O G L E T H O R P E    R I F L E S

A full history of this celebrated Company,

and an authentic account of the battles they fought.

A gallant record, and individual deeds of daring. A roll of

members, with list of casualties and prisoners.

By Thos. D. Gilham.

                            Privates;

Henry Arnold,                                            R. M. Jackson,
James Arthur,                                            M. L. Jewell,
J. L. Asbury,                                              W. W. Jones,
W. B. Bell,                                                  L. C. Langston,
F. T. Berry,                                                J. T. Floyd,
W. T. Brewer,                                            C. J. Landrum,
N. G. Brightwell,                                        Elam Lunceford,
J. H. Brightwell,                                         B. F. Lester,
A. T. Brightwell,                                         W. D. Mayes,
J. R. Brooks,                                              L. J. Mayes,
J. H. H. Brown,                                          W. H. Maxey,

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Wm. Butler,                                            A. D. Marable,
D. E. Carter,                                           B. F. Mills,
W. T. Cockran,                                       T. O. Meadows,
F. M. Christian,                                      A. J. Norton,
W. E. Davis,                                            A. T. Pittard,
Jesse Dalton,                                          M. D. L. Reid,
E. F. Edwards,                                         J. E. Rummey,
W. A. Edwards,                                       J. R. Ramsey,
J. B. Ellis,                                                A. J. Royston,
R. E. Eidson,                                            E. T. Martin,
B. F. Gilham,                                           Tom Rollins,
T. D. Gilham,                                           W. F. Smith,
Alex Harris,                                             Wm. Stroud,
Wm. Harris,                                             W. H. Tuggle,
I. R. Hall,                                                  J. H. Watson,
M. F. Jackson,                                          A. T. Williams,

                              Recruits;

A. Backus,                             F. G. Butler,
James Brewer,                       Wm. Eidson,
B. P. Brewer,                        Joseph Eidson,
P. Brewer,                             Joseph Famborough,
Thos. Bell,                             J. M. Famborough,
James Butler,                        L. A. Edwards,
Zack Arthur,                          T. A. Gilham,
John Butler,                           Wm. Griffith,
B. B. Campbell,                     J. H. Edwards,
Henry Crawford,                    B. Harrison,
J. A. Christopher,                   P. J. King,

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David Christopher,                   Felix King,
A. T. Cockran,                         W. A. King,
Asa Christian,                          E. R. King,
"Poss" Christian,                     J. H. Jones,
F. G. Butler,                             G. W. Jones,
Moses Dirby,                            John Jones,
Anderson Chaplain,                  J. R. Leftwieh
T. D. Carter,                            A. F. Meadows,
James Drake,                           B. A. Maxey,

Jasper Maxey,
A. J. Moore,
Seymore Marable,
Mark Nicholson,
F. C. Smith,
J. P. Thaxton,
Robert Tuggle,
Thos. Stewart,
Joseph Epps,
Wm. Wheelis,
Thos. Wheelis,
Laban Watkins,
Wiley Webb,
P. J. Wray,
Thos. Wray,
J. H. Willingham,
____ Settle,
B. P. Zuber,
G. W. Young.

                       With our company made up and accepted by Colonel Francis T. Bartow, we

started from Maxeys, Ga. May 28th, 1861, and arrived at Richmond, Va. June 1st, where we

were mustered into service for three years or the war,

                     We took up our line of march for Harper’s Ferry, where we expected to see the

enemy.   Here we were placed with some Virginia Troops under the command of General

Joseph E. Johnson.   While at Harper’s Ferry we had three recruits to our Company, W. D.

Guill, A. D. Marable and John McCarty.   We remained at the Ferry but a short time before

the news came that General Patterson was about to flank us; so we struck our tents and started

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to meet him at Bunker Hill (not the hill in the old Bay State, but a village in the Old Dominion

by that name).   We camped at Charleston, noted for being the place where John Brown was

hung.   The next day we arrived at Bunker’s Hill, where we expected to meet the enemy.

                        At this place Lieutenant Colonel William H. Gardner was introduced to the

Eighth Georgia Regiment and took command of the same.   Colonel Bartow took command of

the brigade composed of the Seventh and Eighth Georgia Regiments and the First Kentucky

Regiment.   Colonel Gardner being an old army officer, was a fine drill officer, kind to his

men and as brave a man as ever drew sword in defence of Southern homes.    Our Major was

the lamented Tom Cooper, a gallant soldier, back to the point.

                    We did not find the enemy at Bunker’s Hill, so were sadly disappointed.   We

then marched to

WINCHESTER

and went into camp at Hollingsworth Grove.   Here our Company was attacked with the

measles and but few of the boys had had them.  At this place we had to drill every day, both

Company and battalion, so we were kept our of mischief.

                      At last came the memorable 18th of July 1861, when we received orders to

strike tents and get ready to move at a moments notice; and in a few hours the command was

given orders to "fall in".   After listening to a short address from Lieutenant Colonel Gardner

we started almost in a double quick step, for fear that the boys at Manassas would have the

enemy routed before we could get there.   I shall never forget this march from Winchester to

Manassas.   It was a hot July day, and such marching I never saw during the whole War.   We

marched nearly all night, forded the Shenandoah at Berry’s Ford, passed through a gap of the

Blue Ridge, and stopped for a few hours at a small town by the name of Paris.    The most of us

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did not look for a smooth place to lie down, but with our accounterments on, any where we

could in the rocky road, under the trees, that were by the road side, could be found the boys

streched next morning.   The next day we arrived at

MANASSAS JUNCTION

and rested a day and night, and the next day was the memorable 21st day of July 1861.    We

slept at least six miles from the battle field. So we marched about four miles and did not hear

any fighting, but we were halted and ordered to load our guns.   Whem the command to load

came we thought it meant business, and it was not long before we saw the long lines of the

enemy, with their bayonets glistening in the sun.   We were marched to the front and ordered

to lie down.   Here we were under the fire of the enemy’s artillery, the first time in our

history. But we did not stay there, for in a few moments we were ordered forward.    The time

long looked for had come, when we were to find out whether the Yankees would fight or not.

