USA > Georgia > Wilkinson County > History of Wilkinson County > Part 19
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His brigade was in the storming of Missionary Ridge by A. P. Hill, at Gettysburg, and was then retained by A. P. Hill to meet the threatened advance of the enemy from the left.
Pickett's division, composed of Virginians, is famous for the charge at Round Top. They charged by orders. But Gen. E. L. Thomas' brigade of Georgians reached the highest point in that memorable and historic charge. His brigade was the 35th and 45th regiments (and also the 49th and 14th. ) Historians may have regarded these as a part of Pickett's division as they voluntarily joined in the charge.
That splendid soldier and grand old man, Judge W. L. Grice, of Hawkinsville, commanding the 45th regiment, gives this account of Thomas' charge :
'There was a great artillery duel, one hundred cannon from the Confederate side alone belching forth. Thomas' brigade was in line of battle between these opposing forces, the cannon balls from each side passing over the brigade, crouched in the ravine. Thomas' brigade had been de- tached from its division and was sent after dark on the night of July 2' to a position in the valley or ravine. Here it remained that night and until the evening of the next day, exposed to the hot July sun and to the fire of the federal sharpshooters, who harrassed us. We were in a precarious condition, so long under such a fire as this. Did ever brigade before witness such a cannon duel?
When the firing ceased, Gen. Pickett was ordered to charge the enemy on the opposite hill. His charge was
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along the valley where Thomas' men were lying. The 45th Georgia (my regiment) was on the right of Thomas' bri- gade next to the ground over which Pickett's men were to march, the 49th next to the 45th and the 14th and 35th forming left wing of the brigade.
As Pickett's men swept by, Gen. Thomas gave the com- mand, "Forward!"
Pickett had to ascend the slope leading to Round Top, the enemy's artillery pouring its fire upon them, not a tree or bush to offer shelter or protection.
I was with Thomas at the right of the brigade. It was a magnificent sight to see Pickett's men as they came with martial step down that long incline. As they passed by us, Gen. Thomas could not resist. He exclaimed, Forward ! We were on the extreme left of Pickett's men and the enemy's cannon had been trained to strike the Virgin- ians by reason of position, so our loss was not so great. Thomas mounted the outer breast-works and looking to the right saw Pickett's line waver, after they had taken possession of the enemy's works at certain points. Thomas, pointing out the situation to me, asked what should be done. We agreed the position could not be held without support, and the union forces moving to retake their line. No support in sight, Thomas ordered a retreat'."
WILDERNESS
It was in this battle that the 14th Georgia as well as the 49th was again almost wiped out. Both regiments were stationed near the plank road and were exposed to the heaviest kind of artillery fire. The 14th held the apex of a wedge extending towards the enemy and was exposed to a terrific cross fire. Color Sergeant Rabe Grooms of the 14th had been killed. First Lieutenant Henry Solo- mon of Gordon was killed. 3rd Lieutenant W. N. Ryle of Gordon was captured and it seemed no mortal could remain in the line held by the 14th Georgia and live.
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For once this regiment facing utter annihilation was slowly but surely being forced back. His line broken, Col. Bob Folsom was everywhere in the thickest of the fight encouraging and rallying his men. At last when his line was completely broken and his decimated ranks were on the verge of retreat he made one last effort to rally them. Throwing himself in front of his men, he pleaded : "Men, if you love me die with me !" A cheer ran down the lines of gray. The wild rebel yell resounded. A countercharge was made and that portion of the line was restored, but Folsom fell mortally wounded. To add to the troubles of the men from Wilkinson the wilderness caught on fire and numbers of the wounded were burned to death.
SPOTSYLVANIA
This was the next drawn battle in which the men from Wilkinson were engaged. Here the North Carolina bri- gade holding the front line broke and the enemy poured his forces in. The Wilkinson county companies under Thomas were ordered to help retake the line. They suc- ceeded but the brigade lost heavily.
Then comes the period of the war when outnumbered it became evident that it was only a question of time before the end. We thus find the companies from Wilkinson in every battle around Petersburg. The men of the 3rd Geor- gia could hear the sappers under the fort at the Crater before it was blown up, yet stuck nobly to their posts. Then when the terrible explosion came, those remaining alive helped hold back the hordes of Yankees that poured into the breach.
