1st Battle of Murfreesboro - B. William Fason

6 Ft Under

Cadet
Joined
Jul 13, 2019
Location
Texas
Remembering today, the 1st Battle of Murfreesboro, July 13, 1862.

My 4x-great-grandfather, Benjamin William Fason, age 45, enlisted in the CSA on March 4, 1862, at Cartersville, GA, and was assigned to Co. G, 1st Regiment, Georgia Cavalry under Captain Henry North. He was wounded in the hip/side at the Battle of Murfreesboro on July 13, 1862. His two sons, James (18) & William Thomas (19) also enlisted. James was later killed in battle. William Thomas was later captured at Weldon Railroad during the Seige of Petersburg & transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland union prison camp where he joined the Union Army.

If anyone has further information to share on these 3 Fasons, I would be much obliged.

fason.gif
 
Last edited:
Remembering today, the 1st Battle of Murfreesboro, July 13, 1862.

My 4x-great-grandfather, Benjamin William Fason, age 45, enlisted in the CSA on March 4, 1862, at Cartersville, GA, and was assigned to Co. G, 1st Regiment, Georgia Cavalry under Captain Henry North. He was wounded in the hip/side at the Battle of Murfreesboro on July 13, 1862. His two sons, James (18) & William Thomas (19) also enlisted. James was later killed in battle. William Thomas was later captured at Weldon Railroad during the Seige of Petersburg & transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland union prison camp where he joined the Union Army.

If anyone has further information to share on these 3 Fasons, I would be much obliged.

View attachment 316125

Hope to add more later today. I located a William T. Fason, captured at Weldon Railroad in the 19th Georgia Infantry. I assume that's the man in the photo ? I have the older William and James A. in Company B 1st Georgia Cavalry. James later transferred to Company K They have records at Fold 3. Again welcome to CWT.
 
Remembering today, the 1st Battle of Murfreesboro, July 13, 1862.

My 4x-great-grandfather, Benjamin William Fason, age 45, enlisted in the CSA on March 4, 1862, at Cartersville, GA, and was assigned to Co. G, 1st Regiment, Georgia Cavalry under Captain Henry North. He was wounded in the hip/side at the Battle of Murfreesboro on July 13, 1862. His two sons, James (18) & William Thomas (19) also enlisted. James was later killed in battle. William Thomas was later captured at Weldon Railroad during the Seige of Petersburg & transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland union prison camp where he joined the Union Army.

If anyone has further information to share on these 3 Fasons, I would be much obliged.

View attachment 316125
Screenshot (56).png

William Thomas Fason was probably with the 19th GA. at these battles:


Antietam after battle report:

Report of Capt. F. M. Johnston, Nineteenth Georgia Infantry, of
operations August 16-September 21.

NOVEMBER 17, 1862.

August 16, 1862.--Assumed command of regiment; same day marched to
Locust Grove; bivouacked three days. Resumed the march on 20th Junction
on 26th ultimo; same day was engaged with the enemy. Destroyed railroad
bridge over Bull Run. Returned to the Junction same night.

August 27.--Marched to Centreville, and from thence across Bull Run;
supported Purcell Battery same evening, and moved down to railroad cut that
night.

August 28.--Supported Braxton's battery in forenoon; marched to railroad cut
in evening, and engaged the enemy until dark, retaining possession of the
cut.

August 29.--Moved to the left of our position on Yesterday; engaged the
enemy during the day, and advanced with Gens. Pender's and Thomas'
brigades in the evening, capturing the enemy's guns, &c.

August 30.--Marched toward Fairfax Court-House.

August 31.--Stationed on the left of division, and moved up to battlefield
same night.

September 2.--Resumed the march, and on 4th ultimo turned over the
command to Maj. J. H. Neal.

September 18.--Resumed command of regiment; recrossed the Potomac
morning of 19th.

September 20.--Engaged the enemy at Shepherdstown, and same evening
returned to bivouac.

