Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler Camp #863, Conyers, Ga.
Gen. Joe’s Dispatch
Volume 13, Issue 11 March 2018 Camp Officers: Battlefields Foundation announces Camp Cmdr: John Mark Camp victory at Cedar Creek Battlefield [email protected] From; The Civil War Courier 1st Lt. Cmdr: James C. Chappell War Trust and given to the 1st._ [email protected] SVBF in 2015; in all, the 2nd. Lt. Cmdr: Roy Thomas Cook SVBF manages 936 acres of
2nd_Lt. [email protected] the Cedar Creek battlefield.
Camp Adjutant: Steve Camp “The Powers family has al- [email protected] ready helped to preserve
Editor: J. H. Underwood hundreds of acres of the Ce- dar Creek battlefield,” said [email protected] SVBF CEO Keven M. Walk- er, “And this act of extreme Coming Events generosity forever ensures their legacy as one of the March 13, 2018 - Regular Meeting of Maj. Gen. Joseph The view south from the front of the main house of the Powers property. most instrumental families Wheeler Camp 863 - Masonic for battlefield preservation Lodge, Conyers, Georgia LURAY, Va. — During its the Valley has ever known. “Our family welcomes this Annual Meeting at the opportunity to partner with April 10, 2018 - Open House Mimslyn Inn in Luray on Meeting of Maj. Gen. Joseph Warren County and the Bat- The preserved 158 - acre Saturday, January 20, 2018, Wheeler Camp 863 - Masonic tlefields Foundation in order property was part of the the Shenandoah Valley Bat- Lodge, Conyers, Georgia to preserve the historic and very beginning of the Battle tlefields Foundation an- scenic values of our farm,” of Cedar Creek; it was May 8, 2018 - Regular Meet- nounced a new preservation Mr. Powers said. “My father across this land that Confed- ing of Maj. Gen. Joseph victory – the preservation of erates under Gen. Joseph Wheeler Camp 863 - Masonic grew up in Strasburg and 158 acres on the Cedar Kershaw and Gen. John. B. Lodge, Conyers, Georgia Creek battlefield. was aware of the fords on the property and their role in the Gordon launched their dar- ing pre - dawn assault on the Inside this issue: Confederate’s early morning The 158 acre parcel, which advance at Cedar Creek. My morning of October 19, 1864, “Our Commanders Com- 2 lies in Warren County, was mother enjoyed the vistas of the first blow in Confederate ments” part of the Confederate at- Signal Knob and the variety commander Gen Jubal A. By: Commander Mark Camp tack on the morning of the of wildlife that inhabit the Early’s brilliant surprise “News from March 5, 1868” 2 Battle of Cedar Creek on farm. We believe that a con- attack. Kershaw and Gor- Shared by; Compatriot Larry Upthegrove, October 19, 1864. Confeder- don’s men swarmed out of Camp 1432. servation easement can in- ate General John B. Gor- sure the enjoyment of this the fog to crash into Union Col. Joseph Thoburn’s divi- “Upcoming Events of Interest” 3 don’s troops swarmed over property by future genera- From: Civil War Trails website this property under the cov- tions.” sion (part of the Union Army er of darkness as they began of West Virginia, aka the their surprise assault on the VIII Corps). While Tho- “Battlefields Foundation an- 3 unsuspecting Federal lines. Since 2000, the Shenandoah burn’s position was nounces victory at Cedar Valley Battlefields Founda- “crowned with a formidable Creek Battlefield” tion has preserved 871 acres From: The Civil War Courier The preservation was made line of entrenchments,” it on the Cedar Creek battle- was isolated from the other possible by the generosity of field, more than any other landowner Tunstall C. “Joe” Union defenses, and his men 18” Regiment, Georgia 4 preservation organization. Powers, Jr. and his wife Lin- were overwhelmed by the Infantry” The SVBF also holds an addi- southerners (including Gen. From: The Civil War Soldiers & Sailors da E. Powers, who donated tional 65 acres that was orig- Datagase at www.nps.gov William T. Wofford’s brigade the conservation easement i n a l l y p r e s e r v e d b y t h e C i v i l on their property. Continued on page 3.
