18th Georgia Infantry

[lelliott19]

18th Georgia Volunteer Infantry
Wigfall's/Hood's/Cobb's/Wofford's Brigade
Hood's/McLaws'/Kershaw's Division
Longstreet's Corps
Army of Northern Virginia

Organized at Cobb County, GA
Mustered in April 22, 1861
Surrendered at Appomattox Court House April 9, 1865

Companies, Counties of Origin, and Original Captains:
A - Acworth Infantry (Cobb County) J B Oneal, Captain
B - Newton Rifles (Newton County) Joseph A Stewart, Captain
C - Jackson County Volunteers (Jackson County) D L Jarrett, Captain
D - Davis Invincibles (Dougherty County) Samuel D Irwin, Captain
E - Stephen's Infantry (Gordon County) E J Starr, Captain
F - Davis Guards (Bartow County) Joel Cole Roper Sr., Captain
G - Lewis Volunteers (Bartow County) John Cook Maddox, Captain
H - Rowland Highlanders (Bartow County) Frank M Ford, Captain
I - Dooley Light Infantry (Dooley County) Joseph Armstrong, Captain
K - Rowlan Infantry (Bartow County) John A Crawford, Captain

"Among the historical regiments of Georgia proudly stands the battle-scarred Eighteenth. Though no minstrel has tuned his harp to sing the praises, though not seeking, and therefore not obtaining a newspaper reputation, this noble regiment has gained a name which will live through all future time; in the memory of those who have so closely watched its career of glory. Twenty times has its battle flag, the glorious Cross of the Confederacy, been observed with its fiery folds flashing brightly over as many gory fields. The soil of Virginia has "drank, deeply drank" the life blood of many of these noble Georgians, as half clad and freezing, with feet bare and bleeding at every step, they plunged, with the startling, piercing, enthusiastic yell of the Southern soldiery, into the midst of the fight, driving in utter rout, the well dressed Federals before them. The sufferings of our forefathers at the historic Valley Forge, can scarce compare with the sufferings of the members of this and other regiments, but amid all their privations, when hunger with its gnawing pangs attacked them, and they suffering with a hundred discomforts, at the call of their leader, they would spring to their arms, and rush into the midst of the fray, caring for naught but for victory to again perch upon their banners." ~ James M. Folsom, Heroes and Martyrs of Georgia, 1864.
http://www.angelfire.com/va3/southernrites/18roster.html

This thread is intended to serve as the location for general regimental history, photographs, stories, articles and other relevant information about the 18th Georgia Infantry in the Regimental Histories Forum. Please do not start new threads - just add your content under this existing thread so it can be easily located. Thank you so much for contributing information about the 18th Georgia Infantry.

 

[lelliott19]

Image of original Parole Pass of Pvt Phillip Asamia Lord, Sr. Company C, Jackson County Volunteers, 18th Georgia Infantry.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/blog/2011/09/20/share-your-story/
Transcription:

Appomattox Court House, Va.,
April 10th, 1865
The bearer Priv. P Lord of Co C 18th Regt of Ga Vols, a Paroled Prisoner of the Army of Northern Virginia has permission to go to his home, and there remain undisturbed.
[signed] G I Lasseter Lt Commdg
18th Ga Regt​

The 18th Georgia Infantry surrendered 1 officer and 52 enlisted men at Appomattox. Three days before the surrender, on April 6, 1865 at the Battle of Sailor's Creek, both General Joseph B Kershaw (Division Commander) and Brig Gen Dudley Dubose (commander of the brigade formerly know as Wofford's Brigade) were captured. The signature on the parole pass is that of Lt. Gideon Ignatius Lasseter, who was the highest ranking officer of the 18th present at Appomattox and was in command of the regiment at the surrender. In fact, all of Kershaw's Division - of which the 18th Georgia was a part - was surrendered under Captains and Lieutenants. The brigade (which included what was left of the 16th, 18th, and 24th Georgia, Cobb's Legion, Phillip's Legion and the 3d Battalion Ga Sharpshooters) was surrendered under the command of Capt John Ferdinand Espy of Co C 18th GA.