Even after we started to the immortal pine thicket some of the boys said we would not have

any fight, but when they began to pitch their shell into our ranks, and now and then hear some

man cry out that he was shot, we knew that there was fight in them.    The writer was wounded

just as we were entering the pine thicket and disabled.   The regiment suffered terrible loss

here.   Colonel Gardner was severely wounded, and many of the regiment bit the dust here.

None of the Oglethorpe Rifles were killed in this battle, but sixteen were wounded, whose

who were wounded are as follows; Jesse Dalton, A. S. Williams, F. A. Hurt, E. T. Martin,

Elam Lunceford, L. C. Langston, J. R. Brooks, J. R. Ramsey, B. F. Lester, T. R. Maxey, A.

T. Brightwell, J. L. Wright, T. D. Gilham and three others very slightly. In this fight, the

great battle of the War, the most of the Oglethorpe Rifles, behaved like men.   Some few

showed the white feather; others displayed cool, determined courage, that went to show that

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they were composed of the right sort of material for a soldier.   Among the members who made

themselves conspicuous on that memorable field were, not naming the wounded, Lieutenant

Jacob Phinizy, Sergeant T. C. Harrison, J. H. Watson, A. T. Pittard, William Butler, N. G.

Brightwell, James Young, J. H. Brightwell, B. F. Gilham, B. T. Berry and others that I do

not recollect, being shot in the early part of the fight.   If justice is not done I hope no one will

be offended as I write from memory.   In this fight we lost Colonel Bartow and Lieutenant

Colonel Gardner, who were wounded and disabled.   Bartow fell advancing with the colors.  It

was late at night before all of the wounded were brought off the field.   F. A. Hurt, J. R.

Brooks, J. Ramsey, T. R. Maxey and R. T. Brightwell, on the night after the fight slept in a

box car.   We were more fortunate than the other wounded, for we could travel and were for

making our escape, for when we left the battle field we thought the day was going against us.

                      I, with a number of others, was sent to Charlottesville, Virginia. The wounded

and sick were cared for at this place. I shall always love the people of Charlottesville.   May

Heaven reward them for the hospitality shown us.

                       What I write now will be as told me by others, as I did not return to duty until

the last of October that year.   Afyer this we went into camp and remained stationary for some

time at a place on

BULL RUN

we called Camp Barow. While at this place Captain George Lumpkin resigned and Lieutenant

Phinizy was promoted to the Captaincy.

                       In September the regiment moved to Fairfax, C.H., where Lieutenant N. H.

Hunter resigned. James Young was elected First Lieutenant and T. J. Bowling Second

Lieutenant.   From Fairfax we moved to

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CENTREVILLE

where I joined the command.   We staied here all the winter.   We staid here all the winter.  We

lost as great many men by sickness during the time that we staid here.  It was sometime in

March that we received orders to march to

YORKTOWN

It was a dreadful march, as the winter had b een severe and it rained or snowed about every

other day while we were on the road. On the way to Yorktown we were met on the road by

Captain Phinizy with about thirty recruits, the most of them died without doing any service.

At Yorktown we met the enemy the same day we got there. They were repulsed by us, and

we had a few days of sharp shooting, and the worst place to stay at that can be. We had to

sleep in the water. At Yorktown we had one man wounded. He lost a finger, J. R. Ramsey,

the same that was wounded at Manassas. He was then discharged. We stayed at this place

until General Johnson could move everything that was of value out of reach of the enemy and

then took up the line of March to Richmond.

                        While at Yorktown most of our recruits that came with Captain Phinizy

sickened and died.   I suppose we remained at Yorktown ten or fifteen days.    While the retreat

from this place was the salvation of our army, it was nevertheless accompanied with disasters.

You, who were never pressed by an enemy cannot imagine the anxiety, trouble and distress we

experienced.   We had one man to drop in the road exhausted, our musician, L. F. Moore, who

died in a few days.

                   With marching and counter-marching we at last arrived at Savage Station on the

York River R.R., where we rested for a few days.   While here we received some more

recruits, brought by Lieutenant Young. After leaving Savage Station our next stop was at

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MEADOW BRIDGE

near Richmond. We staid here a few days and had a brush with the enemy at Mechanicsville,

in which A. T. Brightwell was wounded.

We moved from Meadow Bridge to

Mrs. Fierces’ Farm

where we staid until the 28th of June 1862, when the Seventh and Eighth Georgia Regiments,

under the command of General Bob Toombs, were ordered to charge the enemy’s breat works.

I won’t say whose fault it was but the attack was a failure. Here it was that we lost our first

man, killed on the field, William Stroud. T. C. Harris lost a leg, as also James B. Ellis, who

died from the wound. Barney Harrison wounded and died. Henry Watson was shot in the

head and discharged. J. T. Floyd was wounded here. Sergeant T. R. Maxey was shot

through the ear and Thomas Brewer was slightly wounded in the head by a ball striking his

gun barrel. Eight wounded and one killed from our ranks in this day’s work. I have always

thought that whiskey was the incentive of this fight. Perhaps I am wrong, but it has always

appeared that way to me. It wasn’t the other soldiers or I either who drank the whiskey.

On the 29th we passed on after the enemy and found him in a strong position at

SAVAGE STATION

He was soon doslodged and retreated to Malvern Hill.   Here we had two men wounded. W.

T. Bull severely and discharged. J. C. Zuber slightly in the foot.

                      After this fight Lieutenant James Young resigned. We had a month’s rest after

which we took up our line of march and met the enemy at

RAPOHAMMOCK RIVER

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In this fight we had two men wounded, Lieutenant B. A. Christopher in the shoulder, Wm.

Butler in the thigh. This engagement was on the 23rd of August, my birthday, hence I

recollect it.

