Clinch County, Georgia - Chapter 5, 1916

Chapter 5

WHEN Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States in i860, it became apparent that the North and the South was hopelessly divided. As a result the State of South Carolina seceded in December, i860, and following this the Legislature of Georgia called a State convention of delegates to be elected by the people, to decide whether Georgia should secede from the Union or not.

In Clinch County, Hon. Benjamin Sirmans and Hon. T. G. Ramsey were elected as delegates to the convention and instructed to vote for secession. These gentlemen were prominent citizens of the county and had the welfare as well as the rights of their State and county at heart. Mr. Sirmans was an early pioneer of the county, settling here in 1822, and was a former State senator, while Mr. Ramsey had been living here since 1853, ^^^ was subsequently a justice of the Inferior Court.

When the convention met at Milledgeville on the i6th of January, 1861, with ex-Governor George W. Crawford as president, eloquent and fiery speeches were made for and against secession. On the final test vote, it was found that 164 delegates favored secession, while 133 favored co-operation with the fifteen other Southern States in securing constitutional guarantees for the protection of their rights and property. Following the result of the vote, Georgia was then declared a free and independent republic, while the people saw that an inevitable war would soon be on hand. In February, 1861, the Southern Confederacy, ill-fated though it was, was formed and Georgia entered it and thus became one of the Confederate States.

panics of volunteer troops were organized over the State. In Clinch County, a company was formed at Stockton in July, 1 86 1, which left for the front on July 31, 1861. It was attached to the 29th Georgia Regiment and known as Co. *'H." Francis M. Jackson was elected captain.

A few months later another company was formed of Clinch and Ware County men. It was under the command at first of Col, William A. McDonald, and attached to the 26th Georgia and known as Co. "K."

Still a few months later another company was formed of Clinch County men at Homerville. It was organized March 4th, 1862, and left for the front the 3rd of April. This company was under command of Captain John Riley O'Steen and was designated as Co. "G," 50th Georgia Regiment.

On the ist of January, 1863, another company was made up at Homerville, which was attached to the 4th Georgia Cavalry and known as Co. "I." It was under the command of Col. John C. Nichols, who served throughout the war in this capacity.

Other companies in which many Clinch County men enlisted were: Co. "G," 29th Georgia; Co. "I," 29th Georgia; Co. "C," 22nd Georgia Artillery; Co. "G," 51st Georgia Regiment; Co. "H," 4th Georgia Cavalry, and Co. "I," 12th Georgia regiment.

The 29th Regiment was under the command of Col. W. J. Young and later Col. R. Spaulding. The 50th Georgia was under the command of Col. W. R. Manning, later Col. Peter McGlashan. The 26th Georgia was under the command of Col. Carey W. Styles, later Col. Edmund N. Atkinson, of Camden County, and the 4th Georgia Cavalry was under the command of Col. Duncan L. Clinch, Jr., of Camden County.

During the war, this county was not invaded by any Federal troops; no battles were fought here and in this respect the people fared better than those who lived in the northern part of the State. Many people came to this county from other sections, "refugeeing," as it was known. Supplies be- came very scarce and great suffering was found on nearly every hand for the want of the necessities of life. The "women-folks" and the slaves had to attend to the farm and raise the crops.

Towards the last part of the great struggle, the age limit was extended out each way so as to take in all the available men of the Confederacy. Boys as young as sixteen, and men as old as sixty, were taken into the army, and many of our older men of the present day joined the Confederate Army when only lads.

In 1863, when President Lincoln issued his emancipation proclamation, setting free the slaves of the seceding States, many of the slaves on the farms of Clinch County refused to go, and stayed on with their old masters. Among the slave-owners who were heavily effected by the freeing of the slaves were James C. Smith, William Register, Robert B. Crum, Benjamin Sirmans and his sons, John Tomlinson and Charles Strickland.

Lists Of Troops

The lists which are herewith given of the different companies that went from Clinch County, is given as gathered from various sources. It will be found to be reliable and in practically all cases is authentic.

Those which are marked with an (*) were killed or lost in the war. Clinch County lost many good men in this war. Their ashes rest on the battlegrounds of the past and the memory of their heroic and patriotic devotion to a lost cause will serve to ever keep alive in the breasts of Clinch County men and women, love and reverence for the cause in which they and their comrades fought and died, and also to perpetuate in the hearts of our people the memory of the glorious deeds and examples of self-sacrifice which were done and made time and again in the interest of their cause and their countrv.

Co. G 29Th Georgia Infantry

This company was organized of men, chiefly citizens of Berrien County, but had several Clinch County men in it. Only the names of a few privates from Clinch County are given :

This company was organized chiefly in Berrien County, and was composed of men from Berrien, Lowndes and Clinch Counties. The list given below consists of only a portion of the company; not all is obtainable. The company was organized in 1 861 at Milltown, in Berrien County. After it arrived at the front, it was reorganized and attached to the 4th Georgia as Co. "H." Many changes were made in the personnel of the company before the war closed.