And finally, in that last battle before Petersburg on the day before the retreat began, the gallant A. P. Hill, under whom the men of Wilkinson fought so nobly; fell at the head of his men. That night the retreat began which culminated at Appomattox.
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Yet in defeat, in the moment of surrender, the hopes of the Confederacy at an end, we find the nobility and courage that characterized the men from Wilkinson so nobly portrayed in the act of one of her sons. The colors of the gallant 3rd Georgia, which in so many battles had proudly waved at the head of this regiment, battle scarred, torn by shrapnel, and shell, never captured, never having fallen into the hands of the enemy was now about to be surrendered. Color Sergeant, J. C. Hicks of Company I as he furled it that morning and realized that the noble banner which he had sworn to defend so long as life lasted must soon fall into the hands of those who would doubtless trample it into the dust, resolved that come what may, whether it meant northern prison or even the firing squad, he would save that flag. He seized the flag, tore it from its standard, some accounts say he wrap- ped it about his body underneath his tattered uniform and when the approaching foemen appeared no flag could be seen and that he walked home with his flag. Other accounts are that he gave it to Col. Snead. Suffice to say that the battle torn banner now can be seen in the Capitol of Geor- gia, never besmirched by foemen's hands, and on it is in- scribed the account of the deed of the man from Wilkinson.
CHAPTER XXXVI THE WAR REACHES WILKINSON
STONEMAN'S RAIDERS
A BOUT the first of August of 1864 a small band of Stoneman's Raders which had been sent in this direc- tion by Sherman, appeared at Gordon, burning box cars and destroying other property. Being pursued, they hurried down the railroad, destroying as many trestles as they had time. According to information given the writer by Professor O. M. Sanders, arriving at Wriley, the raiders turned across Commissioner creek and took the road by the McCook farm. In the lane between the Robinson and Jones farms they met Mr. Lawrence Smith, the father of M. G. Smith, who was riding a mule. They opened fire upon him, wounding him, but he rode his mule down the steep hill at the head of Buck Creek on the Jones place amid a hail of bullets, and escaped. The mule, however, died from over-exertion. The alarm was given and efforts were made to capture the band. Finding it was impossible to continue down the railroad and destroy the river bridge, they turned about and tried to return to Sherman's command, but were captured.
CO. D 8th GA. AND CO. H 2nd GA.
When the news reached Wilkinson that Sherman was invading Georgia, although with its small population Wil- kinson County was maintaining seven companies in the field, the seventeen year old boys and old men who were able to bear arms formed two more companies, Company D of the 8th Georgia Militia and Company H of the 2nd Georgia Militia. These two companies did excellent ser- vice. Both were sent to Atlanta to assist in its defense. Falling back after Atlanta fell, they were stationed at
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Macon when the news came that Sherman had captured Milledgeville and was sending a force towards Wilkinson county. Marching to Griswoldville their advance was opposed by batteries of Federal artillery stationed on the hill across the branch just east of Griswoldville sup- ported by Kilpatrick's hordes of cavalry. It was madness to fight the battle of Griswoldville, but there was much at stake for these boys. Their homes and loved ones were depending upon what they did that day. If this battle could be won, Wilkinson County would be saved from the torch and the insults of the bluecoat army. And when this thought was borne to the minds of these seventeen year old boys, they fought as few soldiers have ever fought before. Al- though a hopeless undertaking these boys charged the bristling batteries. It seemed that no living thing could cross that hail of shot and shell which was poured into them as they charged up that slope. Driven back they ral- lied for the second time and again charged, with the same result. And yet, they reformed the line and again charged this time almost reaching the belching guns themselves, when overpowered, they were again forced back.
It is said that there was not a cornstalk nor a bush left standing on that slope that day. Henry Mercer, still liv- ing was the first man to fall wounded. A. A. Beall, captain of the company, seized Mercer's gun and fought with it with the rest of the company.
Historians writing of this charge justly compare it with Pickett's charge at Gettysburg in the bravery shown by the militia companies.
But they could not overcome the overwhelming forces in front of them and there was mourning in many a Wil- kinson County home that night for the boys and old men who had so nobly but vainly died that Wilkinson might be spared.