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Our Commanders’ Comments By: Commander Mark Camp
Southern Ladies, and any and all questions about what is formed us that the Confederate Constitu- Fellow Compatriots, happening now and what is left to do. I tion will be on display at UGA on March would like to Thank Cmdr. Pilgrim for 9 th from 8 - 5. If you have a chance to go C’mon Spring, I for one taking the time out of his busy schedule see it, am ready. to come and speak with us. I would say it is worth the time. (This date and time has changed, please contact At last months meeting During the business portion of the Past Commander Maxey for new date and we had as our Guest meeting several items were discussed. times) Speaker, Commander Tony Pilgrim, Adjutant Steve Camp reported that we At this months meeting we will be dis- Cmdr. of the Col. Charles T. made $250.00 after the bill was paid for cussing our upcoming Open House in Zachary camp #108. I asked him to the dinner for our annual Lee - Jackson April, also our plans for Confederate Me- come and dinner. Adjutant Camp also informed morial Day. I do hope that ALL can attend give us a us the meeting, YOUR input complete that a sign for the Middlebrooks Ceme- IS greatly appreciated. summary on tery will be ready before our annual the “battle” observance of Confederate Memorial Until then, at Nash day. A motion was made and second- Farm. It ed, then voted on by those present, that For the Southern Cause, was a very we will hold our observance of Confed- informative erate Memorial day at the Middle- Mark Camp, Commander program, brooks Cemetery this year on April and Cmdr. 28 th . Please make note of the location Pilgrim change !! was happy to answer Past - Commander John Maxey in-
News from March 5, 1868
Shared by: Compatriot Larry Upthegrove, Camp 1432
150 yrs. ago today, March 5, one good act done by Meade, had also purchased land along 1868: In Covington, GA, “The which will doubtless be highly the railway, so he donated land Examiner” says: “ General appreciated by the unfortunate for a railroad depot and town, Meade has restored the privi- young men for whose benefit it which became Conyers, GA.. leges to disabled Confederate is granted. ” ……….. The gift had the stipulation soldiers, so ignominiously with- that whiskey never can be sold held by order of Pope, for ob- From Milledgeville, GA., this on that land. taining an education in accord- week’s “Federal Union” has ance with the provisions of the this: “ Death of Dr. Conyers. — last Legislature. The appropri- We learn that Dr. W.D. Co- ation for this purpose will be nyers, we believe one of the furnished the Institutions des- original Directors of the Geor- ignated by the act. A large gia Railroad and Banking number of disabled soldier stu- Company, died at his residence dents are expected at Emory at Covington, Ga., on the 25’th College some of whom, we ins., aged 74 years. ” …Indeed learn have already arrived W.D. Conyers was one of the (From 1836 to 1915 Emory was original Directors of the first solely contained at Oxford, Ga, operating road to connect to adjacent to Covington) . This is Marthasville, later Atlanta. He Dr. W.D. Conyers (photo from City of Conyers)
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VOLUME 13, ISSUE 11 GEN. JOE’S DISPATCH PAGE 3
Upcoming Events of Interest
From; www.CivilWarHeritageTrails.org website
meals). 800 - 298 - 1861, www.cwea.net Department of Archives and History, Alabama: The Mobile Bay Campaign: 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia SC. Join A Boat, Field & Walking Tour - Thurs- Georgia: Washington - Wilkes Spring Colonel Harold Mills as he day through Saturday, Tour of Homes - Saturday, March 31, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, discusses the organiza on, officials and March 22 through 24, based in Daph- func ons of the Confederate Secret Ser- ne AL. Tour the Mobile Bay region, Register at First Bap st Church, 105 vice, to include domes c exploring the sites where one of West Robert Toombs Avenue, Washing- ton GA. Visit antebellum and interna onal espionage, clandes ne the Civil War’s last major campaigns and covert ac vi es. His scholarship occurred. Visit where Admiral Far- homes and churches, Tiffany windows, provides insight to the ragut exhorted “Damn the the Robert