Maj. Gen. Camp #863, Conyers, Ga. Gen. Joe’s Dispatch

Volume 7, Issue 4 August, 2011

Camp Officers:

Camp Cmdr: Joe Underwood The Battle of High Bridge By; J. H. Underwood from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [email protected]

1st Lt. Cmdr: Tommy Cook Longstreet's corps at Rice's Sta- James Dearing during the fight- tion on the southern bank. The ing and was killed. Dearing was 1st._ [email protected] bridges had to be protected and mortally wounded and died on 2nd. Lt. Cmdr: Jerry New then destroyed to delay the pursuit April 22. (Dearing is often cited of the under Lt. Gen. as the last Confederate general to 2nd_Lt. [email protected] Ulysses S. Grant. On April 6, die in the war, but his appoint- Camp Adjutant: Steve Camp Longstreet dispatched 1,200 Con- ment to brigadier general in federate cavalry under Major April 1864 was never con- [email protected] General (CSA) Thomas L. Rosser firmed.) Washburn was also High Bridge over the Appomattox River to protect the bridges from Union mortally wounded. The Confed- Coming Events near Farmville, Virginia. Photographed in 1865 by Timothy H. O'Sullivan during raiders. Union Maj. Gen. Edward erates counterattacked and sepa- repairs following its burning during the Aug. 6 - 7, 2011 - “Inventing a war. O. C. Ord, commanding the Army rated the cavalry from their sup- New Navy” - program on Civil of the James, sent about 900 men porting infantry. After another War Technology - Civil War The Battle of High Bridge was under Bvt. Brig. Gen. Theodore attack, the Union troopers were Naval Museum, Port Columbus fought on April 6 - 7, 1865, near Read (Ord's chief of staff) to take surrounded, and almost all were Georgia. the end of the Appomattox Cam- the bridge. The force consisted of killed, wounded, or captured. paign of The War of Northern the 123rd Infantry and the Col. Rubin Boston of the 6th Aug. 9, 2011 - Regular Meet- Aggression. On April 6, the Con- 54th Pennsylvania Infantry, com- Virginia Cavalry was killed in ing of Maj. Gen. Joseph federate cavalry fought stub- manded by Lt. Col. Horace Kel- the attack. Wheeler Camp #863 - Masonic bornly to secure the Appomattox logg of the 123rd, and three com- Lodge, Conyers, Georgia. River bridges. On April 7, ele- panies (80 troopers) of the 4th Commanding Officer's: Union: Aug 13 - 14, 2011 - Southeast- ments of the Union II Corps Massachusetts Cavalry under Col. Brevet Gen. Theodore Read ern Civil War Show - Cobb came up against Lt. Gen. James Francis Washburn. The cavalry A.A.G. Army of the James, County Civic Center, Marietta, Longstreet’s rear guard attempt- reached the bridge before the Colonel Francis Washburn 4th Georgia ing to fire the High Bridge and main Confederate force, chased Massachusetts Cavalry, Colonel wagon bridge. Union forces were away some home guards, and Horace Kellogg 123rd Ohio able to save the wagon bridge secured the south end of the Infantry. Confederate: Army of over which the II Corps crossed bridge Northern Virginia Cavalry in pursuit of Gen. Robert E. Corps: Rosser's Division: Gen. Lee’s army. Failure to destroy While Washburn prepared to set Thomas L. Rosser, Gen. James this bridge enabled Union forces fire to the bridge, three brigades Dearing, Gen. John McCausland, Inside this issue: to catch up with the Confeder- of Confederate cavalrymen ar- Fitz Lee's Division: Gen. Tho- ates at Farmville. rived and conducted a dismounted mas T. Munford, Col. Reuben “Our Commanders Comments” 2 By: Commander J. H. Underwood attack against the Union infantry, Boston (Paynes Brigade). High Bridge, 2,500 feet (760 m) which was waiting near the Wat- “The Battle of High Bridge” 2 long and 126 feet (38 m) high, son farmhouse, about half mile to By: Cmdr. J. H. Underwood take from The Confederate Second Corps, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia was the crossing of the South the south. Hearing sounds of bat- under Maj. Gen. John B. Side Railroad over the Appomat- tle, Washburn and his men re- Gordon, escaped from their de- “The Confederate Cemeteries 3 tox River and its flood plain, 4 joined the infantry, and unaware feat at the Battle of Sayler’s of Covington and Oxford” miles (6.4 km) northeast of that he was facing two divisions Continuing Project of Compt. Gene Wade Creek and crossed the High Farmville Virginia. A wooden of cavalry, Read ordered a Bridge to the north side of the “Shirley House” Article from the 3 bridge for wagons was located mounted charge by the 4th Massa- July issue of “Civil War News” river while Maj. Gen. William below the railroad bridge. Dur- chusetts. The ferocious charge Mahone’s division secured the ing the retreat of Confederate forced through the Confederate bridge. The rest of Lee's army “The Great Civil War Debate” 4 Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of line of Brig. Gen. Thomas T. DVD Review by: Patriot Depot moved on to Farmville and a Northern Virginia, they had Munford and then dissolved into rendezvous with trains of rations. moved north of the river, except hand-to-hand combat. Read ex- for a rear guard provided by changed gunfire with Confederate Continued on page 2