The next place we found the enemy at was

THOROUGHFARE GAP

A pass in the Bull Run Mountains. The location and surroundings reminded me of

Thermopylea, and I remarked to a soldier as we were advancing that I wondered which side

would emulate the Spartans. We, however, passed through and routed the enemy without the

loss of a single man from the Oglethorpe Rifles.

The next day we arrived at

MANASSAS

the second time in our history.  We changed positions with the Yankees and whipped them

badly. Here our Company lost Captain Phinizy, a gallant soldier and a good commander. He

looked closely to thr welfare of his men and they loved him. Lieutenant T. J. Bowling was

wounded, James Butler lost a leg and died. Among the wounded were Thomas A. Gilham, L.

B. Edwards, J. A. Christopher, David Christopher, M. L. Jewell, and T. D. Gilham. After

this fight our Company was without officers, so a few days after B. F. Gilham was elected

Lieutenant.

                     I would give the names of those members of our Company who distinguished

themselves, but it would be much easier to enumerate those who did otherwise. So I will

forbear lest I fail to mention someone well worthy of praise. I will only say, for the second

time at Manassas our Company did their duty nobly. It was certainly a glorious victory for

our side.

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After this battle we marched into

MARYLAND

and crossed the Potomac River at Leesburg, where the River is very wide and rocky, but

shallow. Here Bob Toombs unsheathed his sword and crossed the River with it drawn, but he

drew no blood while in Maryland, and the sword sweetly reposed in the scabbard when he

recrossed into Virginia. We boys had a good time while in Maryland, feasting on applies,

apple butter, light bread and sweet milk. We first camped at Frederickstown, where we rested

and washed our shirts in the River. From this place we marched to Hagerstown, and then

back to Frederickstown, to meet the enemy at

BOONSBORO GAP

We had a skirmish with the Yanks herein, in order to hold them in check until our army could

advance further. I went with the Company but carried no arms, being disabled from the

wound I received at Manassas, from which I will never recover, my spine being injured by a

shell.  Yet I was also with the Company at

SHARPSBURG

We had only tried and brave men here, for all those disposed to straggle or evade service had

been left behind. We arrived at Sharpsburg on the 16th of September 1862, and on the 17th

came one of the hottest battles of the war. The Eighth Georgia Regiment here numbered only

104 men and officers combined. As near as I can recollect the Oglethorpe Rifles mustered

Lieutenant B. F. Gilham, Sergeants Maxey and Wray, W. A. King, A. J. Royston, I. R. Hall.

Sergeant W. T. Young, P. H. King, Felix King, Anderson Chaplain, W. N. Guill, W. D.

Mays, W. T. Brewer, W. T. Cockran, J. R. Brooks, captured in the 16th, Tom Rollens, W.

A. Edwards, Robert Wheelis, J. C. Zuber, H. C. Zuber and W. W. Jones. Out of the 104

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members of the regiment 20 belonged to our Company. We had three men wounded here,

Felix King, our color bearer was shot in the leg, W. D. Mays, and W. T. Brewer were

wounded in the body and left on the field or in the field hospital, where I suppose they died.

On the 18th we staid on the battle field until night when we quietly

RECROSSED THE POTOMAC

into Virginia at Shepardstown.

                     On our return to the Old Dominion the Army of Northern Virginia was

reorganized and we were put in Hood’s division, G. T. Anderson known as "Tige" was made

our Brigadier. We had some rest here, and were marched near Winchester where we went

into camp. While here the small pox broke out in our camp, and we were quarantined at

Cedar Run.  But few had the disease.

                    We moved from here to Culpepper Court House. On this trip we had to pass

through Luray Valley, where we fared scrumptuously. There was a still house every few

hundred yards and plenty of apple brandy. When we passed through the village at Luray I

believe every man in the Regiment was tight, except Captain Malone, who was in command. I

know that the Oglethorpe Rifles did’nt stack arms when ordered for I could not stack mine

alone. I was as tight as the other boys, but no one knew it, my nature being such that the

more I imbibed the better I could travel.

                     Our boys were nearly all barefooted when we got to Culpepper. Here they

made shoes by taking a piece of beef hide with the hair next the foot to serve as a sock. They

sewed them on their feet and when dry had to be cut off.

From Culpepper we marched to

FREDERICKSBURG

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where we expected and met General Burnside on the 13th of December, 1862. He was

repulsed and driven back across the river and we went into winter quarters, without the loss of

a single man from the Oglethorpe Rifles and very few from the Regiment. We went into

WINTER QUARTERS

near Fredericksburg, where most of our recruits who were living came back from the hospital,

as also the wounded who had been home on furloughs - so that our number was increased to

about sixty men rank and file.

                    We staid at Fredericksburg until sometime in February, when orders were

received to march to Richmond. We staid at Richmond until the last of March, when we were

ordered to

SUFFOLK

on the Coast of Virginia. Here we tried to capture a gun boat for General Hood, as he seemed

bent on getting one. While here Sergeant Wm. T. Young was severely wounded and

discharged. Billy was a good soldier and we regretted to give him up. Suffolk was the best

place to move from than any point we were at during the War, except Charleston, S. C. It

was a wretched place and we could gain nothing by staying there, so about the first of May we

left this detestable hole and turned our steps towards Northern Virginia, preparatory to

invading the enemy’s country.  We marched to a place

NEAR CHANCELLORSVILLE

and camped a few days. Here I was taken sick and saw no more of the Company until some

time in September 1863. The Command was put in trim for the campaign of 1863. General

Lee reviewed the army on the Rapiddan River.  It was a grand Army at that time. The

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Oglethorpe Rifles was a good Company, commanded by Captain T. J. Bowling and

Lieutenants B. A. Christopher and B. F. Gilham. After much marching we arrived at

GETTYSBURG, PA.

about the first of July 1863.  The second day was a sad one for us.  On the 2nd of July we had

killed in the Oglethorpe Rifles, Lieutenant B. F. Gilham, Sergeant T. R. Maxey, Sergeants W.

