65th Georgia Volunteer Infantry

Legion Para

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Retired Moderator
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http://www.izzy.net/~michaelg/65ga-vi.htm

65th REGIMENT
GEORGIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
ARMY OF TENNESSEE, C. S. A


The Infantry Battalion recruited many of its men from Gilmer, Fannin, Floyd, Lumpkin, Union, Pickens, White, Towns, and Habersham counties. Assigned to the Department of East Tennessee, it served in Kentucky and later was stationed in Cumberland Gap and Loudon, Tennessee. During the spring of 1863, the Infantry Battalion merged into the 65th Georgia Infantry Regiment.

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Unit Muster Records
Field, Staff and Band
  • Col. Robert H. Moore, photo
Company A, Gilmer & Pickens Co. 'Gilmer Light Guards'

Company B, Fannin County
  • Captain Andrew H. Morris, photo
  • letter dated July 27, 1863
  • 2nd Lt. Larkin German, photo
  • Pvt. John German, see Jauken, Arlene Feldman. THE MOCCASIN SPEAKS: Living the Captives of the Dog Soldier Warriors - Red River War 1874-1875, Danforth Publishing, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1998. The post-Civil War story of this soldier, his family, and their hardships. A worthwhile read.
  • letter dated July 27, 1863
  • Pvt. Garner Davenport, photo
  • Pvt. William W. Craig, photo
  • Pvt. John C. Logan, photo
  • Pvt. Conrad Woody, photo
Company C, White County 'Dixie Rangers'


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This 35"x72" flag was captured near Barnesville, GA, in mid-April 1965, by a detachment of the 4th Indiana Cavalry. It is a cotton First National pattern, twelve stars, yellow silk fringe with the unit name painted in black on the reverse. The flag currently resides in the collection of the Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond, Va. (WD487). For a larger image click here.

  • 4th Cpl. Merritt London, Photo

Company D, Floyd County 'Freemen of Floyd County'

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For more information on Co D, 65th GA's battle flag, see Pvt. John Davis, below. Currently, the flag is located at the Southern Museum of the Civil War in Kennesaw, GA.

Company E, Fannin County
  • Pvt. Colman Watson (1890), photo
  • Pvt. Thomas Watson (1865), in Union uniform, photo

Company F, Lumpkin & White County
Company G, Towns County
  • Pvt. Luke Kimbrell, photo
Company H, Gilmer County
  • Pvt. A J Cole, photo
  • Pvt. Benjamin Harbin. To learn more about the Harbin family, click here.
  • Pvt. W F Hill, photo

Company I, Habersham County
Company K, Habersham County
Miscellaneous Men, Company not identified
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Engagement Summary - 1 May 1862 ~ May 1865
After serving in East Tennessee, the 65th Georgia Volunteer Infantry was attached to the Army of Tennessee's Brigades of J. H. Kelly, J.K. Jackson, and S. R. Gist. The 65th fought with the Army from Chickamauga through Nashville. In December 1863, it consisted of 291 men and 226 arms. Its strength was further reduced until it surrendered at the end of the war in North Carolina. The field officers were Colonels John S. Fain, Robert H. Moore, and William G. Foster; Lt Colonel Jacob W. Pearcy, and Major Samuel F. Williams.



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65th Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry, CSA actions in East Tennessee from May 1862 through the Battle of Chickamauga, September 19-20, 1863, as recorded in the Official Records:

Date Commander 65th GVI Activities and Movements
1-May-62 Col. Sumner J. Smith Formed as Smith's Legion Ga Vol.
1-May-62 LtCol JS Fain Loudon, TN, Fain's Battalion
19-Mar-63 LtCol JS Fain Loudon, TN, Smith's (Ga) Legion
25-Mar-63 Col. JS Fain Reorganized as Co F, 65th GVI
25-Apr-63 LtCol RH Moore Loudon, TN, Fain's (Ga) Reg.
17-Jun-63 LtCol RH Moore Wartburg, TN, 65th GVI ordered to Jacksborough, TN
23-Jun-63 Col. RH Moore Kingston, TN, 65th GVI
26-Jun-63 Resist Federals at Travisville, fall back to Loudon
31-Jul-63 Col. RH Moore Army of E TN, MG Buckner, 2nd Bdg, 65th GVI
3-Aug-63 65th ordered from Knoxville to Jacksborough
21-Aug-63 65th from Jacksborough to Cumberland Gap
21-Aug-63 65th to Big Creek Gap
24-Aug-63 65th from Turkey Creek to Loudon, TN
31-Oct-63 Col. RH Moore Army of TN, Kelly Bdg, (thru Battle of Chickamauga)

Summary Analysis
Attrition Rate
From the time the unit was formed in May 1862 through the Battle of Missionary Ridge in November 1863 (about 17 months), the unit had 'officially' lost almost 50% of its strength. When the unit surrendered in Greensboro, NC, in May 1865, the 'official' strength was about 20% of its original numbers.

Do NOT to confuse 'official' strength with 'effective' strength. At the Battle of Chickamauga the unit's 'official' strength on paper was about 70% (800 men). Col Moore's report in the ORs indicates he had about 300 men available for duty.

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Attrition Factors

The following "attrition" diagram offers a way to assess the Muster Roll's "exit comments" for a particular member in terms of overall Regimental Attrition during the Regiment's 36 month active life (May 1862 -- May 1865).