1 GEN. JOE’S DISPATCH VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4 PAGE 2

Our Commanders Comments By: Commander J. H. Underwood

Compatriots: District of the Wesleyan Church from Our Camp, at the request of Commander 1981-1994. He then began a ministry in Gibby and the Scott family, has taken on the As you probably Jamaica that he loved dearly, which will project of maintaining this piece of history know by now we continue after his death. He was a member and if you have not seen it I urge you to do so. have lost one of our of the Sons of the American Revolution own since our last and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He I am sorry that I will not be able to hear Com- meeting . loved gardening, bird watching, cats, and mander Gibby’s presentation as I will be on playing the piano and organ. Compatriot Rev. my way back from Seattle Washington. 1st Hugh Charter Pope Lt. Cmdr. Tommy Cook has agreed to preside went to his Heavenly Although Hugh had only been with us over the meeting, so please be there for Hugh Charter Pope home on July 17, since May of this year those of us that Tommy. 2011, at the At Home knew him know what a loss this was. Hospice Center, in Conyers. He was born Hugh was a great spokesman and a cham- I also need to inform the Camp that at our last December 8, 1935, in Meriwether County, pion of defending our cause. He will be meeting we agreed to raise our camps portion Georgia, to Frank Jackson Pope and Mar- fondly remembered and greatly missed. of our dues to $20 per year. This makes our garet Haynes Pope. He graduated from annual dues $62.00 total. We have not had an Meriwether County High School in 1954. On a lighter note I want to remind every- increase in several years and with the IRS He attended Bob Jones University, and one that at our next meeting, Tuesday Au- restrictions on 501 c 3 organizations it has graduated from Central Wesleyan College gust 9th, we will have Jerry L. Gibby, been difficult to raise funds. in 1960. He married Patricia Hunley on Commander of Longstreet Camp 1289 of June 18, 1960. He was a member of Palmetto, Georgia as our Guest Speaker. Website hosting, postage and newsletter sup- 12Stone Church, in Lawrenceville, which plies have been being donated by individuals he was instrumental in founding in 1987. Commander Gibby’s subject will be the and this will make it possible for the Camp to His pastoral ministry began in 1958. He History and Restoration of the Scott family pay for these expenses. I hope this causes no pastored Wesleyan Churches in South cemetery. This cemetery is off of Kinnet one any difficulty but if it does please let me Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. He served Road just before it intersects Browns know. as District Superintendent of the Georgia Bridge Road in Newton County. J. H. Underwood, Commander

The Battle of High Bridge

By; J. H. Underwood from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (continued from page 1).