A. King and Henry Arnold. The wounded were Captain T. J. Bowling, William Butler, Jack

Arthur, G. W. Young and J. H. Brightwell. Captured B. L. Young, A. C. Christian, Poss

Christian. In this fight we had four killed and six wounded and taken prisonors. Sergeant A.

J. Royston was wounded in a cavalry fight before we got back across the River.

                     After marching and countermarching we halted at Fredericksburg again.  Here I

joined the Command. We staid here but a few days before we were ordered to move again.

This time our destination was

JAMES ISLAND, S.C.

I was benefitted by this change, for the brackish water we were forved to drink, or something

else, cured me of a cough with which I suffered for ten years. We did nothing here but bull

dose the soldiers who had been there all the War, and who were afraid we old Virginia

Veterans would bring on a fight. Our boys enjoyed themselves the best they could while here.

                      Our Command left James Island on the 7th of October 1863, for Chattanooga,

East Tennessee. On the cars between Charleston and Augusta we voted for Governor of

Georgia. The most of us voted for Forlow, for that was what most of the boys wanted. We

were in good spirits going to Georgia to fight her battles and to see our sweethearts.

                    At Union Point I left the command and came home a few days, and then went

back to Richmond, Virginia, staid there until the first of November.  I joined the Command

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again at Knoxville in East Tennessee. In the charge at Knoxville we had only one man

wounded, T. J. Mayes, in the arm. We had a hard time in East Tennessee. We were without

shoes and clothing, our rations were very short and the winter severe. I have read about the

patriotism of our forefathers when they left the print of their feet in the snow, but I never

expected to see it, but I did see tracks in the snow in which were the whole shape of the foot

in blood. While in East Tennessee I was elected Lieutenant on the 10th day of December

1863.  I much preferred the election of another man, but the boys determined otherwise.

                     We crossed the Hilston River near Bean’s Station, and went into camp near

Morristown, Tennessee. The winter was severe.

                   While at Morristown we received orders to fall in, all that had shoes or parts of

shoes. Some of us started with pieces of shoes, and marching over frozen ground soon tore

them to pieces and left their bare feet on the frozen ground.

                     We marched to Danbridge. Here we met the enemy and put him to fight. We

had one man wounded here. His name I left out because I did not think of it. Henry Dixon

was shot through the leg and afterwards discharged. He was a small man, but tough and

hearty and made a good soldier. I failed to mention two other men who came at the same time

Dixon did; N. L. Young and A. H. Bell.

                   At Danbridge we got supplied with shoes from the Yankees. We then marched

back to Morristown and staid there a short time, and then we were stationed at New Market,

and at Strawberry Plains. From this place we were marched to Bull’s Gap. There we staid

some time, and were fooled by an order, or rather a grape vine telegram, to know how many

of the boys could furnish themselves with horses, as all who could furnish themselves with

horses were to be put in the Cavalry service, when Longstreet was going to raid through

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Kentucky. This was talked about in the camps for several days and then we struck our tents

and marched to Zolicofer; staid here a short time, when we received orders to get ready for a

trip back to Virginia.  We were glad when the order came, for if we had to fight we wanted to see

Uncle Bob Lee about.

                       In April I believe it was the 5th, we left Zolicofer for Virginia. Our first

stopping place was Charlottesville, where we met some friends. From here we marched to

Gardensville, where our corps was reviewed. We knew that when the review came off that

the next thing would be a fight.

                       On the 4th of May 1864, we got ready to begin the summer campaign. We

marched all day and the next. The night of the 5th we were roused before day and had to

hurry too, for we did not get to the Wilderness too soon. Here we met General Grant and

found him a tough piece of metal. On the 6th of May we fought the enemy and I never saw

men more determined to do their duty - not only the Oglethorpe Rifles, but our whole brigade.

We felt that it was the deciding battle, and it was, for it never ended, until General R. E. Lee

surrendered. In thise day’s fight we had one man killed, Andrew J. Moore, M. L. Jewell and

James Drake captured. The writer was slightly wounded in the foot.

                       We remained on the field on the 7th, and on the night of the same we were

ordered out to camp on the road to Spottsylvania C. H., but found the wood on fire, so we

marched to Spottsylvania and just did get there in time to save the town.

                     On the 7th I was put on the staff of General G. T. Anderson his A.A.G. being

wounded. Acting as an Adjutant for a Brigadier-General, on foot, is no easy position.

                     As I said, we arrived at the Court House just in time to save it. Here our boys

were ordered to throw up breatworks, and we soon had a good line of works that the Yankees

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could not get across. On the 10th of May we had two men lost from our Company.  David

Christopher killed and David Eidson taken prisoner. On the 12th the enemy charged our lines

thirteen times and were handsomely repulsed each time. Our Company had two men shot

here. R. M. Jackson lost his arm and Joseph Epps wounded in shoulder. I neglected to

mention the two men who were wounded on the 6th. James T. Arthur, slightly, and J. P.

Thaxton, in the hand. At this place we killed more of Grant’s men than at any other place

during the War. It was the first time in our Company’s history we had the privilege of

fighting behind breatworks. Our boys received each onslaught with coolness. After this Grant

tried to turn General Lee’s right, but he always found his apponent in front.

                      We crossed the North Anna River at Hanover Junction. Here we fortified

again, but General Grant could not face the music this time, as we were desirous that he

should. We would have wound him up had he crossed the River and attacked us. He then

moved to Haws Shop, as well as I can recollect, and it was Sunday, the first day of June 1864.

Here Robert Tuggle was mistered into service, and shot sixty rounds of cartridges at the

enemy in two hours after he had joined the Company. Here Robert Wheelis was severely

wounded in the knee; no one else hurt.

                     From Haw’s Shop we moved to Cold Harbor. Here we were charged by the

enemy and repulsed him with great loss. The Oglethorpe Rifles did not lose a single man,

killed or wounded. I believe there were a few in the Regiment wounded and one killed.

