USA > Georgia > Wilkinson County > History of Wilkinson County > Part 17
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Mrs. Sarah Allen, widow of Willis Allen, a few years ago, (though near ninety years of age,') recounted to the compiler her recollection of an occasion when two speakers spoke at Allentown to a large audience. She stated that
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she heard one boast he was going to eat the other alive, and a rejoinder from his opponent said, "If you do you will have more brains in your stomach than you ever had in your head."
Turkey Creek district in which Allentown was located was strongly Union. Those leading the fight against se- cession were the Burkes, Carswells, Davidsons and Allens.
Irwinton district was likewise strongly Union.
In High Hill, the Ridleys, Hogans, Isaac Hall, the Bul- locks, Kings, and others were for remaining in the Union while L. S. Jenkins, famous school teacher, and the Porters were leading the contest for secession.
In Lord's District a bitter fight was raging. On the Union side were William Lord, James Lord, James Stev- ens, Russell Thompson and Buck Dixon.
Leading the secession movement were Bunk McGowan, Noah McGowan, and others. At the election which was held at Deese Store, where J. D. Dixon now lives, Bunk, a giant in stature and strength mounted a soap box and in a voice that roared like a lion said "Come on boys and vote the secession ticket! Me and Tony and Todd (his small sons) can whip every dam Yankee that comes on southern soil."
(A year or two ago later, news came to Wilkinson County that a battle was imminent in which the Wilkin- son County soldiers would be in the hottest part. A crowd of old men gathered at Toomsboro to go to the scene of battle and nurse their sons, in case of wounds. Among these were James Lord, Buck Dixon, James Stevens, and Russell Thompson. Some wag exclaimed, "Send for Bunk McGowan and Tony and Todd !" Bunk was exempt from military service on account of age, but when someone told him what had been said he swore a mighty oath and had not his brother Noah forcibly held him he would have climbed aboard the train to go to the front. (Information given by James E. Lord.)
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The result of the election was a victory for Carswell and Cochran. Wilkinson thus went on record as opposing secession.
CHAPTER XXXII THE WILKINSON MILITIA AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR
T THE outbreak of the war found the militia of Wilkin- son poorly organized and disciplined. The years of peace and safety from Indian attacks had eliminated the necessity for well disciplined military forces. For this reason the citizens had grown careless in attending drills required by law. The ranking military figure in the county in 1861 was J. Bloodworth, Major of what was known as the Upper Battalion, the Lower Battalion being com- manded by Major John J. Todd. The following copies of letters found in the State Department of Archives and History throw light on the militia organizations in the various districts :
"State of Georgia, Wilkinson County September 19th, 1861.
To His Excellency, Joseph E. Brown, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of this State and of the Militia Thereof, Greeting:
Sir, in obedience to the proclamations sent forth in the Southern Federal Union and the understanding I have of the same I proceed to make a report of the Militia of said County so far as I have been able to procure (viz.) from the 327th Dist. G. M. Capt. W. H. Price Nos. 80; from the 33 1 Dist., Capt. Wm. B. Ryle Nos. 131; from the 329 Dist., John H. Hatcher reported as newly elected Capt. Nos. 24; from the 330 Dist., a list numbering 90, C. D. Smith Capt .; and from the 352d Dist., G. M. No. IIO L. A. Hall, Capt. ; making in all reported 435 effective
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men, the other three Districts having failed or neglected to report all of which is respectfully transmitted to his Excellency.
J. Bloodworth, Major.
"I will now state some facts to your Excellency with regard to the Militia from the fact that about the time I may think the several Districts are organized some Cap- tain will resign or volunteer. And again, we have been without a colonel in this Regiment for a number of years and that brings about a great difficulty in organizing the Militia. Another difficulty our Districts are tactics that is without Military Books of any kind and men elected find themselves inadequate to the task of drilling the men without some form or guide to direct them which I think is the prime cause of their backing out so soon after elected. I think it would be well for the proper authority to see that those difficulties are supplied. I should be glad that a Colonel was elected in this regiment as I am now close on to fifty-six years old and am the only officer acting as Major in the regiment and of course my age warrants my leaving the office but patriotism does not until the proper arrangements can be made if made speedily.
Yours most respectfully,
J. Bloodworth.
"P. S .- Since writing the above and foregoing report the Captain newly appointed in the 328 Dist. G. M. John J. Shepherd came in with his report from said District 98 effective men making an aggregate of 533 men two Districts yet untold.