Link to Phillip A Lord memorial at Find A Grave http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26204274
Link to Gideon Ignatius Lasseter memorial at Find A Grave http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=148425464

 

[AUG]

I know you know this already Laura, but just to clarify, the assignments should probably read:
Hood's Brigade, Whiting's/Hood's Division (Nov., 1861-62)
Cobb's/Wofford's Brigade, McLaws'/Kershaw's Division (Nov., 1862-65)

Here's a photo of one of the 18th Georgia's battle flag.

It's a Richmond Depot Cotton Issue, of which only a few were issued out to the ANV with two going to Hood's Brigade in May 1862. As the story goes, a lock of hair cut from the head of a dead 5th NY Duryee Zouave at 2nd Manassas is tied to the top of the flag - the Zouave being the only Union soldier to touch the colors before he was killed.

 

[Chattahooch33]

My GGG Grandfather, Marmaduke Swann served in the 18th. Here is my short bio of him:

https://sites.google.com/site/kevinwancestry/veteran-list/marmaduke-swann-s-service-record

 

[lelliott19]

Rome Tri-Weekly Courier, Dec. 20, 1862 -- page 2

 

[Podad]

Image of original Parole Pass of Pvt Phillip Asamia Lord, Sr. Company C, Jackson County Volunteers, 18th Georgia Infantry.
View attachment 119987
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/blog/2011/09/20/share-your-story/
Transcription:

Appomattox Court House, Va.,
April 10th, 1865
The bearer Priv. P Lord of Co C 18th Regt of Ga Vols, a Paroled Prisoner of the Army of Northern Virginia has permission to go to his home, and there remain undisturbed.
[signed] G I Lasseter Lt Commdg
18th Ga Regt​

The 18th Georgia Infantry surrendered 1 officer and 52 enlisted men at Appomattox. Three days before the surrender, on April 6, 1865 at the Battle of Sailor's Creek, both General Joseph B Kershaw (Division Commander) and Brig Gen Dudley Dubose (commander of the brigade formerly know as Wofford's Brigade) were captured. The signature on the parole pass is that of Lt. Gideon Ignatius Lasseter, who was the highest ranking officer of the 18th present at Appomattox and was in command of the regiment at the surrender. In fact, all of Kershaw's Division - of which the 18th Georgia was a part - was surrendered under Captains and Lieutenants. The brigade (which included what was left of the 16th, 18th, and 24th Georgia, Cobb's Legion, Phillip's Legion and the 3d Battalion Ga Sharpshooters) was surrendered under the command of Capt John Ferdinand Espy of Co C 18th GA.

Link to Phillip A Lord memorial at Find A Grave http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26204274
Link to Gideon Ignatius Lasseter memorial at Find A Grave http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=148425464

Good stuff Laura!!!!

Harris-Lord Cemetery is about 8 miles from where I grew up in Jackson County. If we ever get a chance to do the tour of the home of the 16th Ga. we can drop by there too.

 

[Legion Para]

Additional 18th Georgia information can be found on this Hood's Texas Brigade thread.

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/hoods-texas-brigade.130089/

 

[AUG]

Here are all the photos of 18th Georgians that I am aware of....

