USA > Georgia > The war-history of Company "C", (Beauregard Volunteers) Sixth Georgia Regiment (infantry) with a graphic account of each member > Part 4
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
?
22
CAMPAIGN OF 1864.
geant to fill Hiley's place. 3rd Ser- fill the place of Vinson, promoted. geant Joel L. Diseker was assigned to 2nd Corporal Talbot G. Hannock was promoted 5th Sergeant. the Ordinance Department in the Ar- mory at Macon, Georgia, from which place, we are under the painful neces- sity of saying, he deserted and went to the enemy the following year, and for which crime he was promptly re- duced to ranks. This was the first and only desertion that ever occurred in our Company. 4th Sergeant Bry- ant Vinson was promoted 3rd Ser- geant to fill the place of Disiker, de- tached. 1st Corporal Richard H. the service. Powell was promoted 4th Sergeant to
Private Henry B. Vinson was elect- ed 1st Corporal. Private John I. Har- ris was elected 2nd Corporal. Brd Corporal Reuben A. Kilby was contin- ued Brd Corporal. Private James F. McDonald was elected 4th Corporal. Private James Etheridge died at Rich- mond, Va., of disease contracted in the service. Private Elijah Etheridge died in camps of disease contracted in
CHAPTER VL.
THE dawn of this Campaign, found us where the curtain of time fell upon ns at the closing scene of last year; snugly encamped on James Island, near Charleston, South Carolina, where we had, as before stated, been on duty part of the preceeding year. During the latter part of January, and early part of February, our Com- pany was detailed to assist in garris- oning Fort Sumter in Charleston har- bor for thirteen days and nights. Du- ring this period of trying service, the fort was exposed to a most territlie bombardment from the enemy's gun- boats. He brought his whole floating strength to bear upon the fort, strik- ing it on an average with 2.000 shots every twenty-four hours, weighing from 32 to 300 pounds.
Fortunately, however, we suffered bnt one casualty. Private Wendell D. Croom was wounded slightly on the right hand by a fragment of ex- Mdloded shell. During the month of February, an invading force was sent from the vicinity of Charleston, South Carolina, to Jacksonville Florida, un- der command of General Seymour, having for its object, the subjngation of the latter State, Upon this be- coming known, our Brigade (Col-
quitt's) was dispatched to meet this mvading foe. We left Charleston on the 8th and arrived at Lake City, Fla. abont the 15th.
We take the liberty of stopping just here to tell of the kind reception we met with at Madison C. Il., Florida, at the hands of the ladies of that place. Learning that we were en route for the defence of the "Land of Flowers," and parry the threatened blow now aimed at their homes, and that we would pass through their town, they had prepared for us a sumptuous din- ner of such viands as they knew would be heartily relished by hungry soldier .. After dinner, in behalf of our e nu- mand, the accomplished Bennett Stewart, of Company "G"of our Reg- iment, tendered the thanks of the command to the ladies for this mani- festation of their appreciation of our services in their behalf. He assured them that their homes should be pro- tected at all hazzards, and the onenty driven from their State. Having ar- rived, as before stated, at Lake City, and having reconnoitered the enemy's strength and position, we set ont to meet him, now moving on Tallahassee from Jacksonville. We met him on the 20th, at Ocean Pond, and fought
CAMPAIGN OF 1864.
the bloody little battle which takes its name after that place.
Here, after a close hand-to-hand fight of about five hours duration, un- der the invincible Colquitt, as Field- Marshall of the day, a most brilliant victory was won.
The enemy, with his colored allies, was once more made to bite the dust and feel the force of Southern steel.
Nothing but the unconquerable en- ergy of the indomitable Colquitt, and the indomitable pluck of the men he led against the enemy in this contest, saved us from utter defeat -- the odds were so great against us. Our line of battle crossed the Jacksonville and Tallahassee Railroad at right angles. We were assisted by two 32-pounder field-guns, mounted on a car, and run out from Olustec Station by an engine fully protected by a breast-work of cotton bales arranged on two interven- ing cars. These guns played sad hav- oc with the enemy's lines. In this battle we had three separate lines of battle to contend with, two lines of colored troops in front, urged forward by a line of white troops in their rear.
About dark the enemy's lines way- ered and fled in wild confusion to Jacksonville, stopping at Baldwin, the junction of the Jacksonville and Tallahassee, and Fernandina and Ce- dar Keys Railroads, only long enough to destroy their munitions of war, and commissary stores.