In the meanwhile other portions of Howard's Division were approaching Gordon from the direction of Milledge-
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ville. Gen. Henry C. Wayne, Adjutant General of Geor- gia, was at Gordon commanding a mixed force of cadets from the military school at Marietta, and convicts from the State Penetentiary, the latter having been given their liberty on condition that they do military service. The fol- lowing is an extract from the thrilling account of the oc- casion in the sketch, "Kelly's Defense of Gordon," pub- lished in the Confederate Veteran which was written by T. D. Tinsley of Macon who was a member of Wayne's staff and an eye-witness to the part played by J. R. Kelly :
"On reaching Gordon in the afternoon, General Wayne made his headquarters at the Old Solomon Hotel. The morning following our arrival, while General Wayne, Major Capers, and I were sitting on the porch of the tavern, a man on horseback dashed up. From the pommel of his saddle on one side was swinging his Winchester, while on the other was a pair of crutches. He had but one leg, having left the other on a battlefield in Virginia. Giv- ing his name as Kelly, he offered his services as a vidette. General Wayne thanked him very courteously and ac- cepted his services. Kelly saluted again, touched his mare with his spur and, bending in his saddle, galloped rapidly off in the direction of Griswoldville.
"About noon of the same day he returned and reported the enemy leaving Griswoldville, heading for Milledge- ville via Gordon. He left a second time, and soon there- after General Wayne requested me to notify the conduc- tor we were to leave for Oconee Station as soon as his engineer could get up steam, also to instruct Major Ca- pers to form his battalion at once and have them board the train.
"This was done, and when the conductor was ready to move his train, General Wayne remarked to me : 'Well, Adjutant, we had as well get aboard also. Let's take the rear coach.' He had hardly taken his seat when Kelly gal- loped up to report the Yankee army in sight, but, seeing
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the battalion embarked, said: 'General, what does this mean ?' Don't we make a stand?' General Wayne, from his window, said: 'No, Mr. Kelly, it would be ridiculous to attempt to check Sherman's army of one hundred thou- sand or more men with a force of seven hundred. We go to Oconee, where I may make a stand at the long bridge which spans the Oconee.' Then it was that Mr. Kelly turned loose his wrath, cursing General Wayne for a white-livered cur with not a drop of red blood in his veins. His vocabulary of profanity was equaled only by his reck- less bravery. Finally he said : 'Well, you damned band of tuck-tails, if you have no manhood left in you, I will de- fend the women and children of Gordon.'
"He unlimbered his old Winchester, rose in his stirrups and began firing at Sherman's army, then plainly in sight. I was on the rear platform as the train moved slowly out. and we left him holding the fort, 'alone in his glory.' "
In recounting the story to the writer of his defying a whole Yankee regiment, Mr. Kelly said he and John R. Bragg who had joined him fired upon the advance guard of the enemy, killing one of them. The others retreated and as it was known that Wheeler's Cavalry was operat- ing in this section the Yankees were slow to attack in force. For this reason it was some considerable time that they remained in undisturbed possession of the town. But suddenly as he described it, "The whole world turned to Yankees." So he and Bragg beat a hasty re- treat east along the railroad. Thinking it advisable to separate, Kelly told Bragg to turn into the swamp on the right while he would ride on further before turning. In the meanwhile the pursuing bluecoats were firing a hail of bullets at Kelly and Bragg. In attempting to turn his horse into the woods, Kelly's horse stumbled and before he could regain his mount he was surrounded and captured. A courtmartial tried Kelly and sentenced him to die. A few nights later, however, in crossing the Ogee-
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chee swamp, he being carried in a wagon, he succeeded in eluding his guards and made his escape.
SHERMAN'S BURNING OF IRWINTON
The news was continually reaching Irwinton of the rapid advance of Sherman's army toward the sea, with rumors of burnings, pillaging and destruction that marked the places it passed. News came that the Yankees were at Mill- edgeville. Then came the roar of the federal artillery at Griswoldville, twenty miles away to the west. If the Con- federate forces could be successful, the enemy would have to fall back towards Milledgeville to cross the Oconee River for General Wayne's troops supported by Wheeler's Cavalry blocked their passage at Ball's Ferry and at the railroad crossing, and this section would be saved.