September 21.--Resumed the march and bivouacked near Martinsburg; turned
over the command to Maj. J. H. Neal.
Respectfully submitted.

F. M. JOHNSTON,
Capt., Comdg. Company A, Nineteenth Georgia Vols.

-----------


Report of Maj. James H. Neal, Nineteenth Georgia Infantry, of
operations September 4-October 19.

CAMP LEE, VA., November 19, 1862.

Abstract of march made and actions engaged in by Nineteenth Georgia
Volunteers from September 4, 1862, to October 19, 1862.

On the 4th of September, 1862, I relieved Capt. F. M. Johnston of the
command of the regiment while on the march from Chantilly toward
Leesburg. On the 6th crossed the Potomac near the latter place, and on the
7th went into bivouac near Frederick City, Md., where the army remained
for four days. From there we marched, by way of Williamsport (where the
Potomac was recrossed) and Martinsburg, to Harper's Ferry, and on the 14th
participated in the siege of that place, driving in the pickets of the enemy,
and taking positions favorable for an attack the next day. On the 15th began
a forward movement upon the works of the enemy, when the siege was
terminated by the surrender of the enemy. Oh both days this regiment was
under a tolerably heavy fire from the artillery of the enemy, but, owing to
the protection afforded by the crest of the hill, lost only 1 man killed and 3
wounded.

On the evening of the 15th this regiment went on duty as guard of the
bridges across the river, and on the 16th passed the paroled prisoners across
the river. On the 17th marched to Sharpsburg, and at about 4 o'clock p. m.
became engaged on the right with the left of the enemy. Was exposed to a
heavy fire of musketry while charging through afield of standing corn and
across another field, freshly plowed, but succeeded in driving the enemy
from a stone wall, behind which they were posted, and retained that position
in spite of an advance in large force by the enemy to retake it.

During the night of the 17th the dead and wounded were removed from the
field. On the 18th we remained behind the stone wall, under a heavy picket
fire, and on that night withdrew from that position and recrossed the
potomac into Virginia.

On the 19th I turned over the command to Capt. Johnston, and on the 23rd
resumed it at Camp Branch.

On the 1st of October Lieut.-Col. Hutchins relieved me of the
command near Bunker Hill.

This regiment was all the time with the brigade, and had no adventure except
participated in by all the regiment.

JAS. H. NEAL,
Maj. Nineteenth Georgia.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 19. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 27

*********************************************************************************

Chancellorsville, VA after battle report:


No. 384.

Report of Col. Andrew J. Hutchins, Nineteenth Georgia Infantry.

MAY 8, 1863.
SIR: In accordance with orders, I respectfully submit the following as
a report of the operations of this regiment in the recent engagement:

The morning of April 29, we marched to the right of Hamilton's
Crossing, and remained there until early the morning of the 30th, when
we moved forward and took a position in the ditches, in front.

Here we remained until early the morning of the 1st, when we began the
march up the river. About 2 o'clock we arrived in the Wilderness, on
the Plank road, some 8 or 10 miles from Fredericksburg, and heard the
picket fighting which was going on with the enemy. At this point we
formed line of battle and moved forward some 2 miles without
encountering any of the enemy. We came to a halt on the edge of a
flied, and remained until near sundown, when we moved back to the
Plank road and up it a short distance, and rested for the night.

Early on the morning of the 2d, we began their march and made the
circuit of the enemy, and came in on their right about 3 o'clock in the
evening. We were formed here in line of battle, my regiment forming
the right of Gen. Colquitt's brigade. After remaining quiet here for
some time, we moved forward, and after going some distance it was
reported to Gen. Colquitt that we were being flanked on our right. I
was ordered by him to detach my command and look after the flanking
party. I made a change of front obliquely to the right, and moved
forward a few hundred yards, but did not meet the enemy, but could see
them fleeing before me, out of range of my guns. I deemed it useless to
proceed any farther in that direction, so I turned to my left and followed
the brigade. While making to the left, the enemy threw a few shell at
my regiment and wounded 2 of my men. Just before dark we rejoined
the brigade, and were placed an hour or two afterward on the front line,
near the batteries on our line, close to the Plank road.