Early on April 7, while Mahone's men were noncommittal letter asking about the surren- attempting to fire the High Bridge and wagon der terms "Unconditional Surrender" Grant bridge, the Union II Corps under Maj. Gen. might propose. Andrew A Humphreys arrived on the scene. The division of Brig. Gen. Francis C. Barlow, Two men of interest to me were at the Battle including the 19th Volunteer Infantry Regi- of High Bridge. Both were Privates in ment charged the burning structure and saved Company B, 53rd Georgia Infantry. The a large section of the railroad bridge, prevent- first was George T. Maddox who on April ing major damage. They crossed the lower 6, 1865 went into battle at High Bridge. He wagon bridge to move on Lee's flank and disappeared and was never heard from again forced the hungry Confederates to resume and the other was his 20 year old brother-in- their retreat before re-provisioning themselves. law William T. Stroud Jr. who later was one of three witnesses that signed an affidavit to Together, the battles at High Bridge were tac- George’s disappearance in order for his tically inconclusive, despite the 847 Union sister Mary to receive her Confederate pen- casualties (including 800 captured) versus only sion. The pension was granted. about 100 Confederate, [3] but Lee was forced High Bridge today is part of the National Rails to to continue his march to the west under pres- Trails Conservancy. For information go to George T Maddox was my GG Grandfather sure, depriving his men the opportunity to eat www.railstotrails.org . and William T Stroud Sr. was my GGG the Farmville rations they had waited so long Grandfather. to receive. Their next stop would be Appomat- that the Army of Northern Virginia should tox Station 25 miles (40 km) west, where a surrender. Lee demurred, retaining one last ration train was waiting. On the night of April hope that his army could get to Appomattox 7, Lee received from Grant a letter proposing Station before he was trapped. He returned a

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The Confederate Cemeteries of Covington

and Oxford Continuing Project by Compatriot Gene Wade and likely early in the 1900s. in counter-attacking federal positions and in successfully doing so, the dozen or so sol- William T. Bailey was enlisted at Franklin, diers of Company D who led the charge took as 4 th Corporal in Company D of heavy casualties, Bailey being one of them. the 1 st Tennessee Infantry Regiment at the unit's formation on May 9, 1861 for a period According to a history of the 1 st Tennessee, of one year. His nickname was “Buck”. He Bailey received a head wound which was reenlisted at Corinth, Miss on April 30, initially considered to be slight. He was 1862 for two more years or for duration of likely evacuated from Missionary Ridge by the war. The 1 st Tennessee participated in wagon to the railhead at Ringold, Georgia Gen Lee's Cheat Mountain Campaign under and then taken by rail to the Atlanta Receiv- T. J. Jackson (later called Stonewall). The ing and Distribution Hospital and then to the unit returned to Tennessee in February 1862 Hill Hospital at Covington, Ga. The unit and participated in the battles of Shiloh and history of the 1 st Tennessee says that Bailey Perryville. After suffering heavy casualties received a mortal head wound at Missionary Headstone: William T. Bailey along with a sister unit, the 27 st Tennessee Ridge but the records of the Hill Hospital at Co D, 1 st Tenn Infantry that suffered similar heavy casual- Covington, GA indicate Bailey died from ties at Shiloh, the 1 st Tennessee and the 27 th Pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac that Actual: William T. Bailey Tennessee were consolidated into the surrounds the heart. Since Confederate hospi- Co D, 1 st Tenn 1st /27 th Tennessee Infantry in December tal records normally showed only one diag- 1862. At some point in time, probably at a nosis, Bailey may have been suffering from The existing headstone for this soldier, even unit election, William Bailey lost his rank as both afflictions. though very old, is not the original head- 4th Corporal and became Private Bailey. stone placed by the Ladies Memorial Asso- It is of interest that the 1 st Tennessee Regi- ciation which was the forerunner of the Bailey's company, Company D, was called ment is the very same First Tennessee Regi- United Daughters of the Confederacy the “Williamson Grays”. It was formed ment that Private Sam Watkins belonged to. (UDC). A close inspection of the existing mainly from men from Williamson County, Those who are familiar with the well- headstone shows a different design and Tennessee. The 1 st /27 th Tennessee saw received book “Co AYTCH” by Sam R. Wat- unlike almost every other headstone in this heavy service at Chicamauga, Georgia. kins and the famed series on the Civil War by cemetery, shows this soldier's first name Bailey was also at Missionary Ridge, Ten- Ken Burns will remember the Sam Watkins and not just initials. Also, the Confederate nessee in Maney's Brigade and participated reminiscences repeatedly quoted throughout Veteran magazine article of January 1898 in Gen Cleburne's division's counter-attack this Civil War series. Obviously, William T listing the headstones in the Covington that repulsed the federal attack from Billy Bailey, being a member of the same regi- Confederate Cemetery lists a mispelled “W Goat Hill, a key action that enabled the ment, saw heavy combat. Baily, 1 st Tenn”. It can be safely assumed 1st /27 th to receive commendations for ena- that family members of Bailey or former bling the successful Confederate Army to Hill Hospital records show that the Private members of the 1 st Tennessee took it upon retreat from Missionary Ridge with reduced Bailey's effects consisted of $5.00. themselves to make sure William T Bailey casualties. According to unit history, part of was correctly recognized and thus placed a Bailey's company was detailed to assist His family cannot be positively identified but corrected headstone. The current headstone General Patrick Cleburne's Division, who it appears that his parents were likely Albert was certainly installed after January of 1898 was being heavily pressed by Union forces, H. and Louise Bailey.