In this battle, our Company suffer- ed the following casualties. Privates John S. Price, William I. Shines, James Clark, William C. Gray, and John C. Davidson were wounded. The wound of Price was such as to · permanently disable him from further active service during the war. Pri- vate Josiah Avera was killed. In the death of little "Si" the Company lost a noble sollier, and the country a good citizen.
We are now about to return to the
Army of Northern Virginia, after an absence of about twelve months on other duty; the history of which, we have just traced. In the opening of this Campaign, the Federal Govern- ment contemplated three grand ob- jects:
First. A powerful army to be led against Atlanta, Georgia, by General W. T. Sherman; to which, General Joseph E. Johnston stood opposed at Dalton, Georgia.
Second. A powerful army to be led against Richmond, hy Gen. Ulys- ses S. Grant, whose brilliant achieve- ments in the West had won for him great eclat and distinction, and who was now raised to the rank of Lieuten- ant General and placed in command of the entire Federal army, with his head-quarters in Virginia. To this General Lee stood opposed at Rich- mond.
Third. The capture of Charleston, and subjugation of Florida, by Gen'l. Seymour. To this, Gen. Beauregard, in command of the department of the South, stood opposed at Charleston. This latter soon failed, as we have seen, and Gen. Seymour was with- drawn to re-enforce Grant in Virginia.
Upon the withdrawal of General Seymour's forces from Florida and Charleston, General Beanregard, with his forces, was transferred to the South-side Department in Virginia, with his head-quarters at Petersburg. We left Florida on the 2nd of May, and arrived at Petersburg the 9th.
About this time, the enemy suc- ceeded in establishing his lines be- tween Petersburg and Drewry's Bluff. General Beauregard, who happened at the time to be in Petersburg, was thus ent off from the main body of his forces, which was at or near Drew- ry's Bluff. (The enemy's lines here referred to, consisted only of a brigade of cavalry flankers, extended on the chemy's left.) We, assisted by the
24
CAMPAIGN OF 1864.
5th North Carolina Cavalry, and the Crescent City Artillery, escorted Beauregard through these lines on the night of the 11th. We were twice during the night aligned for battle, but the enemy declined, and the bat- tles did not ensne. On the 16th was fought the battle of Drewry's Bluff. In this battle, General Benjamin F. Butler was in command on the Fed- eral side with an army of 30,000, while Beauregard had not exceeding 15,000 all told. The enemy's line of battle was nearly in the form of a semi-circle, its right resting on the right banks of the James River, a few miles below Drewry's Bluff. The as- sanlt was made by Beauregard at day- break on the morning of the 16th on the enemy's extreme right. A South Carolina brigade made the assault, but was repulsed. A Tennessee brig- ade was then ordered to the assault, which was, in like manner, repulsed and set back. At this critical junct- ure, our Brigade, which was held in reserve, was ordered forward. We raised a hideous yell and rushed to the charge with our usual bravery and impetuosity. The enemy, at once, recognized us as Colquitt's "Tigers" -- a name by which we were known among the Federal troops.
We moved with impetuosity, and succeeding in turning the en- emy's right withont firing a gun. The enemy, however, after retreating about a half mile, rallied and gave us battle. We soon ronted them again, turning them so completely around, were com- ing up in the rear of their line of bat- tle. Becoming panie-stricken at our gaining their rear, the entire line fled in wild confusion. Our victory was complete. The enemy was whipped and driven back upon Bermuda Hundreds. In this battle, we suffered the follow- ing casualties: 5th Sergeant Talbot 6. Hammock was killed. Capt. Jas. M. Culpepper, 4th Sergt. Richard H.
Powell, 5th Corporal Jas. F. McDon- ald; Privates Wendell D. Croom, and John J. McDonald were wounded.
On the morning after the battle, our Brigade was formed into a hoflow square, when General Beauregard from the center, mounted on a splendid charger, made us a speech, in which he paid ns a high compliment, assur- ing as, that to us was dne the honor
of the brilliant achievement won in the previous day's action. Imedi- ately after this battle, General Beaure- gard organized his little army into di- visions. Major Gen. Robert F. Hoke, a young officer of great moral worth and distinguished ability, was assign- ed to the command of the division to which our Brigade was attached.