However, John R. Bragg, having escaped in the fight at Gordon, came with the news of that encounter. Know- ing that the Yankees were within a few miles of the town and that possibly everything would be destroyed, every- body began hiding all their valuables. Horses and cows were carried to the swamps, hogs were penned off in the thickets, trunks and boxes of valuables were buried. To this day many can point with pride to some old trunk and tell how it was buried full of articles when Sherman came. However, in many cases these precautions were of no avail.
A few soldiers who had been disabled by wounds were at home at the time. Among these were John W. Lindsey, later Pension Commissioner of Georgia, who had been wounded in Virginia and was partly recovered. He with several others rode out along the Ridge Road to recon- noiter. Just as they came to the bend of the road just west of the Lingo farm they spied the federal cavalry regi- ment coming at a gallop and only a short distance away. The Yankees saw them at the same time and opened a hot fire upon them. Being outnumbered ten to one they turned their horses and outran the Yankees, turning to the right
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at W. L. Pennington's farm and escaping across Big Sandy Creek before other detachments from the other roads could cut them off. Once across the creek they were safe since Wheeler's Cavalry was known to be there in force and there was no danger of Yankee patrols ven- turing that far. A few hours later from one of the hills near Red Level Church they watched the flames as the town was burned.
Close on the heels of the regiment of cavalry others began to arrive in Irwinton by hundreds. Soon the whole town was one mass of tents. The private homes were commandeered for the officers. Gen. Wm. F. ("Baldy") Smith who commanded the brigade made his headquarters in the house where Hon. Geo. H. Carswell now lives. To guard against a possible surprise attack from Wheeler's ยท Cavalry, breastworks were thrown up on the sides of the town at strategic points, guarding the approach from every direction. In most cases the traces of these old redoubts are yet to be seen.
No sooner had their camp duties been completed than the Yankees began their work of destruction. Not a chick- en, turkey, goose, pig or anything eatable was left alive. Barns and smokehouses were emptied of everything left in them, homes were looted, trunks broken into and every- where that the marauders could think of was searched for hidden articles. Late in the afternoon, they began ap- plying the torch ; first came the courthouse, then the gran- aries in front of it and from there to the old red brick schoolhouse built in 1824, which was then also being used as a granary. By some means, possibly by slaves betraying their hiding places, the Yankees learned of the where- abouts of the horses, mules and cows which had been carried to the swamps and these were brought into the camps, the cows being slain for beef and the horses and mules taken away.
E. J. Gilbert had several fine horses taken this way. In
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the drove of horses was a mule named "Cuff" which pos- sessed the same faithful love for these horses that Ruth bore for Naomi, and when the Yankees captured the horses, the mule was determined to be captured too, so willy, nilly, the Yankees had a mule on their hands. One of the characteristics of this mule was that no one could ride her except the negro slave who was accustomed to plow her and everyone who attempted to do so regretted it. One of the Yankees needing a fresh mount leaped on this mule, and a moment later picked himself profanely from the ground about twenty feet away. For the next thirty minutes one after another of these cavalrymen rolled in the dust. Then a lanky western broncho buster was detailed to conquer the plucky, long-eared rebel and he finally succeeded in riding off a dejected looking mule.
On account of the fact that Wayne and Wheeler were disputing the crossing of the Oconee River the divisions here were held up several days, until Sherman with the main army could advance down the road from Milledge- ville towards Sandersville and threaten the rear. In the meantime, detachments were sent out from Irwinton throughout the surrounding country to pillage, burn and destroy. So well did they perform these orders that when they finally left, this whole section was on the verge of starvation. Those who were living here at the time still tell of how they would pick up the grains of corn where the horses did not eat it and use it for food. There would have been terrible suffering had not the plantations out- side this path of destruction sent in provisions in abund- ance.
The trackage of the Central of Georgia railroad was torn up from one end of the county to the other, the tres- tles, depots and all other property belonging to it that could be were burned.
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PILLAGING THE HOMES OF WILKINSON
In the meantime, bands of the Yankees would go on pillaging expeditions. Tradition says that W. M. White- hurst near Gordon had hidden $16,000 in gold and that several of the blue-coats seized his youngest son and threatened him until the little fellow carried them to the hiding place.
