USA > Georgia > The war-history of Company "C", (Beauregard Volunteers) Sixth Georgia Regiment (infantry) with a graphic account of each member > Part 3
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We stop for a moment to relate a little incident that occurred with Capt. Anderson while a prisoner at Fort Delaware. He was permitted to address a letter to William Bryce & Co., Hardware Merchants, N. Y .. and Lonis B. Brown & Co., Clothing Merchants, of the same city, with all of whom he had dealt extensively be- fore the war, and between whom and himself an undisturbed friendship ex- isted; setting forth his destitute con-
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CAMPAIGN. OF 1862.
dition and asking them to afford hint some temporary relief. These gener- ous hearted merchants responded promptly. Bryce & Co., sent him fifty dollars in cash, and Brown & Co., sent about fifty dollars worth of cloth- ing. After taking a bare sufficiency to meet his own actual necessities, ' Capt. Anderson promptly distributed the remainder among his destitute comrades. We have simply adverted to this cirenmstance to show the gen- crons hearted disposition that has ever characterized this noble hearted man in every department of life.
We will again resume the subject. On the morning after the battle it was found by inspection that out of our entire Brigade there were not over 200 men able to report for duty. It was on this occasion that Gen. Col- quitt shed tears at seeing the ex- tent of the suffering of his gallant Brigade in the previous day's action.
On the 22d, five days after this bat- tle, President Lincoln issued his cele- brated Emancipation Proclamation. This gave a new turn to the war, and stimulated quite an impetus to its more vigorous prosecution. Especial- ly upon the part of the Confederates who now resorted to every available means to push the war forward on a more gigantie scale than ever before. Shortly after the issning of this proc- lamation McClellan was again dis- placed and Gen. Ambrose E. Burn- side, supposed at the time to be in full sympathy with the emancipa- tionists, was placed at the head of the Grand Army of the Potomac. This new chief immediately set himself to work and inangurated another grand campaign against Richmond. His chosen line of approach to that much coveted city, was a long over-land route by the way of Fredericksburg. Now, under the ever active and un- tiring "Stonewall" Jackson, we were put on a forced march of ten days' dura-
tion, marching on an average of twenty miles each day. We started on this march from Strasburg on the morn- ing of the 26th of November, in the midst of a violent snow-storm. Burn- side reached Fredericksburg about the 6th of December, and found himself confronted by Gen. Lee from the op- posite banks of the Rappahannock River. Ile crossed the river about the 10th and gave battle on the 13th. This is known as the battle of Fred- Prieksburg. The two entire armies became engaged in this terrible con- fliet. The contest was heroic on both sides. Our Company, though exposed to the enemy's fire during the entire battle of two days' duration, was so fortunate as to pass through un- harmed. The result of this battle was the complete routing of Burnside, and driving back his army with great loss across the Rappahannock, All fur- ther active operations on both sides now ceased for this year, and the two : armies here went into winter quarters, (The result of the battle at Fredericks- burg not being satisfactory with the anthorities at Washington, Burnside was removed and Gen. Joseph Hook- er was put in command. ) Here the curtain of time dropped upon the closing scene of this year.
CHAPTER IN.
We will now note the changes that occurred in the membership of the Company during this year, together with the names of those who died of disease contracted in the service.
Capt. Charles D. Anderson was promoted to the rank of Major, to wear the star of the gallant Major Philemon Tracy, killed in battle at Sharpsburg on the 17th of September. Ist Lient. James M. Culpepper was promoted Captain, to fill Anderson's place. 2d Lient. Jonnathan D. Cow- art was promoted Ist Lieutenant, to fill Culpepper's place, and 3d Lient.
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CAMPAIGN OF 1862.
Jefferson M. Gray, who had this year minors, were discharged. Upon arri- been elected to fill the place made va- ving at full age, they again entered the service with the Western army. cant by the promotion of 3rd Lienten- ant Cowart to the 2nd Lientenancy, upon the death of 2nd Lieut. Jones, killed in battle at Cold Harbor on the 27th of June, was promoted 2nd Lieu- tenant, to fill Cowart's place.