J. B."
Irwinton, May 15th, 1862. "To Henry C. Wayne, A. G., of the State of Georgia :
Dear Sir : This will inform you of the date of my Com- mission as Major of the Lower Battalion of Wilkinson
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County. Also the date of the My Commission is dated March the 3rd 1862. I was sworn in March 2 Ist 1862. My Postoffice is Irwinton.
Yours etc., John J. Todd." Stephensville, Ga., May 15th, 1862. "To H. C. Wayne, Adjutant and Inspector General :
In obedience to Genl. orders No. 8 I am only Commis- sioned Officer of the 332 Company Dist. G. M. in Wil- kinson County Rank Ist Lieut. date of Commission 24 day of May, 1861.
Yours respectfully, Geo. W. Payne, Lieut." CO. F 3rd GEORGIA
The result of the Secession Convention is only too well known. From the beginning Carswell and Cochran rec- ognized the fact that they were battling against over- whelming odds, but continued the contest against seces- sion to the last. When the question was finally up for voting on, they went down in defeat with the minority. Now, that Georgia no longer considered herself a member of the Union, to' Carswell and to Cochran the highest duty that Georgians owed was to Georgia. A motion was now made to make the secession vote unanimous. It was now no longer a question of voting whether Georgia should secede; it was the question whether Georgians should be united on the stand that already had been taken. The votes of both Carswell and of Cochran were in the affirmative.
It was soon seen that war was inevitable. Lincoln's call for volunteers was answered in the south by a call for vol- unteers for the defense of her soil. Though Wilkinson had struggled to the last to prevent secession, she now rallied to the southern cause. A wave of patriotism swept
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the county. "The Wilkinson Rifles," later Co. F 3rd Geor- gia Regiment commanded by William O. Beall was the first company to be ready for service. The following let- ters show the alacrity with which Wilkinson County re- sponded :
Original Documents on File in Dept. of Archives and History :
"Macon, Georgia, Jany. 16th, 1861.
Dear Sir :
Please send me a suitable number of the blank-bonds, such as are used in the distribution of arms to privates, if the State furnishes them. I will need about seventy (70), inasmuch as some of the present members may resign, and, in that event, the bonds originally executed would have to be cancelled and new ones filled out. If the State does not furnish them, will you please send me the established form for them: Also inform me as to whether the State furnished Officers of Infantry Companies with swords :- My reason for asking this is, that it is next to impossible to purchase suitable ones within the limits of the State- I have been unable to get them in either Savannah or this City. I am, with the highest respect,
Your very obedient servant, Sam H. Washington,
2d Lieutenant and Ordnance Officer "Wilkinson Rifles," Wilkinson County, Ga.
To Adjutant General H. C. Wayne, Milledgeville, Georgia.
Please direct to me at Macon. Headquarters Wilkinson Rifles
March 26, 1861."
"Col. H. C. Wayne, Adjt. Gen. Milledgeville, Ga.
Dear Sir :
The service of our Company was tendered to His Ex-
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cellency the Governor of Georgia some time since, and understanding a requisition has recently been made by President Davis upon Governor Brown for 2,000 soldiers, and the number to be furnished to be supplied from the Volunteer Companies of the State-Our Company is yet holding themselves in readiness. Will take into service at least sixty men, perhaps eighty.
Desiring to hear from your Department-We are, Very respectfully, your obt. servts., Rollins A. Stanley, Secty. per order of William O. Beall, Capt. Commanding Wilkinson Rifles."
ORGANIZATION OF COMPANY I
A short time after Company F was formed, N. A. Carswell, organized the Carswell Guards, later known as Company I of the 3rd Georgia. Part of the time while it was being organized the company was encamped at New Providence Church where the men were drilled. These two companies were soon rushed to Virginia.
"Being the first Georgia regiment organized on Vir- ginia soil, before even the reception of that State sub- sequently, it was honored by a special order of thanks from the Secretary of War, for re-enlisting for the war before their first enlisted term of service had expired. For a like reason President Davis and General Lee, on the front lines around Richmond, raised their hats to this regiment, the President saying: "Third Georgians, I sa- lute you ! For myself and the people of the Confederate States I thank you."