Shirley House Article from July issue of “Civil War News”

VICKS- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act BURG, funds paid for the work. The main level of Miss. — the house, which was closed to the public Vicksburg for more than 70 years, has been restored

National to its 1860s appearance. Military Park re- dedicated The Friends of Vicksburg National Mili- the His- tary Park and Campaign are replacing 31 toric Shirley House following its complete metal unit markers that were turned in for structural renovation. It is the only building World War II scrap drives. within park battle lines that survived the battle. Shirley House Today

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MAJ. GEN. JOSEPH WHEELER CAMP #863, CONYERS, GA.

805 Commerce Drive Conyers, GA. 30094

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“The Great Civil War Debate” DVD Review by: Patriot Depot

This year marks the This historic debate was recorded be- Marshall seeks to defend 150th anniversary of fore a packed audience in Atlanta, the Union position. How- the beginning of a war Georgia, in 1998. The exchange was so ever, to this reviewer, he that set brother interesting — and at times intense — seeks only to support the against brother and that C-SPAN aired the debate a dozen position of the victor. ravaged America for times on national television. Wilkins uses many docu- several years. If you mented and little known got your history in a You can come to your own conclusions historical facts which are public school or on after watching this fascinating debate. seldom mentioned or the History Channel, taught in the public arena then you may not understand the most of present day education. "This is without a doubt critical elements of the debate that split I highly endorse this the best modern debate America right down the middle and re- on the American Civil video as necessary to any sulted in the death of hundreds of thou- War I have ever seen! course in America His- tory! This work sets the sands - both soldier and civilian. Both sides are well pre- standard is historical pared and versed in their debate and education!" - This debate presents two distinct perspec- subject areas. Rev. Wil- tives on the true causes of the "Civil War." A Reviewer on Ama- kins presents an out- zon.com standing defense of the Join two respected historians and pastors Southern position and — the late Peter Marshall, Jr. and Steve destroys many of the Specifications: DVD, 120 Minutes Wilkins — as they revisit the War Be- myths that fill the 21st tween the States and attempt to find the century mind about this This DVD is available through heart of God concerning this national trag- terrible period in our amazon.com for $14.95. edy. national history. Rev.

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