Private Seaborn M. Hunt was elect- ed 3rd Lieutenant, to fill the vacancy made by the promotion of 3rd Lieut. Gray. Upon the election of Orderly Sergeant Jefferson M. Gray to the 3rd Lieutenancy, to fill the place made va- cant by the promotion of 3rd Lieut. Cowart to the 2nd Lieutenaney after. the death of 2nd Lieut. Thomas S. Jones, killed in battle at Cold Harbor on the 29th of June, as before stated, 2nd Sergt. Amos W. Murray was pro- moted Orderly Sergeant, and 3d Sergt. Isaac N. Vinson was promoted 2nd Sergeant, and 5th Sergt. Joel L. Dis- eker was promoted 3rd Sergeant. 4th Sergeant Samuel Felder having been killed in battle at Seven Pines on the Sist. of Blay, as before stated, 2nd Corporal Samuel HI. Hiley was pro- noted 4th Sargeant.
fet Corporal Leonidas Brown hav- ing been killed in battle at Cold Har- bor on the 27th of June, as before stated; Srd Corporal Bryant Vinson was promoted 5th Sergeant. Private Richard H. Powell was elected 1st Corporal, and Private Talbot G. Ham- mock was elected 2nd Corporal. 4th . until he he got well; after which, ho
Corporal Reuben A. Kilby was pro- moted 3rd Corporal, and 5th Corporal Geo. W. Cheves was promoted 4th Corporal. Private Lewis F. Ander- son was transferred to Butler's South Carolina Cavalry, then on duty in that State. With this command he remained to the close of the war. C. D. Ander- son, Jr. was discharged on the grounds of physical disability. He never af- terward joined any branch of the ser- vicc. Privates Chas. G. Gray, Green Avera, and Thos. O. Skellie, being
5th Corporal Geo W. Cheves was placed upon detached service with the Signal Service Department in Virginia. With this department he remained to the close of the war. Private John Etheridge was dischaged upon the grounds of physical disability. lle again entered the service with the Southern Rights Battery where he shortly afterwards died of disease con- tracted in the service.
Private William M. Haslam was ap- pointed Hospital Steward. In this po- sition he remained to the close of the war. Dr. Haslam will long be re- membered by those, for whose welfare he ever exerted himself to the best of his ability, and exercised the most vig- ilant care. Private William F. Me- Gehee was appointed to a position as orderly on Gen. Colquitt's non-com- inissioned staff. In this position he remained to the close of the war.
Private John C. Humber was trans- ferred; but the command to which the transfer was made, not recollected.
On the grand, but fatiguing march into Maryland, Private Sumter Belvin being sick, broke down, and was sud- denly missing. We afterwards learn- ed that he was captured by the enemy, among whom, he met an old school- mate, who had him kindly cared for was sent to Point Lookout, Md., where he died. His remains were brought home after the war.
Sergteant-Major John M. Miller, was transferred to a Cavalry command in Louisiana-name and number of command not recollected. With this command he remained to the close of the war. 4th Corporal Reuben A. Kil- by was furloughed, and never return- to the Company. The cause of his delinquency has never been known. His home was in Florida, and he was
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CAMPAIGN OF 1862.
was furloughed to that State, and we McElvain, the gallant Easign, and all learn joined a Cavalry command.
Private John Mayo was furloughed and returned to his home, which was in Florida. Hle voluntarily united with some Florida Militia, and was killed in a skermish near Marianna Florida.
Private Uriah Slappy was discharg- ed upon the grounds of physical dis- ability. Whether he afterward united with any branch of the service not recollected.
Private John D. Anliman died at a hospital at Winchester, Virginia, of disease contracted in the service. Pri- vate Stephen D. Clark died in a hos- pital at Richmond, Virginia, of dis- case contracted in the service. Pri- vate Alexander Finlayson died in camp of disease contracted in the ser- vice. Corporal Theophalos Hardison died at his home in Houston county, Georgia, of disease contracted in the service. Corporal Geo. M. D. Hunt died at his home in Houston county, Georgia, of disease contracted in the service. Privates D. Hearn and O, Hearn died at their home in Houston county, Georgia, of disease contracted in the service. Private James M. Ma- son died at his home in Houston conn- ty, Georgia, of disease contracted in the service. Private Alexander Sul- livan died from accidentally treading bare-footed on an inverted nail which pierced through his foot, producing lock-jaw. Death ensned almost in- stantly. Private Allen Sullivan died in camp of disease contracted in the service. Private Andrew J. Shirah died of small-pox at a field-hospital near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Sergt. Ulysses M. Gunn, of whom mention has already been made in the third Chapter, was, for meritorious conduct on the battle-field at Seven Pines, on the 31st of May, in triumphantly and gallantly bringing the colors out of that bloody battle, after Sergeant
the guard except himself had been kil. led dead on the field, appointed Regi- imental Busign, with the rank and pay of 1st Sergeant of Infantry. On the 27th of June, he carried the col- ors aloft into the battle of Cold Har- bor, and fell severely wounded. He was borne from the field by Lientenant Culpepper. The flesh and maseles were lacerated, and thigh and hip bonos fractured for nineteen inch- es. llis recovery was miraculous. The loss of blood was so great, he remained in a stupor for five days, not being able during that time to hold up his head withont fainting. On the next day, 28th, Dr. Henry A. Mettauer, the very efficient and energetic Sur- geon of our Regiment, extracted the ball. Two days afterward, on the 30th, he was sent to Richmond, and placed in the Seabrook Hospital. Here he remained in a delirious state till his brother, who had been tele- graphed for, arrived and removed him to a private house on Maine street. Here he lingered between life and death till August, when he was re- moved home, where he remained su- pinely on his back till November.