                      After the Cold Harbor fight our Regiment had a few days rest. I will have to

depend on someone else to write what happened, for I was taken violnetly ill, and was taken to

Richmond on the 16th of June, and did not join the Command until the 22nd of July at

Petersburg.

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                    From the 6th of May to the 16th of June it was fight all day and march at night

until we were exhaused for the want of sleep. But we were stimulated with the hope that we

would defeat the enemy and that would end the struggle. It was a forlorn hope.

                    Up to the time I had left in June 1864, our boys were cheerful and hopeful, but

when I returned to the Regiment at Petersburg their countenances were changed to sadness, for

we felt that all was lost. But we were determined to do our whole duty to our Country, and

leave the result in the hand of a Higher Power. From the Wilderness to Petersburg we had

two men killed, five wounded and three captured. A. J. Moore and David Christopher killed;

J. P. Thaxton, J. T. Arthur, Robert Wheelis, R. M. Jackson, and Joseph Epps wounded, M.

E. Jewell, J. E. Drake and Joseph Eidson captured.

                    Getting from Cold Harber to Petersburg I can’t tell anything about, as I was not

there, and I had something else to think about when I returned. How our Command got from

Cold Harbor to Petersburg I cannot tell. I found them there on the 22nd of July 1864, in the

ditches, and the enemy were in earth works near by. Here is where General Grant tunnelled

under our breatworks. While in the ditches around Petersburg we had one man killed, L. C.

Langsford, who was an excellent soldier, and his place was never filled.

                      We staid at Petersburg until the 27th of July, and, we were ordered to recross

the James Riber at Drury’s Bluff, and on the 28th, the mine was strung at Petersburg, so we

made a lucky escape. We marched to deep bottom. Here we were attacked by the enemy and

were drived back to our fortification. This attack was caused by one who had lost all the

honor he had in one rash act in the Western Army; so he undertook to regain his lost laurels,

but instead of regaining them they were lost entirely in the swamp on the James River. Here

Captain T. J. Bowling was shot through the face, James T. Lloyd lost his foot, Isaac Hall

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captured; James Brewer was also taken prisonor. The whole command of the Company was

upon me, and on the 15th of August we had a brush with the enemy. Several of the boys were

wounded by the brusting of a shell in our ranks, but we drove the Yanks back and regained

our works. Here was the first place we encountered colored troops, and our boys went mad

when they found that they had to fight negroes. The wounded were E. R. King, Robert Ward,

the others I do not recollect.

                      On the 24th of August we recrossed the James. Our destinations was Reem’s

Station, Petersburg and Weldon Railroad. Here on the evening of the 25th of August we were

ordered to charge the enemy, who were strongly intrenched. We had two men wounded in the

Oglethorpe Rifles - J. H. H. Brown and William E. Eidson. Brown was shot through the leg

and Eidson in the body.

                    This was the last fight we were called upon to do until the last day of September

1864. We were held in reserve for any emergency that might happen. We had some picket

duty to perform and were camped in the rear of Petersburg, where we could grieve over our

lost cause, for we were satisfied that the fates were against us. Confederate money was

worthless and it would take the wages of a month to buy two loaves of bread; so as spent the

month of September resting and grumbling about our rations. We felt that if it was so hard to

get our hunger satisfied, while we could buy apple dumplings at a dollar apiece, what would

we do when we could get no dumplings?

                      On the 28th of September we were ordered (not to strike our tents for we had

none) but to get ready for the march, for we were going to cross the James again, this time to

stay on the north side until we evacuated Richmond and Petersburg,

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                     On the 29th we had a severe fight with some loss to our Company. Anderson

Chaplain was killed - an excellent soldier, he was too Sergeant. A. J. Royston was severely

wounded in the head. Jack was a good soldier and did his duty nobly. N. G. Guill was

severely wounded in the foot. J. R. Brooks was slightly wounded in one of his fingers. This

all happened at a place called Fort Harrison. Here we believed we would stay all the winter,

for we commenced to build bomb-proofs to stay in, but on the night of the 6th of October we

had to move out and try Fort Harrison at a different point. So on the 7th we found the enemy

strongly entrenched, and we were ordered to charge them, which we did, and drove them from

their first line of works. But it was only a trap. Here the writer lost his right arm. A. H.

Bell was severely wounded in the arm and John C. Zuber, one of the best, if not the best

soldier in the Oglethorpe Rifles, was shot in the head and died in a few days. He was a

soldier that was loved by every man in the Company, and was a pure christian. Peace to his

ashes, The Regiment staid near the place where I was wounded all the winter had a fight, I

believe it was on the 27th of October, in which some of our boys displayed their cool and

determined bravery. I have been told that H. C. Zuber, won the praise of his whole regiment

here.

                       After the 29th the Company had rest and peace all the winter. I went to see

them before I left Richmond for home, and was with my Company two days and nights. I

started home on the 22nd, and saw no more of the movements of the Company nor the boys

until after they had laid down their arms at Appomatox, C. H., but their sufferings were great.

They were put on quarter rations and would miss getting that sometimes.

                      As well as I can remember our Command was ordered to fall back about the last

of March 1865. When they passed through Richmond they felt that it would be the last time

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they would be called upon to look upon that beautiful City.  Oh, that someone else would

write this part of the history of our Company.  How different the boys that marched through

the City in 1861, nearly four years.  We had been battling like men determined to be free.

Sad was their feelings as they looked upon the Capitol of the Confederacy and felt that it

would be their Capitol no more. Now came Lee’s retreat from the enemy. Only think of the

want and almost the starvation of his troops. The general ordered provisions for his army to

be sent to Amelia C. H., but it was never done, for some cause or other, for there was plenty

in Richmond, for there was enough burnt up there to supply the army for six months. Some

of the men would straggle in guest of food and were made prisoners.

                        At last we or rather the Company to which I belonged, under the command of

Lieutenant B. A. Christopher, who returned to the Company a few days after I was wounded,

arrived at Farmville, Va., where we had a fight, with the enemy. One man was wounded in

our Company, Robert Tuggle, who also was wounded in August at Deep Bottom.