Capt. James L. Lemon, Co. A, 18th Georgia Infantry.
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allenatk/lemon.html

Capt. D. L. Jarrett, Co. C, 18th Georgia Infantry.
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allenatk/jarrett.html

Private Milton Barrett of Cobb County enlisted with Company A of the 18th Georgia. He would be transferred to the 3rd Battalion Georgia Sharp Shooters and be made 3rd Corporal. He was captured at the Battle of Front Royal and would die of variola in Elmira Prison. He is buried there.
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/men-of-hoods-texas-brigade.92547/page-6#post-1289256

Pvt. R. T. Gilbert, Co. D, 18th Georgia Infantry.
29 years old enlisted in May or June of 1861 in Doughtery County, Georgia
Wounded in the leg at Gettysburg Jul. 2, 1863. POW. Exchanged Nov. 12, 1863. Retired to Invalid Corps November 4, 1864, age 32.
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/pvt-r-t-gilbert-co-d-davis-invincibles-18th-georgia-infantry.97387/

Pvt. William J. Crosier, Company I, 18th Georgia Infantry.

William Riley Brock, Co. K, 18th Georgia Infantry.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gapolk/civilwar7.htm

Further info from Remembering Georgia's Confederates by David N. Wiggins:

 

[Legion Para]

2nd Lieutenant William H. H. Walters began the war as a Private with Company H of the 18th Georgia. He was wounded at the Battle of Antietam in September of 1862. He was promoted to 1st Sergeant, then elected to 2nd Lieutenant in October of 1864. In January of 1865 he returned home to serve as Aide-de-Camp for General Wofford. After the war he live in Floyd County where he died in 1912.

 

[Legion Para]

Pvt. William Benton Wofford (Cousin 5X Removed) began the war enlisted in Company H of the 18th Georgia. When the 3rd Battalion Georgia Sharp Shooters were formed he was transferred to Company A of that regiment. He would survuve the war and eventually move to Florida where he died in 1909.

 

[lelliott19]

Pvt. William Benton Wofford (Cousin 5X Removed) began the war enlisted in Company H of the 18th Georgia. When the 3rd Battalion Georgia Sharp Shooters were formed he was transferred to Company A of that regiment. He would survuve the war and eventually move to Florida where he died in 1909.

Is he your cousin @Legion Para ? If so, I think that means that you and @Chattahooch33 are related somehow?

 

[Chattahooch33]

Is he your cousin @Legion Para ? If so, I think that means that you and @Chattahooch33 are related somehow?

That is my cousin. I guess Legion and I are cousins! That text is off my website.

 

[Chattahooch33]

Is he your cousin @Legion Para ? If so, I think that means that you and @Chattahooch33 are related somehow?

Wait, he copied my text saying it was my cousin. Maybe we aren't related.

 

[lelliott19]

Letter from Wm G Guest, Co F, 18th Georgia Infantry, Hood's Texas Brigade .....

Camp near Dumfries, Va
Jan 5, 1862
Dear Watchman,
We are situated on an eminence in a beautiful cluster of natural growth, near the banks of the noted Potomac, embarked in confirming our breastworks, batteries and other parapets, that we may successfully meet the homicidal band of Abolitionists. The place designated for our protection is Freestone Point, a wharf two miles above Evansport and eighteen or twenty miles below Washington City. It is a situation of peril, and, indeed, of importance, yet romantic and novel. While standing on guard, we are entertained by clamors that are as strange to a Southerner as unwelcome, and are often cheered by the melodious music upon the north bank -- the waving of the beautiful old banner-- the fluxing and refluxing of the tide, and the lashing of the silvery waves from bank to bank, as does the billows of the mighty ocean. A more beautiful location or scenery could not have been selected. In the channel of this magnificent stream, are constantly seen large bomb-vessels, sailing from one blockade to the other, with their old Federal flags unfurled contemptuously to the Southern breeze; nevertheless, our gallant troops often oblige them to unhoist their banners, raise an ensign of truce and move calmly and submissively to our shore. A few days since, after the completion of the Pig's Point battery, two very large bomb-vessels laden with troops and arms, attempting to run the blockade, were sunk by the bombardment of the aforesaid battery. The loss was supposed to be heavy. From all the indications in this quarter, a grand engagement within a few days seems unavoidable; yet, we only ask for a fair fight in an open field. If the enemy will but come forward far enough to afford the chance of a decisive battle, is all our Generals or their men ask or desire. This granted, they will take care of the rest; and it is to be hoped that the rampant politicians in Washington will be so much elated in consequence of the "great victory" at Drainsville, that they will encourage McClellan to rush his mighty forces immediately upon us. We have become weary of well doing, and are desirous of terminating the war, either by extermination or otherwise. We have no fear of being conquered; let them put foot upon our soil, and we will repulse them into the pearly waters of the grand Potomac. There are not enough men in the world to subjugate a high-born race of freemen, who fight for home and right. "Jehovah nisi" is on our banners, and they shall float forever. God bless the soldiers, who bear them on to victory.