Being quite young when the war commenced, and his education unfin- ished, he docided in the following Spring to resume his studies under his former instructor, Prof. James E. Crossland, then rector of the Male High School at Marion, Twiggs conn- ty, Georgia. He soon left this school on account of prevalence of searlet fo- ver, and entered the Mount Zion High School in Hancock county, Georgia, where he remained till the passage of an Act by the Confederate Congress, approved the 14th of February 1864, taking into service of a sedentary na- ture the maimed soldiery. Wherenp- on Sergeant Gunn, though yet upon his crutches, reported promptly for duty at Macon, Georgia. He was ap-
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CAMPAIGN OF 1863.
pointed enrolling officer, and assigned duty in Dooly county, Georgia. Find- ing in that county 124 men due the Government service under said Act.
Hle consented, at their request, to lead them as Captain, and reported promptly at Macon, Georgia, with them for duty, and was mustered into service as Company "G," Fifth Regi- ment of Georgia Reserves.
This regiment was appointed guard of the Macon stockade, con- taining 1,100 Federal officers, held as prisoners of war. Ilere the regiment remained on duty till Stoneman's raid, the latter part of this year. To Capt. Gunn was assigned the duty of search- ing Gen. Stoneman and removing the contraband articles when Stoneman was brought into Macon a prisoner. After this raid of Stoneman, the reg- iment was ordered to the front at Lovejoy's Station. Soon after this, the regiment was ordered to Savannah by way of Thomasville, to meet Sher- man's invading army.
Upon the evacuation of Savannah, the regiment was withdrawn through South Carolina. It is but merited justice to Capt. Gunn to state that, during the entire campaign of his see- ond entry into the service, he was im- able to march without the aid of crutches or stick.
NOTE .- We omitted to mention at
the proper time and place, that Pri- vate George W. Slappy was wounded at Sharpsburg, Maryland, on the 17th of September. And, also, that Pri- vate Alexander Gloxier was killed in that battle, as was also Private Ste- phen Corder. And that Sergeant Major John M. Miller was severely wounded at Mechanicsville on the 26th of June.
We will also note in conclusion a little incident which occurred on the night of the 19th of September, two days after the battle of Sharpsburg, and the night on which Lee, closely pursued by Mcclellan, recrossed the Potomac near Shepherdstown. Pri- vate Charles D. Anderson, Jr. being in feeble health, and unable to wade the river, and dreading to be left be- hind as he would inevitably fall into the hands of the enemy, Private Wen- dell D. Croom took him on his back and boldly waded into the river, and carried him safely neross. This oc- curred at about three o'clock in the night. This would have forcibly re- minded one of the old saying of the "kitten toting the old cat", as both men at that time, would not, if weigli- ed together, have weighed two hun- dred pounds. The river at this point, at low water, was about one hundred yards wide, and from knee to waist deep to a man of ordinary height.
CHAPTER V.
THE opening of this Campaign organizing and equipping the army. found our Company on the right banks . He seemed to take it for granted that Lee would instantly quail and re- tire before this grand array of milita- ry strength of a hundred thousand strong. He therefore put it in mo- tion on the 27th of April, moving against Richmond, overland by way of Chancellorsville. of the Rappahannock river, where the curtain of time dropped upon it at the closing scene of last year, sullenly con- fronting the enemy from the opposite banks of that river. General Joseph Hooker, who had superceded General Burnside in command of the Grand Army of the Potomac, as before sta- General Lee, however, with his 50, 000 men, did not retire. He gave ted, had employed the Winter in re-
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CAMPAIGN OF 1863.