Here we lay upon our arms during that night, and early on the morning
of the 3d we were marched out and carried some 3 miles toward
extreme right. We were formed in line of battle; moved forward over
a mile; then brought to a left flank and marched back to the extreme left
again; then brought to the about; carried back toward then right again;
formed in line again; moved forward some distance; then to a left flank;
carried to the extreme left and across the Plank road about 1 1/2 or 2
mile s from Chancellorsville, and finally moved forward here, and ment
the enemy and drove them nearly a mile, under their guns.

What few men I had left after the fatiguing and long march acquitted
themselves very creditably, and I did not notice any acts of skill or valor
worthy of especial mention during the engagement.

My loss was 3 killed on the field and 40 wounded; among the later,
one of my best officers. A list of the casualties will be found below*.

After the fighting was over on the 3d, we were marched in front of
Chancellorsville, and took up position and intrenched ourselves, and
remained until we were ordered back to camp, without meeting with any
other incident of note.

My utter ignorance of the locality and the names of places renders it
impossible for me to make the localities referred to above intelligible.
I cannot say that my regiment captured any arms. Those that were in the
hands of the enemy that we wounded we left lying upon the field.

I am, very respectfully,

A. J. HUTCHINS,
Col. Nineteenth Georgia.

[Capt. G. G. GRATTAN, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.]

Source: Official Records Series I. Vol. 25. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 39
 
Remembering today, the 1st Battle of Murfreesboro, July 13, 1862.

My 4x-great-grandfather, Benjamin William Fason, age 45, enlisted in the CSA on March 4, 1862, at Cartersville, GA, and was assigned to Co. G, 1st Regiment, Georgia Cavalry under Captain Henry North. He was wounded in the hip/side at the Battle of Murfreesboro on July 13, 1862. His two sons, James (18) & William Thomas (19) also enlisted. James was later killed in battle. William Thomas was later captured at Weldon Railroad during the Seige of Petersburg & transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland union prison camp where he joined the Union Army.

If anyone has further information to share on these 3 Fasons, I would be much obliged.

View attachment 316125

First Georgia Cavalry



The following was taken from the Supplement to the Offical Records:


Record of Events for First Georgia Cavalry,
March 1862-December 1864.

Field and Staff

Samuel W. Davitte, Col.
James J. Morrison, Col.
[Armistead Richardson] Harper, Lt.Col.
James H. Strickland, Lt.Col.
George [Troup] Watts, Lt.Col.
John [Walter] Tench, Maj.
Robert C. Waugh, Surg.
C. Holt, Surg.
Hezekiel [illegible], Surg.
John Branch, Surg.
M. A. Shackleford, A.S.
W. H. [illegible], A.S.
J. W. Billings, A.S.
W. Weems, Chap.
[William] T. York, A.C.S.
L. L. Lamara, A.C.S.
S. M. May, A.Q.M.
John N. Perkins, Adj.
G. W. Asbury, Actg.Adj.
W. L. Wright, A.C.S.
J. J. Devane, A.Q.M.
A. C. C. Thompson, A.S.
J. L. Johnston, Surg.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Officers of Company B

James H. Strickland, Capt., to Maj.
John W. Trammell, Capt.
James W. Taylor, 1st Lt.
F. B. Wortham, 2nd Lt.
John M. Strickland, 2nd Lt.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Company B

Stationed at Camp Morrison, March 31, 1862.
arch 4.— Company muster-in roll of Captain J. N. Strickland's
Company, in the First Battalion of Georgia Cavalry Volunteers,
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. Morrison, called into the
service of the Confederate States in the Provisional Army under
the provisions of the Act of Congress passed February —, 1861
by — from — (date of this muster) for the term of three years
or the war, unless sooner discharged.
I certify, on honor, that I have carefully examined the men
whose names are borne on this roll, and have accepted them into
the service of the Confederate States for the term of three years or
the war from March 4, 1862.
J. J. MORRISON,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Mustering Officer.