Please keep in mind that CSA record keeping was NOT perfect. The conditions under which the original source author was working were far from ideal. Originally, all records were hand written (some long after the fact). Clear memory and penmanship play important roles in the creation of an accurate record. Much later they were transcribed and typed by someone whose skills and devotion to accuracy can not be verified. It is not only possible, but highly probable, mistakes were made. The possibility of mistakes need to be taken into account when one reads the record.

Also, in an attempt to prevent double-counting by the editor, the 'head count' (N=1144) does not include an individual who's name is referenced to another spelling of the name. Nor does it include a named individual who is fully described as a member of another unit of the 65th Georgia. Finally, if an individual is mentioned as being a member of the unit with no other comments; that is, 'present, but not otherwise accounted for,' then that person was placed in the 'Other' category.

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https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi

Robert Hughes Moore

Birth: May 26, 1809
Georgia, USA

Death: Sep. 16, 1890
Lumpkin County
Georgia, USA
Expired Image Removed
Robert Hughes Moore:
Born: May 26, 1809
Birthplace: Clarke County Georgia
1st Wife: Mary Ann Kennon Moore
2nd Wife: Lucindy Morrison Moore
Education:
Attended Classes at University of Georgia
Occupation after War:
Gold Mine Owner near Dahlonega Lumpkin County Georgia
Farmer & Hotel Owner in Floyd County Georgia
Georgia State Representative
Civil War Career:
1862: Captain of Smith's Georgia Legion Infantry
1862 – 1863: Major of 65th Georgia Infantry Regiment
1863: Lt. Colonel of 65th Georgia Infantry Regiment
1863 – 1865: Colonel of 65th Georgia Infantry Regiment
Occupation after War:
Gold Miner in Lumpkin County Georgia

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Previous thread on the 65th Georgia's flag: https://civilwartalk.com/threads/the-battle-of-franklin-65th-georgia-battle-flag.119965/

It is one of the standardized 'Army of Tennessee pattern' battle flags issued in early 1864, likely made by a contractor in Augusta, GA. It was flown throughout the Atlanta Campaign and at Franklin.

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That is former color bearer John Davis (right) holding flag at a UVC Reunion in 1917 in Washington, DC. The flag is now in the Southern Museum of the Civil War in Kennesaw, GA.

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Another postwar photo of John Davis with the 65th Georgia's colors.

Davis, John -- Private in Inf. Battn., Smith's Legion, Ga. Vols., May 6, 1862. Transferred to Co. D, 65tb Regt. Ga. Inf., Mar. 1863. Sick in hospital Oct. 20, 1863. Roll for Aug. 31, 1864, last on file, shows him present. Pension records state he surrendered with his command at the close of the war. Died in Floyd Co., Ga., Mar. 24, 1922.
http://www.izzy.net/~michaelg/65-d.htm

Also a comment from descendant of John Davis, Darla Davis Brown, at the above linked site:

"My GGG Grandfather was Pvt John Davis of Co D. I wanted to let you know that I have pictures of the flag of Company D. This flag has been in my family for 140+ years. After the first color bearers were killed, John carried the flag until the Battle of Franklin was over. He then stuffed the flag into his boot to protect it. He then brought it back home with him. My grandfather died last year, and my father decided it was selfish to continue to hide this important piece of history away. He donated it to the Southern Museum of Civil War in Kennesaw Georgia. They said it would be a while before it could be displayed because they wanted to make sure it was properly preserved. It was in fine shape when we handed it over. The appraiser counted over 40 bullet holes, and you can see the bloodstain of what is assumed to be William Martin, who was the color bearer killed at the Battle of Franklin and fell on top of the flag."
 
Great Thread Thanks for sharing.
 
http://moconfederacy.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/27793282-9F92-4CA6-B66B-244030814253


Flag of the 65th Georgia Infantry, Co. C, "Dixie Rangers" (tentative). Captured near Barnesville, Georgia, April 19, 1865 by a detachment of the 4th Indiana Cavalry. Identification based on modern research.

"rebel flag of the dixie rangers captured by a detachment of the 4th Ind'a Cav. In skirmish near Barnesville G. April 19th 1865 2nd Brig. 1st Division Cav. Corps. McCook's Division Lagranger's Brigade" (from "Record of Rebel Flags Captured by Union Troops After April 19, 1861", National Archives, RG 94).

Pattern: First National flag; cotton, silk.
Stars: Twelve white cotton 5-pointed (eleven in circle, one in center).
Border: 2" yellow silk fringe on 3 sides, 1 3/4 inches white canvas on hoist edge.
Attachment: Eyelets.
Unit Designation: In black paint on reverse white bar, "DIXIE RANGERS."
Battle Honors: None

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I'm not sure if it was mentioned here, but the 65th Georgia was originally part of a short-lived organization known as "Smith's Legion." The legion consisted of one infantry and one cavalry battalion, and was under the command of Colonel Sumner J. Smith. The legion served together in the Department of East Tennessee, but was then separated. The infantry battalion became the 65th Infantry, and the cavalry battalion became the 6th Cavalry. Both later served with the Army of Tennessee; the 65th with Gist's mixed-state brigade and the 6th Cavalry with Crews' Georgia Brigade with Wheeler.
 
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