On last night, much excitement prevailed throughout the encampment, in regard to having learned that three deserters from Maryland side had taken up quarters at an old friend's near by. A committee was sent to hold a consultation. They gave us an immensity of information, concerning the situation of the Brigades, Regiments, & c. upon the north bank. They informed us that a surrender of the envoys, Mason and Slidell, had been made, but that the difficulties between England and the North had not been settled, and were not likely to be.

The boys all seem anxious for a contest, wending their way to honor or destruction, as the case may be. The immense amount of misery the present war is causing cannot be imagined; and yet, it is for our rights and the liberties of our country. We strive to enliven the dreary hours by songs and jests. The warm weather and gentle breezes which blow from the golden South, has utterly past. The weather is now blustery, rainy and snowy, and the time come we so wistfully desired. We now have the gratification of sitting around the hearth-stones of our newly built cabins, reading the entreaties of our countrymen and singing the song of Dixie. We were, indeed, proud to learn that the Legislature had contributed so liberally to the sufferers of the lamented Charleston -- that she had not forgotten a State that had gone hand in hand with her in the hour of peril, and one that blazed the way to secession.

We are assigned to Gen. Wigfall's Brigade (Hood's Texas Brigade) -- a man of military character, unceasing energy and bravery. He was so gallant and cunning, some time since, as to visit the enemy's quarters and examine the left wing of their forces. He did it prosperously and without mistrust, by forging Gen. McClellan's name to a permit. I must confess that forging is essential , and once approved of by every Southern patriot, I think the time not far distant when the tocsin of war no more shall be heard -- when the shout of victory shall be promulgated throughout the entire South, and when we shall have thrown off the yoke of oppression and tyranny, and shall have returned to our lovely homes, where we can sit down with our companions and our little ones, and sing the requiem of Northern fanaticism. Yes, indeed, do I look forward with pleasing anticipation of the day.
W. G. G. (William G Guest)
Co. F 18th Ga
Source: Southern Watchman, January 22, 1862.
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/cgi/turningpoint?repo=harg;item=harg2345-012-001

 

[Podad]

@lelliott19 where was company F of the 18th Ga from?

 

[lelliott19]

@lelliott19 where was company F of the 18th Ga from?

Bartow County

 

[Kyle R]

New book, found it on Amazon - Stubborn Men and Parched Corn: The Eighteenth Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment by BGen (Ret) Jerry McAbee (USMC) published March 30, 2018.

 

[AUG]

Thanks for the heads up on the new regimental history @Kyle R . Haven't heard of that til now.


I have a few more things I could add here. Here's a good account of the 18th Georgia's actions at Gaines' Mill, as written by a newspaper correspondent in the regiment for the Richmond Whig. It was later published in the book Chaplain Davis and Hood's Texas Brigade.

 

[AUG]

Also an excellent account of the 18th Georgia at Antietam by then 1st Lt. James L. Lemon in Company A. Its from his memoirs, Feed Them the Steel!, edited and illustrated by Mark Lemon. I don't have that book yet, but the excerpt below was published in Texans at Antietam.

Upon reaching the town, our brigade was ordered to the left of our lines, where we lay tired & hungry all day on the 16th, while under fire of the enemy's long-range guns. Our haversacks were empty & our rations had not arrived, causing much grumbling among the men, as we had not arrived, causing much grumbling among the men, as we had not eaten in several days.