battle for four days, beginning on the 29th-meeting Hooker's divisions at every point of assanlt; and, by skillful manœuvres, made several successful assaults himself. It was now that the celebrated flanker, Gen. (Stonewall) Jackson, to whose command our Com- pany was attached, made his famous flank movement around Hooker's ar- my, completely gaining his rear, and, undiscovered, got his corps in position, and on Saturday evening, first day of May, at about one hour of the sun, opened fire upon Hooker's rear, and fought what is known as the battle of Wilderness Church. In this battle, our Company suffered the following casualties: Privates Jas. Corbett and James Lominac were, each wounded in the left hand. Private Wendell D. Croom had the little finger of his right hand broken by a fragment of exploded shell. Nightfall put an end to this conflict. The two armies biv- renew the conflict at day-light the next morning. The ever active and
Our quiet was, however, soon dis- turbed. Lee's grand raid into Penn- sylvania, had, to some extent, left Richmond uncovered. This was tak- en advantage of by the Federals; and a Cavalry expedition fitted out, headed by Kilpatrick and Dalghren. The object was, the release of the Fed- onaced for the night, determined to . eral prisoners, and leave them to burn the city, and kill the Confederate President and Cabinet. The strength indomitable (Stonewall) Jackson, in of this expedition not being fully making a hasty reconnoissance of the known, caused great alarm and anxie- ty for the safety of Richmond. We were at once ordered to Richmond to meet this expedition, and parry the threatened blow now ahned at the Confederate Capitol. We left Kins- ton on the 4th of July and arrived at Richmond on the 6th. In the mean time, and before our arrival at Rich- mond, the expedition had been defeat- ed by some Virginia Militia and citi- zens, and Dalghren, one of its leaders, killed. The expedition made its es- cape down the Peninsula. enemy's position during the night, lost his life. The fatal shot came by mistake from his own lines. At day-light next morning, with almost unprecedented fury upon both sides, the fight was renewed, and what is known as the battle of Chancellors- ville was fought. In this bloody and never-to-be-forgotten struggle, our Company suffered the following cash- alties: Major Charles D. Anderson, 3rd Lieutenant Seaborn M. IInnt, Or- derly Sergeant Amos W. Murray, 2nd Sergeant Isaac N. Vinson, 1st Corpor- al Richard HI. Powell, and Private Jonathan F. Conssens were wound- ed.
The result of this battle was the de- feat of Gen. Hooker, and the driving back of his Grand Army, with great loss across the Rappahannock. We
are now about to take leave of the Ar- my of Northern Virginia. Shortly after this battle, Major General D. H. Hill, to whose division our Brigade had been attached at the evacuation of Yorktown, and with which we had remained up to this time, was trans- ferred to the command of the Depart- ment of North Carolina, with his head-quarters at Kinston. We were sent with him. We arrived at Kins- ton in the latter part of May, and im- mediately entered upon the duties of this, to us, new field of operations.
We were now a sort of independent Brigade.
During the early part of this year, a powerful armada had been fitted out from the Northern ports under the direction and command of General Seymour and Com. Farragut. The object was, the capture of Charleston and reduction of Fort Sumter. We were now ordered to Charleston to
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CAMPAIGN OF 1863.
meet and repel this threatened inva- sion. We reached Charleston about the 15th of July, and took quarters on James Island. The first duty as- signed us in this new field, was the chastisement on the 16th of some colored troops which held possession of the Western end of the Island.
The result was, these sable colored gentlemen were handsomely thrashed and driven off the Island. The next duty assigned us was the garrisoning, for four days, of Battery Wagner, on Morris Island, commencing on the 21st. During these four days the en- emy's whole floating strength was brought to bear upon this fort.
This was the most terrible scrape that we had gotten into during the war-bad weather, bad fare, bad duty, and bad everything. We were so for- tunate, however, as to have but one casualty: Private Elias Adams was light duty. Accordingly after the
killed by a shell at Cumming's Point, on the Eastern end of the Island.
The remainder of this year was em- rop, who ordered him to report to ployed successively, and by detail in garrisoning the different points of de- fence of the approaches to the port of entry to the harbor of Charleston.
During one of these periods of ser- vice in Fort Sumter, Private John S. Price was badly burned by the acci- dental explosion of one of the powder- magazines, he being on duty at the time at the entrance to the magazine. Late in the winter all active opera- tions ceased on both sides, except the continual bombardment of Fort Sum- ter, and we went into winter-quarters.
Here the curtain of time fell upon the closing scene of this year.
CHAPTER VI.
WE will now note the changes which occurred in the membership of the Company during this year, together with the names of those who died of disease contracted in the service.