Shortly after the battle of Drewry's Bluff, General Butler withdrew from the Sonth-side Department, crossed the James River, and formed a june- tion with Grant, taking position on his right. This powerful re-enforce- ment to General Grant, threatened a crushing blow to General Lee at Cold Harbor, and the pro- bable fall of Richmond from that point. Gen. Beauregard now hasten- ed with all possible speed, to aid Gen. Lee at Cold Harbor, the threatened point of attack. We crossed the James River on the morning of the ist of June, and reached Cold Harbor late in the evening of the same day, en- conntering the enemy's vanguard and driving it back. On the 3rd the sec- ond great battle of Cold Harbor was fonght. It commenced at day-light, and raged with teritic fury till the on- emy was repulsed. It will be seen by reference to the first battle of Cold Harbor on the 27th of June 1862, that it was the most fatal battle our Com- pany had ever been in. In it we had fifteen killed and fifteen wounded. This was the most fortunate battle we had ever been in, if we take into consideration the magnitude of the
CAMPAIGN OF 1864.
battle, and the great disparity of num- for the defence of Petersburg. bers.
Here our Regiment, carrying into action not exceeding two hundred guns, and assisted by two pieces of ar- tillery, so arranged as to enfilade the enemy's lines from right to left with grape and canister, confronted the 8th New York artillery regiment, which had just been converted into an infan- try regiment and numbered 1,850. We killed. wounded, and captured 1.150 of them. Our Company had two casualties. Private William N. Harris was killed, and Private Thos. A. Lowe was wounded. In this bat- tle, if Grant was not defeated, he was so completely baffled that he abandon- ed all hope of success upon his chosen line of approach to Richmond, and withdrew his army down the James . dition he lived about three days, seem-
River to Harrison's Landing, and City Point. as MeClellan had done two Years before. From these places he soon closely invested Richmond and Petersburg, especially the latter.
Ilis first stop was to take advantage of Beauregard's absence from the South-side Department, and send Butler back across the James to cap- ture Petersburg. (In this he very nearly succeeded. ) Upon this becom- ing known. Beauregard hastened with all possible speed, to check-mate But- ler's movements. For this purpose, our Division left Cold Harbor on the 12th of June, and arrived at Peters- burg at three o'clock on the night of the 14th. Having been delayed on the way, awaiting advices from Beau- regard in reference to Butler's move- ments. Upon arriving at Petersburg, we learned that a squad of Federal " 'avalry had the evening before, parad- ed through the streets, but being more aipon a reconnoissance than anything : Ise, they made no halt. Al day-light next morning, we found the Federals in possession of the strong-holds and fortifications which had been erected
Beauregard made a desperate effort to dislodge them, but failed. We had now to go to work and re-fortity against the enemy. This effort was made on the 16th, and is known as the battle of Petersburg. It com- meneed at day-light with heavy skir- mishing on both sides, which lasted till about sun-set, when the enemy made a desperate charge upon our hastily erected works. He was repuls- ed with great slaughter. In this bat- tle, Private William S. Davis, of our Company, was killed. We can never forget the horrible death of this sold- jer. Each of his jaw-bones was bro- ken about mid-way, his chin and tongue were completely taken off at. the break, by the bullet. In this con- ingly suffering all the pangs and mis- eries of a hundred horrible deaths. fleavy skirmishing all along our lines was an every-day-occurrence, as well as any amount of sharp-shooting, and heavy shelling from both sides, from now till the last of September. Pri- vate John W. Murray, of our Compa- ny was killed in a sharp-shooting duel in July-day of month not recollected. In the mean time, however, three des- perate assaults were made on our en- fire lines, all of which were repulsed, and three regular battles fought be- tween detachments of the two armies, without any decisive result on either side. The battle of Deep Bottom, was fought on the 10th of August. In this our Command took no active part, not being present. The battle of Weldon Railroad was fought on the 18th and 19th of August. This was the battle in which our Company plucked the most brilliant feather for the cap of its history. In this we captured Brigadier General Ruther- ford B. Hayes, now President of the United States, with Lieutenant Brady, one of his Aids-de-camp. They sur-
-
----
.
26
CAMPAIGN OF 1864.