On the evening of the 16th our brigade was ordered to form line of battle & we advanced into a cornfield & into a piece of timber where we met almost by accident a force of Yanks from the 1st and 3rd Penn'a Reserves. Among this bunch were a couple of drummer boys, about 12 or 13 years old who were trying hard to "put on a brave face," but who were clearly terrified. Col. Ruff ordered their drums confiscated & then released as we were not equipped or inclined to care for children. Our drum had been damaged & thrown away at Groveton, so we took theirs as "spoils of war." Private Boring captured the boys. As he was driving them to the rear at point of the bayonet they heaped so much abuse upon him--out of their fear or nervousness--that he had to be restrained from striking them with a club musket. Of course, he instantly the target of many wags among our company who joked with him about "scaring little boys" & etc. He replied that he would be d***d if he'd take such abuse from "d***d Yankee whelps." The boys were released & "beat a hasty retreat" back to their lines, with Boring giving them a rite hard look as they went.

The other prisoners were sent to the rear to cook rations, which, it was said, had finally arrived. We were literally famished having marched hard, fought battles & marched again on nothing but green corn in the last 3 days, We formed in the rear & waited, but the promised wagons & rations had not arrived. Thus, we lay on our arms suffering from the most severe hunger, with no recompense. The wagons did not reach us until just before dawn & were almost assaulted by the men, wild as they were in their hunger. Calm was quickly restored however & rations were drawn, & cook-fires started. To our everlasting dismay, the firing from the field from which we had withdrawn had greatly intensified & we were ordered back to the front at once. Our men went almost wild with anger & furiously threw their rations to the ground & poured out their coffee as they moved into line. Gen'l Wofford had ridden up & was among us as we formed, calling our "Never mind boys, there will be plenty to eat soon enough. It is the Yankees who have taken your breakfast. Make them pay for it!" A savage yell went up in response & the men's faces I shall never forget. Wild eyed and furious clenched teeth & oaths from every man, from the most savage to the most mild-hearted, all were as one in their wrath. They were like savage Devils from the infernal regions, howling madly & looking for a fight.

Off we stepped at the shift, passing at length up a hill & out of the timber near the little Dunker church. We crossed a pike into a field of clover where we formed into a line of battle & loaded our rifles. Our order of advance was as follows—Hampton's Legion on our left & next to the pike, 18th Geo., 1st Texas, 4th Texas & 5th Texas on the right. The Yanks, Wisconsin men, were about this time emerging in force from the large piece of corn to our front. Out in front of them & coming towards us were hundreds of our own troops of Gen'l Lawton's command who had been repulsed. Once again, as at Coal Harbor, we heard the command "Trail arms!" & knew what that meant. It was to be an advance without perceptible halt on our part. Do or die, victory or death! At "Forward, quick-time, march!", we stepped off again in perfect unison, a thousand Confederates, bone tired & starving but with a burning fury for the hated Yankees. The fugitives to our front had just passed through or around our advancing lines, & now we saw the black-hatted Yanks coming on in style. Ruff, his fighting blood up, called out "Looky there boys, at them black hats! Let's go knock them off!" Wild laughter & the piercing "Rebel-Yell," is heard again & at the command "Fire!" a rolling volley blasted forth, delivered from the hip—as at Coal Harbor—instantly killing scores of the enemy & halting his advance.