                       The day after the fight at Farmville came the hardest part of the whole war to

perform, although we wanted the conflict to end. But to surrender. How could we, who had

fought under General Johnson in the beginning of the war and had done battle under General

R. E. Lee in three different states, and under Bragg in Tennessee and now back under our

loved Chieftain, surrender. I have heard the boys say that they could bear anything else easier

than they could to see General Lee in tears. They loved him, and if he had given the

command to them to cut his way through the enemies’ lines it would have been done.

                       It is all over but the empty sleeves and wooden legs, and thousands of the

bravest men that the country afforded, whose bones are now bleaching on the hills of Virginia,

Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi, while cowardly cravens who got us

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into the war staid at home and speculated on our necessities.  They wore blue cockades

in 1860 and 1861, but as soon as they heard that the Yankees would fight and that somebody was

getting hurt they got crippled out of mere sympathy for the boys that were standing between

them, and those men who would stand up for the doctrine they preached. Since their ill-gotten

gain has took to itself wings and gone to the four winds, they want to fight. I have never

known but few men who wore the blue cockade get hurt in the war. I don’t mean boys who

were not grown, for they did not know what they were doing and thought it cowardly not to

wear them.

                        Captain George Lumpkin, our first Captain, resigned September 1861, and was

appointed Surgeon in 1862; came home and died.  Jacob Phinizy, first Lieutenant, was

promoted to the Captaincy September 1861, and was killed in battle August 30, 1862, at the

second Manassas.   N. H. Hunter, second Lieutenant, resigned October 1861, and still lives.

W. J. Wright was captured 1863, at Chattanooga, and not heard of since; he was our third

Lieutenant.  M. P. Davis, first Sergeant, was never mustered into service.   William Day,

second Sergeant, was discharged at Winchester 1861.  T. C. Harrison, third Sergeant, lost his

leg in battle, 28th of June 1862, a good soldier, a firm true friend; he still lives.  F. A. Hirt,

fourth Sergeant, wounded in the foot, 21st of July 1861, and discharged.  T. R. Maxey, first

Corporal, was one of the color guards, on the 21st day of July 1861, was wounded.   He was

elected Sergeant and afterwards first Sergeant, wounded June 1862, and killed 2bd day of July

1863.  Travis R. Maxey was as brave a soldier as any who shed blood in the defense of

Southern homes and principles.  T. J. Bowling, second Corporal, was elected second

Lieutenant in the month of October 1862; was wounded 30th of August in the leg, and was

promoted to Captain the same day; was wounded again on the 2nd of July 1863, and was shot

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through the face on the 14th of August 1864; still lives and is a good and upright citizen.  B.

A. Christopher, third Corporal, was elected Lieutenant in August 1862, wounded in the

shoulder 23rd of August 1862; still lives.  H. J. Pace, fourth Corporal, was elected first

Sergeant June, and was discharged in July 1762, and still lives.  Louis F. Moore, musician,

died May 1862, on the march from Yorktown.  James M. Harris, musician passed through the

whole war untouched, a good man and estimable citizen.  Henry Arnold was hard to please,

but was brave, was killed the 2nd of July 1862.  James T. Arthur was wounded on the 6th of

May 1864, and is still living.  John L. Asbury died in Richmond in November 1861.  John H.

Bell was transferred to Company A of the Eighth Georgia Regiment in 1861, and in 1863 was

transferred back to Company K, and remained with it to the close of the war; returned home

and is a respected citizen and a good neighbor.  William J. Bell was wounded in the head at

Malvern Hull July 1862; was discharged and afterwards died from its effects.   Frederick T.

Berry travelled the whole rounds and came out unhurt, lives a good and useful citizen.

William T. Brewer was wounded in the hand 28th of June 1862; was shot through the body

17th September 1862, and died.  W. T. Brewer was a fine soldier.  Nathan G. Brightwell,

known as "Uncle Nat" was a genial, good fellow to have along with you.   I don’t know what

the boys would have done without him, for he was our commissionary.  There was no

discount on Uncle Nat.  He also travelled through unhurt and is living yet, an honor to the

race of bachelors.  J. H. Brightwell was one of those reckless men, who knew no fear, and

would needlessly expose himself.  He was detailed in the medical department about a year

when he returned and was wounded soon after, on the 2nd of July 1863 in the heel.   Jap, as

we called him, was one of the most liberal hearted men in the Company, and was a warm

friend to the writer, and I never called on Jap for a favor that I did not get it.   He is now

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practicing his profession in Oconee County.  A. T. Brightwell was wounded on the 21st day of

July 1861, and again at Machinicksville in May 1862, and was discharged.  He lives at

Maxeys, Ga.  J . R. Brooks was one of the invincibles.  There never was a better soldier than

he was.  He was shot though the leg on the 21st of July 1861, was captured at Boonsboro,

Md. 18th September 1862, and as I recollect, the battle of Sharpsburg was the only one he

missed during the whole war.  He was slightly wounded on the 29th of September 1864.   He

now lives in Texas.  H. H. Brown, a splendid soldier, was wounded, I believe, on the 28th of

June, and again on the 25th of August 1864, was shot through the legs, but got well and

resides in Greene County, Ga.  William Butler was the life of the Company for he never got

too tired to sing, so at night after we had marched all day, Butler would come to the front with

one of his comic songs.  He was wounded on the 23rd of August 1862, and again 2nd of July

1863; joined the Cavalry in 1864, and came through all right.  D. E. Carter died in September

1862.  W. T. Cockran lost a finger on the 29th of June 1862.  He was known in the Company

as "Mule", because he could carry so much.  Tom was a genial good fellow and is still living.