Toombs House, Washington - Wilkes Museum and much Confederate secret money trail that Torpedoes” as he led his fleet past the funded intelligence programs and to the guns of Forts Morgan and Gaines. more! The City of Washington and agents who risked their lives. Walk on one of the bestpreserved Wilkes County are located on the his- toric driving route of the Jefferson Mills is a re red U.S. Air Force Colonel ba lefields at Fort Blakeley. Venture and intelligence officer with 20+ years of by boat for a unique view of the Davis Heritage Trail service. Registra on: ba lefields of Spanish (www.civilwarheritagetrails.org/ga - civil - war - trails - map/ga - jefferson - davis.html). $10.00. 803 - 896 - 0339, Fort and Blakeley. Visit Mobile to view h ps://scarchivesandhistoryfounda on. ar facts from the CSS Alabama plus Tickets: $30.00/person, includes shu le org/2018/02/08/spring - speaker - series/ stop at a few of Mobile’s service. 706 - 678 - 2013,
antebellum mansions. Tour led by www.wwtouro omes.com Mike Bunn, Director of Historic Blake- South Carolina: The Confederate Se- ley State Park. Tour fee: $495/ cret Service - Tuesday, March 20, 6:00 person (excluding lodging & some pm, South Carolina Battlefields Foundation announces victory at Cedar Creek Battlefield Continued from page 1 of Georgians), beginning the domino - like Director John Hutchinson said. “The county collapse of the VIII Corps. co - holds the easement and shares responsibil- ity with the Foundation for seeing that the Despite the stunning success of the Confed- property is protected in perpetuity.” erate attack that morning, the Federals would counterattack in the afternoon and “And this property is important not just for its turn the day into a crushing Union victory. historical value, but also for how it affects the Cedar Creek was the final battle of Union surrounding battlefield,” added Walker. Gen. Philip Sheridan’s 1864 Shenandoah “Keeping this land undeveloped is critical for Campaign, climaxing a series of victories protecting the viewshed and the historic integ- that gave Union forces permanent control of rity of surrounding property that has already the Valley and helped ensure Abraham been preserved.” Lincoln’s reelection that November.
“The Battlefields Foundation is also grate- Union Gen. Philip Sheridan ful for the partnership of the Warren County Board of Supervisors and staff in this preservation effort” SVBF Conservation
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MAJ. GEN. JOSEPH WHE ELER CAMP #863, CONYERS, GA.
P. O. Box 82718 Conyers, GA. 30094
E - mail: [email protected]
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We’re on the Web!
www.campjoewheeler.org
18th Regiment, Georgia Infantry
by David Markiewicz / The Atlanta Journal - Constitution From; The Civil War Soldiers & Sailors Database at www.nps.gov
counties of Cobb, Newton, Stephens, had 19 killed and 114 wounded at Jackson, and Dooly. The regiment Second Manassas . The regiment was ordered to Virginia and first lost fifty - seven percent of the 176 served under General Wigfall, then engaged at Sharpsburg . There were was brigaded under Hood, T.R.R. 14 killed and 72 wounded at Chan- Cobb, Wofford, and DuBose. It cellorsville , and of the 302 who fought with the Army of Northern saw action at Gettysburg , twelve Virginia from Seven Pines to Gettys- percent were disabled. Many were burg , moved with Longstreet to captured at Sayler's Creek and only Georgia, but was not engaged at 1 officer and 52 were surrendered Chickamauga. After serving at in April, 1865. Its commanding Knoxville it returned to Virginia and officers were Colonels Joseph Arm- saw action at The Wilderness , Spot- strong, S.Z. Ruff, and William T. 18th Georgia Infantry Regiment’s Flag sylvania , and Cold Harbor , partici- Wofford; Lieutenant Colonel Fran- pated in Early's operations in the cis M. Ford; and Majors W.G. Overview: Shenandoah Valley, and took part in Calahan , John C. Griffis, Jefferson various conflicts around Appomat- Johnson, and Joseph A. Stewart. 18th Infantry Regiment was orga- tox. In April, 1862, it contained 634 nized during the spring of 1861 effectives, reported 14 killed and with slightly more than 750 men. 128 wounded at Gaines' Mill , and Its companies were recruited in the
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