Regiment

This company was organized at Stockton in 1861. After it arrived at the front a reorganization was had and new officers elected. This regiment saw much hard service in the battles around Atlanta in 1864, '" which numbers of its men were lost.

Co. G 5Oth Georgia Regiment

This company was raised at Homerville and organized March 4th, 1862. It was attached to Mercer's Brigade, and saw much service at Chancellorsville, Boonesboro, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and other battles that Lee's army was in.

Co. I 4Th Georgia Cavalry

This company was organized at Homerville, January ist, 1863. It was attached to the 4th Georgia Cavalry under the command of Col. Duncan L. Clinch, Jr., of Camden County. This command was in the battles around Atlanta and also participated in the battle at Olustee, Fla.

This company was organized of men from Clinch and Ware Counties, in 1861, and saw service in Virginia, The first captain was William A. McDonald, while Cuyler W. Hilliard was later elected. Both were residents of Ware County, while Thomas J. Ivey, the last captain, was at this time a resident of Clinch. Captain Ivey is buried in the old cemetery at Waycross.

John R. O Steen

John Riley O'Steen was one of Clinch County's ablest men and had he survived the war, it is probable that he would have achieved renown other than military honors. As it was, he gave his life in the interest of the Confederacy.

He was born in Ware County, about 1825. His education was such as could be acquired from his parents or neighbors, as schools were practically unknown to this section. He grew up to be a fearless young man, energetic and industrious. By hard dint he accumulated several lots of land and other property. He married Miss Jane James about 1850, and had the following children: Eliza (Monk), Benjamin, Jonathan, James A., Mariah (Bass) , Bryant and Daniel O'Steen. All these sons grew up to be among the county's best citizens. In 1858, Mr. O'Steen was narrowly defeated by John Williartis for representative from Clinch County.

The Civil War coming on, Mr. O'Steen joined himself to the cause with great fervor. In 1862 he joined Co. "G" 50th Georgia, and he was elected captain of his company. This regiment took part in all the important battles of the Army of Northern Virginia. At the battle of Boonesboro, Md., September 4th, 1862, Mr. O'Steen was wounded quite seriously, and died on the 23rd of the same month. His service in the army was limited by death to six months and nineteen days. He was survived by his wife and seven children, the oldest of whom was hardly in her 'teens.

Reuben Y. Stanford

Reuben Y. Stanford was a son of David Stanford, and was born in 1831. He was a brother-in-law to Hon. S. W. Register. He was commisisoned a justice of the peace of the 1058th district, then of Clinch but now of Echols County, April 4th, 1855, and re-commissioned Jan. 15th, 1857. In 1852 he was defeated for State senator by Benjamin Sirmans, by seven votes. Mr. Stanford ran a store at Magnolia for a few years previous to the war.

In 1 86 1 he joined the company of troops which was being organized at Stockton. At the re-organization of the company, Mr. Stanford was elected its captain and served in this capacity until 1864. At the battle of Franklin, Tenn., he was seriously wounded in the leg and according to some, was captured and taken to a Federal hospital, where he died. Other versions are that he was not captured, but disappeared very mysteriously. He has never been heard of since and the account first given is regarded as the more probable of the two.

Isaac Burkhalter

Isaac Burkhalter was a son of Hon. Richard H. Burkhalter and was born about 1830. He came with his father to this county about 1845, ^^'^ ^^ 1^57 was elected Justice of the Peace of the 586th district. He served four years. In 1862 he joined Company "G" 50th Georgia, of which John R. O'Steen was captain. In 1862 he was elected captain of his company following the death of Captain O'Steen. He was captain of his company at the battle of Gettysburg, and was killed. Thus another distinguished son of Clinch County was given up on the altar of Southern rights.

Other Captains

The other captains who were citizens of this county, viz. : John C. Nicholls, Quarterman B, Staten, Francis M. Jackson, served the people in various public offices, and their lives are treated elsewhere in this book. Captain Thomas J. Ivey resided at Homerville for a few years following the war, but at his death lived in Ware County. He is buried in the old cemetery at Waycross.

The Surrender

On April 9th, 1865, General Robert E. Lee, commanderin-chief of the Confederate Army, surrendered his army to the Federals, and was followed a few days later by General Joseph E. Johnston. By the first of June all the Confederates had surrendered, and thus the great war came to a close, leaving the whole South destitute and exhausted.

During the war and for a few years following, there was a steady influx of new settlers. This county escaped the terrors of an invading army, which may account for the new citizens to some extent.

Robert B. Crum removed to Clinch County and settled near Homerville in 1862. He came from Camden County. He and his wife were devoted members of the Methodist Church, and soon after their removal here organized about the earliest Sunday School in the county.

