capron escaping on foot, found his way back to the Federal lines, there was hardly a squad left in his command to go the thirty miles between them and Sherman's line around Atlanta.
(Note-Stoneman wrote from Macon that Col. Capron was captured. )
Spring near the old Sunshine Church where the Battle was fought. (Courtesy of Col. Thomas Spencer.)
Stoneman's Raid-Battle of Sunshine Church S. H. Griswold -- 1908
In August 1864, Gen. Stoneman of the Federal Cavalry, left the army of General Sherman who was then beseiging Atlanta, near Decatur on the Ga. railroad, with his cavalry division for
146
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
the purpose of taking Macon, release the prisoners and then pro- ceeding to Andersonville to release and arm prisoners. They came through Newton and Jasper counties and into Jones. He sent a detachment from above Clinton, by the Stewart place to Wilkinson County to the bridge across the Oconee River which they burned. They committed other depradations, burning the jail, the fine home of Capt. Bonner then on to Macon by Rob- erts Station and the Styles place, some taking to country roads.
Gen. Howell Cobb was in command of the department with a few companies of green militia, home guards and convalescent soldiers. These he hastily formed and gave them such guns and ammunition as he could get. He hastily appointed field officers for the regiment and marched to East Macon. Upon Stoneman's approach they were placed in line of battle on the hills on both sides of the road at Cross Keys, which is opposite the hill where Capt. Dunlap lived. The Yankees formed their line on the hill on the Dunlap place. One company from Jones County was com- manded by Tap Holt. Bob Lundy had been appointed Capt. and Bill Brooks Lieut. He was lying down in the corn field when skirmishing began. Uncle Mem Williams said, "Captain, what must an old man do who can't run, I have rheumatism so bad." The Captain said that he was the very kind he wanted, as they weren't going to run. Bob Kingman was in this fighting, and they were all pushed back, but rallied and came back up by Fort Hawkins and made a stand. Skirmishing kept up for an hour or two and the Yankees retired. I never understood why, because that was a green outfit and would have been unable to have stopped a direct charge.
We heard later that Stoneman got word that Confederate Cavalry under Col. Clews and Gen. Alfred Iverson was coming down through Jones, and knowing that the river at Macon was in front of him he hesitated, then decided he had rather meet the Confederates back up farther. Here he made a sad mistake, for gathering his men he marched through Clinton hoping to escape but was met at Sunshine Church between Wayside and Round Oak by Clews and Iverson who so disposed their forces that he surrendered after some brisk fighting, he ran into their V-shaped trap and did not get out. Some of his men escaped but
147
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
over 500 were taken prisoners and many wounded and killed. The men that escaped toward Athens were overtaken by Breck- enridge and captured.
Stoneman and his men were taken to Macon and put in the stockade. It is said, that Stoneman cried when he found that with a boldness and dash, he could have gained his purpose and won.
A Negro belonging to Sam Griswold, named Minor, ran away and joined Sherman's forces and acted as a guide for him in Jones County. He made himself very obnoxious by leading the Yankees in their depredations on Jones County people and when Gen. George Stoneman surrendered, Minor was captured and swung to a limb of a nearby tree. John Sparrow was another Negro who joined the Yankees and after the war came home with the blue Yankee uniform on and a discharge in his pocket. During these days of lawlessness many incidents occurred in Jones County. There was a band of horse thieves with head- quarters between Cedar Creek and Devil's Half Acre. They were connected with other bands all over the South stealing horses. Dr. J. F. Barron made them surrender his horse at the point of a gun. It was several months before this gang was broken up.
Col. Benjamin Beck of the 9th Ga. Regiment who was at home wounded, but was with Tap Holt's crowd fighting, was captured by Stoneman at Macon but recaptured at Sunshine Church by Clews and released. The men Stoneman had sent to burn the Central railroad bridge at Oconee did the work, and returned to Stoneman at Sunshine and it was they, who captured Beck. That was the bunch who got away but later captured. This was the first real battle on Jones County soil. The next was at Griswoldville.
Stoneman was in such a hurry that he had burned and looted only those easily accessible, along the roads. Col. James H. Blount was in command of a company of Cavalrymen in Macon, some of these officers were, Orrie Tufts, Noel Pitts, Roger Smith, who had moved to Wilkinson county. This cavalry was acting as scouts for General Cobb and had met the enemy at Clinton and skirmished with them all the way to Macon. Noel
148
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Pitts, because of exposure and illness was taken sick and died soon after this. He was a son of Captain Jack Pitts and a broth- er of the late John Pitts and an uncle of Gus Pitts. He was a splendid young man, trustworthy and capable. His older brother Pate had been killed a few months before at the 2nd Battle of Manassas. He was a gallant soldier of Jones County.
When Stoneman made his raid on Macon, he detached a squad or company above Clinton and sent it by way of Pine Ridge, Ben Finney's place, old Salem church, Flat shoals and to Squire Choates where just beyond his house the road forked to Gordon, down the Gordon road and on dows the Central railroad to the bridge across the Oconee river which they burned. Taylor Pitts lived on the east side of Flat Shoals creek near Salem church. The Yankees made Taylor Pitts and Bill Wood ride an old mule in front of them to Squire Choate's house where they took his horses and made Choates also go along to Gordon. They all re- fused until the Yankees cocked their carbines and forced them ahead. After going into Gordon there was so much confusion they all escaped and got back home. Choates had one son, Dick and two daughters, Mrs. P. T. Pitts, Jr. and Mrs. Richard Gibson.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.