"And well did the regiment repay these honors, for its career became brilliant, and like the face of the sun, noth- ing to blemish its beauty, it was not behind the foremost in every important battle of the Army of Northern Vir- ginia. Advancing its flag furthest on Malvern Hill, within
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ten steps of where the enemy's guns were posted, its de- fenders slept upon that blood stained field of battle, and afterwards that flag was waved in triumph over a thirteen- gun battery on the crest of Gettysburg's Cemetery Ridge. But its career was none the less brilliant further on, even down to the close of the war, for but one day before the surrender at Appomattox, gathering strength from de- spair itself, it successfully received a charge and returned a counter charge, capturing more prisoners than its com- mand numbered." (Augusta Evening News, July 22, 1887:)
The battles in which the Wilkinson County companies of the 3rd Georgia were engaged are as follows :
Chickacomic, N. C., Sept. '61 ; South Mills, N. C., April 7, '62 ; Below Richmond, Va., June 18, '61 ; King's School House, June 25, '62 ; Malvern Hill, July 1, '62 ; 2nd Ma- nassas, Aug. 30, '62; Harper's Ferry, Sept. 15, '62; Sharpsburg, Sept. 17, '62; Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, '62; Chancellorsville, May 2 and 3, '63 ; 2nd Fredericksburg, May 4, '63 ; Gettysburg, July 2, '63 ; Manassas' Gap, July 23, '63 ; Wilderness, May 6, '64; Spotsylvania C. H., 10 and 14, '64; South Anna, 21, '64; Cold Harbor, June 10, '64; Petersburg, June 22, and July 1 and 30, '64; Deep Bottom, Aug. 2 and 21, '64; Hatcher's Run, Feb. 6, '65 ; High Bridge, April 3, '65 ; Farmville, April 8, '65; At Surrender, April 9, '65. (Bulletin, Oct. 14, 1898.)
The heroic conduct of the gallant 3rd Georgia in the battle of South Mills during 1862 so impressed Gen. Hu- ger that he ordered "South Mills" to be inscribed on its banner as a reward.
RAMAH GUARDS
The next Company to be organized in Wilkinson County was the Ramah Guards commanded by Robert W. Folsom, a born leader and a rigid disciplinarian. Later this was Company B of the 14th Georgia. About the Ist of July, 1861, the company was assembled at Ramah Church
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and the officers chosen. The field on the north side of the road just east of Ramah was converted into a drill ground. Many of the older people yet recall the company drilling here, the commanding appearance of Captain Folsom, as he drilled his men, and how after the drills were over, those who were not too tired would engage in foot races. David Solomon, Joel Rivers and others helped equip the Company with uniforms and it made a splendid appear- ance. The services of the Company were tendered the Confederate government and immediately accepted.
Preparations were made at once for the departure to the front. On the Fourth of July a barbecue was given the Company by the citizens.
On the 9th of July they broke camp, marching to the home of the venerable Joel Rivers, now an invalid, to pay their respects to the man they all loved. From thence the Company marched to Ramah Church. Here, suitable cere- monies for the presentation of the Company colors had been arranged. Miss Malinda Solomon, the beautiful daughter of David Solomon and the sweetheart of Lieu- tenant C. C. Kelly, (later Major) was selected to present the colors. After the pretty presentation speech, Captain Folsom's command rang out : "Officer of the Day, receive the colors." Of course Lieutenant Kelly happened to be serving in that capacity just at that time. (Yes, they later married.)
The Company entrained for Atlanta where it became a part of the regiment, known as the 7th Georgia, thence was sent to Lynchburg, Virginia, where it was mustered into the Confederate service on July 21, 1861. From Lynchburg the regiment was sent to West Virginia be- coming a part of Jackson's "Foot Cavalry." This regi- ment was now assigned to Archer's Brigade and became the 14th Georgia instead of the 7th. The first battle in which this company was engaged was the Battle of Cheat Mountain in West Virginia. A short time later the regi-
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ment became a part of the Army of Northern Virginia, and in the re-organization of the army in the Spring of 1862, became a part of the command of Brigadier Gen- eral E. L. Thomas.
COMPANY A OF THE 49th GEORGIA
This company was organized with S. T. Player, Captain. The drill ground for this company was the level field near the present home of Mrs. Josie Wright. The company was armed with Enfield rifles and sent to Whitesville, Ef- fington County, Georgia, for training, and later to Golds- boro, North Carolina, thence to Virginia, arriving in time to take part in the battle of Seven Pines.