rendered themselves, their swords, side-arms, and horses to 4th Sergeant Richard H. Powell, and were by him conducted to General Colquitt. Maj- or James M. Culpepper, in command of the Regiment, then made a bold sortie at the head of about fifty men, and succeeded in capturing Hayes' ontire brigade; but failed to bring them off as prisoners. They soon discovered the weakness of their cap- tors, and the blunder they had made in surrendering, and endeavored to turn the scale by capturing Culpepper. Hle succeeded, however, in effecting his escape with his men and a few prisoners, and in bringing off, with his own hands, three stands of colors, and the sword of the officer next in command after the surrender of Hayes
In this battle, Private Lott Self was killed, and Private William C. Harri- son was taken prisoner. He was not exchanged, but parolled after thesen- dender. On the 4th of September, Sergt. Richard H. Powell lost his right leg. A mortar shell from the enemy's lines exploded between his feet breaking his leg just below the knee. It had to be amputated. This permanently disabled him from furth- er active service during the war. This gallant soldier was, as he justly deser- ved, several times recommended for promotion, but from some unexplain- ed canse, he never received it. On the 80th of September, was fought the battle of Fort Harrison. In this bat- :le our Company lost two noble sol- diers: 3rd Sergt. Bryant Vinson, and James B. Odom were killed. Abont this time, the two armies assumed something of a growling mood, sullen- ']; confronting each other behind their ftrong entrenchments. The heavy shelling, and active sharpshooting, to rome extent, subsided. A powerful » mada had this year been fitted ont l v the Federals, under the leadership of Admiral Porter, and General Terry,
having for its object, the reduction of Fort Fisher, the Malakoff of the Con- federaey, and the capture of Wilming- ton, N. C. So soon as the object of this powerful land and naval force be- came fully known to the Confederate authorities at Richmond. onr Division was despatched to Wilmington to as- sist in the defence of that beleaguered city. We left Petersburg about the middle of December, and in due time, arrived at Wilmington, and took po- sition at Sugar Loaf. We were soon brought into close proximity with the enemy, now exerting every effort to reduce Fort Fisher, and gain the rear of the city of Wilmington. In the terrible struggle which now ensued around Fort Fisher, Private William S. Haddock was wounded. This struggle was, to us, the closing scene of this year, and here the curtain of time dropped.
CHAPTER VIII.
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. James M. Culpepper was pro- moted to the rank of Major, to wear the star of the gallant Major William M. Arnold, killed in an artillery duel in Angust. This promotion was made alone upon true merit, as he was at the time, ranked by several seniors in the Regiment. The writer can, with- out chisparagement to any one, safely bear testimony to the justice of this promotion.
There was no man at the time in the Regiment, more deserving or more entitled than was Captain Culpepper. Having learned in the discharge of his duties, to obey his superiors, he was very well prepared to take com- mand. 1st Lieutenant Jonathan D.
CAMPAIGN OF 1865.
Cowart was promoted Captain, to fill Hammock's promotion. 2nd Corpor- the vacancy made by Culpepper's pro- al John I Harris was promoted Ist Corporal, to fill the vacancy made by Vinson's promotion. 3rd Corporal Reuben A. Kilby was continned, and 4th Corporal James F. McDonald was promoted 2nd Corporal to fill the va- cancy made by Harris' promotion, and Private William T. Collins was elected 4th Corporal, to till the vacan- cy made by Me Donald's promotion. motion. 2nd Lieutenant Jefferson M. Gray was promoted Ist Lieutenant to fill the vacancy made by Cowart's pro- motion. 3rd Lieutenant Seaborn M. Hunt was promoted 2nd Lientenant to fill the vacancy made by Gray's pro- motion, and Amos W. Murray, the very faithful, efficient, and worthy Or- derly Sergeant, was elected, as he justly deserved to be, 3rd Lieutenant, Private Jonnathan F. Coussins was promoted to the position of Regimen- tal Ensign, with the rank and pay of Ist Lieutenant of Infantry. He held this position to the close of the war; carrying the colors aloft in the last battle east of the Mississippi River. to till the vacancy made by Hunt's promotion. This was another step in the right direction. Sergeant Murray was one of the original members of the Company, had served faithfully, and had proven himself, on all occasions, fully equal to every task that had been laid upon him.
2nd Sergeant Isaac N. Vinson was promoted Orderly Sergeant, to fill the vacancy made by Murray's election to the 3rd Lieutenancy. 3rd Sergeant Bryant Vinson was promoted 2nd Ser- geant to fill the vacanev made by Vin- son's promotion. 4th Sergeant Rich- ard H. Powell was promoted 3rd Ser- geant to fill the vacaney made by Vin- von's promotion. 5th Sergeant Tal- hot G. Hammock was promoted 4th Sergeant to fill the vacancy made by Powell's promotion. 1st Corporal Henry B. Vinson was promoted 5th Sergeant to till the vacancy made by on the 20th of February.
This was another promotion well merited. There was no man in the Regiment more deserving. or more justly entitled. Private Benjamin L. Powell died 24th of June, of con- sumption, supposed to have been con- 'tracted in the service, on account of long exposure to the rigors of winter, incident to Virginia climate.
