A Fallen Patriot and Grandfather of Rebels

Joined
Dec 31, 2010
Location
Kingsport, Tennessee
Revolutionary War Captain John Land was a brother to my 5th great-grandfather, Thomas Land. They both served under the " Carolina Gamecock," General Thomas Sumter. They both married Sumter women. Thomas, to the General's sister, Anna. John to a Sumter niece named Mary. My line of the family migrated to western North Carolina and east Tennessee. By the time of the Civil War Captain John Land's grandsons were Floridians and joined the Confederate Army there.
http://gaz.jrshelby.com/rocky-cr-settlement.htm
...................................................................................................
CAPTAIN LAND
"In the year 1781, while Rawdon in command at Camden, and Sumter lay on the borders of North-Carolina, the male inhabitants of the intervening settlements, who were capable of bearing arms, resorted to one or the other, according to the political principles which they cherished. The Whigs in the neighborhood of Rocky Creek, forty miles above Camden, having previously to their joining Sumter, chosen John Land, a respectable resident, as their Captain, adopted a practice of occasionally visiting the settlement, to pass the night with their families, and return at early morn to camp. On the evening of the 2d March, Captain Land, with seven of his companions, arrived at his home, placed a sentinel at the door, and having for some hours enjoyed the society of his delighted family, retired to rest. The period of repose was but of short duration. The Tories had, by some unknown means, obtained information of his intended visit, and a party of them, thirty in number, under the command of Captain Daniel Muse, arrived at midnight in the neighbourhood, and having carefully secured all the old men and boys likely to communicate intelligence, pushed on for Land’s. When within about an hundred and fifty yards of the log-house which he inhabited, they were perceived by the sentinel at the door, who having hailed, fired on them. A momentary halt was made, and a guard being placed over their prisoner, two old men, a youth, and two boys, a furious charge was made on the house. The gallant inmates received them with firmness, kept up a lively fire through the open spaces betwixt the logs, and finally repulsed them, having previously mortally wounded Lieutenant Lewis Yarborough, the second in command. The Tory party taking up their line of march through woods and by-ways, now retreated, and moved with such celerity, as to reach British Head-Quarters at Camden, by twelve o’clock the same day, carrying the youth and two boys, one of them, Dr. John Mackey, now an inhabitant of Charleston, as trophies of their prowess and gallantry. The old man and wounded officer, were left on the way.

"Poor Land did not long enjoy the triumph of this little victory. Emboldened by success, he ventured in about three weeks on another visit to his family, accompanied by betwixt twenty and thirty of his neighbours. The party reached Rocky Creek in the evening, and having agreed to assemble at the house of one Boyd on the following day, dispersed each individual retiring to his own family. But alas! Treachery was again on foot. The enemy were apprised of every movement; and Lord Rawdon having lost much of his confidence in his Tory auxiliaries, by the failure of their former essay, send a detachment of his Regular Cavalry, united with them, to cut off Land his followers. Their success, on this occasion, was but too complete. Many of the party were killed as they approached the place of rendezvous, and among them the unfortunate Captain Land, who was butchered in cold blood, in revenge, no doubt, for the detach of Yarborough, whom he had killed in just and honourable combat.”
......................................................................................................................................................................
The Captains youngest son, Sumter Land, became a soldier. He served in the 7th South Carolina Regiment under " Old Hickory " at New Orleans. His birth date here is incorrect. More like 1775
fac00a4b-11f4-4f3f-b0ac-cdaba5e6a6a1.jpg


Sumter died in Calhoun, Florida when a band of renegade Indians attacked his home and killed him and
and wounded his oldest son, who managed to escape with his mother, Sarah and the younger children.
This oldest son, Thomas Jefferson Land would die in service to the Confederacy. All seven
of Sumter Land's sons would serve the southern cause.
.............................................................................................................................................
Thomas Jefferson Land

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 3/13/1863 at Camp Cobb, FL as a Private.

On 3/13/1863 he mustered as a substitute into "E" Co. FL 2nd Cavalry
He was transferred out on 9/21/1863

On 9/21/1863 he transferred into "E" Co. FL 5th Battn Cavalry
He was Killed on 9/27/1864 at Marianna, FL
Promotions:
* Sergt 9/21/1863 (As of Co. E 5th Battn FL Cavalry)
Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 6/1/1863 from company E to company G
He was described at enlistment as:
5' 11", dark complexion, black eyes, dark hair

Other Information:
born in 1818 in Marianna, FL
.............................................................