Stationed at Loudon, Tennessee, March 4-June 30, 1862.

Stationed in the field, July-August 1862.

Stationed near Kingston, Tennessee, September-October 1862.

Stationed at Kingston, November-December 1862.

Stationed at Camp Beulah, January-February 1863.

Stationed at Sevierville, East Tennessee, November-December
1863.

Stationed at Lawtonville, South Carolina, November-December
1864.
...........................................................................................................

Officers of Company K

Henry A. North, Capt.
William W. Carmichael, 1st Lt.
Winston N. Gay, 2nd Lt.
John W. Tench, 2nd Lt., [illegible]
J. M. Stallings, [no rank recorded]

Field and Staff

Stationed at Camp Allenton, near Kingston, Tennessee, March
30-June 30, 1862.

Stationed at Camp Beulah, Knox County, Tennessee, January-
February 1863.

Stationed near Lawtonville, South Carolina, July 1-December 30,
1864.
...........................................................................................................
Company K

Stationed at Camp Morrison, May 3, 1862.
May 3.— Company muster-in roll of Captain [Henry A. North's]
Company, in the First Battalion of Georgia Cavalry Volunteers,
commanded by Colonel —, called into the service of the Con-
federate States in the Provisional Army under the provisions of
the Act of Congress passed February —, 1861 by —, from —
(date of this muster) for the term of three years or the war, unless
sooner discharged.
I certify, on honor, that I have carefully examined the men
whose names are borne on this roll, and have accepted them into

the service of the Confederate States for the term of three years or
the war from May 3, 1862.
J. J. MORRISON,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Mustering Officer.
General notation: also known as Captain North's Company,
Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison's Regiment, Georgia Cavalry.

Stationed at Murfreesborough, Tennessee, May-June 1862.

Stationed in the field, July-August 1862.

Stationed at Kingston, Tennessee, September-October 1862.

Stationed at Kingston, Tennessee, November-December 1862.

Stationed at Knoxville, Tennessee, January-February 1863.

Stationed at Sevierville, July 1-December 31, 1863.

Stationed at Lawtonville, November-December 1864.
................................................................................................
MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE
JULY 13, 1862.


Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 13, 1862. 9th Michigan and 3d
Minnesota Infantry; Detachments of 4th Kentucky and 7th Penn-
sylvania Cavalry, and Battery B, Kentucky Light Artillery. At
daylight on the 13th Forrest's Confederate cavalry surrounded
and captured the pickets stationed just outside of Murfreesboro
without firing a shot and then rushed into the camp of the 7th
Pa. cavalry. After passing through this camp they attacked the
9th Mich., which was ready to receive them. After 20 minutes
of hand-to-hand fighting the Michigan men charged and drove the
enemy out of the camp. A strong position was secured and
Lieut.-Col. J. G. Parkhurst, commanding, sent word to Col.
Henry C. Lester, whose camp was on the other side of the town,
that with reinforcements he could drive the enemy from the
town. Lester failed to respond either to this or a second call
for reinforcements and later in the day surrendered his whole
command, together with the Kentucky battery, without offering
any resistance. Meantime Forrest surrounded Parkhurst and at
11 a. m. the latter surrendered. Another company of the 9th
Mich., acting as provost guard and stationed in the court-
house, kept up a stiff resistance until the building was set on
fire about 1 p. m. and the occupants were obliged to surrender.
Brig.-Gen. T. T. Crittenden, who with a few men had held his
headquarters for several hours after the surrender at the
court-house, was made a prisoner. Aside from the number cap-
tured the Federals lost 19 killed, 120 wounded and 143 missing,
of an original force of 1,040. Forrest's report states that
about 25 of his men were killed and from 40 to 60 wounded.
Col. Lester was dismissed from the service for his disgraceful
surrender.