NOTE .- We omitted to mention at the proper time and place, that Pri- vate William C. Gray was killed by a Federal sharp-shooter on the 6th of July, and, also, that Private W. J. Davidson was killed at Ocean Pond
CHAPTER IX.
JANUARY 1st of this year, with its nigh exhausted. and their paper medi- gloomy forebodings, found our Com- um very far below par, rendered the situation anything but pleasant. pany with heavy hearts and almost de- sponding spirits at Sugar-Loaf near Fort Fisher, the Malakoff of the Confederacy, the only channel through which the Confederates had been able to communicate during the war with the out-side world, fell on the 15th of January. This completely shut them in. In the carly part of Jannary, Wilmington, N. C., whither it had, as before stated, been ordered in Dec'r. of the preceding year. This year opened gloomily upon the Confederates every where. Demmed in on all sides, with their country over-run by the enemy, and their stock and provisions well Col. John ". Lofton was accidentally
28
KONTAMIN 01 1800.
killed by a random shot from one of the enemy's gun-boats. We cannot part with this distinguished enfizen and soldier without a word of com- ment. He was a native of Elbert County, Georgia. He was compar- . atively a young man; was a lawyer by profession; was, at the beginning of the war, engaged in the practice of his profession at Lexington, Oglethorpe County Georgia; and, as Captain, lod out the "Gilmore Blues" from that county. Rich in nature & endow ments, with a thoroughly cultivated mind, he embodied all the components that make up the perfect man. He was almost idolized by the entire Regi- ment. The death of no man that ev- er belonged to the 6th Georgia, Regi- ment caused more regret than that of Col. John T. Lofton.
Soon after the fall of Fort Fisher, the Confederates evacuated Wilming- ton; and, closely pursued by Generals Schofield and Terry, retired by a land route up the North-East River to South Wilmington; thence to Kinston via Rock-Fish and Kenanville. At Kinston we were over-taken by our pursuers, when a fierce battle of two days duration, beginning on the 8th of March, ensued. In this battle our Company suffered the following casu- alties. Major J. M. Culpepper was slightly wounded. Privates John C. Davidson, John F. Renfroe, and Rob- ert. W. Johnson were wounded. This battle completely set our pursuers back for several days. We again re- tired in the direction of Fayetteville to Goldsboro. " Here we formed a junction with the remnant of Hood's shattered army, and the remnants of Company.
some other shattered armies, incluid- ing the forces that had been with- drawn from around Charleston and Wilmington, including also our own Division, amounting in all to about 35,000, all under command of General Joseph E. Johnston, who had in the
very last extremity, been again placed in command. Our Division was al- tached to General Hardee's Corp. This was the only force that cont now be brought to face Sherman'; greatly augmented legions in their grand. almost unmolested march through Georgia and the Carolinas to join Grant in. Virginia. We moved forward, and on the 16th of March inet. Sherman at Averasboro, near Fayetteville. Here a bloody encount- er enshed. In this our Company took no part. We again met Sher- man at Bentonville on the 19th, and fought che last battle in which we were ever engaged.
We were now like the Spartan band at. Thermopyke, brought to our last death grapple with the monster army of vie- tory. In this, the already ruinously de- pleted ranks of our Company, were again called upon to do sacrifice upon the altar of their country. Several of our brave boys here tell to rise no more. Among them was the lamented Captain Jonathan D Cowart. Just as he was leaping over the enemy's breast - works, in the last gallant charge, the fatal ball pierced his noble heart. Had we the time and space, and were our humble pen able to do the subject jus- tice, we would enlogize this noble man at some length; but a very few words must sullice. Capt. Cowart was a na . tive of Macon county N. C. He had removed to Houston county, Gia., a few years previous to the breaking out of the war, and was at the time, on- gaged in a steam saw-dill and lumber business, and was one of the first to enroll his name as a private in our
Hle was full six feet in height, Lear- ing a noble mien and fine personal ay - pearanee. Ile was elected 3rd Lieu- tenant m 1861. He was severely wounded at Sharpsburg on the 17th of September, 1802. He was a man for whom education had done but little,
CAMPAIGN OF 1865.
being scarcely able to write a legible Grant refused to lake the sword, thus hand, or make simple calculations in showing the greatest magnanimity to But his distinguished competitor. the ordinary business of life. this deficiency was fully atoned for in the nobleness of his nature. Ifis on- ly words of command in battle were, "forward boys." This was usually given in a low, easy tone of voice; but the expression of his countenance told unmistakably plain that Cowart was terribly in earnest. In battle he nsn- ally carried his hat in his left hand and his drawn sword in his right.
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.