Major Charles D. Anderson was pro-
moted Lieutenant-Colonel to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of Lieutenant-Colonel Wilde C. Cleve- land, immediately after the battle at Chancellorsville, on the 2nd of May. He was also elected, in the Fall of the year, by an overwhelming majority over all opposition. to represent Houston county in the Georgin Legis- lature. As we are now about to part with this distinguished citizen and soldier, we deem it but merited justice to him, as the first head of the Com- pany, that we say in this connexion, a few words in his behalf, and trace him through the war. Upon leaving the army to take his seat in the Legisla- ture, not being entirely well of the wounds received in battle at Chancel- lorsville on the 2nd of May, he was recommended by the Surgeon of our Regiment, to proenre a position of adjournment of the Legislature, he applied to Commissary Gen. North-
Capt. A. M. Allen, of Columbus, who had charge of purchasing commissa- ries. This officer assigned him to the Department of Southern Georgia to purchase corn, bacon, &c. Col. An- derson also held, at this time, a com- mission as Aid-de-camp to Governor Brown with the rank of Colonel.
He had but just entered upon the duties assigned him by Capt. Allen, when he was ordered to Atlanta to assist in organizing the militia.
He left the purchasing-supply busi- ness in the hands of carefully selected sub-agents, and repaired at once to Atlanta, where he was engaged for a while in organizing the Militia, and placing them upon a war-footing.
Being a staff officer, he was not en- titled to command; but, by the con- sent and request of all the line officers, took command of the first regiment formed. He now sent up his resigna- tion to the War-Department resigning
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as Lientenant-Colonel of the 6th Reg- iment, Georgia Volunteers, which was accepted. In a few days, Governor Brown turned over the Militia npon certain conditions to the Confederate Authorities, and thereby the Militia became to a certain extent Confederate troops, and were ordered by General Joseph E. Johnston to the left of his line on Pea Ridge. Hence Colonel Anderson is again in the army as a Confederate soldier. The first day after taking this position, Colonel An- derson's Regiment was engaged in the skirmish at Pea Ridge. After the skirmish at Pea Ridge, Johnston's ar- my foll back to the west bank of the Chattahoochee River, the Militia bringing up the rear, and protecting the rear at Turner's Ferry till the whole army crossed over under a heavy artillery fire. Upon the army arri- ving at Atlanta, Colonel Anderson was unanimously elected Brigadier General, and took command of the 3rd Brigade of Georgia Militia. Gen. Anderson's Brigade was engaged in the battle of Atlanta on the 29th of June, 1864, and in defending the city till it was evacnated.
When Sherman evacuated Atlanta, and advanced npon Savannah, the Mi- litia retired before him to Macon. Sherman's army passed above Macon. The entire Georgia Militia, now under command of Major General Phillips, were ordered forward, and struck Sherman at Griswoldville, and fought the never-to-be-forgotten battle for its misconception and mismanagement upon the part of the officers who plan- ned it. In this battle, Gen. Ander- son's Brigade bore a conspicuous part. Indeed the little success that perched upon the Confederate banners in this unfortunate affair, was attributable to the coolness and precision of General Anderson and General II. K. MeCay. The Brigade was engaged from two o'clock P. M. till dark, fighting against
an odds of about ten to one, and lost 175 men killed and wounded. Gen'l Anderson's horse was wounded under him in two places, and the cape of his coat and his hat were perforated in several places by Federal bullets. It is said that the Militia in this engage- ment, behaved with the coolness and bravery of veteran soldiers. After this battle, the Militia were ordered to Savannah via Albany and Thomas- ville, and placed upon duty upon the extreme right of the line of defence.
In the hasty, hazardons retreat across the month of Savannah River, upon a hastily constructed pontoon bridge, Gen. Anderson's Brigade per- formed one of the most dangerous feats of the war, In order to elude the notice of the enemy, the troops were crossed during the darkness t of night. Gen. Anderson's Brigade cov- ering the retreat, was of course the last to cross.
"This occurred about three o'clock in the night. The Brigade had bare- ly cleared the bridge, when upon the rapidly swelling influx of the tide its moorings gave way and its couplings became detached, it was almost in- stantly a total wreck. Had this oc- curred while the Brigade was on the bridge, the result must have been the drowning of the entire Brigade, as the river was wide and deep. and the weather cold. Upon the efflux of the tide the wreck floated out to sea.
When Gen. Sherman left Savannah and advanced into the Carolinas, the Militia withdrew through South Caro- lina into Georgia.
We must now resume the subject proper.
4th Sergeant Samuel H. Hiley was appointed Regimental Wagon-Master with the rank and pay of Ist Sergeant of Infantry.
In this position he remained to the close of the war. 5th Sergeant Bry- ant Vinson was promoted 4th Ser-
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