Another band hearing of the wealth of W. E. Carswell near New Providence made him a prisoner. Failing to frighten him into giving up his valuables, and learning that "Old Ben" knew. where the money was hidden, they hurried to the field where they were told Ben was at work. Seeing a slave fitting the description of Ben, they made him prisoner and demanded that he tell where his mas- ter's gold was hidden. The robbers were disappointed, however, when their captive burst out in such a convinc- ing manner: "Marsters, Marsters, you done cotch de rong nigger ! Dis ain't Ben ! Dis is Peter ! Ben is right un- der de hill yonder !" Turning him loose they hurried on to find the elusive Ben under the hill. As soon as they were at a safe distance, their erstwhile captive darted into the swamp, keeping safe his master's secret, for he was Ben.
Another striking instance of the loyalty of a slave was that of "Injun Jack" Deese, belonging to Joel Deese.
In order to save his horses Mr. Deese and Jack drove them across Big Sandy Creek where Wheeler's Cavalry was counted on to keep Sherman's forces at a distance. Jack was hastening back to take care of his "Missuses" when Federal guerillas came upon him and made him prisoner. Learning who he was, they demanded to know the whereabouts of his Master. Upon his refusing to di- vulge, they put a rope around Jack's neck and throwing it over the limb of a tree swung Jack into the air, keeping him aloft until he was about to strangle then letting him down. Again he refused and again he went up. The third
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time he defied them and they vowed he should die. This time while he was in the agonies of death the timely ap- pearance of a regular army officer who dispersed the murdering gang and cut the rope saved Jack's life.
Later, while Robert Toombs was making his escape to the coast, Deese sent Jack with him for a portion of the journey.
WHEN BIG SANDY SWAMP WAS NO MAN'S LAND
During this time Wesley King gathered into a Company every boy, old man, and wounded soldier at home recuper- ating south of Big Sandy Creek who could bear arms and kept patrols at every crossing holding back the Yankees who would attempt to cross. It is said that at Lightwood Knot Bridge, at Stephensville, a mob of them attempted to cross but that Dr. J. B. Duggan, armed with a shotgun, fired into them putting all of them to flight. As a measure of safety it was deemed necessary to destroy this bridge and fire was applied to it.
Throughout Lord's District the citizens were suffering severely from the pillaging Yankees. Everything that could be was stolen and carried away. So great were the injuries and insults inflicted that at the house on the road leading from Ebenezer to Outlaw's Bridge, just west of its junction with the Irwinton and Ball's Ferry road, a Wil- kinson County man came upon two Yankees attempting to rob the helpless inmates. He opened fire killing one of the Yankees and the other fled. A peculiar thing about this killing is that the credit for doing so has been given to at least three separate and distinct individuals, neither of whom, so far as the writer has ever heard, ever denied being the perpetrator. We must therefore consider it an unsolved mystery as to the man who killed this yankee who was buried near Ebenezer Church and whose body after
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the close of the war was disinterred and send to his native State.
BATTLE AT RIVER BRIDGE
In the meantime, General Wayne had stationed his cadets and his armed convicts at the Bridge of the Central of Georgia railroad. Pieces of artillery were placed in commanding positions and every possible defense ar- ranged. Upon the approach of the advanced guard of the Yankees the companies of convicts scattered leaving the cadets and Wheeler's Cavalry to do the fighting. The at- tack was soon general. The Yankees threw out sharp shoot- ers along the Wilkinson County side who were continu- ously picking off the young defenders. However, there were crack shots among these cadets, and they were adept at hitting the enemy. T. D. Tinsley, whom we have hereto- fore mentioned, wrote the compiler of this fight, and mentioned one incident where a sharp shooter could not be located for a long time until after several cadets were wounded. Finally, he was located and a well aimed rifle brought him down out of the top of a tall tree.
BALL'S FERRY SKIRMISH
While the fight was in progress at the River Bridge news came to Wheeler whose forces were supporting Wayne that the Yankees had driven off the six men he had posted to guard Ball's Ferry and were crossing with the purpose of attacking him in the rear. At once assem- bling a portion of his cavalry he repaired to Ball's Ferry. About one hundred of the enemy were already on the Washington County side. Sounding the charge he swooped down upon them. The Yankees, panic stricken, fled. Throw- ing aside everything that impeded them, they leaped into the river and swam across. Abandoning the newly built en- trenchments, which may yet be seen, they sought safety in distance. Wheeler's men crossed the river and picked
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