Here McClellan had concentrated his 100,000 men against 63,000 Confederates. In addition to these odds the raw troops comprising the 49th were subjected to a most terrific barrage of heavy artillery fire. The survivors yet tell of the vivid recollections of that awful baptism by fire.
Only a short distance from the 49th in this battle were the men of Company B of the 14th who had already ex- perienced the smell of burning powder. These two com- panies of Wilkinson County men were in the front line when the battle started.
The 14th Georgia went into the battle with Wade Hampton's Brigade. Videttes had been thrown out by Company B, J. R. Kelly being one of those detailed for this purpose, and was one of the first to come into contact with the advance guard of the enemy. Company B dis- tinguished itself that day, fighting like veterans.
Following the battle of Seven Pines, the Wilkinson County Companies were assigned as follows : Companies F and I of the 3rd Georgia in Brigadier General Wright's Brigade, Pender's Division : Company B. of the 14th Geor- gia and Company A of the 49th Georgia in Thomas' Bri- gade, Anderson's Division, all in A. P. Hill's corps.
CHAPTER XXXIII COMPANIES D, I AND K OF THE 57th
GEORGIA REGIMENT
[N October, 1861, two other companies were organ- Lized in Wilkinson County, one commanded by Captain R. L. Story and the other by Captain H. K. Byington.
The scarcity of arms in the South made it necessary for these companies to be armed with shotguns and such other arms as could be borrowed from the citizens of the county. Both companies were sent first to Camp Harrison and then near Savannah for training. Here the men were armed with rifles. These companies having enlisted for only six months, their term of enlistment expiring in April, 1862, the companies re-enlisted in toto, but there being an insufficient number of companies in their old regiment, and lacking only one to complete it, it was decided that twenty-five men from each of these companies together with detachments from Laurens County should form an- other company. This was known as Company I, with Cap- tain Bishop commanding. The original companies were designated as Companies D and K, all three companies be- ing incorporated in the 57th Georgia Regiment.
They were now returned to Savannah, then sent to Camp Randolph, thence to Chattanooga, Knoxville, and on to Franklin, Ky. A short time later they were sent into Mississippi where they became a part of Pemberton's Western Army.
Thus, while the bloody battles were raging about Rich- mond, Companies D, I and K of the 57th Georgia were doing noble service. At Baker's Creek, Mississippi, no veterans displayed more heroism. Grant was attacking Pemberton with a vastly superior force. The battle was
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raging in all its fury on the front, the 57th being in the reserve. The front line began to crumble about noon and regiments of the enemy began to pour through, threaten- ing the Southern army with destruction unless the tide could be stemmed. Orders were received by the 57th to form a line of battle and restore the breach made by the assaults of the enemy. Although raw and untried, never having before been in battle, the 57th covered itself with glory that day. As they charged they were met by a ter- rific fire that mowed them down by hundreds. Man after man from Wilkinson fell, but as those in front were shot down others leaped forward to fill their places. They re- stored the line but the enemy continued their assaults against this portion of the line vainly striving to break through. The gallant John Brooks of Gordon, color ser- geant of the 57th, had every man of his squad shot dead and as the banner was falling to the ground leaped for- ward, seized it and bore it onward, and onward until he, too, heroically fell a sacrifice to the cause. And yet, the men of Wilkinson did not die in vain that day. The line was held until an orderly withdrawal could be had and the army of Pemberton was saved from destruction.
VICKSBURG
After this battle, Pemberton's army was shut up in Vicksburg and the 57th went through that terrible siege. The compiler has heard the veterans tell of that awful forty-seven days, how they were driven to the extremity of eating mule meat, how they were exposed to the sun and to the rain and cold, how they stood guard all night long in the no-man's land between the two armies in order to prevent a surprise attack; how the sound of sappers underfoot gave notice of the fact that under the 57th Geor- gia a mine was being laid to blow them up; and how at last when all hope for relief from Johnson's army was gone and the mine scheduled to be exploded only two days
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later, the surrender of Pemberton to Grant was brought about.