John R. Land

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 3/14/1862 at Jackson County, FL as a Corporal.

On 3/14/1862 he mustered into "Smith's" Co. FL Marianna Drag. Cavalry
He was discharged for disability on 6/21/1862
He was described at enlistment as:
6' 1.5", dark complexion, black eyes, dark hair

Other Information:
born in 1831 in Jackson County, FL
.......................................................


James C. Land

Residence was not listed; 34 years old.

Enlisted on 5/3/1862 at Marianna, Jackson County, FL as a Private.

On 3/14/1862 he mustered into "Smith's" Co. FL Marianna Drag. Cavalry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as:
* Oath Allegiance 5/24/1865 Quincy, FL
Promotions:
* Farrier 4/1/1862 (Estimated day)
Other Information:
born 2/17/1828 in Jackson County, FL
died in 1908 in Santa Rosa County, FL
Buried: Fidellas Cemetery, Jay, Santa Rosa County, FL

After the War he lived in Santa Rosa County, FL
...............................................................


Jehu R. Land

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 9/10/1862 at Tallahassee, FL as a Private.

On 9/10/1862 he mustered into "G" Co. FL 2nd Cavalry
He was transferred out on 9/1/1863
(Estimated day of transfer)

On 9/1/1863 he transferred into "A" Co. FL 5th Battn Cavalry
He deserted on 3/15/1865
He was listed as:
* Oath Allegiance 5/24/1865 Quincy, FL
..............................................................


Henry G. Land

Residence was not listed; 27 years old.

Enlisted on 5/3/1862 at Jackson County, FL as a Private.

On 3/14/1862 he mustered into "Smith's" Co. FL Marianna Drag. Cavalry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as:
* Oath Allegiance 5/24/1865 Quincy, FL
Other Information:
born 12/31/1834 in Jackson County, FL
died 7/30/1905 in Jackson County, FL
Buried: Kynesville Baptist Cemetery, Jackson County, FL

(Married Mary Kent on 03/06/1862)
.........................................................


Benjamin F. Land

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 3/14/1862 at Jackson County, FL as a Private.

On 3/14/1862 he mustered into "Smith's" Co. FL Marianna Drag. Cavalry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as:
* On rolls 9/10/1864 (place not stated)
Other Information:
born in 1837
died 11/23/1896 in Santa Rosa County, FL

(Married Octavia McVoy on 10/18/1865)
...........................................................
0b77b5d0-f36f-4e41-b3dc-c1013847fc5c.jpg

Stephen W. Land

Residence was not listed; a 24 year-old Farmer.

Enlisted on 3/14/1862 at Jackson County, FL as a Private.

On 3/14/1862 he mustered into "Smith's" Co. FL Marianna Drag. Cavalry
He was discharged for disability on 2/5/1864 at Marianna, Jackson County, FL

On 4/7/1864 he mustered into "A" Co. FL 5th Battn Cavalry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as:
* Oath Allegiance 5/23/1865 Quincy, FL
He was described at enlistment as:
5' 10.0", dark complexion, black eyes, black hair

Other Information:
born 8/31/1839 in Jackson County, FL
died 12/23/1915 in Jackson County, FL
Buried: Kynesville Baptist Cemetery, Jackson County, FL

(Married Janie E. Tanner on 10/02/1915)
...........................................................
Battle of MARIANNA, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 27, 1864. Marianna, Fla, Sept. 27, 1864. Detachments of 2nd Maine, 1st Florida cavalry and 82nd and 86th U. S. Colored Infantry. As an incident of an expedition from Barrancas the Confederates at Marianna were drawn up in front of the town to oppose the Federal advance. A charge by a battalion of the 2nd Me. was repulsed but a second attempt by a larger force succeeded in breaking the enemy's line. The Union troops then entered the town, where some 80 prisoners, 95 stands of arms, a consider- able quantity of commissary stores and 400 head of cattle were taken. The Federal loss was 15 or 20 killed and wounded. Source: The Union Army, vol. 6
 
Last edited:
Interesting. I have studied the Florida infantry regiments but don't even recall anything about Florida cavalry. I had(or have) a copy of Confederate Military History for Florida.
Surprised to see how good the records are for these cavalry units.
 