F. M. Christian died in 1861.  W. E. Davis was elected first Sergeant, was discharged in June

1862.  Jesse Dalton, was an old man.  Colonel Bartow used to tell him that he would have a

chair for him to sit down to fight.  He was severely wounded 21st of July 1861.  He died since

the war.  B. F. Edwards was discharged in 1861.  W. A. Edwards was a good soldier and

died at Winchester, October 1862.  James B. Ellis was the youngest soldier in our Company,

but he was as good as the best.  He lost his leg 28th of June 1862, and died. R. E. Eidson

discharged in 1862.  Benjamin F. Gilham was my brother but what I write about him will be

endorsed by every good soldier in the Eighth Georgia Regiment.  He was loved by all as a

private as orderly Sergeant and as Lieutenant.  He was the only officer who ever received the

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unanimous vote of the Company.  He was brave as the bravest, genrous to a fault, kind to his

men, especially to those that would do their duty and detested a cowardly act anywhere. He

was killed at Gettysburg, 2nd of July 1863, gallantly leading his Company and encouraging his

men to do their duty well.  So he fell, loved by all that knew him.   Thos. D. Gilham was

wounded 21st of July 1861, before he had fired his gun, again on the 30th of August 1862, in

both of the battles of Manassas; again slightly in the foot on the 6th of May 1864; was elected

Lieutenant on the 19th of December 1863, lost his right arm on the 7th of October 1864.  Alex

Harris was a good soldier until he went blind; and died in 1862.  William Harris I never knew

much about; he died in 1862.  I. R. Hall was a good soldier and a true friend, one who would

stand by you in the darkest hour.  He was slightly wounded on the 6th of May 1864 and

captured on the 14th of August of the same year.  He is living yet, a true man.  M. F. Jackson

was discharged in July, 1861.  R. M. Jackson was shot in the right arm on the 12th of May

1861, and was discharged; is practicing law in Oconee County.  M. L. Jewell was a fine

soldier; was wounded on the 30th of August 1862; was captured on the 6th of May 1864.  He

now lives in Banks County.  Wiley W. Jones was a good soldier.   Don’t think he was ever

wounded; came home in 1865.  Lebi C. Langston was a fine soldier; was wounded at

Manassas July 21st, 1861; was killed at Petersburg July 1864.  Columbus J. Landrum, an

excelleny man, was of the right sort of material, but was taken with rheumatism, and was

discharged Sept. 1861.  M. M. Landrum a member of our Company, that has not been

mentioned, was discharged in June 1861; cause epilepsy.  Elain Lunceford was a model man,

with much wit and humor, and made a gallant soldier.  He was the first to give up his life for

the cause in our Company; was wounded on the 21st of July, 1861 and died at Charlottsville,

Va. in August 1861.  He was loved by all.  B. F. Lester was shot in the arm July 21st, 1861,

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and was discharged in November of the same year.  W. D. Mays, a good soldier, was shot

through the body at Sharpsburg, on the 17th of September 1862, and died in a few days

afterwards.  S. J. Mays was a medium good soldier at first, got better as he grew older in the

cause, and was shot in the arm at Knoxville.  He is living near Woodville, Ga.  W. H. Maxey

died in Richmond, Va. March 1862.  Of A. D. Marable, I can’t say much.   He is living yet, I

believe.  B. F. Mills died in Winchester, 1861.  T. O. Meadows died in December 1861.  A.

J. Horton was a good fellow, was detailed as wagon-master, came home and has since died.

A. T. Pittard was a gallant soldier, but died early.  M. D. L. Reid was a man that I never

found any use for.  He was not fit for a soldier and why he was kept there I never could tell.

J. E. Ramsey was no use at all; was discharged in 1861.  J. R. Ramsey was shot through the

thigh on the 21st of July 1861; got his finger shot off at Yorktown; was discharged and moved

to Alabama.  A. J. Royston was the prince of aolsiders.  I cannot speak too highly of Jack as a

soldier.  He was slightly wounded in Pennsylvania, July 1863, and again on the 30th of

September 1864, severely in the head, which disqualified him for service.  He now lives at

Rutledge, Ga.   E. T. Martin was a good soldder, but his experience was short, being shot

through the foot at the first battle, also in the leg; was discharged in August 1861.  Tom

Rollins was one of the best men that belonged to the Oglethorpe Rifles, he was commander of

the latter corps of our Regiment, and was ass fearless as any; would risk his life to save one of

the wounded of the Eigith Georgia Regiment.  He was unlearned, but I would go further to see

him than any one of the Command.  He came home after the war, and if this chances to meet

his eyes, will he please let me hear from him.  W. F. Smith was discharged in 1861; sickness

was the case. William Stroud was the first man killed on the field; he was shot on the 28th of

June 1862?  W. H. Tuggle was a good soldier, went through unhurt.  J. H. Watson was one of

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the heroes; he loved to fight the enemy of his country; was wounded in the head on the 28th of

June 1862 and was discharged; got well afterwards, joined the Cavalry, and served til the

close of the War, and then died from the effects of the wound received inn 1862.   J. L. Wright

was another good man, but diabled on the 21st of July 1861; had his arm badly fractured and

was discharged.  Is living a good and useful citizen.  J. M. Wright was of no use; shot his

finger off and was discharged, do not know what became of him.  Robert Ward, known in the

Command as ‘Bob Ridley" was a good soldier, as far as he was able; was wounded, I believe,

two or three times, all slight.  Now living at Maxeys.  Robert Wheelis was a genuine soldier,

and always ready; was wounded in the knee at Haw’s Shop the first day of June 1864; now

living in Southern Georgia.  Sylvania Wray would do to bet on; was shot through the wrist

some time in 1864; is living yet in Greene County.  James Young was an excellent man; was

elected Lieutenant September 1861; was cool in the face of danger; resigned July 1863.  James

M. Young discharged July 1861.  J. P. Young was discharged in October 1861; afterwards

joined the Cavalry and was killed not long before the surrender.  John L. Young was wounded

June 28th, 1862; captured in July 1863.  William T. Young was among the noble soldiers; was

severely wounded in April 1863, at Suffolk, Va. came home and was elected Sheriff.   William

H. Guill, was in every fight and skirmish that the Eighth Georgia Regiment was in up to the

30th of September 1864; was on this day shot in the foot, while carrting the colors of the

Regiment.  Guill was a good soldier but made no fuss about it.  He is living yet.  John Chapell

Zuber,  language fails when I begin to tell of his merits; a good soldier and a good man.  If

there ever was a soldier without a fault John Zuber was the man.  He was wounded twice,

very slightly in the foot and on the 9th of October 1864 was shot through the head and died in

a few days.  He was a pure christian soldier.  John McCarthy was discharged 1862; old age

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the cause.  Algernon S. Williams was a good soldier, a true man to the last, but was an old

man and could not stand the marches.  He was wounded in the battle of Manassas and was

discharged in 1863.  Came home and was in the Quartermaster’s Department until the close of

the War.  He is now seventy years of age and is still a good true patriot.   J. T. Floyd was shot

on the 28th of June 1862, and again in August 1864 lost his foot and was discharged.