Thomas D. Hawkins also removed to this county during the war, from Camden County, and settled at Stockton. He was appointed ex-officio J. P. there in 1872, and held that office two terms, after which he removed back to Camden County. He was subsequently Mayor of St. Mary's a few years.

Henry H. Tullis "refugeed" to this county during the war, and settled in the vicinity of Homerville. He, like the other settlers, brought much property into the county, such as slaves, etc. He was born September 23rd, 18 18, and his wife's name was Miss Rebecca Isabella Ferns. They had several children, three of whom, E. M. and W. L. Tullis and Mrs. William Saunders, now live in this county. Mr. Tullis died in 1892.

Alexander, Lewis and Robert S. Holtzendorf also came here during the great struggle, and settled at Stockton. They likewise came from Camden County. Alexander Holtzendorf was born in 1808 and died in 1887 at Stockton, where he is buried. His son, Robert S. Holtzendorf, was born in 1839 ^^^ was ex-officio J. P. at Stockton a few years prior to his death in 1892. James A. Holtzendorf, a son of R. S. Holtzendorf, is now and had been for many years railroad agent at Stockton.

Daniel H. Stewart came to this county about 1863 and settled near Homerville. He served as deputy clerk under Clerk David O'Quin, and about 1867 removed back to Chatham County, where he shortly afterwards died. His wife, Elendor, survived him.

William Gaines removed here about 1864, and settled in the Magnolia district. He lived on the lot of land whereon Mr. M. S. Eason now lives. Mr. Gaines was a native of Ireland, and served as county surveyor three years. He removed to Savannah about 1875.

John G. Norton settled at Stockton about 1865, and engaged in the mercantile business, later in the saw-mill business. He was for many years a deacon of the Missionary Baptist Church at Stockton.

In 1861;, John L. Courson removed to this county from Charlton County, and settled in the Magnolia district. Next year he was commisisoned a justice of the peace of the 970th district.

}ear was elected a justice of the peace. He was admitted to the bar in 1869, and Hved here about twenty years. He married a daughter of Sylvanus Hitch, of Homerville.

Also about the same time E. T. Dukes located at Homerville and entered the mercantile business. In 1874 he removed to Quitman, Ga. He served one term as clerk of the Superior Court.

Also about the same time, George Dame, Sr., and George A. Dame, his son, settled in this county. The elder Dame died in 1867, while the latter was subsequently elected Surveyor of Clinch County.

John J. Drawdy removed to Clinch County in 1869 from Charlton County, and settled about three miles from Homerville. In 1 9 14 he removed into town, where he is now living, at the age of 86. His first wife was Elizabeth, daughter of James Patten, of Berrien County, and a grand-daughter of Joshua Lee, an old settler of Clinch County. His sons, C. C. and S. L. Drawdy are prominent citizens of Homerville.

James Dampier and his family removed to this county about 1866 and settled several miles above Stockton. They came from Brooks County. A son, James O. Dampier, is now living, while a daughter, Angie, married George D. Gibbs, later J. J. Drawdy. The elder Dampier was born August 1st, 1823, and died July 15th, 1880.

William W. Griffin, a Methodist minister, came to Homerville during or very soon after the war. He was subsequently elected Ordinary of Clinch County. He died in DeKalb County in 1879.

Peter A. Herviant came to DuPont or Lawton as it was then called, shortly after the war, and served as station agent there for about forty years. He married the widow of J. P. A, DuPont. Mr. Herviant died in 1907. He was a native of Macon, Ga.

Malcolm C. Futch came to this county from Berrien County about 1871, and settled in the Magnolia district. He married Amanda Smith, a daughter of Peter Smith, and had several children. He is yet living at the age of 80.

In 1869, Solomon Mobley removed to this county and settled on the Suwannee River. He came from Appling County, where he was born March 13th, 1822. His wife was Mary Mann, and they lived in Appling County at Mann's Ferry on the Altamaha River. At the time Mr. Mobley removed to the Suwannee River, it was a wild, undeveloped country, and no roads. He took the old trail established during the Indian war and built a log house down there to live in. It was not supplanted with a frame house until the advent through that section, about 1900, of the G. S. & F. R. R. Mr, Mobley raised eleven children, eight of whom are living. He died May 4th, 1907, and is buried at the North cemetery.

John W. Langdale was a prominent citizen and early settler of the 1219th district. For many years this section of the county was very sparsely populated, even after the Civil War. The country was very wild, but of late years has been wonderfully developed. Mr. Langdale was born in Echols County in i860. He came to this county in 1884, and settled near where Council, Georgia, now is. His wife was Miss Nancy Burnsed; they had eight children. His son, John J. Langdale, is now a member of the Board of Education of Clinch County, and another son, Harley Langdale, is a prominent lawyer of Valdosta, where he was in 19 1 6 elected recorder of the police court. Mr. Langdale, Sr., died June 14th, 191 1. He had accumulated much property and was a highly esteemed citizen. His family was originally from South Carolina and settled first in Camden County, later in Echols County.