Revolutionary War Captain John Land was a brother to my 5th great-grandfather, Thomas Land. They both served under the " Carolina Gamecock," General Thomas Sumter. They both married Sumter women. Thomas, to the General's sister, Anna. John to a Sumter niece named Mary. My line of the family migrated to western North Carolina and east Tennessee. By the time of the Civil War Captain John Land's grandsons were Floridians and joined the Confederate Army there.
http://gaz.jrshelby.com/rocky-cr-settlement.htm
...................................................................................................
CAPTAIN LAND
"In the year 1781, while Rawdon in command at Camden, and Sumter lay on the borders of North-Carolina, the male inhabitants of the intervening settlements, who were capable of bearing arms, resorted to one or the other, according to the political principles which they cherished. The Whigs in the neighborhood of Rocky Creek, forty miles above Camden, having previously to their joining Sumter, chosen John Land, a respectable resident, as their Captain, adopted a practice of occasionally visiting the settlement, to pass the night with their families, and return at early morn to camp. On the evening of the 2d March, Captain Land, with seven of his companions, arrived at his home, placed a sentinel at the door, and having for some hours enjoyed the society of his delighted family, retired to rest. The period of repose was but of short duration. The Tories had, by some unknown means, obtained information of his intended visit, and a party of them, thirty in number, under the command of Captain Daniel Muse, arrived at midnight in the neighbourhood, and having carefully secured all the old men and boys likely to communicate intelligence, pushed on for Land’s. When within about an hundred and fifty yards of the log-house which he inhabited, they were perceived by the sentinel at the door, who having hailed, fired on them. A momentary halt was made, and a guard being placed over their prisoner, two old men, a youth, and two boys, a furious charge was made on the house. The gallant inmates received them with firmness, kept up a lively fire through the open spaces betwixt the logs, and finally repulsed them, having previously mortally wounded Lieutenant Lewis Yarborough, the second in command. The Tory party taking up their line of march through woods and by-ways, now retreated, and moved with such celerity, as to reach British Head-Quarters at Camden, by twelve o’clock the same day, carrying the youth and two boys, one of them, Dr. John Mackey, now an inhabitant of Charleston, as trophies of their prowess and gallantry. The old man and wounded officer, were left on the way.

"Poor Land did not long enjoy the triumph of this little victory. Emboldened by success, he ventured in about three weeks on another visit to his family, accompanied by betwixt twenty and thirty of his neighbours. The party reached Rocky Creek in the evening, and having agreed to assemble at the house of one Boyd on the following day, dispersed each individual retiring to his own family. But alas! Treachery was again on foot. The enemy were apprised of every movement; and Lord Rawdon having lost much of his confidence in his Tory auxiliaries, by the failure of their former essay, send a detachment of his Regular Cavalry, united with them, to cut off Land his followers. Their success, on this occasion, was but too complete. Many of the party were killed as they approached the place of rendezvous, and among them the unfortunate Captain Land, who was butchered in cold blood, in revenge, no doubt, for the detach of Yarborough, whom he had killed in just and honourable combat.”
......................................................................................................................................................................
The Captains youngest son, Sumter Land, became a soldier. He served in the 7th South Carolina Regiment under " Old Hickory " at New Orleans. His birth date here is incorrect. More like 1775
View attachment 280617


Sumter died in Calhoun, Florida when a band of renegade Indians attacked his home and killed him and
and wounded his oldest son, who managed to escape with his mother, Sarah and the younger children.
This oldest son, Thomas Jefferson Land would die in service to the Confederacy. All seven
of Sumter Land's sons would serve the southern cause.
.............................................................................................................................................
Thomas Jefferson Land

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 3/13/1863 at Camp Cobb, FL as a Private.

On 3/13/1863 he mustered as a substitute into "E" Co. FL 2nd Cavalry
He was transferred out on 9/21/1863

On 9/21/1863 he transferred into "E" Co. FL 5th Battn Cavalry
He was Killed on 9/27/1864 at Marianna, FL
Promotions:
* Sergt 9/21/1863 (As of Co. E 5th Battn FL Cavalry)
Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 6/1/1863 from company E to company G
He was described at enlistment as:
5' 11", dark complexion, black eyes, dark hair

Other Information:
born in 1818 in Marianna, FL
.............................................................


John R. Land

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 3/14/1862 at Jackson County, FL as a Corporal.