Source: The Union Army, vol. 6
 
Wow!!!! Thank you for that wealth of information. I literally got chills as I was reading. Makes me proud & sad at the same. Proud of their undeniable bravery & sad for their unimaginable suffering...for both sides.

William Thomas has always been a mystery to me. Thank you for shedding a ray of light to understanding him.
 
Hope to add more later today. I located a William T. Fason, captured at Weldon Railroad in the 19th Georgia Infantry. I assume that's the man in the photo ? I have the older William and James A. in Company B 1st Georgia Cavalry. James later transferred to Company K They have records at Fold 3. Again welcome to CWT.
Yes, that is William Thomas Fason in the photo. My 3x g-grandfather.
 
Welcome! What an interesting heritage! Thanks for sharing it with us! Looking forward to your perspective in our discussions! Enjoy!
 
Wow!!!! Thank you for that wealth of information. I literally got chills as I was reading. Makes me proud & sad at the same. Proud of their undeniable bravery & sad for their unimaginable suffering...for both sides.

William Thomas has always been a mystery to me. Thank you for shedding a ray of light to understanding him.

A terrible time indeed! Where did William Thomas live out his years? He may have applied for a Federal pension for his service in the Union Army.
 
This is what I know, according to family oral history & per his findagrave.

William Thomas (Tom) Fason.

"On August 19, 1864, he was captured at Weldon Railroad during the siege of Petersburg; he was transported shortly thereafter to Point Lookout, Maryland, a union prison camp. Being offered an opportunity to leave Point Lookout where a typhoid epidemic was claiming the lives of a large portion of the prisoners, he enlisted into the Union Army, 4 Regt US Volunteers, Company D, on October 18, 1864. He arrived at Ford Rice, North Dakota, in July 1865 where he fought against Sitting Bull in the Battle of Fort Rice. He was mustered out of the Union Army on June 18, 1866, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas."

"After the war, Tom lived in Alabama and married Mary Virginia Sewell. In about 1890, Tom moved with his family to central Arkansas where he eventually opened a restaurant in Conway. Many years have passed since his death but questions remain regarding his life and his participation in the great questions of his and our times."
 
So let me get this straight...my 4x g-grandfather actually rode with Forrests Cavalry during the 1st Battle of Murfreesboro? & His son, my 3x g-grandfather, was likely present at the Battle of Antietam?
 
His son, my 3x g-grandfather, was likely present at the Battle of Antietam?

Also the Battle of Chancellorsville providing he wasn't absent for whatever reason. I don't have access to Fold 3, several of our members do. Someone may download their records for you. Fold 3 offers a free week, no obligations. I just looked and William Thomas' record with the 4th U.S. has 21 cards.
 
Last edited:
Hello @6 Ft Under and welcome to CivilWarTalk - the best place on the internet for Civil War discussion. Carded records indicate that

"William Fason," age 45, enlisted March 4, 1862 as a private in the 1st GA Cavalry at Newnan, Coweta County, GA. and that he was discharged for reason of "disability due to old age" on December 9, 1862 at Murphreesboro. <13 cards including the cover>

"William T Fason," age not given, date of enlistment not given. Admitted to Chimborazo Hospital No 3, Richmond, VA for Rheumatism August 12, 1862; returned to duty September 2, 1862. Appears on a register for CSA General Hospital, Danville, VA dated September 16, 1862 with gunshot wound; returned to duty September 23, 1862. On sick furlough March 26 - April 26, 1863. Payment on descriptive list for March 1, 1863 - June 30, 1863. Captured August 19, 1864 at Weldon Railroad; arrived at City Point August 24, 1864. Appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War at Point Lookout, MD, released October 18, 1864 on joining the US Army. <14 cards including the cover>

"William T Fason," age 21, Co D 4th US Volunteers. Enlisted October 12, 1864 at Point Lookout for 3 years; place of residence Coweta County, GA. Assigned to daily duty in Quartermaster Dept November 1865 to May 1866. Mustered out June 18, 1866 at Fort Levenworth, KS. <21 cards including the cover>
 