After the exchange of paroled prisoners following the capture of the 57th at Vicksburg, they were sent to oppose Sherman who was now approaching Atlanta. The next battle in which the 57th was engaged was that of Kennesaw Mountain. In this battle the Wilkinson County men of the 57th were stationed on the south side of the mountain and did excellent service, holding the enemy back. A terrific hail of bullets and artillery fire was con- centrated upon their position. Gilbert in an advanced posi- tion in front of his company, I, fell wounded and was soon calling for water. S. A. Hatfield passed him his can- teen of water. Later this regiment was in the battle of At- lanta and lost a number of men in the artillery barrage there, one shell killing near a dozen men. Then followed the battle at Jonesboro, and after this the northward march of Hood's Army into Tennessee, with the battles there. Later this command marched to North Carolina and surrendered at Goldsboro at the end of the war.
The following historical sketch written by James H. Freeman during the War throws much light on the early history of the 57th Ga. It is regretted that much of it has been lost:
"Commencing this war with James H. Freeman. First he went into six months service from which he left home the 9th day of Oct., 1861, reached Savannah at night about 8 o'clock. The Co. took lodg- ing in livery stable for the night. Next morning we put out to the Gulf depot, took the locomotive for Camp Harrison, distance 70 miles, arrived there about 3 in the evening. Of all the smoked fel- lows we were that, riding on an open car. We remained there in camp, drilled and ate, slept and fared like pigs in pens. In about a month we got news the yanks were landing at Savannah. We had then to bolt up and put for Savannah, leaving in the evening about 6 o'clock and arrived in Savannah about 10 at night. There we lay all night, no fires, frost next morning, the Yanks had gone back. I had the measles, took them night before. The morning afterwards great many the officers were getting drays to haul our baggage out to camp on the C. R. R. 2 miles distance, place called Race Track. The regiment had to march in ranks through a sandy road, the first marching we ever had done. I got nearly past walking before I arrived, having the measles with fever. It was 3 months before I did any duty. In the six months time I had a twenty-four hours furlough and made it last 48 hours. During our stay we built
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fortifications down below Savannah, one place called Ft. Bogs 1 mile below town. We had to leave every morning by light, had to rise by 2 or 3 o'clock to cook for the day. Still we had a jolly old time coming back to camp stopping in town sometimes all night. One great thing with me was we had no fighting nor picketing to do during the six months, nothing only guard duty around camps. A glorious time we had then, to be in camps and to eat better food than I have had since. We threw away more than we drew since. Our time was out the 9th of
James H. Freeman went into the Confederate service the 2nd of May, 1862, which he left home about the 14th for Savannah there remained nearly a month at Camp Barkaloo 4 miles from town, in which time my dearest mother took sick. Myself and brother got furloughs to come to see her. While at home she died. We stayed over our time a few days. We went back, remained down there until June the 1st. They gave the whole regiment a furlough until the 14th of June, '62, when we had orders to go to Camp Randolph Calhoun Post Office nearly 100 miles above Atlanta on the Western Atlantic R. R. We remained at Camp Randolph until the 4th of July, '62. We had orders to cook up rations for three days, to be ready to march at 8 o'clock for the depot the distance over 1 mile, leaving some of our tents or nearly all, but we got to the depot and was ready to leave by 10 o'clock for Chattanooga. We arrived in Chattanooga late that evening and lay over until the 16th of July following. While there we had the worst water and no wood. We let out from there down to (Taylor's store) Taylor's station 26 miles below Chattanooga on the Road to Nashville, Tenn. We re- mained down there and did picketing for a month on Tenn. river. In that time one of our regiments went over to the yanks, deserted. While there we boys could go up on the Mountain and see the Yankee camp. We drank cider and ate blackberries, drank butter- milk and had fun rolling down the mountain. About the 10th of August we got orders to cook up rations for two days for Knox- ville, Tenn. We struck tents and packed to leave for the cars over a mile to from camp. I was on detail all day loading our baggage, we got it all there and loaded that evening, next morning at to leave for Chattanooga, that nasty old place. The car being over- loaded we were late getting there that night. Next morning, at 6 a. m. we let out the locomotive for Knoxville, Tenn. While on the road the most pretty flags were presented to us and handkerchiefs were waved by pretty girls as we poor soldiers would pass them, and they would throw us apples. We arrived at Knoxville that night. Next morning some went to the Hotel to get warm breakfast, but I took mine out of my haversack. We struck camp one mile from town, there remained a week. Then got orders for a forced march and to carry nothing only what we carried on our backs and guns and round of cartridges, 1 wagon to 2 Companies and them to carry commissaries and few cooking things and march 20 miles to Clinton, Tenn. That was our first march to Clinton, Tenn. We camped around there nearly three weeks. No fighting yet, it being the last of August.
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