RECRUITS

                      A. H. Bell was a fine soldier, was wounded in the right arm 7th of October

1864; and three inches of the bone taken off.  He is now living in Greene County.  A. Baccus

died in 1862.  James Brewer would fight when called upon.  P. Brewer was only tolerable.

He is still living.  B. B. Brewer still lives.  Charles Brewer still luves.  Thomas Bell died

shortly after being mustered into service.  Zack Arthur was a splendid soldier; was shot

through the face at Gettysburg, Pan. July 2nd.  He is now in Southern Georgia.  John Butler

died in October 1863.  James Butler lost his leg on the 28th of August 1862, and died.  F. G.

Butler went through unhurt.  B. B. Campbell died in Richmond, Va., 1862.   Henry Crawford

died at the same place near the same time.  J. A. Christopher was wounded the 30th of August

1862, and disabled.  He is living.  David Christopher was wounded at the same time, but

returned to his command and was killed at Spotsylvania, May the 10th 1864.   A. T. Cockran

was wounded in the foot 20th of June 1864, and discharged.  He is living in Morgan County.

Asa Christian was captured 2nd of July 1863.  Poss Christian was captured at the same time

and place.  Moses Dirby died in 1862. Anderson Chaplain was a good soldier; was killed

eating his breakfast September 30th, 1864, by a piece of shell.   T. D. Carter died 1861.

James Drake captured 6th of May 1864.  William Eidson was a good soldier; wounded 25th of

August 1864.  He is living yet.  T. C. Cummings a member of the Oglethorpe Rifles, that has

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not been mentioned; was a man that did not refuse to do his whole duty.   Joseph Eidson was

taken prisoner 10th of May 1864.  Joseph Fambrough died.  J. M. Fambrough was useless as

a soldier.  L. B. Edwards was a fine soldier; was shot 30th of August 1862.   He is living yet.

Thomas A. Gilham was a good soldier; was wounded in the left arm and had it amputated;

was promoted captain in the Quartermaster’s Department and was afterwards elected ordinary,

which office he held when he died.  William Griffeth was a good soldier; went through

unhurt.  J. H. Edwards died in April 1862.  Barna Harrison, the only Irishman that belonged

to our Company, was as good as the best, was killed 28th of June 1862, or rather died from

the effects of his wounds received that day.  P. J., Felix, W. A. and E. R. King, four

brothers, all good soldiers.  Feliz was color Sergeant, when shot at Sharpsburg, 17th of

September 1862, and was disabled.  W. A. King killed 2nd of July 1863.   He was a model

soldier.  The other two came through unhurt.  J. H. Jones died in 1862.   G. W. Jones is still

living, so far as I know.  John Jones is living yet.  J. R. Leftwich was a splendid man to have

with you, and a good soldier; was detailed as clerk for Provost Marshal of the Army of

Northern, VA., in December 1862, and remained as such until the close fo the War.   A. F.

Meadows died.  B. A. Maxey went through the War, was a good soldier.   Jasper Maxey was a

confirmed fatalist, therefore had nothing to fear, was a good soldier, and honest man, came

home and died since the War.  A. J. Moore killed 6th of May 1864, in battle.   Seymore

Marable came through and still lives.  March Bicholson died in Hospital 1863.   F. C. Smith

died.  John p. Thaxton was shot in the hand and still lives.  Robert Tuggle was the last man to

join our Company and the last one shot; he was wounded in August 1864 and again the day

before the surrender; Bob was a good soldier.  Joseph Epps was a good soldier, severely

wounded, May the 12th 1864, is living yet.  Henry Dixon was a good soldier, but wanted to

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have the direction of the movements of the Army; was shot at Danbridge in January 1864, and

was disabled.  Thomas Stewart died in Richmond, Va. June 1862.  William Wheelis died.

Thomas Wheelis died.  Wiley Webb was sick all the time; is still living.   P. J. Wray joined the

brass band.  Thomas Wray was sick all the time and came home; has since died.   J. H.

Willingham was our telegrapher, and it was all he was fit for.  Nevil L. Young was a member

of our company, who has not been mentioned, was a good soldier, came through unhurt.   _____

Settle died very soon after he joined the command.  Ben Pope Zuber died in Richmond, Va.

in April 1862.  H. C. Zuber was a gallant soldier.  I don’t recollect whether he was wounded

or not; he is still living.  George W. Young joined our Company in May 1863, had his right

arm shot off 2nd of July same year and was discharged.

                        Total killed 19; wounded 42, died in Hospital 29; Total loss 48.  Discharged

26, which left the command with 27 names on the Muster Roll, seven of whom were at home

disabled, and seven were prisoners of War; so we had 13 to surrender.

                         I am dont.  May we all have a general reunion, if not in this world, on the other

side of the River under the shade of the trees.

M.B.            The statement that A. J. Royston was disqualified for service by a wound in the

head on the 30th of September 1864, is a mistake. He was wounded in the head on the 6th of

May 1864, at the battle of "The Wilderness", and was absent from his command until October

18th the same year, when he rejoined them on the James River, below Richmond, never again

leaving the Company, being one of the thirteen at Appomattox.