Attachments

  • Fold3 Wm T Fason 1st GA Cav.pdf
    1 MB · Views: 25
  • Fold3 Wm T Fason 19th GA.pdf
    1.8 MB · Views: 24
  • Fold3 Wm T Fason 4th US Vols.pdf
    1.6 MB · Views: 41
Hello @6 Ft Under and welcome to CivilWarTalk - the best place on the internet for Civil War discussion. Carded records indicate that

"William Fason," age 45, enlisted March 4, 1862 as a private in the 1st GA Cavalry at Newnan, Coweta County, GA. and that he was discharged for reason of "disability due to old age" on December 9, 1862 at Murphreesboro. <13 cards including the cover>

"William T Fason," age not given, date of enlistment not given. Admitted to Chimborazo Hospital No 3, Richmond, VA for Rheumatism August 12, 1862; returned to duty September 2, 1862. Appears on a register for CSA General Hospital, Danville, VA dated September 16, 1862 with gunshot wound; returned to duty September 23, 1862. On sick furlough March 26 - April 26, 1863. Payment on descriptive list for March 1, 1863 - June 30, 1863. Captured August 19, 1864 at Weldon Railroad; arrived at City Point August 24, 1864. Appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War at Point Lookout, MD, released October 18, 1864 on joining the US Army. <14 cards including the cover>

"William T Fason," age 21, Co D 4th US Volunteers. Enlisted October 12, 1864 at Point Lookout for 3 years; place of residence Coweta County, GA. Assigned to daily duty in Quartermaster Dept November 1865 to May 1866. Mustered out June 18, 1866 at Fort Levenworth, KS. <21 cards including the cover>

Excellent! Thank you, very much.
 
Thank you, all, for the welcome & generosity. The information you've proved has been most helpful. I'm shocked, actually...(it seems everyone claims to have Civil War ancestors these days) & I've always been a little skeptical of old "family stories" about "such-n-such", but it seems my Fasons are the real deal!

An interesting thing to note in their descriptions, is William Thomas is described as "darky" in complexion. This gives credence to an another old family story; that some were "passing" as whites.

Again, I thank you.
 
Oh my, on further inspection, page 20 of William Thomas's enlistment papers for the Union Army, it is clearly visible where someone changed his complexion from "black" to "dark".

....The plot thickens...(insert dramatic music)
 
Hello @6 Ft Under and welcome to CivilWarTalk - the best place on the internet for Civil War discussion. Carded records indicate that

"William Fason," age 45, enlisted March 4, 1862 as a private in the 1st GA Cavalry at Newnan, Coweta County, GA. and that he was discharged for reason of "disability due to old age" on December 9, 1862 at Murphreesboro. <13 cards including the cover>

"William T Fason," age not given, date of enlistment not given. Admitted to Chimborazo Hospital No 3, Richmond, VA for Rheumatism August 12, 1862; returned to duty September 2, 1862. Appears on a register for CSA General Hospital, Danville, VA dated September 16, 1862 with gunshot wound; returned to duty September 23, 1862. On sick furlough March 26 - April 26, 1863. Payment on descriptive list for March 1, 1863 - June 30, 1863. Captured August 19, 1864 at Weldon Railroad; arrived at City Point August 24, 1864. Appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War at Point Lookout, MD, released October 18, 1864 on joining the US Army. <14 cards including the cover>

"William T Fason," age 21, Co D 4th US Volunteers. Enlisted October 12, 1864 at Point Lookout for 3 years; place of residence Coweta County, GA. Assigned to daily duty in Quartermaster Dept November 1865 to May 1866. Mustered out June 18, 1866 at Fort Levenworth, KS. <21 cards including the cover>

Holy smokes! Gunshot wound CSA General Hospital Danville, VA Sep 16, 1862 & returned to duty Sep 23, 1862

How did I miss that part?!
 
Back
Top