On 3/14/1862 he mustered into "Smith's" Co. FL Marianna Drag. Cavalry
He was discharged for disability on 6/21/1862
He was described at enlistment as:
6' 1.5", dark complexion, black eyes, dark hair

Other Information:
born in 1831 in Jackson County, FL
.......................................................


James C. Land

Residence was not listed; 34 years old.

Enlisted on 5/3/1862 at Marianna, Jackson County, FL as a Private.

On 3/14/1862 he mustered into "Smith's" Co. FL Marianna Drag. Cavalry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as:
* Oath Allegiance 5/24/1865 Quincy, FL
Promotions:
* Farrier 4/1/1862 (Estimated day)
Other Information:
born 2/17/1828 in Jackson County, FL
died in 1908 in Santa Rosa County, FL
Buried: Fidellas Cemetery, Jay, Santa Rosa County, FL

After the War he lived in Santa Rosa County, FL
...............................................................


Jehu R. Land

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 9/10/1862 at Tallahassee, FL as a Private.

On 9/10/1862 he mustered into "G" Co. FL 2nd Cavalry
He was transferred out on 9/1/1863
(Estimated day of transfer)

On 9/1/1863 he transferred into "A" Co. FL 5th Battn Cavalry
He deserted on 3/15/1865
He was listed as:
* Oath Allegiance 5/24/1865 Quincy, FL
..............................................................


Henry G. Land

Residence was not listed; 27 years old.

Enlisted on 5/3/1862 at Jackson County, FL as a Private.

On 3/14/1862 he mustered into "Smith's" Co. FL Marianna Drag. Cavalry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as:
* Oath Allegiance 5/24/1865 Quincy, FL
Other Information:
born 12/31/1834 in Jackson County, FL
died 7/30/1905 in Jackson County, FL
Buried: Kynesville Baptist Cemetery, Jackson County, FL

(Married Mary Kent on 03/06/1862)
.........................................................


Benjamin F. Land

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 3/14/1862 at Jackson County, FL as a Private.

On 3/14/1862 he mustered into "Smith's" Co. FL Marianna Drag. Cavalry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as:
* On rolls 9/10/1864 (place not stated)
Other Information:
born in 1837
died 11/23/1896 in Santa Rosa County, FL

(Married Octavia McVoy on 10/18/1865)
...........................................................
View attachment 280618
Stephen W. Land

Residence was not listed; a 24 year-old Farmer.

Enlisted on 3/14/1862 at Jackson County, FL as a Private.

On 3/14/1862 he mustered into "Smith's" Co. FL Marianna Drag. Cavalry
He was discharged for disability on 2/5/1864 at Marianna, Jackson County, FL

On 4/7/1864 he mustered into "A" Co. FL 5th Battn Cavalry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as:
* Oath Allegiance 5/23/1865 Quincy, FL
He was described at enlistment as:
5' 10.0", dark complexion, black eyes, black hair

Other Information:
born 8/31/1839 in Jackson County, FL
died 12/23/1915 in Jackson County, FL
Buried: Kynesville Baptist Cemetery, Jackson County, FL

(Married Janie E. Tanner on 10/02/1915)
...........................................................
Battle of MARIANNA, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 27, 1864. Marianna, Fla, Sept. 27, 1864. Detachments of 2nd Maine, 1st Florida cavalry and 82nd and 86th U. S. Colored Infantry. As an incident of an expedition from Barrancas the Confederates at Marianna were drawn up in front of the town to oppose the Federal advance. A charge by a battalion of the 2nd Me. was repulsed but a second attempt by a larger force succeeded in breaking the enemy's line. The Union troops then entered the town, where some 80 prisoners, 95 stands of arms, a consider- able quantity of commissary stores and 400 head of cattle were taken. The Federal loss was 15 or 20 killed and wounded. Source: The Union Army, vol. 6

A Recent Find:

3 Land Brothers.jpg


Sometime after 1865:

Jackson County, Florida, USA

Brother on White Horse: Benjamin Land One of the other two brothers is Jehu Land. It is believed to be the one in the middle. The other brother is either Henry or Stephen. All the brothers were in the Confederate Calvary Co "The Marianna Dragoons" during the Civil War.
 
This is cool, Glenn! I've talked a lot about here on my WNC family of Candler brothers who served in both the Union and Confederate armies. Their dad was killed in Florida as an officer in one of the Seminole Wars.
 
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