In an instant came the command "Fix bayonets!" & this was, again done without halting. All knew what would come next. "Double-time, March" came the command & a yell, more like a tortured scream bellowed forth from every throat. Off we went at charge bayonet & at the double-quick. The ranks of the Yanks, men of the most-vaunted Wisconsin Black Hat Brigade, shuddered & broke, turning at once & flying through the corn. On we swept like a cyclone driving them before us in demoniacal fury. As we reached the ground where they had briefly stood, about 70 or so Yankee bodies lay on the ground, some writhing, some still. I clearly remember the ground being litter with dozens of black hats, & then also remembering Ruff's words with grim amusement. After entering the corn for some distance, which was already choked with bodies both blue & gray, we perceived several regiments of the enemy, about 200 yards distant on the far side of the pike, moving by the flank towards our left with the intention of turning our flank. At this point Col Ruff & everyone else, also became aware of a battery of guns placed obliquely in the road ahead & to our left which, if we had advanced as planned, would have taken our left flank in enfilade fire. Ruff accordingly obliqued us, to the left (along with the gallant Hampton Legion) directly towards the guns & their infantry supports. As we advanced, these guns began to do terrible work among us. With guns double-shotted with canister, they blew gaps in our lines.

We halted by sheer necessity by the fence among the pike & began to concentrate our fire on the gunners, whose guns were now about 70 yards away. When at one point we had momentarily silenced the guns by shooting down every man who approached them, we quickly formed & made at them at the double-quick. In the intervening moments, however, more men had manned the guns & when we approached within about 40 yards the most horrible blasts belched forth from the pieces which killed and maimed dozens of our boys. It was on this first charge that my beloved friends & brothers in law, my wife's only dear brothers, Wm & Marcus Davenport were cut down while running side by side, united in death as in life. We reluctantly fell back to the dubious shelter of the fence, where we continued our fire on the gunners. We had killed at least 4 complete crews it seemed to me, yet more men, perhaps artillery men, or from the infantry supports, had stepped up to replace them. Twice more we attacked each time coming closer than before, & each time taking horrific casualties before being forced back for lack of support. At this point we were decimated. Fully half our men were down, yet we were forming for another go at the guns, whose fire had slackened somewhat. Before we set forth on what surely would have been a forlorn hope, we were ordered by Col Ruff, who had been so ordered by Gen'l Wofford, to disengage & withdraw, as we were receiving front & left flank fire & were in danger of being cut to pieces & annihilated.

We formed & moved at a trot, but in fairly good order by the left flank down the fence-line to the Dunker church, being shot at all the way back. I had the queer notion that we were human participants in a "shooting gallery". Bullets kicked up dust & splintered fence rails as we ran. At length, we reached the area of the church & formed in defensive positions nearby, where we replenished our cartridge boxes & prepared for another fight. We were mere shadows of our former strength, & due to lack of support at the most crucial moment of our victory, we were almost completely destroyed. Col Ruff, Gen'l Wofford & I am told, Gen'l Hood, were livid in their wrath at our not being supported. We had done all that was humanly possible & more, but alone as we were & against massed regiments & batteries of guns so were arrayed against us, no more could possibly be achieved. When we were able to account for our losses, we had, it was seen, only 75 men fit for duty in the entire regiment. Our losses were 16 killed 72 wounded, 20 missing, meaning more than one-half, and then some, of our regiment was killed or wounded. We took no further part of the fight owing to our butchered condition. Later in the evening we were moved closer to town where we bivouacked, & at last were able to draw & cook rations.

The next day no fighting of any consequence occurred & our two armies remained on the field each watching the other warily as if not wanting to be the first to withdraw. From what I saw & experienced, & what I have been told occurred elsewhere on the field, the fight was a "draw" more or less. During the lull in the fighting many flags of truce were seen, while we went about gathering the dead & wounded. I therefore took the opportunity, under one such flag of truce, to seek out & recover the bodies of William & Marcus, which I did with the aid of J. J. O'Neill & a few of our boys from home. We carried them back to a spot near the church, where we buried them side by side. From my Testament I read a Psalms over them & they were covered over. Marking the spot in my diary, I resolved to return one day, if I survived the war, to recover them & carry them home.​

Capt. James L. Lemon

 

[Kyle R]

Received the 18th Georgia book I posted about above. Looks very well researched and from what little I have read it reads very well.